Peoples Daily Newspaper, Monday, August 13, 2012 by Peoples Media Limited

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

Vol. 9 No. 1

Monday, August 13, 2012

. . . putting the people first

Ramadan 25, 1433 AH

N150

Goodbye London, see you in Rio!

Flagbearers from participating nations parade during the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Jega to shuffle directors as INEC restructures By Richard Ihediwa, with agency report

here is fear and anxiety at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the leadership of the commission under Prof. Attahiru Jega has concluded arrangements to restructure the commission in apparent preparations for the 2015 elections. Though Jega, who announced the planned restructuring in Abuja yesterday, stated that it might not necessarily mean sacking of workers, sources at the INEC headquarters hinted that some directors at the headquarters may have to lose their positions. The leadership of the commission, it was gathered has compiled a list of poor performing directors who would be moved to

the states to man certain departments while younger and more brilliant field officers in the states who recently passed their promotion examinations are to be brought to the headquarters. It was learnt that the list of those to be sent packing to states where mostly from departments having two or more directors with some of them being redundant and unproductive. Many of them were said to have been brought in during the past administration under Prof. Maurice Iwu and have spent several years without meaningful contributions to the commission. The new management is said to be uncomfortable with the sea of unproductive officials at the commission and has decided to put them into use at the states. "I can tell you that there will

Robbers â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;dashâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Registrar N200 after snatching car >> PAGE 3

be surprises at INEC very soon. Many of the directors are going to lose their positions. There are some offices where we have two or more directors and many of them are not doing anything. Many of them came during the Iwu dispensation They have become dead wood so to say because they cannot cope with the demands of those offices under the current dispensation. "So such people will be moved to the states. Some offices have been opened for them there. There are some vibrant young officials in the states who have been penciled down to come to Abuja to replace them", he source who pleaded anonymity stated. There are however fears that some of those who would be moved to the states might be eventually Contd on Page 2

Ministry predicts ravaging flood in northern states >> PAGE 7

Gunmen on rampage in Gombe, Damaturu

From Ahmed Kaigama, with agency report

nknown gunmen attacked a Catholic Church killing one and injuring a policeman in Kanawa area of Gombe metropolis yesterday. Similarly, another gang of gunmen engaged policemen in a gun duel in Damaturu, the Yobe state capital, also yesterday. The Gombe state Police Commissioner Alhaji Ibrahim Abdu, confirmed the incident to Peoples Daily on phone yesterday, saying there was an attack on a Catholic Church in Gombe. Evangelist Musa Misale who is the chairman, Christian Youth Association of Nigeria, North East zone, told newsmen in Gombe that the gunmen who were five in number had come with the intention of attacking the church but the presence of security men made it impossible for them to gain access to the church, no member of the church was injured or assaulted. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They only attacked the security personnel who tried to stop Contd on Page 2

Egyptian president sacks army chief

Ramadan Timing for Abuja

>> PAGE 32

See other towns on Page 3

Magrib 6.49

Alfijr 5.10

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

Editorial

JTF kills 20 Boko Haram suspects in Borno ...It is not true — Boko Haram

Op.Ed

From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

Letters

Opinion

CONTENTS News

2-11

Metro

16-18

Business

19-20

Newsxtra

Education 27-28 Health

29-30

he Joint Military Task Force (JTF) said yesterday that its operatives killed 20 suspected members of the Boko Haram sect in a raid conducted at the hide-out of the gunmen in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital. A soldier attached to the task force was also killed, while two other operatives were wounded in a shoot-out that ensued between security forces and the gunmen. However in a swift reaction last

International 32-34 Digest

Politics

37-40

Sports

41-47

Columnist

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

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militants in compound. Although the statement did not specify the location of the said hide-out, it however maintained that on sighting the soldiers, the gunmen immediately opened fire at them. “No sooner had our personnel stormed a compound used for terrorist activities, some gunmen who were holding meeting fired at their direction, which led to a serious gun battle. “At the end of the confrontation, our operatives succeeded in killing 20 of the terrorists, while we lost a soldier, with two others wounded”, Col.

Father of triplets appeals for assistance Planned power sector strike: Labour

A year on, Nigeria’s oil still poisons Ogoniland, Pages 24, 25

night, spokesman for the Boko Haram group, Abul Qaqa, dismissed the claim as a baseless propaganda of the task force to cover several defeats it suffered in the recent face-off between the sect and security forces. This came barely 24 hours after the JTF had stormed another hide-out of the sect in Maiduguri metropolis and recovered high profile arms and ammunition. Field Operations Commander of the JTF, Col. Victor Ebhaleme, in a statement issued to newsmen said the incident occurred when security agents were informed on the presence of some Boko Haram

Ebhaleme, claimed. However Qaqa, told reporters on phone that all the persons claimed to have been killed by JTF were innocent and armless civilians, who were not in any way linked with the group. “It is a lie for the security outfit to say that it killed such a large number of our warriors, that is a deception. “All we know was that some innocent persons were attacked and killed, these people do not carry arms and not a single item which can link them to our group was recovered from their house. The security agents are just deceiving the public as a cover up for the defeat the suffered from our warriors”, he argued.

40-year-old father of triplets, Malam Usman Unguwar-Dogo, yesterday appealed for the assistance of the Katsina state government for the survival of the babies. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that UnguwarDogo’s wife, Maryam, delivered three girls on Aug. 2, this year at the Maternal and Child Hospital (MCH), Malumfashi. Maryam died three days after the delivery due to some complications. Unguwar-Dogo told NAN that the babies were transferred to Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria and were discharged on Aug.10. He said that the caretaker committee chairman of Kafur local

government, Alhaji Nafi’u Kuringafa, sponsored the treatment in ABUTH in view of the family’s financial difficulties. The father said that he would need support for their upkeep, stressing that much was expended before and after their birth. Unguwar-Dogo, therefore, called on the state government, wealthy Nigerians and organisations to come to his aid. He thanked Kafur local government for its support in the areas of medical treatment, children’s food, clothing, and transportation expenses. Unguwar-Dogo said that the triplets were the fifth delivery by the deceased, adding that all the previous births were single. (NAN)

minister to meet with unions By Muhammad Nasir

owards ensuring hitchfree power sector reform and in response to reports of looming power outage due to the threat of industrial action by workers in the power sector, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, has in a letter dated, August 10, 2012 invited the labour movement to a meeting. A statement issued recently by the Assistant Director Press in the ministry, Samuel

Olowookere, noted that the meeting which is scheduled for Wednesday August 15, 2012, by 2:00pm at the Minister’s Conference Room, will among other things discuss current labour issues existing in the power sector. Wogu assured Nigerian workers of the Federal Government’s commitment to implementing collective agreements, while encouraging the labour unions to further embrace the spirit of tripartism in the interest of the entire nation.

Jega to shuffle directors as INEC restructures Contd from Page 1 eased out of the commission if they do not shape up and perform in their new positions. At the moment, there is uneasy calm at the commission as the leadership had kept the list to its chest. Stating that those who would leave would be informed soon, the source said "those who are doing their work well need not fear at all". However, fielding questions at an interview session of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Jega said the restructuring is aimed at ensuring efficiency and effective delivery on the electoral process. He said he planned to put in place a workforce that could keep on giving its best and making enormous sacrifices both for INEC and for the country.

He said the exercise had nothing to do with retrenchment, but rather it was a matter of placing the right peg in the right hole. 'The problem is that in Nigeria anytime you talk about restructuring and reorganisation people think you are talking about retrenchment; it needs not be so. In INEC our restructuring and reorganisation is not synonymous with retrenchment. We are doing everything possible to bring efficiency and effectiveness and it can be done without the kind of massive retrenchment that people fear and expect. "In a matter of a month, maximum two months, we will have the kind of restructuring and reorganisation that we would be pleased with in terms of

actualising that vision of having the best election management body in Africa." On the strategies to ensure credible electoral process, Jega said the commission would soon start issuing permanent voters' cards. He said distribution of the proposed voters' cards would begin before the end of 2012 adding that the proposed card was geared toward improving the use of technology in elections. "As you know we did biometric data registration; before the end of this year, we will start issuing the permanent voters' cards and these permanent voters' cards that we are going to issue are chipbased, just like many of our own bank cards. "So they carry all the information on a microchip which

is embedded in the card of the voter. So what we believe we can achieve at the minimum by 2015, is that we can achieve 100 per cent authentication at the polling units. If a voter comes to the polling unit and brings out his or her card, we will be able to determine 100 per cent whether he is the legitimate holder of the card. "So the issues of people using other people's cards to go and vote; the issues of stealing cards or even buying cards will be squarely dealt with and that, we believe we can achieve, God willing by 2015. We already have all the data in our database; we are now going to issue the permanent voter cards; all we need to do now between now and 2015 is to buy what I call card readers in which we will store all the information,'' he said.

Gunmen on rampage in Gombe, Damaturu Contd from Page 1 them from attacking the church and killed one police and injured one. The police officer died on the spot while the injured policeman was taken to hospital for treatment”. He added that all the five assailants escaped and that he was not aware of any arrests. Musa appealed to Christians to remain calm and not take the law into their hands; wondering who

could have carried out such barbaric acts in this month of Ramadan when Muslims are fasting and both faiths are praying and fasting for the nation to be restored to peace. He called on anybody or group with grievances with somebody or the government to find solutions through dialogue. In a similar vein, the Yobe state Commissioner of Police, Mr.

Patrick Egbuniwe, yesterday, confirmed that gunmen engaged security operatives in a shoot-out at the Bindigari area of Damaturu. Egbuniwe told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview that the shoot-out ensued when security operatives went to the area on patrol. “Gunmen as usual, have engaged our security operatives in a shoot-out. The operation is still

on in the area, so we cannot confirm casualties yet. Other parts of the town are, however, calm and security operatives are on top of the situation”, Egbuniwe stated. Meanwhile, many residents have deserted the streets of the city for safety. NAN recalls that six soldiers and one civilian were killed on August 5 in a suicide bomb attack along Gashua road in Damaturu.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

PAGE 3

RAMADAN TIMING Day 25

R-L: Emir of Borgu, Senator Haliru Dantoro, welcoming the Chairman, Association of Licenced Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, to his palace, at the weekend in New Bussa, Niger state. Photo: NAN

Robbers ‘dash’ registrar N200 fare after snatching car From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

are devil armed robbers reportedly gave Sunday Bawa, Chief Registrar, Nasarawa state High Court, N200 as transport fare after snatching his Toyota Camry 2010 model at gunpoint. Police authorities who confirmed the incident on Saturday, said the robbers who trailed the victim from the Zenith Bank at about 6 pm to his residence at Nasara Estate along Makurdi road, where they snatched the car, drove away with the registrar for about 45

minutes to beat the vehicle’s security setup, before dumping the victim along Doma road, after giving him N200 as transport fare. Enoch Maku, Public Relations Officer, State High Court, narrated that the robbers gave the Registrar N200 to get back to town. It was the money that he used to get to the house of the state Chief Judge, Justice Badamasi Maina, who alerted the manufacturers of the car over the robbery, requesting them to track and disable the car. Meanwhile, confirming the incident, police authorities said

they have arrested a 29-year-old man in connection with the robbery, with three other accomplices, wielding a pistol and an AK47 rifle still at large. The car was subsequently traced and recovered at a location about 100 kilometres from Lafia, the state capital where the robbers snatched it. On arrival at the spot, the police arrested the unsuspecting robber still trying to restart the car. He was arrested and taken to the state command but has since been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigations.

Residents cry out as soldiers lay siege on Okene From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

esidents of Okene raised alarm yesterday of brutality, destruction and maiming by the soldiers deployed to maintain peace in the area following the imposition of a curfew. They said house-to-house searches were the common feature in the town while movement within the city centre is being restricted. Sources within the town told our correspondent in confidence

that people were ordered away from churches yesterday by soldiers as they did last Friday when Muslims were denied access to mosques. The source added that some people came out for their legitimate businesses on Sunday but were chased away from the market, assaulted by the armed soldiers, shooting and destroying their goods. The commander, Army Records Lokoja, Major General Alphonsus Chukwu, who denied the allegation in a telephone

conversation with our correspondent yesterday, promised to visit the area today to ascertain the true position of things. "I will be at Okene tomorrow to confirm some of these allegations, but the commanders on ground assured me that there was nothing like that", Chukwu said. It would be recalled that 20 worshipers and two soldiers were killed last Monday by gunmen which led to imposition of dusk to dawn curfew in Okene.

Banker nabbed over murder of NUT chairman From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

he Edo state police command has arrested a middle aged banker,(name withheld) with one of the old generation banks in Uromi, administrative headquarters of Esan North East local government council of Edo state. The suspect was arrested over in alleged complicity in the murder of the chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Esan north east local government area chapter, Barr. Daniel Akhibi. The banker, who is a cashier,

was picked up by the police in his office and is being interrogated to explain how he paid the sum N20, 000 to the deceased NUT chairman, a day after he was gruesomely assassinated by a gang of six gunmen. It would be recalled that the NUT chairman was murdered on Sunday, August 5, 2012 by gunmen who trailed him to his residence at Afuda Village in Uromi. Narrating the sad incident to newsmen at the weekend, younger brother to the slain teacher who gave his name as Kenneth, said his late brother who rode in a red

Mercedes SUV vehicle, was trailed to his residence by six gunmen with an Audi 80 salon car, with no registration number, at about 7.45 pm. He said the gunmen attacked his late brother who had driven into the garage, dragged him out of the car and rained bullets on him. Accomplishing their mission, the bereaved brother said, the suspected assassins drove away in the late brothers SUV, along with the Audi car they used for the operation. Edo state police spokesman,

Towns

Magrib

Alfijr

Aba Abakaliki Abeokuta Abuja Akure Argungu Ankpa Auchi Azare Bama Bauchi Benin Bichi Bida Birnin Gwari Birnin Kebbi Biu Calabar Damaturu Daura Dutse Enugu Funtua Gombe Gwoza Gumi Gusau Gwadabawa Hadejia Ibadan Ife Ilorin Jalingo Jere Jos Kabba Kafanchan Keffi/Nasarawa Kaduna Kano Katsina Kontagora Lafia Lagos Lokoja Maiduguri Makurdi Malumfashi Minna Port Harcourt Potiskum Ringim Shagamu Sokoto Warri Yola Zaria Cotonou - Benin Ndjamena - Chad Niamey - Niger Younde - Cameroun

6.44 6.42 7.01 6.48 6.52 7.03 6.44 6.49 5.40 6.26 6.39 6.51 6.48 6.53 6.51 7.05 6.28 6.39 6.33 6.48 6.46 6.44 6.52 6.35 6.26 7.00 6.53 7.01 6.42 6.59 6.58 6.59 6.31 6.47 5.42 6.52 6.45 6.42 6.49 6.47 6.52 6.56 6.44 7.00 6.49 6.28 6.42 6.52 6.52 6.44 6.36 6.47 6.59 7.01 6.50 6.27 6.49 7.03 6.31 7.14 6.25

5.13 5.13 5.30 5.11 5.22 5.14 5.11 5.18 4.54 4.41 5.00 5.23 5.02 5.16 5.12 5.17 4.42 5.14 4.47 4.59 4.59 5.14 5.07 4.54 4.43 5.14 5.07 5.12 4.54 5.27 5.24 5.23 5.04 5.08 5.03 5.18 5.06 5.06 5.08 5.01 5.03 5.17 5.06 5.30 5.15 4.42 5.08 5.03 5.13 5.19 4.50 5.01 5.28 5.12 5.23 5.26 5.06 5.35 4.45 5.23 5.02

RECOMMENDED DU’A FOR DAY 25 Pray an 8 Raka’at, after Nawafil. In every Raka’ah, after the recitation of Al-Faatihah, recite Suratul-Ikhlas 10 each. After the Salaam recite 100 times: “Allaahumma Swalli ‘Alaa Muh’ammadin Wa Aali Muhammad”. Then say this DU’A: Allahummaj-‘alnee feehi muhibban li-awliyaa-iKa, wa mu’adiyan li-a’adaa-iKa mustannan bisunnati khaatamilambiyaa-iKa, yaa a’as’ima quluubin nabiyyi. Meaning: O Allah let me love and cherish Thy friends, in this month, hate and discard Thy enemies, and follow the way of life of the last of Thy Prophets, O He who kept the thoughts and feelings of the Prophets flawless. Source: Mafatihul Jinan

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

THE PAGE 4 REPORT

PIB: A look at the draft law The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) has become one of the most controversial bills that have generated serious national discourse since the return of democracy in 1999. Aside from the Freedom of Information bill, no other bill has elicited controversy as much as the PIB. But despite the interest it has elicited, very few people understand what it is really all about. In this report, Richard Ihediwa attempts to explain the PIB.

ince failing to sail through during the previous dispensation as a result of protracted disagreements by stakeholders arguing along business, political and sectional lines, the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) has undergone several interest- based modifications so much that it has now become difficult to tell which version is the authentic one. Now, with the harmonised version, tagged ‘Petroleum Industry Bill 2012’, recently forwarded by the Executive to the National Assembly for consideration, a renewed round of debates is expected immediately the legislature resumes plenary in September. However, many Nigerians appear ignorant of what the PIB is all about. Principally, the bill seeks to streamline all the laws governing the oil and gas sector in such a way that there would be enhanced performance and monitoring as well as greater transparency and accountability in the system aimed at creating the enabling environment for the eventual deregulation of the industry. It also seeks to provide progressive fiscal framework that encourages further investment in the petroleum industry while optimising revenues accruing to the government and at the same time promoting the development of Nigerian content in the petroleum industry. The bill also made provisions for removal of secrecy in the bid system for all upstream license and leases; removal of confidentiality in royalty and tax payment and strict guidelines for the segmentation of oil and gas proceeds for payments of Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT). To remove ambiguity on issues of resource control, sections 2 and 3 of the bill vest ownership of oil and gas resources on the Federal Government even as it gives the management and allocation of petroleum resources and their derivatives to the host communities. To ensure best practices, the bill provides for the unbundling of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), removal of its regulatory and supervisory monopoly, transpering strategic control of segments of oil and gas business to the cluster of series of new establishments in the system. While proposing to scrap the NNPC, the bill provides for the

establishment of completely commercial and profit oriented outfits to represent the country’s interest in oil and gas exploration and exploitation just like any other oil major. For this purpose, the draft law provides for the establishment of the Nigeria Oil Company (NOC), to take care of investments in the oil sector and the Nigeria Gas Company (NGC), to take care of investment in the gas sector. This is in addition to the establishment of the National Petroleum Asset Management Company (NPAMC). Others are the Upstream Petroleum Inspectorate, to replace the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency, to replace the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA). There are also the Petroleum Technical Bureau, Petroleum Host Community Fund, Petroleum Equalisation Fund and the Petroleum Technology Development Fund. Under the draft law, the National Oil Company will take over NNPC’s operations in the oil sector while the National Gas Company will take over operations in the gas sector. The bill provides that the two companies be quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange to enable Nigerians invest into the sectors. The two companies under the draft law will have a level of coordination by the National Petroleum Assets Management Corporation provided for under section 120, which provides that the corporation shall be a holding company operating fully on commercial principles. The functions of the Corporation are mainly in the areas of acquiring and managing investments of the government in the Nigerian upstream petroleum industry among others. Under section 13 of the bill, the Upstream Petroleum Inspectorate is vested with the assets and liabilities relating to the upstream petroleum sector, hitherto vested in the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR). Also proposed to be established under section 43, is the Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency, which is to control the assets and liabilities relating to the downstream petroleum sector, a function hither to perform by the Department of Petroleum Resources of the Ministry and the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency

Minister of Petroluem, Diezani Alison-Madueke (PPPRA). The draft law also provides for the establishment of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), which shall operate normally like the existing PTDF. Contrary to reports that the executive has removed the Petroleum Equalisation Fund from the bill, which will make fuel sell at higher official pump prices in the north than in the south, the bill provides for uniform prices for petroleum products across the country. While section 100 of the bill provides for the establishment of the Petroleum Equalisation Fund, section 104 provides for the untilisation of the fund for the reimbursement of product marketers for losses incurred in the process of selling at uniform prices. In the same vein, section 109 of the bill provides for collection of bridging and equalization allowances by owners of storage facilities as may be directed by the board. However, section 100 (4) of the bill provides that the Fund shall cease to exist when government decides that the petroleum product markets have been fully deregulated. Under the draft law, equalisation fund is to be sourced from any net surplus revenue recovered from petroleum products marketing companies and such sums as may be provided for purpose of the Equalisation Fund by the Federal Government. Under the draft law, all the establishments are to submit mid-year and annual reports of

their operations to the ministry while their audited reports must be published on their websites for public notice not later than 31st of July of each year. Other critical areas provided for in the bill are those of taxations, licenses and commercial prospecting guidelines. Under the bill, a petroleum exploration licence shall be valid for not more than three years and shall not include any right or option to win, get, work, store, carry away, transport, export or otherwise treat petroleum discovered in or under the said licence area. Section 117 provides that a petroleum prospecting licence, among other things, shall be with respect to onshore and shallow water areas, for duration of not more than five years, consisting of an initial exploration period of three years and a renewal period of two years, with a possibility for further extensions due to an appraisal period. With respect to deep water areas and frontier acreage, the bill provides for duration of not more than eight years, consisting of an initial exploration period of five years and a renewal period of three years, with a possibility for further extensions due to appraisal periods. The bill also provides more transparent guideline for commercial discovery and development plan which implementation it vests on the Upstream Petroleum Inspectorate. The bill also made comprehensive provisions for oil and gas price monitoring,

regulations for distribution of gas and petroleum products across the country. Providing for deregulation of the Industry, the bill under section 221 provides that the pricing of petroleum products in the downstream product sector is deregulated to ensure a market related pricing; adequate supply of petroleum product; removal of economic distortions; and the creation of fair market value for petroleum products in the Nigerian economy. Section 222 of the bill guarantees licensed companies open access to jetties, loading facilities and storage depots or pipelines currently owned by downstream operators, which are designated as ‘regulated open access facilities on commercially viable terms as may be prescribed by the regulatory agency. However, section 222 (2) provides that access to any of the regulated open access facilities shall take into consideration the existing capacity in the said open access regulated facilities prior to the access permit being shared amongst licensed petroleum marketing or refining companies in proportion to their needs. On the hand, section 223 empowers license marketing companies, bulk consumer of petroleum products or independent refineries to construct independent pipelines and depot or jetties for their exclusive uses, however, under the supervision of the agency. To ensure best political and bureaucratic best practices, the bill provides that the Minister of Petroleum Resources shall be responsible for the co-ordination of the activities of the petroleum industry but provides for checks in the powers of the ministers to make regulations. Section 8 of the law provides that the minister shall, prior to making any regulation, conduct an inquiry in the manner specified by the act and must take into consideration that findings of the inquiry before going ahead with regulations. The bill provides for the establishment of the Petroleum Technical Bureau which will provide technical and professional support to the Minister on matters relating to the petroleum industry. On the whole, it is expected that the current bill, when passed, will pave way for a better governed oil and gas sector in the country. However, there are fears that pecuniary, political and ethnic-based interests that bungled the passage of the first bill may rear their heads again despite the fact that some of the issues raised by stakeholders have been incorporated in the current bill. It is nevertheless hoped that dissenting groups will this time around, subordinate their personal interest to that of the nation.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

PAGE 5

NLC issues 7-day ultimatum to Al-makura From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

asarawa state chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), at the weekend, issued a seven-day ultimatum to Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura, with effect from today, to address their grievances or risk industrial disharmony. Rising from its emergency meeting which held at Lafia, the organised labour in the state, reviewed the alleged unilateral decision of government to "impose an illegal tax regime, remove civil servants names on the payroll

and the demotion of others from the August 2012 salary voucher" and condemned the action of government. It then called for reversal to the status quo before August salaries are paid. In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, jointly signed by Nasarawa state NLC chairman, Comrade Asoloko Maku, , TUC chairman, Comrade Agbashi Gabriel, and Dr. Omolei Friday, president, state ARD, Labour also condemned among others, the recent attempt by management of the ministry of education to truncate the

autonomy of tertiary institutions as well as the foot dragging by government over the payment of the 18 months arrears for staff of tertiary institutions. Determined to fish out what it called "elements that are bent on ensuring the failure of the popular mandate" given the administration of Governor Almakura, the council called on the immediate removal of the state commissioner of finance, Prof. Mohammed Mainoma, from office "for creating unnecessary tension in the polity with his unilateral imposition of the Killer Tax

Regime in the state." Describing government as insensitive by failing to respond to the demands of workers as contained in the communiqué issued by the Expanded Joint State Public Service Negotiating Council, NLC warned that it would no longer guarantee industrial harmony if government failed to address these issues. Attempts by Peoples Daily to get the response of Amos Akawu , Nasarawa state head of the civil service, on the matter, failed as his phone could not be accessed as at the time of filing this report.

called on the Kaduna state government to reactivate the security task force stations as well as extend the services to other notorious flashpoints as part of measures to address the level of insecurity in the state. According to the communiqué, "victims of these activities cut across Christians and Muslims, north and south, indigene and settler, high and low divides. "The Synod hereby expresses its sympathies and condolences to all surviving victims and families of the bereaved and calls on all Nigerians irrespective of their faiths, tribes and political persuasions to be united against any divisive approach to the

confrontation of this evil that has been let loose on the country. "It expresses deep concern about the depletion in attendance at places of worship in Nigeria whose population is acknowledged to be very religious, the destabilization of socio-cultural activities and the destruction and destabilization of economic activities with their attendant widening of the poverty circle forcing internal displacement". It noted the violent nature of Kaduna responses to religious and political matters and called on the Kaduna State Government to reactivate rapid response task force stations and to extend the

facility to other notorious flashpoints. "It commends the Kaduna state government's ongoing response to the compensation of the victims of thelast destructive crises in the state and also calls on the government to undertake and fairly distribute infrastructural projects and social amenities in the three senatorial zones without discrimination or sectional tendencies. "It views with concern the slow pace of implementation of the subsidy removal reinvestment (SURE)program and urges the Federal Government to accelerate action on its implementation.

Insecurity: Only joint efforts can work, says Anglican church From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

aduna Diocese the Anglican Communion rose from its 19th Synod yesterday saying that only collaborative efforts by all, irrespective of ethnic or religious affiliations, can solve the current terrorist activities in parts of the north. In a communiqué at the end of the Synod, the church dismissed the notion that illiteracy, unemployment and poverty are responsible for the spate of crises in the region. The communiqué signed by the Diocesan Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Josiah Idowu-Fearon, said that the church also

No bias against any religion in Niger said From Iliya Garba, Minna

he Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Religious Affairs and Poverty Eradication, Alhaji Abdulhamid Khadi Kuta, yesterday, that there is no favoritism towards any religion in the state, just as pagans are free to practice whatever they believe, as everybody will give account of himself or herself on the Last Day. He made this known in Minna in a chat with newsmen, stating that religious activities could not be left in the hands of private organisations due to security reasons. Alhaji Kuta said that the state government has assisted financially towards the completion of a church and mosque in Minna, adding that government has made it as policy to build a mosque and church in the 25 local government areas of the state. He explained that this was done to bring peace in the state and advised people to continue to live in harmony, assuring that the ministry would continue to carry out religious matterss in a well dignified manner. The Permanent Secretary warned people not to see begging as a means of fighting poverty in the state but deepening it, "people should not see my ministry as a charity organisation where everybody would come and lay his or her financial complaint and expect to be given money". Rather, he said, the ministry would entertain viable proposals or programme that would help in carrying sensitization campaigns to all the local government areas of the state.

Niger Delta amnesty is temporal, says FG From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin he amnesty offered by the late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua in 2009 to former Niger Delta militants who laid down their arms, is temporal, Head, Media and Communication of the Federal Government Amnesty programme, Mr. Daniel Alabra has said. Alabra, who spoke in an interactive session weekend with journalists in Benin City Edo state capital, expressed worry over the recent attacks of journalists in Warri Delta state by some supposed exmilitants who were protesting the non payments of 10 months allowance. Alabra noted that some of the exmilitants have been arrested. This is against the backdrop of over 20,000 former militants who embraced the scheme. He said some were offered scholarships to study in tertiary institutions anywhere in the world while others were sent to acquire vocational skills in addition to N65, 000 monthly allowances. According to him, those who disarmed but were not properly adsorbed into the programme would be captured, adding "they have a group but it is not enough for anybody to say he has dropped his arm and want to be captured."

L-R: Consular General, Alhaji Ahmed Umar, Nigeria Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Bunu, Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, and deputy governor of Medina, Suleman El-Herash, on arrival of the Vice-President, on Saturday at the Medina International Airport for Umrah (Lesser Haji).

Ex-gov to Jonathan: Resign now From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

he former governor of Oyo state, Alahaji Lam Adesina yesterday asked President Goodluck Jonathan to resign if that will bring peace to all Nigerians. The former governor who disclosed this at a Ramadan lecture organised by Adesina Memorial

Mosque held at Felele, Ibadan, the state capital, maintained that Nigeria must achieve peace at all cost. The leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the state said Boko Haram group is not fighting any religious cause but a political one and called on President Jonathan to concede Boko Haram's

demand and resign for the sake of peace to all Nigerians. According to him, if there is no peace, Nigeria will collapse and there is need to achieve that peace now. "If there is a way by which President Jonathan can stop this shedding of innocent blood everyday, I support his remaining

in office till the end of his tenure "But definitely, I don't think this situation can continue for any length of time, every peace loving Nigerian is tired of what is happening, there must be achievement of peace by all means, if it is his resignation that will bring peace, let him resign", Lam stated.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

FG to establish 3000 enterprises for Niger Delta By Muhammad Sada he Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs is to create 3, 000 small and medium enterprises in states in the Niger Delta in order to help in creating employment and boosting the economy of the region. This was disclosed by the Minister for Niger Delta, Chief Godsay Orubebe in Uyo while addressing a two-day management retreat on the Draft Niger Delta Action Plan. He also noted that the enterprises were aimed at improving living standards in the Niger Delta states of Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa, Ondo, Imo, Edo, Abia and Delta. The minister noted that the Akwa Ibom state government had agreed to collaborate with the ministry to build industrial clusters of small and medium enterprises in the state, adding that the Draft Niger Delta Action Plan was a comprehensive programme of investment in the social and public sectors of the region. According to him, the retreat would address the establishment of a Council on Niger Delta and also contribute inputs into the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) now before the National Assembly.

Igala Muslims round off Ramadan lecture By Muhammad Sada

he Council of Igala Muslims of Nigeria, yesterday, rounded off its national Ramadan lecture at its Abuja headquarters, recording a high number of Abuja based Igala Muslims in attendance. The closing ceremony of the Ramadan lecture took place at the headquarters of the Council at Area 1 Garki, Abuja, led by its chairman, Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim with Dr. Usman Ataguba as the guest lecturer. This was part of several lectures held by the Council across the country, an annual Ramadan event normally held to encourage more harmonious and progressive relationship among both the Igala Muslims and the society at large. The lectures preach on tolerance, peace and respect as well as abidance by the teachings of the Holy Prophet (SAW), which admonishes total submission to The Creator by a fasting Muslim. Dr. Usman, in his address at the lecture, urged Muslims to be peace loving and respectful and to emulate the teachings of the Holy Prophet (SAW), discourage violence as taught by the Islam. He also admonished youths to work hard in seeking for knowledge and prayed for peace in the country.

L-R: Governor, Rotary Club of Abuja-Gwarimpa District 9125, Mr. Felix Obadan, presenting a plaque to former Director General, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Professor Olusegun Adewoyi, during installation of Mr. Jeremiah Haruna as president of Rotary Club of Abuja-Gwarimpa District 9125, at the weekend in Abuja. Photo: Photo: NAN

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I will resign if...,says Al-makura G From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

overnor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa state has threatened to resign his appointment as governor of the state, if journalists working in the state, continue to report the 'change' agenda of his administration negatively. Al-makura sounded the threat recently while hosting members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) to Iftar (Ramadan fast breaking), at Government House, Lafia. Al-makura who lauded the contribution of the press in his emergence as governor, however pleaded with journalists in the state to

instead, join him in the crusade against corruption and other negative vices hindering the development of the state. "You should understand my predicament. I'm administering the poorest state in the country, with a very difficult people to govern",he lamented but attributed is success at the 2011 governorship polls to the efforts of journalists in the state. He said the media gave him the needed support at his time of travails, stressing that he could not write his success story without mentioning the contributions of journalists. Al-makura who said he would resign if journalists in the state refuse to give him the

desired support, urged them to expose any kind of crime, corruption or maladministration within the system. "I recalled with nostalgia how journalists were intimidated and even assaulted at the course of our struggle to put the state on the right path of development. "I consider my success at the election as not only mine or my party, but for the journalists in the state; my immediate constituency," he added. He explained that his administration would be the last to harass journalist or gag them from carrying out their legitimate functions in the state.

FCTA sets up câ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ttee on infection prevention, control By Josephine Ella

committee on infection prevention and control has been inaugurated by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), following the formulation of the National Policy on Infection, Prevention and Control. In view of this, the Federal

Government had directed that all states in the country establish Infection Prevention and Control Committee (IPCCs). The Secretary, FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat, Dr. Demola Onakomaiya, who inaugurated the committee, which he is a member, observed that infections, especially in hospitals

was a global issue of great concern. He observed that many had lost their lives through the occurrence and spread of infections and infectious diseases, explaining that: "Transmission of infection can occur from patients to health workers, from health workers to patients and also to members of the community".

through its lawyer, Barrister Yomi Nuberu, alleged that some officials of the state ministry of forestry have been illegally collecting money from timber men without reporting back to the government. Nuberu added in the petition, that there was no response to several petitions written by the association even though the commissioner for forestry '"in fulfilling his promise, tried his best to put a

stop to the atrocities but to no avail''. ''We make bold to say that our client in his patriotic spirit assisted the government to improve the internal revenue drive and stop illegal felling of trees as well as deforestation at the government forest reserves has recorded in video tape, all areas where illegal felling of trees and destruction of plantations were done'', Nuberu said.

Kuramo beach re-opens after demolition of illegal structures

From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

he Ogun state government has, in recent times, been losing billions of revenue to growing illegal forest activities in Ijebu Ode local government area. In a petition to the governor of Ogun state, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, the Ijebu Sawmillers and Timber Contractors Association of Arowosegbe Agba Sawmills, Ijebu Ode,

He appealed to journalists in the state to bury the hatchet and come together to forge ahead while attributing the differences that existed between them and his administration to lack of effective communication. In his remarks, the state chairman of NUJ, Comrade Dogo Shammah, thanked Almakura for the gesture and assured him of adequate support in fast tracking development in the state.

Nigeria marks International Youth Day

By Muhammad Sada

he Federal Ministry of Youth Development has lined up a series of events to commemorate the International Youth Day 2012, which was marked yesterday around the globe. A statement from the ministry said the Minister in charge, Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir, along with other ministers and governors take part in an inter-active session to be held at the NYSC Camp in Keffi, Nasarawa state from August 22-25, 2012 to mark the 2012 International Youth Day themed, 'Building a Better World: Partnering with Youth'. Youth Development Minister, Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir who has sent a solidarity message to Nigerian Youth on the occasion, enjoined them to imbibe the virtues of patriotism, selfless service to the nation and cooperation with government and other key stakeholders in youth development for the advancement of the cause of youth. According to the statement, motivational speakers will interact with youth from across the nation during the Youth Camp.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

PAGE 7

Jega denounces money politics I

ndependent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Attahiru Jega, yesterday in Abuja described excessive use of money in politics as unhealthy and unlawful.

Jega, who made the pronouncement at a forum of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), appealed that the role of money in politics be minimised. He told NAN that the issue

…Says de-registration of parties continuous

NEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, said in Abuja yesterday that the Commission would continue to de-register political parties that failed to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act. Jega, who made the declaration at a forum of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said that the Commission was empowered by law to de-register political parties. “The Constitution and the Electoral Act gave INEC the power to de-register political parties and we have commenced that process and it is ongoing. “So, until there is a change in the legislation, obviously, any political party that does not comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act, we are obligated to de-register them. “I think there are very useful models of registration of political parties in other countries that we can

learn from.’’ Jega said the Commission was determined to review the process of registering political parties to ensure that they met certain conditions before they could field candidates for elective positions. According to him, INEC has already proposed some recommendations for constitutional amendment to vary the process of registration, while maintaining multiparty system of democracy. He said: “It is good to have a multiparty system and to allow as many parties as possible to register, but we really need to sanitise the process of registering political parties. “This will ensure that only the most deserving in terms of their programmes, their constitution, and their physical presence in states and in localities that are registered. (NAN)

of money politics was one of the reform measures INEC planned to introduce before the 2015 general elections. Jega said that INEC intended to tackle extreme use of money by establishing a political monitoring department to observe party campaigns. He said that the unit would also monitor financial contributions of individuals, organisations as well as advertorials of political parties, saying that this is to ensure full

conformity with the limits that had been established by law. He added that most countries took the issue of money politics seriously, stressing that it was imperative that Nigeria did same. “We in INEC are committed to ensuring that by 2015 we would have even more effective mechanism in place to be able to monitor campaign financing; to be able to monitor candidates’ expenditure and to also monitor a party’s expenditure,’’ he said.

Jega told NAN that INEC currently conducted annual audit of finances of political parties, noting that parties were not disposed to the regular auditing of their accounts. Further speaking on the issue of defection, Jega said; “… I think it is part of politics that members of a party will become aggrieved and when they are aggrieved sometimes, they think the only option available to them is to actually leave that party and move to another party.’’

Car dealers to boycott license over continued smuggling From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

utomobile dealers have threatened to stop renewal of their operational license with effect from next year, if the government fails to check the activities of car smugglers. They have also accused men of the Nigeria Customs Services at the borders of colluding with smugglers to bring in vehicles illegally. The secretary of the Automobile Dealers and Marketers in Lagos, Peter Maduabuchi, who stated this in a meeting in Lokoja yesterday, urged government to flush out car smugglers to sanitised the business. Maduabuchi told journalists that the activities of the smugglers were adversely affecting the business, explaining that they hardly remit any revenue to

government because of the collusion with Customs at the borders. He said: “Our major headache is that cars are still coming in through Cotonou illegally. Once a customer approaches us for a car and we disagree on price, next thing you see is that some guys will collect the money and through collusion with customs, they will smuggle in the car and they don’ t pay any duty. “There is a high level of collaboration with some corrupt customs officers at the border, this is denting our image and spoiling business for those of us that are registered and law abiding.” He therefore called on authorities both at state and national level, to curb the rising incidence of car theft, smuggling and other forms of illegal operations.

Edo boat mishap: INEC finds remains of staff By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has discovered the body of one of its ad hoc Staff, Ekhator Iziegbe, who was a victim of boat mishap which occurred during the 14th July 2012 governorship election held in Edo state. The accident which claimed the lives of three policemen and one INEC ad hoc staff, took place in Ologbo River in Edo state. Head of Public Relations, Pricilia Imodu-Sule, confirmed this to

newsmen in Benin City over the weekend. She said the decomposing body of Iziegbe who was a student of the Ambrose Ali University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo state, was found in Kolokolo village in Ikpoba Okha local government area of the state. She said, “The family of the deceased just called me to inform the commission that his body has been found in Kolokolo village. The Edo state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Anthony Airohuoyo, has also confirmed the recovery of Iziegbe’s body at Kolokolo village.

L-R: Head of Programmes Unit, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mrs. Joyce Alexander, Staff Officer Protocol FRSC, Mrs. Eunice Akwarji, and Secretary, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abuja council, Mr. Emmanuel Ogbeche, during FRSC enlightenment workshop for journalists, on Friday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Ministry predicts ravaging flood in Northern states From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

he Federal Ministry of Environment (FME), has predicted severe downpour between now and August 19, which is likely to cause flooding in 14 states, mostly of the northern region. Prominent among the states are Adamawa, Plateau, Sokoto, Jigawa, Borno and Gombe states. Others include Kebbi, Yobe, Taraba, Oyo, Zamfara and Kano states. This is contained in a statement issued by the Deputy Director,

Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department of the Ministry of Environment, Dr. Morohunkeji Oyeleke. In the statement, he identified areas that could be affected as: Demsa, Nunman, Jimeta, Mayo, Belwa, Mubi and Song, all in Adamawa and Langtang, Shelleng, Shendam and Wase in Plateau. Bauchi and Katsina were also listed amongst the flood prone states. Others are Gada, Goronyo and

Shinkafi in Sokoto state; Gumel, Hadeija, Miga and Mallam Fatori in Jigawa state; as well as Bama, Briyel, Damasak, Dikwa/Geidam, Ngala, and Kukawa in Borno state. She also listed Nafada in Gombe state; Anka, Bagudo, Birnin-Kebbi, Bungudu, Bunza, Gwandu, Jega and Kamba, all in Kebbi state. Also listed among the flood prone areas were Gashua, Potiskum, Dapchi, Kanama and Machina in Yobe state; and Bali, Gembu, Ibi, Lau, Wukari and Mutum/Biyu in Taraba state, among others.

Edo Revenue Board advocates people inclusive LG system He stressed that for better result By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

member of the Edo state Revenue Board, Hassan Kadiri, has advocated the bottom-top approach in the administration of local government councils in the country. Kadiri, who dropped the hint during an interactive session with newsmen, noted that besides tackling the issue of corruption, the approach was the best way to

satisfy the yearnings and aspirations of the people at the grassroots level. He also criticized councils over reliance on federal allocation, saying that involvement of the people in policy formulation and execution would enhance efficiency. He noted that reason why most elected council officials failed was because they refused to involve the people; especially the traditional rulers in the planning and execution of their programmes.

to be achieved, the people must be involved in the conceptualisation and implementation of policies and programmes of the local government. “The people know what their problems are and when you give them access to freely discuss this problem and proffer solutions, things become easier for both the council officials and the people. “With this approach, projects will have direct impact in the lives of the people.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

L – R: Chief Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters Juma’at Mosque, Sheik Nura Khalid, Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. John Onaiyekan ,and Most Rev. Donald Hanchon from Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit, United States, during an Inter Faith Peace Prayer and Iftar, on Friday at Apo Mosque, in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

L-R: ED/CEO NPHCDA, Dr. Ado Mohammed, and Katsina state Governor, Barrister Ibrahim Shehu Shema, administering polio vaccine to a child, recently in Ingawa Local Government Area of Katsina state

L-R: Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, Country Director, UNDP, Ms. Ade Mamonyane Lekoetje, and Country Director, ActionAid, Dr. Hussain Abdu, during the International Youth Day ceremony, recently in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imoowo

L-R: Special Assistant to the Vice-President on Media and Publicity, Alhaji Sani Umar, Kaduna state PDP stalwart, Alhaji Umar Gana, and Senior Special Adviser to the VicePresident on Political Matters, Alhaji Abba Dabo, during Gana’s visit to Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, on Friday at the State House, in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

Weekend floods ravage communities in Plateau From Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

ainstorm over the weekend destroyed hundreds houses and properties in Kanam and Langtang North local government areas of Plateau state. Sources confirmed to our correspondent that the rain started on Friday night and

lasted till the next day in Kanam and Lantang and resulted in a flood that swept away farmlands and rendered many people homeless. The management committee chairman of Kanam LGA, Alhaji Abubakar Dashe, listed the affected villages in the council as Garga Mban, Garga Kupai, Lugu and Kan Kuross.

NMA, Lagos govt reopen dialogue over disobedience by casual doctors From Ojebola Matthew, Lagos

he Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos chapter, has reopened dialogue with the Lagos state government over cases of disobedience by doctors during the recent four months crisis between doctors and the Lagos state government. Speaking with newsmen in Lagos at the association’s state secretariat, the newly elected chairman, Dr. Francis Faduyile, said NMA executives are bombarded daily with cases of insubordination from the ‘casual’ doctors employed by the state government. According to Faduyile, these casual doctors are not answerable to the heads of the teams they work with. And this has subsequently led to

victimisation of doctors under the guise of administrative processes. “It is a fact that Lagos state needs more manpower in its health sector to meet the demand of the congested population of the state but what NMA disagrees with is the recruitment of doctors as casual staff. “Though the employed casual doctors betrayed the commitment of other doctors by picking up the appointment during the crisis between us and the state government but that can be settled among ourselves. “We have however reopened discussions with the Lagos state government in order to address these problems as it may eventually affect the outcome of patients’ management in the hospital,” he added.

Dashe disclosed that those whose houses were destroyed by the flood are taking refuge in primary schools within the affected villages in the locality but could not ascertain the number of the displaced persons. Secretary of the Nigerian Red Cross in the state, Manasseh Panpe, said information at his disposal were

not sufficient regarding the incident in Kanam flood but affirmed there was flood in Langtang. According to him, “I heard about the flood in Kanam but I know more about that of Lantang where my men are working right now to ascertain the extent of damage done there”. Panpe said the Lantang flood

FCMB partners TPUL on power generation in Ogun

2012 International Youth Day: Group urges FG to pay attention to youth development

By Muhammad Sada

he First City Monument Bank Plc (FCMB), and Tower Power Utilities Limited (TPUL) have reached an agreement to partner in the financing of a 17.75MW capacity combined cycle gas fired power generation plant in Otta Industrial Estate of Ogun state. The N4 billion financing was granted through the Bank of Industry’s N300 billion Power and Aviation Intervention Fund (BOI-PAIF), which was launched in August 2009 by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to facilitate investment in two of Nigeria’s key sectors which has the potential to build sustained economic development.

s Nigeria joined the rest of the world to celebrate the UN International Youth Day, the Federal Government has been advised to pay more attention to youth development. Mr. Uche Udungwor, president, Youth Development and Empowerment Foundation (YODEF), an NGO, gave the advice in Lagos yesterday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). NAN reports that the UN has set aside Aug. 12 of every year to mark the International Youth Day. “If the society can put in place necessary structures that would aid the development of youths in the country, it would help in advancing their cause,” Udungwor said. He said that YODEF has presented a series of

affected the town of Lantang and at least two surrounding communities where houses were submerged and many of them swept away by the flood. He said “We do not know exactly how many houses have been destroyed yet nor can we say how many farmlands have been affected around Langtang because we are still working on it”.

memoranda to the government with a view to enhancing youth development in the country. He urged leaders to be good role models the youth could look up to and emulate in the society. “The youth is an integral part of the society and they look up to and take cue from the elders. “They are very dynamic and vulnerable and if they are not guided they will tilt towards the negative,” said the youth leader. The NGO boss advised youths against being used for violence, and shun criminal activities in order to earn the trust of the people. “A lot of youths can be lured into committing all sorts of atrocities due to poverty; therefore, they need to be educated against engaging in the ills of the society. (NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

Police arrest physician who allegedly removed patient’s kidneys From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

he Bauchi state police command has arrested a medical doctor who allegedly removed the kidneys of a patient in a private hospital in Bauchi state. It would be recalled that 23 years old Abubakar Buba from Bununu had his two kidneys removed by the man who claimed

to be a physician in a private hospital called Aminci Clinic located at Yakubu Wanka Street in Bauchi metropolis Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Auyo, confirmed to newsmen in a telephone interview that the doctor who allegedly removed Abubakar’s kidneys had been arrested and investigation is ongoing into the incident.

Secretary General, Bauchi state chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Mohammed Abdullahi Hari, said “What happened to Abubakar was unfortunate. “We know the hospital as a place where humanity is taken care of, but this time around they are turning it to something else”. Abubakar is now lying critically ill in hospital living on

dialysis and doctors say he needs at least N7 million for kidney transplant in India. Abubakar fell ill and was taken to the clinic by his parents but his condition worsened after the ‘doctor’ carried out an operation on the patient. His father said: “They asked me for N10,000 which they said was for drugs. After sometime, may be they understood that my

son would not survive and I started raising alarm, they now asked us to go to Kano. They refused to send us to Bauchi. “All my money finished in Kano on his treatment. From Kano, when I could not shoulder the expenses for the treatment, the hospital wrote to Bauchi Teaching Hospital for his treatment. “When we came to Bauchi the CMD asked me for money and I told him I have no money and I don’t have anybody to go to. If it is the wish of Allah, Abubakar will make it. I don’t have money to sue them.

CPC says Okupe is a liability By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

L-R: First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, being welcomed to the First Baptist Church in Warri by Delta state Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, and his wife Mrs. Roli Uduaghan, during the funeral service of the governor’s mother in-law, Madam Rebecca Ayonmike, on Friday in Delta state.

Joint patrol kills robber, recover arms From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

joint patrol team of the police and a vigilante group has killed a suspected armed robber along the Jos–Bauchi highway in Toro local government of Bauchi state. Spokesman of the vigilante group, Malam Abdullahi Umar Fakuru, disclosed this to newsmen in Bauchi at the weekend saying that his men accosted the robbery suspects near Yankari Farms on

Friday night. According to him, the robbers who were dressed in military uniform, rained bullets on the vigilante men who retaliated, shooting one of the robbers to death. He said, one of the vigilantes sustained injuries from gunshots just as he called on the state government to support the group with a van to ease their operation. While confirming the incident, the Bauchi state Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO) ASP

Hassan Mohammed, confirmed the incident, saying, “The armed robber was killed in a joint operation between the police and men of the Toro Vigilante group. “There was an exchange of fire that ensued between the hoodlums and the patrol team. The hoodlums fled and the police cordoned the area to search for them. It was in the process of the search that one of the hoodlums was found dead wearing a fake army uniform. He died as a result of gunshots during the

exchange of fire.” The PPRO said that the police recovered an AK 47 rifle and 49 rounds of ammunition, adding that rest of the robbers are still at large. Briefing officials of the vigilante group in his office yesterday, the council chairman, Alhaji Bala Umar commended the efforts of the police and men of the vigilante group and called for public support to security agents with relevant information.

Create more motor parks, Cleric calls for national prayers over insecurity NURTW urges Fashola From Ojebola Matthew, Lagos

he National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Lagos state chapter, has called on the Lagos state Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola to create more motor parks for its members to operate. Speaking with newsmen in Lagos yesterday, the Chairman of the NURTW, Mr. Tajudeen Agbede, said that building of more motor parks would ease the activities of union and reduce the actions of touts.

“We appeal to the state government to create more parks for our members to operate; we are constrained and forced to use some Lagos roads to serve the people because the government did not provide enough needed motor parks. “We do not want our members to be jobless because an idle hand is the devil’s workshop,” he added. According to Agbede, the union is planning to send its members to the Lagos State Drivers Institute to upgrade their knowledge in driving and road usage.

n Islamic cleric, Alhaji Jamiu Zakariya, has called for national prayers by Christian and Muslim clerics over the current security challenges facing the country. Zakariya, the proprietor of Modrazat Zakariyau Arabic Institute, Agbado, made the call in Abeokuta at a Ramadan lecture organised by the institute. Zakariya also called on President Goodluck Jonathan to adopt a spiritual approach in addressing the crisis. “As a Muslim, I feel greatly disturbed about the state of

insecurity in the country. “It is very sad to see our people becoming terrorists and killing innocent people for no reason whatsoever. “No human being has the right to take the life of another person; I condemn it totally," he said. “I call on President Jonathan to urgently call for a prayer programme involving both Christians and Muslims,’’ he added. Zakariya, nonetheless, called on all Muslims to take advantage of the Ramadan season to pray for the peace and unity of the country. (NAN)

he Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), has stated that the newly appointed Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe, is a liability to Nigeria. CPC stated this in a reaction to his recent statement wherein he criticised the Vice Presidential candidate of CPC in 2011 election, Tunde Bakare and CPC stalwart, Nasir elRufa’i, for calling on President Jonathan to resign over his inability to tackle the problems besetting the nation. In a statement issued yesterday by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Rotimi Fashakin, CPC said that Okupe was appointed to douse the anger of Nigerians against that reckless and unbudgeted expenditure by the President in ordering 200 luxury cars for the comfort of the visiting African first ladies, under the auspices of Africa’s First Ladies Peace Mission held in Abuja. Against this background, the party regretted that Okupe , in a desperate attempt to justify his appointment, has taken to lambast eminent Nigerians who make bold to confront President Jonathan. CPC therefore alleged that it is likely that the Jonathan’s regime had hoped to leverage on his previous use of the position as an avenue to attack the President’s political adversaries. “In his characteristic style of persecuting the messenger rather than examining the merit of the message, the Jonathan regime’s new ‘attack dog’ chose to cast aspersion of Bakare’s pastoral calling, in relation to his political activism.” CPC stated.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

Tips on wealth creation Honestly look at your finances his may be the hardest part of the plan to follow, however, it is one of the most important things we can do. Sit down with your monthly bank statement. Take a look at what you are spending your money on. You might be surprised where your income is going. Find creative ways to lower your expenditures While looking at your finances, you need to begin to make changes. There are lots of creative ways to lower your pay outs. Maybe you subscribe to cable or satellite for television. Can you watch your favorite shows via the internet? This maybe on area to reduce your spending. What about insurance costs? You may want to speak to a professional about your insurance and retirement plans. There might be ways to save in these areas. Spend time cutting coupons and finding the best deals. There are lots of ways to reduce what we spend. Sell anything you can Do you have things lying around the house that are not needed? Notice that word 'needed'. Sell everything you can do without. Old jewelry, furniture, even services. Anything that someone would pay money for and you can live without, get rid of it. It may seem crazy to some, but you will be taking a step in becoming financially stable. Of course, the fact that you will also be clutter free won't hurt either. Don't spend your savings This can be tough, but you want to save your savings. Sometimes there are things that come up that you have to dip into that extra, and if that happens that is okay. However, you will want to make up what you spent as quickly as possible. When you have money set aside, this allows you to be prepared for whatever may come, and if you desire getting out of the 9 to 5 rat race, a savings account is a must. Pay off and stay out of debt Do your best to pay off all your debt. Breaking free of the 9 to 5 job can be all about getting out of debt. Once you don't owe any creditors, you will experience much more freedom to begin your journey of breaking free.

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MONEY SENSE

Principle of investing (I) I

t is common knowledge that though many desire to invest and earn returns on their investment, they lack the requisite skill necessary for taking informed investment decisions. The following are principles practiced by renowned investors drawn from around the world. They include: Start now Every form of delay in investing only increases the time it will take to accomplish an investment goal; be it saving for retirement, starting a building project, paying for children's school fees, etc. Starting early makes all the difference, the longer you have

your money working for you, the more you will gain. In general, every six years you wait doubles the required monthly savings to reach the same level of retirement income. Know yourself Knowledge of self is a cardinal requirement for investing. The course of action is dependent on current situation, future goals and personality. An investor's financial health is made up of his net worth, monthly income, expenses, saving ability, among others. In addition to having a documented investment plan, an investor must know his/her investment self. Investors can be

defined as either active or passive investors and speculator or investors. Active investors make a serious commitment in time and energy to become good investors who equate the quality and amount of hands-on research with the expected return. The equation "Work = Return" translates to the more work put into an investment, the higher the return should be. Passive investors buy and hold securities with long-term horizon without actively trying to profit from short-term price fluctuations in the market. It requires good high quality initial research, patience and a well-diversified portfolio.

Some basic banking terms: What does PoS mean on a bank statement? Definition PoS reference on your bank statement is an acronym for point-of-sale and indicates that a purchase was made using your debit card. Purchases recorded as Point-ofSale mean that you entered your PIN number to authorize the transaction and therefore were probably physically present for the purchase. When you open a checking account, the bank will more than likely issue you a bank card, also called a debit card. These cards enable you to make purchases anywhere you can use a credit card, in addition to allowing you to withdraw cash from an ATM. When the card is used as a debit card, the transaction will be reflected as a POS on your bank statement. Benefits T h e primary benefit of a POS, from a consumer point-of-view, is that the transaction is instantly reflected in your account's available balance. This can be beneficial if you are not diligent about tracking transactions on your account. If you do keep an accurate

ledger, the POS information will help with immediate reconciliation. If you tell the merchant that you wish to use the card as "credit" instead of "debit," however, the transaction may not be reflected on your account

statement for several a days. f-S Choices -t o in The difference o between "credit" or lP ca "debit" at the point-ofi p ty sale is significant to a A consumer. When your bank card is used as a credit card transaction, the money may not be transferred from your account for days, depending on how the merchant processes its transactions. Credit card transactions are le

Proponents of passive investing are regarded as true investors in the market. A speculator's sole concern is the value that someone will be willing to pay for an asset, while an investor looks at a stock as part of a business. An investor must also determine what level of risk he or she is willing to accept in pursuit of their objectives. The appropriate level of risk is determined by your personality, age, job security, health, net worth, amount of cash you have to cover emergencies, and the length of your investing h o r i z o n . (Source:www.gtbasset.com) protected by the same laws that protect traditional credit card users. If your card becomes lost or stolen and it is reported, you will not be liable for the credit transactions beyond that point. You can also take advantage of the credit card company's mediation services for any disputes you have with a merchant. When a purchase is made as a debit transaction, the funds are immediately transferred from your bank account. Most banks have a daily limit on debit transactions, so large purchases may be declined. Unfortunately, debit card purchases are not protected under credit card regulations when it comes to lost or stolen cards. POS Fees Fees associated with using a bank card vary greatly depending on the credit card companies, the banking system and government controls that are in place. Banks can also charge fees directly to the card holder for point-of-sale purchases, much like an ATM fee. The Federal Government can put restrictions on these fees charged both to the merchant and the consumer, so check with your card holding bank for any fees associated with using your card.

Do You Know About....

Nigerian Capital Development Fund

he Nigerian Capital Development Fund (NCDF), is private development agency established to promote sustainable economic development and growth at the grassroots, especially among low income earners and rural communities in Nigeria with the objective of alleviating poverty and creating mass employment. NCDF collaborates with other institutions in public and private sectors to provide financial and non-financial intermediation programmes and services and provide steady and easy mode of accessing capital for micro enterprises at the grassroots for sustainable development in Nigeria. NCDF has developed new strategy to provide seed capital to the grassroots in a traditional method through Trust Groups and Cooperative Society under its Grassroots Economic Empowerment Scheme. For more details, go to http://ng.ncdf.org.ng/

CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

Quote

Knowing bank statement abbreviations will help you reconcile your account.

It is more important to know where you are going than to get there quickly Mabel Newcomber: Professor of Economics

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

Governors’ killer convoy drivers

recent study by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) involving 604 drivers in the convoys of state governors reveals very sordid details. Covering a three-year period from 2008, the study, initiated by the governor of Rivers state, Chief Rotimi Amaechi in his capacity as the Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum, reveals that 300 of the drivers examined had no driving licences and 241 had high blood pressure while the rest had poor sight. Regrettably, Amaechi and 12 other governors did not send their convoy drivers for the test and retraining undertaken by the FRSC at 12 locations in 22 states. The Police, which has its personnel in the governors’ convoys, did not send its drivers, saying that the FRSC has no powers to train its drivers. Edo and Zamfara state governors are among the 13 governors that failed to send their convoy drivers, yet they are the two states where there have been fatal accidents involving governors’ convoys. In 2011, three journalists in the convoy of Governor Adam Oshiomhole were killed in an auto accident in Edo; and in Zamafara, Police Superintendent Ado Yahaya, in charge of the state governor’s special protection unit, was killed in a crash involving the governor’s

convoy on June 25, this year. Other governors’ convoys were also involved in crashes though not as fatal over that three-year period. What is revealing in the report is not so much the outcome of the physical test as what the drivers said. The majority of them said that they were always under pressure

“

The conduct of the drivers, the refusal of the police authorities to allow their personnel to take part in the test/training and the failure of most of the governors, including ironically, Amaechi who ordered the test, to send their convoy drivers, reveal how deep-rooted is the culture of impunity in this country from the governors to exceed the stipulated speed limit. Others admitted that the fact of their being in the convoys of the governors gave them such power as they had never had before. Another shocking revelation is that the FRSC never prescribed any penalties against the

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drivers who violated the law though it did point out that “it is the same law for everybody; it doesn’t matter whether the violator is a governor’s convoy”. Clearly, in this case, it did matter that the offending drivers belonged in the convoys of state governors. Suddenly an overzealous FRSC ready to penalize ordinary Nigerian road users for even the slightest offence found itself powerless against the powerful! The FRSC did advise that drivers whose driving licences had expired be withdrawn from the governors’ convoys or be made to revalidate them. However, this remains only a piece of advice, nothing more, because the agency has no way of knowing whether its advice is followed through. The conduct of the drivers, the refusal of the police authorities to allow their personnel to take part in the test/training and the failure of most of the governors, including ironically, Amaechi who ordered the test, to send their convoy drivers, reveal how deep-rooted is the culture of impunity in this country. Something has to be done to stop these killer convoy drivers. The FRSC must be courageous enough to invoke the law against the powerful as it does against the weak. If its hands need further strengthening, it should take its case to the National Assembly.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

By Chidi Anselm Odinkalu

he mechanisms for electing the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) are out-dated, scandal-prone and liable to whimsical capture. The question is not whether to change them but how quickly and how deeply. The answer to this is: not soon enough. The pay-offs from such reform will be far reaching. They will transform the way we govern our Bar, give the Bar greater legitimacy in monitoring public affairs and ensure better revenues for the NBA. Above all, they will herald a more transparent, professional, efficient and fully inclusive Bar. No one knows how many lawyers there are in Nigeria. We don't keep good records even of our lawyers. Such an inexcusable omission undermines the credibility of our Bar. There are well over 80,000 lawyers on the roll of lawyers kept by the Supreme Court. This is the list of all lawyers who have ever been admitted to practise in the country. A few thousands are surely dead. Many have also gone on to the Bench as magistrates and judges. Obviously, neither the dead nor judges and magistrates should be voting in NBA elections. As presently organised, however, little stops votes being counted in their names. The NBA elects its leadership by a system of delegates drawn from its 100 branches. Each branch is entitled to 10 delegates each. If a branch has 100 members or more, it gets an additional delegate for Godwin Onyeacholem n August 8, 2012, the second International Youth Day (IYD) lecture, an annual event organized by the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy, AFRICMIL, held in Abuja, amid a telling spectacle of displeasure from a generation of young minds who see their lives being shamelessly turned upside down by an enduring chain of Nigeria's reprobate leadership. AFRICMIL, a youth-focused, irrepressible civil society organization imbued with a strong sense of duty and sufficiently bothered by the noxious social order created by the country's malevolent yet impenitent (mis)rulers, appropriately stoked the fire by going for one of the many themes suited to these times: Nigerian youth and the challenges of Nation-Building. Of course since virtually every action of government in decades has exposed a fundamental confusion and tragic lack of ideas in terms of how to turn a secular, multi-ethnic nation with so much promise into an enviable democratic polity, it is only reasonable to expect that such a wretched country, foisted with perverse minders inaccurately described as leaders, would need immediate help. And one of the ways to go, as AFRICMIL seems to have thoughtfully considered, is the urgent task of rebuilding. And where else to begin, if not from seeking the perspectives of constituents of a faction of the populace disingenuously labelled "leaders of tomorrow?" As expected, a thrilling array of creatively persuasive speakers, including Dr. Sam Amadi, executive chairman of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC); Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru, ex-chair of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), now obviously making good in the private sector given her catching belief in the turn-around of an economy hobbled by lack of productivity, and Jonas Agwu, image-maker of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), were on hand to spread the gospel of hope to a youth utterly deflated, dispirited, disillusioned and disappointed by a successive gang of

PAGE 13

NBA: How to make it transparent, professional, all inclusive every one hundred members. Also entitled to vote as delegates are elected officers of the NBA (13 of them), all living lawyers (excluding judges) who are members of the Body of Benchers, Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) and all members of the expanded National Executive Committee (NEC) of the association. In all, this electorate at its optimal, is less than 2,000. There is a painful history to this delegates system. 1991 was the last time the NBA tried to vote by universal suffrage in Port Harcourt. General Ibrahim Babangida was then in power. There were allegations that his military government was interested in installing a Bar leadership of its liking. There were court orders, police interference and, expectedly, in the Port Harcourt conference ended in chaos. The NBA was to become largely leaderless until the end of military rule in 1998. The inevitable diagnosis that followed concluded that the problem was that the Bar could not manage the numbers seeking to vote. Yet there were then fewer than 20,000 people on the roll of lawyers in Nigeria. The idea of suffrage for delegates alone was intended to reduce the expenses and uncertainties involved with

universal suffrage at the Bar. That diagnosis, with the benefit of hindsight, was quite wrong. The problem was not the numbers but the fact that the governance of our Bar was too dependent on government and the elections into the Bar leadership were too prone to manipulation. These twin problems remain unaddressed. The NBA's bi-ennial election conference is a four-day jamboree. On the first day, delegates travel to and arrive at the venue in Abuja. On the second day, they are accredited and addressed by the candidates in a "manifesto" night. Voting takes place on day three, followed by counting and the declaration of results. On the fourth day, most travelling delegates return home. There is no excuse for this arrangement. For most lawyers in single or two-person practice, the delegates' conference is a waste. The risks of road travel are also enormous. Most delegates travel long distances by mini-bus from their respective branches. Many of these buses are inadequately insured, if at all. Elections into the NBA leadership are one car crash away from being hostage to avoidable tragedy. No amount of "God forbid" or "It is not your portion!"

should be allowed to diminish the size of this risk. There is no reason why the Bar should spend four days in organizing elections in which there are fewer than 2,000 voters. If it continues this way, the Bar loses any standing to criticize the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) for its well-advertised inefficiencies. Returning credibility to our Bar requires that this situation be reformed urgently. To do so, the NBA must set a target for leadership selection based on universal suffrage by 2016. It could be sooner. Achieving this requires three easy steps. First, we need fully transparent and reliable records of lawyers in this country. This requires a capable electronic platform. If the NBA can spend ten-digit sums acquiring buildings, it surely can find sums in the low seven-digits to finance a capable electronic platform with adequate firewalls. Old membership records can be mirrored electronically in one year or less. Prospectively, membership and admission records for all lawyers can be electronically maintained and updated. Second, membership management - including services, entitlements and voting - can be organised around a unique professional identity number (PIN)

A tale of angry youth lootocrats who have had nothing to show other than unparalleled banditry. The Ministry of Youth Development which ought to have registered a strong presence as the Minister himself, Inuwa Abdul-Kadir, was billed as special guest at that event was, not surprisingly, very conspicuous by its obvious absence. Not surprising, because no idea, regardless of its benefits to the country, merits the attention of any government agency if it's not the originator. Typical of their insufferable behaviour, not even a representative from that government office, the ultimate policy organ and real custodian of youth affairs in the country came anywhere near the venue. Never mind that the day before, officials of AFRICMIL had sat down in the office of one of the henchmen in that Ministry, a Director for that matter, who praised the initiative to high heavens and promised that his office would take active part in the lecture. Unknown to the organization, his host was selling a dummy. And as this piece was being processed, no reason for failing to honour the promise and no apology whatsoever had been received from that office. What a way to promote the interest of the youth! The attitude of government officials in Nigeria is well-known to those who have been unlucky enough to cross their paths. There are scant positive stories about them in terms of service delivery. During the inglorious civilian administration of Olusegun Obasanjo, an office temptingly tagged SERVICOM, a sort of warehouse with a mandate to address public complaints of poor services by government offices, was created. As of today every agency of government still runs the office, but there has been no noticeable improvement in the way the Ministries and parastatals do their work. There are complaints aplenty of horrendous service, if any is rendered at all, in the civil service. Part of it was what AFRICMIL experienced in the build-up to the youth day lecture.

Indeed, despite the prevailing mantra of transformation, all Nigerians could see is inertia. No clear-cut movement towards change. To this end, there can be no question, therefore, that the overstuffed and antiquated civil service feeds the crisis of underdevelopment in Nigeria. And to be fair, to an overly battered youth, there is no use wasting resources in sustaining a Ministry of Youth Development that is virtually asleep all-year round and would not even be roused by the extraordinary work of an organisation whose effort was largely complementary and flattering rather than critical. Since its relevance is inevitably insupportable, it is hereby recommended that the Ministry should be scrapped without any further delay. To begin to recount the legendary levity with which officials of state, be it career personnel, elected or appointed official, treat issues they ought to take very seriously would be sheer waste of time. If the Minister of Youth Development neither showed up nor sent a representative, the Director-General of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mike Omeri, proved a shade better. At least, he sent a representative who, as they are wont to do, prefaced his boss' remark with a tenuous apologia delivered in the usual tortured clichĂŠ that is very

common among government officials who appear at occasions as representatives of their bosses. The big man or madam who is the real invitee is forever "unavoidably absent." But the presence of the NOA boss himself would have made a world of difference given that the event was about the youth, which are the pivot for any successful value re-orientation in the crusade for a better Nigeria. As he is not in the league of officials with whom President Goodluck Jonathan meets every Wednesday morning, it would be interesting to hear from Mr. Mike Omeri that more compelling engagement that prevented him from attending that event at which he would have told the youth the kind of re-orientation they should be expecting, that new process of moral re-adjustment he hopes to impose which would ultimately reverse the pernicious system midwifed by his irredeemable benefactors. The youth are not likely to forgive him for the missed opportunity. As for Jude Imagwe, Special Adviser to the President on Youth Affairs, the event meant little considering the way he carried himself with a swagger, the Awo-like cap sitting jauntily on his head as he thrust shoulders forward with every step. Coming in many hours late, a retinue of hangers-on filing behind him,

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assigned to each lawyer on roll. At the end of the deadline for payment of annual practising fees the first quarter of each year, the NBA should issue the list of all members who have paid the fees and who, thereby, will have the rights to membership services and voting. Third, the idea of gathering all voters in one place is Mediaeval and must end. In the current security context that we have in Nigeria, it is plainly unsafe. Instead, voting processes at the Bar, including accreditation and balloting, can and should be de-centralised. Current ICT capabilities make this easily manageable. The newly elected President of the NBA, Okey Wali, a Senior Advocate, can easily launch the association onto a new pedestal by implementing these easily achievable reforms. To help get the message out, he can launch a Movement for Universal Bar Suffrage (MUBS) in 2012, creating the awareness across 100 branches of the NBA to make it possible to amend its constitution in 2013 to eliminate the delegates' conference. The larger goal in doing this will be to give us a Bar for the 21st century. Prof. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu is Chairman, Governing Council of NHRC. Mr. Imagwe advertised no sense of purpose other than the virulent condescension that is common among young men and women who find themselves in government in any capacity. He barely was seated for ten minutes before insisting he must speak as another engagement was waiting. He promptly seized the microphone, courteous enough to apologize for his lateness, then offered nothing new other than the usual platitude. In another five minutes he was done. And like Van McCoy, he stepped off the podium and disappeared through the door, his groupies rushing to catch up with him. All of this, the youth in the hall which included members of the National Youth Service Corps, civil society, and faithbased organisations witnessed and never seem impressed. By the time they began to speak, the anger came in torrents. The fury was unequivocal. They directed their barbs at the so-called leaders, hitting very hard at a systemic lapse in governance that has bred injustice, corruption, impunity, insecurity and socio-pathological crimes nibbling furiously at the soul of the nation. One NASFAT youth was to suggest to his peers that the best way to go is for the Nigerian youth to take their destiny in their own hands and forget about pinning hopes on aclassofselfishleaderswhoshownoserious sign of salvaging the nation. For now, the exhortation seems to be not to explore the Tunisian or Egyptian example but "but to see what we can do for ourselves." It will be interesting to see how that can be achieved in a forbidding environment like Nigeria. Yet there is reason to keep hoping for an improvement, if for nothing but for the immense vibrancy of the youth. The scholarly intercession of Dr. Amadi highlighted this feature; Ifueko's moderated, distinctive anecdotes accentuated the promise, while Jonas Agwu's fetching interpolation, executed with stylish aplomb, summarizes a great future nurtured in optimism. Thank you, AFRICMIL, as we await IYD in 2013. Godwin Onyeacholem is a journalist based in Abuja.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

Doyin Okupe and the rest of us By Raheem Oluwafunminiyi

he recent appointment of Dr. Doyin Okupe as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs has continued to generate much debate, both in low tones within the presidency and in high tones among the general public. His appointment couldn't have come at a better time, most especially when confusion within the presidency has further cut off whatever filial affection the vast majority of the people initially had with the government of the day. And of course, like Dr. Reuben Abati had stated, Okupe is coming on board with a lot of experience to engage the public with coherence. This he displayed just a day after the press conference which introduced him. He quickly waded into the budget controversy between the Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the impeachment threatening members of the National Assembly, NASS, saying the current misunderstanding between both parties was 'not very healthy and not necessary. One wonders what would have been going through the minds of the NASS members with such statement! This writer would simply agree with the very few who believe the duties of both Abati and Okupe are not similar. As a matter of fact, Okupe's job would certainly not undermine Abati's, simply because the mien of the former displays the character of a bully, thug and attacker against whoever displays

same character towards the Jonathan available (not like Abati who is guided by of words, it certainly promises to be a presidency-a characteristic totally the ethics of his profession) to engage the fun-filled time until 2015. However, as nonexistent in the latter. In fact, this type public on current issues of national the country continues to be bedevilled of information management importance which Okupe simply coined by so many problems, would it be arrangement took place during the as 'public advocacy'. quite easy for a man like Okupe to Obasanjo regime when Mrs Remi Oyo Okupe's engagement with the public perform well enough, owing to his was Special Adviser to Obasanjo on Media continued just few days ago when he past pedigree? Time will of course tell, and Publicity, however, the issue while Chief Femi of corruption and Fani-Kayode how to effectively served as Special tackle it still Assistant on remains a mirage Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text Public Affairs. For for the current messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written those who knew administration. contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 both personalities Maybe Okupe and the should come out words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and administration and engage us on a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed they served at the the bribery to: time, most scandal between especially Chief Honourable The Editor, Fani-Kayode, it Lawan and oil would not be too magnet, Otedola. Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, hard to say that He should tell us 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. they simply got us why none of the Email: let ters@peoplesdaily-online.com drooled. two and all those SMS: 07037756364 Having said involved have not this, it is a known been prosecuted by fact today that a court of many Nigerians have lost faith in the took a swipe on former FCT Minister, conscience. He should engage us on current administration, if words coming Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai and Vice how Dame Patience Jonathan from one of the aides in Aso-Rock that Presidential candidate of the Congress for intends to execute policies Jonathan is the most cursed president in Political Change (CPC) in the 2011 simultaneously in her new position the world, is anything to go by. From the presidential elections, Pastor Tunde as a Permanent Secretary in the senseless removal of fuel subsidy in Bakare, for calling on President Jonathan Bayelsa state Civil Service and the January and down to the Boko-Haram to resign in the face of mounting security First Lady of the country. He should menace coupled with the Permanent in the country. Okupe did not hide his engage us on how the subsidy Secretary promotion status of the First bitterness against the due and said while removal in January has cushioned Lady in Bayesla amongst others, it is politics had already derailed El-Rufai, by the steady collapse of the epileptic glaring the Jonathan presidency have the prophecies of the likes of Pastor Bakare, economy (even if the IMF does not not had it easy, therefore, quickly fishing "you shall know them". believe so); where allocations are out someone who would always be With Okupe's finesse and savvy choice deducted and all major sectors of the

WRITE TO US

economy are going in shambles. Okupe should engage us on the Justice Ayo Salami stalemate and tell us when an incorruptible judge of that status would be re-instated. Finally, he should engage us on the First Lady syndrome, characteristic of its show of power, which has once more and more than ever before crept into our political and national consciousness. The Jonathan administration for many is still very young and has until 2015 to perform. Failure to achieve such would only make Okupe miserable and disconnect him from the people his work is to engage with. Nigerians accept that he is a 'weak attack dog' like he claimed when confronted with the fact that he was appointed as an 'attack dog,' however, many are of the belief that there is nothing to engage the public in currently because the orientation of the people is that the Jonathan administration had betrayed their trust. For the fact that insecurity permeates the entire country with no clues to end it, even when a Northerner is now the National Security Adviser, Okupe must buckle up to convince an already enlightened Nigerians as to why Jonathan should not continue to be the most cursed president in the world, after all, he is a man gifted with a lot of political savvy, very amiable and very highly-respected within the society. Raheem Oluwafunminiyican be reached on creativitysells@gmail.com

Bakare: Pastor, prophet or politician? R By Dr. C. Kingston Ekeke

ecently, Dr. Tunde Bakare, Pastor of Latter Rain Ministries and Convener of Save Nigeria Group (SNG), in one of her sermons that has gone viral on the Internet, called for a change of government in Nigeria. He also called on President Goodluck Jonathan to resign and currently attacking the President's wife, Mrs. Dame Patience Jonathan. As a result of his utterances against the presidency, Tunde Bakare the pastor and his political activism are being questioned by many. In fact, many see Pastor Tunde's political activism as awkward. Millions of Nigerians tend to distinguish political activism from religious activism. And this is due to various interpretations of Scripture regarding God's Call. I think the erroneous views and convoluted biblical interpretation regarding those ordained to Ministry are as a result of improper exegesis of Scripture and misunderstanding of the subject of 'God's Call,' or 'The Call of God.' The call of God is not always associated with leading a Church or religious organization. It's not even about salvation or being called to the work of Ministry as priest, pastor, or bishop. The call of God is a call to purpose and destiny. It is a call that moves the "Called" and society from success to significance. If the Bible is studied very carefully, one will notice that God called different people to various activities and assignments - some to be Wise Counselors (Daniel), as Leaders (Joseph, Moses, Joshua), as Kings (David, Solomon), as Military Warriors (Joshua, Samson, Deborah, Jehoshaphat), as

Missionaries (Abraham, Paul), as Judges (Deborah, Gideon), as kingdom Builders (Jesus), as Revolutionaries (Jesus), as Procreators (Adam &Eve ), and off-course many were called to be Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Bible Teachers. If you study the Call of some of these folks - Adam & Eve, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, Jonah, Deborah, Gideon, Samson, Ruth, Esther, David, Nehemiah, Jehoshaphat, Isaiah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, John the Baptist, Jesus, Apostles, Paul, etc., you will notice that they all were called by God to carry out different assignments. Throughout the history of mankind and even in our present time, true prophets of God and genuine spiritual leaders had always denounced sin, wickedness, and injustice - not per say by political activism but by calling the political leaders of nations to rule in the fear of God and work to provide a just and fair society. During the prophetic ministry of Isaiah who reigned during the time of Kings Uzziah, Jotham and Hezekiah, you will read that those kings were extremely wicked kings with exception of King Hezekiah, who ruled with the fear of God. Kings Uzziah and Jotham abused the power of their office and led the people astray. They crushed the poor for their own profit. First, Prophet Isaiah challenged the rebellious people of Jerusalem and gullible Judah to repent of their sins and turn to God. He called on the people to clean up their acts. Isaiah denounced Judah for her idolatry and immorality and called for national repentance, prayer, and fasting. Second, Prophet Isaiah rebuked the kings and rulers for their social injustice and called on the politicians

to restore a just and fair society otherwise God's judgment and destruction would come suddenly. Third, Prophet Isaiah believed that God has something to say about Judah's foreign policy and as God's representative and ambassador to the Kings of Judah - Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah; he warned them about entering into an unholy alliance with Assyria. Biblical history records Moses as Israel's greatest leader and prophet. The Bible teaches that only John the Baptist and Jesus were greater than Moses (Matthew 11:11; Hebrew 3). He was a heroic leader and his greatest leadership legacy was that he delivered the Israelites from oppression and slavery in the hands of Pharaoh, King of Egypt. He also gave them the laws that form the foundation of every nation today social, dietary, religious, moral, and civic. Joshua, Moses protégée, not only spied the Land of Canaan and believed that Israel could conquer it, but he led the Israelites into conquering the fortified Land of Canaan, a Land flowing with milk and honey. Jesus was called and sent to bring light to the dying world and to lay down his life for Kingdom's sake. Jesus ministry was whole teaching, preaching, healing, social, economic and political. Jesus spoke to the political (Sadducees) and religious elites (Pharisees) of his day more than he preached and taught the Scriptures. Prophet Isaiah prophesized 750 years before Jesus was born, "For to us a son is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and

peace, there is will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this" Isaiah 6:6-7. Nehemiah left gave up his comfortable and wealthy position in Persia, and returned to his fractured nation and rallied against all forces of opposition to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. This is what most Nigerians in Diaspora should be thinking doing if not soon before Nigeria disintegrates and falls apart. Micaiah, a valiant and solitary prophet was not intimidated, but challenged the established religious and political order of his time. Without favor or fear, he delivered unpalatable messages to the nation when all the prophets during his time were lying to King Ahab to seek his favor. Prophet Micaiah spoke the truth without caring whose ox was gored. Rev. Billy Graham did not pastor or erect any Church, yet he spread the Gospel around the world and became perhaps the greatest evangelist of our time. He met and advised many world leaders during his evangelistic ministry. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. could have sat comfortably as a pastor of any Church in America during the 60's, but gave that up to answer the 'Call of God,' the 'Call of his People,' and of their unfortunate 'Circumstances' and through his prophetic ministry, his powerful oratory and courageous leadership, he freed an entire nation from hate, bigotry and self-destruction that gave millions freedom and hope around the world. The problem in our society today

is that many people entering into Ministry - i.e., are being ordained as priests, pastors, or spiritual leaders through the back door without any calling, commissioning, and preparation. Without a divine call, commissioning and adequate preparation, which includes - training and mentorship, a person cannot be a leader that God uses. Unfortunately, most of those already serving as pastors, priests, bishops, etc., are there mostly for riches, material gain, and fame. Consequently, the messages that are proclaimed and promulgated over the airways and byways are sometimes totally inconsistent with the teaching of the Holy Scriptures. In fact, what we hear nowadays are pragmatic psychological philosophies and metaphysical teachings to attaining success or solving spiritual problems rather than a sound exposition of God's Word. Despite the proliferation of churches in Nigeria, religious hypocrisy, ignorance, and illiteracy abound - rituals, divination, astrology, sorcery, witchcraft, magic, and all manners of evil and satanic worship still exist. Most of the parishioners are gullible and put up with unbiblical teachings. Christians are supposed to be the salt and light of the world, but today, they are worse than worldly people - greed, hatred, corruption, idolatry, jealousy and envy run rampant. So therefore what we see in Nigeria today are adulterous religious systems and satanic religious leaders that parade themselves as the moral authorities in our society and yet the nation suffers from all kinds of satanic violence, evil, and wickedness. Dr. C. Kingston Ekeke is the president of Leadership Wisdom Institute.

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Romneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hide and seek game By Kennedy Emetulu

kay, this is not exactly a Sarah Palin moment for Mr Mitt Romney, but with the image of an out of touch moneybag asking Americans to put him in the White House to make more money for his rich friends while further impoverishing the middle class and others, does he need the poster child of that socio-economic vision as his running mate? I mean, Mr Romney should be looking to win over independents, not win over the conservative Republicans who are already on board! Mr Ryan has more or less signed, sealed and delivered his own conviction in his 'Budget' and rather than make this election a discussion on jobs and the economy, Mr Romney has inadvertently made it a discussion on Mr .Ryan's budget - something the Democrats would be very happy about. Fair enough, the young man has risen within his party by making himself the leader of the attack-and-propose faction, presenting himself as some seriousminded policy wonk; but what happens now that his proposal is going to run the electoral gauntlet? Indeed, Obama himself had sucked Paul Ryan into this as far back as 29th of January 2010, when he realised that the Republicans were distancing themselves from Ryan's budget. "I think Paul, for example, the head

autograph for his seven-year-old daughter, Liza and walked away with a satisfied grin. In the Midwest where both come from, it was interpreted as Obama's willingness to work across party lines; but in the Republican Party, those distancing themselves from Ryan's plan were coming under increasing pressure to back it. Meanwhile, Peter Orszag, the Budget Director tore

helping raise the kid's political profile for exactly a day like this. And now that the plan has come together with Romney taking the bait, Obama has succeeded in defining the Republican view of this election as Paul Ryan's view. He has succeeded in making Paul Ryan's budget the main issue, rather than unemployment and the economy. So, just as the 2008 election became defined by the

choice of Palin, rather than Mr McCain's ideas, this one will be defined by the choice of Ryan, rather than Mr Romney's ideas and for two different reasons. McCain was slated for choosing someone without much up there, someone not fit to be President if need be; Romney would be slated for choosing someone who's promising an elephant, but who wouldn't be delivering a mouse when his big ideas are well and truly flattened. At that point, there will only be a paper-thin difference between Mrs. Palin and Mr Ryan as vice presidential choices. Yes, the President will simply sit back and watch Mr Romney stammer his way around what he agrees and does not agree with in the whizzkid's budget, leaving the American people to wonder exactly why he took him as running-mate. Oh, I'm sure there will be people who'd say Mr Ryan is young, likeable and engaging and that Mr Obama and the Democrats would be in for a surprise if they underrate him. No, they will not underrate him. Mr Ryan may be young, but he's been in Congress for 14 years. What he's done (or not done) in those times will count as much as his budget. The more independents look at his record, the more they'll be skeptical. In fact, those presenting him as some kind of budget hawk won't have much joy. A look at this hawk's voting record will show the numerous

there is no where in Nigeria where governance is more inhuman than in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. I have said many times before that Abuja can never be like Berlin, Paris or Tokyo overnight. And that it is useless putting a city ahead of the people. A metropolis will always reflect the station in life of the people. If you develop the people, it will rob off on the city, but if you abandon the people and develop only the municipality, the miseries it would create would eventually tear down that city. As I have said before, Abuja is a grotesque city, where the ordinary man has no place. He is only allowed to come in for work and leave at the end of the day. Abuja is not for him. It is for the rich and mighty. But the question is: for how long? For how long will the ruling class be successful in shielding poor Nigerians from the lure of a city built with the commonwealth, but designed to be enjoyed by a few? The FCT administration under Senator Bala Mohammed is currently fighting a war it can never win. The FCT wants to purge Abuja of hawkers and shanty towns. It wants to drive away mainstream Nigerians from Abuja. How could this be possible? If you live in Abuja,

you must have seen the taskforce against hawking and street trading. They prowl the city in Toyota Hiace mini buses as they selectively haunt for hawkers. Once one is caught, his wares would be confiscated. This is the height of irresponsible and insensitive governance. Government in Nigeria has failed the citizens in every way. And when a mother of children, who has no employment because the government was not able to create one, resorts to self-help by way of petty street trading, the same government still turns round to fight her. Have those hiding in the corridors of power ever asked themselves how the unemployed, without unemployment benefits, fend for themselves? If they don't engage in trade, does the government want them to join Boko Haram or armed robbery? It is only sick leaders that would value a city more than the people. What about those hawking foreign currency near Sheraton and in Zone 4, Wuse? Why are they not harassed? Is it not the same street trading? One of the enduring symbols and the foundation on which injustice and oppression is entrenched is that the poor are always unleashed on the poor. But, as I once told those who chase hawkers for a monthly pittance,

they are in the same boat with the people they are being used as tools to harass. Just like those poorly paid police men who would be used to eject the many deprived families that have settled in Mpape. It is only in a mad country that thousands of families will be rendered homeless through executive fiat. Obviously, those in charge want to reallocate the Mpape land to the highest bidder, but they could give the thing a human face by resettling the people first in a decent area. But wait a minute, is it not the responsibility of the FCDA to build mass houses and rent it out to low income workers? If Senator Bala Mohammed is ashamed of Mpape shackles, which in any case is representative of the condition of impoverished Nigerians, can't his administration build high rise buildings at Mpape in phases and sell or rent it out to these low income earners? Is he not aware that the FCDA will be more viable if it makes more money by engaging in business in this way? Looking at those in government, I fail to see anyone with an aristocratic background. They are mostly children of poor parents, including a president who once even had no shoes. But now that they have been bought shoes by the people, they have so soon forgotten where they are coming from. They are now

of the Budget Committee, has looked at the budget and has made a serious proposal," the canny Obama said. "I've read it. I can tell you what's in it. And there's some ideas in there that I would agree with, but there's some ideas that we should have a healthy debate about, because I don't agree with them." The President made a point of shaking Ryan's hand, signed an

Ryan's plan apart, limb by limb. Obama's game-plan was clear. Having dismantled all Republican opposition, he has to prop up one for them, so he can define their policies around the "serious" work he and his team has done. So, while the Conservatives (not necessarily Republicans) were celebrating the new kid on the block who's standing up to the President, Obama was

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

I don't think Mr Romney has done himself any favours. He's doing everything to give Obama a landslide and the President will never look a gift horse in the mouth! So, now, ladies and gentlemen, just sit back and watch the incredibly shrinking of Giant Ryan!

times he's voted to increase deficits and expand government spending. You don't talk your way out of that sort of thing, especially when you are as frontal as providing an alternative budget as the centrepiece of your party's vision of the future and your immediate prop in a presidential election in which you are on the ticket. If your record of voting does not match your proposal, your opponents wouldn't need to say much to expose you. It will all be out there - the case of the hungry child whose eyes are bigger than his belly. So, no, I don't think Mr Romney has done himself any favours. He's doing everything to give Obama a landslide and the President will never look a gift horse in the mouth! So, now, ladies and gentlemen, just sit back and watch the incredibly shrinking of Giant Ryan! Obviously, Mr Romney is looking for someone to hide behind; someone to take away the limelight from his gaffes and the non-release of his tax records and the bad press he's had these past few weeks. So, he chooses his running mate early to change the topic. Yeah, Ryan will do that for a couple of days, but after being chewed up and spat out, Mr Romney will have to come forward to take his medicine like a man.

fighting the same people who made their lives better. In any case, I will encourage those affected to seek redress in a court of law. Alternatively, they could resort to civil disobedience. It is a crime against humanity to attempt to wipe out a community just like that, without providing the people who inhabit that community with a dignified alternative. I expect the people to resist this. Nobody owns this country; it belongs to us, the People. Those in government are our servants and not more! And they are bound to do the bidding of the people, whom they claim entrusted them with leadership. Nigeria, as it is today, is a poor country by all indices. There is no need for the elite to be ashamed of the poverty they have artificially created. Therefore, they should stop adding more agonies to the life of a people, who are already traumatized by atrocious governance. The primary aim of government is to uplift the people. Therefore, I implore those who temporarily find themselves in power to give governance the essential human face. Mr President, the Mpape people are looking up to you to call your exuberant FCT minister to order.

Kennedy Emetulu lives in the United States.

Giving government human face By Charles Ofoji

ne of the secrets of the success of the German society is that the constitution and government put the people first. And no one, no matter how weakly placed, is left behind. The result is that Germans are ready to give their all for their country. They also work tirelessly in contribution to the commonwealth, quite aware that it is for allgemein gut (common good). Little wonder, there is no where in the world today where the sky is bluer than in Germany - talking about good life. Unfortunately, the case of Nigeria, as always, is dissimilar. Government is not about the people and the common good, rather it has derailed into a big business for the benefit of a few. A plutocracy of sorts. One of the stable problems in Nigeria is that those in power think that life begins and ends in England and America. And they copy most of the anti-people policies from those climes, where government is mainly for the benefit of Wall Street and employers of labour. Nobody cares to know how things are done in more flourishing places like Switzerland, Germany, Japan, Canada, France etc. Perhaps, at the moment,

Charles Ofoji is reachable on checkpointcharley@yahoo.de

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

Mother of two rescued from ‘one chance’ syndicate By Josephine Ella

traditional herb trader, Bukky Afolabi was at the weekend rescued from a gang of suspected kidnappers at Jabi, where the gang attempted to strangulate her inside a moving taxi. Some officials of the Society Against Prostitution and Child Labour in Nigeria( SAP-CLN) a n o n - g o v e r n m e n t a l organisation, which is partnering with the Federal Capital Territory Administration(FCTA) to enforce the ban on street traders, hawkers, prostitutes and beggars liberated the mother of two, who sells herbs popularly called agbo at the Utako Park, Abuja. Oblivious to her, the victim had boarded a one chance taxi operated by three men, which had no registration number plate but carried the side code by the Federal Capital Territory Administration FCT/RTS/T 6902, issued by the road traffic service department of the FCT. Narrating how, Afolabi was rescued, the coordinator of SAPCLN, Mrs Grace Adoge told journalists that while officials of the NGO were on a routine patrol around Jabi on Friday, they noticed a woman being held by the neck in the back of a taxi while another pointed a locally made pistol at her. “The patrol team called the office to alert us of their position and situation but trailed the taxi to a point where it was intercepted by the SAP-CLN

bus upon the sight of the mobile police man attached to the team, the taxi drivers sped off,” Adoge said. The SAP-CLN team was said to have chased the taxi through the Mike Akhigbe Way in a bid to rescue the woman from her captors, in the process of which the taxi driver lost control and crashed into the fence of the Jabi police barrack on Emmanuel Adiele Street. Grace said that her team reported to her that all three occupant of the taxi ran out of

the taxi except the woman who was unconscious. She was rescued and taken to the Gwarimpa General Hospital for treatment, where she remain unconscious for over eight hours, only to later gain consciousness. Afolabi was said to narrated how the incident occurred to one of her rescuer after regaining consciousness. According to her, she had boarded the taxi from Utako to Karimo on her way back home after the days business,

when suddenly she was being asked by the other occupants of the taxi to submit all valuables in her possession. Afolabi said to her uttermost surprise, one of the men pointed a gun at her as another reached for her neck in an attempt to choke her and the next thing was that she woke up on the hospital bed. The NGO boss said the matter has been reported to the Gwarimpa Police Station for investigation.

The taxi with code FCT RTS T 6902 used in kidnapping Bukky Afolabi from Utako at the weekend

Ramadan: Forum begins 3-day national prayer By Stanley Onyekwere

n the spirit of the ongoing Ramadan fasting, the Muslim Forum through the Federal Capital Territory(FCT)I’tikaaf Welfare Management Committee has announced the commencement of a 3-day annual round of prayers for the nation in selected Masjids in the FCT. The prayer which kicks off

today, 25th Ramadan, 1433 AH (equivalent to 13th August, 2012) by 11:00 am, in Apo National Assembly Quarters Central Masjid, is expected to be hosted by The Chief Imam of the Mosque, Imam Muhammad Nur Khalid. The committee which is the voluntary body that plans and coordinates the annual exercise of I’tikaaf( religious seclusion) in

strategic Masjids in the nation’s capital city, yesterday disclosed this in a press statement signed by its Secretary, Murtala Abd al-Rahman. According to the statement, subsequent rounds of the prayers would be held in the National Mosque on Tuesday, while the final round will be held in Dantata Memorial Juma’at Mosque, Airport Road on Wednesday and the 26th and 27th Ramadan, 1433 AH,

respectively. “The prayers are annually organized by the FCT-IWMC and conducted by Muslim devotees who are secluded foe assiduous devotion in the Masjids for the last ten days of the holy month of Ramadan for the guidance and blessings of the Muslim Ummah and the attainment of national peace and progress in general”, Abd alRahman explained.

Apo mechanics threaten to stab FCDA staff over demolition By Josephine Ella

n attempt by some officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to pull down illegal shanties and attachments at the weekend in Apo mechanic village met brick-walls as mechanic operating at the village threatened to stab officials who stormed the area with bulldozers. The dare devil mechanics, armed with weapons such as

knives and cutlasses threatened to stab any driver of any bulldozer that attempted to move close to the containers they operated from. Eventually, the staff of Development Control department of the FCDA were forced to flee the area for their dear lives, following the resistance. Reacting to the development, the District Officer of the area, Mr. Samson Atureta told journalists on the site that they had earlier

served a three month notice on owners of illegal structures, hotels, markets and hide out operating in the area and breeding prostitutes to quit the area as the area was not earmarked for such structures in the Abuja Master Plan. He said that the area was meant for residential purposes, pointing out that where they are supposed to be operating from is like 3km from the main road. Atureta said there was no

going back on the demolition exercise as the FCT minister has mandated that all spare parts dealers operating on the road in the area be relocated to the space earmarked for them inside the village. He revealed that about 200 shanties and three hotels have so far been demolished before the uproar, adding that the demolition squad would be reinforced with enough security to return to the site.

Abuja hosts 13th ICT camp for youths By Miriam Humbe

igital Peers International, in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Environment has hosted over 250 children from various schools in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) to a 12-day annual programme, DIGITEST camp at the Capital Science Academy in Kuje. The programme, according to the organisers was designed to make youths in the country Internet Communication Technology( ICT) compliant to be abreast with the 21st century competitive world and equate them with their counterparts at the international arena. The 13th edition of the camping program which held between August 5-16, had youth aged between 8-18 years old and was aimed at discovering and showcasing talents among African children with the possibility of not just educating but also addressing the yearnings of many youths who are willing to break away from the challenges posed by unemployment to their future. While addressing the youths, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, who was the special guest of honour advised them to embrace hard work and dedication and look up to God; “more so as this is a period of transformation and DIGITEST is providing you with the appropriate platform”. Permanent Secretary in the ministry and DIGITEST National Coordinator, Mrs Ibukun Odusote, while speaking on the program aimed to among other things teach them website designs, a departure from the ordinary Microsoft appreciation, said, “the activities in the program are self sustaining and practicable and channelled towards a career path that guarantee a brighter future for the tomorrow of every participant”. Other sponsors of the program which drew participants from the 34 states of the federation and the FCT, were AIT, Nigerian C o m m u n i c a t i o n s Communication, NCC, Ecological Fund Office and Zenith Bank among others.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

How parking attendants recovered stolen car in Maitama By Josephine Ella

ases of car theft and traffic congestion are fast reducing within the city of Abuja, following the introduction of the park and pay services, the Chief Executive Officer of the Integrated Parking Services ( IPS), Mr. Iliyasu Abdul, has claimed. He told journalists in Abuja at the weekend, how the company saved a car owner from losing his stolen Honda two

days ago by robbers at Mpape, Abuja. Narrating the latest episode, Abdul said that his men had clamped a Honda accord car with registration number: EG 343 ABJ, which belongs to one Mr. Segun Folarin. The car had been parked wrongly along Mpape junction, Maitama by suspected robbers, who had gone to a nearby restaurant to eat, apparently getting ready for the day’s assignment when the officials of his company clamped it.

“As we were towing the car to our office, the real owner intercepted us, saying the car was stolen from him at Mpape, which he reported to the Mpape police station. Upon confirmation from the Divisional Police Officer ( DPO) at Mpape, we returned the car to the police,” Abdul narrated. Though the police confirmed the incident, no further media enquiry was entertained by ASP Ayobami Surajudeen, the DPO at Mpape police. However, an inside source said

dangerous weapons were also recovered from the vehicle. Abdul claimed that the firm was helping the police in reducing car theft and traffic congestion in the city, as he assured car owners of effective integrated services. He urged car owners to cooperate with parking officials at designated points in the city and pay the fee charged, saying, the scheme was not an infringement on the rights of the citizens but a measure to ensure safety, free traffic and adhere sanity of vehicles and lift.

23-year-old held for alleged theft of motorcycle

he police on Friday arraigned one Yakubu Musa, 23, of Angwan Hausa, Karu village, Abuja, before a Magistrate’s Court in Karu, for allegedly stealing a motorcycle. The Prosecutor, Corporal Umar Mohammed, told the court that the motorcycle belonged to one Ibrahim Babangida, 29, of Angwan Hausa, Karu village, Abuja. Mohammed said the accused was arrested on August 8, 2012 by a police patrol team. The accused pleaded guilty to the charge. Magistrate Christopher Oba, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 and one surety in like sum who must have a means of livelihood. He adjourned the case to August 20, 2012 for judgment. (NAN)

Youth group provides free sanitary services for Kado Kuchi community

T People taking a dangerous ride behind a truck, on Saturday in Central Business District, Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Mobile court impounds 27 vehicles for sundry traffic offences By Josephine Ella

wenty seven motorists who absconded for fear of being prosecuted have had their vehicles impounded. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Road Traffic Offences Mobile Court ordered the impoundment of the 27 vehicles for various traffic violations in the territory. According to the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, the punitive measure handed down to the offenders was to serve as

deterrent to other reckless road users to ensure drastic reduction of the perennial traffic problems in the Abuja metropolis. Senator Mohammed, who made this known at the weekend in a statement through his Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Haza Sule said that these were one of the highpoints of the monthly FCT Operations Briefing Session in Gwarinpa I District, Abuja. He revealed that these vehicles were impounded because the owners absconded for fear of being prosecuted but will subsequently

be tried and be made to pay for demurrage in addition to the official offences. Senator Mohammed reiterated that if the owners of the impounded vehicles cannot meet up with the penalty or fine, such vehicles would have to be forfeited to the government. According to the minister, since inception, the administration has succeeded in arraigning 151 traffic offenders before the mobile court. He disclosed that three traffic offenders are currently facing

criminal charges for attacking and abducting personnel of the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS). While remarking that the operation of the mobile court is creating the desired effects of deterrence, punishment and orderliness, he said that the Court sat regularly between 2nd July and 30th July 2012 at DRTS Zonal and Area Traffic Commands including Garki Area 1, AYA, Nyanya, Gwagwalada, Dei-Dei, Bwari, ONEX, Kuje Jabi, and Mabushi respectively.

Man drags friend to court over missing handsets

23-year-old man, Sunday John has been arraigned before a Wuse Zone 2 Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing his friend’s two phones valued at N75,000. John, who resides with his friend at Tafa Close in Maitama District, Abuja, is facing a onecount charge of stealing. The defendant, however,

pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him. Police Prosecutor, Mohammed Ahmed told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offence on June 6, 2012. Ahmed said the complainant, Habibu Musa, claimed that he was asleep on the faithful day when the phones were allegedly stolen.

The prosecutor said the complainant woke up to discover that his “friend had stolen his mobile phones, a Sony Ericsson and Blackberry valued at N55,000 and N20,000 respectively’’. He said Musa reported the matter at the Maitama Police Station on August 7, 2012 and that the offence contravenes

Section 287 of the Penal Code. The accused, who had no legal representation, applied for bail for himself and Magistrate Aliu Ashafa granted him in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum. The magistrate also directed that the surety must be someone who resides within the jurisdiction of the court. (NAN)

he Youth wing of the Methodist Cathedral of Unity, Zone 3, Abuja, has urged the FCT administration extend its environmental services to the suburbs of the federal capital city. The President of the group, Miss Joy Okeagu, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria. (NAN) Okeagu spoke during an outreach programme to provide sanitary services to Kado Kuchi community, a village in the Mabushi area of Abuja. She expressed dissatisfaction over the poor state of the environment in the area. She told NAN that their visit to Kado Kuchi was one of the activities to mark the ‘Youth Work Week’ organised by the church throughout the country. “It is our yearly routine to visit and render assistance to the less privileged, orphans and others who are in need whenever we are having our work week. We use this period to offer free medical services, sanitation, educational enlightenment and evangelism to teach people the knowledge of God. “We expect that the living standard of people in this 21st century should be improved,” she said. Also sharing the same views, one of the officials, Mr Abasi Akan, noted that the interior areas of the FCT were not worth living, considering the status of Abuja as the capital city of Nigeria. Akan told NAN that it was the poor state of living of Kado Kuchi people that attracted their attention. He said that waste dump in that community was capable of triggering diseases that could affect the whole environment. (NAN)

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One of the deplorable roads that passes through Sarki Bwari palace, in Bwari, Abuja. Sarki Bwari palace, yesterday in Bwari, Abuja.

A middle-aged man hawking handkerchiefs and under wears, yesterday in Nyanya. A fruit sellers display their products, yesterday Area 1, Garki, Abuja.

Women waiting for customers at sugar cane market, on Saturday in Bwari, Abuja.

Two refuse collectors looking for customers, yesterday in Apo village, Abuja. Photos: Justin Imo-Owo

BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

Email: amunuimam@yahoo.co.uk

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INSIDE

- Pg 20

NEXIM Bank gets foreign partner on trade

Mob: 08033644990

NNPC to double crude oil production by 2015 By Muhammad Nasir

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Sokoto state Ministry of Lands and Housing, Alhaji Abdulkadir Gada, representative of the state governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Wali, and representative of Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Engineer Ishaq Yahaya, during the North-West edition of the 5th phase national sensitisation workshop on the implementation of the Public Procurement Act 2007 for stakeholders in the zone, at the weekend in Sokoto.

Dangote to crash cement price ….. open more mega depots D

By Abdulwahab Isa angote Cement Plc has announced plans to open more distribution outlets in order to bring down the price of cement. The management, in a statement issued at the weekend said more distribution outlets and mega depots would be open including signing on new distributors, so that the consumers can reap the full benefit of the increased local production. The Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement, Mr. Devakumar Edwin was quoted as saying the cement company decided to review its distribution network system to ensure the availability of the product by creating wider access for its customers. He said the move would ensure not only the stability of price but also guaranteeing availability at the most reasonable price. “What we are doing now is to liberalise the distribution network by increasing our depots and registering more credible distributors. All we require is the Certificate of company registration, two passportphotographs and letter of intent. There is also opportunity for individuals to buy direct. “Henceforth, we are guaranteeing 48 hours registration with a minimum purchase of one trailer load that is 600 bags monthly. In fact, no deposit is required. And customers can collect from any of our plants”, Edwin stated. There have been growing concerns over the price of cement

even with continuous efforts at increasing production, which has led to a successful local production beyond the national consumption demand. Dangote Cement which

accounts for over 70 per cent of the local production has continued to invest more in local production by expanding its production lines and establishing new plants to ensure the nation produces enough

for home consumption and have surplus for export to other countries. Dangote Cement’s Obajana plant in Kogi, Nigeria, is the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa with 10.25tpa capacity across three lines and a further 3mtpa capacity planned by 2015.

he Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Engineer Andrew Yakubu has revealed the corporation’s plan to double the recently recorded growth in crude oil production. Mr. Yakubu made this known in Abuja during an introduction ceremony for the corporation’s new recruits of over 500. The plan seeks to improve on the increase of 120,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 250,000 (bpd) by 2015. The GMD recently announced that the growth in the nation’s crude oil production had risen to 2.7 million barrels per day from 2.4 Million barrels. He stated that the participation by Nigeria in the upstream sector would improve national security and ensure that the country derive more benefits from the exploration of its oil resources. He said that Nigeria must step up its game to match the global oil markets and become a stronger force. Mr Yakubu also called on other sectors of the economy to contribute to the fight against unemployment by creating more job opportunities for the nation’s teeming youth population.

A&G Insurance denies NAICOM allegation From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

he Alliance and General Insurance Plc (A& G) has denied allegations of any wrong doing leading to the unfortunate suspension of it operating license by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), insisting that its operations are fully in line with good corporate governance and the interest of its clients and shareholders. The Divisional Director, Corporate Planning and Strategy, Mr. Dotun Onipede said the Financial Reporting Council was not thorough enough in recommending to NAICOM to

suspend the management teams of Alliance & General Insurance Limited and Alliance & General Life Assurance Plc from operation and also penalise over N100 million, because they no longer exist and the account in question had been withdrawn by the board. The company said it still wonders how the allegation of insolvency came up given that it had paid out more than N20 million for claims in the last two weeks which include CBN Dana Air crash victims’ Group Accident Claim and over N1.20 billion to Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria among others.

CBN CFA • £ RIYAL $

BUYING 0.271 189.9454 241.5658 41.2836 154.83

SELLING 0.2913 191.1722 243.126 41.5502 155.83

PARALLEL RATES £ RIYAL $

BUYING 243 43 154

SELLING 257 45 159

to bring down Alliance & General Insurance Plc, FRC and NAICOM should not have hastily taken a decision against it based on issues against the two former companies whose merger was well approved by NAICOM and other relevant authorities. Onipede said the company cannot be said to be insolvent because the merger was with intent to strengthen the entity financially and managerially and technically. “So, is NAICOM saying that the company that emerged from it approval of the merger of two others is suddenly insolvent after a month?” it queried.

Management Tip of the Day

EXCHANGE RATES

10th August, 2012

“The two companies do not exist. Following satisfactory due diligence, both of them were NAICOM approved for merger into one strong entity. NAICOM duly approved the merger under the new name Alliance & General Insurance Plc. It therefore implies that NAICOM suspended two companies that no longer exist. “But since the suspended companies were the product of the current company, we are inclined to react in the interest of our shareholders, clients and other stakeholders,” the company said in a statement. The statement noted that unless there is a deliberate intent

Demonstrate your credibility as a leader

ne of the most critical traits of an effective leader is credibility. If your team doesn't believe in your ability to do your job, you'll struggle to motivate them. Don't assume your credibility is apparent. Make an effort to establish it from the beginning by

showing your willingness to work hard, modelling the behaviours you're trying to encourage in others, and keeping promises and meeting deadlines. Always be prepared for meetings and presentations. Hold others accountable, treating them fairly and consistently. And,

use your power and influence for the benefit of others. Remember that once you've established it, it's important to continue to demonstrate your trustworthiness credibility for the long term. Source: Harvard Business Review

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS Silverbird Abuja

he Management of Silverbird Entertainment Centre, Abuja on Saturday said that it had been recording low patronage due to the current wave of insecurity in the country. Emmanuel Agi, the Business Manager (Facilities) of the cinema, said that because of the issue of insecurity, the management had intensified security measures to ensure safety of viewers. According to Agi, the numbers of people that visit the cinema have reduced by about 40 per cent due to insecurity. Agi called on government to intensify efforts in checking insecurity in the country as people found it difficult to visit public places which had caused reduction in sales.

Airtel

irtel Nigeria CEO and managing director Rajan Swaroop disclosed the growth in the company’s numbers and improvement in other indices at a Media Roundtable held on Wednesday in Lagos. Traffic on the Airtel network grew by 124% since the 2010 acquisition by the Bharti Airtel Group. Airtel Nigeria is the lodestar in the 16-country African operations of Bharti Airtel with head office in Nairobi, Kenya.

Interbank rates fall back, banks access repo N

igeria’s interbank lending rates eased on Friday to an average of 15.83 percent, two days after the overnight borrowing rate hit a more than 2-year high of 35 percent on the back of central bank measures to tighten liquidity. The cost of borrowing among banks was however, higher than the 17 percent on average it closed last Friday. The Central Bank of Nigeria

(CBN) two weeks ago raised the cash reserve requirement for lenders to 12 percent from 8 percent and reduced net open foreign exchange positions to 1 percent from 3 percent to support the currency. The bank also last week barred banks that borrow funds from its repo window from participating in foreign exchange auctions or lending the same funds to other banks. Dealers said rates went up

NEXIM Bank gets foreign partner on trade

he Romanian government has expressed interest to partner the Nigeria ExportImport Bank (NEXIM) to explore ways to open trade ties between the Nigerian exporters and Romanian businesses. The bank’s spokesman, Mr. Chinedu Moghalu said in a release, that the commitment resulted from a high-powered visit by the Romanian Embassy officials to NEXIM. The delegation was led by Amb. Nicolae Moldoveanu, who held decisions with the NEXIM Bank on issues bordering on trade ties between the two countries. The

statement quoted the Managing Director of NEXIM Bank, Mr Roberts Orya as discussing the bank’s trade policy and the role in promoting export related investment in various sectors of the country’s economy. Orya listed the areas to include Manufacturing, Agriculture, Solid Minerals

he World Bank has described Nigeria’s i n v e s t m e n t

Agusto Ratings

atings agency, Agusto & Co. on Thursday upgraded the country's banking sector status by one notch to Bbb from Bb, with a stable outlook, citing improved earnings and capital ratios. In a ratings report on Nigerian banks, the agency said credit growth was gradually returning and risk aversion waning as banks recovered from the shock of a $4 billion bailout in 2009. It said the upgrade was based on the banks' financial condition and their capacity to meet their obligations, assuming the political environment did not get any riskier.

and Services sectors of the economy. He also shared experiences on the Bank’s activities to deepen trade with the West and Central sub-regions through the facilitation of Sealink Project. The Sealink project is expected to provide sea-going vessels for ease of movement of

goods and persons in the ECOWAS region. Orya lauded the Ambassador’s keen interest to collaborate with the bank to harness investment opportunities in Nigeria and said the visit signalled the beginning of mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries.(NAN)

Nigeria the “Most Attractive” investment environment in Africa – World Bank

British Airways ritish Airways has unfolded special price discounts for Nigerian customers travelling to the United Kingdom and New York in its award-winning Club World and newly refurbished First Class cabins. Fares to London start from $2160 in Club World and $6610 in First. Flights to New York are priced from $2960 in Club World and $6720 in First. The specials, which are available from both Abuja and Lagos, went on sale on August 1 and lasts until August 31 for outbound travel before September 1.

on Wednesday because many banks could not access the central bank’s repo window to borrow short-term to meet their obligations as a result of the new rules. The secured open buy back (OBB) rate, which jumped to 28 percent on Wednesday, dropped to 15 percent on Friday and lower than the 16.50 percent it closed last Friday, while the overnight rate tumbled to 16 percent, against 35 percent on

Wednesday. Dealers said the market will remain short, with a cash deficit of about 126 billion naira ($793.70 million) on Friday, despite inflows on cash call payments of 22 billion naira to joint oil production partners and 81 billion naira in matured open market operations bills. “The market will still be tight next week, so we expect the cost of borrowing to inch up a little above the present level, but not as high as the 35 percent seen on Wednesday,” another dealer said. (Reuters)

Inflation rates from Jul, 2011 to Jun, 2012 Max = 12.9%, Min = 9.3% for period in display. Current Inflation rate = 12.9% Source:CBN

environment as the “most attractive” despite the current infrastructure challenge facing it. Country Director, World Bank, Nigeria Marie Francoise Marie-Nelly made this assertion recently at the launch of the World Bank’s Investment Climate Assessment (ICA) report in Abuja. She, however, said there was need for the country to improve its business environment in order to maximise the hugely untapped investment opportunities that exist across the country. “Nigeria has the most

Earnings Report for Banks Source:Pro-share Nigeria

attractive environment for investment because Nigeria is a large market in the continent; it is the second largest economy in the continent. It is a market that any investor cannot ignore with over 160 million people and a gateway to Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). “For me, while we say the country’s current investment climate could be better in terms of providing electricity, access to finance and other things, you should also look at the huge opportunities for investment in Nigeria,” she stated. She noted some constraints which impede development such as electricity but stated however that labour costs in Nigeria is lower than most of Nigeria’s competitors. “The basic lesson from the World Bank Assessment Report titled: ‘Nigeria, an Assessment of the Investment Climate in 26 states’, is that there are critical constraints in Nigeria that impede the development of the non-oil sector. Some of the critical issues include electricity, which affects the productivity and competitiveness of enterprises. “However, the labour cost in Nigeria is actually lower than most of Nigeria’s competitors such as Brazil and South Africa. So, there is need for Nigeria to address some of the constraints in order to take advantage of the huge investment opportunities that exist in the country.” she noted. (Bloomberg)

PAGE 21

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

Nigerian stocks shed N90.4bn in week on profit taking

essimistic trading dominated Nigerian bourse in the week along with increased market price volatility as speculators booked profit considerably while Nigerian stocks experienced price correction due to the overbought posture of the market. Consequently, the key benchmark indices experienced retracement while it failed to break its 52weeks resistance level due to strong profit-taking tendency and unrelenting sell pressure witnessed in the week. Market opened the week bearish by -0.44% loss to erase the previous gain and traded

below-the-line till Wednesday, extending downtrend by -0.96% loss as against -0.11% loss recorded on Tuesday as bears dominated market terrain till mid-week. Conversely, market leveraged on mixed sentiments witnessed on Thursday to record a modest gain of +0.05% while the improved patronage reclaimed market breadth with an impressive margin of positive divergent. On Friday, the All Share Index sustained the uptrend by 0.26% gain and closed negative for the week by -1.21% loss amid negative breadth. Further analysis on

acquiring banks since transaction date showed that the share price of Access Bank Plc has recorded +51.52% gains with FCMB recording -20.77% losses while Union Bank Plc leads the chart with +133.49% gains. However, Sterling Bank Plc recorded -14.17% losses while ETI also closed negative with 11.48% loss recorded. However, the All-Share Index in the week under review dipped by -1.21% to close at 23,239.03 as against an upbeat by +0.99% recorded last week to close at 23,523.15. In the same vein, the market capitalisation in the week depreciated by N90.43

Domestic investment grew by 46% in 2011 – Aganga By Abdulwahab Isa

he Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga has said that Nigeria’s domestic investment grew by 46 per cent in 2011. Aganga stated this during the presentation of the national internal investment profile in Abuja at the inauguration of the World Bank’s Investment Climate Assessment (ICA) report. He said that the investment dividends based on the ICA assessment of investment climate in 26 states of the federation was through the Federal Government effort. Aganga, who spoke on “Reforming the Nigeria’s Investment Climate,” said that Nigeria remained the preferred investment destination in Africa. “The performance of Nigeria on the recent report issued by United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) about the global investment flow across the world indicated that investment flow globally has increased by 16 per cent. “It said that the flow to Africa has come down by one or two per cent because of the war in Egypt, Libya and the others. “But what is important to us is that the investment flow to Nigeria has gone up by 46 per

cent to N8.9 billion,’’ he said. According to him, in spite of all the challenges of doing business in Nigeria, the country in the period under review, came third in terms of the level of investments attracted. “If you look at debt to GDP ratio, it’s under 20 per cent, the average in Europe is 88 per cent, the average in the world is 87.6 per cent, the united states and

some others are more than 100 per cent. “So for an economy to attract investment, you have to have an average macro-economic environment and Nigeria in overall has the average macroeconomic environment,’’ he said. He assured Nigerians of government’s commitment in ensuring an enabling environment that would facilitate the influx of investors into the country.

Ghana cancels $300,000 capital base policy for Nigerian traders

he Ghanaian government has rescinded its policy compelling Nigerian businessmen and traders to pay a minimum capital of $300,000 or have their businesses shut down. The defunct policy had also mandated Nigerian businessmen and traders to employ at least five Ghanaians as condition to operate their offices and shops. Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Ghana, Ademola Onafowokan made this known to State House correspondents during President Goodluck Jonathan’s

visit to Accra. The controversial capital base requirement of Nigerian businesses by the Ghana government had stirred the waters, as Nigerian businessmen, under the auspices of the Nigerian Union of Traders Association in Ghana (NUTAG) and the Eagle Circle Traders, had implored the Federal Government to intervene and stop what they alleged to be gross discrimination and unfair trade laws which were contrary to the tenets of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). (NAN)

billion (US$565.21 million) to close at N7.39 trillion (US$46.22 billion) as against appreciation by N73.31 billion (US$488.78 million) recorded last week to close at N7.48 trillion (US$ 49.89billion). The total volume traded in the week closed at 1.31 billion units valued at N9.13 billion (US$57.09 million) compared with 1.63 billion units valued at N11.88 billion (US$74.17 million) exchanged in 17,532 deals last week. The volume transaction in the week when compared with the previous week data moved down by -19.58% as against decline by -16.43% recorded last week. Weekly value also went down by -23.03% as against negative position of 5.58% recorded last week.(Source: ProShare Nigeria)

Bharti Airtel invests N192bn in Nigerian unit

harti Airtel Ltd’s Nigerian unit invested $1.2 billion (N192 bn) in the past two years to grow its business in Africa’s most populous country, the Lagos-based company said today in an e-mailed statement. Bharti Airtel Nigeria Ltd. also increased its subscribers 31 percent to 20 million while traffic on its network more than doubled since Bharti Airtel, India’s largest mobile-phone operator, acquired the unit, it said. “Airtel Nigeria is the lodestar in the 16-country Africa operations of Bharti Airtel Group,” the company said. Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation with more than 160 million people. There were 120.4 million users of the Global System of Mobile communication phones in Nigeria at the end of June, according to figures published on the website of the Nigerian Communications Commission, the industry regulator. (Bloomberg)

INVESTORS NEWS BEAT Nigerian Stock Exchange Ten stockbroking firms accounted for 53.58 percent of the total traded volume at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) within the period January- June 2012, figures have shown. The stockbroking firms are Chapelhill Denham Securities Limited, RenCap Securities (Nigeria) Limited, Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited, BGL Securities Limited, Skye Stockbrokers Limited, CSL Stockbrokers Limited, ARM Securities Limited, Cordros Capital Limited, EDC Securities Limited, and Dominion Trust Limited.

Dangote Cement

angote Cement, Nigeria’s biggest company by market capitalisation, said profit for the six months through June rose 24 percent, led by growth in revenue. Net income increased to 71.1 billion naira ($441 million) from N57.3 billion a year earlier, the Lagos-based company said in a statement published on the Nigerian Stock Exchange’s website . Earnings per share climbed to N4.18 from N3.7, while revenue advanced to N142 billion from N112.7 billion . The cost of sales rose 7 percent to N55.8 billion.

FBN Capital

BN Capital says Lafarge WAPCO is on course to more than double its earnings per share in 2012. Despite delivering strong double-digit growth in sales and EPS in H1 2012, underpinned by a gradual ramp-up of new capacity, WAPCO shares have been flattish this year. Robust y/y growth in sales on the back of gradual capacity ramp-up: WAPCO’s Q2 2012 sales of N23.7 billion grew 55 percent y/y (5% q/q) and were broadly in line with our expectations. Q2 volumes grew 49 percent y/y (6% q/q) to 0.78mmt or total volumes of around 1.5mmt for H1 2012.

Eurobond

Source:Pro-share Nigeria

ields on Nigeria’s $500 million Eurobonds reached the lowest in almost in three months as appetite for riskier assets was boosted on speculation of more global central bank action and oil prices gained. Borrowing costs on the bonds due 2021 fell one basis points, or 0.01 percentage point, to 5.33 percent last week, the lowest since May 9, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Yields have declined 25 basis points since the start of July.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

PAGE 22

GSM service: Subscribers’ views on their preferred networks Nigerians use various GSM service networks being available in the country based on one reason or the other, and this prompted Muhammad Nasir and Muhammad Sada to go out and sample the opinions of some of them on their choice network and why they were attracted. Excerpts:

Assorted sim cards on display

ussaini, Trader, Area 1 shopping complex, Abuja: “I used to think it was Airtel, but I have not been enjoying their services recently. According to my sister, Maryam, Glo is her best network, but I have not experienced Glo before. For now, I think it is Etisalat because they have wonderful offers. Segun, Student: “I use MTN, Glo and Etisalat. MTN tariff is cheap, data access is good, but my Etisalat is worse, rental tariff and data access is bad”. Abdullahi, civil servant: Etisalat is the best of them all, simply because they came in and have made calling easier and

very interesting”. Habiba, student of Collage of Education, Zuba:”I was formally a subscriber of MTN and Airtel but I never enjoy their services. Though MTN claim to have the best connection. But to me, I never enjoy both networks. Their tariff is nothing to write home about. They keep charging subscribers, no freebies to offer at the end of the year. Etisalat is the best”. Yahaya, student, Technical college, Area 3 Garki, Abuja: With Etisalat, you have the chance to enjoy lots of freebies with a low call rates”. Mrs. Grace, food seller, Utako Park: “I have not tried

other networks, but MTN is really working well for me and I will say it is the best network in Nigeria”. Mr Daniel, Banker: “Glo is just the best. Browsing with Glo is very fast. Besides, they give 25mb with N500 recharge. Glo MB sustains more than a week, their tariff is also good. Hamza, Civil servant: “Do you know why I have begun to hate MTN? Because they denied subscribers midnight calls. You have to subscribe to Fun Link and they will be charging N25 per day, before you can make midnight calls, which is not good. Etisalat is the best network”. Dominic, Security man:,

NNPC recruits 595 candidates By Muhammad Nasir

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC announced a final figure of 595 candidates that were successful and recruited after painstaking interview sessions and due diligence using the criteria of merit, catchment area and national spread. Briefing newsmen yesterday in Abuja at the induction ceremony for new intakes into the corporation, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum, NNPC Engr.

Andrew Yakubu stated that the 2010 recruitment exercise stands as one of the most painstaking and transparent recruitment ever conducted in the history of the corporation to give Nigerians equal opportunity to aspire for available vacancies in the service of the corporation. According to Yakubu, a total of 4,734 candidates were invited for interview between 4th July,2011 and 17th August,2011 in the following numbers: Experienced Hires 1,177,Graduate Trainees 2,627 and operators/

Technicians 930,while 4,734 candidates were invited for interview, only 4,432 attended representing 93% attendance. The exercise was successful with the assistance of Philips Consulting, a reputable Management Consultants, along side with NNPC experienced in-house recruitment experts, adding that in conducting the exercise, Management was guided by the rules of accountability and Transparency that ensured the best from each of the 36 sates and the Federal Capital Territory, Yakubu noted.

Glo is the cheapest and best line to use, they give out a lot of free text messages on recharge of just two hundred naira and a bonus of 500 promo airtime on recharge of five hundred and above; they also offer a lot of gifts on promo to subscribers. Malam Haruna, Recharge card dealer: has this to say “Well, in the place I make my sales, MTN my customers mostly buy because it is more common; and some people refer to Glo as big man line”. Mary, Fish seller, Utako market: “For now, MTN and Etisalat are the best network because they offer value-added services. It also makes my business easier because I easily have contact with my customers, especially those that demand for fish to be delivered at their homes”. Jerry, University graduate: “Well just for now, Etisalat is the best. Sure; MTN is working something out to take back their position as the best in Nigeria. Mr. Felix, Public servant: Etisalat is the swag, swinging network in town, though MTN has good connection. But Etisalat is the best”. Malam Imam, Trader: “I prefer Glo because I get a lot of cheap and affordable rate of N15 per minute calls to Glo and the same to other networks and also, one can register five numbers as family and friends and will be charged N3 per minute “but sometimes when you dial a number, it will barely ring and you will get a response that the number you are calling is incorrect or not reachable or you don’t have enough credit. On messages, I admire Glo and I have no problem, only that the network has recently stopped

giving free messages on recharge of two hundred and above, and so I want the company to please bring the system of free messages back”. Emmanuel, civil servant: “I use Zain but I am not satisfied with their services at all because when I recharge, they remove my money even without me making any calls, like recently, I recharged N100 but it was not reflected until very much later and after they had removed N3 for no services rendered; and there was another time that I recharged N100 and N65 was deducted without me getting any service for it. Also, today, I recharged N100 but N30 was deducted without any service rendered to me; I call on them to please rectify their operational faults so as to provide better service to the customers”. Mr. Andrew, Banker, Abuja: “Well, I enjoy Glo because I can make calls at the rate of N15 on Glo to Glo, and same to other networks though of recent, some bonus on the part of recharging have been removed and failures of network were experienced; I believe it is because of the high number of the people patronizing the Glo network and I believe everything will be in order soonest; it is true that there are times when you try to make a call, you will be getting responses such as : the number you are calling does not exist, the number you are calling is not reachable, the number you are calling is on another call or all lines on this route are busy. Malam Musa, Vendor: “I am quite satisfied with Zain because I get cheap services from them and I am contented; I make calls on N20 per minute and N30 per minute to other networks, whereas some time ago I experienced network failure problems, now everything is in order and I get my text message across without any hitch, and I am charged N3 for text messages from Zain to Zain, I get charged N5 per message from Zain to other networks; I am quite satisfied”.

H1 car imports up 15%, credit recovers

ew car imports into Nigeria rose 15 percent in the first half of 2012, compared with the same period last year, as credit flows recovered in the nation’s economy, dealers have said. Car sales in Nigeria are a proxy measure for consumer purchasing power and analysts see them as a good indicator of economic growth in the continent’s most populous nation. Nigeria’s economy grew 6.17 percent in the first quarter of this year, down from 7.68 percent in the fourth quarter last year, according to official figures. Nigerian port figures showed new vehicle imports increased to 24,158 units in the first six months to June, from 21,024 units in the same period of last year, as bank credit started to trickle in, according to vehicle importers. Bank credit to the private

sector grew 48 percent at the end of June, compared from the same period a year ago, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) figures showed, boosting demand for big-ticket purchases including vehicles. Credit flows grew less than 2 percent in 2010 as Nigeria’s banking crisis bit. Dealers said vehicle imports had started to recover, driven by an increase in passenger cars, after it took a hit at the start of the crisis, with credit sales then almost at zero. Passenger vehicles accounted for 54 percent of new car imports in the first half, while the remaining were commercial, port figures showed. Lenders in Africa’s most populous nation have all turned a profit in the first half, driven by increased lending, after a 2009 bailout and subsequent sell off of bad loans to a governmentowned entity AMCON balanced their books. (Reuters)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

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PAGE 25

A year on, Nigeria’s oil still poisons Ogoniland A

bright yellow sign above the well in this sleepy Nigerian village says ‘caution: not fit for use’, and the sulphurous stink off the water that children still pump into buckets sharply reinforces that warning. “Can you smell it? Don’t get any in your mouth or you’ll be sick,” said Victoria Jiji, 55, as she walked past the bore hole in her home village of Ekpangbala, one of several in Ogoniland, southeast Nigeria, whose drinking water has turned toxic. Prosperity has flowed from Ogoniland, one of Africa’s earliest crude oil producing areas, for decades. But it has flowed to the big oil companies and to Nigerian state coffers. Locals have long complained that precious little goes their way. A landmark U.N. report on August 4 last year slammed multinational oil companies, particularly leading operator Royal Dutch Shell, and the government, for 50 years of oil pollution that has devastated this region of the Niger Delta, a fragile

wetlands environment. It said the area needed the world’s biggest ever oil cleanup, taking at least 25 years and costing an initial $1 billion. Shell and the government swiftly pledged to act on it. One year on, residents say they’ve seen no evidence that it has begun. Shell says it is committed to cleaning up Ogoniland, but argues the government must also do its part. Most oil spills are the result of theft by armed gangs hacking into pipelines, it says, and this must be addressed alongside any clean-up. Nigerian oil ministry officials were not available for comment, but government last week announced a new committee to look into implementing the report’s recommendations. When BP’s Macondo well in the Gulf of Mexico ruptured in April 2010, spewing nearly 5 million barrels of oil into the sea, its reputation took a devastating blow, and it had to pay billions of dollars to those affected. In Nigeria, thousands of barrels are spilled every year,

behind the ‘sabotage’ excuse and dodge their responsibility ... to properly maintain their infrastructure and ... clean up oil spills,” she said. A page on Shell’s website last month said “the company has had very limited access to enter the area to clean up and remediate spill sites” since it was driven out in the 1990s. Ogoni activists dispute that, saying they have invited company officials in to review the damage and replace corroded pipelines, which would be safe with the community’s consent. “Pressure cooker” Local activists who have for years been calling on oil companies in Nigeria to be held to the same standards as elsewhere in the world, are sceptical of the government’s pledge the clean up the delta, the latest of many. “It’s just an announcement of intention, nothing more,” said Nnimmo Bassey of Friends of the Earth, Nigeria. “This is a test for the government, whether it cares about its citizens and their survival, or whether they care more about a defective relationship with the multinational oil companies.”

largely without negative consequences for the oil companies. Poisoned wells The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report found that the Ogale community, a group of nine villages including Ekpangbala, was drinking water from wells contaminated with benzene a known carcinogen - at levels over 900 times the World Health Organization’s guidelines. “Even before the U.N., we knew this water was turning bad. It smells, and people are complaining of itching and skin rashes,” said Walter Olaka, Ogale’s youth president. Shortly after the report, the government provided Ogale’s villages with water tanks, part financed by Shell. They get refilled most days with potable water, but locals say it’s never enough, and they still use the polluted groundwater for washing. The tank Reuters visited in Ekpangbala was empty. “Until now, nothing whatsoever has actually been done ... towards the clean up,”

Sunmonu said Shell was “committed to playing its part” in any clean-up, which is also the responsibility of the state. “It’s clear that the ongoing problem of oil spills in the Niger Delta will only be solved through a co-ordinated effort ... We support the Nigerian government’s recent pledge that it will implement fully the report’s recommendations.” Anger is building in Ogoniland. The Bodo spills pushed many fishermen deeper into poverty, says Christian Kpande, a church pastor and fisherman whose own children dropped out of school when his income from fishing fell. He warns violence could flare up again in the region. “I don’t know if they are planning war, but ... a hungry man is an angry man,” he said, his boat pausing by an oil slick. “One day the youth could just get up and lock things down,” he said, adding that they all know where the pipelines are. Militancy in the Niger Delta over the last decade shut down nearly half of Nigeria’s oil output, until an amnesty in 2009. The risk of renewed unrest,

Devastation caused by oil spill in Niger Delta

Petroleum Minister, Dezeani Alison-Madueke

said Ben Naanen, chairman of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), founded by the environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, whose campaign against oil pollution drove Shell out of Ogoniland in 1993 - although the firm’s dilapidated pipelines still criss-cross its swamps. Saro-Wiwa was hanged in 1995 by the then military government, to worldwide horror. “We continue to hope that things will change, but those hopes are quite honestly looking slim,” said Naanen, a history professor at the university of Port Harcourt, in the heart of Nigeria’s roughly 2 million barrel-aday oil industry. Yet many activists remain upbeat that the U.N. findings are slowly gathering enough momentum to spur action. The government last week announced “the formation of a Hydro-Carbon Pollution Restoration Project”, though it gave few details.

“The project shall implement the recommendations of the UNEP report on Ogoniland as well as investigate, evaluate and establish other hydrocarbon impacted sites,” the statement said. UNEP cautiously welcomed the government’s pledge on Thursday, but warned that the clean-up was a huge task that will require long-term financing and urged funds to be released now. Oily wastelands

A rainbow-tinted film of crude cloaks the water throughout the creeks and swamps of Nigeria’s Bodo community, giving off intoxicating petrol fumes. Spidery husks of dead mangrove trees blacken the landscape for miles around. An oil-coated heron picks its way through the sludge. Joe Vikpee left at 5.30 a.m. on his small dug-out canoe in search of fish. Still on the water 10 hours later, his haul is a handful of small fish barely enough to feed two people.

“

“They used to be abundant before the spills,” he says. Shell accepted responsibility for two major oil spills that devastated the Bodo fishing community in 2008/9, but it says efforts to clean up had been hampered by insecurity. Now, some 11,000 members of the community who say their lives were ruined by the spills have taken their case to the London High Court seeking compensation of “many millions of dollars”, according to their lawyer Martyn Day. “The people in Bodo are living corpses. You see them alive but they are dead inside. Look at this water,” said Kpoobari Patta, 40, casting his eye over a leadcoloured creek. Shell says around 4,000 barrels of oil were spilt in total in the two incidents - 1,640 barrels in one in November 2008, and another 2,500 from a corroded pipe that was fixed in February 2009.

A study by Amnesty International on the first spill put the figure between 103,000 and 311,000 barrels. A Reuters visit to the site on a boat revealed oil pollution stretching for miles in many directions. Shell says a lot of that oil has been spilled since by armed gangs in thieving operations known as “bunkering”. “The real tragedy of the Niger Delta is the widespread illegal activity,” Mutiu Sunmonu, managing director of the Shell Petroleum Development Corporation (SPDC), a Shell-run joint venture majority owned by Nigeria’s state oil firm, in which EPNL and ENI also have stakes, told Reuters. He said oil theft was responsible for most of the spilt oil in the delta. Amnesty International’s Audrey Gaughran thinks this is a smokescreen to mask Shell’s and the government’s own failures. “No matter what evidence is presented to Shell about oil spills, they constantly hide

Governor Rotimi Amechi of Rivers State in the Niger Delta

and the growing risk of financial liabilities from various court cases might ultimately be what spurs action from the government and the oil majors. A clean-up is “not a complicated process”, says Nenibarini Zabbey, contamination expert at the Centre for Human Rights and Development. “But it requires a high level of commitment.” That commitment might come as the government and oil firms take stock of the risk of further social unrest, analysts say. “The Niger Delta is still a pressure cooker of frustration. If those frustrations boil over, it’s impossible to say if it will become another round of protests or militancy,” said Chris Newsom, advisor to Port Harcourt-based NGO the Stakeholder Democracy Network. “What’s been proven is that it will come on very quickly, very dramatically. If you’re an oil company here, the reputational and other risks are very high ... ‘Carry on and hope’ is not a management technique that can last.” (Reuters)

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

Time, CNN star Fareed Zakaria suspended for admitted plagiarism By Tim Graham

hen CNN host and Time editor-at-large Fareed Zakaria wrote a new piece called "The Case for Gun Control," it ended with a bang: "So when people throw up their hands and say we can't do anything about guns, tell them they're being un-American--and unintelligent." Here's something that suggests a lack of intelligence: plagiarism. Cam Edwards at NRANews.com suggested to me that Zakaria seemed to plagiarize a paragraph from an April article in The New Yorker magazine -- with a modicum word-usage changes and interjections (Texas!) in an attempt to paper it over. Here's a paragraph from his Time piece: Adam Winkler, a professor of constitutional law at UCLA, documents the actual history in Gunfight: The Battle over the Right to Bear Arms in America. Guns were regulated in the U.S. from the earliest years of the Republic. Laws that banned the carrying of concealed weapons were passed in Kentucky and Louisiana in 1813. Other states soon followed: Indiana in 1820, Tennessee and Virginia in 1838, Alabama in 1839 and Ohio in 1859. Similar laws were passed in Texas, Florida and Oklahoma. As the governor of Texas (Texas!) explained in 1893, the "mission of

Fareed Zakaria the concealed deadly weapon is murder. To check it is the duty of every self-respecting, law-abiding man." Compare that in its organization to this paragraph from a Jill Lepore New Yorker article from April: As Adam Winkler, a constitutional-law scholar at

U.C.L.A., demonstrates in a remarkably nuanced new book, "Gunfight: The Battle Over the Right to Bear Arms in America," firearms have been regulated in the United States from the start. Laws banning the carrying of concealed weapons were passed in Kentucky and Louisiana in 1813, and other states soon followed:

Indiana (1820), Tennessee and Virginia (1838), Alabama (1839), and Ohio (1859). Similar laws were passed in Texas, Florida, and Oklahoma. As the governor of Texas explained in 1893, the "mission of the concealed deadly weapon is murder. To check it is the duty of every self-respecting, law-abiding

man." It's not the first time Zakaria's been accused of lifting things. Zakaria's also been caught giving the same commencement address over and over. "TIME takes any accusation of plagiarism by any of our journalists very seriously, and we will carefully examine the facts before saying anything else on the matter." As Dylan Byers of Politico notes, Time has suspended Zakaria, saying in a statement: TIME accepts Fareed's apology, but what he did violates our own standards for our columnists, which is that their work must not only be factual but original; their views must not only be their own but their words as well. As a result, we are suspending Fareed's column for a month, pending further review. In a statement released to the press, Zakaria has admitted his plagiarism: Media reporters have pointed out that paragraphs in my Time column this week bear close similarities to paragraphs in Jill Lepore's essay in the April 23 issue of The New Yorker. They are right. I made a terrible mistake. It is a serious lapse and one that is entirely my fault. I apologize unreservedly to her, to my editors at Time, and to my readers. Source: News Busters

Women-only city planned for Saudi Arabia to allow more and more females to pursue a career By David Baker

audi Arabia is planning to build a new city exclusively for women as it bids to combine strict Sharia law and career minded females, pursuing work. It is thought the Saudi Industrial Property Authority (Modon) has been asked to bring the country up to date with the rest of the modern world with the controversial city, which is now

being designed with construction to begin next year. It is hoped it will allow women's desire to work without defying the country's Islamic laws. The municipality in the Eastern city of Hafuf is expected to attract 500 million riyals (ÂŁ84m) in investments and it will create around 5,000 jobs in the textiles, pharmaceuticals and food processing industries. There will be women-run firms and production lines for women.

Mono-city: A women only city is set to be built in Saudi Arabia to allow women to pursue a career

Although Saudi Sharia law does not prohibit women to work figures show that only 15 per cent of women are represented in the workforce. The plan coincides with the governments ambitions to get women to play a more active part in the development of the country. Among the stated objectives are to create jobs, particularly for younger women. 'I'm sure that women can demonstrate their efficiency in many aspects and clarify the industries that best suits their interests, their nature and their ability', Modon's deputy directorgeneral, Saleh Al-Rasheed, told Saudi daily newspaper alEqtisadiah. Saudi's existing industrial cities already have factories owned by women, as well as companies that employ a small portion of the female population and Saleh Al Rasheed added: 'We are now working on a second industrial city for women. 'We have plans to establish a number of women-only industries in various parts of the kingdom'. As part of a mass overhaul of its workforce and its bid to get women into work the state is also attempting to replace foreign

salespeople with Saudi women. This summer, women started replacing staff in cosmetics and perfume shops, only half a year after they replaced male sales staff in lingerie stores. But despite some progress, women's rights in Saudi Arabia are

Afghanistanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tahmina Kohistani was the first woman to represent her country in the Olympics

still defined by Islam and lack basic freedoms found in many Western cultures. Last September, King Abdullah announced that women will be able to vote and run in the 2015 local elections but Saudi Arabia is still the only country in the world that prohibits women from driving and it took huge efforts from the International Olympic Committee to persuade them to enter women in the Games for the first time ever. Wojdan Shaherkani's Olympics lasted just over a minute, but the fact she made it to her judo bout with Puerto Rico's Melissa Mojica meant it was a revolutionary moment for the women of Saudi Arabia. The country's ultraconservative clergy tried to destroy her ambitions to be Saudi's first female Olympian, before an argument about the type of headscarf she should wear jeopardised her place at the eleventh hour. The Games in London were also a first for Afghanistan, also bound by strict law, when Tahmina Kohistani ran in the 100m, despite months of harassment from men who believed she should not be allowed to compete. Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

Kano students threaten protest over nonpayment of scholarship allowances

he National Association of Kano State Students (NAKSS), Bayero University,Kano chapter, on Friday gave the state government one week to pay them their scholarship allowances or face protests. The President of the association, Mr. Jamilu Ibrahim, told newsmen in Kano that the students planned to disrupt the Eid-el-Fitr celebration in the state at the expiration of the ultimatum. He said the students found it necessary to issue the ultimatum following the inability of the state government to pay the allowances. “We write on behalf of the entire students of Bayero University, Kano, which has the highest number of our students to remind the Kano State Government of the payment of the scholarship. “BUK students have given Kano state government a maximum of one week to settle the students so as to celebrate the Eid-el-Fitr happily. “Otherwise, the students will come out en masse to protest and demand for their rights," he added. When contacted on phone, the Executive Secretary of the State Scholarship Board, Alhaji Usman Ririwai, said the state government had approved N400 million for the payment of the outstanding allowances. He said the board met with the leaders of the students on Thursday where it conveyed the message to them. “I wonder why the students decided to address you on the issue. I want to assure them that we are making necessary arrangements to pay them," he said. (NAN)

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WAEC withholds 112,000 results over examination malpractices T he West African Examinations Council (WAEC) on Friday said it withheld the results of 112,000 candidates who sat for the May/ June 2012 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). Dr. Iyi Uwadiae, Head of National Office of WAEC, who addressed newsmen in Lagos, said that the results were withheld over examination malpractices. I want to say that these cases are already being investigated and the reports of our findings will be presented to the Nigerian Examinations Committee (NEC) of the council in due course for consideration. “The committee's decision will be communicated to the affected candidates through their schools," he said. Giving a breakdown of the

results, he disclosed that only 1,672,224 of the 1,695,878 candidates who registered for the examination nationwide sat for it. He said that those who sat for the examination include 923,974 males and 748,250 females and that only 1,545,004 had their results fully released. Uwadiae said that a few subjects of 150,874 other candidates were still being processed, due to some errors mainly traceable to the candidates and schools in the course of registration or writing the examination. He disclosed that 771,731 candidates had six credits and above, 952,156 others had five credits and above while 1,107,747 had credits and above in four subjects. Uwadiae said that

1,246,729 had credits and above in three subjects and 1,380,596 obtained credits and above in just two subjects. The head of national office said a total of 649,156 candidates who sat for the examination obtained credits in five subjects and above, including English Language and Mathematics He said that out of the 114 blind candidates that registered for the examination, only 95 sat for it and 21 of them had credits i n f i v e s ubjects including English Language. He said that blind candidates were usually not allowed to take Mathematics and Science practicals. Uwadiae said that the performance of candidates was an improvement, compared to previous years.

``This year's results have shown an improvement on the 23.71 per cent of candidates who obtained credits in five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics in a similar examination in 2010. “This year's 649,156 candidates with that record, represented 38.81 per cent and I can say that this is a marked improvement in the performance of the candidates," he said. Uwadiae attributed the improvement to the investment made by the current administration in the education sector, which he said, was in line with the transformation agenda. He urged candidates to check for the details of their performance on the council's result website within the next 48 hours. (NAN)

Minister of State for Education, Barrister Nyesom Wike, addressing students of Federal Government College, Kwali, during the minister's visit to the school, recently in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Teachers Council to embark on advocacy to promote standards

he Teachers Registration Council (TRCN), yesterday, said that the council would soon embark on an advocacy programme to enlighten teachers nationwide on standards. TRCN's Registrar, Prof. Addison-Mark Wokocha, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the advocacy programme had become necessary, due to declining levels of ethical standards in the six geo-political zones. ``The advocacy

programme will talk about the methodology and skills that you should have as a teacher and the ethical standards that you should possess as a teacher. ``It will also look at the ability to continually upgrade teachers through continuous professional development programmes,'' he said. Wokocha said that the council had established a teachers' investigative panel in states to ensure that ethical standards were maintained. He said that the panel had

five- members, including a lawyer, sworn in by a chief judge, to look into standards and ethics of teachers in each state of the federation. Wokocha said that the council had also set up a teachers' tribunal at the headquarters of the council with a representative of the attorney general and the minister of justices as member. ``So when there is a case against any teacher at the state level, it will be brought to the tribunal and it will have

concurrent authority with the high court. '' According to him, misconduct by teachers varied from ethical to professional misconduct, to cases of teachers being involved with students immorally. ``There is such enormous misconduct that the council now has a teacher's code of conduct. He noted that in adopting the standards for teachers nationwide, there must be willpower and cooperation from all

the governors. ``We are only appealing to them, in the interest of our children and nation, to employ qualified people and also ensure that standards are maintained,'' he said. Wokocha said that many governors, in wanting to save cost, had employed unqualified people. He urged them to adhere to the standardisation programme to ensure best quality education for Nigeria children. (NAN)

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By Adesoji Oyinlola, Lagos t Saviour's Primary School, Ebute Metta, ended its academic session with annual prize-giving and valedictory service led by the School Chaplain, Venerable Ezediaro, at which Board members, invited guests and parents were also present. The school's annual prizegiving day acknowledges the diligence and efforts of all pupils, with additional awards for outstanding achievement. Those present were entertained by delightful renditions of popular songs, sung with gusto and enthusiasm by the pupils. The valedictory service was

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

St. Saviour’s ends academic session with valedictory service the final event in a very busy year, for all the Primary 6 pupils. Following the Service, the children were entertained with a wonderful party, organised by the Parents Teachers Association (PTA), Class Representative, and Mrs. Frances Iwo-Brown. The children looked very grown-up in their lilac and silver themed outfits and will

certainly be a credit to their new high schools. St Saviour's pupils are accepted at all the top high schools and this year the school is very proud of one of its pupils, Chidera Chima, who was awarded a full scholarship at Loyola Jesuit, as the top boy applicant. The pupils and teachers of St Saviour's School have

benefitted from the commitment of the Board of Management, who have not only installed Interactive Whiteboards in every classroom, but have undertaken the construction of a new block of 8 state of the art classrooms. This, together with the overseas training provided for staff, in conjunction with good school in the UK, will ensure that the pupils enjoy

a broad and balanced education that is provided in an environment that is stimulating and conducive to high quality teaching and learning. St Saviour's School, Ebute Metta, takes pride in the Christian values that underpin all that is done in the school. Religious Education and Moral Instruction are taught as core subjects, alongside English, Mathematics and the Sciences.

NANS urges Kwara govt. to redeem pledge on bus donation

he Kwara chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the state government to redeem its promise to donate a bus to it. The association made the call in a communiqué issued after its meeting in Ilorin on Saturday. NANS also called for a meeting with Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed to discuss issues relating to the students' conditions. It decried the ``wide communication gap'' existing between the government and students' union leaders in the state, saying that Ahmed had reneged on his pledge to meet with the students' leadership every month. The association, however, commended the state government for creating a Ministry of Tertiary Education. Besides, NANS pledged to collaborate with security agencies in efforts to tackle the menace of cultism on the campuses. (NAN)

Rivers reassures L-R: National Treasurer, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Dr. Nasir Mohammed, with Vice-President of the Union, Mr. Issac Achem, during on quality the union Founders Day Conference, recently in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo education Varsity don laments decline in students’ enrolment for agric courses

ov. Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers has reiterated the commitment of his administration to provide quality education for the people of the state. This is contained in a statement issued by Mr David Iyofor, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday. The statement said Amaechi gave the assurance in Port Harcourt while inaugurating the reconstituted governing board of the State University of Science and Technology. Represented by the Secretary to the state government, Mr Feyi George, the governor said his administration was committed to the development of education. “We have done a lot in this direction, we are committed to do more and all that is possible to ensure that quality education is guaranteed. “What we mean is the quality of education that will enable our citizens to compete anywhere in the world,'' he said. (NAN)

university don, Dr Awoteinm George, said that students' enrolment into the Faculty of Agriculture of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt, has dropped. He said this in Port Harcourt on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). George, a Lecturer in the Department of Fisheries, said the faculty had the highest students'

enrolment in the 1970s. He said the faculty currently had 100 students, about 5 per cent of the institution's students' population. George, who is also the Chairman, Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON), Rivers chapter, said the course could make its graduates become self-employed and employers of labour. “The course is lucrative, but students are running away from it; it is a course that could make the

graduates self-employed and also employers of labour." He said the students may have been discouraged by what he described as ''a pathetic situation in agriculture sector in Rivers state.'' George said that all divisional farms in the 23 local government Councils in the state had closed shop and turned to bush. He said the state could face food insecurity following low farming activity and decried the collapse of the

state's ``School to Land programme''. The school to land programme was introduced in the 1980s by a former military Governor of old Rivers State, Mr Fidelis Oyakhilome. George said that food was readily available and affordable during the programme, adding that the crime rate then was low. He said the political stability of any nation was dependent on its food sufficiency, saying that a hungry person was difficult to control. (NAN)

university in 2009 by the Education Trust Fund and it will be spent to expand facilities. "The university will build a Geological Resort Centre at Aran-Orin in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State to serve students of geology who go to the area for exploration. ''And the university will also build a 1, 000-seat capacity multi-purpose hall on the campus. "We plan an automation of our library in which all books in hard copies will be changed to soft copies and that is why we employed the chief

librarian of the University of Lagos, where the feat has been achieved," he said. Oloyede said that the Faculty of Education would be moved to the site where the institution's stadium complex was built to make use of the huge resources spent on the stadium. He said that the institution would also move its secondary school to the former mini-campus and equip it with modern facilities that would transform it to an international boarding school. The vice chancellor, whose tenure expires in October, said that the management of the institution was

committed to moving the school forward. He noted that a change in the headship of the management would not derail the foresight and mission of the school. He, however, noted that the management of the school waited so long before getting the fund to embark on the expansion project. Oloyede said he was confident that the new Vice-Chancellor Designate, Prof. Abdul-Ganiyu Hambali, would perform even better and would not renege on the focus of the institution. (NAN)

Unilorin to spend N3 bn on facilities expansion

he Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Ish'aq Oloyede, has said that the university is to spend three billion naira on expansion of facilities in the university. Oloyede, the out-going vicechancellor of the institution, told newsmen in Ilorin on Friday that the sum was part of the N4.3 billion special intervention fund released to the university by the Education Trust Fund. "The institution has accessed N3 billion out of the N4. 3 billion special intervention fund granted to the

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

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Breastfeeding: What scares most women A fter childbirth, women are anxious to return to their pre-pregnancy shape and weight. It is important to remember that weight isn't gained overnight during pregnancy, and won't disappear that quickly, either. It is observed that the weight gained during pregnancy might contribute to obesity later in life. Hence, losing this extra weight soon after pregnancy may help many women avoid obesity and its long-term health effects. Weight gained during pregnancy is a reserve meant for the baby to feed. So unless a woman has sufficient fat reserves, dieting may hinder milk production and also cause the woman to feel fatigued. Earlier, doctors routinely recommended an additional 500 calories a day, as breastfeeding on an average burns 200-500 calories per day. However, now experts are of the opinion that what a mother eats is more important than the caloric intake. Good nutrition makes a difference in the quality of breast milk and also affects how quickly a body rebounds from childbirth. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a diet rich in complex carbohydrates for nursing mothers on diet. This is one of the most successful longterm lactation weight loss programs for women. It helps them lose weight without sacrificing milk production. Whole grains such as wholewheat bread, rye bread, and brown rice, Vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, squash, and beans, Fruits such as apples, berries, plums, oranges, peaches, and melons are recommended in this diet. It is recommended to wait until a baby is two months old before dieting. This gives enough time for a mother's body to successfully establish a healthy milk supply. Experts are of the opinion that more frequent and continued breastfeeding for longer than six months helps in weight loss. It is advisable to consume 1500 to 1800 calories per day while nursing and maintain a weight loss of up to 1.5 pounds per week or 6 pounds per month. A sudden drop in calories is not

Baby's position Comfortable nursing requires correct positioning of the baby at the breast. Some guidelines are given to help you develop your own technique. Observing someone else breastfeed or practicing with an experienced nursing mother or a lactation consultant may also help.

A happy woman breastfeeding her baby

Cradle hold: Sit in a comfortable chair, with arm rests if possible. Place your baby on your abdomen, tummy-totummy. The baby's head is cradled in the crook of your arm and the face to your breast. The baby's knees are underneath your other breast. The infant's head, back, and legs should all be in a straight line. This position can be held for the entire duration of the feeding. If you feel your nipple starting to hurt half-way into the feeding, check to see if your baby has slipped down and if the knees are starting to face the ceiling instead of being tucked in next to your side.

recommended as it can reduce milk supply. Liquid diets, low-carbohydrate diets, fad diets and weight loss medication are also not recommended while breastfeeding. In conclusion, a program of moderate exercise and energy restriction is successful in inducing weight loss in overweight, lactating mothers. This should be done without harming the growth of the infants. It is also stressed that a woman who is breastfeeding should first consult her physician and nutritionist before undertaking any weight loss program. Tips for easy breastfeeding Proper nipple care, positioning, appropriate

nursing frequency, and other measures can prevent many common breastfeeding problems. Recommendations Most women's breasts have nipples that stick out (protrude) slightly at rest and become erect when stimulated, as with cold. During pregnancy, the nipple and the pigmented area around it (areola) thicken in preparation for breastfeeding. Little glands (Montgomery glands) on the areola become more noticeable. They contain a lubricant to keep the nipple and areola from drying, cracking, or becoming infected. Soaps and harsh washing or drying of the breasts and nipples can cause extreme

dryness and cracking and should be avoided. Some experts recommend leaving milk on the nipple after feeding and allowing it to dry and protect the nipple. Keeping the nipples dry is important to prevent cracking and infection. For cracked nipples, apply 100% lanolin after feedings. Engorgement Many times the breasts will become swollen and painful 2-3 days after birth. The best treatment for this is to nurse the baby more frequently. Also, it may be helpful to pump your breasts should you have to miss a feeding, or if a feeding does not relieve the pain. See your health care provider if there is no improvement after 1 day.

Football hold: Cradle the back of your baby's head in your hand, with the body under your breast and toward the elbow. Place a pillow under your elbow to help you support your baby's bottom. Use your other hand to support your breast. This position allows you to control the baby's head and assures good positioning to latch on. Side lying: Lie on your side with one arm supporting your head. Your baby can lie beside you with the head facing your breast. Pull the baby in snugly and place a pillow behind to support the infant. Nursing frequency Most babies normally breastfeed every 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours during the first month. Breast milk is digested more quickly than formula so breastfeeding is needed more frequently. Even if you cannot measure the amount of milk your baby drinks, you can tell that the baby has had enough if: baby nurses every 2 to 3 hours, has 6 to 8 really wet diapers per Contd on page 30

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Breastfeeding: What scares most women Contd on page 29

day, and is gaining weight appropriately (about 1 pound each month). You can also listen for swallowing during feedings (the baby will usually swallow about every third suckle). The frequency of feeding does decrease with age as the baby can eat more at each feeding. Nighttime feeding While you were pregnant, your baby was continuously fed and didn't know hunger. After birth, babies need to be fed frequently. During the first few weeks, your baby will want to breastfeed around the clock. This is

perfectly normal. Some mothers find that bringing the baby in the same room at night and placing the crib within reach, allows them to meet the child's needs while losing minimal rest. Other mothers prefer to keep the baby in a separate bedroom, and have a comfortable chair there. While nursing an infant in bed is acceptable, you should return the infant to their crib when the feeding is done. Avoid bringing an infant into bed if you are very tired or taking medications that cause drowsiness. If you return to work, don't be surprised if your baby wants to nurse more

frequently at night. You may find that keeping your baby in the same room with you, or a room close enough to hear them helps you rest more securely. Baby monitors may also be helpful to be sure that you hear your baby's cries. You may have heard that night nursing can lead to what used to be called baby bottle tooth decay. Breast milk by itself is the healthiest food for babies' teeth, day or night. It tends to slow bacterial growth and acid production. However, when breast milk is alternated with sugary foods or drinks, the rate of tooth decay can be faster than with

sugar alone. Night nursing can be wonderful, but avoid sugary snacks and drinks for your baby or toddler throughout the day - and especially close to sleep time.

Milk supply Some mothers stop nursing during the first few days or weeks because they feel they aren't producing enough milk. It may seem like your baby is always hungry. You can't measure the amount of milk your baby is drinking so you may worry that you aren't producing enough milk. In reality, your baby's increased need to nurse signals your body to produce more milk. This is a natural way your body determines the amount of milk needed and provides an adequate milk supply. The first weeks may be difficult and frustrating for you but don't give up. If you can resist supplementing your baby's diet with formula feedings for the first four to six weeks, your body will respond appropriately and produce an adequate supply of milk. Supplementing your baby's diet with formula feeding will only trick your body into believing the current supply of breast milk is enough for your baby. Growth spurt Around the 2nd week, and the 2nd, 4th, and 6th months, it may seem that your baby wants to nurse all the time. Your baby may want to nurse every 30 or 60 minutes, and stay at the breast for longer periods. It may seem that the only thing you are doing all day is nursing. This increase in nursing is normal and signals your body to produce more milk as your baby enters a growth spurt. Within a few days, your milk supply will have increased to provide enough milk at each feeding and the baby will start eating less frequently and for shorter periods of time. Many nursing mothers have trouble finding the time to devote to their baby's increased feeding needs during this adjustment period. Often, understanding how and why this happens and that it is only temporary can help. Slow down and enjoy the job of feeding your baby; a job that only you can do. Ask for and accept help with other responsibilities to free your time for feeding. The 6 o'clock syndrome Babies frequently seem

fussy and want to nurse more frequently late in the afternoon and into the evening, when everyone else (especially you) is tired. You may feel too tired to nurse again or assume that you just don't have any more milk to give. It may be tempting to give your baby a bottle of formula while you attend to other responsibilities. But remember, bottle feeding your baby formula when you are tired or your milk supply seems low will signal your body to produce less milk which will result in more fatigue and frustration for you and your baby. Breastfeeding a baby on demand is full-time and exhausting work. Your body needs energy to produce enough milk. Be sure you get adequate nutrition, rest, and sleep. Taking good care of yourself is necessary if you are going to take good care of your baby. Baby's stools Your baby's bowel movements (stools) during the first two days will be black and tar-like (sticky and soft). Early and frequent breastfeeding during the first 48 hours will flush this sticky stool (meconium) from the infant's bowels. The stools will become yellowcolored and seedy. This is the normal stool consistency for a breastfed baby and should not be confused with diarrhea. During the first month, your baby may have a bowel movement after each breastfeeding. This frequency decreases with age. Don't worry if bowel movements occur after every feeding or every three days, as long as the pattern of bowel movements is regular and your baby is growing well (gaining weight). Nipple confusion The human breast and nipple are very different from a bottle and nipple. A baby has to learn to adapt to the type of nipple used. Exposure to a rubber nipple can create nipple confusion for your baby and make breastfeeding more difficult, especially during the first two weeks. After that, your milk supply will be well established, you both will be comfortable with the technique and routine of breastfeeding, and occasional use of a rubber nipple will cause less nipple confusion.

www.MedlinePlus.com

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Pensioner uses blow-up female doll to stop speeding motorists F

orget speed bumps, a pensioner in eastern China tired of speeding motorists outside her home has invested in blow-up female doll to slow down careless motorists. Frustrated Lin Chen took the law into her own hands after police failed to do anything about the number of vehicles speeding past her house in Ningbo. The 67-year-old decided to invest in the blow-up doll in a bid to slow down careless drivers by grabbing their attention. 'There are a set of traffic lights near my house and the

cars just shoot through them as fast as they can. It's very dangerous,' explained Chen. 'The police aren't interested so I bought this doll and tied it to the tree.' She added: 'I thought that drivers would slow down if I could give them something worth looking it.' The unusual speed reducing method appears to be working, with police reporting a decrease in the number of accidents in the area. 'It isn't a method we would use, but we can't say it isn't working,' said a spokesman.

Contd. from Back Page

good in his administration, and who are the architects of all his shortcomings. Such is the deep division among Nigerians, with those who think the President is the biggest disaster to befall the nation; and those who think the disaster is the people who are bent on bringing him down, no matter what he does, that there are no neutrals. Perhaps Baba Joda will be spared some of the most virulent verbal assaults owing to his rather detached relationship with the political process, but it is doubtful it any ideas on improving our current situation which are founded on the registered incompetence, corruption and absence of vision of this administration will even attract the mildest of interest from it. Perhaps the real value of Joda’s intervention is not in the substance of his suggestions, but in the spirit behind them. This spirit says clearly that our nation is in very deep crisis, and only unconventional thinking and action can salvage it.

Raised voices

Frustrated Lin Chen was fed-up with speeding drivers outside her home (Picture: CEN)

Cheeky fox stuns commuters with late night ride on London Underground

ommuters at Edgware Road station were left stunned after the intrepid fox wandered onto a tube carriage on Monday evening. Unashamedly ignoring London mayor Boris Johnson's

warning to avoid the tube, when possible, throughout the Olympics, the bushy-tailed Circle Line intruder gave a new meaning to the term urban fox. It was spotted by startled commuter Stephen Ebert, who

Olympic fever: Cheeky fox jumps on board the tube (Picture: National Pictures / Stephen Ebert)

later posted the picture on microblogging site Twitter. 'As the doors opened I boarded and immediately became aware of something down at my feet. At first, I was not sure what it was - and then I realised it was a fox,' he explained. 'It looked young and was probably a cub. I quickly snapped it with my phone and posted it on Twitter. 'It is not every day you capture a picture of a fox catching a Tube. The train had come from east London so maybe it had been at the Olympics! 'It got off the train as I was getting on so maybe it lives around Edgware Road. The carriage was virtually empty at the time so it had had it all to itself.' The incident was also witnessed by history student Harriet Horn, who tweeted: 'Sooo there was a fox on my Tube...' She added: 'It was so cute. It hopped off and went into a hole (I think). It looked like it had gone to safety.' Having infiltrated the streets and rubbish bins of Britain, it seems the nation's foxes now want to take over the transport system too.

proposals for a constitutional review, all of which have to be concluded before 2015, he suggests that President Jonathan should overhaul his cabinet to improve its quality. The President should work with the judiciary to diligently curb corruption; introduce an austerity budget and reduce waste; work hard to ensure that the 2015 election are free and fair; faithfully execute all awarded contracts; and become more involved in solving the nation’s security problems. Then the big one: the President should renounce any intention he may have of contesting the 2015 election, because this is the only way he can give the nation a credible and acceptable constitution, and a free and fair election. These last few recommendations will place Baba Joda firmly among the ranks of prominent people who have drawn the ire of the President’s people as those who see nothing

“

Such is the deep division among Nigerians, with those who think the President is the biggest disaster to befall the nation; and those who think the disaster is the people who are bent on bringing him down, no matter what he does, that there are no neutrals. Perhaps Baba Joda will be spared some of the most virulent verbal assaults owing to his rather detached relationship with the political process, but it is doubtful it any ideas on improving our current situation which are founded on the registered incompetence, corruption and absence of vision of this administration will even attract the mildest of interest from it

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

Yoga reduces pregnancy depression, boosts maternal bonding Y

oga can reduce depression n pregnant women as well as boost maternal bonding, say researchers. It is the first study to provide evidence that mindfulness yoga may offer effective treatment for depressed mothers-to-be. Pregnancy hormones are known to cause mood swings, however one in five expectant mothers experience major depression. Now, new research from the University of Michigan shows that the age-old recommended stress-buster could relieve their symptoms. Mothers-to-be at high risk of mental health problems found significant relief from depressive symptoms after taking part in a 10-week programme. They also reported stronger attachment to their babies in the womb. Lead author Maria Muzik said: 'We hear about pregnant women trying yoga to reduce stress but there's no data on how effective this method is. 'Our work provides promising first evidence that mindfulness yoga may be an effective alternative to pharmaceutical treatment for pregnant women showing signs of depression. 'This promotes both mother and baby wellbeing.' Mental health disorders during pregnancy, including depression and anxiety, have become a serious health concern. Hormonal changes, genetic predisposition and social factors set the stage for some expectant i

Focus: Yoga helps women to cope with pregnancy moms to experience persistent irritability, feelings of being overwhelmed and inability to cope with stress. Untreated, these symptoms bear major health risks for both the mom and baby, including

poor weight gain, preeclampsia, premature labor and trouble bonding with the new baby. While antidepressants have proven to effectively treat these mood disorders, Muzik says, previous studies show that many

pregnant women are reluctant to take these drugs out of concern for their infant's safety. 'Unfortunately, few women suffering from perinatal health disorders receive treatment, exposing them and their child

to the negative impact of psychiatric illness during one of the most vulnerable times,' she said. 'That's why developing feasible alternatives for treatment is critical.' Evidence suggests women are more comfortable with nontraditional treatments, including herbal medicine, relaxation techniques and mind-body work. Yoga continues to grow in popularity but in the United States, many classes concentrate on yoga as "exercise," omitting the practice of being fully present in the moment and aware, authors say. Meanwhile, mindfulness yoga which combines meditative focus with physical poses - has proven to be a powerful method to fight stress and boost energy. For the pilot study, women who showed signs of depression and who were between 12-26 weeks pregnant participated in 90-minute mindfulness yoga sessions that focused on poses for the pregnant body, as well as support in the awareness of how their bodies were changing to help their babies grow. Muzik said: 'This study builds the foundation for further research on how yoga may lead to an empowered and positive feeling toward pregnancy.' The findings were published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Babies born naturally 'have higher IQs than those delivered by caesarean section' By Sarah Johnson

Scientists claim that babies born naturally have higher IQs than those delivered by caesarean

abies born naturally may have higher IQs than those delivered by caesarean section, new research claims. According to scientists, when women give birth naturally there are higher levels of a special protein in babies' brains that helps boost intelligence levels as they develop. Scientists at Yale University in the US say the increased levels of the protein, called UCP2, in babies born naturally could help foster their short and long term memories - key components of the human IQ as they grow up. They made the discovery after studying the hippocampal region in the brains of mice born naturally and by caesarean. Mice born by C-section were

found to have lower levels of UCP2 and, as a result, suffered 'impaired adult behaviours'. UCP2 has already been credited with helping to improve the chances of newborns breastfeeding. The findings come at a time when a deal of controversy surrounds C-sections. Critics have said that Csections can increase the risk of internal bleeding and can lead to problems to do with fertility in the future. They think that celebrity mothers, such as Victoria Beckham and Zoe Ball, are to blame for more women opting for them. Around one quarter of babies in NHS hospitals are delivered by caesarean, although the figure is thought to be as high as 60 per cent in private clinics. Study author Dr Tamas Horvath, whose findings are published in journal PLoS ONE

said: 'These results reveal a potentially critical role of UCP2 in the proper development of brain circuits and related behaviours. 'The increasing prevalence of C-sections driven by convenience rather than medical necessity may have a previously unsuspected lasting effect on brain development and function in humans as well.' She added: 'We found that natural birth triggered UCP2 expression in the neurons located in the hippocampal region of the brain. 'This was diminished in the brains of mice born via Csection. Knocking out the UCP2 gene or chemically inhibiting UCP2 function interfered with the differentiation of hippocampal neurons and circuits, and impaired adult behaviours related to hippocampal functions.' Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

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Stop castigating FCT minister, DGGF Chairman tells critics A Bauchi based politician and the Chairman ‘Democracy and Good Governance Forum’ (DGGF) Alhaji Suleiman Mai-fosta in this interview with Ahmed Kaigama, cautioned the critics of the Minister for FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, to halt the call for his disengagement by President Goodluck Jonathan.

hat exactly are the achievements of the FCT Minister for you to be praising him when others in Bauchi state are criticizing him? Actually it is very easy to construct good English and talk as you wish but it is not all that easy to make rational thinking people to believe you if you don’t have facts. If you go through my argument in my last interview I didn’t make an empty claim as Yakubu just did, I further backed up my claims with facts and references; I expected Yakubu to do same. I made references to Senator Bala’s achievements in various sectors of social development in FCT, like infrastructure development, Health, Environmental, Lands, Transportation, investments, employment. But entirely Yakubu’s arguments were based on land allocation only, one may even wonder if the entire administration of FCT is on allocation of lands. This left me with impression, may be that is the only sector he knows “cuwa cuwan fili” that is why he is making all this sort of noise. And the worst of all, even on the issue of land allocation that he built his case upon, he failed to come up with any substantive official evidence that directly linked the Minister with any of the abnormally he is talking about. FCT MInsiter’s critics alleged that he disappointed even his mentor and political godfather, Mal. Isa Yuguda, who initially made him a Senator from where he found his way to become a Minister, don’t you think he can still be a disappointment to the people of Bauchi State if given the mandate to govern the state? Point of correction, only God the Almighty gives power, and I have never heard where, for once, Mal. Isa Yuguda claimed to have given anybody power. Whatever anybody becomes in life is his destiny. I don’t believe in rumor and I still never heard, for once, when and where Mal. Dr. Isa Yuguda

Alhaji Suleiman Mai-fosta publicly asserted that FCT Minister disappointed him or he is nursing grudges against him. What is open to us is that they are good friends and ambassadors of people in government and we always look at them as such. Misunderstanding and differences are normal to occur even between husband and wife talk less of friends; so if such differences exist between the two important figures, I think they are matured enough to resolve their differences within themselves, and where the differences become public, what is best for us as reasonable people is to influence settlement and understanding between them not exerting pressure of creating more gap and misunderstanding. Actually, the good people of Bauchi State have nothing to gain in their misunderstanding and we have everything to gain in their harmony and understanding. Thus, we always pray for their best and unity. Currently, Mallam Yuguda is the Executive Governor of Bauchi State and Senator Bala Mohammed is the FCT Minister; they are both sons of the state

and we are proud of them; and we are praying for their success. Therefore, issue of who will succeed Yuguda is for those Allah spare their souls to reach the time; I still repeat it, it is untimely to overheat the polity with debate of succession now. And to cap it all, bundles of Senator Bala Mohammed’s achievements and credentials are enough to speak for him of his capability to handle any future assignment. They also accused close relatives and associates of the minister of messing up his administration through land allocation, what is your take on that? Thank God, nowhere in the

report point an accusing finger to the Minister himself. And I am still repeating my earlier stand everybody is bound by his action. So if they think either Minister’s relatives or associates messed up and they have facts, let them take it up to appropriate authority for investigation and necessary action; I have no problem with that. But personally, I have a lot of reservations and second thought on that report, and I believe anybody that knows government administration will share same thought with me. Because the administration of land allocation, not only in FCT but every where throughout the federation, follows a stipulated government guide. There is no how, an outsider will just come from the air and hijack the schedules of government officials. Why are some people calling for the removal of the FCT Minister? It is never in my style neither is it in my character to engage in unfruitful arguments especially on newspaper columns with those who are not objective and rational in their arguments; those who are blindfolded to smear somebody’s image and integrity at all cost. People should stop castigating the FCT Minister, because whatever reason and fact you advance to them would be viewed from the wrong perspectives. What I am advocating is for them to be honest in their criticism of the Minister though they have not been able to hide their grudges against him.

“

Only God the Almighty gives power, and I have never heard where, for once, Mal. Isa Yuguda claimed to have given anybody power. Whatever anybody becomes in life is his destiny

So, I granted this interview solely on ground that they are picking-up and learning from the mistakes I enumerated to them in their previous writeups and interviews. Because if you compare their recent interview and the previous one, you will realize that they have attempted to correct certain grey areas we point out to them. Which correction are you talking about that they have made in their recent publications? Yes, you can see, in their previous interview, they credited the failures of the FCT minister to his inability to provide dividend of democracy to his zone i.e. North East, while I pointed out their ignorance by enlightening them on what should be expected from the FCT Minister. Now, if you critically look at their recent interview granted by their Secretary General they tried to deviate and distance themselves from their earlier unsound ridiculous allegation. Also, on complaints of nonperformance of the Minister, we challenged them that the residents of FCT are supposed to be the complainants if truly things are going wrong as they claimed; they now changed the base of their NGO from Bauchi to Abuja. What are the unanswerable questions you mentioned that their recent changes of approach brought up? Actually, the sudden changes left us with many questions. Among others is the true base of their NGO, because we couldn’t locate them in the directories of NGO’s in both Bauchi and Abuja. Also their aim of formation and their achievements, because from what is at hand, it seems the NGO was formed solely to attack the integrity of the FCT Minister with their office address in the briefcase of B.B.Dogo or Yakubu Jibrin. That is why the base was easily changed to cover up their intellectual shortcomings in their quest to meet up with their fishy desire.

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Plateau Assembly summons PLASIEC over delay in conduct of LG election From Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

ajority Leader of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Daniel Dem, has disclosed that the House would soon summon the Plateau state Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) to appear before it to explain the delay in the conduct of local government elections in the state. Dem was recently elected Majority Leader of the house to succeed Hon. Gyang Fulani who died alongside Senator Gyang Dantong in Maseh village in Riyom Local Government Area during the mass burial of 50 people massacred by terrorist recently. Dem who pledged to continue with the ideals of his predecessor Hon Gyang Fulani expressed desire to work with his colleagues as a family and strengthen the existing relationship with the executive for the growth of the state. Dem questioned the ability of the STF to tackle the insecurity situation in the state, lamenting that the security force went on air to announce their plans to get rid of the terrorists before carrying out the operation in the villages. He averred the terrorists had left the area before the commencement of the operation. According to him, “ Will the enemy be there waiting for the soldiers to come and arrest them? Normally when this kind of operation is to be carried out, the special task force is not expected to announce its plans to embark on the operations but to block all roads around the villages and then go after the terrorists. So, it smacks of lack of genuine desire on their part to apprehend the terrorists; the terrorists who have been killing our people with impunity”.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

2015: Katsina politician tips Lamido for Presidency From Lawal Sa'idu Funtua, Katsina

prominent political associate of the late President Umar Yar’Adua, Alhaji Mati Funtua, has urged all the northern governors to support their

performance and patriotism. “Look at his state, Jigawa, since its creation it never had it so good until the coming of Lamido. Jigawa has transformed from a rural state capital to one of the most developed city in the country”

L-R: Mr Baritor Kpagih, Mr Aniedi Ikotwak, and Mr Habu Hinna, taking their oath of office as INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners, last Thursday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

he observed. Mati recalled that recently the Jigawa governor awarded contract for the electrification of 35 towns in the state, adding that the state has one of the most effective health care services. He noted that Jigawa state also hold the record of one of the most peaceful state in the country which he said was made possible by the leadership qualities of the governor. Mati asserted that among the northern politicians, Lamido remains the most patriotic who believed in politics of ideas that could promote national unity and cohesion. “Among all the northern politicians, it was only Lamido that imbibed the legacies of Aminu Kano, and Sardauna of Sokoto combined. Nigerians and those in PDP must insist on having Lamido as President” he counseled. He similarly disclosed that those clamouring for the Jigawa governor for Presidency would soon launch a support base that would have national spread and outlook where he said all Nigerians irrespective of ethnic or religious affiliation would be invited.

Senator donates to flood victims From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

enator representing Kebbi Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, has donated relief materials worth millions of Naira as succor to the recent flood victims in the state capital, Birnin Kebbi. Handing over the relief package to the state Acting Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim K. Aliyu, at the state cabinet office,

the Senator, represented by Alhaji Muhammadu Nayaya, registered his heartfelt sympathy to the government, victims and people of the state over the unfortunate incident. He then announced the donation of 1200 bags of cement, 200 bundles of roofing sheet, 300 packs of assorted nails and N1 million cash for onward distribution to the affected victims. Receiving the items, the state

Acting Governor Alhaji Ibrahim K. Aliyu, thanked the Senator for the gesture and described him as a leader who has the interest of his people at heart just as he called on other men of goodwill in the state to emulate him. He directed the State Emergency Management Agency to take charge of the property and ensure equity in their distribution saying “every household that was affected as a

result of the calamity must be given consideration.” He added that the state government had already provided some materials for the victims and was still expecting the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to come to the aid of the state government. According to him, the state government has set up various committees to ascertain the extent of damage and report to accordingly.

INEC debunks claim of voter apathy in Edo guber election

Gov. Jonah Jang

Jigawa state counterpart, Alhaji Sule Lamido, for the Presidency in 2015. Mati who stated this in an interview with newsmen, yesterday in Katsina noted that no politician in the north could march Lamido’s record of

NEC declared in Abuja yesterday that turnout at the July 14 governorship election in Edo was unprecedented. Its chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that contrary to claims of voter apathy from some quarters, the exercise witnessed a turnout of 39.1 per cent of registered voters, a level, he said was unprecedented in the state. He stressed that the level of turnout was higher than the 35 per cent average turnout recorded in the state since the return to democracy in 1999. “So, by all credible standards and measures, there was a high turnout this time around in Edo State than there has ever been in the election in Edo state since 1999, so it is not

correct to say there was voter apathy in Edo State.’’ Commenting on the outcome of the election, Jega acknowledged that there were slight hitches in the delivery of electoral materials in some parts of the state, but explained that it was not deliberate. “We did our best to prevent it, but it was caused by a combination of factors and in Edo State the delay was experienced in only two out of 18 local government areas. “We deployed a strategy in which we sent materials to the most difficult terrain areas first; to the farthest local government area first and then we distributed to the nearest local government areas last. “That’s why Oredo local government area and the other local government areas which are within

Benin City were the last where materials were distributed. “But by 3 a.m., the materials had been distributed to what we call Supervisory Presiding Officers, who were supposed to go to the wards and distribute to the other Presiding Officers who go to the polling units. “But there was no security coverage, and we cannot move election materials unless there is security coverage.’’ Jega added that some of the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) were posted to Edo on Thursday by the Inspector General of Police and most of them did not get to their stations until almost mid-night on the preceding Friday. He added that the police could not mobilise for a very long time and that though the posting of the senior

police officers was done with the best of intentions, it affected timely deployment of security to some areas. “The Supervisory Presiding Officers in Oredo local government area, on the eve of the election, demanded that they must be paid in full before they proceeded for the election; it was unusual, it has never happened, but we had to pay them to ensure that materials now go to the field. “We must do everything possible to ensure that materials arrive in good time, but sometimes in spite of everything you do, challenges emerge in the field and they obstruct smooth conduct of the process. Navy provided the assistance, where it is necessary to transport the Air Force also provides the necessary assistance.’’

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

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Jos crisis: PDP chieftain lauds Jonathan parley with Plateau leaders By Lawrence Olaoye

chieftain of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its former National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali, has applauded the recent parley between President Goodluck Jonathan and leaders of the various camps involved in the sectarian crisis in Jos. President Jonathan had last week met leaders of Berom tribe and Hausa/Fulani leaders in Plateau state separately at the presidential villa Abuja with a view to finding lasting solution to the crisis in troubled Plateau state. Speaking on this

development in Abuja at the weekend, Alkali said that the parley presented another golden opportunity to restore peace to Plateau state even as he cautioned the leaders to stop grandstanding and blame game. According to him, time for blame game has gone and the leaders who are representing the various interest groups in Plateau must be very frank and honest to enable government get to the root of the crisis and for all. “What the federal government has done in recent past is very good, especially the parley that has been started, inviting stakeholders, talk to them dispassionately, listen to their views, listen to their

opinions, understand their position, understand their views, understand their fears and then listen to the other side, understand their problems and plight and subsequently bring them together as they are trying to do. “Beyond that, those who have been coming and talking to the President and the government must also be very frank and very honest because it is one thing to come and tell the President a position and when the government takes a final decision everything again is jettisoned and we are again back to square one. “So, there must be signs of willingness on the part of

everybody to come together because ultimately it is the peace that is most important. In the past Plateau is like a home for everyone, it is the centre of trade and centre of industries. Today Plateau is on its knees and then for how long”, he asked. While describing Jos as another melting pot in Nigeria because of the history and climate of the town, Alkali declared that the different tribes in the state needed one another and there is need for peaceful cohabitation and collaboration He advised the Plateau leaders to be ready to make sacrifices in the interest of their people and accept blame when they are wrong and make amend.

PDP strikes out petition against Oshiomhole From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

notice has been filed by the Edo state chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), before the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal seeking to strike out of its name as second petitioner in a petition filed by its governorship candidate, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, challenging the re-election of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in the July, 14 2012 election. In the motion of notice filled by its counsel, Mr. Kingsley Obamogie for the PDP, the party is praying the Tribunal for "an order granting leave to the second petitioner to argue his motion outside the pre-hearing session." It also requested for "An order striking out the name of the second petitioner from the instant petition and is not desirous of prosecuting and/or the maintaining the said petition". Obamogie, who in a written address supporting the motion, stated "on the 2nd of August 2012, the petitioner filed petition No. EPT/ED/G/ 01/2012 at this honourable tribunal against respondents seeking relief with respect to the governorship election held in Edo state on 14 July 2012. The second petitioner has now brought a motion seeking an order of this tribunal striking out its name from the petition". Besides, the PDP also filed a notice of change of counsel, informing the tribunal that Mr. Obamogie will now replace Mr. S .O Agwinede in any of its matters.

Senior Special Adviser to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, briefing journalists on state of the nation, on Friday at the State House, in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

Kwara ACN, Govt. bicker over Belgore's holiday lessons From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

he Kwara State Chapter of Action Congres of Nigeria (ACN), has faulted the alleged cancellation of its 2011 gubernatorial candidate, Mohammed Dele Belgore's holiday lessons for pupils in the state by the government, noting that such action was anti masses. Chairman of the party, Mr. Kayode Olawepo in a statement issued in Ilorin yesterday noted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led state government was denying the people of the state the basic things it could not provide. The party in statement entitled 'Belgore's free lesson: Kwara govt's action short sighted, repressive', the opposition party dismissed as "repressive, anti-people and shortsighted" the decision of the state

government to stop the free holiday classes sponsored by ACN's leader. "What this disgraceful, shortsighted and repressive act shows is that the government is not interested in the empowerment or development of its youth, but only interested in saving its own skin," he alleged. The statement read "We have read the lame excuse the PDP government gave to justify what public reactions have shown to be reactionary behaviour of this government. How low is this government prepared to go in the name of politics by attacking MDB volunteers and threatening schools that provide their facilities? "The effort by MDB SAN is not intended and cannot replace the educational facilities provided by the State. What he is doing is granting additional support through extra

lessons for JAMB etc and in the areas of IT. As a matter of fact, the government should encourage private individuals and institutions who help in doing this. Nothing and we repeat nothing should get in the way of uplifting our youths educationally. "No right thinking government that is concerned about the future of its youth would seek to hinder an educational opportunity for its youths. This should be number one priority for any right thinking government, unless you are the Kwara State Government which has clearly shown that the future of its youths should be compromised in the name of politics." But the state government through the Senior Adviser on Media, Dr Muideen Akorede, said the procedure adopted by the opposition was not proper.

Bauchi PDP chieftain supports 7-yr tenure proposal From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi state, Alhaji Danladi Abubakar has thrown his weight behind the proposed sevenyear single term for the country's President and state governors. The politician stated this in Bauchi at the weekend when he expressed dismay at how he was misunderstood by some people that he was in support of Jonathan Goodluck to stay in office for another 7 years after the expiration of his present mandate. Abubakar who is the Bauchi State Chairman of the Local Government Pension Board (LGPB) emphatically stated that he was only supporting the idea for 7-year single term for the country's president or state governors in the 2015 general elections. He however commended President Jonathan for his foresight to suggestthe 7-year single term for the generality of Nigerians to see the wisdom in the new system. "My support for President Goodluck Jonathan was purely on being the first Nigerian who suggested for 7 year single term", Abubakar said, adding that it was left to Nigerians to accept or turndown the suggestion. He described the present democratic system of governance of two terms of 8 years as not beneficial to the common man but to only those at the top echelon of the society and their cohorts to satisfy their whims and caprices. According to him, the 7years single term would also be of advantage to the teaming Nigerian youths especially those with the zeal to further their education because "One can obtain his degree within 5 years without being a victim of change of government". Further defending the 7years single tenure, Abubakar said the first two years could be used in planning viable projects, no matter how big, while 5 years would be enough to commence and execute the projects into concrete reality. He also described the present system as completely corrupt ridden where elected leaders, especially presidents and governors siphons public funds to the detriment of majority while perpetuating their dominance on governance. "The elected leaders in the first term of the present system embark on wasteful ventures and plans for their return to office while the second 4-year terms are being used for looting and accumulation of public funds in order to finally leave office with unimaginable wealth", he stated. According to him, another disadvantage of the present system was the way and manner the youths are being enticed with money by leaders to clear their way by all means which, most times, lead to murder and or assassination of political opponents. He therefore urged the youths to support the 7year single tenure proposal.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

Olofa tussle reaches Appeal Court From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega (left), explaining a point during a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) forum, yesterday in Abuja. With him is Managing Editor, Political Affairs of NAN, Mr. Herbert Okpi (right). Photo: NAN

Senator disagrees with northern Govs over state police By Richard Ihediwa

head of the commencement of debates on the amendment of the 1999 constitution, Vice Chairman Senate Committee on Interior, Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi, (ACN Ekiti North) has called for the establishment of state Police in the country. This is coming against the backdrop of the rejection of state police by governors of the 19 northern states who instead demanded for a review of the laws to enable them have full control of Police Commissioners in the states. However, disagreeing with the governors, Adetunmbi insisted that the police should be decentralized to make it more effective. Fielding questions from journalists in Abuja at the weekend, the lawmaker said the centralized police system was outdated and inefficient for a modern democratic federation and called for enactment of appropriate legislations for the establishment of police services at federal, state and local government levels. Adetunmbi noted that as the constitution review is on, Nigerians have the unique opportunity to restructure the imbalances in the

federation, adding that Police is one, even as he explained that the United States model we are following has both Police structure, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Indian all have and Argentina has federal and 23 provincial police forces. The senator, who noted that other western, African and developing countries of the world have both federal and state police structure without any problem, said that States in Nigeria should have theirs to enable them Police their territories. According to him, ''The UK indeed has territorial police forces that carry out the police duties in defined jurisdictions that make up the United Kingdom. There are separate police authorities for England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively. Most of the day- to- day policing of London is the responsibility of 33 borough operational command units (BOCUs) under the coordinating authority of the Metropolitan Police Service. He said in Ethiopia, the federal Police is responsible for the investigation of federal crimes while the state police have the power to investigate crimes limited to their Jurisdiction and co-operate with the federal police on a need arise basis. Adetunmbi said such as also the

practice in India, where according to him, the states have their independent police forces headed by a director general of police adding that about 30 percent of the Indian federal Police services are recruited from the state forces. He said Pakistan has one federal and four provincial police organizations with clearly defined jurisdictions and sets of offences that they cover. According to him, "This is a unique opportunity for Nigeria to address some of the historical imbalances in the federalism that we are practicing especially as it affects key institution of a state of which the police is a major one. On opposition from the Northern governors, Senator Adetunmbi said, "I must confess my surprise at the governors from the north because I recall that sometimes this year the governors forum resolved in favour of state police only for this regional colouration to the whole consensus started to show its face. "That is why I am saying I am surprised because if there is any part of the country where state police is supposed to have immediate impact and result, it is in areas where there are subsisting security challenges. So I am quite surprised and I kept asking myself, what could be the reason", he said.

PDP flags off gubernatorial campaign, solicits people's votes for return in Ondo

ormer President Olusegun Obasanjo has predicted that the People's Democratic Party (PDP) would win the Oct. 20 Ondo governorship election. Obasanjo stated this on Saturday in Akure at a rally organised by the PDP ahead of the election. At the rally tagged `` Unity Rally,'' the governorship candidate of the party, Chief Olusola Oke was handed over the party's flag. Obasanjo described Oke as very credible, and urged the people of the state to vote for him. "I want to start by thanking our

brothers and sisters outside Ondo State who have come to flag off the campaign to bring PDP back to the state. "We have a creditable candidate for Ondo State, Olusola Oke is a good leader that can be taken by his words''. The former president said he returned to the country last night from the U.S. to attend the rally because of the importance attached to it, adding that he was supposed to return on Monday. Obasanjo urged party members, supporters and the people of the state to vote the PDP in the forthcoming

election. He also advised the people to be ready to defend their votes and to also exhibit good conducts during the election. Chief Hope Uzodinma, the PDP Deputy National Chairman, who represented the national chairman called on party members to vigorously campaign for the party's candidate. Oke, who spoke after receiving the party's flag, promised not to disappoint the people of the state. He said that industrialisation would be given priority.

he legal battle over the rightful occupant of Olofa of Offaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s throne, the first class traditional ruler in Kwara state, on Friday reached the Appeal Court at Ilorin Division. The Olugbense Ruling House of Offa, Kwara State appealed against the judgement of an Ilorin High Court which had declared Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi as the Olofa of Offa. The judgement was delivered by Justice Suleiman Akanbi. According to a copy of the appeal suit made available to journalists in Ilorin yesterday, the appellants include Alhaji Sheu Oyeniyi, Alhaji Abdulrauf Adegboyega; and Prince Saka Keji on behalf of themselves and the Olugbense Ruling House. Joined in the appeal as respondents are Alhaji Yunnus Bukoye, Essa of Offa; Alhaji Kadir Bello, (Ojomu of Offa); Alhaji Oseni Olaniyi (Balogun of Offa); Alhaji Zikrullah Sanni, (Olaboye Shawo of Offa); Attorney General of Kwara State and Kwara State Governor. The counsel, Mr. John Baiyeshea (SAN) sought for an order setting aside part of the judgment of the learned trial judge, especially his findings that ascension to the throne of Olofa of Offa is not rotational

between the two Ruling Houses of Offa. He prayed for a declaration that Keji is the proper person to be installed by the Attorney General of the state and the Governor as the Olofa of Offa. He also asked for an order compelling the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Attorney General and the Governor to install Keji as the Olofa of Offa. He also sought a declaration that the selection and installation of Gbadamosi and his installation by the Kwara State Governor are wrongful, null and void and of no effect. He equally prayed for a perpetual injunction restraining Gbadamosi from further parading himself as Olofa of Offa. The appellants also sought for a declaration that it is the turn of Olugbense Ruling House of Offa and not the Anilelerin Ruling House to produce the Olofa of Offa after the death of Oba Mustapha Olanipekun from Anilelerin Ruling House in 2010. The appellantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; counsel, Baiyeshea, claimed that the trial judge erred in law when he held that the claimants did not put any evidence before him to show that the Olofa chieftaincy is rotational between the two Ruling Houses of Olughense and Anilelerin.

Group advises PDP to resolve squabbles

he Urhobo Political Movement has advised the PDP to resolve the ongoing squabbles between the Presidency and the House of Representative. Chief Ominimini Obiuwevbi, National Chairman of the group gave the advice on Sunday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. The House at its plenary on July 19, resolved to initiate impeachment proceedings against President Goodluck Jonathan if his administration did not achieve 100 per cent implementation of the 2012 budget by September. Obiuwevbi, who is also the founder of the National Democratic Initiative, a prodemocracy group, stressed the need to promote cohesion between the two arms of government. According to him, the two arms are dominated by the PDP which makes the government a PDP government. ``It is common knowledge that the National Assembly is dominated by the PDP, at the same time, both appointees and members of the Federal Executive Council are drawn from PDP. ``I do not see any reason why a squabble will ensue and take this long to resolve in a government that is predominantly one party, in this case the PDP. ``We are advising the PDP top hierarchy to resolve the squabble using internal mechanisms of resolving disputes. '' Obiuwevbi, however, advised both the appointees and members

of the Federal Executive Council to refrain from utterances and attitudes capable of undermining the functions of the legislature. He also advised the executive to work harder to impress the public by improving infrastructure. He noted that the frustration of the average Nigerians was not the figures contained in the budget but the lack of implementation. Obiuwevbi also appealed to the legislature to view the budget in the perspective of using the estimated revenue to deliver capital expenditure. He said that Nigerians were concerned with dividends of democracy and not figures contained in the budget, appealing to both organs to work in harmony to meet public expectations. ``The budget must be implemented within the estimated revenue and the question should not be the issue of 100 per cent implementation in September. ``It is not possible to attain maximum implementation of a budget in September knowing that the estimated revenue covers 12 months of the year. ``The budget itself has not been made public for the people to know and as such they are not interested in figures but performance. ``We are, therefore, advising both organs of government not to wash their dirty linens in public,'' he stated.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

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Keshi releases Oboabana, 3 others to Siunshine Stars

uper Eagles head Coach, Stephen Keshi, has bowed to Sunshine Stars’ request to have their players released for this weekend’s CAF Champions League reversed clash between them and ASO Chlef of Algeria. Accordingly, centre back Godfrey Oboabana, goalkeeper Moses Ocheje, forward Izu Azuka and midfielder Kwambe Solomon who have been in the Eagles camp preparaing for Wednesday’s

friendly international with the Menas of Niger Republic have been excused from the game. The quartet will instead feature Sunshine Stars against ASO Chlef in a CAF Champions League match on Sunday. They were released over the weekend following an appeal to that effect by Mike Idoko, the General Manager of the team. “We had to release them to go and help their club in the Caf Champions League. Sunshine Stars are the only

Nigerian team left in any of the continental club competition. So this is a way of helping them go far and we share the same view with the federation on this since they are key players at their club. “But as soon as they return the players will join the camp again. As it is they will miss the friendly game against Niger Republic. There are other players here that will fit in well,” Keshi said yesterday.

CAF U-20: F/Eagles beat Ngorogoro Heroes

he Flying Eagles yesterday defeated the Ngorogoro Heroes of Tanzania to secure a final game South Africa for a place in the CAF U-20 fiesta. The junior won 2-0 at the Ilorin Stadium to bring the aggregate score to 4-1. Midfielder Abduljaleel Ajagun, who was recalled along with four others soon after the first leg game, opened the score sheet with a superb shot from outside the box which beat goalkeeper

Olympic Games

ondon 2012 has “absolutely refreshed” the Olympics with “absolutely fabulous” Games, International Olympic Committee (IOC) president, Jacques Rogge, said on the closing day of the Games. Rogge heaped praise on organising committee chief, Sebastian Coe, the huge turnout by the fans who filled the stadiums, and the friendly volunteers hours before his eagerly awaited final assessment of the Games at the closing ceremony. Unlike his predecessor, Juan Antonio Samaranch, Rogge is not using the phrase “the best ever,” but a special phrase unique for each edition because he considers a direct comparison “unfair”. “London has absolutely refreshed the Games in many aspects ... Sebastian has delivered on the athletes. I promised the athletes it would be an athletes’

Aishi Manula after just 14 minutes. The African champions doubled their advantage on 65 minutes through a penalty converted by Alhaji Gero after a player of Ngorogoro Heroes handled the ball inside his box. A headed goal by Bright Ejike in the 21st minute was disallowed by the Liberian referee, who made several questionable calls against the hosts. The visitors enjoyed some good

moments especially in the second half when they stepped up their play in a bid to come back into the game. The Flying Eagles will now play away to the Amajita of South Africa on September 22 in Johannesburg with the return leg a fortnight later. Both teams clashed in June in an invitational tournament in Cape Town with the South Africans running away 1-0 winners.

Rogge praises fabulous London Olympics as curtain you could not follow the pace any drops more.

Games and, as I said in my introduction, it has been the athletes’ Games,” Rogge said. “I think the Games were absolutely fabulous but here and there are issues where we can tell the Brazilians (Rio 2016) and say, ‘Be careful of this, be careful of that.’ Nothing fundamental, of course.” But Rogge also said that Rio has yet to come up with exact figures for the Olympic budget and said that good results of the nation’s athletes will also be important to make the first Games in South America a success - just as Team GB sent the whole of Britain into an Olympic frenzy. “We had to wait two days and the first bronze came in the bicycle race for women, but from then on,

“It accelerated and you are over 60 now - so this is fantastic and very much needed. “We are saying exactly the same to our Brazilian friends and they are preparing their teams. Definitely it is also going to be very important,” Rogge said. Looking at the competition in 26 sports for 302 gold medals, the president singled out “the tears of Chris Hoy ... (as) the defining moment of the Games” in reference to the British cyclist’s emotions after getting a national record sixth gold. Rogge singled out other stars such as super sprinter Usain Bolt, all-time best medallist swimmer Michael Phelps and sailor Ben Ainslie and named the Games a “dream for a sports lover like me.”

Final Olympics medal count USA China Great Britain Russia South Korea Germany France Italy Hungary Australia Japan Kazakhstan Netherlands Ukraine Cuba New Zealand Iran Jamaica Czech Republic North Korea Spain Brazil Belarus South Africa Ethiopia Croatia Romania Kenya Denmark Azerbaijan Poland Turkey Switzerland Lithuania Norway Canada Sweden Colombia Georgia Mexico Ireland Argentina Serbia Slovenia Tunisia Dominican Republic Uzbekistan Trinidad and Tobago Latvia Algeria Bahamas Grenada Uganda Venezuela India Mongolia Thailand Egypt Slovakia Armenia Belgium Finland Bulgaria Estonia Indonesia Malaysia Puerto Rico Taiwan Botswana Cyprus Gabon Guatemala Montenegro Portugal Greece Moldova Qatar Singapore Afghanistan Saudi Arabia Bahrain Hong Kong Kuwait Morocco Tajikistan NIGERIA

G 46 38 29 24 13 11 11 8 8 7 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ??

S B Total 29 29 104 27 22 87 17 19 65 25 33 82 8 7 28 19 14 44 11 12 34 9 11 28 4 5 17 16 12 35 14 17 38 1 5 13 6 8 20 5 9 20 3 6 14 3 5 13 5 3 12 4 4 12 3 3 0 0 2 6 10 4 17 5 9 17 5 5 13 2 1 6 1 3 7 1 2 6 5 2 9 4 5 11 4 3 9 2 6 10 2 6 10 2 1 5 2 0 4 1 2 5 1 1 4 5 12 18 4 3 8 3 4 8 3 3 7 3 3 7 1 3 5 1 2 4 1 2 4 1 2 4 1 1 3 1 0 2 0 3 4 0 3 4 0 1 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 4 6 2 3 5 2 1 3 2 0 2 1 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 2 2 0 2 2 0 2 2 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 ?? ?? ???

Match fixing scandal: Anambra FA appeals NFF decision on Gabros

he Anambra State F A and the management of Gabros FC of Nnewi, at the weekend appealed against the replayed of the match involving Gabros and Ambassadors FC ordered by the Disciplinary Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The committee had insisted on the replay following a petition from the management of Ambassador FC that Nnewibased Gabros organised street boys to represent Ambassador FC in one of the Nationwide League matches, which the Nnewi-based side won 7-0 “That in view of the incurable bad pre-match meeting process, the whole exercise starting from the prematch meeting itself and ending with the purported result is hereby void,” the disciplinary committee said in its statement. “Consequently, the match is to be replayed at the same venue with different match officials on or before August 15, 2012. That Anambra State FA is strongly advised to be alive with their responsibilities of organising matches in the appropriate ways,” it said in part. However, Gabros FC, in its appeal argued that the committee failed to adress the subject of the petition which was to prove the culpability or otherwise of the club in the said allegation. “The Disciplinary Committee erred in their decision ordering a replay in our match in issue, which was duly played and concluded in accordance with the rules of the competition,” adding that the committee is not the organiser of the Nationwide League competition and as such could ordered a replay of any match.

Aminu Maigari, NFA President

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

he Nigeria Professional Powerlifting Association (NPPA) has confirmed that it has rescheduled its training tour of South Africa, earlier planned for March this year, to September. Peter Olowu, Secretary of the Association, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the tour was shifted because of the diplomatic row between the two countries which raged over some yellow fever vaccine cards in March. Olowu said that the tour was to prepare the powerlifters for an international championship in the U.S. in November. “We were denied visas by the South African Embassy for the training tour in March, due to the diplomatic problem between both countries over yellow fever vaccine cards. “The embassy requested for our yellow fever vaccine cards, which they later rejected and that eventually stalled the training tour,” he said. Olowu, however, added that association had presented new yellow fever vaccine cards and other necessary documents to the embassy for processing. So, hopefully, we should be able to travel in September. According to him, the association has also completed its registration for the U.S. competition in November. Olowu added that the lack of viable sponsors was making it difficult for the body to organise competitions. “We used to have companies that sponsored our two main competitions: the National Classics and the Bench Championships, but this year has been particularly difficult,’’ he said. The secretary, however, added that the association was discussing with some corporate organisations in efforts to find sponsors for the two tournaments, as well as some other new ones.

oaches in Lagos on Friday commended the Lagos State Junior League for organising a pre-competition workshop on grassroots football for clubs and officials. The workshop is to herald the second edition of its U-20 soccer league beginning in September among competitors whose ages are verifiable through secondary schools. The workshop, which was held on Thursday, is on the

Professional Powerlifters reschedule training tour of S/Africa

A Nigeria female powerlifter

Coaches laud Lagos Junior League for pre-competition workshop “FIFA 11+’’, designed to help players to avoid injuries. An ex-international, Yisa Sofoluwe, said it would aid them in understanding modern-day tactics in football and guide their players on how to stay away from injuries and performance enhancing foods. Sofoluwe, the coach of NAT Boys FC of Surulere, said that

though it was a one-day event, it had equipped them adequately for the grassroots competition. The coach, whose team won the 2011/2012 premier league division of the junior league, also commended FIFA for sponsoring the workshop. “This workshop sponsored by the Federation of International

18th NSF: Lagos judokas boast of sweeping all medals at stake

morodion Edokpolo, Head Coach, Lagos State Judo Association, on Friday assured that his athletes will perform excellently at the forthcoming 18th National Sports Festival (NSF) in Lagos in November. Edokpolo, who boasted yesterday soon after their morning training session at the Mobolaji Sports Centre in Yaba, Lagos, said her confidence was

derived from the present physical and mental state of his judokas. “The judokas are highly committed to the task ahead and are deeply committed to win all the available medals at stake at the festival. Their performances so far are commendable; this shows a high level of preparedness for the event. “The judokas are keeping to camp rules and they listen to

instructions, which will enable them to play better,” she said. She, however, added that it had not been easy training her judokas under one roof and putting them in good shape ahead of the festival. Edokpolo declined to comment on the number of judokas, male and female, that would later be selected for final camping ahead of the festival.

Football Association (FIFA), has gone a long way to develop coaches in the modern techniques of the game. “We are exposed to what we can achieve with 4-3-3, 4-4-2, 4-5-1, 4-3-2-1 formations of play and health and safety tips,” Sofoluwe said. Ann Chiejine, an ex-Super Falcons goalkeeper and the coach of the Lagos State Female Junior side, also commended the organisers for the exposure to the new techniques. “We also learnt the fundamental tactics and principles, different tactical setups and systems during the games, versatility and discipline,” she said Omotoyosi Owoeye, a sports medicine expert, who delivered the keynote address, said that FIFA 11+ was a comprehensive intervention package aimed at reducing injury in football.

Lack of sponsorship stalls execution of programmes, says NSF

Judakas during the Kada Games displayed their gold medals

Owoeye said that there were many career-ending injuries and ailments players had to contend with and as such, there was need to avoid them. He advised players and coaches to always guide against such, listing some of the preventive measures as abstinence from performance enhancing drugs or stimulants and proper nutrition. He also advised them to inform qualified medical officers in case of any ailment before taking drugs and to avoid dehydration while training or competing. In his contribution, the league’s Technical Director, Tunde Disu, said that another workshop was being planned for the referees before the competition kicks off. Disu asked the players “to be flexible and observe fair play’’ on the pitch to avoid injury.

he Nigeria Swimming Federation (NSF), said yesterday that the annual Chief of Naval Staff Open championships was the only viable and consistent sponsored programme on its calender. Disclosing this yesterday, the NSF national coach, Monsuru Obadina, said in Lagos that other programmes of the federation have failed to hold because of lack of funds and sponsorships. According to Obadina, lack of patronage by government was another factor militating against the sport, especially at the grassroots. “We had not been able to surmount these two major problems threatening our series of developmental programmes at the grassroots,” the coach said. He then urged individuals, corporate organisations and government to support the sport for it not to be relegated. Obadina said that, in spite of the lack of competition, the swimmers remain active and updated through constant training. He added that despite poor funding, the federation was able to organise series of coaching clinics for its swimmers and officials and also sent some officials abroad for training. According to him, the federation has been able to embark on foreign training of its official through funds realised locally. He added that most of the board members contributed money for the training. He commended the Nigerian Navy for its consistency in the sponsorship of the Chief of Naval Staff Open championships noting that the competition had been a major one for the federation. Obadina said that the 4th edition of the championships was held last July in Calabar, where he said future potential capable of representing Nigeria in international competitions were discovered.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

Transfer The season is over. Clubs are counting their blessing as well as losses and would like to make amends and even beef up their squads where noticeable lapses exist. And the transfer market is agog barely 24 hours after major European leagues dropped the curtain. And so to keep abreast with latest rumours, we begin daily doses of movements within the market both for players and coaches like.

West Ham bid for Sporting Lisbon star collapsed

Adrien Silva

est Ham bid for Sporting L i s b o n midfielder Adrien Silva have collapsed according to the player agent. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has the player, 23, on his radar. Silva’s agent Jim Michel Gabriel said: “The player will not extend his contract with Sporting. Sporting will listen to offers of around £2milion, but Allardyce could trim that knowing the player can leave.

City target Aston villa talisman

toke City want Aston Villa defender Richard Dunne. The Republic ace, 32, can go for £3million although he won’t be ready to play until October after a groin op. Meanwhile, the Potters have offered a helping hand to Peter Reid’s younger brother Shaun, manager of non-league Warrington Town, by offering to loan him the stars of their youth team. Big Bruv enjoyed a spell at the Britannia Stadium as Tony Pulis’ assistant.

Newcastle agree fee for Anita

ewcastle has agreed a fee with Ajax for long term target Vurnon Anita according to reports in Holland. Anita, 23, has been keen to leave the Amsterdam Arena this summer after thirteen years with the club, despite being offered a lucrative new contract to stay. However, speaking yesterday, manager Frank De Boer confirmed that a deal with the Magpies was close. Anita, who can play in midfield or at left-back, will provide much needed depth and versatility to a Newcastle side that is aiming to compete on four fronts this season.

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Debuchy press for Lille exit

ille defender Mathieu Debuchy insists he still wants to leave the Stade Metropole despite the club stating that he won’t be sold. Debuchy, 27, has previously outlined his wish to pursue a new challenge and Premier League outfit Newcastle United has been mooted as his most likely destination. Lille are determined to keep the France international, with chairman Michel Seydoux claiming earlier this month that he would remain at the 2010-11 Ligue 1 champions after bids from the Magpies were rejected. However Debuchy, speaking after Lille’s 2-1 win over St Etienne on the opening day of the season, remained hopeful that his 19-year association with the club will soon be coming to an end.

Liverpool table £10m, Adam for fulham star

iverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is prepared to jettison Scotland midfielder Charlie Adam in order to sign Fulham’s Clint Dempsey for £10m. Rodgers sees the 26-year-old as surplus to requirements at Anfield following the arrival of Joe Allen from Swansea City on Friday and the impressive form of Jonjo Shelvey. Rodgers and the club’s American owners want USA striker Dempsey but have been unable to agree a deal with Fulham, who value him at £10million. But Liverpool hope the inclusion of Adam as part of the package will help push the move forward. Fulham are looking for a creative midfielder following the departure of Danny Murphy. Rodgers is an admirer of Adam but has been surprised by the emergence of youngster Shelvey, who was picked ahead

of his Scottish rival for the Europa League win against Gomel last week.

Spurs move on any transfer business. The young centre forward impressed on loan at Championship Millwall last season and been tipped for full England honours.

Andre Villas-Boas

toke City’s ambitious bid to sign Michael Owen is in the balance after it emerged the club and the player are nowhere near agreeing terms. Owen is keen to remain in the Premier League after his release from Manchester Unitedat the end of last season and has held talks with Tony Pulis, the Stoke manager. Stoke were planning to offer Owen a 12-month deal with the promise of an extension if he plays a certain number of games, a similar deal to the one offered to Jonathan Woodgate last summer.

PR boss Mark Hughes is targeting William Gallas as he steps up his search for a new central defender. Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas will allow the Frenchman to leave as he puts his stamp on White Hart Lane. If a deal can be struck, Rangers will become the fourth London club of Gallas’ career. He spent five years at Chelsea and four at Arsenal -before his switch to Tottenham two years ago. But Hughes will omit last year’s captain Joey Barton from the 25-man squad list he will submit to the Premier League for the first half of the season. Clint Dempsey

Sturridge could be headed for the Chelsea exit this summer. Following the club’s summer spending

spree on attacking players, which so far includesEden Hazard, Oscar and Marko Marin, Sturridge’s future at Stamford Bridge has been called into question. But Di Matteo has claimed Sturridge has a big part to play for Chelsea this season.

West Ham signs Diarra from Marseille

est Ham has completed the signing of French midfielder Alou Diarra from Marseille for a fee reported to be £2m. Diarra, 31, signed a three-year deal at Upton Park on Friday after completing his transfer from the French side. The midfielder, who spent three years at

Liverpool but did not make a first-team appearance, played all four of France's games at Euro 2012. Diarra, with 44 international caps, has played the majority of his career in France. But his Marseille future was placed in doubt when he reported back from Euro 2012 six days late, an infraction for which he was fined.

City agree Rodwell deal

Spurs in frustration over transfer doubt purs boss Andre Villas-Boas has so far been frustrated in his attempts to sign Brazilian Leandro Damiao, an Olympic silver medallist, and Manchester City’s Emmanuel Adebayor. Boas is prepared to put his faith in teenage striker Harry Kane for the start of his side’s Premier League season. Jermaine Defoe as his senior striker for the opener at Newcastle on Saturday, so rapid promotion for 19-yearold Kane is likely before

Stoke City bid to sign Owen hangs in balance

QPR ponder Gallas

Chelsea rules out Sturridge departure oberto Di Matteo has rubbished s p e c u l a t i o n t h a t D a n i e l

Michael Owen

Robin van Persie

Ferguson steps up Van Persie pursuit

anchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson missed his side’s pre-season friendly with Hannover on Saturday night as he steps up his efforts to sign Robin van Persie. United are likely to have to increase that to £20 million to persuade Arsenal to sell Van Persie, whose contract expires next summer. It would be the Dutchman’s first match action of any description since his country’s groupstage exit from Euro 2012 in June, and Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal has expressed concerns about his fitness.

anchester City are set to make their first signing since the end of last season after t h e P r e m i e r League champions agreed a deal f o r E v e r t o n midfielder Jack Rodwell. “Everton have agreed an undisclosed fee with Manchester City for the transfer of Jack Rodwell,” a s t a t e m e n t on Everton’s website read. “The midfielder is set to undergo a medical with t h e P r e m i e r League champions yesterday.

Rodwell, 21, is regarded as one of the best young midfielders in the Premier League and has already won two caps for England after making his debut against Spain last year.

Jack Rodwell

City manager Roberto Mancini said: “Jack is a young player, he will be an important midfielder f o r the England national team for the future, and for us I hope.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

Sensational finish to Games boxing as Joshua takes final medal

France retain handball gold against Sweden

rance became the first men’s handball team to defend their Olympic title when their 22-21 win consigned Sweden to a fourth Games final defeat yesterday. It was France’s second triumph having clinched the title in Beijing four years ago and their third Olympic medal after bagging bronze in 1992. The Swedes, competing in their first Games since 2000 when they finished second for a third straight Olympics, had no answer to the world champions’ superiority in all departments. Former world player of the year Thierry ‘Titi’ Omeyer, the matchwinner in the semi-final against eventual bronze medallists Croatia, was again on form in goal producing a string of saves to frustrate Sweden. France also beat Sweden 29-26 in the group stages and although the final was similarly close, the gold medallists stayed ahead once they crept into the lead in the first half thanks to a series of coolly converted penalties by Michael Guigou. Croatia coasted to a 33-26 victory over a fatigued Hungary in the bronze-medal match, Cupic netting eight goals.

he boxing tournament at the London Olympic Games could not have ended in a more sensational way. In the last bout of the competition, Britain’s Anthony Joshua produced a big comeback to beat Italy’s Roberto Cammarelle on a count-back and win to the super-heavyweight title yesterday. Joshua, ten years younger than Cammarelle, who was defending the title he had won in Beijing, came from three points down going into the last round to level the scores at 18-18 and claim the gold medal, to the delight of the home crowd. The Italians appealed against the decision, delaying the medal ceremony, but their protest was turned down. The 22-year-old Briton, one of the tallest amateurs in the world at 1.98 m, dominated the early stages of the first round but Cammarelle landed five big hooks in a row in the closing seconds to take a narrow lead. Joshua, who had come out of nowhere to win a silver medal at last year’s world championships, beating Cammarelle in the process, seemed stunned as the second round began and the 32-year-old Italian continued to outfox him. But the Italian policeman, twice a world champion at the heaviest weight division, was suddenly forced to hang on after Joshua launched a torrent of big shots. Joshua could run 100 metres in 11 seconds when he was 15 and his speed showed as he levelled the scores before the 48-45 win on count-back brought the house down. Cammarelle’s corner screamed at the judges as Joshua left the arena, waving a British flag after adding to Luke Campbell’s gold on Saturday. Britain, Cuba and Ukraine each won two gold medals in London. “Joshua really dug in during the last round. He really needed to, and I think he deserved the win,” Campbell said.

Japan, U.S. win wrestling gold on final day

Sergio Rodriguez #6 of Spain gets past Carmelo Anthony #15 of the United States to score during the Men’s Basketball gold medal game between the United States and Spain in the final match of the London 2012 Olympics Games at North Greenwich Arena, yesterday. USA won 107 to 100.

apan won their fourth wrestling gold of the London Olympics yesterday to record their best finish since 1968, while the United States clinched a second to end the Games in fifth spot. Tatsuhiro Yonemitsu ended India’s dream of their first Olympic wrestling gold when he beat railway workerSushil Kumar in the 66kg freestyle final. Japan’s dominant women wrestlers won three golds and the men also picked up two bronzes to finish second in the final medal table, just behind Russia. India’s Kumar took India’s first silver in Olympic wrestling and said a stomach illness took the edge off his performance. U.S. wrestler Jake Varner dominated Ukraine’s Valerii Andriitsev to win the 96kg final and give the Americans their first pair of wrestling golds since Sydney in 2000. It was an upbeat end to the Games for the U.S. team after they missed out on gold in the Greco-Roman discipline and in the women’s freestyle. Jordan Burroughs won the other gold in the 74kg freestyle. “Greco had a rough tournament and women had a rough one, but that’s how it goes sometimes, that’s how the cookie crumbles,” Varner said. “We went out there and did our job.”

Ugandan make marathon history as U.S. wins most gold medals

tephen Kiprotich of Uganda broke away from two Kenyan rivals to win the men’s marathon near Buckingham Palace yesterday in front of vast crowds enjoying the climax to 16 days of Olympic competition and drama. After running side by side with world champion Abel Kirui and Wilson Kipsang, the 23-year-old put in a powerful kick to shake off the Kenyans six kilometers from the end of the 42km race. He crossed the finish line draped in the red, black and yellow Ugandan flag, which he knelt to kiss. The victory was all that Uganda needed to enlist in the Olympics’ exclusive club of stunning conquest in the just the same as Britain who achieved her best medal haul for a century. The record-breaking exploits of swimmer Michael Phelps and

the sprint pyrotechnics of Usain Bolt, who won his third London gold when Jamaica smashed the 4 x 100 meters world relay record on Saturday, have made for a memorable Olympics. On the 16th and final day of competition, Cuba, Ukraine and Kazakhstan picked up golds for boxing and Japan and the United States for wrestling. Hungarian Adrienn Toth was leading in the women’s modern pentathlon, a combination of fencing, swimming, horse riding, shooting and running, which was the last event due to finish. Starting Sunday on 44 gold medals, six ahead of China, the United States were already unassailable at the top of the overall table and added a 45th when Jake Varner won the 96 kg freestyle wrestling. They were looking to go one better as their basketball “Dream Team” defended the title

against a Spanish team looking for revenge for defeat in the final at Beijing four years ago. Women’s modern pentathlon will be the last event to round off the two-week extravaganza of sport before some of Britain’s best-known pop acts, including The Who and George Michael, play out the closing ceremony. The U.S. basketball team will find it hard to top Saturday’s spectacle on the track when Bolt anchored the Jamaicans to relay gold and Britain’s Mo Farah claimed the 5,000 to go with his 10,000 title. Bolt added the relay crown to the ‘double double’ he won in the 100 and 200, defending both after his Beijing triumphs and writing his way into Olympic history as one of the finest - and zaniest sprinters the world has known. As he crossed the line, Bolt made his hands into an ‘M’ shape above his head - a nod to Farah’s

famous celebration while the Briton later copied Bolt’s wellknown lightning strike pose as two of the stand-out performers of the Games had fun. Farah, contributing to Britain’s 28 golds, is the seventh man to win the 5,000 and 10,000 titles at the same Olympics. The final moments of Olympic glory in track and field on Saturday brought a close to an eventful penultimate day of the Games in which startling athletic prowess did not completely dominate the headlines. China bowed out of the Games with a swipe at the critics who had accused teenage swimming sensation Ye Shiwen of doping after her times rivaled the top U.S. men. Aged just 16, Ye set a world record, a Games record and won two gold medals in the women’s

individual medleys, but her victories were overshadowed by questions and insinuations of cheating. There was no evidence that she had broken any rules. The head of the Chinese delegation to London, Liu Peng, said the accusations were totally unfounded and stressed that China was strongly opposed to any doping “misbehavior”. “This is really unfair. This is groundless,” Liu told a news conference yesterday. Syrian athlete Ghfran Almouhamad, who competed in the women’s 400 meters hurdles, on Saturday became the 11th athlete to be excluded from the Games since July 16 after testing positive for a banned substance. Also, two Egyptian wrestlers were disqualified for arriving late for the start of their competition. No one had told them that Sunday’s bouts started earlier than usual because of the closing ceremony later in the day.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

Goals from Yaya Toure, Carlos Tevez and Samir Nasri saw Man City overturn a 1-0 deficit to win the Community Shield 3-2 against Chelsea, who had Branislav Ivanovic sent off moments after Fernando Torres' opening goal.

Have footballers' egos taken over the modern game? football pundit Alexander Netherton fears the worst.

PAGE 45

Uganda's Stephen Kiprotich beats Kenyans Abel Kirui and Wilson Kipsang to win the Olympic men's marathon in London.

SeleĂ§ĂŁo players admitted that Mexico's 29-second opener shook them but, despite the fresh disappointment of another Olympic final defeat, tried to draw positives from London 2012.

Fred Evans's bid to become the first Welshman to win Olympic boxing gold is ended by Kazakhstan welterweight Serik Sapiyev.

The world's greatest ever sprinter, Usain Bolt, has thrown his weight into the debate over who is the best football player on the planet and claimed that it is Cristiano Ronaldo, not Lionel Messi.

Carlo Molfetta of Italy wins gold in the +80kg taekwondo at London 2012, thanks to a judge's decision after the bout ends 9-9.

PICTORIAL

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

J O K ES

PAGE 47

Quick CrossWord (5)

MARRIAGE PRAYER: By VivianIn – a singles convention a prayer point was raised” that singles should pray for their heart desires”. A lady prayed,”oh lord I don’t want to marry a short man. Any short man that is coming my way I bound him by holy ghost fire! And there’s this short man standing next to her, praying: oh lord I’m a short man but I’m a billionaire. Immediately she heard the word ‘billionaire’, her prayer changed.She said “oh lord! is that your voice? Who am I to say no? I will marry the ‘content’ and ignore the ‘container’.’

NEW WAY TO CROSS NAIJA ROAD: By Holyparrot – New way to cross roads in Nigeria: Look left, right, left againand then look up cos a plane might just be coming down on you, ‘n’ look down too ’cos u might be stepping on a bomb. Courtesy: Federal Road Safety . Holyparrot say so.

Photo Of The Day LU ZHIHAO WORLD’S HEARVEST 4-YEAR OLD

Lu Zhihao, 4, eats roasted chicken wing at a market in Fohan, Guangdong Province of China. Lu, who is 1.1m tall and weighs 62kg., put on weight dramatically since his appetite grew when he was 3 months old.

Source: metro.com.uk

ACROSS 1 Common weed (9) 6 December festival, in short (4) 7 Grape-plant (4) 8 Dutch cheese (4) 10 Rendezvous (4) 12 Trade (4) 14 Tailless cat (4) 15 Beforehand (2,7) DOWN 2 Intended (5) 3 ______ Lynam, TV sports host (3) 4 Dwelt (5) 5 Posses (3) 9 Sulked (5) 11 Stimulant (5) 13 prevail (3) 14 ______ Farrow, actress (3)

Friday answer

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44 world records set as London Olympics ends

fter 16 days of energy sapping competition, the curtains of the 30th Olympiad was dropped in colourful closing ceremony that depicted a celebration of British people, music and culture. With more than 4, 100 performers taking part in A Symphony of British Music, the ceremony started with a performance charting a journey through a day in the life of the capital city. Several key artists featured in the performance including George Michael, the Spice Girls and rapper Tinie Tempah. During the three-hour event, sailor Ben Ainslie, a fourtime Olympic gold medallist, carried the flag for Great Britain. And in a fitting climax, the Olympic flame was extinguished and the figurative baton passed to the organisers of the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, who also made a presentation celebrating their multicultural roots The competition has been the most successful Olympics for Team GB in 104 years, as it won a tally of 29 golds. In all, the US topped the final medal table with 46 golds, followed by China with 38 golds. GB came third with 29 golds their best tally since 1908. Also, 44 world records have been set during London 2012, and 117 Olympic records broken. Among those to have set new world bests included Kenyan David Rudisha in the men's 800m and the Jamaican sprint relay team, one of three golds during the Games for Usain Bolt. US swimmer Michael Phelps became the most decorated Olympian in history while cyclist Sir Chris Hoy's two gold medals meant he became the most successful British Olympian of all time.

Usain Bolt

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QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE The most impor tant task tha ou, as important thatt y you, you have said, is making sure that there ar e better oppor tunities ffor or all are opportunities Nigerians. — US Secr etar y of Sta te s. Hillar y Secretar etary State te,, Mr Mrs Hillary Clinton, to President Jonathan

Raised voices If you listen to the voice of thunder you will not be soaked with rain Ghanaian Proverb

ne of the most distinguished former Federal Permanent Secretaries, Alhaji Ahmed Joda last week lent his own elder’s voice in support of the initiative of President Obasanjo and Babangida to draw the nation’s attention to serious threats to the security and survival of the nation. Praising the two former Presidents for playing elders, he said the future of the nation is too important to be left in the hands of those who now hold political offices. He proffered his own views on the way forward, amidst on-going cacophony over whether Obasanjo and Babangida are even qualified to discuss Nigeria’s future; over the legality and propriety of Chief Edwin Clark’s accusation and demands that northern leaders like Babangida and Buhari condemn and put out the fire of the JASLIWAJ insurgency; over Alhaji Asari Dokubo’s fire-spitting threat that the south-south will destroy the north if this insurgency starts to resemble a war; over reactions of Femi Fani-Kayode to Chief Clark calling him a thief; over demands by proconstitutional conference groups that this is the time to talk on their terms, and over Chief Clark’s invitation to President Babangida to a public debate to test who is more in control of his faculties. Several raised voice are threatening to drown out Joda’s contribution. Chief Doyin Okupe, the new aide on the block brought in to shore up the sagging performances of Dr Reuben Abati loudly lambasted Pastor Tunde Bakare and Malam Nasir el-Rufai, for their unceasing and scathing criticisms of President Goodluck Jonathan’s record in office. Both have also been taken up by the State Security Service on their comments, action which drew their own howls of disapproval for the administration’s intolerance and tendency to use coercive measures against expressions of rights to criticize. Then the governor of Kano state Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso resurrects the old frontline on on-shore, offshore dichotomy, and says the north will challenge it because it is illegal, unconscionable and intolerable. Amidst all these, the leadership of the CAN writes a letter asking the US to label the JASLIWAJ (Boko Haram) insurgency as a terrorist group. Everyone was falling over themselves to influence the visiting US Secretary of State,

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FIFTEEN MINUTES with Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed drbabaahmed@yahoo.com

Ex-federal Permanent Secretary, Ahmed Joda Hilary Clinton on how the US should see the insurgency. The lady herself spoke through another medium after the briefest of visits to say the US is looking for solutions beyond the application of force, and certainly far beyond the northern part of Nigeria. Worshippers were killed in churches and mosques in Kogi State, and in parts of Maiduguri, Bauchi and Potiskum, and the babble of accusations went up a notch higher. Joda’s contribution made the case for a comprehensive review of the constitution as a key element in addressing the nation’s longterm structural and political weakness, but he does not trust the National and State Assemblies and the Presidency to undertake this sensitive job. He suggests the establishment of a Constituent Assembly made up entirely of elected members standing on nonpartisan basis. The National Assembly would create the Constituent Assembly, while President Goodluck Jonathan, all former Presidents and Heads of Government and their deputies, former Chief Justices of the Federation, Presidents of Senate and Speakers of House of Representatives and one Governor from each political zone should draw up the agenda. This Assembly would, within one year, produce a Draft Constitution which would be subject of a referendum by the Nigerian people. If approved, it will be brought into effect by an Act of the National Assembly. The composition, procedures and outcomes of the Constituent

Assembly would not be subject to any legal challenge. It could be a function of a mindset which sees value in providing solutions to difficult problems, but Joda’s proposals would not even leave the ground. When he questions the legitimacy and integrity of the national assembly to give the nation a new constitution that substantially addresses its weakness, and then demands that the same legislature voluntarily enacts legislation to bring into force a Constituent Assembly, his suggestion is literally dead on arrival. A constitution review or writing exercise which sidelines the entire executive and legislature in terms of its agenda, autonomy and output in a nation such as ours may be the best thing we need, but the reality is also that those who sit in leadership positions today will not let it see the light of day. The President will at least be involved in agenda setting, which is not a minor task in itself. But Governors and legislators will be required to stand aside, while ordinary Nigerians will be elected to produce a draft constitution that goes straight to the citizenry for assent or rejection. People with elected mandates (even if largely disputed) and constitutional powers to make laws, including amending or rewriting constitutions will not just roll over and submit to popular clamour for another set of people to do jobs which is theirs. They will raise legal issues. They will ask what happens if the Assembly is deadlocked or inconclusive. They will ask why, as representatives of the people, they will have little say in the process, but ex-military rulers will set the agenda. They will ask what happens if the Assembly prescribes what they consider offensive or unacceptable to their own version of the national interest or their own interests. They will see a very thin line between the Constituent Assembly and a Sovereign Conference, because they will be powerless to override or tamper with its recommendations. All these arguments can be countered of course, and there are many radical

and ingenious suggestions over how a new nation can emerge through a conclave, but all of them predicated on negating existing institutions and structures. Given its record since 1999, the legislature is not going to accept to surrender such vital powers it has such as law-making and constitutional amendment to a body they will create using the same constitutional powers they are not trusted with. Nor will this President who defined the boundaries of constitutional amendments as excluding “settled issues” even contemplate a radical option of creating an autonomous Constituent Assembly. The governors also have deep, vested interests and immense influence, and they will scuttle any effort that creates a body which is not amenable to their influence to rewrite our constitution. Which is all to say that Baba Joda’s suggestions are doomed to fail if they are being contemplated under the current disposition of power and authority. The idea of an autonomous Constituent Assembly of elected people whose work will only be decided directly by Nigerians is feasible if a monumental struggle involving civil society substantially whittles down the resistance of the present executive and legislative arms, and succeeds in making the case that a credible re-writing of our constitution is the most critical requirement for resolving the political, economic and security problems of the nation. There will still be many who will argue that imperfect as they are, our constitutions are not the basic problems of the nation. Our political system is fed by value systems which include the historic absence of accountability by leaders, structural and systemic corruption and progressivelydeclining levels of competence in managing political pluralism. These are problems which get worse by the day, and which no constitution has succeeded in addressing. Many Nigerians will argue that if you could have honest and competent leaders with a strong political will to enforce the laws of the land, the most pressing political problems of the nation will disappear. Rather than challenge our current leaders with the duty to facilitate the emergence of a new constitution, or introduce new arrangements under which all Nigerians will feel sufficiently relevant and comfortable (a challenge they will not even contemplate), it may be more useful if Joda’s other suggestions are assessed in the context of debates about the current direction and challenges of the nation. Although he places his other prescriptions in the context of the Contd. on Page 35

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