Peoples Daily Newspaper, Saturday, April 14, 2012

VOL. 1 NO. 88 SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

JIMADAL ULA 23 - 24, 1433 AH

N150

Ritual killers back in Abuja Butcher lady, harvest organs

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Page 2

2015

Jonathan

Dangote

Saraki

Tinubu

Mark

Abubakar

Aliyu

Buhari

Sambo

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Pages 9, 10 & 11Fashola

The race has begun ·

Pages 9, 10 & 11 *Anxiety mounts over Jonathan, Atiku’s positions *Confusion over Buhari *Dark horses lie low *What zones will get WWW.PEOPLESDAILY-ONLINE.COM

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

News

Ritual killers back in Abuja

By Richard Ihediwa and Augustine Aminu

W

arning!

Ritual killers are on the prowl again.

Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT ) Abuja woke up yesterday morning to discover the butchered remains of a young lady supposed to be in her late 20s with her vital parts removed and the carcass stuffed in a sack by suspected ritual killers.

The heartless killers, who must have carried out their devilish act the previous night dumped the vandalised body along the Kubwa express way where motorists discovered it at about 9 am.

When Peoples Daily Weekend arrived the scene, a crowd had already gathered though nobody was able the recognise the unfortunate young lady.

Residents suspect that she must have been kidnapped from somewhere outside Abuja and butchered in one of the forest before her remains were dumped by the road side.

A closer look at the dismembered body of the victim showed that the assailants had already harvested many of her vital organs including her private parts even as she was completely butchered apparently to enable the parts of the body fit into smaller bags which were then put into a larger sack.

It was observed that the lady may have wore a jeans skirt and a pink top even as the nail red nail paints on her toes were still visible.

While some perons in the crowd took picture, policemen at the scene refused to comment on the matter but one of them who pleaded anonymity told Peoples Daily Weekend that the matter would be investigated.

He warned Nigerians to be wary of the company they keep and where they go, especially in the night as it has become evident that ritual killers were still on the prowl. The body was later removed by the police.

Ritual killing is not new in Abuja but has abated in recent times.

Meanwhile fear has gripped residents even as the authorities call for more caution and security consciousness across the country.

Remains of the victim

Residents watch in horror

Ibori's former financial advisor freed by London court 22-year-old

M

r . Elias Nimho Preko, the financial advisor to embattled former Delta state governor, Chief James Ibori is now free man after a London jury Friday found him not guilty on three charges bordering on forgery and money laundering for which he has been standing trial with his principal.

His trial, lasted after three

weeks of intense legal fireworks in the court.

The jury was however hung on two other counts of money laundering brought against him by the Crown Prosecution.

Preko was charged alongside Ibori but Ibori shockingly pleaded guilty to ten select charges citing mounting legal bills incurred defending the charges against

him.

But the Crown Prosecution pressed ahead charging Preko on five counts bordering on money laundering and forgery. After a few weeks of a keenly contested trial, he was acquitted on three counts and the jury was hung on 2.

After the jury’s verdict inside the Southwark Crown Court, a

frustrated Crown Prosecution had immediately moved for a retrial on the two-counts the jury failed to agree on but the judge rejected their request and directed that they give it some more thoughts and thereafter adjourned to Wednesday April 17, 2012.

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Trader in court over rape of a minor

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28-year-old trader, Moses Olushola, on Friday appeared before a Jos Upper Area Court charged with raping a minor.

Olushola, a resident of Abattoir Area of Jos, appeared before Malam Mustapha Hassan on a one-count charge of raping an 11-year-old girl.

The police First Information Report (FIR) stated that the accused committed the offence on Feb. 12, at about 6 p.m.

The FIR further stated that the father of the minor, one Mr Olu Akinlabi, who resides in the same

compound with the accused reported the incident to Abattoir Police Outpost on Feb. 13, at about 1.30 a.m.

It stated that the accused lured the minor into his house under the pretext of sending her on an errand and ended up raping her.

It stated that the accused locked the minor inside his house, tied her with a rope and closed her mouth with a cello tape before committing the offence.

“The accused had several rounds of sexual intercourse with the minor to his satisfaction.

“But luck ran against him when the parents of the girl and some of their relations conducted a house-by-house search and the minor was found in his house,” the FIR stated.

The FIR stated that the minor was taken to a hospital where she was treated for bruises on her private part.

It said that the accused had committed an offence contrary to section 283 of the Penal Code.

When the FIR was read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty to the charge and applied to the

court for bail.

The prosecutor, Mr Shuaibu Tambaya, objected to the application on the grounds that the case was still under investigation.

The Judge, however, granted the accused bail in the sum of N70,000 with one surety in like sum.

“The surety must be at least a grade level 10 officer with either the state or Federal Government,” the judge ordered.

The case was adjourned to May 24, for hearing.

man appears in court for murder

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22-year-old man, Adeniyi Kolawole, on Friday appeared before an Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court charged with beating one Fasubba Taiwo to death.

The Police Prosecutor, Mr Ebenezer Ewuola, told the court that the accused had, on March 24, at about 5.30 a.m. at OdoAdo round about, in Ado-Ekiti, killed the deceased by beating him to death.

Ewuola said that the accused, therefore, committed a crime punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code, volume 2, cap. 30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990.

The accused, who was not represented by counsel, however, pleaded not guilty to the offence.

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News

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

Jonathan signs N4.697 trillion 2012 budget

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

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resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday endorsed the 2012 budget of N4.697 trillion, which he said, was geared towards supporting economic growth and employment creation.

In his remarks before signing the budget, Jonathan said the

aggregate expenditure excluded the N180 billion appropriated for projects under the Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment (SURE) programme.

He explained that the total revenue forecast was N3.561 trillion based on a benchmark oil price of 72 dollars per barrel which was two dollars higher

…to sack heads of parastatalsfor lobbying budget increase

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s part of measures to ensure proper economic planning and consistent budget implementation, President Godluck Jonathan yesterday disclosed plans to dismiss heads of government agencies that lobbied the National Assembly for an increment in their 2012 budget allocation.

Speaking at the signing ceremony of the 2012 budget in the State House, President Jonathan expressed the determination to kick start a process that will clean up all the ills in the budget proposal using the indicted heads of parastatals as scapegoats. He also pledged to present the 2013 budget estimates to the National Assembly by September this year to give the lawmakers enough

time to look at the figures.

“For 2013 budget, I have already directed the Chief of Staff that between May and June, all MDAs will defend their proposals before me, after that, the ministry of finance and the budget office between July and August will fine-tune whatever we discussed and then of course I hope to present the budget to the National Assembly in September.

That will also give the National Assembly enough time to look into the budget and enough time for robust discussion between the Ministry of Finance and the National Assembly so that they will have a clear picture of where the country wants to go because the country belongs to all of us,” the President said.

than the initial proposal of 70 dollars per barrel.

The President had presented to the National Assembly in December 2011, a budget proposal of N4.749 trillion based on a benchmark oil price of 70 dollar per barrel.

The National Assembly on March 15 passed a budget of N4.88 trillion on a benchmark oil price of 72 dollars per barrel.

The increase in the benchmark from 70 dollars to 72 dollars had yielded for the Federal Government about N98.4 billion.

The President said that the additional resources were used to increase the capital and to reduce the deficit to a

manageable level that could be financed without excessive borrowing.

On the details of the budget, Jonathan said capital expenditurewas put at N1.34 trillion, which was about 28.5 percent of the aggregate expenditure.

He said the non-debt recurrent expenditure was N2.425 trillion, which translated to 52 percent of the total budget compared to 54 percent of the aggregate budget in 2011.

The President said that the capital expenditure would be substantially used to complete and exit the large stock of ongoing projects and programmes.

He explained that the share

of the recurrent spending in aggregate expenditure had declined from 74.4 percent in 2011 to 71.5 percent in 2012.

He put the deficit at 2.85 percent of GDP, which according to him, was in line with the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 which pegs it at 3 per cent of the GDP. Jonathan noted that the robust growth experienced in recent years needed to be translated into tangible and concrete improvement in the living standards of Nigerians.

According to the President, the government would focus on investments in priority sectors in order to sustain economic growth and create jobs.

2015: Confusion over Buhari’s position

By Augustine Aminu

T

here is confusion over the actual position of former Military Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) on the 2015 Presidential election.

While a section of the media reported yesterday that the prescribed candidate of the opposition Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in the 2012 election decided that he should be counted out of the 2015 elections, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) later in the day reported that the former leader had declared his intention to contest the election.

Chieftains of the party had however doubted the report saying Buhari only said that he would continue to be in politics.

NAN reported that Buhari made his intention known while addressing CPC supporters in Kaduna who visited him.

The report reads “The CPC’s Presidential Candidate in the 2011 general elections, Muhammadu Buhari, has declared his intention to re-contest the seat in the 2015 general elections. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Buhari made his intention known while addressing CPC supporters in Kaduna who visited him.

“He told the crowd that he would not quit politics adding: “I am still in until the polity is sanitised

and people enjoy the fruits of democracy at all levels of government.”

The CPC leader also pledged to ensure that the party continued to field credible candidates at the polls.

“He urged party supporters to close ranks for victory in future elections. Buhari advised security agencies, the judiciary and INEC to exhibit high degree of professionalism and patriotism at all times for the progress of the country.

“He also urged youths to shun acts of violence, thuggery and money politics to make their future better. Buhari enjoined the people to canvass for their rights by emulating Nasarawa and other areas where CPC triumphed.

“Mr. Ibrahim Kailani, the Leader of the group and Igabi Local Government Council Chairmanship aspirant in Kaduna State, had earlier urged Buhari not to abandon the people.

He solicited for Buhari’s support ahead of the upcoming local government polls in the state and subsequent national elections.

However, top officials of the party including its National Publicity Secretary, Rotimi Fashakin raised doubts over the story saying it is not something one can hold unto. He said he has not been informed that Buhari made such statement at that event.

L-R: Minister of Justice Mohammed Adoke, Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Joy Emordi, Deputy Speaker of House of Representative, Chairman Senate Committee on Information, Senator Enyinaya Abaribe watch as President Jonathan signed the 2012 budget yesterday. Photo: Joe Oroye.

First Lady visit: Fashola blasts Jonathan over special road block for wife From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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overnor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos state has condemned the blocking of major roads in Lagos state following the visit of the First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan.

Fashola, who apparently considered the development as an abuse of process remarked that Mrs. Jonathan was not an elected person.

According to Fashola, “It is particularly worrisome that she is not an elected person.”

Fashola, who stated this known yesterday, at a retreat held in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area to review the budget performance of the state, said “Lagosians were terribly discomfiture by the visit of the first lady to the state on Thursday.”

It would be recalled that heavy traffic congestions were experienced in the state on

Thursday following the visit of the first lady who came to the state to show gratitude to women in the state for voting for the President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2011 presidential election.

According to the governor, “Needlessly, if I must say and it reasons on me the need for public officers generally especially the security agencies to be more sensitive to the people we serve.

It is particularly worrisome this is not an elected person.”

“And I think we all, including the security agencies should look at how they pander to our high officers especially in the case of Very Important Personnel (VIP) movement at the risk and expense of citizens and taxpayers whose money were used to fuel all the vehicles and all the apparatus that we used to block the roads against those who pay those money.”

"It is an issue that calls of

greater sensitivity to the comfort of our citizenry. Yes, I understand the need to protect the VIPs but it must be done in a way that it doesn't impoverish.

“It should not get to the level that we shut down the roads in the state because VIP wants to pass.

If they let us know earlier, we can ensure that they go through these roads without shutting them down. Traffic can be managed with communication apparatus.

“When this is done, I know that Nigerians respect their leaders either elected or not and they very sensibly and gladly yield to them to go and do their businesses. But I don't think that residents of Lagos deserve to be kept on the road in standstill for five hours.”

Meanwhile, Lagos state government has disclosed that the state recorded 65 percent budget performance in the first quarters of its 2012 budget

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

Photo News

Market women waiting for customers, on Friday market in Masaka, Nasarawa state

Pick-up van with passengers at Friday Masaka Market, Nasarawa state

A hawker out for business, in Kaduna, Kaduna state

Children's pumping water, in Zamfara State

A customer waiting patiently to buy roasted yam, at Karmo, Abuja Photos: Mahmud Isa

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

News Jonathan condemns coup attempt in Guinea-Bissau

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

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resident Goodluck Jonathan has condemned what he called the ‘ongoing attempt by a segment of the military in Guinea-Bissau to subvert the country’s constitutional order and truncate the democratic process which has already been initiated for the election of a legal successor to late President Malam Bacari Sanha.’

In a statement signed yesterday by his spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, President Jonathan urged the military

high command of GuineaBissau to refrain from any further action that threatens the lives of the elected leaders of the Republic of GuineaBissau and the established democratic order.

“In this connection, President Jonathan demands the immediate release of all those being detained and the restoration of civil democratic rule and constitutional order.

He welcomes the military’s declaration that it is not interested in political power, and urges them to take action in confirmation of that declaration.

Oshiomhole consoles IGP on mother’s death From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

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do state governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has joined well-wishers to commiserate with acting Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar over the death of his mother, Hajia Aisha Abubakar.

The governor in a condolence letter to the IG, said: “On behalf of the people and government of Edo state, I wish to extend condolence to

you on the passing on of your beloved mother, Although she was advanced in age, we appreciate how much pain her death would still have caused you, knowing how tenderly close you were to her.

“However, with Allah SWT’s consoling grace, there is no loss too much that we cannot bear, once we appreciate that His will prevails on all of us. Our prayer to Allah SWT is to comfort you and give you the courage to bear the loss.

Conference of Speakers elects new officials Augustine Aminu with agency reports

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he Speakers’ Conference of Nigeria, an umbrella body of the Speakers of the state Houses of Assembly, on Friday elected officials to run the activities of the conference.

The newly elected chairman of the conference, Hon. Inuwa Garba, Speaker of Gombe State House of Assembly said in Abuja that the new officials would transform the conference to its desired level.

Garba stated that his administration would work closely with the entire members to enable the conference achieve its goal of securing financial autonomy for state Houses of Assembly.

According to him, state legislators “are the police of democracy in the 36 state of the federation” which if given absolute financial autonomy, will contribute immensely in

shaping the programmes of the executive.

The legislator added that financial autonomy was very central to the activities of state legislators as it could make them to become a strong force in the political affairs of the country.

“Granting financial autonomy to the state assembly is very central to the nation evolving democracy as it will give members absolute power to exercise their duties accordingly”. He said the conference under his leadership would create noble programmes that would prepare state legislators in the task of modern parliament.

The chairman pointed out that the conference would through its members in the entire states of the federation formulate programmes that would move the country forward in all aspects of human endeavour.

He called on entire state

legislator and political stakeholders to collaborate with him in order to bring about positive socio-political development of the country.

Also speaking, Lawal Zayana, newly elected Treasurer of the conference, said the new leadership would be a uniting force of that would speak with one voice on major national issue.

The newly elected officials include Monsurat Sunmonu; Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, as the deputy chairman; Eugene Odo; Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly as the financial secretary Others are vice chairmen in the six geo-political zones which include Daniel Otelemaba, South-South; Ude Oko Chukwu, South-East; Omirin Adewale, South West; Ahmed Mohammad, North-Central; among others.

Tourism contribution to Nigeria’s GDP, employment rises steadily

By Miriam Humbe The contribution of tourism which has for long been touted as being capable of taking over from the oil and gas sector as the highest revenue earner to Nigeria’s gross domestic product and employment generation may have risen steadily in the last 4 years, according to a report by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).

WTTC in its report, forecasts that travel and tourism industry will generate 897,500 jobs in Nigeria in 2012, comprising 1.4% of total job employment.

“Travel and tourism generated 838,500 jobs directly in 2011(1.4% of total employment), and this is forecast to grow by 7.0% in 2012 to 897,500 jobs (1.4 of total employment).

This includes employment by hotels, travel agents, airlines and other passenger services (excluding commuter services). It also includes, for example the activities of the restaurant and leisure industries directly supported by tourists,” WTTC stated.

The report is contained in

WTTC’s Travel and Tourism Economic Impact on Nigeria 2012.The report also noted that travel and tourism is expected to attract capital investment of N252.5billion, and it is expected to rise in 2012 by 2.3%, and rise by 6.5% per annum over the next 10 years to N483.4billion in 2022. Stating further, WTTC forecast that domestic travel spending is expected to grow by 1.5% in 2012 to N119.4billion and rise by 2.4% per annum to N151.5billion in 2022.

NTA DG, Mallam Usman Magawata receives the Icon of Excellent Leadership from Mr. Great Ovie Akporhiegbe, leader of the African Youth Development Initiative in Abuja recently.

FG to diversify revenue base from oil to solid mineral From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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he Federal Government of Nigeria has resolved to diversify the revenue base of the nation by shifting emphasis from oil and gas presently the main sources of revenue earning to the exploitation of solid mineral resources.

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Musa Mohammed Sada, stated this while inaugurating the

Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO) in Bauchi.

He explained that the ultimate target for the revenue source diversification is to grow the mining sector into a big time project that would generate all the revenues the nation requires.

He said all that the government wants is for small miners to grow into mid-term miners and subsequently be

bought over by big miners so as to establish big mining projects that would generate the required revenue to support government programmes.

According to him, the Federal Government is setting up MIREMCO in each of the 36 states of the federation to facilitate the exploitation the vast mineral resources the country was endowed with.

“If we have income from mining and agriculture, we will not go to the National Assembly

with our budget based on crude oil, why are doing that is because that was the major source of income for the government”, Sada said.

In his remark, Bauchi state deputy governor, Alhaji Sagir Aminu Saleh in whose office the committee was inaugurated, said Bauchi has abundant mineral resources which included tin, galena, kaolin, coal, lime stones, iron ore, ceramic clay, gemstones, granite.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

News 70,000 Nigerian children are HIV positive at birth - NACA From Dimeji KayodeAdedeji, Abeokuta

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he National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), on Thursday, disclosed that about 70,000 children born in Nigeria were HIV positive, adding that tuberculosis and malaria were prevalent among pregnant women.

Director-General of the Agency, Prof John Idoko

made the shocking revelation in Abeokuta when he paid a visit to Ogun state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun in his office where he assured that NACA was willing to collaborate to improve the health status of the Nigerian people.

He also appealed to all levels of government to assist the agency in strengthening the fight against HIV/AIDs and

other related diseases, and also commended the state government on its welfare programmes in the health sector. In his response, Governor Amosun restated government readiness to collaborate with other relevant stakeholders in the efforts towards reducing to the barest minimum, HIV/ AIDS scourge and other related diseases in the state.

Kebbi dallies on N18, 000 minimum wage From Ahmed Idris, Brinin Kebbi he recent N18,000 minimum wage approved by Habib Aminu Jega, the former acting governor of Kebbi state is not to be implemented until there is improvement in revenue and federal allocation.

Briefing newsmen shortly after the state

T

executive council meeting, the Commissioner of Information and Culture, Alhaji Sani Mohammed Kangiwa, said Kebbi state government has finally made the decision to reserve earlier approved N18, 000 minimum wage increase to a salary structure deemed feasible. He said said the step taken was necessitated by the “lean resources accrual base coupled with weak

revenue source of the state.

He added that the State cannot embark on something that it cannot sustain while the state government’s monthly allocation stands for N2.7 billion and the total monthly spending on salary bill, pension, gratuities as well as student feeding and scholarship and other essential payments amount to N2.078 billion.

‘Take steps against floods’, environmentalist advises citizenry

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he Deputy Director of Erosion and Flood C o n t r o l Department of the Ministry of Environment, Dr. Morohunkeji Oyeleke, has stressed the need for Nigerians to always take pragmatic steps to prevent flood disasters in their environs.

She gave the counsel in Abuja on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Oyeleke said flood disaster would be avoided if residents take proper care of their environments by ensuring that proper channel of flow of rainwater was maintained.

“Our warnings will not stop flood but will rather prevent disasters if people are ready to take the necessary pre-

cautionary measures.

“We always send warnings five days ahead to any disaster area we foresee will occur.’’

NAN recalls that many lives were lost last year to floods caused by heavy rains in parts of the country. (NAN)

Amosun, Pane endorse NOA’s new national prayer

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ore stakeholders have endorsed the proposal by the National orientation Agency (NOA) for the second stanza of the national anthem to be adopted as the official prayer.

Director General of the NOA Mike Omeri said yesterday while receiving the special Adviser to the President on Social Development and Special Duties, Mrs. Sarah Pane in his office in Abuja that her endorsement is the second most important support so far for the proposal.

The governor of Ogun

state, Senator Ibikunle Amosun had earlier pledged to adopt the second stanza of the national anthem as the national prayer to be used in schools and public functions. He however, said the federal government should lead the way in adopting the proposal to encourage the lower levels of government to do same. a statement signed by NOA Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Paul Odenyi , quoted the NOA boss as saying that the intellect and deep thought invested by the composers of the national anthem need to be shared by all, since it represent part of the aspiration of the nation.

He welcomed the request by the Special Adviser to be part of the NOA planned programme on citizen Responsibility Volunteer scheme which will soon be launched by the Federal Government.

Earlier, Mrs. Pane had sought the collaboration of the agency towards tackling the near hopelessness of the youth in the country.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 7

Special Report Kaduna Easter blast:

Eye witnesses tell the story From Agaju Madugba

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ombed rocked the old city of Kaduna on Easter Sunday leaving in its wake a tale of deaths, tears and destructions with death toll hitting over 40.

Figures could be higher even as the union of commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as okada, claims it lost 100 members. Whatever the claims, the okada operators were the highest hit as the bomb-laden Honda (Academy) car with Kaduna plate number BB111DKA, exploded at the Sarduana Crescent junction where the okada operators usually queue as they take turns to pick passengers The location, which also doubles as a bus stop equally has food vendors, who carry out their business there. When the bomb exploded at about 9.30 that morning, reports said the reverberation was heard some 10 kilometres radius from the scene.

The impact was devastating as it shattered commuters, passersby, motorists within the vicinity.

Shops, hotels and offices located on the dual carriage way were not spared as shrapnel from the blast hit no fewer than 50 buildings as human flesh littered the scene.

So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack though the dreaded Boko Haram sect threatened attacks during the period. Eyewitness accounts have it that Sarduana Crescent may not have been the target of the suicide bomber who was equally killed in the explosion. The driver had actually headed for two churches; the First ECWA Goodnews Church and All Nations Christian

A survivor at the Barau Dikko Hospital, Kaduna Assembly, located in the neighbouring Gwari road but church security personnel prevented him from accessing the area.

According to Francis Maku of the First ECWA Goodnews Church, the bomber had tried to gain entrance into the church premises but was stopped by him.

He said the bomb exploded minutes after he drove off.

Other eyewitnesses said that, on leaving Gwari Road, through Arochukwu road, the bomber drove into Junction road where he attempted to climb the pavement in the process of which the explosion occurred and the car was shattered with front part of

A survivor at the St. Gerald Hospital

the car flying as far as the Stadium Roundabout, some 500 metres away.

Another account said the suicide bomber had driven to as far as Lagos street junction where he was believed to have negotiated the roundabout and as he approached Sarduana Crescent junction, he tried to avoid an okada rider and in the process hit the road divider and car exploded.

Some of the survivors relived the gruesome as one of them said he was inside his car with his mechanic when they heard a deafening sound. According to him, “we were three inside the car when we heard a loud explosion in our front and billows of smoke and

fire under my vehicle. I opened my door and when I looked, I did not see my mechanic again. I am still shocked how I survived.”

Two other survivors, Augustine Vincent and his cousin, Aaron Idiawaje, who said they were on the motorcycle directly behind the bomber said that they were saved by the blood of Jesus.

“We were on our way to Church, Christ Embassy, by Station, on Kachia road, and God saw our heart and saved us,” they said.

One Malam Musa Adamu who also escaped by the whiskers, attributed his survival to his passenger, saying that, “there was a little traffic hold-up around the scene of the blast and I was trying to find my way but a commercial bus just appeared from nowhere and blocked my way. I was to go and abuse the bus driver to make him give way when I discovered that he parked in my front to pick passengers. But my passenger begged me to allow the bus to pick the passengers and go.

It was while we were still waiting that the bomb exploded few metres away before us. I am grateful to Allah and my passenger, because I would have been a dead man.”

Another motorcyclist who identified himself as Dan Shehu, said he watched his colleagues roast to death and his motorcycle burnt beyond recognition when left to take breakfast from tea vendor.

According to him, “I and my other colleagues normally came here to take breakfast before proceeding on our daily business.

I just parked my bike as usual with my colleagues who were standing by theirs waiting for passengers when I heard a very loud sound of

explosion. For the first five minutes, I did not even know where I was because I could not hear anything again.”

He said that it was later that he discovered that his motorcycle had been burnt by the explosion while he saw some of his colleagues roast to death, while others were lying in the pool blood.

At least one person was arrested at one of the hotels nearby, for alleged complicity in the blast, according to security sources. Police personnel while going through the rubble of the bomber car were also said to have recovered a GSM handset with the sim card missing. Perhaps these may give the security personnel a possible lead towards solving the apparent mystery behind the attack.

But similar occurrences in the past have remained unreeled till date. Last December 6, two suspected bombers on motorcycles threw explosives into shop owners at the Oriakpata area of the city, killing at least 15 persons. The police had claimed that the explosion came from gas cylinders in one of the shops but eyewitnesses disputed the claim.

Barely two weeks later on December 19, 2011 another explosion rocked Kaduna, injuring three persons said to be in the process of assembling the explosive devices at a suspected bomb factory the Ungwan Magaji area, near the National Eye Centre.

Residents in the area arrested three persons suspected to have been at the centre of the blast which razed about three houses in the neighbourhood. The suspects were handed over to the police who rushed them to the St. Gerald Catholic Hospital, Kakuri.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

Focus

Treatment abroad now commercial venture for Nigerian doctors —Health Minister

By Jamila Nuhu Musa

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h e honourable Minister for health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu, has given reasons why some Nigerians would prefer to seek medical attention abroad instead of avail themselves with treatment in Nigeria. He said the most worrisome, is unscrupulous doctors who have turned the process into a commercial venture and making monetary gains.

Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, who was speaking at a media forum in Abuja, said there are many reasons but why Nigerians go abroad but it is not all the reasons that the federal government would tackle.

The first reason, he said, has to do with the fact that sometimes there are no skilled doctors and facilities, but this is the responsibility of government to tackle that. Secondly, Nigerians' love for foreign products and services make them go abroad for many things, not only medical attention. In his opinion, it is not only health matters that attract Nigerians to foreign countries. In his words: there are people who still dry clean their clothes abroad because they can afford it, not because we don't have dry cleaners in Nigeria. He indicated that it is a human rights' issue." if you can afford it you have the right to see any doctor anywhere in the world" But the federal government may be forced to curtail the health excesses of such Nigerians who could opt for treatment in Nigeria where available.

Towards this end, Chukwu said, "We are now consulting with other stakeholders and very soon there will be a memo to that effect". According to him, the memo would indicate that any public officer who wishes to go abroad for medical treatment must have the health minister certify that the treatment is not available in Nigeria before such medical trip would be permitted.

But if the treatment is available in Nigeria and he or she still wishes to be treated abroad, then they would have to use their own resources to do so, not public funds.

Another reason Nigerians go abroad for treatment he said, is sheer ignorance as many health providers and their patients do not know that certain medical treatments are obtainable in Nigeria. Even complicated ailments can be handled such as Bone marrow transplant which is being done in Nigeria now. Also "when people have kidney stones, you don't open them up to even

Minister for Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu

remove it there are other means of doing so effectively" he maintained. To deal with the issue of ignorance, the ministry is now collecting data to be published online and disseminated to the media about places where some kind of treatment can be obtained in Nigeria.

Expatiating further on the issue of some unscrupulous doctors and other health practitioners who rip off patients seeking medical attention abroad, he said such doctors would be all too happy to make recommendations for overseas medical treatment so as to get their own share of the money.

But government is worried about this and finds it necessary to take action so as safe guard the image of the country. He disclosed that already some airlines have shown displeasure on the way Nigerians die on their planes in the quest to seek treatment abroad.

"Airlines are complaining, the Ethiopian airline has complained to the ministry of foreign affairs that people die on their planes because their ailments have become terminal. Why can't you die with dignity in your country, and even have the money you have planned to use abroad for your burial? The minister queried and

reemphasised that the ministry would work together with the medical and dental council and other regulatory bodies to deal with the issues.

On other health matters in the country, the minister said Malaria, Polio and Tuberculosis remain deadly diseases in Nigeria. In the case of malaria, he said it is being fought with what is called the Integrated Vector Management as agreed under WHO. That means that pregnant women need to take preventive drugs to ensure that they maintain malaria free periods and also sleep under treated nets.

"We have distributed almost 50m nets between 2009 till date. We are targeting 63m this year. We still have to do more. We also do indoor residual spraying, but we have

only been able to cover about 30% that protects about 3 months at a time" he noted.

For Tuberculosis which is also a problem in Nigeria, what is worrisome is the fact that Nigeria has cases of what is known as multi drug resistance, Chukwu disclosed, saying, unfortunately the facilities for treating them are just being developed even though a new facility, which is a joint effort of the federal government, Lagos state and WHO, has been put up in Lagos. There are also centres in Ibadan, Calabar and before end of year the one in Zaria will be opened and hopefully the one in Kano by next year. In addition, this year's budget has made provisions for the second line drugs, which are very expensive drugs, to be bought by the federal

“

Another reason Nigerians go abroad for treatment he said, is sheer ignorance as many health providers and their patients do not know that certain medical treatments are obtainable in Nigeria.

government to treat the multi drug resistance of infected Nigerians.

Polio has also been a problem as 17 cases have been reported with the Fulani. "We were doing well in 2010 but in 2011 we got distracted by politics. And the security situation also worsened the matter as some workers fled and refused to go to some parts of the country so at the end of 2011, we had some cases. Only 8 states are now reporting it in their states but the federal government for the first time in Nigeria has doubled the amount to be used in fighting polio. The sum of N4.7 Bn will therefore be expended on polio alone so funding is not going to be a problem this year', said the minister.

Having worked in the health sector for more than 25 years now, he said there were a lot of issues to be looked into when he came on board. For instance, even though health was supposed to be on the concurrent list because it was expected to be under the current constitution, it was not even mentioned at all.

There were however some areas of priority namely, the primary, secondary and tertiary health as well as leadership, governance and stewardship without which the issues of health could not be discussed. These involve AIDS prevention, surveillance and control, while government is on track in reducing mortality rate.

Prof Chukwu said going by 2008 demographic survey it stands at 157per 1000, but almost reduced to about 50. "Maternal health is the one we are not fully on track with but we are doing our best and we have made progress. "Between 2003 and 2008 we reduced maternal mortality in this country by 30% when you compare the figure for 2000 and 2015, we should have reduced it by three quarters.

A recent survey by a journal showed that even by 2008 we had made progress when we did the demographic survey it showed that our maternal mortality ratio was 545 per 100,000. But since 2008 we have made progress and the figure for now is 487".

For HIV/AIDS, since 2008, the national prevalence rate has reduced from 4.6 to 4.1. and the disaggregated data of state by state indicated that improvement was made because some states were almost tending towards zero while some states are actually increasing but more attention is to be given to states where there is increase.

On the issue of welfare of staff the minister said arrears of health workers of the federal ministry of health have been cleared.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 9

Cover 2015

Jonathan

Saraki

Tinubu

Buhari

Aliyu

Dangote

Mark

Abubakar

Sambo

Fashola

The race has begun *Anxiety mounts over Jonathan, Atiku’s positions *Confusion over Buhari’s *Dark horses lie low *What zones will get

By Richard Ihediwa

S

t i l l three years to the next Presidential elections in 2015, gladiators are already heading to the trenches. With the current outbursts from political big wigs and unfolding of political alignments of interests, it appears that the race has already started.

Already, speculators have started flying names of likable candidates with certain interest groups now testing the waters over the possibility of President Goodluck Jonathan

running in the election though the President had told Nigerians during the 2011 elections that he was only going to serve for one term.

Those speculated to be eyeing the position three years ahead now include President Jonathan, Senate President David Mark, Vice President Namadi Sambo, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Military Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari, Niger state Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, Adamawa state governor, Murtala Nyako, Lagos state Governor

Babantude Fashola, Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Business Mogul, Aliko Dangote, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Lamido Sanusi Lamido, former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nasir El-Rufai, former Kwara Governor, Bukola Saraki among others.

Already, Buhari, who, after the 2011 election indicated that he might not contest the Presidency again was yesterday reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to have declared his intention to once more throw his hat

into the ring. However, some chieftains of the party have raised doubts over the report.

This is especially as there have been reports of moves by the party to give its ticket to El-Rufai, who was said to have been endorsed by Buhari.

NAN reported yesterday that Buhari, who was Presidential candidate of the opposition Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) told a crowd of supporters in Kaduna that he would contest the election and that he will not quit politics until the “polity is sanitised and people

enjoy the fruits of democracy at all levels of government.”

The report quoted Buhari as ensuring his supporters that the party will continue to field credible candidates at the polls and urged them to close ranks for victory in future elections.

He was equally said to have charged security agencies, the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to exhibit high degree of professionalism and patriotism at all times for the progress of the country,

Contd on Pages 10,11

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

Cover

2015

The race has begun Contd from page 9

while urging the youths to shun acts of violence, thuggery and money politics to make their future better.

The position of the former military leader to come back to politics may not be unconnected with a desire to provide a formidable opposition for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), especially amidst speculations that Jonathan may be persuaded to recontest.

However, several factors would play out to determine where the political pendulum will swing. Critics believe that the key factor would be the decision by President Jonathan either to contest the election or not.

In fact, there are feelers that all presidential hopefuls within the PDP are now waiting eagerly for the President even as they are reading his body languages as well as those of his supporters.

If the President decides to run, it would be the end of the road for some hopefuls especially in the PDP. If the President decides the honour his words and retire, then it will be a free for all fight among the political bigwigs in the party especially those from the North.

Will Jonathan re-contest?

For many, that it the billion naira question that has continued to bug the minds of Nigerians. Political observers are already piecing events, body languages and statements together to arrive an answer.

This is especially against the backdrop of outburst from elder statesmen such as Malam Adamu Ciroma and Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark on the issue. This is in addition to recent endorsement of the President to re-contest by his kinsmen from the South South.

These came despite the warnings by President Jonathan in a recent PDP leadership meeting that party members should not campaign for him and other elected officials ahead of 2015.

He said, “Let me also plead that those who are interested in the general elections in 2015 should follow the rules. I have noticed that some people have just started some meetings, it is too early to hold meetings. The electoral laws and the constitution speak on this. INEC normally declares it open. The idea is that people who were elected to offices as governors and President (are) being given sometimes to work.

“In a situation whereby a governor has not even stayed for a year, the President has not stayed for a year, you start harassing people for 2015 is (another) way of saying everything is election.

“There must be time to (for) work at the federal level if you are holding a political office and I notice that you are

Jonathan

Atiku

Buhari

involved in meetings for 2015 election, I will ask you to leave and go and hold your meetings, because that meeting is too early,” Jonathan had said.

Jonathan’s statement confirms that there are meetings for 2015 and statesmen like Alhaji Tanko Yakasai among others see such as a disservice to the nation. Yakasai, in an interview with Peoples Daily Weekend yesterday said it was unpatriotic for people to be talking of 2015, which he said would effectively distract elected officers from doing their works and service to the nation.

“Honestly, I prefer the stand taken by the President much earlier that people in government should be allowed to fulfill their election promises. It would be unpatriotic to start talking about candidature three years ahead of election, those who engage in this are not doing the country good. They should allow the elected officers to do their works and not distract them”, he said.

However, despite such cautions,

the argument for the quest for power in 2015 persists even as key players have started speculated in power sharing formula among the six geopolitical zones.

Following certain unfolding events, Ciroma has alerted that there are signs that Jonathan would re-contest adding that certain forces led by former President Olusegun Obasanjo were pushing him to do so.

Ciroma, who was Finance Minister under Obasanjo, also led the Northern Political Leaders Forum (NPLF) which stoutly resisted Jonathan’s moves to run for President in 2011 insisting that it was the turn of the north to produce the President in line with the zoning formula of the PDP. In a recent interview, he said some northern governors are supporting the bid because they owe their offices to him but urged that such should be resisted.

Last Friday, the Ijaw leader, Edwin Clark said nobody can stop Jonathan if he desires to contest adding that such powers lie with the Nigerian people.

Clark was reacting to statement credited to Second Republic governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Lawal Kaita, that the country risked a break-up if the North did not get the Presidency in 2015.

“Nigeria belongs to all of us; there is no second-class citizen in this country and that is why I sometimes find it very difficult to believe that our Northern brothers are still carrying on as if they are more Nigerian than other tribes”, Clark said.

That same weekend, political leaders from the South South zone let the cat out of the bag as they rallied in Lagos to endorse Jonathan for 2015.

Though the leaders refused to make the details of the meeting public, sources hinted that they were strategising on ways to ensure that the zone retained the Presidency in 2015.

It was reported that during the meeting, many of the leaders spoke on the dangers of conceding the position to another regions and it was resolved that the Jonathan should be convinced to run for a second term.

Those pushing Jonathan to recontest are arguing that he is covered by the constitution pointing out his tenure started at the point he was first elected and not at the point he was first sworn-in as President.

The cite section 137 (b) which states that a person shall not be qualified for election if he “has been elected to such office at any two previous elections”.

If Jonathan contests Political watchers speculate that if Jonathan decides to run, then other ambitious politicians in the PDP may

“

Following certain unfolding events, Ciroma has alerted that there are signs that Jonathan would re-contest adding that certain forces led by former President Olusegun Obasanjo were pushing him to do so.

Contd on page 11

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 11

Cover 2015

The race has begun Contd from page 10

have to go home or become courageous enough to face him at the primary or join other parties to realise their ambitions.

If he runs, analysts see a power sharing formula that might no longer be based on zoning in the determination of who holds leadership positions at the center expect for the position of the Vice President, which will necessarily come from the north.

Currently, it is held that Vice President Sambo would be persuaded to queue behind Jonathan, though there are speculations that certain forces are now positioning former Kebbi state governor, Senator Adamu Aliero to replace Sambo. However, some critics do not see how this will play out as Sambo has proven to be a very loyal deputy to Jonathan.

It might not be an easy sail as Jonathan may still have to contend with ambitious politicians such as Atiku. However, there are speculations that the insistence on emergence of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur as National Chairman of the PDP is not unconnected with plans to ensure that Atiku does not contest on the platform of the PDP since he is from the same North East with Tukur.

Tukur, who was preferred by President Jonathan emerged National Chairman after several horse trading and high wired political influencing had lost to Musa Babayo in his home north east in the zonal convention and could not have clinched the position but for the backing of the Presidency. This led many to suspect that his emergence may have more than meet the eyes.

Also, if Jonathan contests, he will face very stiff opposition from other parties as there are speculations that the north would have learnt from the 2011 general election and might perfect a political gang-up against him.

However, there are fears that such gang-up might in itself not make desired impact especially as there are several political top brass from the north who are interested in the position and getting them to step down for a dark horse might prove an uphill task.

Moves in the last election to get northern bigwigs to agree failed, leading to the splitting of votes in the region.

In any case, critics fear that Buhari and Atiku might at the dying minute decide to either step down for either of the other or drop their ambition and prop up a dark horse to face Jonathan.

In the case that Jonathan wins, power sharing for National Assembly leadership might no longer be based on party zoning formula but on ability of the zone with the highest number of members in either chambers to carry the day if they manage to put party and

el-Rufai

Lamido

Nyako

religious sentiments aside.

The Senate Presidency and the Speaker of the House of Representatives are expected to emerge through this method unless the ruling party succeeds in using certain methods to ensure an even power sharing formula.

If Jonathan does not contest If the President decides not to contest, a free for all tussle is expected even when analysts believe that the one that gets the President’s anointing might carry the day.

Within the PDP, political watchers see a tussle between Senate President David Mark and Vice President Namadi Sambo for the ticket, though others, such as some governors will be on the side lines waiting to emerge as dark horses. Though Mark has not declared intentions and had cautioned that nobody should campaign for him, as according to him, he is currently preoccupied with his mandate as Senate President, some political watchers see him as very qualified for the position.

Mark seems well prepared for the role but, if he is interested, he must be ready to work on the elite of the core north to get their support especially as he has to face other powerful contenders from the position for that zone.

It is believed that Mark has very strong connections across the country and will build on that to secure support beyond the northern region. In the case that Mark is interested, then he has to start shopping for an acceptable southern muslim as a running mate for

balance.

If that sails through, then there could be a power sharing formula that will see the other zones represented in the leadership of the National Assembly. There might be a scenario where a senator from any state in the south apart from where the Vice President would emerge from, becoming the Senate President, while another part of the north emerges the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Also in the case that Sambo becomes interested, he must look for a trusted ally to emerge as his running mate from the South and perfect a power sharing formula that will give the other zones from the north apart from his home North West leadership positions in the National Assembly. In that case, there could be a situation where the Senate President might come from either the North Central or any South South as the North East would still be holding the national Chairmanship of the PDP.

However, if the candidates from other parties perfect a gang up against the PDP, and present a formidable candidate that will have the backing of all other parties, ambitious politicians in the ruling party might be forced to jettison their individual interests and allow for a stronger personality to rescue the party in the event that candidates like Fashola, with his track record in Lagos emerges as a candidate of a mega opposition party.

In that case, pundits believe that that could be where the party would need the incumbency factor that only Jonathan can give or the calm and calculative political cross country strategising that Mark would offer.

In any case, 2015 is still miles away, but in politics, structures are not built in a day. While the calculation and permutation continue, the caution by elders statesmen such as Yakasai must be taken into consideration especially as those in authority today must be made to give account of their stewardship at the end of the day.

“

Political watchers speculate that if Jonathan decides to run, then other ambitious politicians in the PDP may have to go home or become courageous enough to face him at the primary or join other parties to realise their ambitions.

PAGE 12

News Extra

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

Benue crisis:

Blood, tears and politics From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

F

e w weeks ago, heavy gun fire raged through Agboughoul, a suburb in Makurdi, Benue state capital. That was the day some gunmen, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, sacked the community in Gwer West Local Government Area killing over 60 persons and destroying property worth millions of naira.

The crisis, which is alleged to be a land dispute between the Mindas, the indigenes of the area and the Kparev settlers, left in its wake bloody tales of woes, tears and death.

This dispute has become a recurring decimal as it could be recalled that fighting between the two groups led to the death of a prominent indigene of Makurdi, Hon. Boniface Torbunde, who, as a member of the Benue State Assembly, representing Makurdi South Constituency, attempted to mediate and bring a lasting end to the crisis.

In the same vein, Mr. Titus Madugu who then was the Commissioner for Lands/ Survey and also a son of area had tried to intervene in the crisis but escaped death by the whiskers when his residence was attacked and a security man attached to him shot dead.

Intermittently, the crisis still erupts leading to the displacement of thousands of residents of the area.

However, most disheartening, is the manner which human beings were slaughtered by the assailants.

In Agabge village, a Catholic priest Rev. Fr. Phelle Akumbur who spoke when a team from the House of Representatives visited the area, narrated how he and his assistance narrowly escaped death on the day of rage.

He said the bandits hit the community with maximum force destroying everything they met.

In fact, there are fears that there are plans by warring parties to bring in mercenaries to help unleash mayhem on their enemies.

However, as residents mourn their losses, the present crisis has remained shrouded in ambiguity, followed by accusations and counter acusations as there are claims that it is politically motivated. While some groups argue that the attacks were occasioned by the scrambling for the governorship of the state in 2015, which is expected to be ceded to the Mindas, others see it as having some socio-cultural and economic undertones.

On the whole, it appears that many in the area are of the opinion that there are extrinsic influences by politicians which periodically fan the ambers of hatred which usually degenerate into bloody clashes.

This view is shared by the

traditional chief in charge of Makurdi metropolis, Ter Makurdi, Chief Sule Abenga who blamed the crisis in Agboughoul on the influence of politicians as well as land speculators at the State Ministry of Lands and Survey, who have been accused of being only interested in achieving their selfish aim at the detriment of the residents.

Officials of the Ministry of Lands and Survey have been accused of conniving with land speculators in land grab deals contrary to the laid down survey of the area resulting in disagreements among residents. It was observed that the indigenes of the area are not happy that some visitors had capitalised on the greed of the officials to grab land and now selling out to indigenes.

“Left alone with the people, originally who stayed with those Tyoshin people, you won’t hear any crisis. But there are some people who have now graduated from visitor to landlords and they are now selling the land out,” Chief Abenga said.

In the same vein, the royal

Burnt huts in Agbougboul village

A school burnt down during the crisis

A lot of things were destroyed

father also blamed the police for not rising up to the occasion and end the crisis even when, according to him, they know the architects of the bloody clashes.

“That’s why this crisis has been recurring because people who are behind it are well known to the Police but they will not do anything about it. Each time we held meeting we will reveal these persons to the police and they will be arrested and the same people who are their godfathers will release them,” the traditional ruler fumed.

Many of the residents now hold that the overhaul of the Land and Survey Ministry was the only way to ensure lasting peace in Agboughoul and other areas of the state where land has become a threat to peace.

However, worried by the situation, the state House of Assembly legislative had summoned the Commissioner for

are enraged with the commissioner’s accusation that they triggered off the Agbougboul crisis.

The Council chairman, Mr. Fideils Audu, who hails from Mbakuu frowned at the accusation of Tondu, maintaining that a man cannot set his own house on fire.

He dismissed the accusation by John as ‘untrue’ and a ‘figment’ of his own imagination, averring that he had made several efforts to forestall the crisis by holding stakeholders’ meeting with all the parties.

Audu also known as ‘Spinner’ who is a two time Transition Chairman of Makurdi Council revealed how the settlers planned to ferry in militants from Kwande local government area to unleash more mayhem on his people.

Meanwhile, Agboughoul village is now a shadow of itself with residents living in constant

Lands/Survey Mr. John Tondu to explain the role of his ministry in the land dispute.

Mr. Tondu without mincing words accused the Mbakuu people of sparking off the crisis. He alleged that the Mbakuu people invaded lands belonging to the Ipuusu people who do not in any way share boundary with them thereby fueling the crisis.

He also told the house how the same people beat up his staff who were sent on assignment to plan and survey the area.

Following his revelation, the house immediately set up a verification Committee also consisting of some staff of Ministry of Lands/Survey. The committee is said to have completed its assignment awaiting implementation which can only be done after due consultation with the different segments of the area.

Meanwhile, the Mbakuu people

fear.

However, apart from the move by the state government, the House of Representatives has also commenced efforts to permanently end the crisis.

Following a motion by Rep. Emmanuel Jime, the House raised an eight member committee led by the Minority whip, Samson Osagie to visit the area and come up with solutions. During the visit of the Committee, Benue state Governor Gabriel Suswam expressed worry over the lost of human lives and destruction of properties but on the other hand expressed happiness that the House was interested in finding solution for the problem. The committee visited all the troubled spots and are expected to join hands with the state to find a permanent solution to the problem.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 13

Issues

Probe bribery:

Like House, like Senate?

By Richard Ihediwa

R

ecently, the nation was jolted by accusations and counter-accusation of bribery that forced the House of Representatives to disband the Herman Hembe led House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market, which had barely commenced probe into the cause of the dwindling fortunes of the Stock Exchange.

The probe later became more of an issue of “rogue after rouge” as Hembe and the embattled Director General of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Arunma Oteh took themselves to the cleaners over allegations of corruption.

While Hembe accused Oteh of mismanaging public funds to the extent of spending over N30 million in a hotel within eight months as well as spending N850,000 daily on food at the hotel, Oteh threw caution to the winds and told the world how Hembe had been drawing money for foreign trips he never undertook as well as allegedly demanding for N39 million for the hearing and another N5 million in cash for the probe.

Oteh told Hembe that he has no moral standing to preside over the hearing. Amidst the allegations, the leadership of the house dissolved the committee and set up another one led by Rep. Ibrahim El-Sudi to continue with the probe while the anti-graft agencies open investigations into the allegations.

While Nigerians awaits the outcome of the investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), it appears that same scenario may have started playing out in the Senate as allegations and counter allegations of bribery have started haunting its Joint Committee probing the management of pension administration in the country.

While the probe had led to startling revelations of underhand dealings and outright siphoning of over N500 billion belonging to hapless pensioners by some government officials especially those in the pension board and the Pension Reforms Task Team, the issue of rogues after rogues might have started playing out as those being investigated are now pointing accusing fingers on the committee.

Trouble started when the Senator Aloysuis Etok led Senate Joint on Public Service and Establishment and State

Senator Aloysuis Etok

and Local Government Administration investigating the alleged mismanagement of pension funds on Wednesday alleged that the Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, Mr Abdulrasheed Maina, who has been accused of certain under hand dealing, attempted to bribe its members to halt the probe.

Addressing newsmen on the issue, Etok said, “Maina approached us with huge amounts of money which we rejected.” He said, “Maina also asked some big people, whose names I will mention at the appropriate time, to give us bribe to soft-pedal on our ongoing investigation into the mismanagement of pension funds. We rejected the money because we are not ready to compromise our work. The team then resorted to blackmail us when it became obvious that we are not going to compromise our assignment.” He however, did not mention the exact amount that was allegedly offered.

Like Oteh, Maina fired back.

Denying that he offered bribe to the committee, the Pension Task Force accused the committee of demanding a bribe of N16 million for every member of the committee.

Maina, who spoke through the

Abdulrasheed Maina

spokesman of the pension team, Hassan Salihu, said: “They (senators) should present the evidence of how he offered them money and when such thing happened.”

But the matter did not stop there as the committee has threatened to take legal action against the pension task team for “making false accusations” against it.

Already, civil society groups have started calling on the leadership of the Senate to disband the Etok committee for alleged lack of transparency in addition to the bribery scandal. The groups want the Senate to toe the line of the House, which disbanded Hembe’s committee over alleged bribery, at least to clear its name regain the trust of Nigerians on the probe.

However, unlike the House, the Senate, instead of dissolving the committee, challenged those accusing the committee of demanding for bribe to be courageous and come out with evidences to prove the allegations.

It challenged those levelling the allegation to mention the names of the lawmakers that demanded for the bribe.

Chairman Senate Committee on Information, Media and Publicity, Senator Enyinaya Abaribe said Senate considers the

allegation as a pack of lies and falsehood until those behind the allegation provide proofs.

According to Abaribe; “The allegation that members of the Senate and the House of Representatives were bribed to influence the outcome of the ongoing probe of the management of the pension funds in Nigeria is a pack of lies with no iota of truth with regards to the Seventh Senate.

“We suspect that the individuals that made the allegation deployed the unfortunate tactics as a desperate ploy to blackmail the National Assembly and hoodwink the Nigerian public as an odious cover in the light of the sad revelation made in the course of hearings even no report had been turned in.

“The Senate therefore challenges this individual to be courageous enough to name those he bribed. He should be bold to mention their names to the public as doing so well would help bring probity in our public life.

“People, especially those handling positions of public trust should be ready at all times to render honest account of their stewardship when called upon to do so before relevant institutions and not try to

divert attention by making unfounded allegations”, the statement read.

The problem here has become that of proof and none of the parties is forthcoming with clues, unlike in the Oteh case when she accused Hembe directly after being accused directly.

On the side of the Senate, the committee is challenged to be bold enough to come out with the names of those who offered the bribe and the amount as well as the names of the prominent Nigerians that were used to try to scuttle the probe. On the part of the task force, it is expected that like Oteh, officials there should be courageous enough to mention the names of the lawmakers that demanded for bribe.

However, as Nigerians expect some fireworks in the days to come, the EFCC is expected to quickly move in and commence an independent investigation into the matter as the allegations and counter allegations are indicative that something has gone wrong somewhere in the cause of the probe.

All must remember the words of Senate President David Mark, who at the inauguration of the committee said that those who steal pension fund are stealing blood money.

PAGE 14

Politics

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

Third Term Ghost:

Between OBJ, Mantu and Hambagda

By Richard Ihediwa

S

even years after the botched third term bid of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the ghost of widely condemned quest has been haunting major actors in the failed attempt to elongate the tenure of that executive in the ill fated 2005-2006 Constitution amendment.

Recently, the issue has resurfaced and so far, the story has been revolving around three key players, though that might not be the end of the list.

For now, those that have found themselves in the eye of the storm of history include Obasanjo himself, who is seen by Nigerians as having desired a third despite his repeated refutations; former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu, who was then Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee and widely considered as the arrow head of the failed bid as well as Senator Omar Hambagda, who chaired the subcommittee on executive during the amendments.

Mantu is reputed to be close to Obasanjo and many perceived that he was well positioned to do a hatchet job by ensuring that the tenure elongation clause, which would have allowed Obasanjo to contest for the position the third time sailed through.

Now, it has become a season of accusations and counter accusation among the key players and Nigerians have tuned in to hear how things went the especially during cladetine meetings that characterised the process.

Already, some groups have started calling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to initiate a probe into the exercise, which was said to had gulped a whooping N30 billion.

First to bring the nearly forgotten old dance to the market place was Obasanjo himself, who in a recent media interview, averred that it was some members of the National Assembly and not him that initiated the idea. Curiously Obasanjo did not go ahead to mention those whose idea it was.

In an interview with Channels TV, Obasanjo vowed that he did not initiate the bid and that he would have gotten it if he wanted to. According to him, "I never toyed with the idea of a third term. Third term was one out of over a hundred clauses that they (the National Assembly) included in that amendment and they initiated it.

"It was not an executive bill, so you are absolutely wrong" adding " if I want a third term that bill would have come from me.

"I am not a fool. If I want a third term, I know how to go about it and there is nothing I want that God hasn't given me. If I had wanted a third term, I would have gone about it the way I should have gone about it and I would have gotten it."

Instead of resting the issue, Obasanjo's explanation brought it back to center stage.

This is because his statement got key players

Omar Hambagda

Olusegun Obasanjo

Ibrahim Mantu

in the National Assembly talking. First to react was Mantu, Obasanjo’s right hand man in the then Senate. Mantu, who had earlier in an interview with Peoples Daily Weekend said, people, excluding himself and Obasanjo wanted the tenure elongation, later opened up on Sunday to heap the blames on the Hambagda's committee.

In the interview, Mantu told Peoples Daily Weekend; "I was Chairman of Constitutional Review Committee. I was not an advocate of third term but because I was in charge and I had a very special relationship with Obasanjo and many people suspected Obasanjo was actually looking for a third term and they saw me as the hatched person to get that done. And they now decided to start attacking me because they felt if they attack me very well the thing will not see the light of the day. So they started using the media to attack me.

I never had a headache because God knows that I had no hidden agenda.

"Some people wanted Obasanjo to continue in office, some people felt he should go immediately. Others felt he was the best thing that ever happened to this country.

Obasanjo himself wanted to do only four years but people felt that what they have seen in the first four years; if they allow him to continue he might even do more.

"I ask people that if there was anybody I have ever spoken to to support of third term, he should come out, up till now nobody has come out, yet nobody believes that Mantu is innocent just like Obasanjo is saying he was never interested in third term and nobody believes him. But what is important is your conscience."

He said that the Hambagda committee initiated the clause which was later passed to his office as the Chairman of the general

review committee adding that his role was merely to table it before the Senate for determination as the rules require.

However, reacting to Mantu, Hambagda in a recent interview washed his hands off the bid saying he was not responsible for the decision taken by the Mantu's larger committee.

He said he chaired a committee of 15 lawmakers and during one of their meetings, which had 12 members, a member suggested three terms of four years and was immediately supported by six lawmakers making their number seven and became the majority.

According to him, only one member suggested that the status quo should remain and he was supported by one member. Another member suggested two terms of five years and one persons supported him leaving those for third term in the majority.

"When we came to the subject of tenure, one member suggested maintaining the status quo, that is two terms of four years and one person supported him. Another person suggested three terms of four years and‌six people supported him, making it seven.

"And at a point I expressed shock and one member who supported the two terms of four years beckoned me to take it easy, and I did. Then another member suggested two terms of five years, and one person supported him.

"So what we had were three recommendations. One, two terms of four years with two supporters; two, three terms of four years with seven supporters and two terms of five years with two supporters. That made 11.

"I was the chairman so I didn't vote. So we

decided that since we were not unanimous on anyone of it, our number was too small for us to go by majority, so we decided to submit all the three recommendations to the bigger committee that had 84 members.

And also we eventually had to go to public hearing. So that's how the three terms came.

Three terms was only one of three recommendations from the subcommittee to the main committee which was chaired

by Senator Ibrahim Mantu," Hambagda said in a recent interview.

He said that issue ceases to be on his table immediately it was transferred to the Mantu committee for determination and onward transmission to the Senate.

However, the nation was jolted when the final draft bill presented had recommendation for three terms of four years and many blamed Mantu for the insertion.

The issue, which appeared to have rested with history has resurfaced and there are spirited calls that it should be probed especially now that the key players have started trading blames.

At the forefront of the call for an inquest is the Conference Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) which is insisting that over N30 billion was 'wasted' on the bid.

CNPP, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary Osita Okechukwu, said: "We want to know who authorised the opening of the Central Bank of Nigeria's vault where over N30 billion was withdrawn, the foot soldiers who distributed monies to lobby National Assembly members, Chiefs, Emirs, Obas and sundry characters, and who collected."

Be it as it may, Nigerians are eager to hear exactly what happened since the ghost is very much around.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

Peoples Page

PAGE 15

Musa: Millionaire turned pure water seller

Musa happily selling pure water

By A’isha Biola Raji

O

nce beaten twice shy goes the saying. The story of 24 years old Musa Fariku from Maiduguri in Bornu state who speaks Hausa, Kanuri, pidgin English and French languages fluently, perfectly illustrates the saying.

The almost seven footer Musa, who now sells sachet water in Wuse Market in Abuja has once been a millionaire in the true sense of the word.

There are several pure water sellers in Wuse Market, but Musa drew the attention of the reporter due to his dressing. Unlike the lot, he was dressed in clean and well ironed burgundy shirt, a pair of blue jeans to match and also a pair of loafers shoes, an outfit that denotes somebody working in a well established organisation.

Another thing that caught the attention of the reporter was Musa’s attitude towards the trade. He was in a happy mood; singing, shaking to the rhythm of his song and calling people with smiles to buy water.

When the reporter approached Musa for a chat, he willingly opened up and

narrated his life’s story and how fate has played him a bitter trick. Musa’s is a story of one who became a millionaire in his youthful age but could not manage his fortunes well.

Musa narrated how his only brother, a rich trader, died and left him a well stocked shop with goods worth over N2 million and cash of N12 million which later went with the winds due to his inability to manage the huge business.

According to him, “I have been rich before. My only brother who was living at Banki border between Cameroon and Nigeria died and left me a fortune of well stocked shop; bags of sugar, salt, flour and other provision which amounted to about N2 million and raw cash of N12million. That was after he had removed all the zakat from the money. He died a day before we commenced Ramadan; that was in 2008.

“I used to stay at his place whenever I finished from school. So when he died, being his only brother, I inherited his money. My brother didn’t have a son, but he had two daughters, Medina and Hajara, who are now five and two years old respectively. My brother

had already divorced their mother before he died, I inherited all his fortune”.

Musa said the business started going down after two years as he tried to manage it with the help of some cousins.

“I handled the business for two years within which I was not stable; I was always moving

from one place to the other.

Whenever I wanted to travel, I would leave the shop in the hands of my cousins who were between 14 and 16 years old. I was stocking the shop with goods from the cash that was left but not getting returns because I was not there to monitor it. I was always on the

Musa a pure water seller with a difference

move. There was a time I travelled to Douala in Cameroon. I spent two months; when I got back to the border, I discovered my cousins could not handle it, so the shop started collapsing. By the time I realised what was going on, everything had vanished. By that time, I was 20 years old myself.”

Musa’s efforts to get the business back on track did not work. “I called my customer, Alhaji Braimoh Mai suga and he helped me with new stock.

He later stopped helping me with stock since I refused to stay and concentrate.

Though Musa resolved to concentrate on the shop, his decision was too late as the damage had been done beyond control.

“Despite my decision to stay, the shop could not be rescued everything went down the drain. During this time, a fellow came claiming my brother owed him some money amounting N700,000, he was made to swear that it was true.

So I had to pay,” he lamented.

In his bid to get back on track, Musa tried to join the Army in Cameroon but his father opposed the idea. He was forced to come back to Maiduguri where he engaged in commercial motorcycle business. That business folded due to the ban on commercial motorcycles in the area following the violence in the state at the time.

Musa did not relent despite his failure; he moved to Lagos and later Port Harcourt, River state capital in the effort to make ends meet but did not succeed. It was at this point that he decided to relocate to Abuja to take up selling sachet water to make a living. He has the plan to use the business to get back as a millionaire.

“My plan now is to generate N1million from this pure water that I’m selling. I intend to travel to Cotonou and buy a car which I will use as taxi. I will marry and settle down”, he said.

This decision is the reason Musa has buried all shame and he is now selling pure water. Due to his determination to succeed, he sells 20 to 30 bags of sachet water in a day even as he said the sales sometimes shoots up to 40 to 50 bags per day.

When he first arrived in Abuja, he met his townsman, one Bukar Mai Shayi, a tea seller at Mabushi area in Abuja who sheltered him before he was able to get a place of his own still in Mabushi. Musa believed that he will surely succeed in his efforts adding that his family is solidly behind him.

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

Tourism

Away from harm: Close up on Olumo Rock

Entrance to Olumo Rock

By Richard Ihediwa, with tourist reports

O

lumo Rock! Ever been there? The rock is one of the wonders of natures found in Nigeria. In fact, it is one of the foremost tourist destinations in the country.

Located in the center of the ancient city of Abeokuta in Ogun state, South West Nigeria, the rock, got its name which means "under the rock", due to its fame of having provided refuge during inter-tribal wars, to the original inhabitant, the Egba people in the 19th century.

Legends have it that the savior rock provided sanctuary

rock. An amazing narrow rock corridor leads to the top of the rock. Early inhabitants made it to the top of the rock climbing on the irregular rock but tourists can now climb with a ladder provided by the authorities.

All through the climbing adventure, one is intrigued by the sight of carvings in the hard rock.

Interestingly, there are huts in the rock as well as statues of deities. The huts were the abode of the priestesses, many of them, very aged women who live in the huts and serve the guardian deity.

They will mutter greetings or blessings as people make their way through for the top of the rock or to see other wonders of the heights.

The tour of Olumo Rock takes one through many interesting climbs and twist inside, beside and on top of the rock and every part of the rock has an interesting story which a guard will tell to make the trip memorable.

From the rock, one gets a very exciting view of the landscape below. The Ogun River is seen gently flowing like liquid silver through the green canopy of the forest. Around are Abeaokuta town and adjourning communities with rusted corrugated roofs of houses spread evenly, looking like a natural design from the top.

To get to Olumo Rock, one

has to get to Abeokuta town which is just an hour's drive from Lagos and it is good to enlist the services of a local tour guide to make the visit a memorable one. The guide will give stories surrounding the sights before and in the rock.

Immediately you get to Abeokuta, on the way to the rock, you will encounter the ancient Itoku market where local artisans and traders enjoy haggling over price just as much as the customers like to find a bargain.

The market is the center of the indigenous Abeokuta industry of tie-and-dye, locally known as 'adire'. Adire crafters, usually women, both old and young show off their designs in sheds alongside the roads.

Behind these sheds are buildings where many of these crafters live and work. The business was handed over to them by their parents who were there before them. In places where the plaster has cracked off the walls, you may see traces of the mud bricks used in the original construction. The locals are very friendly and if asked, will often give tourists and visitors informal tours of the dyeing processes.

Other popular items to watch out for include local beads, bracelets, sculptures and musical instruments like the sekere and talking drums.

to the people as well as give them clear view of advancing enemies without being detected.

To get to the top of the rock, one must be ready for a tedious but very adventurous and exciting climbing. The climbing is through a set of man-made steps carved by the early inhabitants of the area. Like many ascending climbs, the adventure leaves many breathless and you may need to rest at intervals. Tourists rest on benches placed under trees that marvelously grow from the rock.

As one continues with the climb on irregular sized rocks the air becomes cooler because of the height and gust of breeze that come through tunnels in the Tourists have exciting view of the communities below

There are tunnels within the rock

The rock has many hiding sanctuaries

There are many historical sites in the rock

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

Weekend

PAGE 17

Cocktail

I don't regret not being Kcee's wife-Ebube Nwagbo — Page 24

I N S I D E:

F

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

Relationship 5 ways to get him to listen

U

nderstanding these questions will help you work toward creating an atmosphere where effective communication is a regular part of your own marriage or relationship.

Communication is the bedrock of a healthy marriage or relationship.

Through the process of communicating, you share your needs and discover what your partner needs.

Such sharing creates a bridge between two separate individuals-a bridge that is the foundation of connection and intimacy.

When you stop communicating (or when miscommunication becomes the norm) you remain two separate, isolated islands and your relationship will suffer.

1. Clear message, favorable outcome Clearly communicating your needs is the foundation of effective

communication and a healthy relationship. Marriage counselors often focus on improving a couple's communication skills; a breakdown in communication often leads to significant marriage and relationship problems.

Unfortunately, many couples have discovered that clearly communicating their needs, while necessary, doesn't always work out as planned. Unless, of course, you found that mythic creature, the altruistic listener - the kind of listener depicted in romance novels and films. The altruistic listener hears a message once and responds as you hoped. He's always responsive, is interested and concerned about you and therefore interested in what you have to say.

(If you find such a person, you may want to grab on tightly and not let go.)

Most of us end up in a marriage or relationship with the sluggish, self-absorbed listener (SSL). They really do mean well. But they're overworked, overextended, overwhelmed, and, like most of us, have their own emotional baggage to sort out. When communicating with an SSL, sometimes sending a clear message leads to a favorable outcome (what you hoped for); at other times, it doesn't. That's why other communication methods are often needed.

Relationship Rule: No matter who the listener is, you should never abandon the clear message principle.

2. A little appreciation goes a long way Despite the complexities of the human mind, many of us respond like Golden Retrievers when it comes to receiving a little praise. In other words, when you make your husband feel good about something he's done, you increase the likelihood that he will repeat that behavior.

Parents do this all the time with children and you may already do this instinctively. For instance, your husband cuts the lawn and you say, "Wow, the lawn looks great!" In that simple statement you showed gratitude for the job he didand gratitude will make him feel appreciated (which, in turn, will make him more likely to mow the lawn next time…).

Compare this kind of appreciation to no feedback or saying something like, "Good thing you finally cut the lawn, it was

looking like a jungle out there." In this instance, you're highlighting the negative-essentially the message is that he should cut the grass and his laziness made the grass look terrible. But when you comment on a job well done, you've made him feel appreciated, thereby reinforcing his grass-cutting behavior.

Relationship Rule: A little praise goes a long way in getting someone to listen.

3. Give a little, get a little This is the carrot-at-the-end-ofthe-stick communication. This type of "give and take" is a natural part of any relationship. This communication approach is effective for two reasons: First, it shows your partner that you are a giving person and this may stir his/her own desire to give back (giving is often contagious); Second, this type of communication underscores the importance of fairness and compromise in relationships. For example, saying, "I'm running out to buy us dinner, can you straighten up the house a little until I get back?" implies that it would only be fair that your partner do his part since you are taking the time and effort to get dinner.

Relationship Rule: Each day, model the kind of behaviors you'd like to see more of from your partner.

4. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar I cannot emphasize this point enough: The way in which you say something (how you package your message) can make all the difference in whether your words get through to your partner (and have the intended impact) or end up unheard, gathering dust in his mental spam-filter.

As the speaker, your top priority is to have your words heard, to prevent the listener from becoming defensive or tuning out.

Ultimately, you want your message to impact the listener in such a way that s/he has been alerted of your needs and motivated to follow through and meet your needs.

Example of Vinegar:

"Can't you see I'm up to my elbows in this mess? Don't you think of anybody but yourself? At least take out the garbage!"

Example of Honey: "Life is so much easier when you help out. Can you take out the garbage?"

It's usually best to use the honey approach or the appreciation approach when trying to get your message across to your spouse/ partner.

Relationship Rule: The way you present your message has a dramatic impact on the listener (even more so than the specific content of your message).

5. The Reprimand (aka: The slap on the wrist) If you're like most people, once in a while you will say and do something that is upsetting to your partner, and your partner will do the same (you're only human, after all); when this occurs it may be important to address the troubling issue-with the goal of stopping your partner from repeating the upsetting behavior.

But what if you've told him several times to stop a certain unwanted behavior (for example, to stop saying insensitive things about your mother), yet despite your best efforts, he continues on this insensitive path?

Hopefully it won't get to this point, but there will be times that you'll have to up the communication ante and be more forceful. In these instances, your partner may need to hear a firm, "I asked you not to make fun of my mother…it's inappropriate and cruel! Stop it already!" And you may find that you need to add something like, "If you continue to say hurtful things, I'll have no choice but to see you less."

(Admittedly, that's harder to follow through on if you live together…)

As you can tell, The Reprimand packs an emotional punch to help get your point across.

It's best to use this approach when the other four communication methods described above fail to work (however, make sure you give them ample time).

Source: relationship.com

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 19

Beauty Tips Skin care tips for black skin

N

o w a d a y s many beauty salons have come up with many effective black skin care treatments for the people whose skin have been tanned or pigmented due to various reasons. For several reasons including pollution and ailments, many people lose their actual skin tone and their complexion turns into blackish.

They can surely get back their actual skin color by using various methods. Many standard parlors offer a variety of beauty treatments for removing pigmentation and dark patches from the face and body. These

treatments are effective and free from side effects.

Many reputed national and international companies also have launched various skincare products for black or darker skin but before choosing any of them a little bit of study and research is necessary because not every product is for every skin type.

People born with black skin often suffer from an inferiority complex that they never look good due to their complexion.

They keep on applying various products to make their complexions lighter.

However they should know that only a healthy

problem free skin can give you an extra charm to your body so you should go for a proper skincare.

Black Skin Care at Home You can make so many face packs and scrubbers at home with various vegetables and fruits.

They are easy to make as well as no less effective than a market product.

Some of them are as follows: Orange mask for Black skin Take some orange peels and grind it to make a paste. Mix it with homemade yogurt. Now apply this paste to your face and hands. Leave it for twenty to thirty minutes and then wash with lukewarm water.

Applying on a regular basis helps you remove the tan.

Turmeric Mask for Black skin Mix turmeric powder with lime juice and yogurt and apply it on the pigmented area. Keep this paste for at least ten minutes and wash it with fresh water. To get result faster, do it everyday.

Potato for black skin Potato is a wonderful

bleaching agent. Apply a paste of potato on the effected area of your skin and keep it for at least half an hour and then wash it with plain water. Almonds also make a skin healthier and shining. Take two or three almonds, soak them in water for overnight and then make a paste of it.

Apply the paste on your face and keep it until it dries and then wash it with cold water. You should do it at least once a week to get a better result.

Mix cucumber juice and honey all together. Apply the mix on the face and keep it until the paste dries.

Try it everyday to get a lighter skin quicker. If you have blackish complexion by birth then you can never make it completely fairer; however you can make your skin problem free and shining. Apart from using various products you also have to maintain a good balanced diet. Include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables enriched with vitamins in your regular meals.

Drinking lots of fluids like fresh water and various fruit juices is also necessary to have the glowing skin.

PAGE 20

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 7 — SUNDAY 8, APRIL, 2012

Peoples Tech How to ensure that your electric generator set works well

By Richard Ihediwa with expert reports

D

ue to the poor power supply in the country, many homes, offices and business rely on private generators to generate their electricity power needs.

In Nigeria, most businesses rely heavily on generators, which were actually manufactured to provide limited power over a short period of time in the case of power failure.

Even in homes, smaller generators meant for picnics and low capacity intervention works are now used for very long hours. Some families allow their generators meant for few hours' operations to work even over the night.

Most generators users do not service them despite the overuse. This in effect bear much pressure on the generators and result in damages.

However, here are some tips to help you ensure that your generator lasts longer and serve you optimally.

Do not overuse or overload your generator Generators are designed to work for a specific period of time and to carry a specific among of load. Make sure you adhere to this. Most users in Nigeria are forced due to circumstances to overload and overuse their generators.

This causes constant damages which eat into your finances even as the life span of the set is reduced.

Business should have a standby generator and an emergency generator. Emergency generators are typically 200 kW or smaller and run on gasoline, natural gas or diesel fuel.

Standby generators are typically much larger diesel engine units, often between 200 kW and 2,000 kW (2 MW).

Emergency and standby generators are usually stationary units, hard wired into the building's electrical distribution system through a transfer switch. Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS) are the most common type of transfer switches used for these applications.

Ensure regular service of your generator.

Many users do not service their generators regularly. They only check them when they fail to perform optimally or refuse to work at all.

Improper or poorly maintained generator sets are more prone to failure and are more likely to fail when needed most. Failures can be minimised or prevented, by implementing regularly scheduled, comprehensive, generator maintenance and service programs.

Most gasoline emergency generators run on petrol mixed with engine oil. Ensure that you get the right mixture. For many, it is usually

four liters of petrol to a measure of oil using the cup attached to the fuel tank cover. Failure to observe the mixing formula can lead to damages. Using the generator without a mixture of oil will cause overheating which will force the engine to stiffen and may even knock. Using too much oil will result in the clogging of the engine chamber and the exhaust system which will also lead to poor performance, hard starting and running with labour.

R e d u c e appliances when using this type of generators and resist t h e temptation of increasing the running to help it carry additional loads. This kills the engine.

In the case of bigger engines, ensure that the cooling system is in order. In addition to oil, most of them use water like cars, while some use air cooling system. Most users do not always check their oil

levels before starting their engines and this leads to poor performance and damage to vital parts. Always check your radiator to remove any dust and or debris, taking care not to damage the fins.

Check that the coolant heater is operating correctly by monitoring the discharge temperature.

Also make sure that the surrounding area where you kept you generator is clean and that there is sufficient ventilation during operation. Conduct regular checks for leakages. Inspect the exhaust system, including the manifold, muffler, and exhaust pipe. All connecting gaskets, joints, and welds should be thoroughly checked for potential leaks.

Clean the starting and electrical system terminals. Connections should be tight and free from corrosion.

It is very important to check for leakages in the fuel delivery system. Drain and clean fuel filters monthly and make sure all pipes and hoses are in order.

Leakages can cause fire accidents. Gasoline and diesel fuel degrade over time, separating and even growing micro-biological organisms. The fuel tank should be equipped with a plug or valve which allows the water to be drained from the tank periodically.

As a rule of thumb, diesel fuel should be turned over or replaced on an annual basis.

A proper fuel maintenance program is important.

PAGE 21

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

Healthy Living Pregnant women's questions and answers (1) I

may need to have an Xray but I'm 3 months pregnant. Should I wait until the baby comes or is it OK now?

If your doctor thinks its necessary - for your own well-being or your baby's - to get an X-ray during your pregnancy, then you should have the X-ray. Most diagnostic X-rays emit low levels of radiation that would be unlikely to harm your baby.

A developing fetus is sensitive to the effects of radiation because its cells are rapidly dividing. Radiation could potentially cause changes in these cells, increasing the risk of birth defects or certain illnesses later in life.

But the risk to the fetus depends upon how far along the pregnancy is and on the type of X-ray done. Dental Xrays, for example, aren't much cause for concern because the X-ray area is far from your uterus. In general, though, if you can safely wait to get an X-ray until after your baby is born, then that's probably best.

Make sure that all of your health care providers (including your dentist and the X-ray technician) know about your pregnancy before you get an X-ray. Sometimes other tests that don't emit radiation, such as ultrasound, can be done instead.

I'm 4 months pregnant and sometimes enjoy food and drinks that are artificially sweetened.

But could I be causing harm to my baby?

There has been some controversy

and debate about the safety of artificial sweeteners, especially aspartame and saccharin, but most health care professionals believe they're safe when used in moderation.

One thing that is clear is that you should avoid aspartame if you have the hereditary disease phenylketonuria, or PKU, in which the body can't break down the compound phenylalanine, found in aspartame. The jury is still out on whether saccharin is safe to use during pregnancy. Although it crosses the placenta and can accumulate in fetal tissue, there's not enough evidence to prove that it is harmful to an unborn baby.

The bottom line is it's OK to have an occasional diet soda or sugar-free food. Still, it's wise to check product labels and try to limit anything with artificial sweeteners (especially saccharin), just to be on the safe side.

And check with your doctor about the safety of specific sweeteners, including any that are new on the market.

I just found out that I'm expecting. I'm curious - are there some medications I can't take now?

You should steer clear of many medications during pregnancy. Even common over-the-counter (OTC) medications that are generally safe may be considered off-limits because of their potential effects on the baby. Certain prescription medications also may cause damage to the developing fetus. And herbal remedies and supplements can

cause problems as well.

If you were prescribed a medication before you became pregnant for an illness, disease, or condition you still have, consult with your doctor, who can help you weigh the potential benefits and risks of continuing your prescription. Let any health care provider that you see know that you're pregnant.

And check with your doctor before taking any medicines (including prescriptions, OTC medicines, herbal remedies, and supplements) to see which are safe to take during pregnancy, even if they seem like no big deal.

I've gained 20 pounds, my feet are swollen, and my skin is breaking out. I'd at least like to have a nice smile! Is it OK to use teeth whiteners while pregnant?

No good studies have been done on teeth whiteners that definitively say whether they're safe to use if you're expecting.

Some makers of whitening products recommend not using them during pregnancy, and some dentists also encourage waiting until after pregnancy to get your teeth whitened or use over the counter teeth whiteners.

The concern is primarily about the chemicals used in teeth-whitening products, some of which could be swallowed, and their potential effect on a fetus. Talk to your doctor and dentist before using any whitening products.

Kids health

Why you should stay away from Poison Ivy

L

eaves of three, let them be!

You've probably heard that little rhyme about poison ivy. But did you know that poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac all contain the same rash-causing

substance? Its urushiol, a colourless, odourless oil (or resin) contained in the leaves of the plants.

Signs and symptoms of poison ivy

Urushiol is considered an allergen because it causes an allergic reaction - which takes the form of a rash, itching, and sometimes swelling. About 60% to 80% of all people get a reaction to urushiol, which can appear within hours of contact or as much as 5 days later.

Typically, the skin becomes red, itchy, and swollen and blisters will appear. After a few days, the blisters may become crusty and start to flake off. The rash from poison ivy takes 1 to 2 weeks to heal.

Consult your doctor if your child has any kind of rash, especially with a fever. If poison ivy or a similar plant caused the rash, the doctor might recommend cool showers and a soothing lotion, such as calamine lotion.

For more severe cases, doctors sometimes prescribe pills or creams that contain antihistamines or

steroids (not the same type of steroids that bodybuilders use) to decrease itching and redness.

Prevention Poison ivy can grow anywhere - from the woods to suburban backyards. And it's hard to identify: Not only can the green leaves of poison plants blend right in with other plants and brush, but there are several types of poison ivy, and each one can look different depending on the time of year.

It's also possible to get a rash from poison ivy without ever venturing into the woods or directly touching a plant. Urushiol can be transferred from one person to another. Plus, kids can pick it up from anything that's come in contact with the oil, including pets.

Urushiol can even travel through the air if someone burns some of the plants to clear the bush.

The leaves of poison ivy plants release urushiol when they're

bumped, torn, or brushed against.

(When the resin is released, the leaves may appear shiny or you may see black spots of resin on them.) Once released, urushiol can easily get on skin.

Tips to help kids avoid getting a rash from poison ivy Teach them how to identify poison ivy, oak, and sumac, so they can steer clear of them (they should be especially careful of plants if the leaves look shiny). Tell them to avoid areas where you know there's poison ivy. Have them wear long sleeves and long pants when in areas where poison ivy might grow. If your dog has been out exploring the woods, give him a bath to wash off any urushiol oil that may be on his coat.

If your kids come into contact with urushiol oil, have them try to wash it off their skin right away by taking a shower and using lots of soap.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

With Aunty A'isha

PAGE 23

rajia39ishabiola@yahoo.com 08082071393.

Sights and sounds Traditional mar ria ge marria riag in Urhobo land (II)

T

he visitors would be told that the family has many daughters; as such, its members do not know which of their daughters their son would like to marry. The bride’s family would then bring out a girl who is not the bride, and parade this girl in front of the groom’s family. The groom would reject this girl saying that she was not the one he wants. This formality would be repeated about three times. Each time a girl is paraded and rejected, the groom’s family would be asked to pay the rejected girl some money. Finally, the bride is presented to the groom

gifts. The girl’s parents will pray for the both of them and the bride groom will be warned by the bride’s parents that he should never beat-up their daughter for any reason whatsoever. The parents of the bride will present her with lots of gifts to take to her new home. She will hug all her friends, her siblings and give them little gifts to remember her by. The bride is escorted to her husband’s house, on the way to his house; certain people will stop them on the way and ask the groom to pay some money so that he can take his bride home.

SHOR T ST OR Y SHORT STOR ORY

A

A dog and a donkey

man had a little dog, and he was very fond of it. He would pat its head, and take it on his knee, and talk to it. Then he would give it little bits of food from his own plate.

A donkey looked in at the window and saw the man and the dog.

“Why does he not make a pet of me?” said the donkey.

“It is not fair. I work hard, and the dog only wags its tail, and barks, and jumps on its master’s knee. It is not fair.”

Then the donkey said to himself, “If I do what the dog does, he may make a pet of me.”

So the donkey ran into the room. It brayed as loudly as it could. It wagged its tail so hard that it knocked over a jar on the table. Then it tried to jump on to its master’s knee.

The master thought the donkey was mad, and he shouted, “Help! Help!” Men came running in with sticks, and they beat the donkey till it ran out of the house, and they

drove it back to the field.

“I only did what the dog does,” said the donkey,” and yet they make a pet of the dog, and they beat me with sticks. It is not fair.”

DO YOU KNO W THA T...?

KNOW THAT

Gold: A precious stone

The 'Urhobos' are one of the many Nigerian tribes, and are the largest single tribe in the present Delta state of Nigeria. to confirm the true identity of his chosen bride.

Once this process is concluded, the bride’s consent would then be obtained. That is, she will be asked if she is willing to marry the groom.

The family of the bride can only receive the dowry if she consents to marry the groom. This process is only a formality on the day because in most cases, the dowry amount and all arrangements would normally have been agreed upon.

That is, both families would have reached some understanding.

On acceptance, the bride’s father offers a prayer / blessing for the couple. At this point, the bride sits on the husband’s lap. The blessed drink is handed to the husband who drinks first; he then hands it to his wife to drink. The wife would drink and pass it back to her husband to finish, as a sign of respect. Then only are they declared husband and wife. Both family members present at the ceremony, would then shower the couple with money as

“Esuo” - This term describes the final stage of a full marriage according to Urhobo custom. It denotes the completion of all initial requirements necessary on the part of the husband. It is the escorting of the bride by her family with her properties, goodwill, to the head of the husband’s family, and handing over until death of the bride as wife to the groom’s family. A special ceremony is usually performed to invoke the husband’s ancestors to also receive her, and bind her over in fidelity to their son the husband. The entire women receive the bride, eat and dance in the special room prepared for her till dawn of the following day.

Wedding Dinner and other festivities Dinner is provided by the bride’s family for the in-laws and their friends who witnessed the occasion before the bride is taken away.

F

orced up from deep inside the earth riding a jet of superheated water surrounding a core of hot liquid rock, untold riches have been deposited in cracks and fissures near the surface of the Earth, waiting for someone to find them. Precious metals are hidden deep in the bowels of the mountains.

Gold, silver, platinum, and others have all been deposited in mountains all over the world. Each process that deposits these metals is at the same time unique and surprisingly the same. As an example, we are going follow the processes that deposit gold.

Gold is a very interesting metal; it is one of the few metals yellow in color. Gold has physical properties that make it very desirable to people.

First, it is pretty. People have liked the glimmer and shine of gold for longer than recorded history. Second, it is malleable.

Malleable means that it is easy to shape. Third, it is ductile.

Ductile means it can be stretched into a thin sheet or wire. Fourth, it conducts

electricity.

A deposit of gold is a concentration of gold in the same area or in the same rock formation. Gold miners really like gold deposits and work really hard to find them. There are two main types of gold deposits: Primary deposits, and Secondary deposits. There is a third type of gold deposit that geologists do not fully understand. It is called the Carlin-type gold deposit and is named after the first miner that found it.

MODEL OF THE WEEK

Igwe Isa Sulaiman Okonda Alamasiriyu

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 22

With Aunty A'isha

rajia39ishabiola@yahoo.com 08082071393.

AFRICAN TALES

DISCO VER Y DISCOVER VERY

The Tale of Jacob and the Beanstalk (I) Who discovered vaccination?

K

O

nce upon a time, long ago, in a land far, far away, there lived a little boy called Jacob. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Zuma were poor and there was seldom enough to eat in their house. Little Jacob knew this and always looked for ways to help out. He would help his mother with her chores and then, when those were finished; he would go outside to help his father in the garden and the fields. He was a dutiful son and his parents were proud of him.

One day, in a corner of the Zuma garden, little Jacob noticed a giant beanstalk. Its thick green trunk reached all the way up to the sky. That’s funny; he thought to himself, it must have grown very quickly because I am sure it was not there yesterday.

He paused for just a moment and then seized hold of some of the beanstalk’s tendrils. He tugged but they were firm. His mind was made up. Little Jacob would climb the beanstalk, right to the very top; “there might be something useful at the top that I can bring down for my parents.

So he set off, up the huge beanstalk. Up and up he went; hand over hand, pausing every so often to let his tired muscles rest. Was there no end to this incredible plant, he wondered? Far beneath him, he could just make out

South Africa President, Jacob Zuma

his parents’ house.

Suddenly his head popped out through a cloud and he could see a wide flat plain all around him. He was able to let go of the beanstalk and step on to firm ground. But that wasn’t what caught his attention.

What really caused little Jacob to blink and stare were the giants. All around him, in every direction, were giants some bigger than others, some uglier than others, but all very fat and slow-moving.

Beside each giant was a big, big pile of money, because his family was poor, he was surprised by the money.

He walked cautiously over to the nearest giant. He was determined to find out more so he took a deep breath and, in his most polite voice, asked a question.

“Excuse me, Mr. Giant.

Could you tell me where I am,

FOOTBALL

Lufaloy Nursery and Primary school, Kano, football team.

please?”

The giant, who seemed to be half asleep, turned a sleepy eye to little Jacob.

“Why, yes, young man.

You are in South Africa.”

“I see,” said little Jacob, although he didn’t really understand because he had never heard of South Africa.

“And could you tell me, please, who you are? Well, in fact who all of these giants are – and why you each have these huge piles of money beside you?” “I don’t know that it’s any of your business,” said the giant, “but you are a polite little boy, so I’ll tell you. We are a tribe of giants called the Corporates. The Corporates of South Africa is who we are. And these piles of money are the excess profits left over from our businesses.

We have no idea what to do with all this money, so we just sit on it.”

Source: Daily Maverick.com

now what the scariest thing about a doctor is?

That invariably you get an injection for all aches and pains. Do you know that a newborn child is given vaccination for many diseases?

You may throw a fit and scream your head off to avoid the injection and inwardly whisper death threats at the person who invented such a painful method for treatment, but the fact remains that whenever we are sick an injection does the trick.

How did it begin? It so happened that one day in 1768, a young milkmaid visited a doctor in Gloucestershire, England.

Though nearly everyone in the district was then sick with smallpox, a dreaded disease at that time, the milkmaid was not affected!

In the eighteenth century, smallpox was a killer disease, as widespread as cancer now, but with the difference that the majority of its victims were young children.

When the doctor asked her the reason, the milkmaid remarked that she had already had cowpox, a disease with symptoms similar to those of smallpox, though in a very mild form. The significance of her remark was not lost on a young medical student, Edward Jenner, who was also present there.

Jenner was intrigued by this simple explanation that those who caught cowpox could not catch smallpox. After getting his degree, he returned to Gloucestershire to practice medicine and to devote his spare time in research and

investigation. He found out that the milkmaid had been right: people who had cowpox very rarely caught smallpox.

On May 14, 1796, another milkmaid, Sarah Nelmes, came to Jenner with cowpox.

He conducted a daring experiment. He took some of the virus from the boils on Sarah’s hands and passed on the disease to James Phipps his gardener’s son by scratching his skin with infected metal (vaccination). When James had recovered from the cowpox, Jenner tried to give him smallpox. James failed to contract the disease.

Edward Jenner had discovered a cure for smallpox!

Jenner named this inoculation process, “vaccination”, from the Latin name for cow (vacca) and cowpox (vaccinia).

Vaccination at first had many opponents, but eventually its value became firmly established. Today not only has smallpox been nearly wiped out but you can get vaccinated or immunised against many other diseases too! And it is usually performed right from the birth of the child.

ACTIVITIES Paint the above piece of art work with crayons. Write an interesting story from it. If you find your story worthwhile, send it to the above e-mail address or to the phone number. Cheers!

PAGE 24

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14, — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

Kannywood

Emmanuel Best Bitrus Thliza also known as Tseb is a Borno born but Lagos based journalist cum musician. Tseb spent his early years in Missouri (USA) where his interest in music started. He started singing in concerts before joining the choir.

Back in Nigeria he and a group of friends now have the “boy group” (HomeRun), which he leads In this interview with Blessing Tunoh in Yola recently, Tseb tells the story of his music career and other interests.

Actress Ebube Nwagbo speaks on sundry issues including her relationship with one half of the now defunct- KC Presh and her new ‘hairline’ business venture. Read the revealing conversation below:

I

travelling a lot. I had to dedicate my time to it to make sure it came out well, and I’m happy I did because starting up a business is not a small thing, It involves a lot of capital which, if not done well, you’ll lose your hard earned money invested into it.

Do you think your colleagues overtook you the time you took the break?

Nollywood is a very big place for everybody, there’s a lot of space for everybody, so nobody can take anybody’s place. We are all different in what we do even though there are a lot of new entrants now, we all are comfortable because it’s a very large industry.

Now that producing movies seems to be the in thing, are you going to produce your own soon?

It’s in my top do list to produce my own movie soon, but not because everybody is doing it. It is just because I want to. I have a lot I am doing at the moment so I have to do it at the right time and do it real good. To produce a movie is not a big deal, God has blessed me with the enabling resources to do that but right now, it’s my Posh Hairline that I’m concentrating on.

Tell us about your product, we hear you have a brand of human hair that is making waves.

It’s called Posh Hair. It’s my hairline; the idea behind Posh Hair is for the fashionistas that want to look good without having to spend a fortune. For the young girls who want to look like their big celebrities without having to spend so much money. It’s for celebrities like me as well. You can get the celebrity look with Posh Hair; it’s for every class of people.

We have different products for the upper class, middle and average.

We have the Posh Luxury, Posh Classic, Posh Panache, Posh Divo and the newly added and just

Aki plans to sue marketer for selling his wedding film Lately,there has been rumours that a certain marketer has been selling the video of Aki and his wife,Nneoma.

But now,the superlative traditional and white wedding of Uzuaholi,Abia State born actor,Chinedu Ikedieze popularly called Aki is on the shelves of every one selling Nigerian movies.

The video which is currently one of the wave making movies we gathered is marketed by Kasvid Venture Limited without the actors

consent.

Aki, it was gathered, has declared his intention to sue the marketer for selling it.

Nollywood

Why I dumped Vet Medicine for Music, Tseb

I don't regret not being Kcee's wife-Ebube Nwagbo Tell us how you got into acting went for an audition in Onitsha and got the lead role, thanks to the Amaco Company that gave me the opportunity to be what I am today and thanks to my friend, Obi who told me about the audition. And also a big thanks to all the cast and crew of that movie and the director, Ifeanyi Azodo, they believed in me and encouraged me… I never believed I could do it.

But going by recent research, you no longer feature in movies like you used to?

The reason is because I delved into other ventures aside acting..which is all part of showbiz. I do other things now, so it’s not easy juggling acting and doing business. But I dedicate most of my time to movies because it’s my first love and it was on this platform I was able to achieve my success today..and again most of the movies I shot are yet to be released, but I have some making waves in the market now. Yellow Sisi, Shakara Babe, Shades of Shame are my latest movies in d market now. So I still do acting, maybe not much because I wanted to grow bigger and also have something to fall back on in the future. You know nobody will act forever. But I’m still very much in the game You were abroad for some time, what informed that?

I didn’t stay there that long, but at that time, I was trying to start up my hair business, so I had to be there to see to the manufacturing and oversee even the tiniest details. My business entails travelling a lot. Even as I speak to you now I’m out of the country. I have to travel round to source for products and keep up with demands, that’s how it’s done and we do large scale production.

So it entails

PAGE 25

What’s your educational background? am a graduate. I started studying Veterinary Medicine at the University of Maiduguri but I later jettisoned everything that is not related to my future. I left studying Vet to study Mass Communication in the same institution. I am a graduate of Mass Communication and am currently undergoing my MSc in the same field.

At what point did you decide you were going to be a musician?

I have loved music since I was a child. I have been writing poems and songs and began singing in my teen. As a teenager, I had written over 30 songs and had produced the soundtracks for about 12 of them when I was planning to release an album. That was when our (the group HomeRun)’s first song was allowed to go on air. I have always wanted to leave none of my talents redundant. I thought I would be presenting, writing, recording and performing, as well as running a multimedia outfit all at the same time.

Your stage name if Tseb.

What inspired the name?

Yes, my stage name is Tseb. You pronounce the ‘T’ and ‘S’ together.

It sounds more like ‘Seb’. The story of the name dates back to when I was in secondary school. I use to write a

I

arrived Posh Glam. It’s all 100% human hair. We have the Indian hair, European hair, Brazilian hair; Spanish hair…The latest we are introducing into the market is the Posh Glam (100% European hair). It’s the best thing so far .Posh Hair gives you the worth of your money.

Why did you branch out into the hair business?

It’s all about looking good, Showbiz is about glamour, fashion, and you are not complete without a good hair on as a woman. So you have to complete your look with a good hair and it’s the Trend now…every lady wants to own a good hair…so that’s the idea. I love

everything about fashion, so I’m doing what I love.

And how commercially successful has it been since there are other products in the competition?

Posh Hair is not in competition with any product.I am overwhelmed by the response from fans, colleagues and customers. It’s doing very well commercially.

Reason we have grown in just a year, and we are still growing.

What stands us out is that we have something good for everybody at a very good rate and a worth for your money. My Posh customers can attest to that. You definitely don’t regret owning a Posh Hair.

Pregnant Genevieve secretly marries D’banj?

S

he’s been described as one of the hottest spinsters in the movie industry for many years but on March 31, 2012 Genevieve Nnaji reportedly dropped that tag!

Rumours have it that the Nollywood screen diva was finally taken off the shelf by her heartthrob Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo popularly known as D’Banj at a very private ceremony in London. This

dramatic tying of knots with the Koko Master finally lies to rest many years of speculation about

Genevieve’s love life and whether or not the two most talked about Nigerian stars even ever dated.

After the famous “Fall in Love” video pairing last year, Genevieve had bluntly told the Nigerian weekly Tell magazine that she would NOT marry the BET award winning mega star.

But there’s more. It has been speculated that the secret court wedding with only a handful of friends and close family present was rushed because Genny is already pregnant! It is not known if a public wedding is on the cards.

Nigeriafilms.com

lot. My pen name is E. T. Best.

However, I read about Mozart, who usually spelt his name backwards to get ‘Trazom’. Therefore, I also felt like playing the flipping game and simply flipped the name ‘Best’ and got ‘Tseb’. So, when you see ‘E. T. Best’, it’s the same as ‘Tseb’.

Why did you opt for music instead of journalism?

As much as I love journalism, I didn’t study Mass communication to be a reporter. In fact, my motivations for Mass Communication were advertising and presenting.

Mass

Communication also encompasses music. Moreover, the truth is I have not opted for music over journalism.

I am simply combining the two, however, for now I am focusing on music because it is my major drive and love. I still edit books and papers and I write as well. For now, they

are what I call fillers despite being major aspects of my life. It’s the balance I keep working towards achieving.

What are some of the initial challenges you encountered in your career?

World-over, parents advice their children to go to school; get a degree and get a conventional job.

However when you talk about stuffs like music, even if they enjoy it, they express antithesis towards their child pursuing it as a career. Moreso, if you come from a place like where I hail from, you will know that it is not the norm for you to think of following your dreams of using your talent when you are not sure of succeeding at it. Music is not really the ‘it’ thing there. So the initial challenge I had had to do with my environment not being friendly towards virtually all my talents, music inclusive.

Music is capital intensive, especially if you want to do good music. That ‘capital’ has been a major setback. You go to places and they tell you, ‘Wow, you are good, your music is great’, and it stops at that. Sometimes when I walk out of such encounters I give a silent shout.

That is the umpteenth time I am hearing that. What about the support? What about being signed up?

What about taking up talent?

Doesn’t anybody care?

The people that believe in you might not necessarily have the cash to support, but at least they encourage and pray for you.

Whereas the people that have the money might not believe in you.

You see years passing and your resolve to pursue your dream is questioned by the stark realities that abound. However, I see these challenges as similar to those that anyone who wants to go beyond the norm would face. It’s simply part of the process. You either break or break through. Challenges are endless. We need to ride on them.

What are the problems facing the music industry in Nigeria?

Except for talent shows, there is no structure on ground for talents to hold on to actualize their dreams.

Nigerian can barely boast of a standard record company.

Secondly, piracy and the economy makes it hard for artiste to sell their CDs. Third, there is nothing more interesting for an artiste than to produce the exact kind of music that you love. In Nigeria, though some may choose to disagree with me, most of the time, you have to compromise your music for it to be accepted.

Before now I believed that such was not the case but now with a

better understanding of the industry, I know if you must stick to a pattern that is alien to what is obtainable here, you must spend much more on promotions. You will have to push the music so hard down the throats (or ears) of listeners. In some parts of the world, you get paid for your music when it is played or aired. In Nigeria, you need to spend and spend to get your songs played.

There are so many problems, but I prefer to focus on the benefits. It helps my psychology.

What’s your greatest source of inspiration?

I cannot hide my faith. My greatest source of inspiration is God; Jesus and then the so many other ways he extends himself to us. I am a lover of nature. I draw inspiration from all of God’s creatures. My best places are at the parks (gardens), beach, mountains or rocks and valleys. Wherever I find myself, I try to locate one or two of such places immediately. Sometimes I feel I could go insane if I don’t find such locations.

Tell us about some of your works.

I guess you mean my musical works. I have many of them including “Aimee, Let Your Body Go”, “I No Want You”, “Things Will Get Better” (originally HomeRun’s) and many more. The two songs I am promoting are Aimee (Coming Back to You) and Let Your Body Go. Aimee is a soulful R & B song with lyrics that consist of a blend of English, Pidgin English, Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo.

The song is about a young man apologising to his lover for the wrongs he did her. He tells her that he hurts as much as she does too, and he tries to woo her back. “Let Your Body Go” is a dance song with lyrics basically in Pidgin English, a little bit of Yoruba and a line of Hausa. It is a song about dancing, letting your body loose to follow the music and dance. Right now I am promoting my work and still writing and producing more stuff.

Two of my songs are on GLO caller tunes, on Nigerian music collections and on some FM stations. I am gradually trying to take it everywhere, even beyond the shores of this country.

What us your word advice for young Nigerians out there.

One of the hardest things to do in Nigeria is to have a dream and be focused on it. There is that there is too much distractions. We face a lot of intrapersonal conflicts. There are societal and family discouragements.

So circumstantial distractions will always be there and this makes us to lose our focus. So one must learn to remain focused on his dreams and he will achieve them.

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

Hollywood/Bollywood Lindsay Lohan: Framed in New Nightclub Drama?

I

f Lindsay Lohan really did push and shove some random girl at the Standard Hotel in West

Hollywood last week, that's news to the staff, who didn't even see her there.

Six people at the hotel,

Lohan Lohan

some of whom were working on the night in question, have said they did not see Lindsay there, putting the accuser's credibility in doubt.

Moreover, none of them had even heard a peep about Lindsay being in the hotel, let alone starting an altercation with the woman over her male friend.

The woman claims Lindsay accosted her because she was speaking with a guy Lindsay was scoping out, or is already friends with; something along those lines.

It doesn't really matter, because the story is likely made up.

The woman filed an incident report with the W. Hollywood Sheriff's Dept., and detectives are looking into it, but it looks like it could all be a (bad) ploy.

Even if it did happen, Lindsay is off probation now, and it's most likely not going to be pursued by police, much like her alleged hitand-run last month. ''Quit lying about Lindsay, people. Just because she screws up so much on her own doesn't mean you have to make stuff up to scam her out of money'' Lindsay's close aid said.

Housefull 2 at the Box Office!

S

ajid Khan's Houseful 2, has emerged as the second best opener of the year 2012, after Agneepath.

The opening day, being a holiday (Good Friday) saw a collection of Rs. 14 crore. 70-

100 percent of theatres were houseful. There was a dip in business on Saturday, collecting a total of Rs. 13 crore. However, Sunday saw a sudden hike of Rs. 16 crore.

In total, the first weekend collection was Rs. 43 crore. Houseful 2

becomes Akshay Kumar's biggest opener at box office.

What's surprising is that the film even survived the tough competition from the ongoing IPL 5.

The film is doing wonders at box office abroad, too.

Glee to air Whitney Houston Tribute Episode

T

h e Fox hit series Glee will pay homage to the late, great singer Whitney Houston April 24 in an episode appropriately entitled "Dance with somebody."

New Directions will cover some of Whitney's chart-toppers, and it looks like Brittany (Heather Morris) and Santana (Naya Rivera) will do the title song.

The show returns with an all-new episode tonight.

Next week, in "Saturday Night Glee-ver," the Glee club will page homage to the movie Saturday Night Fever.

Hope you're all ready for some disco-infused numbers, followed by Whitney the following week, and probably some not-so-subtle PSAs thrown in as well.

Interestingly, Glee's Amber Riley shot this cover of "I Will Always Love You" right before Houston passed away.

Dorr to cash in Sunny Leone's growing popularity in India

N

Late Houston

o sooner did Sunny Leone catapult to popularity by joining the Bhatt camp for her debut in Bollywood with 'Jism 2' than the Phillipines-based actor-filmmaker Stegath Dorr decided to cash in her popularity in India by releasing his adult film starring Sunny and Black Shama.

The film is based on an old-fashioned ghost story

about abrasive pro-am bird photographers arousing the vengeful spirit of a medieval Malay witch doctor on sacred land.

Sunny plays a CanadianSikh professional female photographer Jenny Singh in this film and it has been shot in Cebu, Philippines.

However, the reaction of the Indian censor board to some brutal molestationmurder sequences is yet to be seen.

Sunny's growing popularity in India has also helped the revival of Dorr's first film with Sunny - Pirates' Blood which was shot at South star Mohanlal's studio in Kerala in 2008. Dorr says, "A couple of weeks ago, I was contacted by Gulab Premkumar and was requested to return to India to shoot additional scenes for the film in order to re-release it."

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 27

Homes Right locations for your microwave

W

h e r e do you put your microwave? Or better still, what location do you feel is the best for a fully functional kitchen? Does the design matter in the placement of the microwave or is it all about convenience? We will explore different possible solutions of where to place your microwave in your kitchen; from on top of the kitchen counter to a separate cart to even an appliance wall. The last item is a new appliance type - a microwavein-a-drawer. All of the options have their pros and cons - you need to be the judge.

Come on us on this journey and see all the possibilities presented in both modern and traditional kitchens.

Microwave location solutions From the kitchen counter top to above the stove to built-in cabinets and more, the options seem almost endless. The solutions all work, but which solution is the best? What solution is the most expensive? And which solution is the most preferred.

The solutions for where to place the microwave include principally these seven possibilities: -Microwave on the Counter Top -Microwave Cart -Microwave Over the Stove Top Solution -Under the Counter Top Solution -Under the Counter Top Solution in the Kitchen Island -Appliance Wall Solution -Microwave-In-A-Drawer Solution Explaining these solutions would be long and tedious - let's take a faster route and see these solutions in place and fully functional.

On the counter top and the microwave cart solution These two options are common place and need no photo for you to fully understand the concept. Essentially, most people have experienced or continue to live with this solution. This was the solution of choice with the entrance of the microwave into the marketplace. But times have changed.

The microwave to many, is more useful and functional than any other appliance in the kitchen.

Over the stove top solution This, too, became a common solution for many. The over the stove top solution is a very practical solution. After all, the stove top is where you cook the food and where you have always prepared the food.

Appliance wall solution Appliances are the necessary piece of equipment that every kitchen is meant to house. What if you took all the appliances and created an "appliance wall"? Ever wonder how that might look and function?

Using nothing more than a little bit of great ingenuity, the house wife can create an "appliance wall" in her kitchen. She simply needs to recess the bulky refrigerator approximately 1 " and then use regular cabinetry to house the

oven together in the same cabinet with the microwave.

More appliance wall - microwave with an oven When choosing a microwave it is important to note that power is paramount. Be aware that all recipes published in cookbooks, newspapers, magazine, etc... are based upon a 700watt microwave oven. Now, if your child is going off to school, the lower power appliance is fine. There is a time and place for everything - for your main appliance in the kitchen, the 700-watt microwave oven will serve you and your family members for many years to come.

This brings us to the decisions you must face in choosing a microwave. It used to be simple two items - size and power. The decisions have been complicated over time. More colours are now available from black to white to stainless steel. Size and power still are the critical elements in function. But location is now taking centre stage in the world of kitchen design. Once you have chosen your size, power and colour preference, the location preference is next. This is all about measurement.

Custom cabinetry is available but for most people, the hard part is choosing your preferred location.

Are you comfortable reaching up? Do you prefer the convenience of the counter top? Do you feel that you need more counter space? Is a microwave cart an option for your design standards?

In the end, perhaps location of your microwave is the single most important decision for your kitchen design or remodelling project. Just as purchasing a home is built upon the foundation of three factors (location, location, location), so too, the location of your microwave is critical to both the value of your kitchen design and to the daily functionality of your kitchen.

The location of your microwave on a wall may be a hindrance to you and your family if there is no counter top nearby. To some, this may not be a concern. Stooping down under the counter may not be the correct choice for those with aching backs. And reaching up may not be a good choice for those with neck problems. All of these options are simply a matter of personal preference.

The other item to consider is the cost.

The microwave-in-a-drawer would be the first preference but it is a new invention and accordingly comes with a high price tag. In some cases, the price differencial is 10-fold - is this added convenience worth the expense?

However, the microwave-in-a-drawer seems to be a very practical solution. No reaching upward and hurting our neck.

Simple for all ages and all height and safe too - you can drop the heated item and it will simply fall back into the drawer! There is simplicity in design and function

Microwave in a drawer

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

Cuisine

Pots & Pans

With Hajiya Ramatu Usman Dorayi

Corn deserves regular place on your table

C

o r n , one of the most popular and versatile vegetables is here again. It is also a good source of several nutrients.

It is a low-fat complex carbohydrate that deserves a regular place on any healthy table. It is a body building food and helpful in kidney problems including renal dysfunction. Corn bran is a heart protector, when eaten everyday it can lower cholesterol in the body.

Cornstarch can prevent diaper rash. It is also beneficial in anemia and constipation.

It helps in treating gout boil 2 fresh cobs in 4 cups of water for 45 minutes, then strain and allow to cool. Place in the refrigerator. Drink one cup three times a day.

Once there is relief, reduce your intake to one cup a day.

Corn's contribution to heart health lies not just in its fiber, but in the significant amounts of folate that corn supplies. So don't just eat roasted or boiled corn, take advantage of its many benefits by eating in other forms as snack, salad etc.

Sweet corn salad

Red potato and corn salad

Ingredients: Serves: 6 -5 ears corn , shucked -1/2 cup onion , small-diced -1/2 cup roasted red pepper , small-diced -3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar -3tablespoons groundnut oil -1/2 teaspoon salt -1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground -1/2 cup fresh basil leaf (thinly sliced)

Ingredients: -2 lbs red potatoes , cut into 1inch pieces -1/4 teaspoon salt (optional) -1 1/2 cups whole fresh corn -4 thick slices cooked meat , diced -1 medium onion , chopped -1/3 cup cider vinegar -1/3 cup chicken broth -1/2 teaspoon salt -1/4 teaspoon crushed dried red pepper -1/2 cup coarsely snipped fresh flat-leaf parsley Directions: In a large saucepan, combine potatoes, enough water to cover, and, if desired, the 1/4 teaspoon salt.

Directions: Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a boil.

Break each ear of corn in half so it will fit in the pot, and cook until tender and the starchiness is just gone. Drain and immediately immerse the ears of corn in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking and to set the color. When the corn is cool, cut the kernels off the cob, cutting close to the cob.

Toss the kernels in a large bowl with the onions, roasted red peppers, vinegar, groundnut oil, salt, and pepper.

Just before serving, toss in the fresh basil. If you add the basil too early and let the salad sit for a long period of time before serving, it will wilt and darken.

Taste for seasonings and serve cold or at room temperature.

Bring to boiling; reduce heat.

Cover and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes or until potatoes are almost tender.

Add corn; cook for 1 to 2 minutes more or until potatoes are tender.

Drain well; set aside.

Meanwhile, for dressing, in a large pot cooked meat over medium heat. Remove meat, reserving drippings in pot.

Drain meat on paper towels.; set aside.

Add onion to the drippings in pot.

Cook over medium heat until onion is tender. Carefully add vinegar, broth, the 1/2

teaspoon salt, and the crushed red pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat.

Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes.

Stir in parsley and gently stir in potatoes and meat.

Cook, stirring gently, for 1 to 2 minutes more or until heated through.

Prepare as directed.

Transfer to a microwave-safe 2-quart casserole; cover and chill for up to 24 hours. To serve, microwave, covered, on 100% power (high) for 6 to 8 minutes or until heated through, stirring once. Stir before serving.

PAGE 29

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

Womanhood

Coping with widowhood

By Miriam Humbe

W

idows, they are everywhere are on various ages.

Presently, with the rise in violence and armed conflicts, the days of widows being women have passed as many young ladies across the country are now bearing the pains and anguish of widowhood.

Across Nigeria, there are many harmful and dehumanising cultural practices against widows.

More often than not, a widow is branded a witch and accused of being responsible for the death of her husband, especially when the man dies at a young age. Therefore, a widow is coerced into going through degrading and dehumanizing rituals all in an effort to prove her innocence.

Manifestations of these widowhood rituals range from shaving of the woman’s hair (can be forcible if woman refuses to perform this voluntarily), forcing a widow to drink the water used to wash her husband’s corpse, ‘Aja Ani’ (widow has to sleep with the high priest to cleanse her of her dead husband’s spirit), confining to house (and often only one room in the house and forced remarriage to husband’s relative.

These ritualistic practices only pose a fundamental violation of women’s human rights.. In some parts of Nigeria and also in other countries in Africa, when a woman’s husband dies, she might have to go through a series of dehumanising rites depending on her local culture. About 67 per cent of women outlive their husbands in Nigeria. Many of these rites lead to h o m e l e s s n e s s , malnourishment, financial hardship, loss of selfconfidence, to mention a few.

Traditional widowhood rites: Confinement: The widow is not allowed to fetch water, cook or go to the market. This period can last up to a year and the widow is forced to depend on others.

Defacement: This includes hair scraping. It is intended to make the woman unattractive

Widowhood comes with a lot of pains.

since the hair is said to be the woman’s main source of beauty and crowning glory.

Disinheritance: This denies the wife of the deceased the right to inherit or own her husband’s property. In-laws force the widow out of her home, leaving her with no means of shelter or support for herself and her children.

Mourning Period: The widow is forced to wear black or white and is made to go through routine crying, whether or not she feel like it.

Ritual Cleansing: This is done to supposedly sever the link between the living and the dead. After the stipulated mourning period, the widow washes in the stream, her mourning clothes are burnt

and she is forced to walk back home naked.

Dethronement: This is done by making the widow sit on the floor or mat; this is intended to emphasize her apparent fall in status.

Most often than not, these traumatizing treatments meted out on the widow turn round to rub off on the children who are products of the marriage. Also, the children become withdrawn and helpless especially where they are too young to speak up for their mother. The grown children may not be in any situation to help either. The slightest attempt at protest on their part is aptly perceived as rebellion against the culture and tradition of their fore

“

fathers, an act which if not carefully handled, could lead them to incur the wrath of the elders of the land.

But the women must not fold their hands and wait for the worst so as to wear the gloomy look of mourning to attract sympathy and scorn at the same time. They should develop character strength when their husbands are alive.

It is vital that while her husband is still alive, a woman should equip herself financially by getting education or learning and embarking on a trade.

No matter how financially buoyant her husband may be, a woman should work and have her own income. This will earn her respect in the eyes of the family

The widow is forced to wear black or white and is made to go through routine crying, whether or not she feel like it.

and the society in general.

Women should look on the positive side of life when faced with such difficulties as widowhood so as to overcome.

For her to be aware and also be capable of exercising her rights appropriately, a woman should get educationally empowered by attaining a high level in her educational pursuits. The days of ‘women education ends in the kitchen’ are over. They should aspire and also be encouraged by their men to take up gainful employments either in the public and private sectors of the economy. She should also be encouraged to own property in her own name. State and local governments can lend a helping hand by enacting edicts against the evil widowhood practices and out rightly criminalize them.

In order to help their wives survive widowhood when they are gone, men should plan ahead and write their wills.

This is more so important because the woman takes better care of her children than anyone else.

They should also tactfully set demarcations between their immediate families, their wives being the matriarchs, and their paternal and maternal relatives.

Husbands must let every member of the extended family know their wives are their heirs and that they place so much premium on them and emphasise that she must not be maltreated even at the event of his death.

Having understood the members of their extended family, a man should hold meetings with his siblings, paternal and maternal relatives at intervals. These meetings should be themed around their own rights and limitations in respect to his wealth and property.

If he has children from a previous marriage, transparency should be the key word in addressing issues.

Those children should be carried along as well and their needs also addressed.

These all done, there may tend to be some succour for the woman after her husband may have taken the exit to the other side of eternity.

PAGE 30

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012 Do you have old pictures for memories?

Send them to peoplesdailyweekend@yahoo.com

From the archives Late Amos Tutuola the first Nigerian novelist. He wrote his first novel, the palm wine drinkard, late 50s.

R-L Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe and James Baldwin in the 80s

Late Ola Rotimi the author of The gods are not to blame in the 80s

John Pepper Clark, the author of Casualties: Poems (1970), illustrating the horrendous events of the Nigeria-Biafra war

Cyprian Ekwensi is the author of Iska (1966) Alhaji Abubakar Imam the author of Magana Jari Ce one of the famous book in the northern Nigeria, late 70s.

Ben Okri the author of Incidents at the Shrine (1986, short stories)

Florence Onyebuchi Emecheta the author of The Joys of Motherhood (1979)

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 31

Learning Peoples Classroom L Compiled by Richard Ihediwa

Mathematics Lesson Solving Equations (2)

T

hree-Steps Equations.

Type 1.

Last week we started the showing how to solve equations using two-steps equations. Today we will look at the three-step equation type 1 This three-step problem must be simplified in order for it to be solved. In fact, we can actually simplify equations of this type into becoming two-step equations like the type of equations mentioned above. Doing this will make solving these equations relatively painless.

To solve these equations we must combine like terms. The terms that have the exact same variables are called like and can be combined. All we need to do is combine the numbers

in front of the variables. For instance, the equation -5x + 4 + 2x = 16 has like terms that need to be combined. The x-terms can be combined to make -3x + 4 = 16.

Once this combination occurs, the problem can be solved using the procedure outlined under solving two-step equations above. Our example lands up having a solution, x = -4.

The final solution can be checked by substituting it within the original equation wherever the variable is placed. Each variable must be replaced with the solution and the order of operations must be used to simplify the expression, similar to the steps used for solving two-

step equations.

Substituting the solution, x = -4 into the original equation yields, -5(-4) + 4 + 2(-4) = 16.

Simplifying further, we get 20 + 4 + (-8) = 16.

Finally we see that 16 = 16, which tells us that our solution, x = -4, is a correct one.

Let's use the same procedure to solve 7x - 5 - 4x = 13.

Combining the variables gives us 3x - 5 = 13.

Solving the remaining two-step equation, we get x = 6. Substituting this solution into the problem gives us 7(6) - 5 - 4(6) = 13. Simplifying that expression gives us 42 - 5 - 24 = 13. Further work gives us 13 = 13, which indicates that our solution, x = 6, is correct.

a s t year, 2011 was a year of mobile revolution, from simple tablet to a sleek new laptop, a shiny new electronic device was likely at the top of many holiday wish lists during the December festive period.

Many lucky recipients will immediately load personal data, contact information, photos, and entertainment files onto their new toy, eager to enjoy their new tech devices.

Hey! Be careful! Not so fast, you need to get an internet security for the new toy! When new devices are completely unprotected, it takes just a few clicks to have personal information stolen or for their new device to become laden with malware.

In order to keep personal information, identities, and money protected throughout, it's important for users to secure their new devices

ICT ESSENCE with

Bello Abdul’Azeez +234 805 113 0075 abdulazeez@ictessence.com www.ictessence.com

Useful tips for securing Internet connected devices (1) your apple computers are prone to malicious applications and they are the main threat area, so be careful of third-party applications and only download from a reputable app store. Read other users' reviews and make sure the app's access permissions make sense. . Make sure you are also protected against data loss, by backing up your mobile devices

your computer has comprehensive security software - anti-virus software alone is not enough. Be sure to back up regularly.

If you are contemplating on getting your devices or PCs secured, you should consider the following . real-time anti-virus, . a two-way firewall, . anti-spyware, . anti-phishing

regularly. . Consider mobile malware threat protection, not only to protect against viruses and for safe mobile surfing, but to also safeguard privacy in the event of loss or theft. . If you have a new PC or netbook, make sure

. safe search capabilities.

Additional levels of protection include: . anti-spam, . parental controls, . wireless network protection, . anti-theft protection that encrypts sensitive financial documents.

English Lesson Use of Apostrophe Apostrophe is the sign that looks like a comma placed on top after a word. It is usually used as a possessive as in, ‘this is Kunle’s ball’ but there are other usages as we shall see in this lesson.

Rule 1. Use the apostrophe to show possession. Place the apostrophe before the ‘s’.

Example: Hassan’s ball.

Rule 2. To show plural possession, make the noun plural first. Then immediately use the apostrophe. Examples: “two boys' hats”, “two women's hats”, “two actresses' hats”.

Rule 3. With a singular compound noun, show possession with 's’ at the end of the word.

Example: my motherin-law's hat Rule 4. When you use the apostrophe with contractions.

The apostrophe is always placed at the spot where the letter(s) has been removed.

Examples:

“don't”, “isn't”, “You're right”, “She's a great teacher.”

Rule 5. If the compound noun is plural, form the plural first and then use the apostrophe.

Example: my two brothers-in-law's hats Rule 6. Use the apostrophe where the noun that should follow is implied.

Example: This was his father's, not his.

Rule 7. Use the apostrophe and‘s’ after the second name only if two people possess the same item. Examples: “Hassan and Henry's home is constructed of bricks”. But you can say “Hassan's and Henry's job contracts will be renewed next year”. In the second sentence,

there are separate ownerships. If you say “Hassan and Henry’s job contracts will be renewed next year”, you will mean joint ownership of more than one contract.

Rule 8. Never use an apostrophe with possessive pronouns: ‘his, hers, its, theirs, ours, yours, whose’ They already show possession so they do not require an apostrophe. Examples: “This book is hers, not yours”. It is incorrect to use, “sincerely your's.”

Use “sincerely yours”.

Rule 8. The only time an apostrophe is used for ‘it's’ is when it is a contraction for ‘it is’ or ‘it has’. Examples: “It's a nice day”, “It's your right to refuse the invitation”.

Learn New Word Emote /ih-moht/ Verb. Coined in the 20th century. Means to give expression to emotion especially during acting “The star of the show stood center stage, emoting and gesturing wildly.”

the moment they begin setting them up. Most consumers now live a multi-device lifestyle, which presents a greater opportunity for cybercriminals to victimize people who leave their new devices such as tablets and smartphones underprotected and at risk.

Mobile users now value their digital assets more than ever before. A recent survey found that global consumers had on average more than N6 million of "digital assets" stored on the multiple devices they own.

These following tips will show you how to safeguard your lovely device and expensive information and data from cybercriminals: . iPads, iPhones and

“

Mobile users now value their digital assets more than ever before. A recent survey found that global consumers had on average more than N6 million of "digital assets" stored on the multiple devices they own.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 32

F Glamorous chiffon, Shimmery, sleek with accessories Compiled by Miriam Humbe

C

Monalisa Chinda

hiffon is a textile made from silk, cotton, nylon, polyester, or rayon. The name comes from an Old French word for rag. It tends to be sheer, with a faint shimmer and a simple weave. When held up to the light, chiffon strongly resembles closely woven netting.

Chiffon is generally used in evening and formal wear, since it drapes well and can add a floaty look to gowns and dresses. It is also notoriously difficult to work with, because of the slippery texture of the fabric.

Most fabric stores carry several forms of chiffon in varying colours.

Silk chiffon is the most prized, since it has a rich shimmer and slick texture. Silk chiffon is also surprisingly strong for its weight.

Because silk chiffon is made from a natural fibre, it tends to be more expensive than synthetics, and it also needs to be dry cleaned. Silk is also used to make georgette, sometimes called crepe, a thicker and more opaque fabric which drapes and behaves like chiffon.

Chiffon dresss

Monalisa Chinda

Another natural fibre, cotton, is sometimes used to make chiffon, although the resulting fabric is more matte and less floaty. Chiffons are interestingly, more patronised by celebrities who throng the red carpets at various occasions with matching accessories. It has come to be identified with movie stars because of its glamorous outlook. Check out Actress Monalisa Chinda.

Chuffon made ring

Chiffon and beads jewelry

Maryam Tukur Shagaya

Suede chiffon ladies’ party bag

Dambrachiffon heels

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 33

Business

The world’s longest cross sea bridge, Qingdao Haiwan, measures 26.4 miles (42.6 km)

New electricity tariff will subsidise power for rural, urban areas Augustine Aminu with agency report

T

he Minister of Power, Prof Barth Nnaji, has said that the ministry will carry out a new power tariff review to subsidise the cost of power for the rural and urban poor in the country.

Nnaji disclosed this in an interview with reporters in Washington on Thursday.

He said the planned review was in furtherance of the Federal Government’s power sector reform.

“There is tariff review and I must even tell you that with this tariff review urban poor and rural dwellers are going to be paying less than they are doing now, that is not something that you find in normal review but it is a way to ensure that things works well.

“And how are we doing that, the federal government is

providing subsidy and so on to ensure that there is a cushioning effect on the urban poor and rural dwellers; now they actually pay less while they were paying almost N7.00.

“The true tariff now they pay almost half of that. So, review is not necessarily increase. Review is just marginal. ’’ The minister noted that the proposed new tariff would not only be cost-effective, it would also provide a cushioning effect to the poor people in the society.

Giving a breakdown of the proposed tariff, Nnaji said the middle class in the society would pay at least N11.09 kobo per unit, while the rich would pay more.

“To attract the much needed investment in the power sector, there must be an upward review of tariffs, because there cannot be investment if there is no tariff.’’

He said Nigeria was the second lowest tariff-paying country in

sub-Saharan Africa.

He added that to make the tariff increase reasonable, government was working hard to increase capacity by making fuel available.

On what the government was doing to revive the power sector, the minister said that the Federal Government was fast-tracking the Power Reform Act to attract investors.

He listed the formulation of a power purchase agreement; creation of a bulk electricity company; revival of gas allocation strategies; and tariff review as landmark achievements in the country so far.

On the gains of the infrastructure/energy summit held in the last quarter of 2011 in Washington, Nnaji disclosed that General Electric (GE) had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Government.

Kano state to spend N139m to rehabilitate dams

By Augustine Aminu

T

he Kano state Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Bala Gwagwarwa has said that the state government is to spend N139 million to rehabilitate five dams across the state to boost agricultural production in the state.

Gwagwarwa declared that part of the amount would also be used to establish fish ponds, hatchery, sales points, training facilities and access

Gov. Rabiu Kwankwaso

roads to the dams.

Government is trying to develop 6, 000 hectares at Tomas while about 200 hectares will be rehabilitated and put into use at Magaga Dam when the project is completed.

Of the 17 dams owned by the state government, only Tomas, Fada, Guzuguzu, Magaga, Gari, Tudun Wada, Kafin Chiri and Kusalla are being utilised for irrigation purposes by the communities,'' he said.

Thecommissionersaidgovernment was also determined to ensure that all the remaining dams were rehabilitated toenablefarmersandlocalcommunities to utilise them fully, pointing out that the embankment of most of them needed urgent rehabilitation.

“All the dams are multi-purpose as they are constructed many years ago, to supply water to the rural communities as well as for irrigation purpose,” he said.

He called on communities to make the best use of the facilities in order to enhance their well being.

The dams are in Tomas, Kusalla, Tudun Wada, Fada and Magaga.

PAGE 34

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

Business News Yola residents slam PHCN over blackout From Blessing Tunoh, Yola

R

e s i d e n t s of Yola, the Adamawa state capital, Thursday accused the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) of preferential treatment in supplying power and out rightly condemned the company for the near total blackout being experienced in the state.

The complainants spoke through their various community leaders during a public inquiry/hearing on Electricity Metering convened by the Metering committee under the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) led by Barr.

Bamidele Aturu.

Various submissions made by the residents indicate that most areas do not enjoy up to ten hours power supply in a month even when they remit their bills promptly.

Husseini Philips, who spoke on behalf of Nassarawo community of Jimeta metropolis condemned PHCN for indiscriminate billing by estimation, blackout and a new trend of siphoning power to the rich known as “hot line.”

Another respondent, Abdulmumini Paris from Shinco area on his part argued that since power supply is not available PHCN should be made to desist from fraudulently billing and collecting payments from its customers just as he condemned introduction of the “hotline” which he said has further widened the gap between the rich and the poor.

But responding to the allegations the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PHCN’s District office in Yola which covers Adamawa, Taraba, Borno and Yobe states, Engr. Shehu Mohammed Roro blamed the erratic power supply on the topography of Yola.

“We are also responsible for raising revenue to pay our staff salaries so we opened our 33KV distribution lines for hotels and business premises to purchase; it is our main line conveying supply for easy distribution so we are not biased as we are being accused.” Roro stated.

Peoples Daily Weekend learnt that the 33KV distribution line for high consumers goes for N1.68 million just as 11KV, which is known as “hot line.” goes for N980, 000.

By Abdulwahab Isa

T

h e World Bank Board of Executive Directors has approved $75 million (about N11 billion) concessional credit facility to Edo state government.

The facility meant to support growth and employment programme of the state is similar to credit facility approved for Lagos government last year, a statement by World Bank Country office confirmed yesterday.

The World Bank explained that the credit was provided in recognition of critical policy and institutional reforms that the Edo State Government has undertaken to improve management of public resources in the implementation of an infrastructure-oriented

L-R: Otunba Segun Runsewe, Director General (NTDC), officially receiving the Star Time Digital Decoder to be distributed to all the registered hotels and eateries from Mallam Usman Magawata, Director-General (NTA) while on courtesy to NTA in Abuja.

MEND attacks oil pipeline in Niger-Delta

By Augustine Aminu

A

crude oil pipeline owned by Italian oil and gas group Eni was attacked on Friday in Nigeria's onshore Niger Delta and a militant group claimed the strike.

Attacks in the restive region have been fewer since an amnesty for militants in 2009, although large-scale oil theft and sporadic pipeline sabotage still occurs.

"We can confi rm a pipeline, leading to Tebidaba, in the CloughCreek area has been attacked," an Eni spokeswoman said.

Eni's unit Agip owns the Tebidaba-Brass pipeline, which has been subject to several attacks in recent years.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), which was the main militant group prior to the amnesty, claimed Friday's attack and warned

of more to come.

"At 0210 fighters of MEND attacked and destroyed one wellhead and one manifold on trunk lines belonging to Agip ... more attacks to follow," a statement e-mailed to reporters said.

MEND has been largely inactive since most of its militants agreed an amnesty with the government in 2009, ending a wave of attacks that at one stage cut oil production down by half.

Under the amnesty thousands of militants gave up their weapons, joined training schemes and drew stipends. Security sources say remaining gangs in the Niger Delta do not have the capacity to do the damage seen in the past.

But a resurgence of militant activity is an unwelcome headache President Goodluck Jonathan's administration, whose security forces are already stretched by an Islamist insurgency raging in the north.

World Bank approves N11b for Edo state development strategy and creation of a better environment for growth and employment generation through a more conducive investment climate and higher quality of education.

“Following the Board’s approval of a similar credit for Lagos State last year, this marks yet another milestone in Nigeria’s path to improving public service delivery through improved governance at state level and therefore contributing to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals,” said Marie Francoise Marie-Nelly, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria.

“I would like to congratulate the Edo State Government for its commitment towards reforms and

would like to urge the authorities to stay the course,” she added.

Among the reforms on improving the management of public resources include the enactment of a public procurement law, sanitizing the payroll through use of biometrics technology for identification, use of an integrated financial management information system for budget management, improving transparency in procurement through the publication of contracts awarded, and strengthening external oversight by clearing the backlog of audited financial statements. These policy reforms will ensure value for money in the utilization of public resources.

Critical reforms for improving

the investment climate focus on establishing a platform for a modern land information system that will be central to the process of streamlining procedures for acquiring property rights. An improved business climate is critical to attracting investors to Edo, and hence, to generating growth and creating employment opportunities.

In education, the Edo State Government has been working on improving the quality of education so that the education system meets the demands and needs of the employment market. One key reform undertaken aims at improving governance at institutional level through the establishment of schoolbased management committees

(SBMCs) in technical and vocational education institutions. SBMCs will ensure that communities are involved in school decision-making, that will lead to improved student achievement and other outcomes as the local people demand closer monitoring of school personnel, better student evaluations, a closer match between the school’s needs and its policies, and a more efficient use of resources. Finally, the Edo State Government is also piloting an Education Management Information System to ensure that there is adequate, accurate, and up to date information for planning, monitoring, and implementation of policies and programs for improving the quality of education.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 35

Business

Banks in another heavy exposure S

marting from over N800 billion exposure to equities market crash in 2008, banks may have been exposed to yet another round of huge losses in 2011, this time through operations in fixed income market.

Whereas the 2008 losses was occasioned by inevitable equities bubble burst after unprecedented boom, the losses for 2011, which have already impaired financial performance of the concerned banks, is attributable to inconsistency in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) monetary policy rate (MPR).

Peoples Daily reliably gathered that the banks, which invested in sovereign bonds and treasury bills early last year at low coupon rates, are now making heavy provisioning for expected losses from the debt instruments that are yet to mature.

Our investigations showed that some banks over exposed themselves to treasury bills and government stocks. Because they were buying to hold, they bought some of the instruments at lower coupons rate. When government eventually came out again with some high yielding coupon rates, the effect was that everybody holding 7 per cent, 6 per cent,

…some may not pay 2011 dividends Blamed for the financial crisis and under new regulatory pressure, the banking industry is struggling to put itself in order. Aminu Imam explains why the new reality means permanently smaller profit. government bond or Treasury bills was rushing to sell.

Consequently, the prices came tumbling. And since some of the banks had entered the transactions as short term loans, they were said to have made huge provisioning for anticipated losses which in turn, affected their bottomline.

An analyst who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity said “Because government kept on coming out with higher coupon rate Treasury bills and government bonds, that means the banks had to provide for the ones they bought at lower coupon rates.”

He continued: “When they started early in January buying government stocks and Treasury bills at 7 per cent to 8 per cent coupon rate, they did not envisage that government could come out with more attractive coupon rates. At the middle of the year, govt started issuing at 15 per cent.

“And because of the greedy

nature of banks, instead of lending out their money, they started pumping their money into buying the debt instruments. And when the high yield coupons came out there were no buyers for the low yielding coupon,” he added.

According to the analyst, some banks have already declared losses for 2011 and that more banks are going to declare losses in the weeks ahead, a factor that has given rise to declining performance of most banking stocks trading at the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

He explained that investors had started reacting to the development by offloading equities of some of the banks so exposed and likely to end up with sharp decline in their financial performance for 2011.

As to whether shareholders would be paid dividends or not, he quickly retorted that a good number of banks were trapped in the fixed income market debacle, pointing out that only

CBN headquarters, Abuja few banks might eventually pay dividends for the 2011 financial year.

He also added that the possibility of merger banks paying dividends was slim in view of the rescued banks’ damaged balance sheet which he explained had ruined the

otherwise fair performance of the acquiring banks.

Among the acquiring banks are Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), Access Bank Plc., First City Monument Bank Plc., and Sterling Bank Plc., which merged with Equitorial Trust Bank.

This week at the Exchange 130412: Bearish sentiments dominate the week; ASI dips by 0.95%

T

rading activities on the Nigerian bourse closed downbeat after a week of positive outlook as unprofitable transactions dominates market activities in most trading days of the week while the CBN plans monetary easing measures with the hope that it could help moderate the cautious approach to lending by banks and thus further ease credit expansion to the productive sectors of the economy.

Furthermore, the key benchmark indices closed pessimistic by -0.46% to open the first trading day of the week negative as investors return from the Easter break while the second also closed red by -0.15% to maintain negative position for the second successive session as the twin market indicators, NSE ASI & CAP, moved in opposite directions.

The third session closed with a negative outlook by -0.35% as the bears continue to exert their grip on the market with two losers for every gainer recorded Conversely, trading activities on Friday closed in the positive territory as sentiments turned green. Consequently, the key benchmark indices inches up marginally by +0.01% while market closed the week with aggregate loss of -0.95%.

Further analysis on acquiring banks since transaction date showed that the share price of Access Bank Plc has recorded 11.11% gain, followed

by FCMB with 15.38% gain while Union Bank Plc leads the chart with 41.63% gain. However, Sterling Bank recorded -0.79% loss while ETI closed positive with +0.17% gain recorded. See the tracking table below However, the All-Share Index

in the week under review moved down by -0.95% to close at 20,743.16 as against an upbeat by +1.40% recorded last week to close at 20,941.93.

In the same vein, the market capitalization in the week depreciated by N26.20 billion (US$174.67 million) to close at N6.61 trillion (US$44.08billion) as against appreciation by N91.79 billion (US$611.99 million) recorded last week to close at N6.64 trillion (US$ 44.26billion).

The total volume traded in the week closed at 1.60 billion units valued at N9.26billion

(US$61.76 million) compared with 1.15 billion units valued at N7.81 billion (US$52.06 million) exchanged in 15,156 deals last week. The volume transaction in the week when compared with the previous week

data moved down by +38.80% as against downwards movement by -19.92% recorded last week. Weekly value also went up by +18.61% as against negative position of -32.23% recorded last week.

Conglomerates sector emerged the most traded sector in the week in terms of volume. The volume traded in the sector this week alone closed at 636.76 million units, valued at N396.84million and exchanged in 398 deals compared with 68.79 million units, valued at N83.99million and exchanged in 411 deals in the preceding week. The volume traded in the sector accounted for 39.71% of the entire market compared with 5.95% of the ratio recorded last week.

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

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Building a Literate Nigerian Community Re: Sovereign wealth fund

O

ne critical area where the Federal Government is making slow, but deliberate gains of recent is the recent of strategically developing the NonFormal Education (NFE) sub-sector to ensure that millions of Nigerians from all walks of life have access to sound functional education.

The investments in this key sector have been targeted at the less privileged communities of the North and Southern Nigeria. Those who ordinarily would not access formal education, because of issues of poverty and other social challenges.

The increased focus on Non Formal Education by the government stems from the fact that Nigerians can only contribute to the development process when they are educated enough to appreciate the efforts of government and its direction to better their condition of living.

Previously, the attention paid to non formal education across the country has been below expectation. The situation has improved encouragingly as the President, himself with a background in education has stressed the importance of ensuring that the less privileged in our communities, rural and urban have access to functional education through the non-formal education format.

The charge of the President in this regard is being implemented by the Minister of State for Education, Barr.

Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, who upon assumption of duty spelt out clearly to officials of the Federal Ministry of Education in the Basic and Secondary Education department and the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non Formal Education, NMEC, that it would no longer be business as usual in the sub-sector.

The Minister insisted that positive results must be achieved from the Federal, through to the states down to the local councils to reach out to Nigerians who are unable to access formal education through existing school system.

At present, Nigeria has over 60million illiterates. These are people without the basic literacy skills to contribute their quota meaningfully to national development.

Available statistics indicate that 47percent of the nation’s adult population remains illiterate, while 22million children are out of school, with majority of them being women.

Wike, believes that keeping such a large percentage of the population outside the radiance of literacy and education

WRITE TO US

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Email: letters@peoplesdaily-online.com makes the task of national development more complex and burdensome.

According to him: “this further implies that something drastic is done to accelerate literacy and education for all Nigerians, Nigeria may not attain the 2015 Education for All goals and the MDGs; it may also fail to achieve the significant milestones of its developmental targets under Vision 20:20:20”.

Fundamentally, the goal that the Federal Ministry of Education is working towards presently under the direct supervision of Barr.

Wike is to ensure that 10million Nigerian illiterates are reached through the non-formal education format annually. The target is to reach out to 40million illiterates to ensure that they have functional literacy skills within the next four years terminating in 2015. The remaining percentage of the illiterates will be covered in the years after 2015, using clearcut principles that have been laid out for the attainment of Education For All (EFA).

Already, the NMEC and other technocrats in the Federal Ministry of Education have started the concerted implementation of the Presidential commitment to eradicate illiteracy in the country. In the last eight months, the Federal Government has deliberately targeted those marginalized, deprived and excluded from the formal education system for access to basic education to improve their literacy skills. The NMEC and Ministry officials have ensured that a critical percentage of the less privileged in urban slums and rural communities progressively come under tutelage through non formal education.

The unwavering commitment of the Federal Government to the realization of mass literacy for all Nigerians, irrespective of the circumstance of their birth is underscored by the release of N1billion self-benefitting fund to UNESCO, one of its development partners in this regard, to help drive the process of eradicating illiteracy in the country.

The girl-child most affected by the scourge of illiteracy in the country has received the

attention of the Federal Government in the last eight months. After the success of the pilot schemes targeted at women and children in selected states to improve their literacy level, the Federal Ministry of Education is partnering with development partners and state governments to scale up the coverage of these gender-specific programmes.

Indeed, modern day realities which have expanded literacy beyond reading and writing has led to the review of the scope of mass literacy programmes by the Federal Ministry of Education to meet the new policy objective and development challenge of producing educated men and women with appropriate skills and competences for job creation and selfemployment.

Through the NMEC, the Minister of State for Education has effectively connected with states to improve the quality of non formal education available to adults and out-of-school children in the six geo-political zones of the federation. States like Anambra, Zamfara, Ondo, Kano, Niger and Benue have developed effective partnerships to improve mass literacy and non formal education. Several other states have already keyed into the new initiatives introduced by the Federal Ministry of Education and their investments will soon come to fruition like the mention states.

One other area that the Minister of State for Education, Barr. Wike has ensured takes firm root in the last eight months in this subsector is the “Literacy by Radio”. This programme was already on ground before the Minister took over the administration of basic education. He, has, however, worked for the scaling of the programme and the distance learning aspect of the NMEC activities. More than 30,000 Nigerians are directly participating in the “Literacy by Radio” programmes being run across the country in English and 21 indigenous languages.

The Minister has made the re-vitalization of NMEC to carry out its statutory functions as a priority. The commission has been duly re-positioned and is working effectively to

achieve the goals set out by the Federal Government. Alhaji Jubril Yusuf Paiko, a seasoned non-formal education expert has been confirmed as the Executive Secretary of NMEC to help drive the government’s programmes.

One key initiative by NMEC is the establishment of National Literacy Centres across the country. At present, the Centre in Minna is nearing completion. The National Literacy Centres are meant to serve as models for states to join in tackling the illiteracy challenge in the country.

Aside functional literacy and numeracy skills, the National Literacy Centres would help in the development of vocational skills for the illiterate population. This project is expected to effectively kick off before the end of the year.

Wike also worked for the improvement of budgetary allocation to the execution of mass literacy and non formal education programmes in this year’s budget. The aim is to achieve the President’s Transformation Agenda of eradicating ignorance and illiteracy, which have done unquantifiable damage to our nation in the recent past.

All the developing countries that have attained milestones in the world today did so through mass literacy. If the population participate in development programmes, it is usually easy for the government to attain set goals. That is the focus of the President through the Federal Ministry of Education. The government is committed to educationally empowering the people through mass literacy programmes for them to become participants in the development process.

Like every other programme in the education sector, the mass literacy effort of the Federal Government is not a quickfix affair. It’s a long term programme which has earned the commitment and dedication of government officials at the highest level. Results are trickling in for now and by 2015, the results would have been manifest for all to see.

The key point in all of this is that the nation has left the departure lounge in the journey to mass literacy. It is only reasonable for all stakeholders to work towards safe landing at the end of the circle.

The nation stands to benefit more from a vibrant Nigerian literate community as being built by the Jonathan administration.

Simeon Nwakaudu is the Special Assistant (Media) to Minister of State for Education.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 37

Opinion

When the going gets tough, take the right step

By Rabiah M.B. Labaran

T

h e current negative trend in Nigeria, ranging from the unfavourable economy, abject poverty in the land where milk and oil flows, with the total collapse of the system due to corruption, loss of values and the lack of fear of God, and the most current, the bombings, have brought with them attendant fear, with many Nigerians wondering what steps to take in order to survive. But given the fact that the efforts being made in all quarters have been persistently retrogressive, then only the tough can survive, but then, it would be by the power of their faith.

Whatever your position, geographical location, ethnic affiliation or class, it will be unrealistic for you to say you sleep with your two eyes closed, as the rich live in perpetual fear

of attack on their lives and property, the poor are uncertain about their survival and that of their future generation.

Some Nigerians view these happenings as evidence of lack of good leadership. But if I may ask, apart from Mr. President, the leaders of the judiciary, state and local governments etc, are we not leaders in our own domain? Can a bad leader keep imposing himself on the people without their being part and parcel of the choice process?

I shudder at the manner in which rather than all hands being on deck to ensure that we salvage this country from total collapse, some Nigerians are only good at pointing accusing fingers at the leaders (ie) those at the top instead of individually looking inward and taking a decisive action to be a change agent in their own areas both in character and practice.

I keep telling people that El Rufa'i (former F.C.T. minister) is my mentor. I am so endeared to him because he says it as it is no matter whose ox is gored, and takes decisive actions where necessary because he is a person of principles. These qualities are the first steps to be taken by anyone who wishes good for this country. Hiding in your own tunnel and pointing accusing fingers at others is not only hypocritical but an abomination.

The faces of eminent Nigerians during the fuel subsidy rally across the country showed that Nigeria still have people who are ready to lay down their lives for the betterment of Nigerians. It proves that Nigerians are awake and ready to make Nigeria a better place to live in.

But aside the above, taking personal decision to repent from

our past sins and atrocities and turning a new leaf, a strategy which only the tough can adopt and which must start from the top, will be our only saving grace.

The hypocrisy of "if you can't beat them join them", the cabal clique , the timid bootlickers, the monopoly of the stained majority found in all government establishments must be dislodged and these people brought to book if Nigeria

and Nigerians are to gain back their former glory of peace and tranquility.

Let those who have the gut to say the truth speak out and take decisive steps towards ensuring that Nigeria gets better. Death is certain whether you opt for it as a coward or a hero. Take the right decision today for a better tomorrow.

Rabiah M.B Labaran, is of the National Hospital, Abuja

“

The faces of eminent Nigerians during the fuel subsidy rally across the country showed that Nigeria still have people who are ready to lay down their lives for the betterment of Nigerians.

Tsauri: An emerging young tusk Public opinion and subsidy reversal O

By Mohd Sada

n e of the leading Western sociologists who also incidentally wrote an extensive treatise on the protestant ethics and the spirit of capitalism, Max Weber, once observed that politics is a vocation.

But to Umar Abdullahi Tsauri, politics is beyond satisfying the actors seeking a means of livelihood. His philosophy is that "one of the most significant teachings of Islam is Divine presence in the path that men chose for themselves; as such a path is designed destined by God. He also believes in philanthropy, holding a firm belief that since man is God's vicegerent on earth, those vastly blessed by God should provide for those who are not. His reasoning is that one's creed or location on the cosmos does not guarantee his existence unless someone, in whose hands ample resources has been placed by divine providence decides to put what he needs at his disposal. The philanthropist, to him, must not wait for the demonstration of ability before dispensing with favor. So, the best human blessing that blessed can bestow on the needy is giving. And the most subliminal fulfillment is when the one who is in need receives what he requires.

This is perhaps why he got interested in politics. In his words, politics gives a potential actor "the opportunities to serve people. I believe we are here to help one another; to support, inspire, promote and give a hand when needed." Ever since he thought of venturing into this noble profession that is tainted with controversy and misconceptions, he has refused to jettison his ideals

of relief and assistance. Besides distributing motorcycles, cars and food items to indigent rural dwellers, he has embarked on the reconstruction and, in some cases, rebuilding of several houses for the less privileged.

More so, in order to provide succor to students from his constituency seeking further education in tertiary institutions he has purchased houses which serve as accommodation.

Other forms of human capacity development that has become part of his philanthropic engagements are the building of mosques. He also facilitates the delivery of democracy dividends by various levels of government by building and donating schools to them.

Government, communities and individuals also benefit from his construction of borehole wells, provision of land for cemetery expansion, youth and women empowerment initiatives, which entail purchase and distribution of grinding, knitting and sewing machines to boost self-employment.

Coming from a background of solid achievements over the years, Tsauri has been able to accomplish many of these feats with little difficulty. He may have been a journalist if he had wanted but he chose to become a career civil servant. He was first employed by the Federal Civil Service Commission as an Information Officer in 1992. Later he was at the Voice of Nigeria (VON) where he served until 1993.

He did not stay long there as he moved to the Current Affairs Division of the Federal Radio

Umar Abdullahi Tsauri

Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Kaduna. That ended his sojourn in journalism. In 1994 he took an appointment with Universal Big Ply and stayed on until 1996. He took a sabbatical on his own volition for a period of time. In 1999 he was in the public service as an administrative officer in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation. From there he served in Ministries of Agriculture, Cooperation & Integration in Africa. He also worked at the Nigeria Office of the New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD) and Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Currently, he is an Assistant Director at the Ministry of Defense.

Whether fortuitously or by deliberate design Tsauri was not only a product of a war era, which he now works assiduously to prevent, he was among the students of history from the day he was born. History was being

made in the development of Nigeria when he came forth. The civil war was raging and the future of the country uncertain when this gentleman was born in the arid area of Tsauri in present day Katsina State. Unlike his contemporaries in the Southern part of the country who may not have lived, he was insulated from the ravages of the fratricidal conflict.

He was born on February 14th, 1968 to the family of late Alhaji Abdullahi Teaser & Hajiya Binta Abdu Teaser in Dutsi local government area of Katsina State.

A beneficiary of a community value common among the HausaFulani, which still subsists in many families in the North, his initiation to learning started with the early childhood Qur'aniceducation. When he reached the age for enrolment into primary school in 1975, he was at Ha Alhaji Primary School in Dutsi. After spending six years there he proceeded to Government Day Secondary School Dutsi. This was at a time when many Northern states were grappling with how to re-vitalize the education sector after the expatriates were relieved of their teaching positions in many of the post-primary institutions in the region. For a young man with foresight and focus he was undaunted by the challenges as he had properly prepared for his future by making sure he prevented a poor performance in his General Certificate of Education (GCE).

He came out with a good result that earned him a place at the School of General Studies, Bayero

University,Kano (BUK). Endowed with a reputation that it got from its days as an ancillary of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, BUK never rushed any students through a degree program that will turn him out ill-prepared, half-baked and a charlatan. Its selection process was often meticulous and the students were thoroughly bred to stand their own after graduation. It was in this institution, which successes are unheralded and its failures minimized that … did a four term pre-degree program in Arts & Social Sciences was in 1987.

Having qualified he was given admission into a degree program to read English/History.

The child, wrote William Wordsworth in one of his romantic poems, shall be the father of the man. … became versed in this instruction. He used the vehicle of language to transform the knowledge of the past into a living reality that will move him to the realm of intellectual fulfillment.

Upon his graduation in 1990 he was part of the history that was made when he was a toddler. He proceeded for the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in then Borno State where he served as a lecturer in Federal College of Education, Technical, Potion.

At various times a member of many federal committees, he has also travelled widely across the globe where he attended international seminars and courses in Singapore, Brazil, Canada, USA, Switzerland, UK and South Africa.

Mohd Sada wrote in from Ungwar Dosa, Kaduna

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 38

Strange World Man who had four children with his sister

A

German man who fathered four children with his sister - and then claimed an incest conviction breached his human rights - has lost his European court case.

Patrick Stuebing and Susan Karolewski argued they had rights to privacy and family life, which they say were violated when German courts jailed Steubing for 14 months in 2005.

The European Court of Human Rights, in Strasbourg, France, ruled Germany was entitled to ban incest.

The case led to calls for Germany to join countries such as France, Turkey, Japan and Brazil in legalising sex between relatives.

Germany, as with most of the 47 Council of Europe member states, bans consensual sexual acts between adult siblings, the ECHR said. It also said there was not enough evidence to suggest a possible trend of decriminalisation of such acts.

The ECHR said the German courts did not convict Karolewski, who is seven years younger than Stuebing, because she has a personality disorder and was ‘only partially liable’ for her actions.

Stuebing, from Leipzig, was adopted as a child and did not meet his sister until he tracked down his natural family in his 20s.

Born in 1976, he was placed in a children’s home aged three and went to live with a foster family in Potsdam, near Berlin, four years later.

It was not until his biological mother died in 2000 that he made contact with his blood relatives and developed an ‘intensified’ relationship with his sister in December that year.

Stuebing and Karolewski, who claim their love is not abnormal, started having sex a month later and lived together for several years.

The couple went on to have four children between 2001 and 2005 - three of them now live in care and two are disabled.

The main basis for Stuebing’s conviction, the ECHR said, was ‘the protection of marriage and the family’ because the couple’s behaviour blurred family roles.

It also noted ‘the risk of significant damage’ to children born of incest, which is banned partly because of the higher likelihood of disability.

Patrick Stuebing and Susan Karolewski, the German brother and sister who grew up apart, were reunited and then fell in love and had four children. Steubing was convicted of incest in 2005

San Franfrazzled: Once-in-a-lifetime picture of lightning striking iconic bridge

T

hey say that lightning never strikes twice, but this amazing photo proves otherwise.

An incredible eight bolts struck the Bay Bridge in San Francisco last night which was captured in this incredible shot by photographer Phil McGrew, who took the photo through the rain-soaked window of his apartment.

Mr McGrew, 49, was shocked at the striking image which shows the split-second moment of electric forks hitting the span of the bridge.

The currency trader, who took up photography as a hobby two years ago, put his camera near his window as the rare thunderstorm lashed the city at 6pm.

He said: ‘I moved from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to San Francisco about two years ago.

‘We used to get a lot of big storms in Florida, but I’ve only seen them a couple of times here.

‘When the thunder and lightning started last night, I thought I must get a picture of the lightning against the bridge.

‘My apartment looks out over Bay Bridge and I knew it would make a good shot if I could get it.’

Mr McGrew, who lives with his girlfriend Sherry, set up his camera on a long exposure for about 20

Lucky strike! Eight bolts of lightning hit the iconic Bay Bridge in San Francisco in a spectacular once in a lifetime moment captured by photographer Phil McGrew seconds. Not realising he was about to take a once-in-a-lifetime picture, he perfectly captured the white flashes of light over the inky sky set against the golden glow of the bridge.

He said: ‘I wasn’t brave enough to go outside, plus my camera would

have been soaking wet, so I just set it up next to the window and watched.

‘You couldn’t see much by just looking through the window, it was very foggy. ‘When I looked at my camera, I had a few that were just dark, and then some were very

bright where I had just missed the strikes. Then I saw this one, it was incredible.

‘You can count the strikes, the Bay Bridge has four distinct towers and you can see the lightning hitting each tower.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 39

International Coup attempt rocks Guinea-Bissau G

unfire and explosions rocked the capital of Guinea-Bissau early Friday as soldiers launched an apparent coup attempt.

The African Union said it was deeply concerned by the attacks by soldiers on the homes of Acting President Raimundo Pereira and Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Junior in the city of Bissau.

Guinea-Bissau recently held the first round of voting in its presidential election, with campaigning for the second round about to begin.

Its history has been marked by military coups and attempted coups since the nation of 1.6 million gained independence from Portugal in 1974. The conflicts ravaged the nation’s infrastructure and economy, leaving it among the poorest in the world.

The U.S. Embassy in Senegal said the situation is unclear, but it was closely monitoring events in the west

African nation. It urged U.S. citizens to remain where they are and avoid downtown Bissau.

“We are disheartened by the negative turn of events so soon after the first round of Guinea-Bissau’s presidential election,” an embassy statement said. “We are deeply concerned about the safety of all those in Bissau today, and urge all parties to put down their weapons and restore legitimate civilian leadership.”

African Union chairman Jean Ping condemned the army’s “blatant acts of indiscipline” and called on the military personnel involved to honor their commitment to serve the elected government.

President Malam Bacai Sanha , 64, died in January after a long illness, prompting the presidential election.

The first round of voting in March did not produce a clear winner.

The nation’s former head of

A picture taken on March 19, 2012 shows residents walking by the Parliament in the city of Bissau. intelligence was shot dead in the capital hours after the first round concluded, but the vote was otherwise peaceful.

Sanha became president in September 2009, months after

UK's Cameron in landmark Myanmar visit

D

avid Cameron, the British prime minster, has arrived in Myanmar on the first visit to the once-isolated country by a Western leader since the end of direct military rule in 2010.

Cameron on Friday met President Thein Sein in the capital Naypyidaw, and is also expected to hold talks with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Yangon.

The visit marks a further sign of thawing relations between Western nations and the reform-minded government of a country still subjected to international sanctions after decades of military rule and long condemned for human rights abuses. “There is a government now that says it is committed to reform, that has started to take steps, and I think it is right

Cameron, left, could push for the EU sanctions against Myanmar to be lifted later this month [REUTERS]

to encourage those steps,” Cameron said after arriving in Naypyidaw.

But he said people should be “under no illusion about what a long way there is to go”, and said Myanmar’s leaders whad to demonstrate that moves towards democracy were “irreversible”.

Following his meeting with President Thein Sein in the capital, Cameron met with Nobel Peace Prize winner, and ooposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, in her Yangon home.

Referring to the opposition leader, he called Suu Kyi, who was locked up for much of the past 22 years, “a shining example for people who yearn for freedom, for democracy, for progress”.

Reporting from Bangkok in neighbouring Thailand, Al Jazeera’s Aela Callan said Cameron was expected to discuss reforms in the country and offer help in reforming the the nation’s judiciary.

The UK has strong historic links with Myanmar, which it ruled as a colony, then known as Burma, until independence in 1948.

the assassination of his predecessor.

Despite his coming to power in what international observers deemed a fair and peaceful election, his tenure

3 killed in German train crash, police say

T

hree people died and 13 were injured when a German commuter train collided with a maintenance crane Friday morning, German police said.

The collision occurred on the track near the city of Offenbach, outside Frankfurt, police said.

The driver and two

E

would mean that one of the most controversial contenders in the nation’s upcoming presidential election would be ineligible.

The nation’s constitutional court will have the final say.

Ex-spy chief Omar

Suleiman is among the candidates vying for the presidency in two-day elections that start May 23.

Suleiman entered the race just hours before the Sunday deadline, said Hatem Bjato, who heads the nation’s election

construction workers were killed. Several of the train’s 35 passengers were seriously injured and are receiving hospital treatment.

German authorities are investigating the cause of the accident, police said.

The train, a regional service, was traveling from Frankfurt to Hanau.

North Korea admits failed rocket launch

A

North Korean rocket launch has been confirmed as a failure by the country’s official news agency after officials in other countries said that the suspected long-range missile had crashed into the sea.

North Korea said on Friday that a satellite carried by the rocket launched earlier in the day did not enter orbit.

“The earth observation satellite failed to enter its preset orbit.

Scientists, technicians and experts are

Egyptian lawmakers vote to bar Mubarak officials' presidential bids gypt’s Parliament unanimously passed a bill Thursday that aims to ban former members of ousted leader Hosni Mubarak’s regime from running for president for 10 years.

If approved, the measure

was marked by turmoil among the country’s military and political leadership.

To date, no democraticallyelected president has served a full, five-year term.

committee.

Suleiman, who also served as vice president under Mubarak, had initially said he would not seek the presidency.

But on Friday, he did an aboutface, saying he felt obliged to supporters.

now looking into the cause of the failure,” North Korea’s official KCNA news agency reported.

The failed launch came amid ceremonies in Pyongyang marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of North Korea’s founder and “eternal president” Kim Il-sung and consolidating the authority of present leader Kim Jong-un.

Kim Jong-un, the third generation of North Korea’s ruling family to lead the country following the death of Kim Jong-il in December, on Friday lead a mass rally in the capital in honour of his grandfather and father.

He was also bestowed with the new title of first chairman of the National Defence Commission, the country’s top decision-making body, completing the transfer of political, military and party power in his hands.

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

Wellness Zone

Phyllis Ogo Ogah phyllisogoogah@gmail.com +234 80 58425746 (sms) only

Occupational wellness

Team work leads to lower levels of stress and produces better results.

Hello friends, welcome back from a wonderful Easter break. I am in my lazy mode because it still feels holidayish. I had a nice time and I hope you did too.

The last segment of wellness we ll be looking at this weekend is occupational wellness.

It means, "the ability to achieve a balance between work and leisure time." Attitudes about work, school, and career goals greatly affect performance and interactions with others.

This definition basically refers to your ability to handle the stress that you are dealt every day at either work, or school, whatever the case may be. Striving for occupational wellness takes much patience and concentration. To achieve this, you must find a way to get all of your work done, while still having fun. We have all had times when we are at work and it is so hard to concentrate, because

Occupational wellness tenets: * It is better to choose a career which is consistent with our personal values, than to select one that is unrewarding to us. *It is better to develop practical skills through structured involvement opportunities than to remain uninvolved.

we have so many things depending on us. The important thing to remember is that we can't cave in when we feel pressured and let stress get the best of us. This dimension of wellness recognizes personal satisfaction and enrichment in one's life through work.

Occupational stress is hard to

avoid at work, but it is easy to tell when it is getting to be too much to handle. If there are ever times that it is hard to concentrate, or focus on your work, it has gotten out of hand. It is actually a fact that if you are stressed and are trying to work, that you will actually be less productive, because you are more concerned

Assessment Always = 2 points Occasionally = 1 point Seldom = 0 points 1. I am happy with my career choice.

2. I look forward to work.

3. My job responsibilities are consistent with my values.

4. The advantages in my career field choice are consistent with my values.

5. I am happy with the balance between my work and leisure time.

6. I am happy with the amount of control I have in my work.

7. My work gives me personal satisfaction .

8. I am happy with the professional growth provided by my job.

9. I feel my job allows me to make a difference in the world.

10. My job contributes positively to my overall well-being.

Score: 15 to 20 - Excellent 9 to 14 - medium 0 to 8 -poor.

Heath tip for the week.

A simple calculation to determine the amount of water your body requires is to divide your weight in poundsby half. The answer is the approximate amount of water needed in ounces daily.

Keep moving phyllis

about either getting your work done on time, or pleasing a superior. If this stress is not controlled, and continues for long periods of time, it can cause numerous health problems and diseases. Also keeping a tidy an organized environment at work also reduces occupational stress.

Avoid working in cramped and noisy places and as these can increase body pains and high blood pressure. Also maintaining a healthy relationship with coworkers fosters a team spirit. If you have long working hours at a desk it is extremely helpful to get up and take a walk round the office before sitting down to continue with work.

Another type of occupational wellness has to do with students.

Many times, students try to "cram" for a test or stay up all night studying for a test because they feel so pressured to get a good grade. This is very understandable because we all

want to impress the people around us and do good academically, but there is also such thing as studying too hard.

This form of occupational wellness works in a chain effect. The student first receives the assignment at school.

As time goes on and either a test or project presentation gets closer, the student becomes much more nervous and stressed. During this time, we usually find ourselves procrastinating. However, it is then the next part of the chain that causes the stress.

To avoid this, as well as poor occupational health at work, we must take things one day at a time, working on things little by little. If things start piling up, stress will most definitely occur.

One thing to remember is that the majority of the stress we have to manage is self-made. Poor time management can often make us seem more stressed than what we really are, or what we could be.

Occupational wellness increases workplace productivity

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 14, — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 41

Weekend FIXTURES NPL Kwara Utd vs Lobi Stars Dolphins vs Wikki Tourists Tornadoes vs Warri Wolves Gombe Utd vs Rising Stars Sunday Kaduna Utd vs Pillars Rangers vs Golden Stars Heartland vs Ocean Boys Sunshine Stars vs Akwa Utd Enyimba vs 3SC ABS vs Sharks La Liga Real Madrid vs Sporting Gijon Levante vs Barcelona Sunday Espanyol vs Valencia R/Zaragoza vs Granada Real Betis vs Osasuna Malaga vs Real Sociedad Villarreal vs Santander Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca R/ Vallecano vs Atletico Madrid Italy Serie A AC Milan vs. Genoa Udinese vs. Inter Milan Sunday Novara vs. Lazio Cesena vs. Juventus Lecce vs. Napoli Palermo vs. Parma Siena vs. Bologna Atalanta vs. Chievo Roma vs. Fiorentina Barclays Premier League Norwich vs. Man City Sunderland vs. Wolverhampton Swansea vs. Blackburn West Brom vs. QPR Sunday Man Utd vs. Aston Villa

Ulonma Jerome one of the 53 Super Falcons Head Coach, Kadiri Ikhana called up to camp in Abuja, which begins this Sunday

FIF A U-20 FIFA qualif ier qualifier ier:: Falconets alconets,, Mighty Young War rior s in ffinal inal arrior riors tion confr onta confronta ontation Warriors of Zimbabwe in return of the FIFA U-20 World Cup qualifier in he Falconets would move a step Harare, this Sunday. closer to Japan if they complete The Falconets take 3-0 advantage the rout of the Mighty Young to Harare where they hope to send the

By Patrick Andrew

T

hosts packing from the tournament and then turn attention to the winner of the duel between Mali and DR Congo for the final showdown for one of the two slots for Africa.

A fortnight ago, the Falconets frittered away several chances such that even the three goals-two of which came off the boot of Francesca Ordega seem ‘rather consoling’ according to Chief Coach Edwin Okon.

But that must stop if they are to advance to the next stage. Of course, they must have drawn lesson from Sunshine Stars which shocked Recreativo de Libobo by upturning its 4-1 advantage after beating them 3-0 in Abeokuta.

Though the Zimbabweans lacked the vim and zest to shock the Falconets technically, they could by virtue of immoral antics, if one considers their complaint that they were maltreated in Nigeria even though evidences pointed to the contrary.

Okon must therefore tighten the

FA Cup Semifinal: Liverpool, Everton in derby clash at Wembley Page 43

defence line while at the same pilling pressure on their opponents vital area.

Here the pair of Ordega and Desire Oparanozie come handy and should Esther Sunday step up the guantlet, then the Nigerians would have little to fear throughout the game.

Interestingly, Ordega, who grabbed a brace in Abeokuta, has assured that she would be gunning for a hat-trick when they confront the Young Warriors.

That means, Falconents would focus on attack using same as the best form of defence against possible onslaught from their hosts who boast of reasonable experience in the tournament and considering that they edged out Kenya.

“We expect a tough game and lots of prank especially as they complained of bad treatment in Nigeria. They surely will come out with antics to undo us but it won’t succeed. I scored two goals in Abeokuta I want to make it a hat-trick at their backyard. We want to win convincingly so as to serve

FA Cup trophy

a notice to our next opponents,” Ordega said corroborating Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme.

The NFF director technical had assured that the players would receive enough pep talk on and off the field to ensure that whatever antics the Zimbabweans adopt they would easily thwart it and move on with the task on hand.

A win or draw will see the Falconets proceed to the third and final round of the qualifiers against the winners of the fixture between Mali and DR Congo.

DR Congo referee, Julia Kyabuta Kanyembo will be at the centre assisted by compatriots, Lukusa Kanjinga, Adelle Sula and Gladys Lengwe. Mozambican Palmira Francisco will serve as match commissioner.

Four teams from Africa are expected to qualify for the next round with two teams representing the continent at the World Cup in Japan from August 18 to September 8.

Steven Gerrard

Phil-Neville

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 42

Steven Gerrard FA Cup trophy

Phil-Neville

FA Cup Semifinal: Liverpool, Everton in derby clash at Wembley

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iverpool must overcome a goalkeeping crisis to beat Everton while Tottenham Hotspur need to rediscover their confidence to get past Chelsea in this weekend’s FA Cup semifinal derbies at Wembley Stadium.

Of the two, the derby between Liverpool and Everton takes the centre stage in view of their captivating FA Cup semi-finals history. The Chelsea versus Tottenham duel is no less nervejangling as the teams look to May 5 final.

None of the clubs are strangers to FA Cup glory having won the trophy 26 times between them since 1901.

The Merseyside affair has an added poignancy being played the day before the anniversary of the Hillsborough Stadium disaster when 96 Liverpool fans died at the 1989 FA Cup semifinal against Nottingham Forest.

Liverpool were given dispensation by the FA not to play on the actual date of the tragedy April 15 - when an annual memorial service is held at Anfield.

That meant Chelsea’s match had to be on Sunday, three days before Roberto di Matteo’s men face Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal at Stamford Bridge.

That, coupled with the late kickoff time, angered Chelsea who asked for the match to be switched to Friday to give them more time to prepare for the Barca match, but the FA refused.

The only side showing any real form and heading into the semifinals are Everton, unbeaten in the last five matches although an under-strength team were ripped apart 3-0 at Anfield a month ago when Liverpool skipper

Steven Gerrard got a hat-trick.

Since then however, Everton have climbed above Liverpool in the table and gave one of their best performances of the season when they defeated Sunderland 4-0 on Monday.

Liverpool, in contrast, are struggling, despite their last-gasp 3-2 win at Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday.

Before that, the only win in their nine previous league matches was the one against Everton and

while manager Kenny Dalglish will be delighted to have got three points at Blackburn, he has another crisis to occupy his thoughts.

Liverpool will be without their two senior goalkeepers, Pepe Reina and Alexander Doni, as both are serving suspensions for being sent off.

He will have to rely on third choice Australian Brad Jones with young Hungarian back-up Peter Kulacsi on the bench.

Liverpool will be seeking a hattrick of wins over Everton this season and to keep on course for a cup double after winning the League Cup on penalties against Cardiff City in February.

Tottenham have the better record against Chelsea at Wembley having beaten them 2-1 in the first all-London FA Cup final at the old stadium in 1967 and by the same score in the League Cup final in 2008.

Spurs though are a shadow of the side that lost just once in 19 league games between September and January when they comfortably held third place.

Since the middle of February they have won just one of their eight league matches and, although they are fourth, they are playing poorly and lost at home to Norwich on Monday.

Bekele hesitates on Olympic double

The Ethiopian, who is due to compete in the Great Ireland Run in Dublin on Sunday, has been struggling with injury.

“I’m preparing really well to do it but I don’t know yet, I still have to decide,” Bekele, the world record holder at both distances, told reporters.

“I have to run in the qualifying races and make a decision later.

We’ll see what happens as the season gets going.”

Bekele dropped out of the 10 000 metres at last year’s world championships in Daegu but finished 2011 as the fastest man over the distance after running 26 minutes 43.16 seconds in Brussels in September.

However, the 29-year-old finished a disappointing 11th in

FACTS · Liverpool versus Everton is the most played semifinal fixture in the history of the FA Cup ·However, on all three occasions that Liverpool has beaten Everton in the semifinal, it has gone on to lose the final. ·The Reds have only kept one clean sheet in their last 12 competitive games. ·This will be Liverpool’s 23rd FA Cup semifinal. It has made it to the final 13 times. ·Just three sides have won the League Cup and FA Cup in the same campaign: Arsenal (1992/93), Liverpool (2000/ 01) and Chelsea (2006/07). · Everton has been eliminated at the semifinal stage 11 times - more than any other club in the history of the competition. ·Amazingly, the Toffees have made the final of the FA Cup the last six times they have reached the semifinals. · Everton won the first FA Cup clash between the two sides in 1906 but Liverpool triumphed in the other three semifinals. ·This will be Liverpool’s 23rd FA Cup semifinal. It has made it to the final 13 times. ·Nikica Jelavic has made an impressive start to his Goodison Park career, scoring five in his first 10 games - including once in the FA Cup already.

FA Cup semifinal fixtures at Wembley: Saturday: Liverpool v Everton (1130 GMT) Sunday: Tottenham v Chelsea (1700)

O

lympic 5 000 and 10 000 metres champion Kenenisa Bekele will decide later in the season whether to try for the same double at the London Games.

Tottenham are also battling against the weight of a dismal FA Cup semifinal record. Since they last won the FA Cup in 1991, they have reached five semifinals and lost them all.

In contrast, Chelsea have won the FA Cup five times since then, lost two other finals and are bidding to reach their fourth final in the last six seasons.

Although Chelsea have not been playing particularly well, their results have improved since their former player, Italian Di Matteo, replaced Andre Villas Boas as caretaker manager last month with just one defeat in 11 matches.

Di Matteo scored the fastest FA Cup final goal at the old Wembley when he netted for Chelsea after 42 seconds against Middlesbrough in 1997.

However, the Chelsea’s interim manager will prepare for the tie in the knowledge that he must somehow keep his troops fresh for next week’s Champions League semifinal first leg against Barcelona.

Tottenham’s Louis Saha, though, may be looking at one of his own because he scored the fastest FA Cup final goal of all time after 25 seconds for Everton against Chelsea in 2009.

January’s Edinburgh cross country and gaining strength rather than speed has been his focus over the past three months.

Bekele’s agent Jos Hermens believes a tough road race before he embarks on his track season at the opening Diamond League meeting in Doha on May 11 will give a strong indication of the runner’s shape.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

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Home-based Super Eagles will redeem Nigeria’s football image, Okocha prophesy

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ormer Super Eagles Captain, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, on Friday said that the home-based players, currently in the senior national football team, would redeem the country’s image in Africa and world soccer.

Okocha said that the idea of integrating many players from the local league into the Super Eagles had demonstrated that the team’s coach Stephen Keshi had a mission to rebuild the national squad.

He said in Asaba that from the way Keshi was handling the team, it was obvious that he was returning the nation to its glorious days in football.

According to him, the bulk of the home-based players in the Super Eagles will become the fulcrum of the team in the nearest future.

The former Bolton Wanderers of England midfielder said: “Indeed, I commend Keshi for taking the bold step of blending the foreign and home-based players.

“The trend will help to boost the confidence of the local players and also put the foreign-based players on their toes as there will be stiff competition for places or roles in the team”.

Okocha, who is ViceChairman of Delta Football Association, was in Asaba, for the inauguration of the Committee for Secondary School Football Competition, in Delta.

Okocha and 17 other persons are members of the committee which was inaugurated by Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan.

Meanwhile, Okocha has been appointed the Chairman of Technical Sub-committee to draw up the programme for organising a football competition among secondary

schools in Delta.

Okocha’s sub-committee was one of the eight constituted at Thursday’s inaugural meeting of the Committee for Secondary Schools Football Competition in the state.

At the meeting, its Chairman, Prof.

Patrick Muoboghare, urged Okocha, who has Davidson Owumi and Victor Ikpeba among members of his sub-committee, to hasten the job on charting the course of the general committee’s assignment.

Other sub-committees constituted at the meeting were Publicity, Protocol/ Logistics/Ceremonial, Security, Finance, Marketing, Venue, Medical and Sponsorship.

Ikhana opens Super Falcons’ camp Sunday with 53 players

K Super Eagles’ Azubuike Egwuekwe challenges Pharaohs of Egypt’s Ahmed Zaher (R) during their international friendly duel in Dubai, on Thursday.

...Adepoju corroborates, says Eagles will grow claws

F

ormer Nigerian midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju believes the Super Eagles under Stephen Keshi will continue to “get better” with more international games.

Adepoju told SuperSport.com that though he did not watch Thursday’s international friendly between Nigeria and Egypt which the

latter won 2-3, he is of the view that the Super Eagles will become a better side.

“The pattern of results of the team in the past months since Stephen Keshi took charge has been impressive considering the fact that most of the players are picked from the league. It only points to one direction that the team will get better with time and with more games.

Scramble for Tornadoes top job starts

A

fresh scramble has begun for the chairmanship position of Minna based Nigeria Premier League outfit, Niger Tornadoes, following the dissolution of the Suleiman David Management Committee.

The modest club which has never won the domestic league is funded by the Niger State government, owners of the club.

SuperSport.com learnt that several candidates are scrambling to replace David, who remains the most successful Chairman at the club.

However, there are strong

indications that David will be retained as chairman considering his achievements at the club which operates with a shoe-string budget.

Niger State Sports Commissioner, Alhaji Abubakar Hassan told journalists recently in Minna that some members them will be retained, while “new blood will be injected to the club’s management.”

David, a former member of the Ibrahim Galadima led Nigeria Football Association was Chairman in 2000, when Bernard Ogbe led a bunch of rookies then campaigning in the old second division to beat

tournament favourites, Enugu Rangers, in the finals of the Coca-Cola FA Cup (now Federation Cup).

Nigeria Football Federation board member, Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, who doubles as Niger State Football Association boss, as well as Handball Federation of Nigeria chairman, Yusuf Dauda, who is a former chairman of the team, amongst others are said to be in the race.

When contacted by SuperSport.com, Fresh said: “I learnt the state government is considering candidates for the job. If I’m offered the position, I will accept it.”

“I didn’t watch the match (Egypt versus Nigeria) since it wasn’t on TV but I believe the boys did well to come out with such a result against an experienced Egypt team. I believe they will continue to improve,” said Adepoju.

The 41-year-old further said playing a highly-rated side like the Pharaohs of Egypt will help build the confidence of the boys from the home front.

Adepoju, currently the general manager of Nigeria Premier League (NPL) side, 3SC wants the team to be exposed to more high-profile international games.

“Though they lost the game against Egypt, I still think we shouldn’t be worried about the result too much for now. After all it was a close game and the coaches and the NFF (Nigeria Football Federation) should show patience and help the team grow in confidence first by organising more of these kind of international games,” he said.

Keshi and his team are billed to face South American nation, Peru in Lima next month as well as 2012 Afcon co-hosts, Gabon in their next tune-up games.

adiri Ikhana, the newlyappointed Head Coach of the Super Falcons, has invited 53 players to camp, according to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Chief Media Officer, Ademola Olajire, who announced this in a statement in Abuja said that the players were being invited for the team’s first phase preparation programme, which begins this Sunday in Abuja.

“The 53-player list has 12 goalkeepers, 13 defenders, 11 midfielders and 17 strikers, and they are expected to report to the Serob Legacy Hotel, Wuye, Abuja on Sunday,’’ Olajire said.

He said the invited players included notable players such as veteran goalkeepers Precious Dede and Tochukwu Oluehi as well as defender Ulunma Jerome.

“Other notables are midfielders Akudo Iwuagwu, Martina Ohadugha and Glory Iroka as well as strikers Stella Mbachu and Shola Oyewusi,’’ he said.

Olajire added that the list contained both experienced and young players.

“We have the young blood like goalkeepers Dikachi Uzor and Chioma Nwankwo, defenders Esther Udegbe and Regina McFancy, midfielders Tessy Biahwo and Blessing Ukeme and strikers Rosemary Okezie and Funmilayo Kuzebe,’’ he said.

The Falcons, winners of the 2010 African Women Championship, are to engage Zimbabwe in a two-legged qualifier for a place in this year’s finals billed for Equatorial Guinea in November.

Zimbabwe will host the first leg on May 27, while the return leg would hold in Nigeria on June 16.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

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London 2012: 80 Nigerian athletes qualified for Games, says NSC

By Patrick Andrew

T

he National Sports Commission (NSC) has disclosed that 80 athletes have so far secured qualifications for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The commission, which also said all preparations to ensure the successful participation of Team Nigerian contingent were in top gear, gave the breakdown as 46 and 34 athletes respectively for Olympics and Paralympics.

The Ministerial Advisory and Cocoordinating Committee on Nigeria’s 2012 Olympic and Paralympics participation said in Abuja that the country’s athletes were being well prepared.

The 13-man committee, who addressed newsmen on behalf of NSC, was inaugurated on Feb. 3, by the

supervising Sports Minister/NSC Chairman, Bolaji Abdullahi.

The Summer Olympic Games is to hold in London from July 27 to Aug. 12, 2012, while the Paralympics Games would at the same venue from Aug. 29 to Sept. 9.

The committee’s Chairman, Alhassan Yakmut, disclosed that the NSC had put in place all that was needed in terms of preparation for qualification and the payment of training grants.

He also said this had equally been extended to the acquisition of training camps and pre-games camp, as well as dope tests on all the involved athletes.

“At this point in time, we are more than 80 per cent sure of the number of our athletes that will be going to both the Olympic and the Paralympics Games.

“Six out of the eight of our sports

federations whose athletes would be in London have completed the qualification exercise. These are in athletics, canoeing, taekwondo, table tennis, wrestling and weightlifting, leaving basketball and boxing.

“As it is now, 46 athletes made up of 24 male and 22 female have secured their tickets to the Olympics, and will take part in 61 disciplines.

“The Paralympics athletes are taking part in 31 disciplines in the three sports of Para-athletics, Paralifting and Para table tennis, and 34 of them made up of 21 male and 13 female have secured tickets,’’ Yakmut said.

Yakmut disclosed that with qualification tickets secured, the committee had moved to the stage of preparing the athletes schedule of training and preparations in line with the games’ venues and times.

“Having secured qualification, we

Chief Patrick Ekeji, DG, NSC have gone on to get the venues and times for the games’ sport by sport, and this will help us in determining the training schedule for the athletes’ preparation.’’

NWF frowns at Nigeria’s slots in weightlifting

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he Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF) says it is disappointed with the two slots offered the country in weightlifters at the forthcoming 2012 London Olympics.

The London Olympics will hold from July 27 to Aug. 13.

Uche Onwumeh, the NWF Secretary, said yesterday that the country was given one slot each in the male and female categories of the event.

“The team to the just concluded Africa Championships in Kenya was top in weightlifting, winning a total of 19 gold, 18 silver and 3 bronze medals. But, In spite of this achievement, we are only offered one slot each in the male and female categories for the Olympics. I am not happy about it.

“We went for the African qualifiers to fight for nine slots for the Olympics and we later heard that only two slots were given to us due to certain criteria, which we don’t still understand“ she said.

Onwumeh said the development would, however, not discourage or hamper our weightlifters’ preparation for the event.

“We have a good number of lifters that have met the Olympic standard - Chinenye Fidelis (53kg weight class) and Mariam Usman (+75kg class) - who set new African and Commonwealth records respectively.

“The two lifters clinched the title of the best female lifters of the tournament, while Felix Ekpo (77kg weight class) won the prize for the best male athlete in the tournament,“ she said.

He said that the committee had made plans for on-shore and off-shore camping for the athletes in Busan, South Korea, Atlanta in the U.S and Kohl in Germany.

“We had made plans for the onshore camps to start later this month in Yenagoa, Owerri and Ibadan, but we later changed it to Abuja only. This is in order to be able to give good administrative and medical attention to the athletes.

“As for the off-shore camps, the one in Atlanta which is for athletics has already started since last month.

The one in South Korea is for taekwondo athletes and all those in special sports should be leaving in the next one week or two, depending on visa matters. They will stay for between 30 and 35 days.

“Those that will go to Germany will be those in boxing and some field events in para athletics, and they will stay for about 21 days.’’

He added that all issues relating to training grants for the athletes had been approved by the Sports Minister, and the athletes had been duly paid the allowances.

NIPOGA 2012: All set for opening in Ede today

A Ruslan Sheikhau of Belarus with Nigeria's Sinivie Boltic during Beijing Games

Nigerian wrestlers test strength against India at invitational tourney

T

he Technical Adviser, Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Daniel Igali, has said the invitational competition in Punjab, India, would be a test for the wrestlers training for the 2012 London Olympics.

Four wrestlers, who have qualified for the Olympics, departed the country on Thursday night for the tournament with Igali. The wrestlers are Sinivie Boltic (90kg), Adibo Dick (96kg), Amarachi Obiajunwa (72kg) and Blessing Oborududu (63kg).

Igali said the federation would

use the competition to assess the skills the wrestlers had learnt so far.

“We are going to use the competition to test all that we have learnt so far in our camp in Bayelsa and see what improvements can be made,” Igali said before their departure. Sinivie Boltic, a freestyle wrestler, also said that the tournament would serve as a boost for the Olympics preparation and exposure for the wrestlers.

“It is like a wrestling festival for wrestlers in India and our technical adviser deemed it fit for us to use it as a stop gap before the training tour in Bulgaria. We have been training since

we came back from the last qualification tournament in Morocco and have not rested our oars,” Boltic said.

The wrestler assured Nigerians that the level of dedication and training put in place by the NWF for the wrestlers would make them to excel at the Olympics. The contingent would return on April 18.

The NWF has another opportunity of qualifying more wrestlers when they feature at the qualifiers in China from April 27 to April 29 and in Finland from May 2 to May 4.

ll is set for the 17th Nigerian Polytechnic Games Association (NIPOGA) Games scheduled to take off today at the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that necessary arrangements, including the facilities needed for the Games, are already in place in the institution.

NAN also reports that as at Friday, nearly all the contingents for the competition had arrived the ancient town from their different institutions.

The arrival of the contingents, NAN reports, had boosted commercial activities as scores of visitors were seen touring the campus and host community.

Mr Kazeem Oyedeji, the Public Relations Officer of the host polytechnic, told NAN that facilities, including accommodation, were in place for the participants.

To ease the problem of accommodation, Oyedeji said the permanent camp of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ede had also been secured for use.

According to him, the existing rooms at the NYSC Camp could accommodate 5,000 guests even though not more than 3,000 athletes and officials were being expected.

NAN reports that no fewer than 500 officials were expected to supervise the 14 sports, including football, handball, and table-tennis.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 45

It's a penalty!

How a goalkeeper can save the day Compiled By Richard Ihediwa with additional online report from Wikipedia

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penalty kick may be awarded when a defending player commits an infringement that attracts a direct free kick within the 18 yard box also known as the penalty area.

Most penalty kicks are scored but there are many instances where the player misses or the goalkeeper, especially one with very strong reflexes, catches the ball.

Generally, owing to the short distance between the penalty spot and the goalpost, defending or catching a penalty kick is one of the most difficult tasks of a goal keeper. The problem is usually because there is very little time to react to the shot which gets to the goal within a second. Basically, goalkeepers usually start the dive even before the player takes the kick.

The issue here becomes that of prediction about the side the kicker will aim the shot. The right prediction gives the keeper an advantage to save the shot; the wrong prediction results in a goal. Helmuth Duckadam, the goalkeeper of Steaua Bucharest saved a record four consecutive penalties in the 1986 European Cup Final, against FC Barcelona. He dived three times to the right and a fourth time to his left to save all penalties taken, securing victory for his team.

Most times, the keepers make wrong prediction. Most kickers prefer very hard kick that will give the keeper no time to change his prediction.

However, there are goal keepers that have become skilled, at least, near the sense of the word, in catching penalty licks.

A study of their performances reveals a number of tactics; though they do not form a rule anyway.

Some of these ace keepers try to read the kicker’s eye gaze and motion pattern. At this point, some of them try to put the kicker at the edge by assuming a larger than self posture. Such postures include statue like steadiness, bending a little forward with arms wide spread, to get the kicker intimidated. Some kickers betray their fears and anxiety and “show” the goalie what is on their minds beginning from the time the kicker stands, waiting for the whistle to the time he takes the kick.

The goalkeeper also may try to distract the penalty taker, as the expectation is on the penalty taker to succeed, hence more pressure on the penalty taker, making him more vulnerable to mistakes. For example, in the 2008 Champions League Final between Manchester United and Chelsea, Edwin Van der Sar pointed to his left side when Nicolas Anelka stepped up to take a shot in the penalty shoot out. This was because all of Chelsea’s penalties went to the left. Anelka’s shot instead went to Van der Sar’s right, which was saved.

Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar used a famous method of distracting the players called the “spaghetti legs” trick to

Penalty kicks are hard to save

Keepers’ predictions of direction of kicks are mostly wrong

Kicker and keeper are usually under pressure

Some keepers try to intimidate kickers

help his club defeat AS Roma to win the 1984 European Cup. Some of these keepers rely on knowledge of the shooter’s past behavior to inform their decisions on the dive. Such keepers, before hand study the temperament and attitude of the rival teams kickers and use such to arrive at their dive decision.

Former Netherland national team goalkeeper, Hans van Breukelen, always had a box with cards with all the information about the opponents penalty specialist. Portugal national team goalkeeper Ricardo in a match against England in the 2006 World Cup, used this method to save three penalties.

This approach may not always be successful; the player may intentionally switch from his favoured spot after witnessing the goalkeeper obtaining knowledge of his kicks.

Other methods used by the skilled keepers include attempting to delay a penalty by cleaning his boots, asking the referee to see if the ball is placed properly and other delaying tactics. This method builds more pressure on the penalty taker, but the goalkeeper may risk punishments, most likely a yellow card.

Skilled keepers also make use of their legs to try to kick the ball in the event that they dive in the wrong direction.

This has saved some goals.

On the whole, the best way to save the day is to try not to have an infringement in the penalty area but penalties cannot be avoided in a tournament if there is a tie after full time and extra time play. This is where skills and predictions play very major roles in saving the day.

PAGE 46

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

Democracy Watch From the Villa

From the National Assembly

A timely intervention Common terms of the

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resident Goodluck Jonathan, during t h e week fulfilled his electoral promise to introduce a modern alamajiri education system that will not only take the 9.5 million kids away from the streets but also give them a proper mix of Islamic and western education. He did this on Tuesday by leading a high-powered Federal Government delegation to Gagi in Sokoto state where he commissioned the first ’Almajiri’ Model Boarding School.

A novel idea, the model school, which is one of the 100 billed for commissioning by June this year, was constructed by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund on behalf of the Federal Government with the aim of cleaning the streets of the almajarai and giving them quality education and chances of better future where they would have an opportunity to contribute to the development of the country in future President Jonathan noted that his desire to see to the realisation of a modern almajiri system of education was borne out of his conviction that Nigerian children must have equal access to quality education across the country.

The President described as worrisome, a situation where about N9.5 million almajirai were in the north, out of which 65 percent are from the North West and do not attend conventional basic education schools.

He said further: "The commissioning of the first model school in Sokoto today is only a precursor to the commissioning of other such schools, including the Day School located in Tambuwal town, which shall commence shortly.”

He spoke further, "our administration believes that the time has come for the nation to build on the

THRILLER FROM THE VILLA

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem kingatoldtrafford@gmail.com 08098639161 moral foundations of the traditional school system by providing the children with conventional knowledge and skills that will enable them fully realize their creative and productive potentials.”

This column can’t agree less with the President and I have always wondered why our leaders at all levels had not thought of doing something about the embarrassing presence of the potential legends of tomorrow on the streets, looking unkempt and begging in the pursuit of Islamic education which could be gotten in a better ways than that?

On my very first contact with the almajari boys in the beautiful city of Kaduna many years back, the first thing that struck me was how come a society that calls itself the giant of Africa looks the other way when the group that represent its future is on the street without proper education and without an idea of where the next meal will come from? My mind went back to the past and I asked that if the likes of Sardauna, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Aminu Kano, Professor Yusuf Bala Usman and other icons were not allowed the benefit of both qualitative Islamic and sound formal education, how would they have contributed their respective quotas to the progress of the north. Of course, we don’t need to start reeling out what the legendary Ahmadu Bello especially did for the north here. All we have to say here

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It is hoped that his lofty dreams are not sabotaged by reluctant state governments or incompetent government officials. There is no reason for the kids to start missing life on the streets.

is to clamour for equal chances to be given to the children of today.

While the idea to take them out of the streets and camp them in a school environment where they will receive proper education taste delicious in the mouth and deserve a rare commendation, one must call for it to be sustained and the programme carried out to the letter.

At this juncture, I recall similar attempts to stop begging and its attendant environmental hazards in Lagos and other parts of the West in the past. They always fail because anything that has to do government in Nigeria hardly succeeds with unnecessary bureacarcy, policy somersaults, instability in government and corruption being the major issues.

I recall that Buba Marwa as military administrator of Lagos then built a caring house for beggars on the hopelessly dirty Kano street in Ebute Metta. The house was built to take care of their needs, feeding and all that and it was located at Okobaba, Ebute-Metta. But because their food and other needs would not arrive on time apparently as a result of the afore-mentioned issues, these beggars started missing life on the streets and they simply ran out one after the other. This same scenario had been replicated in so many places not only in Ebute- Metta.

While we note that President Goodluck Jonathan’s dream for the northern kids is far more serious and audacious project than other attempts, we must warn against complacency and lack of consistency. It is hoped that his lofty dreams are not sabotaged by reluctant state governments or incompetent government officials. There is no reason for the kids to start missing life on the streets.

National Assembly (2)

By Richard Ihediwa

L

ast week, we started this series dealing with common terms used in the National Assembly which many Nigerian are not conversant with. We looked at the meaning and usage of such terms as Mace, Plenary, Bill, Motion, Point of Order, Act , Amendment, Committee of the Whole among others.

Today, we will look at more terms used by the legislature in the country in its day to day activities. Such terms would include titles of some officials among others.

Principal Officers In each of the Houses there are Principal Officers usually refered to as the leadership. The Principal Officers include, the Senate President, in the case of the Senate, the Deputy Senate President, the Senate Leader, Deputy Senate leader, the Senate Chief Whip, the Deputy Whip, Minority Leader, Minority Whip, Deputy Minority Leader and Deputy Minority Whip In the House of Representatives, there is the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, the House Leader, Deputy leader, Deputy House leader, Chief Whip, Deputy Whip, Minority Leader, Minority Whip, Deputy Minority Leader and Deputy Minority Whip The Senate President is the Chairman of the National Assembly and preside during joint sessions of the two chambers.

Presiding Officers Among the Principal Officers are the Presiding Officers. In the Senate, the Senate President is the Presiding officer and in his absence, the Deputy Senate President automatically becomes the Presiding officer.

In the House of Representatives, the same goes for the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker. In the event that the statutory presiding officers are absent, the Senate or House Leader may, by voice vote be allowed to preside. A Senate President or Speaker Pro-tempore can be elected by the house to preside in the absence of the presiding officers.

Leader of the Senate/ House The Leader is responsible for the day-to-day

administration of the party in the legislature. He is the liaison between the executive, the party and the National Assembly. He leads the debate on executive bills.

In the Senate, the leader is responsible for announcing the daily order of the day and plan weekly businesses with the Chairman of business and rules committee and the leadership of the Senate. In the House of Representatives, the Speaker announces the daily order.

Minority Leader The Minority leader, either in the Senate or the House of Representatives is the leader of the other parties other than the majority party. Minority leaders are usually drawn from the minority party with the highest number of members.

Chief Whip Whip, in the Senate and the House of Representatives are principal officers saddled with the duty of maintaining order during plenary. They have the liberty to announce the name of a lawmaker, who may be involved in acts distracting the proceeding and call such to order.

Clerk to the National Assembly This is the head of the National Assembly bureaucracy, that is, the workforce different from the politicians. He is not a member of the parliament.

The Clerk is like the Permanent Secretary in the ministry. He assists the political leadership of the National Assembly in ensuring the smooth running of legislative activities. The Clerk is responsible for compiling all official documents of the legislature. There is a Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly.

Also each chamber of the National Assembly has a clerk and they report to the Clerk to the National Assembly. The current Clerk to the National Assembly is Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa.

Joint Session This is when the two chambers meet in a joint sitting for a special purpose but not usually for the passage of law. National Assembly usually holds joint sessions to receive the President for presentation of the budget or any other address by the President. The

session is usually held in the chamber of the House of Representatives because it is larger than that of the Senate Constituency This refers to electoral boundaries defined by population and rural or urban location. Elections into seats in the National Assembly are based on constituencies. .

Hansard This is the verbatim record of daily proceedings of the house and its committees and kept in the custody of the Clerk.

Filibustering The use of tactics to delay passage of a bill. For instance, using long speeches and comments to consume time.

Parliamentary Privilege Members of the parliament have rights and immunities. These allow those involved in the parliamentary process to fulfill their duties without obstruction or fear or prosecution.

Members cannot be sued or prosecuted for what they say during legislative proceedings.

Standing Committees Standing committees exist for the duration of a parliamentary session. The Senate and House have standing committees that oversee various ministries, agencies and department of government. They can also investigate such agencies for the purposes of lawmaking or exposing corruption. This committee examines and reports on the general conduct of activities by government departments and agencies and reports on matters referred to it by the house, including proposed legislation.

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Members cannot be sued or prosecuted for what they say during legislative proceedings.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 47

From the Pulpit Jesus Christ and the two thieves!

T

h e message of Easter is an all-season message even when Easter celebration is over. That's why I've decided to bring this message to you just some days after Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.

My focus in this message is Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world together with the two thieves crucified with him. (Mark 15:27 KJV) The NKJV calls them robbers. In Luke 23:32, they were referred to as criminals (NLT, NKJV etc.) or malefactors.

(KJV, ASV) The crucified Jesus Over 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ was crucified. The religious leaders, who were Jews, out of envy, conspired against him.

Though neither Herod nor Pilate found him guilty of any offence, he was nailed to the cross.

Jews didn't practise crucifixion.

The capital punishment specified in the Old Testament for offenders or sinners was stoning to death. (Lev 20:2; Deut 22:24) Bible characters like Achan and Stephen were stoned to death. But because the religious leaders hated Jesus so much they subjected him to the Roman capital punishment of crucifixion since the Jews were under the Roman government that time. His crucifixion was a fulfillment of prophecy.

Pilate would have released Jesus having found him innocent.

He was willing to give the religious leaders permission to stone Jesus to death according to the Jewish law but they demanded from Pilate his crucifixion. (John 18:31-32, 19:5-6, 13-16) The Jewish law allowed that after being stoned to death, the body of the offender be publicly displayed on the tree but the body must not remain on the tree overnight; it must be buried that day to avoid the land being defiled

"for he who is hanged is accursed of God." (Deut 21:22-23 NKJV) The Jewish leaders did their worst and when Jesus said, "It is finished" I think they must have thought he said, "I am finished!"

Jesus didn't say, "I am finished."

He said, "It is finished!" The work of salvation was finished.

Forgiveness was finished.

Redemption was finished. Healing was finished. Deliverance was finished. Praise the Lord!

The three characters on the cross Jesus didn't die out of weakness. He didn't die because he lacked power. (Matt 26:52-54) Neither did he die because he was a sinner. He died because he wanted to save you and me. That is why I pity one of the two thieves or criminals crucified with Jesus.

He should have kept his mouth shut if he didn't know the right thing to say. Instead of taking advantage of the last opportunity he had to make his life right with God, he joined those mocking Jesus. He said, "So you're the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself - and us, too, while you're at it!'" (Luke 23:39 NLT) That criminal was not only a criminal, he was also not wise. But look at his fellow criminal. He was wise. He didn't join his colleague to scoff at Jesus. The Bible says, "But the other criminal protested, 'Don't you fear God even when you are dying? We deserve to die for our evil deeds, but this man hasn't done anything wrong. Then he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.'" (Verses 40-42 NLT) What a wise and Godfearing criminal! He took advantage of the last opportunity he had to ask for forgiveness, and he got it. This hell-bound criminal

got last minute salvation. His journey to hell was diverted to heaven because he believed in the Son of God! Verse 43 says, "And Jesus replied, 'I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.'"

(NLT) There are three characters nailed to the cross. The first was Jesus, the one who never sinned so he didn't need to seek forgiveness.

The second person was the thief or criminal who sinned and was guilty but made mockery of the person that should have forgiven him and ushered him to paradise. This man is in hell today. Even if he had the excuse that he didn't know what the law said or that it was some people that influenced him negatively over the years to go into crime, he had the last opportunity to seek forgiveness before he died but he messed it up. The third character was the criminal who acknowledged his sinfulness, feared God and didn't mock Jesus but rather asked for his help to give him access to the Kingdom of his Father. He took advantage of his opportunity, and is in heaven today with Jesus. The thieves in this country including corrupt civil and public servants and their private sector collaborators need to emulate this repentant thief and repent of their sins now rather than putting their trust in their lawyers to save them.

Seizing your opportunity You can be either of these two criminals on the cross since you're not without sin like Jesus. "For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God." (Rom 3:23 ASV) Jesus died on the cross for your sin. Are you going to be as wise as that thief who acknowledged his sin and Jesus forgave him his sin and took him into the Kingdom of his Father?

Have you confessed your sin to God and asked for forgiveness through His Son, Jesus Christ? Or are you

GREEN PASTURES

By Pastor T.O. Banso cedarministryintl@yahoo.com GSM: 08033113523 playing with sin and mocking the death of Jesus on the cross? The Bible says, "For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God." (1 Cor 1:18 ASV) Friend, there is no salvation in any other name except Jesus Christ. No church saves - only Jesus saves. So if you have not given your life to Jesus, do that immediately you finish reading this message. Don't be like that criminal who joked with salvation and went to hell fire.

Hell is a place of torment Remember the Rich man in the Bible. He died without being saved. He begged for just a drop of water in hell but he was denied.

How much thirst can a drop of water quench? He made a case for his five brothers who were yet to die so that they wouldn't come to where he was but his request was denied. He was told no one would be sent from the dead to warn his brothers about the place of torment where he was so that they wouldn't end there also. If they wouldn't listen to Moses and the prophets, they wouldn't listen if someone rose from the dead to preach to them. The story is in Luke 16:22-31.

The suffering was so much for this Rich man. No cold water in hell! No comfort! It's all pain, agony, anguish! Matt 13:50 says the wicked shall be thrown into the fire where there will be

weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Mark 9:48 says in hell, the worm never dies and the fire never goes out. Unfortunately that is the final abode of everyone who rejects Jesus. Will you accept Jesus into your life today or you'll continue to make jest of sin and the gospel?

Be wise! Take advantage of the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Today is the day of salvation. (2 Cor 6:2) Make your life right with God now.

TAKE ACTION! If you are not born again, kindly say this prayer now: "0 Lord God, I come unto you today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and resurrected the third day. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour and surrender my life to him today. I invite Jesus into my heart today. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank you Jesus for saving me and making me a child of God" I believe you have said this prayer from your heart.

Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible believing, Bible teaching church in your area where you will be taught how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar of Lebanon.

May you grow into Christ in all things becoming all God wants you to be.

Keeping the blessing (1)

T

h e blessings of the Lord have been manifold upon us both as individuals and as a church during the retreat; He has been gracious to us during the retreat. Now that the Retreat is over, you will need to keep the blessings that you have received. He wants us to keep those blessings.

Our desire and prayer is that we do not lose the blessings of God. We want these blessings to increase rather than decrease.

Having experienced miracles, provision, salvation and deliverance, there is need for continuity. Having sung the song of praise, we want to keep the deliverance.

Having eaten heaven's bread, we do not want to enter into a period of spiritual dryness.

Appearing before God regularly in services guarantees sustained blessings and spiritual progress

- from salvation to security, healing to health, deliverance to dominion, and sanctification to steadfastness, baptism of the Holy Ghost to the gifts of the Holy Ghost, miracles to signs and wonders. It will help you to move on from retreat blessings to regular blessings from the Lord.

1. FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST AND TRUE CHRISTIANS There is a fellowship with the Father, with the Son Jesus Christ and with the true believers who have the same blessing of salvation and sonship with you.

At the Retreat, you came into fellowship "with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ" through repentance.

To get the abundant blessing of God in your life, you need regular fellowship with the Lord and to continue in fellowship with other believers of like

By

Pastor W.F. Kumuyi precious faith. There is need for continuity in the life of a Christian. You need to abide in the Lord and to spend quality time with Him in prayer and study of His word.

Sins should not be seen in your life anymore. God wants you to grow in Him. To grow in Him you must devote yourself totally to the word of God - read, meditate on, practise, preach and defend the word of God. To keep the blessings, you need (1) daily observance of quiet time every morning, (2) daily special time for deep communion with God, (3) quiet meditation on the word of God, (4) regular worship with

the people of God, (5) a conscious daily walk with the Lord, (6) constant practice of taking every problem to God in prayer, (7) decision and determination to walk by faith.

When you come to the presence of the Lord, you will find the fulness of joy, peace, blessing and satisfaction. You can live in such a spiritual realm where God's blessings flow continuously in your life.

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There is need for continuity in the life of a Christian. You need to abide in the Lord and to spend quality time with Him in prayer and study of His word.

BIG PUNCH From the equality of rights springs identity of our highest interests; you cannot subvert your neighbor's rights without striking a dangerous blow at your own.

—Carl Schurz

SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

A tale of two dreamers 'Something has gone wrong with Nigeria. I am calling for nonviolent revolution, the kind of which Mahatma Ghandi championed in India. We need people to embark on non-violent resistance. We simply need cultural revolution.'

—Maitama Sule 'Hausa land was in crisis for over 200 years and God brought Usman Dafodiyo, who did not even seek for power. I have not lost my faith that God can bring the person that will clean the mess we are in now.'

—Adamu Ciroma

Maitama Sule to read runs, in part, as follows, where the author quotes C F Andrews: 'Mahatma Ghandi's profound admiration for the character of Prophet Muhammad, as a man of faith and action, deeply affected him. He was impressed to a remarkable degree by the nobility of the early Caliphate and the fervent faith of the first followers of the Prophet. The bare

WEEKEND with

Ibraheem Sulaiman sa427420@gmail.com

O

n Wednesday March 28, 2012, at an event in Lagos, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule made the remark above. Mallam Adamu Ciroma made his in a press interview at about the same time. Both are politicians and statesmen of great accomplishment. Each is great in his own way. Maitama Sule enjoys a universal respect for his brilliance and eloquence, his bountiful and cheerful character, his disposition at once worldly and spiritual, his goodwill towards all, malice towards none.

Adamu Ciroma earns his respect as a man of towering intellect, one that can be trusted. What is of interest in this discourse is the different solutions they seek for the common problem they perceive. Let us join them in a spiritual rendezvous in their quest for a way out for Nigeria.

We join Maitama Sule, Dan Masani, in his encounter with Mahatma Ghandi, the man who conquered British Empire not by war but by peace; who gave India its character and its might. The Mahatma expresses pleasure to his guest that even after more than six decades his unique struggle is still being appreciated as a source of inspiration.

Discussions goes on and on, the Mahatma wondering how a free and powerful nation like Nigeria could plunge itself into the abyss, Dan Masani expressing anguish.

The meeting comes to an end, the host sees off to his guest, saying: 'You seek to know my source of inspiration throughout my struggle. Well, here is a book that tells all. I am sure that, as a Muslim, you will find it particularly interesting.' The book in Dan Masani's hand is, Mahatma Ghandi and Comparative Religion, by K L Seshagiri Rao.[1990]The portion which Mahatma Ghandi wants

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Malam Adamu Ciroma

simplicity in which they lived, their chivalrous devotion to the poor, their intense belief in God's overruling majesty, all these things had a great effect on him.

Following the example of the Prophet of Islam, Mahatma Ghandi has never for a moment separated the political from the spiritual, or failed to deal directly with the social evils which stood out before his eyes. Thus the Prophet's supreme, practical instinct as a reformer, combined with his intense faith in God as the sole Creator and Director of the universe, has been a source of constant strength and support to Mahatma Ghandi himself, in his own struggle.

'Whenever Mahatma Ghandi has turned from this political aspect of the struggle in order to gain strength for the great conception of suffering injury without retaliation, he has constantly taken the character of the Prophet's son in law Ali and of Hassan and Hussein for example.

The story of the suffering of these

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Alh. Maitama Sule

descendants is indeed full of pathos. It illustrates "the irresistible might of meekness" which has always appealed most to Mahatma Ghandi. In his writings he often refers to the early days of the Prophet's mission, when he was despised and rejected by his own country men and was fain to submit to every form of humiliation in silence. Thus in his own way he has found the teaching of the Prophet of Islam fully compatible with the principle of ahimsa, or nonviolence, whereupon he lays such stress.'

We can now join Mallam Adamu Ciroma in his quest for Dan Fodio. Ciroma humbly introduces himself to the greatest man Africa has ever produced as a man with, quite rightly, formidable credentials: one time managing the voice of Northern Nigeria, at another time in charge of Nigeria's money, at yet another in charge of the nation's food. What happened to the Caliphate, he is asked. It was

conquered by a great power from Europe, and it effectively came to an end, comes the reply. What happened to the Muslim Community which constitutes the very heart of Africa, is the next query. 'They are essentially fine but severely weakened.'

'Why, have they compromised Islam, have they severed their ties to God, have they succumbed to the earthly temptations?' 'They are trying their best.'

'Do you have a Caliph now?'

'Yes, but he does not exercise the powers of a Caliph, his powers having been abolished by the foreign power; nowadays he is appointed and removed at the pleasure of the government he serves; he is answerable to a chairman of his local government, who is answerable to a governor who is answerable to someone far away, very far away.' 'After the conquest by the Europeans and God gave you power, how did you lose it?' 'We were conquered the second time.'

'By who?' 'By money!' 'What are

your ways now?' 'The ways of the Europeans, we have adopted their laws, their habits, their method of government and economy.'

'How secure is your Treasury?'

'Secure as a sieve!' Many more questions, many more answers.

Mallam Adamu Ciroma seeks permission to leave. Dan Fodio shows him a report concerning the justice system in Nigeria. It reads as follows. 'On October 7, 2010, an upper class woman, Cecilia Ibru, a bank chief executive who claims to be blessed with "a mindset that is dependent on God's inspiration", pleaded guilty to theft involving 2.6 billion dollars, or 400 billion naira. After much negotiation and reconciliation between her and government, an amicable settlement was finally reached, and she agreed, obviously with much reluctance, to forfeit cash and property worth 1.2 billion dollars or 190 billion naira, and go to jail for just six months. On April 10, 2012, a lower class young man, Maniru Abdulmalik, a 'motorcyclist', pleaded guilty to theft involving 500 dollars or 78000 naira. He 'forfeited' 250 dollars or 40000 naira to the police. No negotiation, no reconciliation, no amicable settlement. He was jailed for six months.'

Know that, as our Prophet said, Dan Fodio gives his parting words, nations are destroyed if they make a poor man face the full extent of the law if he commits theft, but let the rich, powerful man who commits a similar offense go free. I also heard that your nation is at war with its children and grand children, refusing to yield, glorifying war.

You can never win a war against your own future. Moreover one war can lead to another. And tell your nation to prepare for the greater war ahead. It is the war which, according to the Quran, God always wages on nations which promote and justify economic exploitation of man by man. In our own case, when our struggle came to an end, there remained not a single ruler who did not lose his throne, and God turned over the entire region to those who were oppressed, who were considered weak, who were deemed inconsequential. God broke the high and mighty into shreds. To avoid that war, your nation must be ready for the arduous and monumental enterprise, as we did, following the way of Prophet Muhammad. We saw no other way.

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos, Tel: +234-09-8734478. Cell: +234 803 606 3308. e-mail: contact@peoplesdaily-online.com ISSN: 2141– 6141