Peoples Daily Newspaper, Monday 15, April, 2013

www.peoplesdailyng.com

Vol. 10 No. 76

Monday, April 15, 2013

. . . putting the people first

I won’t defect from PDP, says Wamakko >> 3

Jimadal Akhir 5, 1434 AH

N150

Presidency: I can’t talk about 2015 now - Tambuwal >> 2

MEND threatens to attack mosques

By Our Correspondent

T

he Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has said it would start a bombing campaign against mosques and Islamic institutions.

The group had claimed responsibility for the recent killing of 14 policemen in Bayelsa state.

MEND in an e-mail statement yesterday said that, “the bombings of mosques, hajj camps, Islamic institutions, large congregations in Islamic events and assassinations of clerics that propagate doctrines of hate will form the core mission of this crusade.

The statement signed by the MEND spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, said that the campaign, codenamed “Barbarossa,” would start on May 31.

The statement said that MEND might consider a cease-fire if the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Catholic Church and the group’s suspected leader Henry Okah, intervene.

Bloomberg reports that the threat comes as the government of President Goodluck Jonathan battles insurgents in the north and the capital, Abuja, in which Contd on Page 2

Islamic scholars too

Kano state Governor, Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso (middle), his deputy, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and other stakeholders participating in the destruction of substandard, fake and illicit drugs worth over N100 million, at the weekend in Kano.

Yuguda doubtful of amnesty rejection

By Zainab Ahmed Maska

B

auchi state Governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda, has commended President Goodluck Jonathan over the decision to set up a committee to

consider modalities for granting amnesty to members of the Boko haram group.

Speaking yesterday on a BBC

Hausa Service programme, Yuguda questioned the veracity of the report that claimed that Abubakar Shekau, the Boko

Haram leader rejected the amnesty proposal.

“I am not sure the rejection of the amnesty proposal came from

CAF U-17: Nigeria maul Ghana 6-1

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the sect,” Yuguda said noting that, “do you know Shekau in person?

“How are sure he is the one who spoke in the video? Even if we are to assume that he is Contd on Page 2

Gunmen kill brother of NNPC GMD in Kaduna >> 3

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013

Editorial

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Op.Ed

13

Presidency: I can't talk about 2015 now - Tambuwal

Letters

14

By Lawrence Olaoye and Mohammed Umar Puma

Opinion

15

CONTENTS News

2-10

Metro

16-18

Business

19-22

Stockwatch S/Report

23 24-25

Education 27-28 Health

29-30

S

peaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, yesterday said he would not talk about his political ambition in 2015 because he still has a four year mandate to deliver on good governance.

Reacting to a publication in a national daily which insinuated that there was a cold war between him and President Goodluck

Strange World 31 Revenue Digest

32-33 36

Politics

37-40

Sports

41-45

Leisure

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Columnist

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

You can send your news and pictures to: letters@peoplesdaily-online.com pictures@peoplesdaily-online.com contact@peoplesdaily-online.com

Phones for News: 070-37756364 09-8734478

former President for clarifications.

He said, “I do not think it is proper to respond to a speculation.

As far as we know, there is no cold war between Mr. President and the Speaker. It is not proper for me to respond to speculations.

“Higher office does not mean the President, Speaker is number four, higher office can be number three, two or one.

“And mind you, as a respected Nigerian, IBB has the right to say what he wants to say and advise

whoever he feels needs his advice.

“I think you should ask IBB to give you the proper definition of what he means by higher office.

“The Speaker always maintains one fact, when it is time for politics there should be politics but when it is time for governance, there should be governance.

“We have a four year mandate and this time that we are now is time to govern, right now we are busy with governance issues, when it is time for politics, politics can be done.”

Boko Haram: House members differ over amnesty

By Umar Muhammad Puma

Why company battles Minister, presidential aide in court over land, Page 26

Jonathan over his ambition to contest the nation's presidency in 2015, Tambuwal said he had no issues with the President.

Commenting on the advice offered by the former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida recently that he should aspire for higher political position, Tambuwal, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Imam Imam, said whoever did not understand the import of the advice should approach the

The proposed amnesty planned by the Federal Government to members of Boko Haram sect has tended to divide some members of the House of Representatives.

While Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives committee on works, Hon. Mohammed Ali Wudil, advised the Federal Government not to drop the idea, another member representing Jos South/East federal constituency, Hon. Bitrus Kaze, insisted that President Goodluck Jonathan has only succeeded in exposing his incompetence and has shown that he is incapable of running the country, for contemplating amnesty for the sect.

Wudil, who represents Wudil Federal Constituency of Kano state, spoke with reporters at the weekend said that, “amnesty for Boko Haram is good though they say they are faceless, yet we are feeling the heat.

“They have killed many of our

people. In fact, even if they refuse to come out, government should go and look for them and talk to them in their faceless condition.”

But Kaze also speaking in Abuja described the amnesty proposal as unreasonable which he said was capable of backfiring.

According to Kaze, “I do not see any motivation for rewarding unrepentant killers other than an attempt to please their mentors who in the long run will not even support President Jonathan's ambition.

“The Boko Haram terrorists

have disgraced and ridiculed President Goodluck Jonathan's government.

“I am not sure any President of Nigeria that has brought so much ridicule to our national pride and sovereignty of by his inconsistent statements and policies on security.

“A government that is unable to protect or defend its citizens from years of incessant brutality by the ever rampaging Boko Haram terrorists proceeds to reward the same terrorists even when they in their continued remorselessness

have categorically rejected the offer.

“The latest developments have exposed the fact that the real motive of the advocates for their amnesty who I with all sense of responsibility consider as their mentors, is anything except the security and well being of Nigerians.

“The amnesty program being contemplated by President Goodluck Jonathan exposes our hardworking security agencies to danger, nothing can be more demoralising for them.”

Rural dwellers benefit from free medical scheme

K

ogi Government said 27, 373 rural dwellers had benefited from free medical treatment under its Free Rural Medical initiative launched on March 13.

The special adviser to the state governor on Free Medical And Charity, Capt. Yakubu Okatahi, who announced this in Lokoja on Sunday, said women and children

constituted a greater percentage of the beneficiaries.

He also said that peasant farmers , traders and artisans were among the beneficiaries of the free medical care programme .

Okatahi, who gave an update on the free medical programme, said high blood pressure, goitre, malaria, hernia and cataract, were among the prevalent cases

handled by the four medical groups sent to rural areas in the three senatorial districts of the state.

According to him, complicated and long-term cases are being referred to the state Specialist Hospital in Lokoja, with clear instructions that such patients should be treated free of charge. (NAN)

MEND threatens to attack mosques Contd from Page 1 hundreds of people have died since 2009.

MEND, the main rebel group in the South-south, destroyed a Royal Dutch Shell Plc (RDSA) oil well in Nembe, in southern Bayelsa state yesterday as part of an operation it calls “Hurricane Exodus,” Gbomo said.

Precious Okolobo, a Lagosbased spokesman for Shell’s Nigerian unit, said he couldn’t confirm the attack when contacted by phone yesterday.

MEND said on April 3 it would resume attacks in Africa’s largest oil producer after Okah was sentenced last month to 24 years in prison in South Africa.

He was found guilty of 13 counts of terrorism, including a bombing claimed by MEND in which 12 people died in Abuja on Oct. 1, 2010.

On April 10, Nigerian authorities recovered 10 bodies of policemen killed four days earlier in an attack on a boat by gunmen in the oil-rich Niger River Delta, Bayelsa state Police

Commissioner Kingsley Omire said.

Three policemen and the boat driver jumped in the river in the southern state when gunmen opened fire and were later rescued, Omire said.

While Okah denies being a leader of MEND, he has said he commands the support of many armed factions in Nigeria’s oil region.

Attacks including kidnappings and bombing of oil installations by groups including MEND cut more than 28 per cent of Nigeria’s oil output between 2006 and 2009, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

The violence declined after thousands of fighters accepted a government amnesty offer in 2009 and disarmed.

The Nigerian Army has since warned that it was set to crush MEND as well as activities of similar groups noting that there is no need for deployment of troops to the Niger Delta.

According to the Director of

Army Public Relations, BrigadierGen. Ibrahim Attahiru, “without doubt, the strength of the JTF in the Niger Delta is enough to deal with them.

“So, the issue of deployment of troops to the area does not arise.

We are absolutely ready for MEND or any other group that

might want to resume disturbance in the Niger Delta.

“The Army will not tolerate such attacks on Nigerians. In situations like this, threat analysis is usually carried out.

“So, we know what threats we are faced with and we know that the JTF can handle the threats.”

Yuguda doubtful of amnesty rejection Contd from Page 1 Shekau, do you have any idea how many people in Nigeria claim to be Shekau?”

Yuguda said that there were various categories of the Boko Haram sect including what he described as, “the political and armed robbers Boko Haram,” even as he fingered some politicians as responsible for the unrest in the northern Nigeria.

According to him, “as I told you, we have political Boko Haram, they are the para-military arm of

some of these politicians and Allah will judge them for dragging our children and using them as their political thugs or better still the political Boko Haram.

“We also have the armed robbers Boko Haram. This group specialises in using arms to rob banks and kill people and these kinds of people can be paid N2000 to kill someone.

“For example, if you do not like me, you can give youth N2000 and tell him to go and shoot Isa Yuguda.”

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013

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Gunmen kill NNPC GMD’s brother in Kaduna From Mohammed Ibrahim, Kaduna

T

he Kaduna Police Command says it has launched investigation into the killing of Yohanna Yakubu, younger brother of the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National

Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Andy Yakubu.

According to reports, gunmen ambushed Yohanna along the Kachia-Kaduna road and shot him in the presence of his wife, his sisterin-law and his baby.

Yohanna was a staff of the Kaduna Refinery and

Petrochemical Company (KRPC) where he worked in the power house section of the refinery.

According to a source close to the family, “Yohanna was travelling with his wife, his in-law and a baby girl before they were ambushed in the middle of the road around Kachia and the gunmen

shot him dead.

“He was in the car with his wife and they had driven to somewhere near Idon village in Kachia local government area.

“The place is about 110 from Kaduna town. His wife was not hurt. That was around 7am this (Sunday) morning.”

The deceased was aid to have traveled to his village in ZangoKataf on Saturday for a burial ceremony.

Kaduna Police spokesman, DSP Aminu Lawan, confirmed the report and noted that his men have launched an investigation.

FG spends N312bn on roads – Rep

By Umar Muhammad Puma

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Favour Odozor 20, youngest commercial pilot licenced (CPL) in Nigeria and South Africa, after his decoration at the Africa Union Aviation Academy in South Africa. Photo: NAN

Boko Haram: Gov. Aliyu seeks support for Jonathan’s amnesty plan

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overnor Babangida Aliyu of Niger state has called on the speakers of the 19 northern states to support President Goodluck Jonathan’s proposed amnesty programme for members of the Boko Haram sect.

He made the call on Saturday in Minna, at the 24th forum of speakers of the 19 northern states.

“The President needs to be supported and encouraged by all Nigerians to succeed in the effort aimed at finding solution to the insecurity challenges bedeviling the nation,” the governor said.

He said amnesty was a good step toward resolving the insecurity and stressed the need to explore other avenues.

The Governor said there might be international dimensions to the issues of Boko Haram and urged the relevant authorities to look into that aspect.

Aliyu identified child abuse as a major problem in the north, adding that the almajiri education must be integrated into formal school system.

He urged the speakers to go back to their various constituencies and articulate development plans for education, security, agriculture and health services.

Speaker of the Niger state House of Assembly, Adamu Usman, also urged his colleagues to give

priority to passage of bills that would boost development.

Usman commended President Goodluck Jonathan for setting up the committee on amnesty for Boko Haram insurgents.

“The setting up an amnesty committee to look into the underlying issues and process that the amnesty should be undertaken, is a welcome development.

“But at least the door has been opened for discussion between them and the government which goes to confirm that they are not ghosts.

“I consider this move a nationalist response to preserve all we have struggled to build together as a country as we mark the centenary of the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914.

“I therefore join all well meaning Nigerians to applaud the President’s courage to demonstrate the nationalist fervour of stopping parts of Nigeria from becoming theatres of violence and proving critics wrong that Nigeria is becoming a failed state,” he said.

He said the Legislature could not fold its arm and watch the carnage especially as it affected Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Kano and Plateau states where many Nigerians were being killed.

Usman said the President’s action had proved that democracy provided ample opportunities of resolving crisis and urged his colleagues to support the amnesty plan in the interest of the region.

He said the legislature in the state had passed 23 bills while seven others were at various stages before committees, to provide better services to the people.

In a communiqué yesterday at the end of the meeting, The Northern Speakers Forum appealed to the Federal Government to include northern governors in the amnesty committee set up to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency.

The communiqué signed by the group’s chairman, Mr. Stephen Onmeje, commended the Federal Government for taking steps that would lead to negotiations and possible acceptance of the amnesty.

The speakers also want various state governments, elders and traditional rulers from the region to ensure that peace returns to the region in the interest of the region’s development.

They called on the National Assembly to hasten the passage of the Hydro Power Producing Area Development Commission (HYPPADEC) Amendment Act, 2012 to ensure the

commencement of the commission’s activities.

“Conference commends the Niger Government for contributing substantially to the success of the HYPPADEC and recommended that all states that cut across rivers Niger and Benue to be included in HYPPADEC states.

“On Mambilla Hydro Electricity Project, the forum resolved to continue persuade the Federal Government for the actualisation of the project.

“Conference thanked the Federal Government for the construction of new Federal Secretariat in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital.”

The communiqué also commended the present constitutional amendment process and suggested that the contentious issues such as absolute autonomy of the Legislature, local government autonomy and revenue sharing be properly addressed.

It also called on the Federal Government to repair the dilapidated roads, such as Lambatta-Lapai-Bida-Mokwa road in Niger, Nguru-GashuaBayamari road in Yobe as well as the completion of Kano-Maiduguri road expansion.

“The conference appealed to the Federal Government to revisit the 33KVA power project from Gombe to Damaturu and Maiduguri,’’ the communiqué said. (NAN)

he Federal government spent the sum of N312 billion on road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance across the country in 2012.

Deputy Chairman of House of Representatives committee on works, Hon. Mohammed Ali Wudil, disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Abuja at the weekend.

According to him, “about N226 billion was spent on roads in 2012.

“That includes FERMA, and that is from the national budget.

But there was also an additional N86 billion which was spent on roads from SURE-P. “With regards to the motion on construction companies signing agreement on maintenance of roads, you know a company is a business person who may prefer that the problem is funding. “Look at some of the Nigerian roads are not funded even to the construction level.

“I cannot pre-empt the motion, but I can tell you that we are trying to call for the stakeholders to look at these issues and if it will be possible and the funds are there, we will do the best that we are supposed to do.

“But my understanding is that the funding will be the factor bedeviling this motion.

“What it then means is that FERMA may not exist with this type of exercise.

“If you are going from Abuja to Kaduna and to Kano, you will see that FERMA has repaired most of the potholes on the roads.

“If you check Lagos, Shagamu, Ore and Benin, you will see that there is a remarkable improvement.

“Work on the dualisation of Kano-Maiduguri road is seriously going on, even on Sundays – day and night – Dantata & Sawoe works there.

“It is only the recent kidnapping of seven foreigners that stopped the progress of the work. Otherwise, in almost all the roads in this country, there is a lot of construction work going on.”

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013

What happened to multi-billion Naira Lagos slums upgrade?

By Premium Times

T

he tap water near Usman Bala's home has run dry. The generator-powered bore hole installed at Kasunmu Street, Agege, in 2008, brought a much sought after succour to the residents; but packed up months later.

"When it first started, it reduced the task because we use to trek a lot before we can get water," said Mr. Bala, 30.

Far away in Badia, Mohammed Ajadi's row of shops has made way for the newly paved road and drainage at Afolabi Alasia Street. But he says he's yet to get reimbursement months after he, and other landlords, were coerced into partly demolishing their buildings to make room for the road.

"They told us that if we didn't do it, they would come and demolish everything," Mr. Ajadi said.

Messrs Bala and Ajadi are supposed beneficiaries of the Lagos Metropolitan Development and Governance Project, LMDGP, a slum upgrading project designed to provide essential services and infrastructures in slum communities in Lagos.

A multibillion Naira project With a US$200 million credit facility from the World Bank, the project aims, primarily, to increase sustainable access to basic urban services through investments in critical infrastructure.

Nine slums in Lagos State are beneficiaries Amukoko, Ajegunle, Agege, Badia, Ijeshatedo, Iwaya, Ilaje, Bariga, and Makoko - with multi storey school blocks, drainage channels, primary health care centres, roads, bore holes among other projects expected to be built in the communities.

The project, which began in July 2006, has a September 2013 termination date.

However, the quality and life span of some of the completed projects have continued to worry the beneficiaries.

For instance, the tap near Mr. Bala's home is among the 15 constructed by the project five years ago, each with a 5,000 litre daily capacity, according to the LMDGP. PREMIUM TIMES investigation showed that more than half of the boreholes have since stopped working.

A World Bank progress report stated that of the 75 completed boreholes across the state since the beginning of the project, only 23 were still working as at July 2012.

By December, the number had reduced to 20 boreholes.

"People complain that the water from some of the boreholes is not drinkable," said Toyin Balogun, Community Development Committee Chairman for all the communities in Agege.

Makoko "Some have not been working ever since they were sunk," Mr. Balogun added.

In 2008, the LMDGP sunk eight boreholes in AjeromiIfelodun local government, three of them in Ayetoro community, with a promise that the taps could run for decades if properly maintained.

Only one - at Kehinde Street is presently functional.

"The way they packed up is because of lack of maintenance.

People cannot even have the capacity of chance to fix it," Ibrahim Abass, a Secretary at Baale-Ayetoro CDA. Mr. Abass operates the borehole at Kehinde Street where he collects stipends - that he uses to ensure that the machine keeps running - from residents who come to fetch water from the tap.

"LMDGP gave this borehole to this community. We went out to training through the LMDGP three years ago. They even enlightened us that this borehole is for us people and that if we can even maintain it, maybe 20-30 years, it will benefit us," said Mr. Abass.

"But the LMDGP said that if there is any difficulty or any problem, we should contact them," he added.

Months after the borehole became operational, a myriad of problems arose.

First, the water cylinder started to leak, then the generator and the pumping engine broke down.

"When the problem came, we make phone call (to LMDGP) but no way. I can even say twice or thrice I went to there and they said they will come and we didn't see them," said Mr. Abass.

"We don't even know who can put us through to contact them (LMDGP)," he added.

After several efforts failed, the Ayetoro community took their destiny in their own hands, searching out a competent engineer and using the revenue generated at the tap to seek his

services whenever the need arises.

"We don't normally know people who can even put us through to repair it, that's why we contact them.

"But as at now, when we faced it and we looked around, we see people who can even do the repair and they did it. As at now we don't need to contact them again because we have the connection by ourselves."

In Ajegunle, the incessant breakdown of the 500KVA transformer installed for the residents at Layinka Street, in 2008, have tilted their initial succour towards abject frustration.

"Every three months, the transformer must blow, and they will ask everybody to contribute money to buy something that spoilt," said Johnson Oku, a resident.

Olawale Ariyo, an Electrical Engineer who helped install all eight LMDGP transformers in Ajeromi-Ifelodun local government five years ago, said that the "sub-standard equipment" used in the transformer is the cause of its continuous malfunction.

"The transformer is quite okay, but the feeder pillar is the problem," said Mr. Ariyo, who also resides in Ajegunle.

"The main source on the feeder pillar supplying each of all the three feeder units is not strong enough.

"The armoured cable that they used is small. They used 70mm

(millimetre), even that 70mm is not up to the main 70mm. What they are supposed to use is, at least, 90mm," said Mr. Ariyo.

"Then, I wanted to tell them because the materials they give to us is what we are going to use. I knew all the cables they brought for that work will not serve well. I know all the other areas will be having the same problem because they brought the same feeder pillars and cables for all the transformers," he added.

The transformer, located in the heart of the densely populated Ajegunle, serves, in addition to Layinka Street; Jibowu, Kojo, Arumo, and Olatoye Streets.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt that ABP Engineering, the original contractors for the installation of the transformers sub-let the contract to the firm in which Mr. Ariyo worked.

"We were just sub-contractors, and we don't even have access to the main manager," Mr. Ariyo said.

"The people that used to come and supervise our job, we used to tell them that their cable will not last well but they said that's what was produced for them.

"If those feeder pillars can be upgraded and the cable changed to something stronger, the transformer will work better," Mr. Ariyo added.

The demolitions At a stakeholders' meeting in June, 2011, the LMDGP assured dozens of leaders of Community Development Associations (CDAs)

“

The Lagos State Government is desirous of restoring the amenity and value of the waterfront, protect life and property, promote legitimate economic activities on the waterfront to underline the mega city status of Lagos State and has decided to clear all illegal and unauthorized developments on its waterfront

that the project would bring smiles to the faces of the residents.

"It is part of the World Bank policy that in the event of slums upgrading, residents should not be displaced, but rather, create as much as possible minimum inconveniences," Bayo Kelekun, then Project Director, LMDGP, said.

"We need the co-operation of every community so that when contractors are set to commence activities, there wouldn't be any delay," he added.

Despite such promises, barely one year later, the Lagos State Government embarked on an aggressive demolition of major slums across the state, a move that had continually blurred the line between the World Bank funded slum upgrade and the state's own urban renewal drive.

Last month, bulldozers and backhoes arrived, without warning, at the Oke Ilu-Eri slum settlement in Badia and destroyed hundreds of homes.

In Makoko, where the Egun community had established itself since the 18th century, primarily as a fishing village; the state's demolition squad visited last July, rendering thousands of occupants homeless.

The forceful eviction triggered a protest in the community after a local chief, Timothy Asikpona, 50, was shot and killed in the process by the police.

In a notice by the Lagos State Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure to the community prior to the demolition, last year, the state berated the community for continuing to occupy and develop shanties and "unwholesome structures" on the waterfront without authority.

"The Lagos State Government is desirous of restoring the amenity and value of the waterfront, protect life and property, promote legitimate economic activities on the waterfront to underline the mega city status of Lagos State and has decided to clear all illegal and unauthorized developments on its waterfront," read the notice dated 12th July 2012.

Felix Morka, a former member of the LMDGP's Project Steering Committee, PSC, said that he had insisted that the Makoko demolition was not in line with the LMDGP's vision of upgrading slums.

"As far as I'm concerned, the Lagos state government remains in breach of the contract it signed with the World Bank under the LMDGP," Mr. Morka, the Executive Director of Social and Economic Rights Action Centre, told PREMIUM TIMES. "What is going on in Makoko has nothing to do with any type of responsible government intervention. The notice they gave to the community is very clear. The government made it clear that they want to use the place for economic activity. So far, we've established that they want to use it for boat clubs," he added.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013

Wamako denies alleged plan to quit PDP S

okoto state government has described as false, reports that Governor Aliyu Wamakko is contemplating leaving the PDP and has a grouse

against Governor Akpabio of Akwa Ibom state over his chairmanship of the PDP Governor’s Forum.

A press statement yesterday

by Senior Special Assistant

By Agaju Madugba

Hajj 2013: Group tasks NAHCON, pilgrims’ boards on sale of seats

T

he Independent Hajj Reporters has surged the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Muslim pilgrims’ boards in the states to ensure transparency in the sale of 2013 hajj seats to intending pilgrims.

The group in a press statement in Abuja yesterday explained that the call becomes imperative in view of past experiences where some officials of state pilgrims boards in collaboration with money-bags hijacked hajj seats and later resold same to unsuspecting intending pilgrims at ridiculous prices.

The statement signed by the group’s National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammed and Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Mahmoud, said that, “the National Hajj Commission as an umbrella body saddled with the responsibility of regulating hajj activities in the country should create a monitoring mechanism to ensure that hajj seats allocated to states are sold to intending pilgrims in a transparent manner.

“We further challenge NAHCON to publish the number of hajj seats allocated to each state in the media as a way of discouraging hoarding.

“It is only through strict supervision that the issue of hajj seat racketeering can be reduced.

“In other countries like India and Pakistan, sale of hajj seats are done through a transparent process where potential pilgrims in are allocated numbers based on firstcome first-served basis. “The figure allocated to each region is displayed on open screen in each registration centre along with the last number allocated to pilgrims.

NAHCON should replicate the same process to restore pilgrims’ loss of confidence in the sale of hajj seats.”

The statement said the group was in support of the new online unified pilgrim’s registration by NAHCON and urged the commission to ensure that the various state pilgrims’ boards comply.

(Media) to the Governor, Sani Umar, said that, “the report is false in its entirety and a fiction of the imagination of the authors which should be disregarded by

responsible persons.

“We believe that apart from being a hatchet job, it is intended to cause mischief and denigrate the person of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Sokoto state widely acknowledged as a perfect gentleman and a man of impeccable character.

“To try to cause disaffection between him and his colleague, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom Godswill Akpabio, is to say the least, very uncharitable and

disrespectful knowing that the two gentlemen have enjoyed a good relationship between them.

“We wish to reaffirm for the avoidance of doubt that the tissue of lies being bandied by these disgruntled people should be disregarded.

“Any attempt to cause friction or bad blood between the two chief executives would not succeed no matter what because they both share great patriotism and faith in a greater Nigeria.”

Women singing and dancing to praise God, during the 2013 Mothers Day celebration, yesterday at the Catholic Pro- Cathedral Area 3, in Garki, Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

By Ibrahim Kabiru Sule, with agency reports

M

anaging Director of the Federal Airport Authority (FAAN), George Uriesi, has assured that the Nigeria aviation will continue to play key roles in aviation development in the continent as demonstrated by its massive infrastructural investment in airport developments.

According to Uriesi, the current airports remodeling project going on in Nigeria is a pointer to the enormous opportunities which abound for massive economic growth and development in the region.

Uriesi, who spoke to newsmen

Nigeria strives to maintain key role in Africa’s aviation industry - FAAN MD during the Airports Council International meeting, African region, in Morocco, further elaborated on the designation of airports as regional hubs to maximize their potentials and that the development of cargo ports is aimed at opening up the country to benefit from its full potential as an agro-allied economy.

“The obstacle removing leadership provided by the Nigerian Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Stella Oduah, has

repositioned the country as a serious global player ready to occupy its pride of place,” Uriesi said.

He said the conference fell within the framework of the initiative launched by ICAO and ACI to promote safety and has allowed stakeholders to contribute proactively to the requirements of a safe and secure air transportation system.

In their separate presentations, Capt. Henry Omeogu and Hajia Salamatu

Eluma, both directors from FAAN gave insights to progress made in FAAN and Nigeria in general.

The ACI Africa which is referred to as the voice of African airports represents and serves the African airport community and it has membership of 50 African countries.

The conference aims to sensitise participants on the importance of runway safety and collaboration among all stakeholders in the air transport chain.

Dangote Foundation donates N79.15m to combat measles in Nigeria

By Abdulwahab Isa

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he Dangote Foundation has contributed $ 500,000 (N79.15 million) through the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to support the government’s response to the recent measles outbreak that affected many States in Nigeria.

The donation was announced at the weekend in Lagos during a visit to the office of the President of Dangote Foundation, Aliko Dangote, by a delegation of the UNICEF led by the Country Representative, Ms. Jean Gough.

Gough lauded Dangote

Foundation saying, “public/ private sector interventions such as this in the health sector and other sectors such as water, early childhood development are the way forward for Nigeria to improve the well-being of Nigeria children.”

The grant is a major contribution to government’s fight against measles which is among the leading causes of child deaths in Nigeria especially in areas where immunisation coverage is low.

The UNICEF representative commended the Foundation and Aliko Dangote for the exemplary leadership being provided in

Nigeria’s effort to tackle vaccine preventable diseases such as Measles, Polio eradication and improve primary health care services.

A total of 16,809 measles cases have so far been reported across 614 local government areas.

In collaboration with World Health Organization and other partners, UNICEF has provided support to government with resource mobilisation as well as in the provision of technical support.

The grant from Dangote Foundation, Gough pointed out will support the measles

campaign by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Health and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).

The agency has concluded plans to conduct a measles campaign targeting children aged 6-59 months, in target local government areas of the states affected by the measles outbreak from 13-16, April 2013.

This will be integrated with polio campaign to be conducted on the same dates.

The grant is specifically for the procurement of 1.7 million doses of measles vaccine and the

gesture demonstrates the key role the private sector can play working in partnership with government and other partners in mitigating public health problems in Nigeria.

Dangote said the issue of health and safe living was a core responsibility in the discharge of the corporate social responsibility of the Foundation pointing out that, “we have a common synergy with UNICEF in the areas of health, education and nutrition and we hope that our efforts will encourage even more private sector engage with on-going efforts to improve the well-being of Nigerian.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2013

PAGE 7

Jigawa disburses N451m to flood victims From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

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he Jigawa state Flood Assessment Committee has begun the distribution of N451million assistance to victims of last year’s flood disaster.

Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Abdulkadir Jinjiri Dutse, who launched the disbursement at Kazaure local government area said the support was designed to reduce the pains of the victims. .

He said that over N3.2 million would be disbursed as assistance to 520 people who lost their houses during the disaster at Kazaure local government

area.

He said the committee will pay N5,000 each as assistance to people who lost at least one room in the disaster.

Dutse who was accompanied by the commissioners for Agriculture, Local Government and Environment said already food assistance had been given to victims of the flood that have lost their farm lands.

At Gwiwa local government area the Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Rabiu Isa Taura, disbursed N4.1million to 747 victims while N4.8 million naira was disbursed at Yankwashi local government area.

Water scarcity: BSG pleads with citizens From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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he Bauchi state government has pleaded with residents to exercise patience over the shortage of water in the state.

Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Sanni Bura, made the plea while addressing journalist at Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) secretariat in Bauchi at the weekend.

He assured that the administration of Governor Isa Yuguda is working round the clock to a dress the problem.

Bura attributed the shortage of water in parts of Bauchi metropolis to rusty and broken pipes as well as the increase population in the city and

environs.

According to him, government has purchased new pipes that will be able to pump adequate water into the metropolises as apart from an arrangement with the Power Holding Company of Nigeria for the supply of adequate power in the state.

Burra also revealed that Governor Isa Yuguda has approved the purchase of additional diesel and other lubricants to support the generating set in pumping water in the metropolises.

He said further that teams of engineers were going round the communities to assess the state of water equipment and bore holes.

Atlanta Georgia Senate commends African Leadership Magazine

By Ibrahim Kabiru Sule he Senate of the State of Georgia, Atlanta Georgia, in the United States has commended African Leadership Magazine and its Editor- in- Chief, Dr Ken Giami, for their efforts in promoting innovation, entrepreneurship and development in Africa.

The Senate gave the commendation at the AfricanAmerican International Business Forum which held in Atlanta, Georgia with a theme, ‘Harnessing Africa-The New Economic Frontier.’

The Senate’s commendation is contained in its Resolution 562 which was unanimously endorsed by all members.]

It came on the heels of efforts by the African leadership Group to promote African-American business partnerships through its publications, conferences and events held regularly in the United States of America.

Key members of the Georgia Legislature, top members of the Georgia and other American State

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Chambers of Commerce, representatives of big businesses and delegates from Africa, America, Europe and Asia were at the event which created a veritable platform for networking, business negotiations and exploratory meetings between American investors and service providers in Africa.

African Leadership Magazine has emerged as the vehicle of choice in the vanguard of showcasing the continent’s continual growth in the political, economic and socio-cultural indices used as benchmarks of international development.

The magazine, published monthly, focuses on different sectors of the African Economy and highlights the successes in that sector for the world to see.

The Magazine equally organises regular conferences and awards in different world capitals where outstanding achievers in diverse fields of endeavour are celebrated for their contributions to the growth of the African economy.

L-R: Jiji of Karu, General Theophilus Danjuma, with Kpasi of Karu, Professor Adamu Baikie, during their conferment with traditional titles by the Karu Traditional Council, on Saturday in Karu, Nasarawa state.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Kano destroys N100m counterfeit drugs

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano. ano state government has urged people from all walks of life to shun business of illicit and counterfeit drugs.

Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso said this at the weekend while destroying illicit and counterfeit drugs

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worth over N100 million at Farawa village in the Kano metropolis, yesterday.

Kwankwaso noted that, “those underrating the determination of this administration’s commitment of ridding Kano state of illicit, counterfeit and substandard

drugs are making a grave mistake.”

He explained that government in collaboration with the NAFDAC decided to impound and destroy the drugs to control the influx to fake and adulterated drugs into Kano.

Royal Dutch Shell Oil spill pollutes Nembe Kingdom

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eports said yesterday that a massive spill from an oil well owned by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) devastated the Ewellesuo community in Nembe, Bayelsa state. Sources in the predominantly fishing community said that the spill emanated from Well 62, operated by Shell in the area.

One source disclosed that the quick intervention of Mr. Nengi James, the chairman of the Nembe Oil and Gas Committee of the Nembe Kingdom, averted violence from aggrieved residents of the community.

“We wanted to take action but Chief Nengi James helped to cool us down,” said a source, adding that residents were tired of frequent oil spills caused by Shell.

Residents were said to have noticed the spillage on Saturday morning. One source said a thick film of oil covered the river, mangrove and waterways of the Nembe kingdom.

Mr. Timi Standfast, a fisherman and indigene of the Ewellesuo community, stated that the spillage covered the sources of drinking water and fishing for the people of the kingdom.

…As Bayelsa and Poland sign agreement on maritime academy “We have called on the SPDC officials and reported the spillage but they have not showed up, while the spill continues,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Bayelsa state government and Navimor International Maritime Academy of Poland at the weekend signed an agreement on the proposed Bayelsa Maritime Academy, in Brass.

The agreement was one of the highlights of the Poland Nigeria business forum held at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja.

Deputy Governor of Bayelsa state, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah, signed on behalf of the Bayelsa state government while Mr. Romuald Kinda, signed for Navimor International.

The Polish Prime Minister, Mr. Donald Tusk, and Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga, witnessed the signing of the agreement attended by Polish business investors who are in Nigeria in search of business investment opportunities.

The Bayelsa Maritime Academy which is expected to come into full swing in about 18 months will be the second maritime academy in the South-South area of the country.

There is the Maritime Academy, Oron, in Akwa Ibom state.

Speaking to journalists after signing the agreement, Jonah said that the Bayelsa Academy was being affiliated with the Navimor Maritime Academy, Poland.

He said that the intention of the state government was to build a maritime academy that will gain international recognition.

“We are establishing the Maritime Academy that will have international touch, international recognition,” he said.

In his reaction, Kinda, explained that the partnership with the Bayelsa government would enable his Academy transfer knowledge and the educational system of Poland to the Bayelsa Maritime Academy.

www.kn.gov.ng/new/

93rd KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING T

oday Wednesday 10th April, 2013 (29th Jumada Awwal, 1434AH) the Kano State Executive Council held its ninety third (93rd) Sitting under the Chairmanship of Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. Sixty nine (69) memoranda were submitted by fourteen (14) MDAs for deliberation by Council among which fifty (50) were approved for execution with forty four (44) of them having financial implications to the tune of One Billion, One Hundred and Fifty Five Million, Five Hundred and Thirty Three Thousand, Nine Hundred and Seventy Two Naira, Forty Four Kobo (N1,155,533,972.44) while the remaining nineteen (19) were on policy issues. Thus: 1.OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT The Office of the Secretary to the State Government submitted thirty four (34) memoranda on behalf of some MDAs for deliberation by Council. Twenty two (22) of them were approved for execution as follows: a.Registration of Qur'anic/Tsangaya Schools in the State It is the belief of this administration that the successful conduct of the census of Qur'anic/ Islamiyya Schools is indispensable for effective implementation of any program aimed at streamlining the system for the benefits of the society. The State Government is convinced that knowing an accurate and up-to-date number of such schools/students is essential for any meaningful governance and successful implementation of programs that will in the near future solve the menace associated with 'almajiranci'. It is with this belief and concern this administration accepted the challenge of conducting a census. This administration believes that the only way to bring development in any sector, such as on the traditional/religious education system is through knowing how many are engaged in the system. In fact, past experience has shown the failure of the immediate administrations in transforming the traditional/religious educational system to the lack of adequate statistical data. The effort of knowing their number is the only source of data that can help provide the basis for a solution to the problems so much linked with the system. Through this the Government will be able to identify the needs and priorities of the pupils, teachers and parents and provide a rational basis for beneficial policy. The physical needs, aspirations and living conditions of the students/pupils can be understood and assessed. There are compelling reasons why this system and its participants must be integrated into the modern development process. This is because of the numerical strength of the participants and their untapped youthful energy for a nation that requires every support from its citizens to progress.

This explains the basis for this information memorandum submitted by the Senior Special Assistant on Qur'anic/Islamiyya Schools. In the report he informed Council that there is a total of 8829 Qur'anic/Tsangaya Schools with 795,009 students/pupils scattered in the 261 wards of the following census Local Government Areas: *Albasu, Bichi, Danbatta, D/Tofa, G/Mallam, Gaya, Gezawa, Gwale, Gwarzo, Municipal, Karaye, Kibiya, Kura, Madobi, Takai, Tofa, Tsanyawa, Wudil, R/Gado, Gabasawa, Kunchi, Makoda, Tarauni, and Dala.

The report indicated that out of the total number of 795,009 students/pupils from the 24 Local Government Areas, there are 436,160 Kano State Indigenous youths, 88,563 non indigenous and 4,138 foreigners. Council appreciated this report and urged the remaining Local Governments to submit their findings. b.Presentation of Brief on the Reform of Public Transportation for Effective Revenue Generation, Control and Compliance with Traffic Rules and Regulations in the Metropolis:The State Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport alerted Council, through the contents of this memorandum that the Commercial Transport Sector in Kano Metropolis needs urgent transformation in view of the current chaotic situation. The chaos is caused by the dominance of unorganized private sector participants and absence of minimum entry regulations. The government initiated Kano Road Transport Agency (KAROTA) in order to urgently salvage the situation through ensuring improved compliance with traffic rules and regulations, decongesting of roads, enforcement of the use of Government approved motor parks and improvement in revenue generation while at the same time carving a new image for the State.

The effort is capital intensive and calls for deliberate effort by Government to maximize and expand revenue collection so as to maintain the infrastructure as provided in the Government approved motor parks.

Council was further alerted that, to successfully transform transportation in Kano metropolis there is a need to introduce and enforce the use of centralized "Passenger Manifest" in all public motor parks. This proposal is a consensus among Transport Unions, the Nigerian Police, KAROTA, etc.

In any case, KAROTA and the Nigerian Police will provide check points which will be responsible for the enforcement of the use of this manifest through the provision of checkpoints at gateways from/into Kano. This is envisaged to provide the following: •Safety and Security of Passengers •The total closure of illegal motor parks as all commercial vehicles will be checked at gateways to display their manifest.

•Improve Government revenue generation To produce such manifests, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport requested for the release of the sum of N25,000,000.00 to enable KAROTA commence with the implementation of the program.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the sum of N5,000,000.00 only to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to enable KAROTA initiate and implement the stated program in view of its relevance to the policy of the present administration. c.Request for Permission/Consent for the Hon. Commissioner Ministry of Water Resources to serve as a member of the Steering Committee on the World Bank Funded Irrigation and Improved Projects:Contents of this memorandum, submitted by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, informed Council of the inauguration of a Steering Committee on the World Bank funded Irrigation and Improved Projects by the Honorable Minister for Water Resources. The Committee is composed of the following: •Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources- Chairman •Representative from Federal Ministry of Power- Member •Representative from Federal Ministry of Agriculture-Member •Representative from Federal Ministry of Environment-Member •Representative from Federal Ministry of Finance-Member •Hon. Commissioners of the affected States.

Essentially, Council was further informed of the fact that, Gari and Kano River Irrigation projects are amongst the projects earmarked for rehabilitation by the initiated Assisted Programs of the World Bank with a pledge of assistance of the sum of 400 million US Dollars (N64,000,000,000.00) for the development of water and irrigation sectors in the country.

As such, the Office of the Secretary to the State Government requested permission for the Hon. Commissioner for Water Resources to serve on the Steering Committee as a member. Council granted the request as Kano State is a prominent stakeholder when it comes to irrigation agriculture in the country. d.Presentation on the likelihood of some of the 501 Students Sponsored for Postgraduate Studies Abroad to Switch to PhD Programs:In fact, a large part of the services to be rendered by any administration must focus on the development of human resources through the provision of qualitative education. This administration is investing in human capital through the sponsorship of indigenous qualified youths to pursue education and other career courses within and outside the nation. Such investment is expected to increase and expand the capacity of the State human capital. The impact may not be immediate but will be seen in the near future. The State has sponsored 501 students to study for second degrees overseas in different academic and professional fields. This is in addition to the 100 youths selected to study medicine and another 100 to study pilot and aircraft engineering in Jordan.

This brings us to the contents of this memorandum submitted by the State Scholarship Board.

The gist of the communication was that out of the 501 students sponsored for second degrees some of them are being considered for PhD programs by their institutions due to their excellent performance.

So, the Office of the Secretary to the State Government requested Council to grant mandate to the State Scholarship Board to consider such cases as they emerge based on their merit though without additional cost.

Council noted, considered and granted approval on mandating the State Scholarship Board as suggested by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government. This is certainly an added advantage. e.Request for funds to settle 2nd and 3rd Quarter Feeding Allowance in Respect of the First Batch of Sixty Five (65) Kano State Indigenous Students Sponsored for Studies at Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State:The present administration under the capable leadership of Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE delivers on its commitments from inception to date. Sponsorship was granted to a multitude number of students for studies locally and abroad. Such students have to be adequately fed and provided for.

So, the State Scholarship Board requested for the release of the sum of N3, 900,000.00 by Council through the contents of this memorandum. The money is to be disbursed to the first batch of sixty five (65) students sponsored for studies at Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State, in settlement of their 2nd and 3rd quarter feeding allowance. Approval was granted by Council as requested for the release of the sum of N3,900,000.00 to the State Scholarship Board for disbursement to the sixty five (65) students sponsored for studies at Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State in settlement of their 2nd and 3rd quarter feeding allowance. f.Presentation of Complaint/Petition on Some Alleged Irregularities in Employment Status of Some Kano Line Staff:The Head of Civil Service reminded Council, through the contents of this memorandum submitted for Council's consideration, that some individuals under the banner of "Concerned Kano Line Staff" had submitted a Complaint/Petition highlighting any alleged irregularities in employment status of some Kano Line Staff.

A small Committee was formed, as instructed by Council, to look into the issue. The findings of the Committee were presented in summary for Council's consideration. i.Eight (8) of the Staff at Kano Line are indeed pensioners as correctly alleged in the petition but were re-absorbed by the Agency based on their expertise and the peculiarities of the Agency. ii.Six (6) Staff are Degree, Diploma and NCE holders who were employed and placed on

ENGR. RABI`U MUSA KWANKWASO Executive Governor, Kano State

lower grade levels not commensurate with their educational qualifications (i.e. GL 03-05). This allegation was also true but investigation confirmed that their appointment was based on available vacancies at the disposal of the Agency at that point in time and the Officers were given the opportunity to accept or reject the offers. As such, the authorities cannot be blamed for this. iii.It was established that six (6) of the eight (8) Officers reported to have been placed on the appropriate grade level based on alleged good rapport with the management were found to be suitable for employment under their current grade levels. However, it was determined that the appointments of the remaining two (2) Officers was in breach of the relevant provisions of the scheme of Service. iv.It was determined that the four (4) staffs portrayed to be non-indigenous to Kano State are actually Kano State Indigene.

As such, the Office of the Head of Civil Service, submitted the request listed below for Council's consideration and approval.

•Council should grant concessions to Kano Line to engage Pensioners as Contract/Casual Staff based on the Agency's peculiarities as a profit making organization that requires the services of qualified/reliable Staff at all times.

•Maintenance of the Status quo should be approved by Council on those Degree, Diploma and NCE holders recruited on lower grade levels as the decision of the authorities at Kano Line to engage them under terms was dictated by the vacancies available at that point in time.

Council noted, considered and approved the two (2) prayers but also encouraged the Agency to engage fresh applicants than to continue with the employment of retirees who earn monthly pension. g.Request for Funds to Enable Purchase of Heavy Duty Hydraulic Jack:The cardinal aim of establishing the Kano Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA) is to facilitate easy movement on our roads by enforcing traffic rules and regulations and decongesting of roads of unnecessary blockages. Overloaded trucks that break down in the middle of the roads are among the causes of such unwanted blockages. KAROTA usually tow away such vehicles. Heavy Duty Hydraulic Jacks are required for this purpose. KAROTA has the appropriate number of required heavy duty operational vehicles for the purpose but lacks the heavy duty hydraulic jacks for the operation.

So, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport requested for the release of the aggregate sum of N3,600,000.00 to enable the procurement of three (3) heavy duty hydraulic jacks for use by KAROTA to tow away broken down vehicles from the roads.

The credibility of the request prompted Council to approve the release of the requested sum of N3,600,000.00 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport for the procurement of three (3) heavy duty hydraulic jacks for the use of KAROTA in the execution of their duties. h.Request for Funds to Enable Payment of Rent Supplement for the Year 2013 to Judges/ Khadis:Office of the Head of Civil Service requested for the release of the sum of N116,044,780.00 through contents of the memorandum submitted to Council. This is to enable payment of Rent Supplement en-bloc for the year 2013 to the State Chief Judge, Grand Khadi, twenty one (21) Hon. Judges and nine (9) Hon. Khadis of the State Judiciary.

Considering the Statutory Credibility of the request, Council approved the release of the sum of N116,044,780.00 to the Ministry of Justice for disbursement to the respective beneficiaries. i.Request for Funds to Enable Eight (8) Hon. Judges Attend a Five (5) Day Refresher Course:The State High Court of Justice requested for the release of funds by Council through the Office of the Head of Civil Service. This is in order to enable eight (8) Hon. Judges attend a Refresher Course organized by the National Judicial Institute slated for 8th - 12th April, 2013 at Abuja. The request was for the release of the sum of N1,184,000.00 to be disbursed equally to the beneficiary Judges as DTA respectively.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the requested sum of N1,184,000.00 to the Ministry of Justice to enable eight (8) Judges of the State High Court attend the stated Refresher Course in order to improve and update their knowledge and capacity in the dispensation of Justice. j.Request for Funds to Enable Purchase of Midwifery Kits-Tag Named Kwankwasiyya Midwifery Kit:The Ministry of Health alerted Council, through the contents of this memorandum of receipt of a Letter from The Pestagon Nigeria Limited. The Communication was presented to Council by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government. Pestagon Nigeria Limited proposed for sell a prototype Midwifery kit consisting of all necessary tools required for Child Birth/delivery especially in remote areas of the State where such facilities are scarce. The kit was forwarded along with a comprehensive list of its contents at the unit cost of N77,070.00 for Council's consideration.

This communication recommended and requested for approval by Council for each of the 44 LGCAs across the State to contribute and purchase 500 units of the Midwifery kit at the total cost of N77,070.00 x 500 = N38,535,000.00. Each LGCA will therefore contribute the = N875,795.46 to secure at least eleven (11) of the kits.

Considering the policy of the present administration for qualitative Health Care Delivery Services to reach all nooks and corners of the State as climaxed by the Kwankwasiyya Medical Outreach program, Council approved and permitted all of the 44 LGCAs in the State to contribute the sum of N875,795.46 each to enable the purchase of 500 units of the Kwankwasiyya prototype Midwifery kit. k.The Take-Off of Kano Roads Maintenance Agency (KARMA):The contents of this memorandum submitted for Council's consideration by the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport, maintains that KARMA has been established complete with appointment of relevant Senior Officers to manage its affairs as a formidable Agency that handles required maintenance of roads across the State.

In this regard, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport requested from Council the granting of approval for the allocation of operational and official vehicles to the newly appointed senior officers of the Agency and the allocation of the KNUPDA yard at Kofar Dan' Agundi as KARMA's permanent Office. Council approved the request for the allocation of the KNUPDA yard to be the permanent site of KARMA and the release of the sum of N24,072,110.91 for its renovation. Council also noted, considered the requests as plausible and approved the procurement and allocation of one (1) Toyota Corolla Saloon and three (3) Toyota Hilux Double Cabin Pick Up Vehicles by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for use at KARMA. i.Request for Funds to Enable Beautification of Zaria Road Flyover Interchange:Beautification of Urban Kano is among the cardinal resolutions of the present administration.

Many projects in this regard are in progress while multitude numbers of others have been completed especially the laying of garden interlock tiles along pedestrian walkways on our major roads and installation/repairs/maintenance of street and traffic lights.

The Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Urban Beautification and Development Control requested for the beautification of the Flyover Interchange at Zaria Road for which the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport requested for the release of the scaled down sum of N36,434,868.75 to facilitate the execution of the proposal. Council granted the request. p.Request for Funds to Facilitate the Provision of Required Office Furniture at the Newly Constructed Office Block of the Pension Fund Trustees (KSPTF):Office of the Secretary to the State Government submitted this memorandum for deliberation by Council on behalf of the Kano State Pension Fund Trustees. The contents of this memorandum reminded Council of its recent approval granted for the construction of a new Office Block to replace the previous one destroyed during the rampage that occurred as an aftermath of the 2011 Presidential

Elections.

The new Office is now completed and set for utilization once appropriately furnished for which Council was requested to approve the release of the sum of N24, 503,555.60 to facilitate.

Approval was granted by Council as requested for the release of the sum of N24,503,555.60 to the Kano State Pension Fund Trustees (KSPFT) to furnish its newly constructed Office Block for immediate occupation/utilization. q.Presentation of Report from the Committee on the Registration of Local Estate Agents (Dillalan Gidaje da Filaye) and Request for Funds to Enable the Registration Exercise:The contents of this memorandum presented highlights of the report submitted by the Committee on Registration of Local Estate Agents (Dillalan Filaye da Gidaje). The main highlights of the report were on the findings and recommendations of the Committee to Government for consideration as presented by the Office of Secretary to the State Government.

Essentially, seven (7) findings were highlighted based on which seven (7) recommendations were proffered to Government by the Committee. The recommendations, which were approved by the Council include: i.The Committee plans to sensitize the Local Estate Agents on all Government Land policies by conducting Seminars to the Executive members of their Associations and airing jingles over the media (Radio, Television, etc.). ii.That the Committee will collaborate with the Executive members of the Local Agents (i.e.

Kano Property Agency Development Association or KPADA) to assist the Local Estate Agents obtain registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) or Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Cooperatives and Tourism. iii.That the Committee plans to conduct Bio-Data collection of all the Local Estate Agents for easy identification. iv.Proper identification cards will be issued to every registered Local Estate Agent at the cost of N1,000.00. v.KANGIS is proposed to be the custodian of all relevant data/information collection for the Local Estate Agents. vi.That the Committee should be elevated to the status of a Standing Committee. vii.That Government should approve the release of the sum of N16,492,000.00 to enable facilitation of the registration exercise. r.Request for Funds to Enable the Installation of 100KVA Electricity Generators at Kura and Dawakin Kudu General Hospitals:The Hon. Commissioner for Health submitted a request for the release of the sum of N8,610,151.00 by Council, through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, to enable the purchase and installation/maintenance (1year guarantee period) of two (2) 100KVA electricity generating sets at Kura and Dawakin Kudu General Hospitals. This is in order to address the incessant electric power outages at the respective hospitals.

Cognizant of the existing realities regarding electricity supply in the State and the Country in general, Council approved the release of the requested sum of N8,610,151.46 to the Ministry of Health to enable the procurement and installation of two (2) 100KVA electricity generators for the General Hospital Kura and Dawakin Kudu. s.Presentation of Letter of Appreciation From the Nigerian Prison Service:The Controller of Prisons, Kano State submitted an appreciation letter to Governor Engr.

Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government. The contents of the letter expressed profound gratitude over the granting of approval for the purchase and allocation of two (2) brand new 18-Seater Toyota Hiace Buses to the Prisons Service Kano State for use in conveying prisoners to and from the Courts. t.Request for Funds to Facilitate the Payment of Transportation Allowance to Students on Exchange Program:The Ministry of Education submitted a request for the release of the sum of N3,733,600.00 by the Council, through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to enable the payment of transportation allowance to Students from other States studying at Kachako, Karaye Unity Schools and the School for Arabic Studies (SAS). The money will be utilized as follows; i.957 Students from other States will be paid transportation allowances back to their respective States for the 2nd term break/holiday. ii.629 Kano State Indigenous Students studying in other States will be paid transportation allowances to resume studying for the 3rd term in other States. iii.20 Teachers to escort the 957 Students back to their home States will be paid transportation allowances.

Considering the relevance of the request, Council approved the release of the requested sum of N3,733,600.00 to the Ministry of Education to facilitate payment of the stated transportation allowances.

2.MINISTRY OF LAND AND PHYSICAL PLANNING The Ministry of Land and Physical Planning submitted five (5) memoranda for deliberation by Council. Three (3) of them were approved for execution as follows: a.Request for Funds to Enable Payment of Compensation for Acquired/Required Land (Site) for the Purpose of Construction/Building of a Clinic by the Nigerian Red Cross Society:The Hon. Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning informed Council, through the contents of this memorandum that a piece of Land was secured for the construction of a clinic by the Nigerian Red Cross Society along Zaria Road for emergency services. The Ministry of Land and Physical Planning requested for the release of the sum of N798,280.00 by Council to enable payment of compensation for the acquired piece of land for the envisaged purpose. The request was approved.

In a related development, the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning submitted a memorandum for the supply of an operational vehicle for the dispensation of the day to day professional functions of the various Departments especially Survey, Deeds, Physical Planning, Cadastral and One-Stop-Shop Office. Each of these Departments deserves the allocation of at least three (3) operational vehicles to total up to twelve (12) for the four (4) Departments. The functions of these Departments entail compensation, Survey, Acquisition, Valuation, Cadastral record, Land transaction and revenue generation.

So, the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning requested for approval by Council for the procurement and allocation of twelve (12) Toyota Hilux Double Cabin Pick Up vehicles for use by various Departments in the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning.

Council considered the request and approved as well as directed the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to process the procurement and allocation of two (2) Toyota Hilux Double Cabin Pick Up vehicles in respect of the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning at the aggregate sum of N13,900,000.00 (i.e. N6,950,000.00 per unit). b.Request for Funds to Facilitate the Relocation of PHCN Utilities and Construction of Drainage Along Sokoto Road:Sokoto Road is among the eleven (11) roads recently selected for the laying of garden interlock tiles along their pedestrian walkways with the aim of beautifying the roads and making the walkways more comfortable to walk on. This protects the walkways and guards them from hawking and encroachment. The eleven (11) roads (Sokoto Road inclusive) were earmarked for an expenditure of N84,989,100.00 for the interlock tiling project.

In any case, as the interlock tiling project progresses on Sokoto Road, it was discovered that some section of the road (Guda Abdullahi Junction to Wudil Road) has no drainage system and is considered inevitable to ensure free flow of water during raining season. There is also the existence of PHCN facilities that required relocation.

Reportedly, KNUPDA has assessed the cost of both relocation of the PHCN facilities and construction of the drainage amounting to N10,000,000.00 and N15,988,727.27 respectively totaling to the aggregate sum of N25,988,727.27.

Notably, there is a provision for cover slabs in the BEME for the interlock tiling projects for the selected. Eleven (11) roads (Sokoto Road inclusive) to the sum of N29,700,000.00. This can be replaced by the project of relocating the PHCN facilities and construction of the required drainage on Sokoto Road.

So, the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning requested Council to grant approval for the swapping of the provision of cover slabs at the cost of N29,700,000.00 from the N84,989,100.00 approved for the interlock tiling project on the eleven (11) selected roads.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the sum of N70,000,000.00 to the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to enable KNUPDA continue with the general interlock tiling project on the selected roads and the execution of the relocation of PHCN facilities and drainage construction on Sokoto Road.

3.OFFICE OF THE HEAD OF CIVIL SERVICE This Office directly submitted five (5) memoranda for deliberation by Council and four (4) were approved for execution as follows: a.Request for Funds to Enable Payment of the First Batch of Bereaved Family Allowance for the Year 2013:Office of the Head of Civil Service requested for the release of the aggregate sum of N5,685,000.00 by Council in compliance with Statutory provisions for disbursement as bereaved family allowance(s) to 105 families of deceased Civil Servants as first batch (1st) for the year 2013.

Council promptly approved the release of the requested sum of N5,685,000.00 to the Office of the Head Civil Service for disbursement to the 105 bereaved families of deceased Civil Servants as the first batch for the year 2013. A report of the successful disbursement of the eleventh (11th) batch of the year 2012 was presented to Council for perusal. b.Request for Funds to Enable Registration of Serving Civil Servants Currently with Both the State and LGCAs and Members of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Kano Branch:The Head of Civil Service politely alerted Council of a request for financial assistance from the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Kano Branch to enable registration of its members with the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria. ANAN is one of the two professional accounting bodies in Nigeria recognized by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria. It is a virile homegrown accountancy body which provides a path to a recognized professional qualification which is of the highest international standard and is open to both genders solely on the basis of educational qualification/capacity. Officially launched on 1st January, 1979, ANAN is charged with the general duty, among other things, with advancing the Science of Accountancy. Presently, 175

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of its members work with both the State and LGCs among which 142 are Civil Servants with the State Government. So, the Head of Civil Service requested for the release of the sum of N2,982,000.00

by Council to enable the registration of 142 Civil Servants currently with the State Government and direct the 44 LGCAs to process the registration of their respective Staff.

The registration fee per individual is N21,000.00 and this multiplied by 142 Civil Servants with the State amounts to the requested sum of N2,982,000.00 which was approved for release by Council to the Head of Civil Service to enable registration of the 142 Civil Servants and members of ANAN with the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria as the Accounting profession demands.

Council directed the 44 LGCs to process sponsorship of Staff under their domain for the registration exercise. c.Request for Funds to Enable Payment of Death Benefit in Respect of Late Justice Muhammad Halliru Abdullahi:Council approved the release of the sum of N68,663,138.04 as the Statutory Benefit for the bereaved family of Late Justice Muhammad Halliru Abdullahi while commiserating with them for the irreplaceable loss as the contents of this memorandum, submitted to Council for consideration by the Office of the Head of Civil Service, recounted the glorious history of Late Justice Muhammad Halliru Abdullahi. d.Request for Funds to Enable Payment of Allowance to 288 Magistrates, Judges, State Counsel and other Judicial Staff:Office of the Head of Civil Service presented a request submitted by the State Ministry of Justice, Shari'a Court of Appeal, Law Reform Commission and the State High Court Judges. The request was for approval by Council for the release of robe allowance to a total of 288 Magistrates, Judges, State Counsels and other Judicial Staff to the tune of N8,640,000.00. The request was considered credible with the potential of improving the condition of service for the Judicial Officers in the State. So, Council considered and approved the release of the requested sum of N8,640,000.00 to the Office of Head of Civil Service for disbursement to the 288 Judicial Officers in the State according to the details presented.

4.MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND BUDGET Two (2) memoranda were submitted for deliberation by Council from the Ministry of Planning and Budget. Only one (1) of them was approved for execution. Thus; Presentation on Reconstitution/Resuscitation of Committee on Revenue Generation, Mobilization and Auditing as well as Formation of a Technical Committee:The Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Planning and Budget, notified Council, through the contents of this memorandum that, since the establishment of Kano as a State, there has been a Standing Committee on Revenue consisting of stakeholders from key Revenue generating MDAs. The Standing Committee is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring the optimum revenue collection, proper accountability and transparency on collections and related matters.

Further, Council was reminded of recent approval granted for stopping all contra-entries by MDAs and Centralization of all Revenue Accounts under the supervision of the Board of Internal Revenue in order to stop leakages and enhance Internal Revenue Generation (IGR). This feat earned Kano State recognition and granting of an award by "Transparency International, Nigeria" which rated the State as first in the Federation on Transparency, Accountability and Prudence in Budget implementation, fiscal discipline as well as enhanced revenue generation. This needs to be sustained and consolidated. So, Council was notified of the composition of the new Revenue Generation, Mobilization and Auditing Committee's membership under the Chairmanship of the Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Finance. The Committee comprises sixteen (16) members which will constantly be engaging/liaising with all Revenue generating entries so as to ensure that targets set for Revenues/Tax collection are achieved as scheduled. Monthly meetings will be held by the Committee in order to review collections, etc. This will certainly facilitate for accruing more revenue/resources to the Government to sustain its laudable developmental projects across the State.

Hence, a Smaller Technical Committee was formed which will meet more frequently (weekly) in order to collate, analyze and report to the main Committee on all data/information on revenue collections by MDAs and other sources. This Technical Committee comprises nine (9) members under the Chairmanship of the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance.

Essentially, the terms of reference for both Committees were presented for Council's perusal and appropriate direction.

Council acknowledged the presentation in appreciation and approved the composition and membership of the two (2) Committees.

5.MINISTRY OF HEALTH Three (3) memoranda were submitted for deliberation by Council from the Ministry of Health.

All of them were approved for execution as follows; a.Request for Funds to Enable Construction/Renovation Works at School of Basic Midwifery Dambatta:The Health Sector is among those that enjoy priority consideration in the general transformation efforts of the present administration. Infrastructure and qualitative number of personnel required to deliver impeccable Health Care Delivery Services are continuously provided especially as regards the training of professional health personnel. Council was notified that, the School of Basic Midwifery, Dambatta was established to supplement and reduce the pressure on the only one (1) existing School of Midwifery, Kano. This ensured expansion, improvement and availability of Midwives/Staff strength in the health sector of the State as well as provided skilled health care delivery to address Maternal and Child Mortality and Morbidity.

The contents of this memorandum reminded Council of the supportive effort of the present administration since its second inception to the School of Basic Midwifery, Dambatta. Approvals were granted in 2011 for the construction of additional Students' hostel, supply of required textbooks, furniture/equipment and other working materials at the cost of N73,992,862.27.

Reportedly, the approved projects have been executed successfully to 100% level. And, the Ministry of Health submitted yet another proposal for Council's consideration and approval which centers on the need to renovate/refurbish the female Students' hostel which was destroyed by fire outbreak, Tutorial/classroom, construction of Office block and toilet, etc. Designs/Drawings and Bills of Quantities for the proposed projects were prepared and estimated at the total contract sum of N56,203,938.88 which was requested for release by Council to the Ministry of Health to enable execution of the projects.

Council considered the request credible and congruent to the policy of the present administration. So, approval was granted for the release of the sum of N56,203,938.88 to the Ministry of Health to enable execution of the stated projects at the School of Basic Midwifery, Dambatta. b.Request for Funds to Facilitate Additional Interlock Tiling/Renovation Works at MultiDrugs Resistance Unit of Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) Kano:The Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Health, reminded Council of its approval granted for equipping/furnishing of T B Multi-Drugs Resistance (MDR ward) unit and Landscaping/interlock tiling, conversion of box culvert to Ring covered drainage/renovation of two (2) blocks of six (6) cubicles VIP Latrines at this regional referral Infectious Diseases Hospital. The projects were approved for execution at the total release sum of N92,849,927.48.

The approved projects were successfully executed and Commissioned on Thursday 1st November, 2012. The Hospital premises presently looks good. Nevertheless, some additional works were identified as required for interlock tiling/renovation at the MDR unit. This additional works need to be executed so as to improve the general environmental/sanitary condition and comfort commensurate to the current standard of the IDH as well as avert the unprecedented spread of communicable diseases within the Hospital and neighbouring Communities.

The additional work was assessed and estimated at the cost of N13,497,349.68 which was requested by the Ministry of Health to enable execution of the stated additional works at the IDH so as to complete the good work initiated.

Approval was granted as requested by Council for the release of the sum of N13,497,349.68 to the Ministry of Health to undertake the stated project in view of its significance. c.Request for Funds to Enable Construction of Additional Structures and Extension Works At Kwankwaso New Cottage Hospital:Contents of this memorandum, submitted to Council for consideration, cited recent approvals granted to the Ministry of Health concerning the new Cottage Hospital at Kwankwaso Town. The approvals included the ones with reference numbers SSCA/CA/EX/13/1/13 dated 9th December, 2012 and SSCA/CA/EX/13/1/42 dated 22nd May, 2012 for the renovation/construction and equipping/furnishing works at the total contract sum of N54,388,853.71 and N57,212,081.45 respectively as phase I and phase II of upgrading Kwankwaso Primary Health Centre to Cottage Hospital. These projects have been executed successfully awaiting the addition of necessary structures and extension works to enable smooth take-off of the new Cottage Hospital and subsequent Commissioning as well as commencement of service delivery.

The Ministry of Health reported to Council, through the contents of this memorandum the scope of works required has been inspected, assessed and estimated at the cost of N99,515,780.82 which was requested for release by Council to enable execution of the stated required additional works at Kwankwaso new Cottage Hospital.

Approval was granted by Council for the release of the requested sum of N99,515,780.82 to the Ministry of Health to expedite action in the execution of the stated additional works at the new Cottage Hospital at Kwankwaso so as to ensure its immediate Commissioning and commencement of service delivery.

6.MINISTRY OF WORKS, HOUSING AND TRANSPORT The Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport directly submitted six (6) memoranda for deliberation by Council. Five (5) of them were approved for execution as follows; a.Request for Funds to Enable Provision of the Proposed Trade Cluster Butchers' Market at Post Office Road:The Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport politely reminded Council, through the contents of this memorandum of, the present administration's policy on the need to cluster identical trades amongst which is the Butchers' business center proposed for construction at Post Office Road/area in the State.

The Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport assessed the extent of works required and prepared drawings and Bill of Quantities in the sum of N12,977,501.01. Details were presented for perusal by Council while approval was sought for the release of the assessed/estimated sum of money to enable execution of the project.

The request was favorably considered by Council which granted approval for the release of the requested sum of N12,977,501.01 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to enable execution of works on the provision/construction of the proposed Trade Cluster Butchers' Market at Post Office Road/area according to the details presented. This will actualize another laudable policy of the present administration.

Notably, the present administration has approved and released the required funds for the training and empowerment of 10,000 butchers across the nooks and crannies of the State. Already, 4,400 Butchers selected from across the 44 LGCAs in the State had undergone the empowerment program. b.Request for Funds to Enable the Immediate Take-Off of Kano State Driving Institute at Wara-Talla Along Zaria Road:The Kano State Driving Institute was amongst the 21 Entrepreneur/Empowerment institutions established by the present administration aimed at training youths skills for self reliance. These institutions are targeted at alleviating the scourge of mass unemployment in our society where thousands of our youths are jobless. They are also meant to inculcate the ethos of self-employment which is a strand in this administration's economic reconstruction program. Thus, the Driving Institute is now ready to admit students but for furnishing of some offices and classes. This explains the contents of this memorandum in which a request for the release of funds to enable the supply of furniture and other learning facilities at the cost of N47,944,568.70 was submitted earlier on.

Luckily, some of the required items were obtained by the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport

from among the furniture removed from Abuja Liaison Office. So, a new Bill of Quantities for the furnishing was prepared at the cost of N34,902,875.70 making a saving of N13,041,693.00 when compared to the earlier request.

As such, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport requested for the release of the sum of N34,902,875.70 by Council to enable execution of the stated works at the Kano State Driving Institute at Wara-Talla along Zaria Road.

Approval was granted by Council as requested for the release of the sum of N34,902,875.70 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to enable execution of the stated project so as to ensure immediate take-off of the Kano State Driving Institute at Wara-Talla along Zaria Road. c.Request for Funds to Enable the Construction of Tollgates (with HD Scanners) at GunDutse:Council was politely reminded, by the contents of this memorandum submitted by the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport, of its effort at providing lasting solutions to traffic congestion in Kano Metropolis. In line with this, the present administration awarded contracts for the construction of two Termini at Dawanau and Gundutse. The general concept involves the construction of a Tollgate at Gundutse to control and divert incoming trailer trucks and other heavy-goods carrying vehicles into the Gundutse Terminus.

Now, HD Scanners will be mounted at the Tollgate and contents carried by vehicles could be identified thereby boosting security and preventing smuggling in/out of contraband goods into and out of Kano City/metropolis. The work required entails construction of Toll Officers' room, security post, shops, toilet cubicles, structural steel framing, external civil works and HD Scanners installation.

A Bill of Quantities was prepared to the tune of N87,861,171.62, which was requested for release by the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to enable the execution of the project.

The request was considered credible by Council, which granted approval for the release of the sum of N87,861,171.62 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to enable the execution of the construction of the tollgates (with HD Scanners) at Gundutse Terminus as one of the legacies of the present administration. d.Request for Funds to Facilitate the Reconstruction of Bakwato Culvert Along Dawakin Kudu to Ladin Makole (Dawakiji) Road:The contents of this memorandum submitted for deliberation by Council from the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport maintain that, a report was received about a culvert that failed along Dawakin Kudu-Ladin Makole (Dawakiji) Road, which if left unattended will cutoff the road making it difficult for road users. A team of Engineers from the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport visited the site and assessed the situation and reported back that failure of the Culvert was a result of the following; •Exposure of the reinforcement for the deck due to poor construction.

•Heavy trucks plying the road frequently.

•Cracks on the beams and columns that support the Culvert.

Required works were professionally assessed and a bill of quantities was prepared to the tune of N12,229,930.42. Details were presented for consideration by Council which made the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to request for the release of the same amount of money to enable execution of the project.

The importance of the project prompted Council to approve the release of the requested sum of N12,229,930.42 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to expedite action in the execution of the reconstruction project of Bakwato Culvert along Dawakin Kudu-Ladin Makole (Dawakiji) Road so as to salvage failure of the Culvert which threatens non usage of the road that could tantamount to hardship for users of the road. e.Request for Funds to Enable Furnishing of the Newly Constructed Office Block for Kano State Water Board Situated at Urban Water Supply Premises:The Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport reminded Council of having directed his Office to reappraise the request for furnishing the newly constructed Office block referred which was estimated at over N41,000,000.00.

An Independent reassessment was made along with the preparation of a new bill of quantities including all Statutory taxes to the tune of N31,685,629.50 as against the estimated over N41,000,000.00 by Council to enable furnishing of the newly constructed Office block for the Water Board situated at the Urban Water Supply premises.

Council considered the lowest estimated cost and approved for the release of the sum of N31,685,629.50 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to enable the execution of the furnishing project.

7.MINISTRY OF RURAL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Two (2) memoranda were submitted for consideration by Council from the Ministry of Rural and Community Development. Both were approved for execution as follows: a.Request for Funds to Enable the Maintenance of ITC of Zarewa-Sundu-Jajaye-Tsamiyya and Tsara in Rogo LGCA and the Provision of Relief Transformer at Trade Fair Complex Neighborhood:The contents of this memorandum submitted for consideration by Council tacitly cited the resolve of the present administration to supply electricity to all nooks and crannies of the State.

In this regard, the Ministry of Rural and Community Development instructed the Rural Electricity Board (REB) to assess some demands for ITC maintenance and provision of Relief Transformer from Rogo LGCA and the Neighborhood of Trade fair Complex respectively.

The REB complied, appraised and advised for the maintenance of Inter-Town Connectivity (ITC) covering Zarewa-Sundu-Jajaye-Tsamiyya and Tsara in Rogo LGCA from Kaduna through Sundu at the Contract sum of N14,512,344.00. The procurement and installation of a relief transformer for the Trade Fair Complex neighborhood was estimated at the sum of N18,903,336.00. The total monetary requirement is to the tune of N33,415,680.00 which was requested for release by Council to the Ministry of Rural and Community Development to enable execution of the stated project.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the requested sum of N33,415,680.00 to the Ministry of Rural and Community Development to enable execution of the projects on ITC maintenance and provision of Relief Transformer at the stated locations. b.Request for Funds to Undertake Repairs/Rehabilitation of Five (5) Wind-Powered (Windmills) Water Solution Supply Facilities:Wind-Powered (Windmills) Powered Water Supply System/mechanism utilizes and obtains energy to turn its turbines freely from nature and saves cost. The Ministry of Rural and Community Development deemed it wise to present the submission of the State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA) on a request for renovating/restoring the ideal functions of such abandoned facilities in the State. Feasibility studies and cost assessment in respect of restoring function of some five (5) abandoned Windmills located at five (5) respective LGCAs across the State were undertaken. The LGCAs include; Chiromawa in Garun Malam; Dangora in Kiru; Lahadin Makole (Dawakiji) in Dawakin Kudu; Kachako in Takai and Dorayi in Gwale. The cost of the entire project was assessed at the sum of N11,198,000.00 which was requested and approved for release by Council to the Ministry of Rural and Community Development to enable execution of the stated projects at the locations mentioned.

8.MINISTRY OF JUSTICE The Ministry of Justice submitted two (2) memoranda for deliberation by Council. Both were approved for execution as follows; a.Presentation on the Pfizer Issue-Joint Donor and Trustees Meeting:The State Attorney General/Commissioner Ministry of Justice notified Council of his attendance at the 3rd Joint meeting of Donors and Trustees of Health Care and Meningitis Trust Funds held on 27th March, 2013 at Abuja. The Attorney General was accompanied to the meeting by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) A.B. Mahmoud while Pfizer was represented by Tony Idigbe, SAN and three (3) others.

Further, Council was notified of the following: •That the meeting resolved to appoint a Management team and set-up two (2) Trustees bodies.

•That the meeting agreed that all Claimants for Compensation should be paid some money and the balance be expended on Health Care delivery related programs in the State.

•It was resolved that Pfizer will retain part of the compensation money in case of anticipated Litigations. However, in the absence of Litigation, the money will ultimately be released for Health Care delivery programs in the State.

•The meeting resolved that the Diagnostic Center should be autonomous/independent of Government to enable the Center attract/source funding and support elsewhere/from Donor Organizations.

•It was resolved that another meeting be scheduled and held when necessary documents to give effect/credence to the resolutions are ready at which time His Excellency the former Head of State Retired General Yakubu Gowon hopes to meet with Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. Council appreciatively acknowledged the presentation. b.Request for Funds to Enable Payment of Furniture Allowance(s) to 94 State Counsels:Council was politely reminded of the recent approval granted to Judicial Staff for a Furniture grant/allowance of N120,000.00 each across State Shari'a Court Judges. This was appreciated and applauded as it positively impacted on the improved performance of the Jurists.

Importantly, the State Magistrates have also submitted a similar request for Council's consideration and approval. The State Counsel in the Ministry of Justice is the sister of the Judicial Staff who shares the same conditions of service as per circular NO. ESM/MIS/S/53/V.I/75 dated 8th December, 1992.

As such, the list of ninety four (94) State Counsels as at 21st February, 2013 which implies a financial commitment in respect of their furniture allowance to the tune of N120,000.00 x 94 = N11,280,000.00 which was requested for release by Council to the Ministry of Justice to enable payment of furniture allowance to ninety four (94) State Counsels commensurate to their counterparts in the State Judiciary.

The request was considered credible and Council approved for the release of the aggregate sum of N11,280,000.00 to the Ministry of Justice to enable payment of furniture allowances to the stated ninety-four (94) State Counsels.

9.MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES Presentation on Donation of Two (2) Holstein (Friesian) Calves and 50 Sex Semen Straws to Kano State by Nagari Farms Ltd for the Purpose of Cross Breeding:This second coming, Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE resolved to transform the agricultural sector by modernizing the techniques and inputs involved. We have the land and the required number of people to provide the labor, all that remains is the utilization of appropriate skills/techniques to ensure higher yields irrespective of whether it is agrarian crop production, livestock/animal husbandry, poultry, fishery etc. This explains the large sum of money expended in the establishment and maintenance of Agriculture related Institutes by the present administration.

For example, the animal traction Institute at Gwarzo, the poultry Institute at Tukwui, the fisheries Institute at Bagauda, the livestock Institute at Bagauda, etc. All were established with the aim of inculcating one skill or knowledge in order to improve agricultural production.

At the right time, the Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources informed Council, through the contents of this memorandum, of the donation of two (2) Holstein Calves and fifty (50) Sex Semen's to the State by AFAN Chairman (Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu-former Governor Nassarawa State).

This certainly provides access to and acquisition of the required skills in artificial insemination (AI) to our teeming farmers/livestock keepers and producers. Artificial Insemination (AI) is the most efficient means of improving the quality of cattle.

So, the two (2) Calves (one male, one female) will be stationed at the Tiga Livestock Development Center where the atmosphere is conducive with the availability of roughages (natural feeds and clean drinking water for the Calves which are expected to arrive or must have arrived Kano on 11th April, 2013.

Nevertheless, the Sex frozen Semen will be preserved in a nitrogen cylinder (Dewar) with liquid nitrogen to preserve its viability. The current price per straw of the Sex frozen Semen plus synchronization is N10,000.00 only. 50% of the price will be charged (i.e. N5,000.00) per straw from the livestock farmers.

As such, the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources requested for the release of the aggregate sum of N980,000.00 by Council to enable procurement of essential items, such as liquid

nitrogen, cylinder, concentrates, mineral salt, molasses, Herman, etc. so as to properly accommodate the donated Calves and extend the AI Service to Livestock Farmers.

The request was considered credible by Council which approved for the immediate release of the requested sum of N980,000.00 to the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources to enable the actualization of the stated purposes in relation to the donated calves and artificial insemination (AI).

10.MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES One (1) memorandum was submitted for deliberation by Council from the Ministry of Water Resources. Both were approved for execution as follows; a.Request for Funds as Assistance for the Supply of Diesel for the Operations of Challawa and Tamburawa Water Treatment Plants:The State Water Board requested for the supply of additional diesel for the operations of Challawa and Tamburawa Water Treatment Plants due to erratic electricity supply from PHCN. The Ministry of Water Resources deemed it appropriate to point out to Council that it has become a routine that every year from March to July electricity supply in the Country becomes more erratic when its demand is at peak level. The situation is the same this year. As such, the State Water Board has already started running standby electrical generators for long hours to maintain operations since the first week of March. The financial profile of the Water Board cannot cater for the cost of the diesel required to maintain continuous water supply in Kano metropolis. This was the genesis of the request from the Water Board for the resumption of the provision of the N32,000,000.00 grant for five (5) months (March to July, 2013) to cater for the anticipated power outages from the National Grid for continuous water supply.

So, the Ministry of Water Resources requested for approval by Council for the release of N32,000,000.00 monthly as assistance/grant to the State Water Board for five (5) months starting from March, 2013 to July,2013.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the sum of N50,000,000.00 to the Ministry of Water Resources to enable the State Water Board cater for the supply of the diesel required to run the standby electricity generators at Challawa and Tamburawa Water Treatment Plants at this time of need in order to maintain steady water supply to Kano metropolis.

11. MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION One (1) memorandum was submitted for deliberation by Council from the Ministry of Higher Education. Both were approved for execution as follows; a.Request for Funds to Provide for the Quarterly Overheads Cost to the Northwest University, Kano:Contents of this memorandum presented a request submitted by the authorities at the Northwest University, Kano for the release of quarterly overhead funds through the Ministry of Higher Education.

Significantly, Council was informed of the current stage of development in the newly established Northwest University, Kano. Admission/Registration of Students has been completed with a total of 1,100 Student population as at 18th March, 2013 while all academic Staff are present and that lecture has fully commenced.

Nevertheless, the Institution requested, as submitted for consideration by Council through the State Ministry of Higher Education, for the provision of a quarterly overheads grant for the remaining three (3) quarters of the year 2013 at the reviewed rate of N187,009,300.00 per quarter.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the sum of N20,000,000.00 quarterly for the remaining three (3) quarter of the year 2013 which will total up to N60,000,000.00 by the end of the year.

12.MINISTRY OF WOMEN AFFAIRS AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT This Ministry submitted one (1) memorandum for deliberation by Council. One (1) of them was approved for execution as follows; Request for Funds to Enable Conduct of Empowerment/Training Program for Less Privileged Women, Divorcees, Widows, HIV Victims, Deserted Women, VVF Patients and the Girls Child:This administration understands the significance of integrating women in its development process due to their numerical strength and roles in the transmission of societal values, culture and norms. In fact, no development program will be of meaningful impact if women are not fully involved. Development of this State should have to be carried out in partnership with the women especially those who are less fortunate. This group of women has a lot to contribute towards the development of the nation, hence efforts should be made to empower them to be useful to themselves and the society. This brings us to the purpose of this memorandum submitted by the Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development. The contents of this memorandum politely reminded Council of its approval for the release of the sum of N5,646,500.00 for conducting the program mentioned above in liaison with State Community Reorientation Council (CRC). The training took-off on Monday 8th April, 2013 with 500 beneficiaries selected from across the three (3) Senatorial Districts in the State.

Nevertheless, as the program progressed, a new initiative came into view which necessitated an upward review of the approved and released sum of N5,646,500.00. This initiative is none other than the need to make the graduation ceremony of the program more colorful by holding it at the Government House possibly in the presence of Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. A live coverage of the program is the issue so as to relay details of the program to the general public locally, nationally and internationally. This changed the required funds for the entire program upward to the tune of N6,995,500.00 with a variation of N1,349,000.00 which was requested as a top up of the already approved released the sum of N5,646,500.00.

The request was considered relevant and Council approved the release of the pruned sum of N1,300,000.00 to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for the successful conduct of the graduation ceremony for the stated program complete with a live coverage by the media.

13.STATE AFFAIRS Compensation for land acquired for the expansion of the School of Environment The Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of State Affairs, in his mandated role as the Chairman Compensation, was directed by Council during its sitting on Wednesday 27th March, 2013 to study a submission from the State Ministry of Land and Physical Planning on compensation for land (site) acquired for the extension of the School of Environmental Studies, Gwarzo. The Compensation Committee appraised the submission along with Staff of the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning as well as inspected the site. A discrepancy was discovered in the compensation that involved economic trees. An error of N1,220,000.00 as ascertained which lower the compensation sum of money down to N80,441,092.00 which was requested for release to the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to facilitate payment for compensation of the site in question.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the sum of N80,441,092.00 to the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to effect payment for compensation of the site acquired for the extension of the School of Environmental Studies, Gwarzo.

14.

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION, INTERNAL AFFAIRS, YOUTHS, SPORTS AND CULTURE Presentation of the Governing Board of Kano Pillars Football Club (KPFC):Contents of this memorandum politely reminded Council of its directive to the Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youths, Sports and Culture during the sitting of 3rd April, 2013 to forward the proposed list of newly constituted Governing Board of KPFC for consideration and approval.

Complying with the directive strictly, the Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youths, Sport and Culture forwarded the proposed list presented below: S/N

Name

i.

Alhaji Abba Yola

Designation/post Chairman

ii.

Representative Ministry of Information

Member

iii.

Dr. Rabi'u Muhammad

Member

iv.

Babangida Umar Little

Member

v.

Kabiru Ali

vi.

Chairman F A Kano

Member

vii.

Nasiru Garba Bichi

Member

viii.

Chairman Fan Club

Member

ix.

Babangida Adamu

Member

x.

Shehu Adamu

Member

xi.

Muhammad Rabi'u Sabo Bakin Zuwo

Member

xii.

Uba Dan Zainab (SSA Sports)

Member

xiii.

Alhaji Abba Galadima (GM KPFC)

Member

xiv.

Garba Umar

Member

xv.

Bashir Ahmad Mai-Zare

Secretary

Member

Council acknowledged, appreciated and approved the forwarded list of the members of the Governing Board of Kano Pillars Football Club.

UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES FOR THE 93RD EXCO SITTING 1.TRAINING OF WOMEN IN POULTRY AND FISHERIES INSTITUTE Council acknowledged the receipt of information of the commencement of the training of 130 women from the Poultry Institute and 400 women from the Fisheries Institute.

2.TRAINING OF 500 WOMEN FOR SKILLS ACQUISITION Council appreciatively acknowledged the training of 500 women in skills acquisition, which was organized by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in conjunction with the Community Reorientation Council (CRC).

3.INSPECTION TOUR TO FIVE (5) LOCAL GOVERNMENTS Council acknowledged the visit by the Deputy Governor and his team to some Local Government areas of the State to assess the level of works being executed by the contractors.

4.SWEARING-IN OF INTERIM MANAGEMENT OFFICERS Council witnessed the swearing in of three (3) Interim Management Officers (IMO) who were appointed and posted to the following Local Governments areas: 1.Dauda Usman Kura -D/Tofa Local Government 2.Labaran Jazuli D/Tofa -Kumbotso Local Government 3.Faruk Abdu Gaya - Rogo Local Government USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS ON ANY EMERGENCY Council endorsed the useful phone numbers submitted by the security agents for easy access in case of any emergency on the metropolitan Roads. Accordingly, the public may easily Contact KAROTA for: Breakdown of Vehicle(s), Traffic Congestion, Accidents, Illegal / Wrong Parking to kindly Call KAROTA through the following number - 08091626747. Similarly, the State Police Command could be contacted on - 08032419754, 08123821575. In addition, the State Fire Service can also be contacted on - 07051246833, 08191778888.

For update on the activities of Kano State Government click to www.kano.gov.ng/new Signed: Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youth, Sports & Culture

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013

Jigawa LG awards N200m road contract From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

T

he Buji local government council of Jigawa state has awarded a contract for the construction of 11 kilometres first coat surface road at the cost of N200, 770, 00 million Signing the contractual agreement on behalf of the local government, the council chairman, Alhaji Isah Bello Gwadayi, said that the contract

was expected to be completed within a period of 16 weeks.

Alhaji Isa Bello said the company was selected after fulfilling all the contractual conditions which were advertised in the national dailies in line with state's due process law.

The chairman explained that as the project is in line with the local government council's effort to complement Governor Sule Lamido's administration of provision of good road networks

in the state.

According to him, "this project started from Karanjau, Yayarin Tukur to Kafin Madaki.

"You all know the importance of these towns in this local government area and it will also link to so many villages and towns together with Gantsa the local council's headquarters."

He reaffirmed the council's commitment towards the execution of other projects that will up lift the living standard of the people in the

area, "such as portable water, clinics and drugs and women and youth empowerment."

Gwadayi enjoined the company handling the project to abide by all the terms and conditions of agreement.

On his part, the project Manager of Gano ventures, Alhaji Mohammed, promised to use quality materials for the work and expressed his gratitude for selecting his company to carry out the work.

L-R: Chairman/ Founder, Demdap Adiwu Foundation (DAF), Mr. Paul A. Adiwu, member, House of Representatives, Hon. Shamsiddin Ango Abdullahi, and Chairman, Finance and Appropriation Committee, Nasarawa state House of Assembly, Hon. Philip Aruwa Gyunka, during the formal launching of Demdap Adiwu Foundation, at the Weekend in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Bauchi youth leader lauds FCT Chief of Staff

By Stanley Onyekwere

C

hairman the youth wing of Bauchi Central Market Association, Alhaji Murtala Sabo, has described the Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, Alhaji Yau Mohammed Gital, as a technocrat of high repute who has demonstrated rare leadership qualities since assuming office.

Speaking to news men in Abuja at the weekend, Sabo said

Gital was a team player who carries everyone along in the discharge of his responsibilities.

He said that the entire youth of Bauchi state were happy and satisfied with the appointment of Gital as the number one aide of the FCT Minister, adding Senator Bala Muhammed took a bold and courageous step by appointing him.

According to Sabo, "we saw it coming as his appointment was based purely on merit and his

past experiences in the civil service.

He noted that the Chief of Staff retired as a permanent secretary in the Bauchi state Civil Service and served meritoriously as Clerk of the Bauchi state House of Assembly.

"We believe his experience will surely come to bear in his new responsibility as the Chief of Staff, Sabo said noting further that "he has truly represented the interest of Senator

Muhammed in Bauchi and the entire northern states as an avowed team player and strategist and we are confident that the Minister's hope and aspirations for the FCT will surely be realized.

"We believe with the transformation going on in the FCT the Minister will tap from the experience of his Chief of Staff to bring democracy dividends to the people of the territory."

Danjuma, Baiki, get chieftaincy titles in Nasarawa From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

T

he Esu of Karu, Karu local government area of Nasarawa state, Luka Panya Baba, at the weekend, conferred traditional titles on a former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (rtd), and a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Adamu David Baike.

At the ceremony which took place at the palace of the traditional ruler, attended by prominent Nigerians including the former military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), Danjuma was conferred with the traditional title of "Jiji of Karu"

while Baike was conferred with the title of the "Akpasi of Karu."

In his address, Baba explained that the Karu traditional council decided to honour the two illustrious Nigerians as a way of identifying with their enduring achievements in various spheres of human endeavour as well as their immense and uncommon contributions to the unity, peace and progress of the country.

According to the Esu "Jiji is a Gbagyi symbol of shield, protector, defence and unshakable assurance which Gen. T.Y Danjuma epitomize while the Kpasi on the other hand, is a word for star and connotes attributes of

permanence, outstanding source of light and illumination, with Prof. Baike a beacon of light to be emulated."

While lamenting that the Gbagyi traditions and cherished values are fast eroding with the generational gap between the young and the old continuing to widen, the Esu disclosed that as part of the community's development strategy, it has embarked on a Gbagyi national museum project to meet the educational and socio-cultural demands of the Gbagyi nation.

Responding on behalf of the recipients, Danjuma expressed gratitude to the Karu traditional council for what he described as unprecedented honour.

He said that they were overwhelmed not only by the grandeur of the occasion but also with the array of personalities who attended the ceremony.

While extolling the virtues of the Gbagi people, Danjuma expressed joy that the honour is in recognition of their responding to the call of duty as demanded by identified needs, stressing that, "ours is a humble way of responding to social demands and responsibilities."

The Chairman BoT of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, former governor of Imo state, Orji zor Kalu, Prof Jerry Gana and Sen. Abdullahi Adamu were also at the programme.

NAFDAC smashes drug cloning syndicate in Lagos From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has smashed a syndicate which specialises in cloning several fast moving drug products including locally manufactured anti malaria and pain relieving medicines has been smashed in Lagos.

The syndicate is said to have perfected its cloning act in China and thereafter imports the cloned drugs into the country.

A member of the syndicate in Nigeria, Mr. Maduabuchi Abuzu, who has been under NAFDAC's watch list of fake drug importers for about two years was arrested.

Sources close to NAFDAC said that the agency was determined to take advantage of its collaboration with the Chinese government in the fight against fake drugs to ensure that when investigation is concluded in Nigeria and establishes the culpability of its citizens in the shady business, that they will be punished according to their drug counterfeiting laws.

Confirming the arrest of the syndicate, the Director of Enforcement in NAFDAC, Mr. Garba Macdonald, in a chat with newsmen hinted that the suspect was arrested in his house at Orile Iganmu with various fake drug products worth over N20 million.

According to Macdonald, "the arrest of Maduabuchi was a major breakthrough in the fight to stem the activities of the syndicate who had in the last two years brought into the country fake drugs with his partners in China."

He revealed that the suspect had already confessed to have imported the drugs from China through his contacts there.

Some of the drugs found in his possession include coartem tablets, amalar tablets, some unlabelled tablets, maloxine tablets, ibuprofen tablets, packaging materials, leaflets and hand sealing machines amongst others.

Bassa flood victims get N20m From Sam Egwu, Lokoja he committee set up to disburse N20m to flood victims in Bassa local government has commenced its task.

The Director of Local Government and Head of Administration in Bassa local government, Sunday Olugbami noted that the flood of 2012 was too disastrous that no amount of money was enough to compensate for the loss.

The Chairman of the flood committee for Bassa who is also Commissioner for Rural Development, Umar Mohammed, said 3,000 farmers whose farmlands were affected will share N6 million.

According the Commissioner, 1,500 victims with mud houses will share N10.5 million while fishing communities with thatch houses will share N3.5million.

T

PAGE 11

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013

Did you ever envisage upward mobility beyond parents' level?

F

or those of us in our teens, twenties, and thirties, we like to believe the world is at our doorstep. While many of us appreciate the lifestyles our parents offered us while growing up, we are constantly striving for more.

This is known as upward mobility - the ability to go beyond your parents' social and/ or economic class and potentially live the life you've dreamed about.

Unfortunately, the crushing reality of the situation is that only small proportions of Men have moved beyond the income class of their parents in most of European countries. A study, done by the nonpartisan group Pew Charitable Trusts' Economic

Money Tip:

Map out effective business plans

B

udding entrepreneurs often turn to a lender that overlooks weak points, provides flexible terms, and offers a dream-come-true interest rate: the Bank of Mom or Dad. Without an established track record, start-ups often have trouble getting a traditional bank loan or funding from venture or angel investors. So after tapping their savings, founders often turn to informal investors, which usually mean family members and friends.

Such arrangements combine best wishes, a pay-mewhen-you-can attitude, and few expectations of a meaningful return.

That might be the most realistic view of family and friends financing. So in many cases, it might be wise to not formalize the loan since doing so can raise expectations that it will be repaid in full.

Many people will opt for a loosely structured deal in which, for example, repayment may start only when a company has reasonable cash flow and can afford to make payments - a position many businesses don't reach until three to five years down the road, if at all. Such an arrangement doesn't raise expectations of prompt repayment.

Quote To be successful, you have to have your heart in your business, and your business in your heart. - Thomas Watson, Sr.

Mobility Project, was quick to point out that 84% of individuals surveyed are indeed earning more than their parents. But the fact remains that moving up the economic class ladder is more difficult for this generation than it was for previous ones.

So how could you attain the fading dream of upward mobility? Here are some guides: Go for pay over passion If you're about to enter college or currently undecided on a major, consider pursuing a career track that may not be your first choice but offers a higher income level than your "dream job." For instance, you may be infatuated with a career in the film industry, but given the poor job prospects and comparatively low pay, you might think about majoring in something such as business or marketing and either leaving your passion as a hobby or finding a way to incorporate it into your career (these are just examples).

It comes down to what matters more to you - chasing your dream job (even if the future outlook on employment seems grim in comparison to other industries) or "keeping up with the Joneses" (or in this case, your parents) by moving up the income ladder with a highpaying job.

Remember: It's not about owning more "Stuff" Speaking of the Joneses, upward mobility is not so much about the fact that your dad only drove Fords and you want to drive Porsches as much as it is about investing and saving for

the future. The key to acquiring wealth is through investing, and the more you sock away now, the more you'll have when you reach your parents' current age.

Exhibiting riches through the purchases of fancy homes and flashy sports cars will only take you so far up the socio-economic ladder; true wealth is displayed in your portfolio and, unlike a luxe car, the investments you make now can support you for the rest of your life.

Consider relocation A final consideration for

members of Gen Y seeking upward mobility is to relocate to a place where the cost of living is substantially less. This could mean a state where income or property taxes are lower (or nonexistent at the state level when it comes to the income tax) or a location where the cost of basic living necessities is lower than where you grew up. For instance, if your parents raised you in Abuja, perhaps you'd consider moving to Gombe, where the climate is still warm and there's a relatively low price

of goods.

Other considerations aside (such as distance from family, climate, job prospects, etc.), this could be an excellent option for those hoping to live a relatively affluent lifestyle without getting bogged down by things such as an unsustainable mortgage or the high cost of food in an area.

Upward mobility - is it foolish fantasy? For those willing to make the lifestyle changes required to attain it, moving past your parents on the income ladder is most certainly possible.

Working couple: What does it mean to retire together?

B

ack when people from my parents' generation were first planning their lives together, most married couples looked forward to working hard for a few decades, buying a house, raising a family and then retiring together while they still had enough money and energy to travel and pursue favorite hobbies.

Some couples do manage to pull this off and thrive; but for many others, any of a host of obstacles can block their ability to retire at the same time. For example: oThanks to periods of unemployment, home-value decline or account loss suffered during the Great Recession, many

couples simply don't have enough money to retire together comfortably. o If there's a significant age difference, one spouse may not have accumulated enough retirement benefits by the time the other is ready to retire. oWomen often worry that the couple hasn't saved enough since they're statistically likely to survive their spouses - often for a decade or more. o One spouse must continue working to supply employerprovided medical coverage until both reach Medicare eligibility age (60 or 65 in most cases). o One spouse is just hitting his or her stride, career-wise, and isn't ready to slow down.

Among couples who have managed to save enough to retire together, when it comes time to pull the trigger many realize they haven't fully agreed on where or how to retire; or they discover that their wishes have diverged over the years. This can put tremendous strain on a marriage if you're not willing to compromise and talk things through.

Long before you actually retire, ask yourselves: o Should we downsize to a smaller dwelling or even move to a retirement community? o Sell the house, buy a trailer and live like nomads for a few years? o Move to a warmer climate or

to be nearer our grandchildren? o Move to a state with lower taxes or cost of living? o Start a small side business to keep money rolling in? o Are we finished supporting our children financially?

Even before asking those tough questions, you already should have begun estimating your retirement income needs. After you've explored various retirement scenarios, consider hiring a financial planner to help work out an investment and savings game plan, or to at least review the one you've devised.

Along with the financial impact retirement will have on your marriage, keep in mind that this may be the first time that you've been together, day in and day out.

Many people are so consumed by their jobs that they haven't taken time to develop outside interests and hobbies. Well before retirement, you and your spouse should start exploring activities and networks of friends you can enjoy, both together and independently.

Consider things like volunteer work, hobbies, athletic activities or even part-time employment if you miss the workplace interaction and need the money.

And finally, if your plan is to have one spouse continue working for a while, try living on only that one salary for a few months before retiring as an experiment. This will give you an inkling of how well you'll do financially and whether you might both need to keep working to amass more savings.

Share your Money Tip: do you have a business/money idea, and you want to share it with our dear readers? Then, send it to: ikabirsule@gmail.com or (text it to 08091904890)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

I

If amnesty is the solution, so be it

n the end it would not matter that the president was forced to eat his word and do a volte-face over something he vehemently objected to doing. It would not matter also that his initial recalcitrance again portrayed him as weak person that he is, who time and again fails to read the mood of the nation correctly to enable him make the right judgement. In spite of all this, President Goodluck Jonathan, this time, deserves a pat on the back for agreeing to calls to begin the process of granting amnesty to members of the Boko Haram sect that has made life a living hell, particularly in the north-eastern part of the country. Whether his decision to acquiesce to the amnesty idea is driven by the undercurrents of 2015 elections, as many have been speculating, does not seem to matter so long as lasting peace returns to northern Nigeria.

The nation waited with bated breath on the visit of the president to Borno and Yobe states last month where many expected that the amnesty would be proclaimed, more so after the Sultan of Sokoto earnestly called for it on the eve of the president's long overdue visit. To say the president left many disappointed even is an understatement; he took it a notch higher when he said the federal government would not grant amnesty to 'ghosts'. Observers noted that the president's out of hand rejection of the pleas of particularly the elders of the region is confirmation that he does not hold their opinions dear and that the

offhand dismissal might come to haunt him in the next elections if he decides to run.

After a meeting with the Northern Elders Forum, about a fortnight ago, President Jonathan finally bowed to pressure and announced that a committee would be set up to draw up modalities for amnesty. Strangely though, members of that all important

“

Despite the rejection of the proposed amnesty offer, we urge the federal government to go ahead in earnest with preparations that will pave the way to an eventual end to the insurgency committee have still not been named for them to commence this onerous task. And while the government dilly dallies over the committee, Boko Haram, in a statement by its leader, Abubakar Shekau, has rejected the amnesty move as many Nigerians feared they would.

As the debate rages about whether they truly deserve it or not, it is imperative to note that the calls for amnesty fuelled by mainly the fact that the federal government has so far been

OUR MISSION “To be the market place of ideas and the leading player in the industry by putting the people first, upholding the truth, maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards while delivering value to our stakeholders”

incapable of defeating the sect and restoring peace. The brutal military approach has clearly failed as actions of the Joint Task Force have also been identified as part of the reason why the problem still festers.

Despite the rejection of the proposed amnesty offer, we urge the federal government to go ahead in earnest with preparations that will pave the way to an eventual end to the insurgency. We urge that dialogue be established with the leaders of the sect to prepare the ground for them to lay down their arms. In this regard, leaders of the north have a major role to play in assuring the sect members that government is sincere this time.

It is heartwarming that the Borno state government has taken the initiative by setting up its own committee that will begin contact with the sect's members. This needs to be supported by other stakeholders.

Religious leaders must also take up the challenge to ensure that they win the ideological battle that, in our opinion, is at the heart of the problem.

The twisted form of Islam that the sect preaches must be exposed as the wrong one so that there are no potential coverts to recruit.

The northern region has suffered dire economic and social consequences from the violent activities of the sect hence any effort that is likely to end the violence should be backed by all well meaning Nigerians. If amnesty is the solution, so be it.

OUR PEOPLE

OUR VISION

CHAIRMAN MALAM WADA MAIDA, OON, FNGE DIRECTOR/ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF RUFA’I IBRAHIM ACTING EDITOR, DAILY HAMEED M. BELLO

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HEAD, ADVERT/MARKETING HUSSAINI ABDULRAHMAN, CNA

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HEAD, LAGOS BUREAU ADESOJI OYINLOLA

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013

PAGE 13

Youth empowerment: The Dankwambo model I

By Enoch Mela

n time past, life in Gombe state was a nightmare because of the level of violence unleashed on people of the state by some restive youths, who were known as 'Yan Kalare'.

But today, barely two years after Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo took office as governor, Gombe is a restive-free state, or if you like, a Kalare-free state. This is because of the number of youth development and empowerment programmes and policies evolved and religiously implemented by the Governor. Mainly executed through the Ministry of Youth Empowerment and Poverty Alleviation, the issues of making life better for Gombe youths is the bottom line of every developmental stride executed in virtually all the sectors of the state.

The ray of hope that people saw when the Governor first dissociated himself from youths restiveness and then publicly proscribing them during his inauguration has developed into an awe-inspiring atmosphere of friendliness in the state. This followed the deliberate pronouncement and implementation of policies and programmes designed to'reorientate' and rehabilitate the hitherto restive youths with a view to reintegrating into the social environment in the state.

More so, that these policies and programmes are deliberately aimed at aiding them to be useful to themselves, families and the state in general. Accordingly, in the first batch of reorientation and rehabilitation programme, a total of 1,200 youths were recruited, out of which 1,197 successfully completed the threeBy Salihu Moh. Lukman

F

ollowing the meeting of the National Executive Committee of Labour Party of April 11, both the National Chairman of the Party, Chief Dan Nwanyawu and Governor Olusegun Mimiko were quoted to have dismissed the current merger negotiations involving ACN, ANPP, CPC and Okorochaled APGA. Their position was informed by the claim that it is a merger of personalities with the aim of grabbing power. In particular, Dr. Mimiko further argued that "Labour Party remains the only true progressive party in Nigeria committed to working for the people of Nigeria."

Ordinarily, these claims should just be ignored. But given the danger that such attitudes have produced political situations with devastating consequences for Nigeria, it is important that some clarifications are made with the objective of contextualising the place of Labour Party and its leadership. For many, including some of the leaders of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), it is clear that Labour Party as it is today is just one of the INEC registered political parties. Its relations to NLC is limited to the name and its leaders being once leaders of NLC affiliates.

Labour Party is as guilty as ACN, ANPP, CPC, etc. O the charge of lack of any clear ideological orientation and perhaps not different from PDP.

week rehabilitation at the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) permanent orientation camp in Malam Sidi, headquarters of Kwami local government area. After they were trained, the youths are now serving as traffic wardens and environmental marshals.

"The testimonies are there and people are very happy with the programme; even the youths themselves. Friends of those that participated in the rehabilitation exercise have seen the advantage and can not wait to be part of it," said Commissioner of Youths Empowerment and Poverty Alleviation, Alhaji Mijinyawa Labaran while commenting on the Corps Marshal scheme established by the government.

The success story and many other testimonies underscore the untold turnaround in the life and fortunes of the youths that went through the three-week reorientation cum rehabilitation exercise initiated by the Dankwambo-led administration in Gombe state to set the stage for return of peace and tranquility to the state. These marshals have so far made tremendous impact in the areas of ferreting information, sanitation, traffic control, maintaining orderliness and lots more. A good number of them were part of those selected from the state during the last army recruitment exercise.

Under the scheme, 330 of the marshals were selected and trained at the Citizenship and Leadership Training Institute in Shere Hills, Jos-Plateau state.

After their training, they now serve as Supervisors and Monitors of the marshals.

Considering the huge benefits and growing yearnings by youths to enroll in the marshal programme, government has

concluded plans to enlist another batch of 1,200 youths for the reorientation and rehabilitation programme. "We are just waiting for the current batch of the National Youths Service Corps to finish orientation exercise at the camp, after which we will move in and commence the training", Labaran explained.

Preceding the Rehabilitation Programme was another intervention to empower 320 youths through trainings in seven different trades from four Skills Acquisition Centres across the state at the cost of well over N480,000 each. The graduate trainees were resettled with tools of the trades they learnt while the governor approved that an interest-free loan of N200,000 be given to each of them after fulfilling some conditions to enable them set up businesses.The programme has now been scaled up to accommodate 520 youths and 16 trades where government is expected to expend N228 million in the training, allowances to both the trainees and trainers. At present, the training manual has been developed by the Consultant and any moment, the training will commence for the youths. After they complete the training programme, government plans to provide them with similar tool kits for the setting up of their businesses.

Labaran said, "The youths would equally upon completion of their training receive a credit facility of Two Hundred Thousand Naira with kits of the trade they have learnt to enable them start-off.

But during the training period, each trainee would be given a monthly stipends N6,000 to augment their transportation to the centre and to sustain their

interest and commitment to the scheme.

As part of the youth empowerment programme, arrangements have been concluded arrangements for the distribution of 867 tricycles (Keke-NAPEP) to youths in the state. The aim is to alleviate poverty and enhance their economic empowerment.

Similarly, a tricycle Assembly Plant has been established to train 1,000 youths who would be engaged in assembling the Completely Knocked Down (CKD) parts of 550 units of tricycles to be brought from Pakistan and subsequent importations of tricycle CDKs. A reasonable number of fully coupled tricycles will be supplied from Steyr Nigeria Limited, Bauchi. The interesting thing about the programme is that the 1,000 youths to be engaged in the assemblage of these tricycles would be employed by government while the plant will also serve other neighbouring states.

Another programme which the present government has embraced to alleviate poverty is the Condition Cash Transfer (CCT) scheme in collaboration with the Federal Government. As a programme under the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs), the state enrolled 1,500 beneficiaries, comprising the poorest of the poor, the disabled and other less privileged persons in the state. To sum the benefit of this scheme, at the end of the year, its multiplier effect will have touched the lives of 3,000 persons. To expand the programme to other numerous poor, government plans to scale up the scheme to accommodate about 5,000 beneficiaries across the state.

The government also plans collaborate with the Federal College of Horticulture Dadin Kowa town of Yamaltu Deba local government of the state to engage 1,000 youths who would be given one hectare of land each to engage in farming.

Government has began talks with a Chinese firm to train youths in modern farming techniques in animal fattening, fishery, poultry and crop production. The Dankwambo-led administration has also taken advantage of the Federal government's Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) where another batch of 3,000 youths were engaged for various poverty alleviation programmes.

Youths are unarguably central to the development of any society because they are the strongest, most vibrant and obviously the future leaders.

Therefore, every future plan must be built around them to ensure that they are given proper attention that would translate to a brighter tomorrow for individuals and the nation at large. This is the impetus behind the various intervention programmes and other indirect programmes in education, agriculture, sports development, health among other sectors of the state.

Today, the youths are indeed having a better deal than ever; no wonder the atmosphere of restiveness hitherto witnessed in the state has given way to a hospitable situation as everybody is now busy engaged in one activity or the other for self sustenance and development.

Enoch Mela writes from Federal Low Cost Housing Estate, Gombe

In some ways, given the conduct of the Dan Nwanyawu leadership of the party, it is closer to PDP. This can be established by the fact that Gov. Mimiko himself was a member of PDP and in fact only went to Labour Party to contest 2007 elections after PDP denied him the ticket.

Some accounts by PDP members alleged that Gov. Mimiko even obtained permission from Gen. Obasanjo before he join Labour Party. In other words, Mimiko's move to the Labour Party was sanctioned by PDP Leader, Gen. Obasanjo.

The truth is it will only be convenient to describe Labour Party and its leadership as progressive. With respect to ideology, given that Labour Party endorsed President Jonathan Goodluck for 2011 elections, its ideology is closer to PDP. This closeness manifested very clearly even in the communique issued by the party after its last NEC meeting when both Chief Nwanyawu and Dr. Mimiko commended President Goodluck Jonathan for the achievements recorded in the elections in Edo and Ondo states.

The party has every right to its choice of identity and manoeuvring to promote itself

and gain electoral advantage.

There is absolutely no problem for anyone to be able to manoeuvre his/her way to political reckoning using such political identity. In fact, it is the capacity to so manoeuvre that often defines politics. Success or otherwise should always be moderated with some minimum capacity to evaluate and come up with clear roadmap. In so many respect, this is where the Labour Party leadership and Gov. Mimiko appear to be completely inebriated and unable to define a future beyond what they have today.

Largely because of this factor, they define the term 'progressive' and 'ideology' with reference to their personality. They celebrate their capacity to grab power in small Ondo State but despise any other group of persons working to 'grab' power at whatever level.

For anyone conversant with the political history of Nigerian trade unions and especially how the current Labour Party came about will not be surprising.

The truth is that Labour Party as it is today is a product of retrogressive manipulation of a process involving broad section of Nigerian groups and individuals commonly regarded

as progressives. This has historical origin with NLC leaders driving the process mainly because of their leadership role in mobilising Nigerians to contest against repressive and oppressive government policies. Although, NLC as it is today, can be argued to be created in 1975, both during the colonial and post colonial history of Nigeria, retrogressive manipulation of processes involving other Nigerian groups has been a recurring feature. In virtually all cases, the outcome is the same - the emergence of a political structure that ends up serving the ruling establishment/party.

What therefore can anyone qualify the Labour Party as progressive? It is possible this is the wrong account. Perhaps, Chief Dan Nwanyawu, Alh. A. A. Salam and the leaders of the Labour Party will narrate their own account, which can confirm the progressive credentials of the party. If the post 2005 history of the party is anything to go by, the party leadership is progressive to the extent that it succeeded in recruiting Dr. Mimiko into the party, which enabled Chief Dan Nwanyawu to

successfully mobilise some resources and assist the party to rent 'befitting' National Secretariat. To that extent, it can be argued that Chief Dan Nwanyawu was able to deliver on the expectation of mobilising resources.

However, is this what being progressive all about? Perhaps, Chief Dan Nwanyawu is committed to the welfare of ordinary citizens. The best way to estimate that would be with reference to the personal history of Chief Dan Nwanyawu. He was an employee of Union Bank of Nigeria and emerged as the President of National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employee (NUBIFIE) in 1989. Some of his record in the union indicated that his first action as President was to sack the Financial Controller of the union, Mr. Remi Owolabi and replaced him with his Brother Mr. Dave Nwanyawu. He was alleged to defraud the account of the union through NUBIFIE Travel and Tours and the purchase of Shepilo Estate. Chief Dan Nwanyawu lost his position as President of NUBIFIE on accounts of these allegations in 1992. smlukman@gmail.com

Labour and politcs: The fallacy and convenient falsehood

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013

PAGE 14

By SOC Okenwa

J

érôme Cahuzac was until recently a Minister of Budget in the PM Jean-Marc Ayrault-led government of President Francois Hollande in France. Elected less than a year ago in a hard-fought presidential poll that saw Hollande defeat the incumbent 'hyper-President' Nicolas Sarkozy the bespectacled leader has not found his bearing yet, Before becoming a Minister in the socialist administration he was a Mayor and a parliamentarian. Born in 1952 Mr Cahuzac was forced to resign few weeks ago after an investigation was launched into alleged tax fraud.

The disgraced former Minister committed perjury and even lied to the President when he confronted him over the allegation in private. He had dismissed the report as "crazy speculations" when Mediapart came out with its investigated scoop. Cahuzac lied and lied to everyone including his fellow Senators when he appeared before them and declared that he never had any foreign account anywhere, "never before and not now". After months and weeks of sustaining these lies at every fora Mr Cahuzac confessed to the crime, acknowledging that he has had a dormant bank account in Switzerland for over ten years containing more than 600,000 Euros! He apologised profusely for being seized "by demon of falsehood" asking for forgiveness!

But the French public has become more skeptical about their politicians with opposition forces demanding for the massresignation or dissolution of the Ayrault-led government and others advocating for new elections.

Now compare and contrast that with what is happening in

By Leo Igwe

O

n Sunday, April 28, 2013, a historic event is scheduled to take place in Lagos. And that is the inaugural forum of humanists and skeptics in this capital city. The event will be held in the postgraduate room of the Department of Philosophy at the University of Lagos. The theme of the event is Embracing Skepticism and Fighting Superstition. Prominent leaders and intellectuals from the country's growing community of humanists, skeptics and freethinkers are scheduled to attend.

You are cordially invited particularly if you understand the necessity of embracing skepticism and the urgency of fighting superstition in Lagos and, in fact, in other parts of Nigeria. You are invited if you are concerned about the negative and harmful effects of irrational and dogmatic beliefs on the lives of Nigerians. Superstition is hampering the growth and development of the society in so many ways.

Superstitious beliefs are poisoning social relationships and corrupting family values. Many families and communities live in a state of deep fear, mistrust, conflict and hatred due to suspicion of black malevolent magic. Many people brand their children and parents witches and

The slave-master In Uyo confused Nigeria where executive Santa Ministers and Claus unable to Governors stole control his the inner Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text commonwealth comportment and invest messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written when it comes same in contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 to over-flowing different words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and slush funds foreign bank a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed under his accounts to: control! without any From being fear of any the mansanction The Editor, Friday of Aso coming their Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, Rock gutless way. You think 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. man in about the jailed Email: opinion@peoplesdaily-online.com desperate James Ibori, the search of SMS: 07037756364 rehabilitated political DSP redemption in a Alamieyeseigha we are witnessing in Uyo and its land dripping with blood of the and ministers with corruption environs by Godswill Akpabio murdered innocents up north cases hanging over their heads must bring out the indignation (no thanks to Boko Haram) (like Diezani Alison-Madueke) in every patriot desirous of Akpabio was manipulated into and conclude that there is the leadership of the so-called something definitely wrong with accountability in the gubernatorial setting. Akpabio PDP Governors Forum in order the system of justice delivery in has always been in the news for to upstage the influence of the Nigeria. Cahuzac resigned when wrong reasons whether Governor Rotimi Amaechi-led he recognised that he could no travelling overseas and/or much-broader Nigeria longer continue in the lying Governors' Forum. From openly game faced with a sound political around the country with some briefcase loaded with minted confessing to election system in a great democratic millions or doling out millions to manipulation and outright nation whose institutions have party men and women or rigging in favour of a preferred been empowered by the donating jeeps to musicians and candidate (captured on video constitution to do the right thing their wives or donating millions posted online) Akpabio has at all times without fear or to churches and 'men of God'. transmogrified into another favour. If Cahuzac were a He seems to bask in the James Ibori waiting to happen! A Nigerian and a Minister for that euphoria of negative media reckless spender, the publicised matter (with just a paltry six attention whether the reports acts of dubious generosity hundred thousand Euros stashed were saying he was a retired associated with Akpabio could away in Geneva or Zurich) do cultist and godfather of cults in have been understood better had you think he would ever resign the Ivory Towers or that he had Akwa Ibomites been living like or be faced with judicial spent millions of dollars to buy Libyans under the late Ghaddafi consequences for his action? executive jets for his flying with free accommodation, good When you compare Jerome comfort or customized armoured infrastructure and employment Cahuzac with the profligate vehicles for his security a la Paul provided and happiness seen on Governor of Akwa Ibom state, for Biya of neighbouring Cameroun. majority of faces around towns example, you are likely going to come out with what is wrong One thing is certain under the and villages. with us as a nation: leadership Uyo skies: Governor Akpabio has The question is: How come he ineptitude! The squandermania since metamorphosed into a is always with slush funds to

WRITE TO US

spread and share about? Who controls his spending? Who made Akpabio the 'king of the kingdom of Akwa Ibom' -- one in which no one dares challenge his perfidy and spendthrift? Or has too much money made Akpabio mad somehow? What is the state House of Assembly doing about it? Is Governor Akpabio above the law? Or better still, is he the law unto himself in Uyo? There is every need to rein in this madness with power and money!

Someone must remind Gov. Akpabio that majority of Akwa Ibomites are doing menial jobs outside their state of origin for survival. You have them as artisans, 'shit' packers, newspaper vendors, grave diggers, morgue attendants (morticians), gatemen, houseboys and girls and prostitutes eking out a living in Lagos and other cities outside Uyo in particular and Akwa Ibom state in general. For such a Governor of a 'rural' but rich state inhabited by povertystricken souls to be governed by a profligate PDP 'loyal party man' ought to be a study in modern day slave/slave-master relationship.

Governor Akpabio, the glorified slave-master in Uyo, and his misguided benevolence megalomania and magniloquence, deserves nothing from us but our collective prayers. May God deliver him from himself and the demons within! With the Akpabios in government houses across the country any wonder, then, that our country is developing in areas like terrorism, cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery and fraud? But these are social problems sound statecraft can solve. Sadly, the 'Naija' men of today, obsessed with power, possess none!

SOC Okenwa (soco_abj_2006_rci@hotmail.fr)

Towards a skeptical Lagos subsequently beat them up, starve or torture them in the name of deliverance, drive them out of their homes or murder them in cold bold.

Con artists who call themselves men and women of god exploit poor ignorant folks.

Faith healers stage miracles and extort money from gullible miracle seekers. Witch doctors and marabus read palm, carry

out divination, perform ritual sacrifice, pray and provide people with 'useless' juju and charms for their protection and fortification, charging them exorbitant fees.

Belief in imaginary paradise and post mortem rewards is inspiring fanaticism and religious militancy. The time has come for humanists and other skeptically oriented people to respond and actively counter the dark and

“

Yes, Lagos has become a pilgrimage centre and a popular destination for marketers, seekers and consumers of miracles and paranormal goods. And that has made people to think that there is no place for skepticism or critical thinking in Lagos. There is. For this people, the only image of Lagos is that of a religious Lagos, a dogmatic Lagos, a superstitious Lagos, a Lagos of magic and miracles, a Lagos of signs and wonders

damaging effects of irrational beliefs. The time has come for freethinking people to reclaim our society and civilization from the forces of dark age.

No doubt, humanism or skepticism is not an outlook that is associated with Lagos.

Churches and mosques dot the nook and cranny of the state.

Lagos is by and large a prayer city. Teleevangelists, megachurches and ministries thrive and flourish in the state.

Lagos is agog with religiousity and paranormal beliefs, faith healing and other forms of religious skulduggery. In fact people come from far and wide to seek miracles from T.B Joshua and other self styled anointed men and women of god- from HIV/AIDS to other incurable diseases to politicians seeking spiritual protection from dying in office and footballers who want to be fortified against injuries.

Yes, Lagos has become a pilgrimage centre and a popular destination for marketers, seekers and consumers of miracles and paranormal goods. And that has made people to think that there is no place for skepticism or critical thinking in Lagos.

There is. For this people, the

only image of Lagos is that of a religious Lagos, a dogmatic Lagos, a superstitious Lagos, a Lagos of magic and miracles, a Lagos of signs and wonders.

Surely, these people are mistaken. Definitely, not all the people in Lagos are religious and dogmatic and superstitious.

There are are freethinking non religious people in Lagos. There is a skeptical Lagos of doubting, questioning, evidence seeking and critically oriented minds.

There is a non believing atheistic Lagos.

There is a rational Lagos of people who want to live meaningful lives free from dogma and superstition. This people want to live their lives and based their decisions on knowledge derived from critical evaluation. In fact Lagos may be home to the highest number of humanists, skeptics and freethinkers per state in the country.

And this skeptical Lagos will be showcased and inaugurated at the event on April 28.

Don't miss it. Try and be part of this history making event.

Leo Igwe is a fellow of James Randi Educational Foundation, USA

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013

PAGE 15

Anenih: The colours of an old dictator (II) T

he tragedy of the PDP is not that it is a party of evil men. No. The PDP is loaded with people who love this country. Unfortunately these good men have failed rather woefully in putting their kind in the driver's chair. The party has thus been hijacked by evil forces that have put us on this slippery road to hell.

Some of us saw a glimmer of hope in the election of Bamanga Tukur as National Chairman of the PDP in March 2012. Thirty years earlier, In 1982, he electrified the politics of our good old Gongola State when he left the Ports Authority to join the gubernatorial race that was coming up the following year. He struck some of us as a politician with charisma and vision. His wide experience in corporate management, made us believe he possessed the executive capacity to give the complex state the leadership it badly needed at the time. He was set to do that in 1983 when the military sacked him and the democratic dispensation.

Bamanga belonged to the progressive wing of the NPN, the ruling party at the time. Even with its bad media image, the party, in comparison with the PDP, was a near perfect democratic machine. At the time of his election in 2012, I wrote on these pages that he would hopefully bring sanity to the

party. True, things were so bad in the party that one of his predecessors, the erudite Audu Ogbe while still in office as National Chairman wrote off the PDP as a "rally" and not a political party. Has Bamanga brought sanity to this rally; regrettably, no.

Barely four months in office, Mahmud, his son was picked up by the EFCC. He was later brought to court with charges of defrauding the Federal Government of billions of Naira under the scandal besotted fuel subsidy scheme.

This was rather strange. For a party that claims expertise in settling intricate national issues in a family manner, the decision to parade the son of its national leader before the whole world with criminal charges dangling on his neck was rather an oddity.

The year 2012 had opened with strikes and demonstrations on the issue of fuel subsidy which smeared the name of the federal government and the PDP. Why was the government giving its opponents yet another opportunity to dent its image?

A few months after Mahmud Tukur's arrest, the son of yet another PDP top shot was in the net. This time, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arrested Aminu Lamido, eldest son of the Jigawa State Governor, Alh. Sule Lamido over money laundering

allegations. He was arrested at the Aminu Kano International Airport at about 12.30 am on his way to Cairo, Egypt.

EFCC's spokesman Mr. Wilson Uwujaren immediately, confirmed the arrest to journalists, just as the Kano State Command of the agency was holding a press briefing on the

Emmanuel Yawe 08024565402 royawe@yahoo.com arrest in Kano. Certainly the agency did not wish to give time for this family matter to be settled in the family way.

The history of the EFCC since its inception has been tainted by accusations of selective justice.

Under its first Chairman Nuhu Ribadu, there was a general consensus both within and outside Nigeria that it was very effective in tackling corruption.

The only complain was that it was used by President Obasanjo as his battle axe against perceived political enemies. Since then, the agency has been

battling to remove that stain.

The biggest casualty of tying the EFCC's work to the President's political fortunes came to the fore when Obasanjo's tenure expired and a new President, Umaru Yar'adua, took office.The new King I n Egypt did not know Joseph and Nuhu Ribadu became game; lured out of the agency under the pretext of attending a course at NIPPS, he was stopped from graduating at NIPSS and then dismissed from the police.

The game became so dangerous that he took flight from his fatherland.

Under the rules of the game in Nigeria, it is normal for such government agencies like the EFCC to be used to overwhelm the opposition. Two things, however, appear to be out of sync here. By the middle of last year, the media was awash with speculation that former President Obasanjo was grooming Governor Sule Lamido to contest the 2015 presidential election against President Goodluck Jonathan. Even though both Obasanjo and Lamido denied the speculation, it is reported to have raised some dust in the presidential villa. The arrest of Lamido's son was a way of creating some damaging public image - getting back at him.

The most complicated scenario is that of Mahmud Tukur, the PDP chairman's son.

Given the way business - both

government and private - is done in Nigeria, Mahmud could easily have been left off the hook without public knowledge.

Knowing how hard the President worked against all odds to install Bamanga as the National chairman of the PDP, why was the poor boy not saved the agony of public humiliation? This was the question we faced at our breakfast table last week.

An ingenious friend at the table bailed us out of the dark tunnel. "It is a tale of two hostages" he explained. Sule Lamido's son is being held hostage because his father is rumoured to be eying somebody's job. On the other hand Bamanga Tukur's son has to be held hostage - "just in case."

The Nigerian political landscape he explained further is littered with the carcasses of political godfathers who after installing their godchildren into office were suddenly thrown away. Bamanga Tukur he went on was put in office by Goodluck; but as we move towards 2015, the godfather needs to hold unto something (Mahmud) -just in case Bamanga dumps him.

Thus, with Anenih moving menacingly around and his son held hostage, Bamanga may have no option but to deliver Jonathan as the presidential candidate of PDP come 2015.

Can APC cure Nigeria's headache? (II)

By Chido Onumah

I

have no illusions about the challenges (some of them beginning to manifest) and limitations of the new mega party being proposed by the country's main opposition parties. The reality is that the All Progressives Congress (APC) can only go so far in the quest to lift our people from poverty, disease, unemployment and other problems associated with a neocolonial capitalist economy like ours. The reasons are quite clear.

However, it is important to state that in the midst of the general chaos that has enveloped the country and the rudderless leadership of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) which threatens the very survival of the country, there are very few options open for us to push back the country from the brink.

In general, there are three likely scenarios that could play out in the next two years. None of the scenarios is capable of addressing the urgent crisis confronting the country. What are these scenarios? One, the opposition abdicates the political space and allows the current charade to run its full course.

Two things are possible here: first, the implosion of the PDP which seems quite imminent could prove even costlier for the nation. Second, President Jonathan is "reelected" in 2015.

By 2019, he, like his predecessors, hands over to a governor of his choice and the cycle continues while we groan and complain ad nauseam.

The second scenario is the military option. This option looks menacingly real and tantalizing for some. Many of the people who would lampoon the effort to confront the PDP and its despicable rule are salivating at the prospect of a military coup. They are readying themselves, like their forebears, in the spirit of "service to the nation" to be part of the process. It does not matter to them that such action will take us a one step forward and twenty years backward.

The third scenario which looms large is anarchy or civil war. The mindless bloodletting and general insecurity in the country could get out of control and precipitate anarchy or civil war; and like Somalia, the country could become the poster child of failed states. These are scenarios that should not be viewed lightly.

So what is the way forward?

In this regard, two scenarios appear feasible. One, the prospect of a social revolution or what Edwin Madunagu, "The Hugo Chavez Revolution", The Guardian (March 28, 2013) describes as "a fundamental, non-sectarian and massengineered rupture in the

structure and content of the Nigerian state". Even though the objective conditions are present and the fact that in most cases such "mass-engineered rupture" do not "give notice", Gov. Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, a chieftain of the PDP, in his wisdom, has ruled out this option because according to him, "Our elasticity (for suffering) has no limit".

The last option would be a popular and broad-based coalition to unseat the PDP in 2015. This is where the APC comes in. Of course, the APC is not necessarily the only option here. The Labour Party/ National Conscience Party coalition, as a friend suggested, is another. However, if the opposition is really serious about unseating a behemoth like the PDP, it will do well to close ranks.

These are the only viable options. Every Nigerian would have to decide where they fit in.

There is no room for vacillation or "siddon look". How then do we get out of the current cul-de-sac?

Which of the preceding options is meaningful and achievable (before things get out of hand) within the context of the current bourgeoisie "democratic" order? I would say the last option.

I understand the "fierce urgency of now" in relation to ending the suffering and deprivation of citizens. At the same time, we need to save and

secure the country before we can move forward. Unfortunately, the PDP which has been in power since 1999 has foreclosed any meaningful debate about the future of the country and the possibility of change. For us to start any real discussion about the future of the country, we need to get rid of the PDP which has elevated misgovernance to a religion.

The PDP is in the throes of death and it looks like it wants to drag the rest of the country with it. With the PDP, we are dealing with a collection of megalomaniacs. Currently, we can identify three centres of powers within the party: The Presidency, the Nigeria Governors' Forum, and the Northern Governors' Forum.

The ambition of the men who control these centres of power, President Goodluck Jonathan, Gov. Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers state, and Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, as well as that of other tangential gladiators will, undoubtedly, sink the party.

The question is: do we want to sink with the PDP? Now is the time to confront the arrogance and egregious folly of the PDP. When former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, and national chairman, Bamanga Tukur, say the PDP will rule for 100 years, we should not see it as mere political-speak. The PDP cares for this country, to

paraphrase American political journalist, DeWayne Wickham, in much the same way that pimps care for their whores: just what they can get out of them.

How do we defeat President Jonathan and the PDP in 2015?

There is no other way than for the opposition to come together and show that it is capable of this urgent task of national reclamation. If the APC succeeds, and I hope and pray it does, it will be "a marginal improvement over where we are coming from". If the country can once in its history have a leader elected by popular will not installed by the incumbent or the military - it is a step forward.

I shall end this piece by going back to Edwin Madunagu who noted in his piece "Reflections on Party Combinations", The Guardian, March 7 & 14, 2013, "Someone has referred to the newly-formed APC as the "new" SDP. Yes, there are a couple of elements in common. But there is at least one more requirement for the APC: It has to show that not only is the status-quo totally bankrupt (which is the case), but also that the APC is a historically progressive way forward at this moment, and that it is the only one". This is the battle progressives in the APC have to wage in the weeks and months ahead. Concluded conumah@hotmail.com

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013

FRSC officials in Suleja call for permanent office

By Usman Shuaibu

T

he officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Suleja local Government area in Niger State have decried the lack of permanent office in the area appealing to the government of the day, to as a matter of urgency to build a permanent office for the officials of FRSC to enable them to carry out their duties effectively in the area.

The Unit commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps

(FRSC) in suleja local Government area in Niger State, Mr Chukwu Emeka Nwokike, requested the government to build a permanent FRSC unit commander house in Suleja to avoid wasting government fund on rent.

Nwokike, who made the appeal in an interview with newsmen during the conferment of visionary detective merit award given to him by the management of the Orator weekly newspaper

based in Suleja, called on the government to post more staff to the unit command.

He further pleaded with the government to build barracks for the men of FRSC in Suleja to enable them to respond to issues from the public anytime of the day.

He pointed out that his administration had established a task force to checkmate the activities of the reckless drivers as well as illegal motor parks, said that he would like to be remembered by the people of

suleja for his good work.

Commenting on the award being conferred on him, Nwokike said that the award would encourage him to do more of good things for the command and dedicated the award to the officers of the command.

Speaking at the occasion, the chairman of the ceremony, Mallam Garba Abdul Guni from Suleja general hospital, said that the award conferred on the unit commander was a right step in the right

direction.

Guni charged the unit commander to continue to do his best for the command and urged the staff of the unit to co-operate with him for the overall development of the command.

Speaking earlier, the Managing Editor of the Orator weekly newspaper, Mr. Nasiru Oseni, said that the award was given to the unit commander based on his outstanding contributions towards the progress of the command.

Traditional rulers hail Abaji chair for supporting indigene in election

By Adeola Tukuru

T

he traditional rulers of Gawu, Gasakpa, Gigbe, Tungamusman community in Abaji area council, has lauded the Chairman of Abaji , Alhaji Yahaya Musa Muhammad for supporting a Gbagyi indigene to serve as the new incoming chairman of Abaji area council despite the fact that Gbagyi are the minority tribes in the council.

The tradional ruler of Gawu community, Alhaji Garba on behalf of other traditional heads noted this over the weekend when they paid a courtesy visit to the chairman in to show their appreciation for supporting their son, Alhaji Yahaya Garba as the Chairman-elect of the council.

He stated that chairman deserve to be awarded in FCT by Gbagyi indigenes as he has shown love to them , therefore the need to pay him back for the future is to support him in his ambition to contest for house of representation member representing Abaji/South come 2015.

Responding , the Chairman said he gave glory to Almighty Allah for making it possible for Yahaya to become the newly elected council chairman of Abaji area council.

He explained that he received alot of pressure to drop Hon. Yahaya as PDP Candidate of Abaji area council, but he saw light and success in uniting together to allow other tribes like the Gbagyi’s to rule in Abaji Area council.

The chairman also assured the tradition ruler that FCTA has cited a project at Gigbe village Bridge where the new incoming chairman came from.

He further urged the traditional ruler to give the chairman -elect maximum support to have a successful tenure, adding that they are going to witness more developmental projects, as soon as the new chairman- elect resume in the office in May,2013.

First Aid Group of JIBWIS, during the Takushara 2013 Training of Abuja Municipal Area Council Division, at the weekend in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

FCTA inaugurates advisory committee for effective immunization service

By Adeola Tukuru

I

n the bid to advance effective programming and immunization service delivery in the FCT, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has inaugurated the Immunization Technical Advisory Committee.

The Secretary FCT Health & Human Services Secretariat Dr. Demola Onakomaiya during the inauguration meeting lamented that more than ten million children in low and middle income countries die before they reach their fifth birthdays and most die because they do not access effective interventions that would combat common and

preventable childhood illnesses.

He said FCT immunization programming and service delivery both for routine immunization and supplemental immunization activities has suffered setbacks in the recent past with coverage rates for routine antigens falling below 90%and confirmed Polio cases after being polio free for about two years.

Dr. Demola added that observations and statistics have brought to the fore, the clinical and urgent need to implore and maintain high vaccination coverage rates to counter the disproportionate burden from vaccine preventable diseases.

The Secretary further disclosed that the committee is to

serve as a technical resource, providing guidance to national and FCT policy makers and program managers to enable them to make evidence based immunization related policy and program decisions.

The committee’s term of reference is to lead program organization and tracking of implementation of the FCT immunization plus days and provide advice on strategic directions as applicable, consult and collaborate with stakeholders and other immunization related committees and departments on the development of immunization priorities.

Others include, to monitor and provide advice on communication strategies and

materials for informing providers and communities about values and benefit of immunization, the immunization policy and immunization program.

Responding on behalf of the committee members the Director Primary Health care Area Service Secretariat Dr. mohammed Sani thanked the Secretary for setting up the Committee, mutating that the timing of the inauguration was apt. He assured the Secretary that the Committee was determined to ensure that the immunization services in the FCT was in tune with the aspirations of the Health and Human Services Secretariat and designed to meet international best practices.

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013

PHCDB partners RTEAN to eradicate polio in FCT

By Adeola Tukuru

T

Traditional drummers entertaining guests at a public function, at the weekend, in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Traditional ruler of Garki expresses confidence in Minister over land swap program

By Adeola Tukuru

T

he Traditional Head of Garki Chiefdom, Alhaji Usman Nga-Kupi over the weekend expressed confidence in the community engagement policy of the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed in his program of accelerated development of Abuja through the land swap system.

He urged the affected communities within his chiefdom, particularly KettiWaru, to exercise patience and cooperate with the government as it perfects the new package for the original inhabitants’ wellbeing.

He advised the youths in the area to guard against being used by external forces to foment trouble stressing that such an approach could jeopardize the ongoing efforts by the FCT Minister and the FCT Administration towards the integration or resettlement of the affected people within his chiefdom.

According to him, if past administrations had adopted similar approach as the present FCT Minister, the challenge of integrating, compensating or resettling the original inhabitants would not have accumulated to the present worrisome proportion.

Alhaji Nga-Kupi dissociated himself and his Council of Chiefs from a controversial cultural forum held by some

youths at Kabusa during which inciting and other u n c o m p l i m e n t a r y pronouncements were made by some persons.

According to him, he and his subordinate district/ village chiefs were not involved in the so-called cultural and sensitization forum.

He stated that they (he and other affected district heads), including Ketti-Waru villages were neither consulted nor carried along by those behind the planned assemblage and wondered how some people could organize a cultural event to discuss land and related matters without the consent of traditional rulers who are the rightful custodians of the culture, tradition and heritage of the original inhabitants.

Alhaji Nga-Kupi expressed reservations about the activities of Alliance for Credible Elections (ACE), an election monitoring nongovernmental body (NGO) belonging to non indigenes of Abuja but which has been allegedly been neck deep in mobilizing and inciting the indigenous youths against the government and other constituted authorities in the land.

He warned against outside forces interfering with local activities of his people stressing that such persons could be sources of destabilization and external interference in the polity.

The respected Chief therefore called for caution by all concerned in view of the prevailing precarious security situation in the country,

adding that no patriotic Nigerian should do anything to aggravate the already tensed situation. He equally advised all residents within his chiefdom to seek and obtain the consent of the Police and the Area Council authorities before undertaking any assemblage of people under whatever guise.

It would be recalled that some persons using the name of Original Inhabitants Development Association (OIDA) in collaboration with Alliance for Credible Elections (ACE) had on Saturday April 9, 2013 held a sparsely attended forum at Kabusa village in Abuja Municipal Area Council which they styled ‘Cultural Heritage Day of Original Inhabitants and Land Swap Sensitization Campaign’.

he FCT Primary Health Care Development Board (PHCDB) is to partner with the FCT chapter of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in order to ensure that the FCT and environs is polio free.

The Executive Secretary, FCT PHCDB, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed said the board remains resolute to achieve its set objective of improving primary health care services in the FCT with particular emphasis to the control of polio.

The emergence of the disease in recent time is an issue of major concern to the Board, therefore collaborating with the Association is absolutely necessary and crucial because most of the people coming into the FCT on daily basis come through the motor parks.

Dr. Rilwanu said the Board will provide the necessary tools, equipments and train the personnel of the parks on the processes and techniques of vaccinating children under five who pass through the parks even if they were immunised before leaving their places of abode. He said there is no overdose for the polio vaccination.

In his words: “It is very important and crucial for the Board and the Association to work together. The Federal government and indeed the FCT remain resolute to control polio”.

Responding, the Chairman FCT chapter of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Chief Lukman Obi welcome the proposal promising his association’s unflinching support to the FCT Primary Health Care Development Board.

Chief Obi said the Association will liaise with all its branches, identify needs and peculiarities.

The Chairman said eradication of polio in the FCT is a major task and challenge that requires collective responsibility promising to ensure security and safety of materials and personnel that will be involved in this initiative.

Two staff bag award in Suleja general hospital

By Usman Shuaibu

T

he Head of Hospital Services at the Suleja General Hospital in suleja local Government Area in Niger State, Dr. Yabagi Hussaini and the Head of Nursing Services, Mrs. Halima Ahmed Aboki, was conferred with the media awards by the management of the Orator weekly newspaper based in

Suleja.

Presenting awards to the recipients, the managing editor of the Orator weekly newspaper, Mr. Nasiru Oseni, said it was to commemorate the excellent performance of the officers towards the selfless service to humanity.

He said the management of the orator weekly newspaper had chosen the two personalities for the awards

after consultations and investigations that led to their nomination.

According to him, the authority of the Orator weekly newspaper is concerned about the government officials that have direct impact on the lives of their people positively.

Oseni called on the two awardees to continue to contribute their quota for the progress of the hospital.

Responding, the Head of Hospital Services, Dr. Yabagi Hussaini, said the award would ginger him to render selfless service to humanity in the hospital.

Hussaini thanked the management of the orator weekly newspaper for the honour done to him and dedicated the award to the staff of the suleja General Hospital.

BUSINESS

PAGE 19

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013

Email: aminuimam@yahoo.co.uk

Mob: 08033644990

INSIDE

- Pg 20

Nigerians urged to procure health insurance

Concerned Parents rejoice over termination of Bi-Courtney lease agreement From Suleiman Idris, Lagos ome concerned parents of the Murtala Mohammed Airport School, Ikeja have shown excitement over the termination of the lease agreement granted Bi-Courtney Aviation Services by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for the construction of a conference centre on a piece of land that originally belonged to the Murtala Mohammed Airport School, Ikeja.

Speaking on behalf of the concerned parents on Friday in the premises of the school, Mr. Adeleke Badmus said the parents and pupils of the school saw the termination of the lease agreement as an act of God meant “to avenge the poor pupils of their adversary, BiCourtney, for illegally acquiring the school land, through subterfuge, few years ago.”

Mr. Badmus added, “Anyone who denies children of their right because he has the right connections in government has murdered sleep and like Macbeth, cannot sleep anymore.”

He appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to use his good offices to restore the land where the abandoned conference is situated to the school, “to redress the injustice done the school”, by the illegal acquisition of the land by BiCourtney.

Mr. Badmus lamented that the illegal acquisition of the land had made it very difficult for the school to expand its secondary school section, which the land was meant for.

It will be recalled that the FAAN recently terminated the lease agreements granted BiCourtney Aviation Services Limited for the construction of a four-star hotel and conference centre at the local wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, due to the company’s inability to complete the two projects within two years, as stipulated in the lease agreements for the projects.

However, in a swift reaction, Bi-Courtney spokesman, Steve Omolale-Ajulo stated that, “BiCourtney believes that the imaginary excitement by an unknown group called Concerned Parents is a creation of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and one of its usual gimmicks to continue to perpetrate its lawlessness and give credibility to its false claim that it had revoked our lease agreement. If such excitement actually happened, it certainly will be short-lived, because the law is against the sponsors.

S

L-R: MD/CEO, Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), Mr. Uche Orji, Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Chairman, Heirs Holdings, Mr. Tony O. Elumelu during a reception in honour of Mr. Orji's appointment as head of the SWF at Heirs Holdings at the weekend in Ikoyi, Lagos.

NNPC/PPMC debunks reports of imminent fuel scarcity

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Managements of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its downstream and marketing subsidiary, the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) have urged members of the public to discountenance the reports of imminent fuel scarcity

in the South-West carried in a section of the media as there is no iota of truth in them.

NNPC acting Group General Manager, Public Affairs, Tumini Green explained that it is not true that there has not been loading from the depots in the South-West since last week Monday, adding that it was only the depot at Atlas Cove which was temporarily shut down for

the maintenance of its power generator, which is a standard industry practice.

Ms. Green added that the Atlas Cove depot is not a loading but a storage depot, underscoring the fact that loading could not have been affected.

“What happened was that one of the major generators at the Atlas Cove was undergoing

urged the country’s citizens, government agencies and corporate bodies to be proud of, its .NG domain name.

Reports have also revealed most government officials have their electronic mail designated at foreign domains like Yahoo!, Google, etc.

“The Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, had

recently confirmed that out of the 54,000 indigenous e-mail accounts created for government officials in the federal ministries, departments and agencies, only four per cent were in use,” a statement said.

In a country of over 170 million people, only 26,000 domain names were registered with NiRA at the end of 2013.

Nigeria’s website owners lose N3.76bn over poor domain name adoption

By Chris Alu

P

urchase of foreign domain names such as .com, .co.uk, .org and .net has resulted in the loss of 3.76 billion naira in the last five years.

According to news reports, the figure is expected to be more than double in another five years if the trend is not checked, given the increasing level of Internet awareness and usage in the country.

The Chief Operating Officer of Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) Mr. Ope Odunsa confirmed the figure, adding that over N752 million is paid annually by Nigerians to service the estimated 600,000 registered foreign domain names in the country, adding that it costs about 5,000 naira to purchase a domain name.

He expressed dissatisfaction with the development and

a routine maintenance which resulted in a shutdown of pumping activities.

The suspension of pumping from Atlas Cove for maintenance did not in any way affect distribution activities as the depots serviced by the Atlas Cove Jetty through the System 2B Pipeline have enough products to keep all the states in the South-West Zone wet throughout the period of the maintenance,” Green stated.

“As at this morning, the maintenance which started on Wednesday has been concluded and pumping has resumed”, she explained further.

She said the depots under the System 2B Pipeline have an average of 5.4 days fuel sufficiency with the breakdown as follows: Mosimi – 6.4 days, Ibadan – 5.9 days, Ilorin –4.2 days and Ore – 5.1 days.

Green urged members of the public to avoid panic buying as there is enough fuel in all the depots to service the zone.

Management Tip of the Day

I

Perfect your personal elevator pitch

f you’re in the market for a job, you need to be able to communicate your value as a potential employee in 15 seconds or less. That may be all the time you have with a recruiter or hiring manager.

Your message has to be crisp and tailored. Say

specifically what value you bring — for instance, “My specialty is streamlining messy, complex processes” — but don’t pile on so many details that you struggle to get everything in.

Delivering an elevator pitch at breakneck pace is extremely off-putting. Speak

at a steady pace that shows you’re calm and confident. You want the listener to see you as a thoughtful, deliberate candidate — not as some manic babbler.

Source: Harvard Business Review

PAGE 21

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013

NSE: Investors wealth up by 0.587 Billion shares From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos ollowing price gains by major blue chip companies, equities transactions on the floor of the Nigeria Stock Exchange last week gained a total of 0.587 billion shares on investment as a turnover of 2.191 billion shares worth of N24.942 billion in 33,100 deals was transacted in contrast to a total of 1.604 billion shares valued at N19.088 billion that exchanged hands in 26,264 deals the previous week.

At the close of trading

F

activities for the week, the Financial Services sector (measured by turnover volume) accounted for 1.599 billion shares valued at N15.013 billion exchanged hands by investors in 20,976 deals.

The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector followed in the activity chart with 167.324 million shares valued at N357.174 million traded in 47 deals.

Analysis of activities showed that trading in the top three

equities namely Access Bank Plc, Diamond Bank Plc and IHS Plc accounted for 584.604 million shares worth N3.635 billion exchanged by investors in 3,165 deals contributing 26.68% to the total equity turnover volume recorded during the week.

In the course of the week, 510 units of NewGold Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) valued at N1.220 million were executed in 7 deals compared with a total of 169 units valued at N404, 900.00 transacted last week in 7 deals.

Also, 3,310 units of FGN bonds valued at N4.049 million were traded during the week in 20 deals in contrast to 1,700 units valued at N2.057 million transacted last week in 17 deals.

However, the NSE All-Share Index (ASI) declined by 787.23 points or 2.30% to close on Friday at 33,514.14 while the market capitalisation of the listed equities on the main board decreased by 2.41% to close at N10.713 trillion. Also, the NSE 30 Index depreciated by 38.53 points or 2.35% to close at 1,600.12.

NLNG Train7: Shareholders delay N1.92tr FDIs

T

he continued delay of the Train7 project of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) is holding back fresh Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) worth $12bn (N1.92 trillion) that should have been flowing into the country.

Our correspondent learnt that it was also delaying about 13,000 jobs expected to be created by the project.

Apart from the $12bn FDI and 13,000 jobs, the NLNG Managing Director, Mr. Babs Omotowa, said the project would also fetch the government annual revenue of $3bn.

He said, “We are expecting Foreign Direct Investment of $12bn from our proposed Train7

plant, which we hope will be completed within the next four years.

“The project is expected to create 13,000 new jobs and generate $3bn revenue annually for the government.”

Omotowa said this during a recent one-day facility tour of the NLNG plant in Bonny Island, Rivers State, by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga.

The NLNG is jointly owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (49 per cent); Shell (26.6 per cent); Total LNG Nigeria Limited (15 per cent) and Eni (10.4 per cent).

“The NLNG six-train complex

Standard Alliance promotes staff

S

tandard Alliance Insurance Plc, said it has promoted not less than 49 of its staff.

A statement by the company’s Head of Corporate Communications, Nelson Egboboh, said the promotion is in line with the firm’s policy of continually rewarding outstanding staff, adding that the promotion took effect from March, 2013.

He noted that of the 49, 10 staff were elevated to Assistant Manager’s position and above.

Egboboh explained that whereas Miss Anietie Udoh, the company’s South-South Regional Head and Ekundayo Mobayo, the Divisional Head, Financial Institutions, were elevated to the positions of a General Manager and Assistant General Manager from their earlier Deputy General Manager

and Principal Manager’s cadres respectively, Messrs. Akanni Oladele, Jide Fasanmi, who heads the company’s South-West operations and Koko Adewale who were Senior Managers before now are Principal Managers.

According to him, other officers promoted to management level included Mr. Aiyeola Ayodeji of the company’s Abuja Office who is now a Manager, Messrs. Iranloye Samson (Ibadan Office), Ajibare Rotimi and Morakinyo Roland now Deputy Managers while Miss Fubura Ibiene Waribo (Port Harcourt Office) got Assistant Manager’s promotion.

He expressed the company’s good wishes to them, noting that management was of the confidence that all promoted staff will work to justify its gesture.

is the biggest gas consumer/ exporter in Nigeria with its current daily consumption of 3.5Bcf/d, equal to the total consumption of an industrialised country like the Netherlands,” the 2013 Facts and Figures report on NLNG said.

The Train 7 NLG project, according to the NLNG, will lift NLNG’s total gas production capacity from the current 23

metric tonnes per annum of LNG to 30mtpa.

However, NLNG had attributed the delay in the commencement of the Train 7 LNG project to the inability of the company’s shareholders to make the Final Investment Decision.

According to the NLNG, the project is expected to advance to the next stage as soon as the shareholders make the decision.

Dangote Group to raise N560bn syndicated loan

D

angote Group, Nigeria’s biggest listed company, has begun talks to raise a debut syndicated loan for $3.5 billion to fund fertiliser and oil refinery projects, two sources with knowledge of the situation said.

The seven-year loan for Nigeria’s biggest cement producer is split equally between the country and international lenders via lead banks Guaranty Trust Bank, Standard Bank and Standard Chartered, the sources said.

No one at Dangote was immediately available to comment.

International lenders are weighing up the risk associated with a relatively long-term jumbo loan for Dangote being a first time borrower.

Dangote’s position as a leading company in one of Africa’s more economically stable countries is expected to appeal to deal-hungry emerging market lenders who faced a shortage of such sizeable loans in 2012.

“If any international bank

Chairman Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote wants to make a new play for Africa then this is the deal to join,” one of the sources said.

Dangote forecasts a 38 percent rise in net profit to 81.5 billion naira for the first quarter compared with a year earlier, it said in a filing with the Nigerian Stock Exchange in late December.

The company’s full-year results are expected shortly.

(Bloomberg)

Source:Pro-share Nigeria

INVESTORS NEWS BITS Unclaimed Dividends

C

apital market registrars in the country have urged the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to implement the recommendations of the Registrars’ Information Technology Infrastructure Review Committee as a way of resolving all share registration challenges in the market.

Rising unclaimed dividends and delay in certificate verification, among others, are some of the challenges stakeholders are contending with in the market.

Regulators have been finding a way out of these challenges without much progress.

The Institute of Capital Market Registrars (ICMR) has advised SEC to implement the

NSE

C

ompanies, which violate the rules governing the newly introduced online information-disclosure portal of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) would be liable to a fine of 50 per cent of their yearly listing fees.

Companies will also be required to indemnify the Exchange for damages or loss it may suffer as a result of any inaccurate, misleading, false or deceptive statement contained in the information they submit to the NSE through the issuers’ portal.

The Issuers’ Portal, otherwise known as X-Issuer, was launched on March 26, this year.

GT Bank, Zenith & Access

T

he combined total feebased earnings and commissions made by the trio of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) Plc., Zenith Bank Plc. and Access Bank Plc. in their 2012 annual report attained a whopping N123.437 billion.

Analysts believe that the trend may not continue in 2013 if the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) makes good its plans to peg the Cost of Transaction (COT) at N3 for every N1,000 transacted.

The apex bank had in a circular with reference number: (CFP/DIR/GDL/01/ 018) to deposit money banks in July last year stated that the review “is intended to align the tariff regime in the banking industry with present economic realities and offer a platform for standard application of charges on different types of banking products and services.”

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013

PAGE 22

Smartphone innovation: Where we’re going next (Smartphones unlocked) T

he HTC One has a gorgeous chassis and a ton of camera tricks, the Samsung's Galaxy S4 pauses and unpauses video when you avert your gaze, and in the Lumia 920, Nokia was the first to introduce wireless charging and an ultrasensitive screen you can control while wearing gloves.

Yet compared with the real meat of what you do with a phone -- things like communicating with people, browsing the Internet, snapping photos, and playing games -- today's top phones are mostly all on par.

Software and hardware extras that extend beyond the basics, while impressive, convenient, likable, and even useful still amount to fancy filler.

All of today's technology will certainly improve: cameras will get sharper and clearer, processors faster, screens stronger, and batteries longerlived. But in tomorrow's tech world, that "filler" may be the more compelling story.

The creative director for Frog Design, Mark Rolston has studied technology for the better part of two decades. As he sees it, smartphones are just about out of evolutionary advances. Sure, form factors and materials might alter as manufacturers grasp for differentiating design, but in terms of innovative leaps, Rolston says, "we're at the end of gross innovation for smartphones."

That isn't to say smartphones are dead or obsolete. Just the contrary. As Rolston and other future thinkers who study the mobile space conclude, smartphones will become increasingly impactful in interacting with our surrounding world, but more as one smaller piece of a much large, interconnected puzzle abuzz with data transfer and information.

You may have never given two thoughts to the sensors that come on you smartphone. They don't mind. They're still there anyway, computing data on your phone's movement and speed, rotation, and lighting conditions.

These under-appreciated

components -- the gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer, and so forth -- are starting to get more friends in the neighborhood.

Samsung, for instance, slipped pressure, temperature, and humidity sniffers into the Galaxy S4.

They may not be the sexiest feature in your phone, but in the future, sensors like accelerometers will be able to collect and report much more detailed information.

Imagine an air quality sensor on a smartphone suggests David Harris, social change agent at Institute for the Future in Palo Alto, Calif. Much like the Waze app crowdsources city maps and traffic conditions, sensors like the one Harris proposes could collect incredibly useful data about air quality around the world. That, in turn, could be used to monitor global climate change, or perhaps pollutants or allergens, through a network of smartphones.

Rise of gestures and touch-free input For years, smartphones have included some sort of indirect input, like silencing sound when you flip the phone over, or dialing with your voice. Taken in a wider context, gestures and voice comprise a wider world of multimodal input -- basically, anything that isn't your finger tapping at buttons on the screen.

Gestures and voice may be starting the trend, but other, more sophisticated transitions and input methods will soon move from wacky option to normal ways of interacting with devices. For instance, calling up the Galaxy S4's S Voice Drive app already assumes you'll be speaking instructions rather than typing. On a drawing program, using your finger or a stylus may be the best way to go about.

What if launching a game automatically activated eyetracking sensors for enhanced play, and what if tapping the phone to an NFC receiver on your car turned on motion control that let you mute or amplify volume on a phone call or the radio with a wave of your hand?

Then there will be the apps

Smartphone advancements are on the edge of transforming in some crazy ways, but it isn't like you think.

HTC's One lead the way with a TV-controlling IR blaster built into the power button or tasks that will seamlessly switch from manual to voice to text to gesture-based inputs depending on what the app is and what you're doing. Let's say you launch a fitness app by tapping.

When it senses motion, it switches to voice commands. At the end of the exercise when you're weak and uncoordinated, you could wave your hand above the screen to drill down into stats.

In addition to gestures we already know about, like bumping and waving, companies are hard at work adding tracing and body movement to the mix. There's Microsoft Kinect, of course, a gaming console that uses your moving body as the controller.

In a more limited vein, Samsung has extended its software for recognizing a hovering stylus, to the human finger. On devices like the Galaxy S4, you can now point your finger right above the screen to preview a browser tab, photo, or video.

Leap Motion is another

You can use embedded sensors like the Galaxy S4's IR blaster to change the channel.

company working with gestures this way. The standalone sensor, imagined for use with a large screen monitor or TV, responds when you pinch your fingers for a zoom, point, draw, or trace.

This is the kind of sensor that could easily find its way into a smartphone or tablet.

The larger ecosystem If you've made it here, you'll start seeing a general theme: in the forward-looking smartphone environment of our future, our devices are anything but isolated.

Instead, smartphones will come with more components and communications tools to interact more than ever before with people and other devices.

We already see some communication with Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth, and NFC communications protocols, plus newcomers like the Miracast standard.

In short, the kind of innovation we see in the mobile space may have more to do with getting your smartphone to

communicate with other computing devices in the ecosystem than it will have with how many megapixels or ultrapixels your camera lens possesses or what kind of leather was used to finish the chassis.

Smartphones of the future could use sensors and machine language to recognize other objects around them. What if leaving your phone in the car for 5 hours triggers a reaction where the phone calls or e-mails to tell you where it is? When someone places his handset on the table too close to yours, it might buzz and flash red, because you've set preferences for it to do so.

Frog Design's creative director, Mark Rolston paints a compelling picture of smartphones acting as social tools in the real world. Let's say you're in a hotel or at a conference and you want to meet people, he says.

Extremely precise sensors track exactly where you are indoors.

Point the phone toward a person in the crowd and her pertinent information pops onto the screen: who she is, what she does, and maybe some background.

You're now using your phone as a social tool in the real world, not just on a social network, and none of the information you're broadcasting is creepy because you've gone through preferences and told your phone exactly what it can share or not. When you approach someone, the basics are worked out and you can get to the business of having a conversation.

The point is this: smartphones aren't going anywhere. But instead of a focusing on the world within the phone's screen, the smartphone will be tuned more than ever before to the world around you. (Source: CNET)

PEOSPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013

Report as at Thursday, April 11, 2013

PAGE 23

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013

PAGE 24

By Edeki Igafe

F

rom time immemorial, man has evolved diverse and varied means to take care of himself, in order to look physically decent.

While the Early Man may have worn wild beards and remained unkempt during the Stone Age, man’s evolution from those pristine years created the necessity for modern means to stay clean and look good.

For instance, small, sharp and portable knives, sometimes called scalpels, were utilised by man to cut his hair and trim his beards to be good-looking.

Thus steadily evolved the traditional haircut trade, wherein men became skilled in the art and passed same on to subsequent generations.

Today, barbing has assumed an appreciable level of sophistication with the development of electric clippers, razor blades and other implements of the trade.

Notwithstanding such sophistication, the traditional mode of barbing is still in vogue in several communities in the country and its practitioners are still in good numbers, while customers are not lacking.

Across all age groups, barbing has proved a sustainable means of livelihood for practitioners and it is no wonder that many are still in the trade just as more are joining their ranks.

In Lagos State for instance, the Wasimi Community Central Mosque complex in Oyingbo provides a ready venue for a legion of traditional barbers to practise their trade.

On daily basis, men with sharp knives and razor blades fastened to short metals provide clean haircuts and chin shaves to numerous customers in front of this mosque at varying costs, depending on how the customer bargains.

Malam Haruna Wandan, one of the traditional barbers, says he has spent the last five years providing such service to his numerous customers.

He is apparently not in a hurry to abandon the trade as it still provides him a sustainable means of livelihood.

“E reach five years wen I dey here now; no problem for here,” he says.

Wandan, 32, discloses that he earns up to N700 per day if business is good while at bad times, his income drops to as low as N100. According to him, the inflow of customers largely determines one’s income for the day.

For Sanni Husein, another traditional barber, his salon has assisted him to meet his family obligations back in the village where they are located.

PAGE 25

Traditional barbers: Still enjoying high patronage!

Local barbers attending to clients “Everyday, I go see small small money, maybe N500; maybe na N600. I don marry one wife wen e dey for Kano.

If i go village, I go buy clothes, soap and everything go give my mama,” he narrates.

Husein, a father of two, adds that the strategic location of the Mosque and the large number of worshipers always, encourages him to stay located in the mosque

premises.

Also, Mallam Yunusa Garba, 77, who is head of the traditional hair cutters operating at the venue, confirms that income derived from the trade sustains his family of seven.

“I am married to one wife and have five children. I realise between N300 and N400 daily and we use that for feeding. Also, I pay N500

per month for our accommodation. “ The septuagenarian insists that he had never witnessed any accident in his four decades of engaging in traditional haircuts, using knives and razor blades across many towns in Nigeria.

“I haven’t had any health-related problems involving my customers because we wash our

implements thoroughly with mentholated spirit, as well as with water and soap. “ Husein on his part dispels any fears of contracting any disease as a result of patronising his likes, insisting that it is very safe since all tools of the trade are often treated with assorted chemicals, to rid them of germs and viruses.

“I get spirit, get after-

shave lotion and I dey wash everything. If I use for one person, I go keep am until I wash am with chemicals”.

Some customers of the traditional barbers seem to have so much confidence in the services rendered them by the hair cutters and as such harbour no fears of getting infected with any diseases.

Mr Taiwo Edward is a regular customer to the

traditional salons and he says that the trade men’s “good service delivery” remains an attraction to him.

“I mean that I stopped using clippers a very long time ago; am now adapted to the use of razor right for over nine years now. They have mentholated spirit with which they treat their razors locally.

“I think it is still very hygienic dipping their razors inside the mentholated spirit. They are more experienced than the other barbers that we have around.

He, however, advises customers to try to buy their own personal hair cutting implements to minimise the risks of infections despite the precautionary methods of the traditional barbers.

Edward says that a good blade goes for N1, 500 which is affordable for most men, adding that with the use of one’s own blade, sterilising kits, soap and towels, risks of spread of any form of diseases are reduced to the barest minimum.

Another regular customer of the traditional barbers, Mr Olayiwola Sulaimon, says he has been with the local hair cutters for decades now and has not had any reasons to complain about their services.

He describes their services as “good and satisfactory” in all the 22 years he has patronised the mosque complex barbers.

Despite the viewpoints of these customers over the hygienic aspects of the traditional barbers operations, a medical practitioner, Dr Alabi Adeoye, says that customers to the traditional hair cutters risked contracting diseases as the barbers’ methods of tools’ sterilisations are not adequate.

“If people are enlightened and listen to health programmes concerning the HIV virus, they will better appreciate the risks that they face patronising the traditional barbers. “

He advises that blades be used only once for every customer while other implements of the barbers’ trade must undergo sterilisation.

Faulting the local barbers methods at sterilisation, Adeoye insists that “the spirit cannot kill the germs; the virus is something that is very violent”.

He, however, cautioned that barbers should avoid cutting deep into their customers’ skin with the barbing knives, so that viruses will not be transferred from one customer to another.

Adeoye says that the best way to play safe is for customers to buy their own blades, clippers and knives when they visit their barbers.

“Whenever an individual wants to go to a barbing saloon, it is better that he has

Road side barbing saloon in Apo

his own razor or cumber blades instead of using a clipper that someone else has used. “ Notwithstanding these concerns, there is no doubting the fact that the traditional hair cutters have demonstrated the capacity to

sustain their trade over the years, despite the advent of modern tools for hair cuts.

That the trade is still providing its practitioners a viable source of livelihood is instructive, hence the campaign to push them out of the market should be

“

If people are enlightened and listen to health programmes concerning the HIV virus, they will better appreciate the risks that they face patronising the traditional barbers

reconsidered.

Perceptive analysts think that what ought to be paramount in the campaigners’ minds is how to enhance the hygienic aspect of traditional barbing rather than pushing the practitioners out of the market.

Moreover, they think that appropriate guidelines should be evolved by government to ensure that efforts to boost the citizens’ health are not negated by certain unwholesome practises, which may simply be borne out of ignorance.

No doubt, traditional barbing, with the volume of customers it attracts is still economically relevant as it provides a means of financial empowerment to families nationwide.

Source: NAN

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013 08028402920 sbejike@gmail.com

Why company battles Minister, presidential aide in court over land Sunday Ejike Benjamin

L

and in Abuja became hot cakes after the relocation o f Nigeria's seat of power from Lagos to Abuja in 1992.

Ministers in charge of the administration of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) took turn in cutting their edge from Abuja land, with some of them, allegedly using Abuja land to compensate friends and associates.

Since then, there has been an unrelenting regime of land grabs and land speculations in Abuja.

The contest of who grabs the biggest land and the nearsatanic disposition of rich clients to pay outrageous fees for landed properties in Abuja is the underlying reason that the race for the position of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has become a race for lifea do-or-die affair and has indeed become the exclusive preserve of a certain class.

As a result of cases of alleged over-bearing attitude of FCT Ministers and political appointees on land in Abuja, there are various cases bordering on landed property in Abuja dotting across High Courts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

One of such cases is the one involving Adi Ali International Limited, a company linked a business man, Aliyu Salihu and Na- Allah Properties Limited, a company allegedly owned by an Aide to President Goodluck Jonathan on Political matters, Ahmed Ali Gulak.

The Plaintiff, Adi Ali International Limited sued the President’s Aide, his company, Na Allah Nigeria Limited, one Alhaji Awwal Muhammed along with the FCT Minister and the FCDA before an Abuja High Court sitting in Apo over an alleged re-allocation of the plot of land belonging to it.

The Plaintiff, represented by its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, is asking the Court to, among other reliefs, order the return of the ownership of the disputed land, located at No 8 Cadastral Zone DO1 Karsana District, Abuja to Adi Ali on the grounds that the disputed piece of land was originally allocated to him but later transfered without following due process and asked the court to, among other things, declare that the transfer of the right of occupancy of the land is null and void.

The Plaintiff seeks, "a mandatory order compelling the FCT Minister to cancel the purported offer of the right of occupancy of the said land and a consequential order returning

FCT Minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed

Ahmed Ali Gulak

the ownership of the land to him".

To prove that the said plot of land belong to the Plaintiff, its owner, Aliyu Salihu deposed in a 6-page affidavit that ownership of the disputed land was issued to his company by the FCT in 2011 but was later reallocated to Gulak.

A statement of claim averred that the 3rd Defendants in the suit, Alhaji Awwal Mohammed, a staff of Duhu Guest Inn, Wuse, Zone 4, Abuja, asked for the original letter of acknowledgement from the

Plaintiff under the guise that he would help him process the collection of the title deed of the land, only to realise latter that Awwal collected the original deed of the land and refused to return the acknowledgement letter to him.

This prompted him to petition the Police and also filed a criminal complaint, where-in he alleged that Gulak, in connivance with Awwal misled the FCT Minister into changing the name on the title deed of the disputed land to their own, thereby leaving the Plaintiff in

“

The contest of who grabs the biggest land and the near-satanic disposition of rich clients to pay outrageous fees for landed properties in Abuja is the underlying reason that the race for the position of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has become a race for life- a do-or-die affair and has indeed become the exclusive preserve of a section of the country.

the cold.

The Plaintiff's attempt to seek justice through the police failed compelling him to complain to the Chief Judge of the FCT, Lawal Hassan Gumi who, in an attempt to mediate in the matter, invited the parties to the land claim and was told by the FCT Minister that Gulak had informed him that Plaintiff's firm was his "which had some problems and that the Minister should change the name on the statutory right of occupancy to that of his other company namely, Na-Allah Nigeria Limited."

Thereafter, the Minister pledged to allocate another land to the plaintiff, "in order to ameliorate the great injustice" done to him, but, "to date the Minister is yet to redeem his pledge."

The Plaintiff accompanied the suit with the application for grant/re-grant of a statutory right of occupancy in respect to the land, receipt of payment of land application processing fee of N100, 000 by Abuja Geographical Information system (AGIS), letter of offer of statutory right of occupancy by FCT and a letter of acceptance of the said offer of grant of right of occupancy in respect of the land.

Hearing in the matter has been scheduled for May 8, 2013.

Checks revealed that the Land

Use Act (LUA) Cap.202 (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria), 1990, governs all land in Nigeria (including the FCT). The law vests all land comprised in the territory of each State (except land vested in the Federal Government or its agencies) solely in the Governor of the State, who holds the land in trust for the use and common benefit of all Nigerians.

The FCT Act vests all the 8000sq. km. of the FCT landmass in the Federal Government. That means the powers to administer land in the FCT are powers of the President (who may delegate his powers to the F.C.T. Minister.

Land in Abuja has been appreciating greatly in value since the 90's to date. Some plots of Land in Abuja have appreciated about 3 to 5 times their initial value in the past 5 years. This trend most likely will continue in the years to come as the forces of demand and supply continues to push the prices of land and properties in Abuja high.

AGIS, an agency of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is in charge of Land administration in Abuja and is also charged with the establishment of a computerized Geospatial data infrastructure and a one-stop shop for all land matters for the FCT.

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL15, 2013

Parents tasked on child education

By Shitu Salisu, Jos

P

arents should ensure that their children are educated, a college provost has said in Jos, Sheikh Muhammad Khamis Idris Al Maki of the Atiku Abubakar college of legal and Islamic Studies, Nguru Yobe state, said in his goodwill message at the formal presentation of four cars and other items to the Plateau State contingents won in the last national Qur'an competition held in Zamfara state.

He said, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), has said whoever educates and bring up his children and impacted them with the knowledge of the Holy Qur'an will surely, have a reward Paradise.

The Provost called on parents to take advantage of the healthy condition of their time to strive in ensuring that they make good use of it.

He further tasked the contingents to see their victory as the starting point, He also called on them to seek knowledge and always show respects their parents and teachers, while also putting in more efforts in all their endeavors.

In his remarks the Chief Imam of Jos Shiekh Zakariyya Balarabe Dawud, advised Muslims in the state to wake up and ensure development of their communities and give good moral

values to their children, he commended the contingents for keeping the flag of Plateau flaying.

The state came 5th in all the categories contested instate of the usual 1st or 2nd position in the previous event, and the state coordinator of the Qur'an competition Sheikh Mukhtar

Adam Al bahari, said the event is becoming keenly contested, stated that they will from now embark on four months training of the contestants that are to represent the state to ensure that its regain the rightful position at which it is known for in the national and international events.

The recipients Muhammad Thahir, Sani Ado Mato, Muhammad Yero and Rufaida Hamisu Doguwa, each recieved a car, laptop cumputer, digital Qur'an, and cash amount, they are also to perform this year's hajj as promised by the Zamfara state Government.

L-R: Chairman, Governing Council, University of Calabar, Chief Emmanuel Iwuayawu, Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Senator Uche Chukwumeriji, Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Julius Okojie, and Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa'i, during the inauguration of Federal Universities Governing Councils, recently in Abuja.

Photo: Justin ImoOwo

to increase budget allocation for technical education Kano plans school FG advised r Dominic Ovieghara, spending on education to provide for benefit of the youths. yesterday advised the Federal technical education,'' he said. ``We have a lot of unemployed awareness Government to increase the He also said that Nigeria's investment graduates because our educational system budget allocated to technical education in science and technical education is low, produces many graduates with no technical campaign on in order to boost the technical education saying that priority should be given to skills to fit into the industrial sector which sector. technical education to achieve has room for expansion. fake, expired Ovieghara, who is the Managing technological advancement.

Ovieghara said that his company which Director of an equipment support According to him, Nigeria, with about provided technical equipment, company, based in Warri, said ``For 22,000 secondary schools and less than technological know-how and mentoring to goods Nigeria to go to the next level of 200 technical schools, cannot produce teachers and students is willing to

M

T

he Kano State Consumer Protection Committee said on Friday that it would embark on awareness campaign to educate students on how to check expiry dates on products in the state.

The Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Nuhu Bello, said that the aim was to "catch them young" and reduce the consumption of fake and expired products.

He said that the committee had done a lot of orientation to catch the attention of the public over the past years, and intended to expand the awareness campaign to the grassroot.

"What we are set to do now, is to expand it to the grassroots and we want to catch them young for pupils of primary and secondary schools. ''We want to educate them because we have seen it practically, if you get these young children and educate them, ultimately the society will be better for it".

Bello said that the committee would educate school children though jingles and drama, adding that the aim was to achieve the desired goal.

He said that the campaign would also be extended to ministries in the state since the workers are also vulnerable. ''We have found people buying fake and expired drugs at the ministries; I saw it myself. So, apart from our normal surveillance, consolidation, removing from the market hazardous, substandard goods and so on; we are going to embark on consumer education." NAN

technological development, it must get its technical education infrastructure up and running. ``Although government seems to be working hard to address the deficit, the country needs to increase its budget

enough technical manpower to drive industrial development.

He also added that the nation's desire for certificates with no practical skills to produce jobs and make their holders employable should be redirected for the

collaborate with government to advance the nation technologically.

He said that the development of a robust technical education would place the nation on a sure footing for its technological development now and in the future. NAN

Airport school parents laud FG over termination of lease agreement From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

C

oncerned parents of the Murtala Muhammed Airport School, Ikeja have commended the federal government over the termination of the lease agreement granted Bi-Courtney Aviation Services by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for the construction of a conference Centre on a piece of land that originally belongs to the school.

Mr. Adeleke Badmus said the parents and pupils of the school saw the termination of the lease agreement as an act of God meant "to avenge the poor pupils of their adversary, Bi-Courtney, for illegally acquiring the school land, through subterfuge, few years ago".

"Anyone who denies children of their right because he has the right connections in government has murdered sleep and like Macbeth, cannot sleep anymore", he added.

He appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to use his good offices to restore the land where the abandoned conference is situated to the school in order to redress the injustice done the school by the illegal acquisition of the land by Bi-Courtney.

He lamented that the illegal acquisition of the land had made it very difficult for the school to expand its

secondary school section, which the land was meant for.

The FG through FAAN recently terminated the lease agreements granted Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited for the construction of a four-star hotel

and conference Centre at the local wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, due to the company's inability to complete the two projects within two years, as stipulated in the lease agreements for the projects.

Ibadan Grammar School: old students mark 3,551 students, was using poorly centenary in London had maintained facilities that were more than

O

ld Students of Ibadan Grammar School on Saturday converged on London for a N500 million fund raiser for the resuscitation of the institution.

The event was part of the centenary activities of the institution, established on March 31, 1913.

Dr Aderemi Ojo, the President of the UK Chapter of the old students association, said that the school, which had produced many top government functionaries and accomplished businessmen, was a shadow of its old self. ``The school has so degenerated in terms of physical infrastructure, academics and other strategy-curricular activities. ``It is no longer rated among the best schools in Ibadan , let alone in the nation at large. ``The school has become a shadow of itself with dilapidated, infrastructure, poor quality staff and students,'' Ojo said.

He said the school, which currently

50 years old.

Ojo, however, said that alumni of the school over the years had contributed in rehabilitating the school but called for increased contribution to the N500 million centennial school development initiative.

Similarly, Mr Goodie Ibru, the Chairman of the ceremony, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that a publicprivate partnership would be required to totally rehabilitate the school.

Ibru, who attended the school from 1956 to 1960, traced the decay of the then Anglican College to government's involvement in the 1970s.

He urged the old students and the parent- teachers' association of the institution to intervene in resuscitating the school, adding that the task was too much for government alone to handle.

Prominent ex-students of the school included Senator Ken Nnamani, a former Senate President, Chief Mike Adenuga Chairman of Globacom among others.(NAN)

PAGE 27

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013

Creating employment the Dala way in Gombe State

By Hajara Leman, News Agency of Nigeria

S

ince 2005, when he completed his secondary education, Mallam Isa Husaini, 22, had been relatively idle as he could neither further his education nor secure a job to make ends meet.

Isa's family is not particularly well off financially and this had compounded his predicament However, things took a new and better turn recently for Isa, thanks to Alhaji Mohammed Dala, a retired civil servant from Yamaltu Deba Local Government, who employed him to tend one of his 27 fish ponds on the outskirts of the Gombe state capital.

"I finished my secondary school six years ago and my parents could not sponsor me further because they are less privileged. Since securing a job in the fish farm, I have started saving some money to enable me go back to school later. In fact, I have so far been able to save N17,000 from my daily pay of N800".

Usman is one of the over 90 persons of varied ages, who earn their livelihood from the fish farm of Dala, where they do one job or the other.

Says Dala: "I was inspired into embarking on this venture three years ago, to create job opportunities and reduce social vices in the society.

"There are 79 casual staff on a daily pay of between N800 and N1,200 depending on the nature of their jobs. This is besides the other 12 permanent staff, who earn salary on monthly basis.

"Apart from contributing my quota to solving the social problem of unemployment, I am an economist by training and I see this activity as contributing to the economic development of my state and the country at large."

By the account of gala, the venture is both economic and humanitarian and has prospered over the years to give him the personal satisfaction of being of assistance to his fellow citizens.

According to Dala, all the 27 ponds yieldseveral millions of naira in fish sales annually.

"I am personally amazed at the level of progress of this venture and can only attribute it to the blessings from God and people, whose hearts the business has touched.

"Honestly speaking, most of the societal vices are not beyond solutions if well-to-do individuals become their brothers' keepers."

Located at Liji town in the outskirtof Gombe, Dala's fish farm showcases the success story of a venture, which philanthropic concept has worked out well and produced the desired impact.

Many of the farm workers shared perspectives on their transformation since their employment in the fish farm.

Malam Aminu Garba, 30, said he came all the way from Dala Local Government Area of Kano state, in search of greener pastures in Gombe but ended up pushing wheel barrow until he got employed in the fish farm.

To be sincere, when I was pushing wheel barrow, I hardly realised N300 daily but when I secured this job, I started receiving between N800 and N1,500 daily depending on the nature of the job. With this amount, I was able to buy things for my marriage, which will take place soon."

Malam Abubakar Sadiq, 28, another employer, said he had been a bus conductor and depended on the token given to him by the bus driver to survive, before he secured the casual job at Dala's fish farm.

According to him, he now earns between N1000 and N1,500 daily, which has changed his life significantly.

On his part, Malam Adamu Danjuma, 28, said he was a mason by profession before he started working at the fish farm.

"Before I started working in this fish farm, I was going round villages building mud houses. Sometimes, I stayed for six months without doing anything, especially during the rainy season but now, I am very okay and can afford three square meals daily.

Malam Usman Abdullahi, 39, is another worker, who claims that his life has been changed by reason of his new employment in the farm.

He said that he had been a petty trader before now and that with the benefit of his new job, he now did things he never thought were possible.

"I am very satisfied with the N1,500 I receive as my daily pay since I can now afford my three square meals daily, pay for shelter and cloth my family."

Several of the farm's workers had similar stories to tell on how life had become better for them by reason of their employment at the fish farm.

Besides providing employment for the hitherto

Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo

unemployed, Dala said that irrigation farmers within the vicinity of the farm had also been assisted one way or the other, especially their ready access to water disposed from the ponds, which was rich in plant nutrients as ammonia.

"I give the 'waste' water to them free of charge and with it they are able to grow their crops without fertilizers. The fish wastes in the water enabled their crops to grow well to the extent of their harvestingcrops twice before the raining season of every year.

"Even if I were to charge money for the 'waste' water, I know that the farmers would still willingly pay because of its richness in ammonia.

"I consider the free water supply as an extension of my philanthropy to the lessprivileged and this, no doubt,

“

I can now grow my crops without waiting endlessly for fertilizer because he supplies us with natural fertilizer. I am now able to harvest about 20 baskets of tomatoes, 20 baskets of green pepper and 10 bags of okro to realize good profits at the end of every farming season.

is like contributing towards making the society more egalitarian."

Some irrigation farmers who benefitted from Dala's generosity with the 'waste' water described the citing of the fish farm in their area as a great blessing of sorts, considering the positive impact waste water from the ponds have had on their farm yields.

Malam Suleiman Hashimu, who had engaged in irrigation farming in the past 15 years, said he never realized more than N10, 000 per harvest prior to the establishment of Dala Fish farm in their neighbourhood.

"This is because I could neither afford to drill borehole for my farm produce nor purchase enough fertilizer for the crops but since Dala came here three years ago and started supplying us with ammonia water, the story changed.

"I can now grow my crops without waiting endlessly for fertilizer because he supplies us with natural fertilizer. I am now able to harvest about 20 baskets of tomatoes, 20 baskets of green pepper and 10 bags of okro to realize good profits at the end of every farming season. Recently, I realized N60,000 after selling the produce."

Alhaji Buba Ahmed, another irrigation farmer, said that Dala's farm was the source

of his water and that he realized 40 bags of rice, 40 bags of onions and 60 baskets of tomatoes in his last harvest, all of which valued over N450, 000.

Malam Yaya Dalibi, another farmer, who also depends on Dala's fish pond water, said he was now able to harvest 45 bags of onions, 25 baskets of pepper and 40 baskets of tomatoes under very normal circumstance. He said he had not sold all his produce this year but was full of optimism to make sales in excess of N900,000 this year.

Malam Maikudi Abdullahi said he had been into irrigation farming for the past 10 years but never realized beyond N30, 000 as profit prior to the establishment of Dala's fish farm..

"For the past three years, I have been realizing an average of 50 baskets of tomatoes, 40 baskets of garden eggs and 20 bags of pepper, valued at about N400,000."

No doubt, Dala has impacted very positively on the lives of his fellow citizens and this some observers say, is a most realistic way to give meaning to employment generation in the society.

It is only hoped that with more people in the society acting selflessly as Dala, unemployment in the country will go down drastically in the nearest future.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013

PAGE 29

Polio eradication is achievable and urgent, declares 400+ Global Scientists

By A'isha Biola Raji

E

xperts from 80 countries cite timelimited opportunity, endorse comprehensive new eradication strategy as hundreds of scientists, doctors and other experts from around the world launched the Scientific Declaration on Polio Eradication, declaring that an end to the paralyzing disease is achievable and endorsing a comprehensive new strategy to secure a lasting polio-free world by 2018.

The declaration's launch coincides with the 58th anniversary of the announcement of Jonas Salk's revolutionary vaccine.

The more than 400 signatories to the declaration urged governments, international organizations and civil society to do their part to seize the historic opportunity to end polio and protect the world's most vulnerable children and future generations from this debilitating but preventable disease.

The declaration calls for full funding and implementation of the Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan 2013-2018, developed by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).

With polio cases at an alltime low and the disease remaining endemic in just three countries, the GPEI estimates that ending the disease entirely by 2018 can be achieved for a cost of approximately $5.5 billion.

"We have the tools we need and a time-limited opening to defeat polio. The GPEI plan is the comprehensive roadmap that, if followed, will get us there," said Dr. Walter Orenstein, professor and associate director of the Emory Vaccine Centre at Emory University and former director of the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention's National Immunization Program, Dr. Orenstein is one of the scientists spearheading the declaration and among the signatories who were on the frontlines of ending smallpox, the only human disease to be successfully eradicated.

The declaration-housed online, by Emory University at vaccines.emory.edu/ poliodeclaration notes that polio vaccines have already protected hundreds of millions of children from the disease and eliminated one of the three types of wild poliovirus, proving that eradication is scientifically feasible.

Ali Mohamma pate, Minister of State for Health

It calls on the international community to meet the goals in the GPEI plan for delivering polio vaccines to more children at risk, particularly in Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan, where polio remains endemic and emergency action plans launched over the past year have resulted in significant improvements in vaccine coverage.

"Securing a lasting poliofree world goes hand in hand with strengthening routine immunization. We need all countries to prioritize investments in routine immunization," said Dr. Zulfiqar Bhutta, founding director of the Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health at Aga Khan University. Dr. Bhutta, one of the declaration's leaders who is a member of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization, a technical advisory body to the GPEI. The declaration emphasizes that achieving polio eradication requires efforts interrelated with strengthening routine immunization, a new focus of the GPEI plan. As the last cases of polio are contained, high levels of routine immunization will be critical.

At the same time, resources and learning from polio eradication efforts can be used to strengthen coverage of other life-saving vaccines, including for children who

have never been reached with any health interventions before.

The scientists and experts signing the declaration called on the international community to take steps outlined in the GPEI plan to address challenges that have posed obstacles to polio eradication in the past, including improving immunization campaign quality to reach missed children and eliminating rare polio cases originated by the oral polio vaccine.

While previous polio efforts have sought to interrupt wild virus transmission and then address vaccine-derived virus, the new GPEI plan addresses both simultaneously with a timetable to phase out use of oral polio vaccines and

introduce inactivated polio vaccines.

The declaration urges vaccine manufacturers to provide an affordable supply of the different vaccines required for eradication and calls on scientists to continue researching new and better tools.

"As long as it exists anywhere in the world, polio threatens children everywhere," said Professor Helen Rees, executive director of the Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, who signed the declaration and chairs SAGE. "By pursuing in parallel all of the steps needed to reach eradication, including the introduction of inactivated vaccines; countries have a

“

Eliminating the last one per cent of polio cases is an immense challenge, as is the eradication endgame after that but by working together we can make history and leave the legacy of a polio-free world for future generations.

complete path to eliminate polio's threat."

In November 2012, SAGE recommended the introduction of at least one dose of inactivated polio vaccine into all routine immunization programs prior to the phase-out of oral polio vaccines.

In light of recent attacks on health workers in some endemic countries, the declaration stresses the need to protect polio vaccination teams as they do their work.

The GPEI plan includes a series of risk-mitigation strategies for insecure areas, including deepening engagement with community and religious leaders.

The scientists and experts signing the declaration hail from 80 countries and include Nobel laureates, vaccine and infectious disease experts, public health school Deans, paediatricians and other health authorities.

More than 40 leading universities and schools of public health and medicine are promoting the declaration on their websites, including Aga Khan University, the Harvard School of Public Health, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Al Azhar University (Egypt), University of Cape Town, Redeemer's University (Nigeria) and Christian Medical College Vellore (India).

The declaration notes that the world has a unique window of opportunity to eradicate polio. Only 223 new cases due to wild poliovirus were recorded in 2012, an historic low and a more than 99 per cent decrease from the estimated 350,000 cases in 1988. Just 16 new cases have been reported so far in 2013 (as of 9 April). India, longregarded as the most difficult place to eliminate polio, has not recorded a case in more than two years.

"Eradicating polio is no longer a question of technical or scientific feasibility.

"Rather, getting the most effective vaccines to children at risk requires stronger political and societal commitment," said Dr. David Heymann, head and senior fellow at the Chatham House Centre on Global Health Security and a signatory of the declaration. "Eliminating the last one per cent of polio cases is an immense challenge, as is the eradication endgame after that but by working together we can make history and leave the legacy of a polio-free world for future generations."

PAGE 30

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013

Maternal mortality: We need to surpass current trend of 6%, says Ado

By A'isha Biola Raji

T

he leadership of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), in an effort at reducing maternal and child mortality rate in the country, has called on the need to exceed the present six per cent reduction and move to eleven per cent.

The Executive Director of the agency, Dr. Ado Muhammad made this call last Thursday at the event marking the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SOGON (Society for Gynaecologists and Obstetricians in Nigeria).

According to Ado, progress is being made so far but there is need to add more effort in order to record success.

He said the signing of MoU with SOGON is in continuation of such effort. "We are making progress but it does not amount to success. "What we are doing now is in line with the aspiration

to achieving this success," he said.

He called on the need to go beyond the normal engagement of Midwives Service Scheme (MSS) alone and engage the active use of community health workers to complement the earlier.

In his remarks, SOGON President, Dr. Fred Achem said during 1940s and 1950s when Methodist Diochess midwives were sent to hospitals across Nigeria, maternal mortality rate could be compared to what is achievable in developed countries.

Dr. Achem however called on the need for policy makers to make more policies that would reduce the rate of maternal and child mortality ratio.

He said, "SOGON have been part of MSS hence the Voluntary Obstetrician Scheme (VOS). "We are going to be part of every aspect of ante-natal process; we are prepared to go to general hospitals close to us voluntarily, to train and mentor care-givers."

According to him, issues of skilled birth attendance will improve as activities; at hospitals where volunteers will work will be recorded. "Skilled birth attendance will be achieved as we will keep log books in the facilities to keep records which will be used to access our progress," he mentioned.

The President elects, African Society of Obstetrician, Prof.

Oladipo Owoeye in his message also called on the need to revisit rotation of professional skilled medical students around areas with high maternal mortality rate.

He said, "In the 1970s, there was rotation of professional medical students, therefore, Obstetricians should adopt general hospitals. "There should be a mechanism for making them adopt hospitals through ministry of health."

According to Prof. Oladipo, women and children in disadvantaged communities should have access to facilities including human, commodity and structure.

Primus hospital crashes medical fees for patients, offers free consultancy from April 15th

Executive Director National Primary health care development agency Dr. Ado Muhammad

NGO supports internationally acclaimed women to reduce maternal/ child mortality

T

he Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), a nongovernmental organization has announced its move to partner with the Women Inspiration and Enterprise Network to improved maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) across Nigeria and internationally.

Patients being attended to by staff of Primus International Hospital Karu

T

he only Indian specialist hospital in Nigeria, Primus International Super Specialty Hospital weekend announced reduction of all its medical charges by 30%, including offer of free consultancy from April 15th to 27th April 2013.

The hospital management said the decision to reduce its fees by such percentage is part of its corporate social responsibility to open its services and state of- the-art equipment to Nigerian patients, majority of who could not afford to go abroad.

Money spent by Nigerian patients to travel abroad for treatment has been

reported to cost the nation $300 to $400 million in foreign exchange annually.

The Hospital's Public Relations Officer, Alh Umaru Jibia, in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja said, "It would provide free consultation for the following department, Joint Replacement, Spine problem, Internal Medicine and Diabetes. Others include Urology and Kidney Transplant, Dialysis, Neurology, plastic and cosmetic Surgery, Gynecology and several other ailments.

"We have discounted our M.R.I, C.T, scan charges by 50% and Radiology, Laboratory investigations

and drugs at special discount to pass on strong message to masses. "The management has also allocated two million Naira as reserved fund which will be utilized for treatment for the poor and needy during this health Camp," he added.

It would be recalled that, earlier, the hospital conducted free Camps at Wuse, Garki, Deidei and Gudu Market for traders and the general public in conjunction with Health and Human Service Secretariat FCTA and also distributed free drugs to flood victims with social service Organization. So far, over 7000 patients have benefited from free consultation and other services in 2012.

The organization has plans to do this facilitating the delivery of the inaugural WIE Africa Symposium scheduled to take place at the Lookout Venue in Cape Town, South Africa from 5th - 7th May, 2013.

According to a statement signed by Lore Dada, Head Communication WBFA, the inaugural WIE Africa symposium is timed to coincide with the World Economic Forum with workshops on topics ranging from entrepreneurship and the role of technology in media as concerns maternal and child healthcare delivery.

In the statement, Founder/President of the WBFA, Mrs Toyin Ojora Saraki, said, "Attending my first WIE symposium in New York a few years ago was a truly i n s p i r a t i o n a l experience.

It is therefore an honour and a privilege for WBFA to work with the WIE Network and its

CEO, Dee Poku, to launch WIE on the African continent."

She said the symposium aims to empower African women, inspire African leadership, foster unity, and showcase the impact and legacy created by mothers, sisters, daughters and friends.

The symposium including Lola Ogunnaike, Zizi Cardow, Bola Adesola and Swaady Martin-Leke, will have Joyce Banda, Africa's third-ever female head of state give the opening remarks while Mrs. Graca Machel Nelson Mandela close the proceedings.

Mrs Toyin Ojora Saraki

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 14, 2013

PAGE 31

China/Africa: Trustworthy friends and sincere partners forever ANALYSIS

By Xi Xinping

T

his is my first visit to Africa as the Chinese President and my sixth visit to the African continent. Whenever I come to Africa, two things always strike me the most. One is the continuous progress. Each time I come to Africa, I am deeply impressed by new developments on this continent, which are really encouraging. The other is your overwhelming warmth. The sincere friendship of the African people toward the Chinese people is as warm and unforgettable as the sunshine in Africa.

As an African saying goes, "A river runs deep because of its source."

The friendly exchanges between China and Africa date back a long time. In the 1950s and 60s, the firstgeneration leaders of New China - Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai and others - and African statesmen of the older generation ushered in a new epoch in China-Africa relations. Since then, the Chinese and African people have sincerely supported and closely cooperated with each other in the endeavor to fight against colonialism and imperialism and achieve national independence and liberation, and in the pursuit of development and national revival.

A fraternal bond has been formed in this process, which has seen us through thick and thin.

Today, thanks to the concerted efforts of both sides, China-Africa relations have entered a fast track of all-round development. We have set up the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and established a new type of strategic partnership. Our cooperation in various fields has produced notable results. In 2012, China-Africa trade approached US$200 billion. There were over 1.5 million mutual visits between the two sides. China's cumulative direct investment in Africa topped US$15 billion. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Chinese medical teams in Africa. Over the last half century, 18,000 Chinese medical personnel have worked in Africa, providing medical care and treatment to 250 million local patients.

The African people, too, have given full support and selfless help to the Chinese people. When the 2008 Beijing Olympic torch relay came to Dar es Salaam, the Tanzanian people welcomed the Olympic flame with song and dance, as if celebrating their own festival. This jubilant occasion has been etched on the memory of the Chinese.

In the wake of the massive earthquake in China's Wenchuan, African countries rushed to our assistance. One African country, with a population of less than two million and not well-off itself, made a generous donation of two million euros to the quake area - about one euro per person!

This outpouring of compassion has warmed the hearts of the Chinese people.

In regional and international affairs, too, China and Africa have stepped up coordination and collaboration and effectively upheld the common interests of developing countries. Friendship and cooperation between the people has become a symbol of China-Africa relations and

Mr. Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China is well received by the international community.

Our joint efforts over the past five decades and the fruitful results that they have yielded have laid solid groundwork and provided valuable experience for furthering ChinaAfrica relations.

- A review of this period of history shows that China-Africa relations have not grown overnight. Neither is it a gift from someone else. It has been nurtured and built, step by step, by our two sides over the years. These are all solid steps and we have always worked with one heart and one mind and shared weal and woe in this process. As a Chinese saying goes, "When we drink water from the well, we should not forget those who dug the well." We shall always honor the memory of all those who have overcome numerous difficulties and devoted themselves to building China-Africa relations. As we move ahead, we can always draw strength from history.

- A review of this period of history shows that China and Africa have always been a community of shared destinies.

Similar historical experiences, common development tasks and shared strategic interests have bound us together. We each view the other's development as our own opportunity, and we each seek to promote the other's development and prosperity through closer cooperation.

- A review of this period of history shows that if we are to maintain the strong vitality of China-Africa relations, we must keep pace with the times and forge ahead in an innovative and enterprising spirit.

Over the past 50 years and more, at every crucial juncture of ChinaAfrica relations, both sides have been able to take a long view, identify new converging interests and growth areas for cooperation, and bring the bilateral relations to new heights.

Such an enterprising spirit of "finding a way through when confronted by mountains and finding a way to bridge to the other side when blocked by a river" is vital to a higher level of China-Africa cooperation.

China-Africa relations, blessed

with opportune time, favorable conditions and popular support, have reached a new historical starting point today. Africa, a continent of hope and promise, has become one of the fastest growing regions and is forging ahead like a galloping African lion. China, on its part, continues to enjoy sound momentum of development. The foundation of China-Africa cooperation is more solid and cooperation mechanisms have been further improved. Both the Chinese and African people want to push forward their cooperation.

Indeed, greater China-Africa cooperation represents the trend of the times and the will of the people.

Let me make it clear to you, my dear friends, that in the new environment, China-Africa relations have become more important with greater common interests, instead of less important with fewer common interests. Let me assure you that China will intensify, not weaken, its efforts to expand relations with Africa.

First, in treating African friends, we stress the importance of "sincerity". True friends are the most valuable. China-Africa traditional friendship is precious, which we must cherish all the more dearly. Unity and cooperation with African countries have always been an important foundation for China's foreign policy. This will never change, not even when China grows stronger and enjoys a higher international status. China insists on equality among all countries, irrespective of their size, strength and wealth. There is no one-size-fits-all development model in the world. The diversity of world civilizations and development models should be respected by all. China will continue to firmly support African countries in exploring development paths that suit their own national conditions and increase exchanges of governance experience with African countries.

This will enable us to draw wisdom from each other's time-honored civilizations and development practice, and better promote the common development and prosperity of China and Africa.

We in China say that "harmony

in the family leads to success in everything". Africa is a big family of shared destiny. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African Unity, and it is a milestone in the African people's pursuit of greater strength through unity. We sincerely wish to see Africa taking bigger strides on the path of seeking strength from unity and making new achievements in peace and development, and we will firmly support Africa in this endeavor.

China hopes to develop better relations with Africa, and we also hope to see better relations between other countries and Africa. Africa belongs to the African people. In developing relations with Africa, all countries should respect Africa's dignity and independence.

Second, in conducting cooperation with Africa, we stress the importance of "real results". China both advocates and pursues mutually beneficial cooperation with Africa. China is committed to connecting its development with that of Africa, aligning the interests of the Chinese people with those of the African people, and combining China's development opportunities with those of Africa.

China sincerely hopes to see faster development in African countries and a better life for African people. While developing itself, China has provided support and assistance to African friends to the best of its ability. In recent years, in particular, China has increased assistance to and cooperation with Africa. China will keep every commitment it has made to Africa, both in letter and in spirit.

China will continue to expand investment and financing cooperation with Africa, follow through on the commitment of providing a US$20 billion credit line to African countries from 2013 to 2015, put into practice the partnership on transnational and trans-regional infrastructural development, enhance mutually beneficial cooperation in such areas as agriculture and manufacturing, and help African countries turn resource endowment into development strength and achieve independent and sustainable development.

As the saying goes, "it is more helpful to teach people how to fish than to just give them fish". China will actively implement the "African Talents Program", train 30,000 African professionals in various areas and provide 18,000 government scholarships to African students from 2013 to 2015, and increase technology transfer and experience sharing with Africa.

With growth in its own economic and overall strength, China will continue to offer, as always, necessary assistance to Africa with no political strings attached.

Third, in strengthening ChinaAfrica friendship, we stress the importance of "affinity". The Chinese and African people have a natural feeling of kinship toward each other.

We Chinese believe that "the pleasure of life lies in having bosom friends".

Then how do China and Africa become bosom friends? I believe that in-depth dialogue and concrete action is an essential way to strike a chord in our hearts.

The foundation and lifeline of China-Africa relations lie with the people. Therefore, the development of our relations should be more people-

oriented. Looking ahead, we will place greater emphasis on people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and Africa so as to improve mutual understanding and perception and expand public support for the China-Africa friendship.

Fourth, in resolving problems that may crop up in cooperation, we stress the importance of "good faith". China and Africa are both experiencing fast development and each needs to update its knowledge and understanding of the other. China will face squarely and sincerely the new developments and new problems confronting our relations. We should properly handle any problem that may arise in a spirit of mutual respect and win-win cooperation.

Since the birth of New China more than 60 years ago, particularly since the introduction of reform and opening-up more than 30 years ago, the Communist Party of China has led the Chinese people in blazing a path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. China has made historic progress in its development, becoming the second largest economy in the world. China's comprehensive national strength has grown significantly and the people's living standards have improved markedly.

It only took China, a country of over 1.3 billion people, several decades to travel a journey that took developed countries several hundred years. One can imagine how hard and difficult it has been for us to come this far.

At present, China remains a populous country with a weak economic foundation and uneven development. While our aggregate GDP may be quite large, once divided by 1.3 billion, the per capita number is only around the 90th place in the world. Some 128 million Chinese are still living below the poverty line set by the United Nations. To provide a well-to-do life for the over 1.3 billion people, there is still a long way to go and persistent and strenuous efforts are still called for. As China continues to develop, its people will surely lead a better life. However, no matter how developed it may become, China will always see African countries as its tested friends.

China cannot develop in isolation of the world or Africa. The world and Africa also need China for prosperity and stability. Though separated by vast oceans, China and Africa share a strong empathy with each other. We are bonded not only by the profound traditional friendship and closely linked interests, but also by the dream we all hold on to.

The over 1.3 billion Chinese people are working hard to realize the Chinese dream of great national renewal, and the over one billion African people are committed to the African dream of gaining strength from unity and achieving development and rejuvenation. The Chinese and African people should enhance unity, cooperation, mutual support and assistance so as to make our dreams come true. We should also work with the rest of the world to realize the dream of the world for enduring peace and common prosperity, and make new and even greater contribution to the noble cause of peace and development of mankind.

A summary of the Speech by Mr. Xi Jinping,President of the People's Republic of China delivered at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Center, Tanzania.

PAGE 32

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013

Deadly attack hits Somali court complex Ahmadinejad to visit Niger

M

ahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, is beginning a visit to West Africa that will take him to Benin, Ghana and Niger, the world's fourth-largest uranium producer, Iranian media have reported.

The Fars news agency said Ahmadinejad's trip would begin on Sunday and that he would meet the presidents of the three countries and sign agreements to develop economic and political relations.

Ahmadinejad is to arrive in Benin on Sunday afternoon on an official visit in his capacity as chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement of countries, the country's foreign minister, NassirouArifariBako, told the AFP news agency.

"Education, agriculture and, above all, energy" will be on the agenda, the minister said.

Ahmadinejad then heads to Niger on Monday for a two-day visit, the government in Niamey said.

"He will lead a large delegation and both our nations will discuss cooperation and means of strengthening it," Iran's ambassador told reporters after a meeting with Niger's President MahamadouIssoufou.

Mohammad Nikkhah said the visit would be a turning point in bilateral ties and would yield "excellent opportunities that will benefit both peoples".

He did not elaborate, but Niger is one of the world's top producers of uranium, which Iran has long been seeking to acquire for its controversial nuclear programme.

Niger has recently criticised its historical agreement with France, which gets most of its uranium from the former colony, and has demanded a fairer share of the profits generated by uranium ore mining.

Niger's foreign minister visited Tehran in February.

It was not immediately clear when Ahmadinejad would go to Ghana.

Ahmadinejad has previously visited 11 African countries on four trips.

Most of these have been to seek support for Iran at the United Nations, which has imposed four rounds of sanctions on Tehran over its nuclear programme, specifically its refusal to stop enriching uranium.

On Tuesday, Iran unveiled a new uranium production facility and two mines, only days after talks with world powers on its disputed nuclear programme again ended in deadlock in Kazakhstan.

A

rmed men have stormed the main court complex in Somalia's capital Mogadishu, firing guns and setting off two blasts that have killed 10 special forces troops, witnesses say.

Yusuf Abdi, who was near the court when the attack happened on Sunday morning, said the men forced their way inside and immediately set off an explosion.

A government spokesman, Mohamed Yusuf, confirmed the attack and said security forces had responded and were battling the fighters.

The AFP news agency reported several people had been killed, citing Abdirahman Mohamed, an intelligence officer in Mogadishu.

Hamza Mohamed, a British freelance journalist in Mogadishu, told Al Jazeera at least 15 men forced their way into the building where the judges of the Supreme Court sit, adding that the first explosion was followed by two more blasts.

A reporter for the Associated Press news agency at the scene also reported hearing a second explosion and said gunmen were on top of the court building, firing their weapons.

Most bomb attacks in Mogadishu are blamed on fighters for al-Shabab, the al-

Qaeda-linked armed group.

Last month at least 10 people were killed by a car bomb claimed by al-Shabab in Mogadishu, police said.

The attack targeted Khalif Ahmed Ilig, the Mogadishu security chief, in one of the bloodiest assaults in the city in recent months.

Witnesses said the car bomb exploded near a vehicle carrying Ilig and other officers along the busy Makka al-Mukarrama road.

A Somali soldier at the scene.

Guinea sets June 30 for long-delayed parliamentary poll

G

uinea will hold its longdelayed legislative election on June 30 to complete the West African nation's transition to democracy, a decree signed by President Alpha Conde and read on state television said on Saturday.

The election was initially planned for 2011 but as been postponed repeatedly over disagreement between the government and Guinea's opposition coalition on organisation of the poll.

The vote is meant to complete a transition to civilian rule after a 2008 military coup and could unlock hundreds of millions of dollars in European aid.

"Voters are called to the polls on June 30 for the legislative elections," the decree said.

Conde's decision could, however, put the government on a collision course with the opposition, which has vowed to disrupt the polls if its demands are not met.

The opposition, which accuses Conde of trying to rig the vote, wants South African firm Waymark stripped of a contract to revise the voter list and demands that the mostly pro-opposition diaspora be allowed to vote.

Nine people were killed and more than 300 were wounded during two weeks of clashes in late February and early March between security forces and opposition protesters, calling for

the government to accept their demands.

The government says there is not enough time to bring in a new firm to manage the voter roll and that Waymark's system is secure against fraud.

"All our partners are convinced that Waymark can do the job. So anyway, Waymark is not leaving," government spokesman Damantang Albert Camarasaid on Saturday before

the president's decision.

Waymark has not commented on the dispute.

The opposition warned earlier on Saturday that any unilateral decision by the government could push them back to the streets.

"If the government persist on this line of action, we have no other choice but to take the streets," said former prime ministerSidyaToure, who came third in the 2010 presidential

election won by Conde and is now one of the opposition leaders.

The opposition had agreed to reopen talks with the government last week, but said the talks broke down after the government decided to move ahead with election preparations.

Preparations, including voter registration, had been suspended as part of the opposition's demand to end the protests in March.

Seven killed in gun battle in Central African Republic capital

A

t least seven people were killed in the capital of Central African Republic on Sunday during heavy fighting between forces who seized power last month and armed youths loyal to the president they ousted, a doctor and a resident said.

A Reuters correspondent said heavy and small arms fire rang out in Bangui's BoyRabeneighborhood on Sunday morning before easing off just after 0900 EST. Three of the dead were killed when a shell landed on a church.

Michel Djotodia seized

power last month when he swept through the mineral-rich but isolated country with thousands of rebels, forcing President Francois Bozize to flee.

General MoussaDhaffane, who said he was acting as a government spokesman, said Sunday's fighting erupted after the forces patrolled through the neighborhood, which is a stronghold for pro-Bozize youths who were armed during the rebel advance.

RomainGuetinzia, head of the Bangui's Community Hospital, said the toll of seven

killed was provisional as wounded were still being brought in to the hospital.

A grouping of five rebel movements, known as Seleka, launched its insurgency in early December, accusing former president Bozize of reneging on a 2007 peace deal.

Djotodia was elected president on Saturday by an acting parliament and has named a civilian prime minister. But regional powers have refused to recognize him as president and called for a return to civilian rule within 18 months.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013

Asia and Middle East

T

wo people in the central Chinese province of Henan have been infected by a new strain of avian influenza bringing the nationwide total to 51, state media have reported.

The latest cases of infections

PAGE 33

Bird flu spreads to new Chinese province

from the H7N9 bird flu virus, reported on Sunday, were the first in the province.

One of the victims, a 34-year old man in the city of Kaifeng, is critically ill in hospital, while the other, a 65-year old farmer from Zhoukou, is stable. The two cases do not appear to be connected.

A total of 19 people in close

contact with the two victims were under observation but had shown no signs of infection, said Xinhua news agency said.

On Saturday, Xinhua reported that a seven-year-old girl in the capital city of Beijing was the first person to contract bird flu outside of the eastern region.

The girl was reportedly in a stable condition in a Beijing hospital, and was given the drug Tamiflu, received intravenous drips on Thursday night, and was transferred to an intensive care unit when her condition worsened.

The parents of the girl, who developed flu symptoms on

Thursday morning, are engaged in the live poultry trade.

Michael O’Leary, head of the World Health Organisation’s office in China, said that members of the organisation were not surprised that the virus had spread, and they “still expect that there will be other cases.”

Myanmar president calls for religious harmony

M

President Thein Sein

yanmar's president says his country needs to learn from the violence and instability that has wracked the country over the last two years if it is to overcome the challenge of democratising the nation.

TheinSein spoke on Sunday to mark the start a day earlier of a traditional New Year holiday that is celebrated across Southeast Asia with friendly water fights.

"Our society has overcome many difficulties and challenges together so we can emerge as a society in which multiple races and religions coexist harmoniously, while still preserving our own customs and traditions," he said in a televised speech.

Sein, a former general, took office two years ago after Myanmar's long ruling junta stepped down.

He has led a transition towards democratic rule since then, but the country has been plagued by a war with ethnic Kachin rebels in the north, sectarian violence in western

Rakhine state, and antiMuslim clashes in central Myanmar last month.

Buddhist-Muslim clashes in Rakhine last year left at least 180 people dead, mostly minority Muslim Rohingya.

The riots in March left 43 people dead, thousands displaced and saw homes and mosques destroyed.

Three people including a gold shop owner were last jailed for 14 years in connection with the riots that began in the town of Meiktila in central Myanmar on March 20.

Radical monks have been linked to the subsequent unrest, which observers said appeared to be well organised.

Rights groups have accused security forces of standing by while the attacks took place.

Myanmar's efforts at democratisation had been hampered by "black spots such as disunity, conflict and instability," Sein said.

Political changes should be targetted with "patience, tolerance and persistence", he urged citizens.

China Navy warships conduct open-sea drills in West Pacific

China's amphibious landing ship

Two warships of China's Nanhai Fleet conducted opensea offense and defense drills in the western Pacific Ocean on Sunday morning.

The Lanzhou and Hengshui warships of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy staged drills that simulated multiple complex situations on the sea and tested the offensive and defensive capabilities, as well as coordination of different weaponry.

The two-warship fleet will also conduct training in rights protection and replenishment.

The drills aims to explore ways of organizing open-sea exercise in complex sea areas, and enhance the navy's defense capabilities and combat effectiveness based on the information system, said Zhao Xiaogang, commander of the fleet.

The navy's open-sea drills have become routine, Zhao said, adding that the ongoing drills are regular arrangements in line with the Nanhai Fleet's annual training plan.

Source: Xinhua

Syria conflict: Government air strikes in north 'kill 16'

A The listening ears of Assad are what the people need.

t least 16 people have been killed in north-east Syria by government air strikes, activists say.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory For Human Rights (SOHR) said the strikes targeted rebel-held areas in Hasaka province around the mainly Kurdish village of Haddad.

The dead included three women and two children, the group said.

The UN estimates that some

70,000 people have died in the two-year conflict.

Rami Abdel Rahman, the director of the anti-government SOHR, told AFP news agency that a group of rebels used an area near the site of Sunday's air strike as a gathering place, but that a group of houses some distance away had been hit.

SOHR monitors human rights violations on both sides of the conflict via a network of contacts across Syria.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013

PAGE 34

Europe and Americas Venezuela votes to choose new president

P

olls have opened in Venezuela’s crucial presidential election that will determine the South American country’s next leader following the death of Hugo Chavez.

Polling centres opened at 1030 GMT on Sunday and were expected to remain open until 2230 GMT, though voting could run longer depending on the turnout, Al Jazeera’s Teresa Bo, reporting from the outskirts of Caracas, said.

She said that as early as 4am local time, people, many of them supporters of Chavez’s handpicked successor Nicolas Maduro, had already started lining up to vote.

“While you are here, it’s impressive to see the organisation of the ruling socialist party,” our correspondent said.

“People told me that this is the legacy of Hugo Chavez”.

Maduro is facing off with his younger rival Henrique Capriles, governor of Miranda state, who is promising change in a polarised country.

Both camps have urged supporters to vote early and be on alert for fraud.

Trumpets sounded a reveille and fireworks exploded in Caracas in the early hours of Sunday morning, as Venezuelans were being called out to vote.

Maduro, the acting president, said on Saturday that he would recognise the election results, whatever they might be.

“If I win, it’s welcomed and I will accept it with humility, if I lose, I will accept it with the same humility and with the values of Chavez,” he said.

“Peace is what we want, peace and respect to democracy and to values.”

In an interview with Teresa Bo, Capriles, who is running his second presidential campaign in less than a year, said the race had not been a fair one.

“The candidate of the government uses the presidential plane, all the military, all the ministries,” he said.

“Venezuela’s oil company pays for the campaign and all the state media is supporting Maduro. This is unconstitutional.”

This is Capriles’ second presidential campaign in less than a year. In October 2012, he ran against Chavez and lost by over 10 percent. Chavez died on March 5 without being sworn into office, and another presidential election was called.

Nearly 19 million people are eligible to vote.

Clashes at Guantanamo over hunger strike

P

risoners and guards have clashed at Guantanamo Bay as authorities moved inmates, many of whom are on hunger strike, out of communal cellblocks.

The move came after detainees covered surveillance cameras and windows, a US Army spokesman said.

He said some prisoners used "improvised weapons" and in response "four less-than-lethal rounds" were fired.

The Pentagon says 43 prisoners are on hunger strike, but lawyers for the detainees say

the number is higher.

Almost a dozen are being forcefed, according to military officials.

There were no "serious injuries to guards or detainees" in Saturday's clashes, according to Capt Robert Durand of the US military's Southern Command.

"I know for sure that one detainee was hit but the injuries were minor, just some bruises," another spokesman, Col Greg Julian, told the Associated Press.

Lawyers for some of the detainees condemned the camp authorities' actions.

Carlos Warner, who

represents several detainees, told AP that "the military is escalating the conflict".

Hunger strikes have happened frequently at the US military prison, but this protest, which began in February, is reportedly one of the longest and most widespread.

However, Guantanamo officials deny claims that the strike began after copies of the Koran were mishandled during searches of prisoners' cells.

Human rights groups and lawyers representing the prisoners say it reflects growing

frustration at the US military's failure to decide the detainees' future.

Nearly 100 of the detainees have been reportedly cleared for release but remain at the facility because of Congressional restrictions and also concerns of possible mistreatment if they are sent back to their home countries.

The military detention centre opened in 2002 to hold suspects captured in counter-terrorism operations after the 11 September 2001 attacks in the US.

Chile ex-president launches election campaign

C

hile's former president has launched her campaign for November's presidential election.

Michelle Bachelet kicked off the campaign on Saturday, saying she will use a second term to reform taxes and education and to fight Chile's huge income inequality.

"We must guarantee everyone a public education system that integrates them at all levels, ends profit and advances toward universal gratuity," she said.

"It's the desire of most Chileans."

Bachelet, 62, begins her campaign for the November 17 election as the front-runner.

The daughter of a general tortured to death for opposing General Augusto Pinochet's 1973 military coup, Bachelet herself was arrested along with her

mother in 1975 and went into exile to Australia and the former

East Germany.

She left office four years ago

Supporters of Michelle Bachelet hold posters at a rally.

with soaring popularity ratings and was was unable to seek immediate re-election as Chile's constitution bans consecutive terms.

But she conceded many issues were left unsolved during her presidency, key among them education reform and the sharp income inequality that has marred the country's economic growth.

"Combatting inequality is what gives us a purpose to be here," Bachelet said.

"It's the fine print that affects millions of consumers who are in debt. It's the salary gap between men and women and the inability of workers to negotiate collectively," the moderate Socialist Party member told a cheering crowd of about 5,000 people at the Caupolican theatre in downtown Santiago, the capital.

Croatians vote for their first EU parliament members

V

oters in Croatia are electing members of the European Parliament for the first time.

The 12 victorious candidates will take their seats after the Balkan nation becomes the newest member of the European Union on 1 July.

Some 3.7 million people are eligible to vote in what officials have described as a "historic" vote after a 10-year journey to EU membership.

But analysts say turn-out may be low as the country struggles with recession.

Croatia will be the second independent country from within the former Yugoslavia to join the EU, after Slovenia.

The European Commission gave the green light to Croatia's membership last month.

But the economy has been mostly in recession since 2009, unemployment has been rising and two ratings agencies have downgraded the country's debt to "junk" status.Guy De Launey says that the prospect of membership was previously a matter of great national pride to Croatians.

But enthusiasm for the election is at best lukewarm, he says, as joining the EU is not guaranteed to make matters better and may expose local

businesses to increased competition.

Croatians just have to look next door to Slovenia, which is also facing economic difficulties,

to see that EU membership is no panacea, our correspondent adds.

The elected MEPs will only serve for a year, before fresh polls are due across the whole EU.

Croatia will be the second ex-Yugoslav state to join the European Union.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013

PAGE 35

Man has been wearing a deer head mask every day for four years L

uo Dan, a painter and designer from Chonqing, China has been wearing a big deer mask over his head every day since 2009. He claims the bizarre accessory has helped him find inner peace and release the deer within.

Finding artistic inspiration can be pretty tough for an artist, but for 32-year-old Luo Dan it’s as easy as putting on a mask, literally. The young painter says he started wearing his weird deer head in 2009, and quickly got used to putting it on while working and in his spare time. “The deer is a tame animal,” he explained.

“Wearing its mask, I could find a long-missing inner peace.

When I wear the mask, I feel I am a deer from within.” The fake animal head has also influenced his art, taking a center role in most of his works.

Dan doesn’t know exactly how long he’ll keep wearing the deer head, but considering the therapeutic powers he attributes to the mask it’s unlikely he will be taking it off anytime soon. I can understand keeping it on in the privacy of his home, but this guy seems to take the head with him everywhere he goes. I wonder how people react when he comes up to them wearing the ridiculous disguise? It must be really difficult to take a guy wearing an animal mask seriously…I always knew artists were a little cooky, but this is too much.

Luo Dan in one of his outings wearing a big deer mask over his head

Dad agrees to pay daughter $200 if she stops using Facebook for five months

A

Boston father and his 14year-old daughter have recently made the headlines after the man posted a photo of a Facebook Deactivation Agreement that states the girl will receive 200$ if she doesn’t log into her Facebook account for the next five months.

Facebook addiction is one of the most talked-about issues of the moment, and when it comes to teens, the problem is even bigger.

But one Boston parent may have found the perfect way to convince his daughter to take a nice long break from the popular social media platform – he’s paying her $200. The enterprising young girl has managed to strike a deal with her father, Paul Baier, that involves him paying her $50 in April and an extra $150 in June, if she respects her part of the agreement. ”It was her idea, which I fully support,” Paul told the Daily Dot. ”She wants to earn money and also finds Facebook a distraction and a waste of time sometimes.”

Initially, the girl came up with a payout of $70 in exchange for a much shorter hiatus from

Facebook, but her father countered with the $200 for 5 months offer, which she ultimately accepted.

The two even drew up and filled out a Facebook Deactivation Agreement to make it official. It

states that Baier can take full control of his daughter's account by changing the password and

The facebook deactivation agreement signed by the father and his daughter

deactivating it, to make sure she doesn't sneak a peak online when he's not paying attention. She will get access back to her Facebook account on June 26, by which time will have been over.

Paul Baier's agreement with his young daughter has received mixed reactions. In a comment on his blog, someone goes as far as to call him an "idiot". "Why not try something called 'parenting'. It's more difficult than bribery but will more beneficial to your daughter in the long run," the person writes, while another thinks "999 to 1 odds she already has an alternate account and probably more risqué accounts on other sites if she's already showing this kind of 'guy will pay me' mentality. At the same time another reader thinks it's a "great idea. I just read an online story about it. Perhaps, this will inspire other parents to do the same."

One thing is for sure, Paul's daughter isn't the only one who plans to cut down on Facebook time. A recent study shows one in four US users plan to reduce their time spent on the popular social site this year.

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2012

Men who have bleeding gums are Twice as likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction

By Emma Innes

M

en who suffer from bleeding gums could be more likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction, experts are warning.

A study has found that men with severe gum disease have more than double the chance of suffering from the condition.

The research, published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, explained that when people suffer from gum disease, bacteria from their mouth can enter their blood.

Once in the bloodstream, the bacteria can affect the blood vessels and arteries, causing them to harden and narrow - as they do with heart disease.

This effect upon the blood vessels increases the risk of erectile dysfunction.

Indeed, more and more research is showing that erectile dysfunction is an early warning sign of heart disease.

This is because the body needs a good blood supply for an erection and the blood vessels in that region are smaller than those, say, near the heart, so become furred up faster.'

However, the nature of the association between bacteria and heart disease is not fully understood.

It has been suggested that the bacteria may trigger a harmful immune system response, causing blood vessels to become inflamed, or contribute to the fatty deposits in arteries.

The researchers, from the Inonu University, Turkey, studied a group of men with erectile dysfunction and a group of men without it.

They found that 53 per cent of those with erectile dysfunction had severe gum disease, while only 23 per cent of those without it had the disease.

Commenting on the

research, Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, said: 'The link may seem frivolous, but the research clearly points to severe gum disease as a possible cause of erectile dysfunction.

'Not only does oral health become a problem, selfconfidence, esteem and relationships could suffer, too.

To avoid it even becoming an issue, there are a number of things you can do to stop gum disease from developing.

'Removing food stuck in between your teeth close to gum lines is a really important step to preventing gum disease.

Using interdental brushes or flossing is the best way of doing this.

'Brushing alone only cleans 60 per cent of the tooth's surface, so this is an excellent way of keeping plaque - the cause of gum disease - at bay.'

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Severe gum disease could cause erectile dysfunction, experts are warning

Parents are ruining their children’s teeth by giving them fruit juice

By Anna Hodgekiss

P

arents are harming their children's dental health by allowing them to drink too much fruit juice, say dentists.

The British Dental Association urged parents to limit the amount of so-called healthy juices and smoothies they give their children.

Around 25 per cent of toddlers regularly consume fruit juice, according to a recent government survey, while two thirds eat sugary sweets and snacks.

Unsweetened fruit juice does count of one portion of the recommended five-a-day, but experts say crushing the fruit releases sugars that damage the teeth more than eating fruit whole.

As a result, children should drink no more than a 150ml serving.

Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, said many parents are unwittingly ruining their children's teeth as they don't realise how damaging fruit juice can be.

'Fruit juices are becoming increasingly popular and the fruit content can make them seem like a good idea,' he said.

However, they contain very high levels of sugar and acid and so can do a lot of damage to the teeth.

'At such a young age it is unrealistic to remove sweet foods and drinks altogether from a

Dentists are urging parents to limit the amount of so-called healthy juices and smoothies they give their children

child's diet. To combat this, it is important to try to keep their consumption to mealtimes, and ensure they only drink water or milk between meals.

'Bear in mind it is better for the child's teeth and general health if they have three meals a day instead of seven to ten "snack attacks", many of which will contain sugar.'

He added that smoothies were 'horrendous' for teeth, because they were concentrated, were often sipped between meals and stuck to the teeth.

Dr Carter added: 'The most important message to remember is it is not the amount of sugar children eat or drink, but the frequency of sugary foods and drinks in their diets.

'Children aren't born with a sweet tooth. It is acquired over time due to their dietary habits.'

Figures from 2008 show that 30 per cent of five-year-olds in England had decay.

The news comes after an investigation for MailOnline found that a small bottle of Pret a Manger orange juice contained as much sugar as 13 Hobnob biscuits and a small bottle of Innocent smoothie contained the same amount of sugar as threeand-a-half Krispy Kreme Doughnuts.

Even drinks specifically aimed at children, such as a bottle of Ribena, contained as much sugar as 13 Oreo biscuits.

And the dangers of so much sugar do not end at compromised

Smoothies are particularly bad as they are concentrated and stick to the teeth dental health.

Dr Robert Lustig, dietary expert and author of 'Fat Chance: The Bitter Truth About Sugar', says that consuming such high levels of sugar - whether they come from fruit or from refined sugar - increases the likelihood of a person becoming obese, increases the risk of associated problems of heart disease and diabetes and overloads the liver.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2012

PAGE 37

2015: No election should hold without National conference - Yoruba group warns From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Works, Hon. Mohammed Ali Wudil (left), addressing journalists, during the hot seat series organised by the House of Representatives Press corps, With him is his Secretary, Alhaji Abdulrahman Mansur Garko (right) , at the weekend, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Action Alliance mobilises ahead of 2015 elections

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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ction Alliance (AA) over the weekend in Abuja held its national convention in preparation for the general election in 2015.

Briefing journalists after the convention which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) observed, the AA National Leader, Taiwo Otegbe, emphasised that every political party registered

by INEC ought to contest elections, pointing out that if a registered party fails to feature candidates in elections, it indicates that something is wrong with the party.

He backed the recent proscription of some parties by INEC for failure to win any elective post after the 2011 general elections, regretting that some persons float parties not on the basis of principles but for material benefits, which according to him, impedes ideology in Nigerian politics.

Speaking further, he expressed joy that after over five years, AA has succeeded in having a national convention, observing that it is a sign of the good things to come from the party and that the time has come for change.

Otegbe, who pointed out that AA has what it takes to take Nigeria to greater height, however said the

party can only do this by first ensuring that internal democracy is enshrined in it.

“Wehave delegates from all over the states of the federation here for this convention. Also, we believe that as we move forward in this party, Action Alliance in Nigeria, everybody is excited about it, and indeed happy, that we have taken AA to the next level”, he said.

He further explained that it takes a cross pollination of political ideas to take Nigeria out of the present economic and security challenges bedevilling it, noting that the party will take a stand on the issue of merger at the appropriate time, in other to carry every member of the party along.

According to him, “we should say farewell to political thuggery, brigandage, and that is why the issue of merger and alliance should

not be foreclosed. Any party that desires the progress of Nigeria must not foreclose the issue of merger and alliances across political boundaries.”

Similarly, the former National Chairman of the party, Suleiman A. Salawu, said the rationale behind the convention is to bring together people that are selfless and purposeful, to take the country to a greater height, through a formidable team that will contest election for the party in 2015.

The party chairman however explained that the party’s inability to hold convention since the last five years was part of their political development, disclosing that they have come over it and are now set to move forward.

He commended granting of amnesty to the insurgents by the

government, but warned that care should be taken to ensure that it is properly granted to the deserving people.

He denied the speculations that the party is factionalised, saying that as it stands today, the party has a harmonised executive, adding that the various factions were brought together last year, which was witnessed by INEC. It would be recalled that in the 2011 elections, the name and logo of the Action Alliance was omitted in the ballot papers. By this, the candidates of the party did not participate in any of the elections held on 2011.

This omission is also the reason why INEC could not deregister the party at the time over 20 political parties were deregistered by the Commission.

LG chairman pledges support for self help

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lhaji Auwal Fage, the Rimin Gado Local Government Interim Management Officer, Kano State, has pledged to support self help groups in the area with incentives and working materials.

Fage said the gesture would help boost the groups’ services to the community, according to a

statement signed by the Information Officer of the local government, Malam Bashir Habib.

The statement said Fage made the pledge when he received members of the central working committee on development associations in the area.

The Chairman of the Central

Working Committee, Alhaji Ibrahim Kofar-Na’isa, said the visit was to formally introduce themselves and seek the support of the local government.

Kofar-Na’isa appealed to the local government to provide the committee with a vehicle to ease its transportation problems.

(NAN)

tayese, a Yoruba socio political organisation has warned against holding the 2015 general election without first restructuring the nation.

Atayese leader and son of late Pa Micheal Ajasin, Chief Tokunbo while addressing Newsmen in Lagos on yesterday said that the preoccupation of the government now should be how to convoke a national conference rather than wasting time on who will be president in 2015.

“The call for the convocation of a conference of nationalities will be predicated on the resolution of each nationality at its own conference convoked to identify its preferred terms and conditions for cohabitating with other nationalities.

“This is the way to forge understanding and peaceful coexistence. The conference of each nationalities must be subjected to a referendum to determine the popular acceptance of the outcome of such conference” Ajasin said.

He said that it was the set of resolutions arrived at by each of the nationalities that would be the subject of the big conference of the nationalities.

“Atayese beleives that such a conference sooner called will ensure a welfare society rather than the warfare society that the nation has today” he said.

Ajasin pointed out that with the bombing campaign of the Boko Haram dangerously assuming ethnic dimensions, it is clear that Nigeria was sitting on a keg of gunpowder.

“No government can function properly under this situation and no election can be sucessfully conducted. We are also not under any illusion that unless the various nations or ethnic nationalities that were forced into the union called Nigeria brace up for a genuine dialogue, Nigeria may break up” he said.

He stressed that the crisis of Nigeria was one of contradictions of its different parts.

“The way forward can only be a roundtable conference of the path to work out a restructed whole rather than an appeasement of a dissatisfied fraction of a part” he added. Ajasin urged President Goodluck Jonathan to spare Nigeria and Nigerians the problems that may arise from holding an election in 2015.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2012

APGA unveils reconciliation plan, opens headquarters

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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he controversy besetting All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) appears to be over, as the new chairman of the party, Maxi Okwu, over the weekend unveils his policy thrust anchored on reconciliation, reformation and reintegration.

Disclosing his agenda for the party in a town hall meeting held with the party stakeholders and loyalists in Abuja, Okwu, who was elected the Chairman of APGA in a convention recently held in Awka, explained that his agenda is specifically mapped out to bring back all aggrieved founding fathers of the party, with a view to moving

itforward.

Speaking further, he denied reports that he described late Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, as an extremist, stating that he merely classified the difference in the political ideology of Ojukwu and late Nnamdi Azikiwe.

On this basis, he pointed out that it is a mischief for anybody to call Ojukwu an extremist, adding that there is even nothing wrong in having an extremist political ideology, provided it is within the purview of the law.

According to him, “I never called Chukwuemeka Ojukwu an extremist. The fact that his veiws fall into the other position does not make him an extremist. One man’s freedom

fighter could be another man’s terrorist”.

While reiterating that he has no time for blackmail and gossip, Okwu expressed readiness to reconcile with any aggrieved member of the party, who offers to accept his olive branch, adding that with the convention over, APGA is already on the move and that nothing will stop the party again.

Similarly, he said that though every party has its rights to go into merger or alliance, but insisted that APGA will provide the third leg of the tripod in Nigerian politics.

The new chairman pointed out that in 2015 and subsequent elections, Nigerians can either join the merger group of All Progressives

Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), adding that the third leg of the tripod which is missing is what APGA has come to provide in Nigerian politics.

In his short remarks, the National Secretary of the party, Sagir Maidoya, emphasised that the convention recently held in Awka has diversified the status of the party as one of the foremost national parties in Nigeria.

Sagir noted that gone are the days when APGA was regarded as a tribal party, emphasising that the party, through the convention, has metamorphosed into a true national party.

He therefore promised that every

measure would be put in place to ensure that the party is sustained its move to deepening democracy in the country.

Meanwhile, the chairman has disclosed that very soon, the party will open a new office complex in Abuja, saying that the structure in Wuse, which housed the headquarters of the party is a private house of Victor Umeh.

Nevertheless, it would be recalled that Umeh had earlier explained that the Appeal Court ruling in Enugu has upheld him as the chairman of APGA, insisting that the convention in Awka is nullified, while Okwu has maintained his stand that the court ruling is billated as, according to him, “a born baby cannot be aborted”.

Bye-election: INEC confused over PDP primaries in Adamawa From Umar Dankano, Yola

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Mrs. Rhoda Sika Ekiti state Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi (2nd left), Edo state Governor, Comrade Adams Oshimhole (2nd right), parents of late Deputy Governor of Ekiti state, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka, Chief and Mrs. Festus Famuagun, during a condolence visit by Edo state governor on family of late Deputy Governor, on Saturday in Ado-Ekiti.

No alternative party to PDP, says Yuguda From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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auchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda has declared that there is no alternative to the ruling People’s Democratic party (PDP) in the administration of the country for now.

This as he dismissed With a wave of hand the suggestive threat of the yet to be registered All Progressive Congress (APC).

Yuguda who was responding to the speech of the Leader of the Forum of State Secretaries of the PDP in the Nineteen Northern state during a courtesy visit at the Government House Bauchi at the weekend stated that, ‘the internal crisis rocking the opposition parties is enough for them to grapple with to prevent them from thinking of how to win elections” The Governor further said that the PDP too as a political party will not just sit down and allow the opposition to wrestle power hold from it saying, “we will ensure that we did those things that will make the people

believe in us and continue to vote for us but we must do what they want, do things that will promote them.”

He added that, “Yes,we have our own internal misunderstandings and misconceptions, they are not strong enough to break us and give room for the opposition to have control; but we must do the right thing so that we will be able to face the masses during campaigns and win them to our sides at all levels.’

He challenged the Secretaries of the PDP in the Nineteen Northern Sates and FCT to ensure that they embark on education of the public on the manifestoes of the party as reminder so that there will be area of the positive impact the party has brought to their lives.

On the fate of the party in the South West, Yuguda expressed optimism that, “we are going to storm the South West very soon and our target is to get back the area in the 2015 general elections, the people there have tasted other parties and have come to realise that they missed a lot by not voting for

the PDP in the last general elections.”

Earlier, Chairman of the Forum, Hon Aminu Iliyasu Yusuf explained that the formation of the body was borne out of the patriotic zeal, vision and necessity to further strengthen, collaborate, energise and articulate the collective socio-political and economic aspiration as well as the vision and mission of the PDP. He also said that it is aimed at enhancing the existing political platform by way of synergy adding that they are fully abreast and highly appreciative of the performance of the governor since he was elected in 2007. He added “Your scorecard at a glance has shown that there is no government before now in Bauchi state that has enhanced human and socio-capital development by way of investing in education, health, and socio infrastructure skill acquisition and youth development. Infrastructural development in Bauchi state is fast making the state an enabler, hence investors home.

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Adamawa state has been thrown into confusion as PDP factions in the state at the weekend conducted separate primaries for the coming Nasarawo/Binyeri state constituency’s bye-election.

While the Alhaji Umaru Kugama led faction supported by Gov. Murtala Nyako conducted its primaries in Jereng village where 37 delegates participated with Mallam Mohammed Chiroma emerging winner, the Chief Joel Madaki faction supported by the national chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, did its own in Tola village with 148 delegates where Mallam Umar Abdulkadir

emerged the winner.

Our corespondent who monitored the primaries reports that officials of INEC monitored the two separate primaries.

The INEC Director of Public Affairs in Adamawa, Mrs Rifkatu Duku, led the Commission officials that monitored the primaries in Jereng while the Administration Secretary of the INEC, Mallam Usman Baba-Bukar, led the officials that monitored the primaries in Tola.

Both primaries were conducted peacefully under tight security.

The winner of the primaries in Jerenge, Mallam Mohammed Chiroma, who addressed journalist after the exercise, urged those who contested with him to join hands with him and work towards the victory of the party.

Karu council honours Danjuma, Baikie with traditional titles

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he Council of Traditional Rulers in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State at the weekend in Karu honoured Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd.) and Prof. Adamu Baikie with traditional titles.

The Esu of Karu Mr Luka Baba, while conferring the titles on the duo said the conferment was for their outstanding contributions to the Gbagyi community.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Danjuma and Baikie were conferred with the traditional titles of the Jiji and Gbasi of Karu respectively Buba later praised the “uncommon contributions’’ of Danjuma and Baikie to the development of the people of Karu.

He said while Danjuma had continued to response to the needs and development of the people through his foundation, Baikie was noted for the educational development of Karu sons and daughters.

“Danjuma’s foundation has reached out to many Nigerians

through the provision of health facilities and services in different parts of the country.

“His historic footprints in the Nigerian Army and his courageous contributions to the unity and development of the country are there for us all to see.

“Baikie is an educationist of good repute and one of the most accomplished academicians the country has produced,’’ the Esu of Karu said.

He said the title of the Jiji of Karu as conferred on Danjuma recognises him as a symbol of defender, protector and the shield of the Karu people.

Buba also said the title of the Gbasi of Karu as conferred on Baikie makes him the star and a light to be emulated by the Karu people.

“The honour admits Danjuma and Baikie as members of the Karu traditional council,’’ he said.

Responding on behalf of the duo, Danjuma thanked the traditional council and the people of Karu for the honour given to him and Baikie.

(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2012

PAGE 39

Who’ll fix ailing PDP?

By Lawrence Olaoye

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he crisis rocking the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) seems to be festering by the day.

Nevertheless, the leadership of the party has not relented in its efforts to find a lasting solution to the crisis even though most of the challenges facing the self acclaimed largest party in Africa are self inflicted.

The party which had consistently won elections since the advent of democracy in 1999 has always wallowed in crises.

But the greatest challenge it has found difficult to surmount has been its inability to walk by its rules.

This challenge has consistently been the bone of contention among the members of the party.

One of the greatest challenges facing the ruling party over the years has been that of internal democracy and the disconnect among its teeming members. Many in position of authorities on the platform of the party are perceived to have emerged through processes that could be described as anything but democratic. For instance, the emergence of President Goodluck Jonathan as the Presidential flag bearer of the party in the 2011 Presidential election was not particularly acceptable to some members of the party and the division caused by the incidence has yet to be fully addressed.

Following the sudden death of late President Umaru Yar’Adua, many argued that the North should present his replacement in line with the PDP’s zoning arrangement but Jonathan’s insistence on contesting on the platform of the party ruptured the system and this caused a lot of disaffection among the party members.

Similarly, the emergence of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur as the party’s National Chairman did not go down well with some power brokers, including some governors on the platform of the party. Tukur’s insistence on party supremacy and discipline on assumption of office, with his determination to take total control of the party independent of the governors, who are hitherto the de facto leaders of the PDP, set him on collision course with them.

The conflict between the PDP National Chairman and the governors became worse when Tukur dissolved the Adamawa state executive and set up a care-taker committee which conducted a fresh election in defiance to the protestations coming from the state governor, Admiral Murtala Nyako. The Adamawa state governor soon got the sympathy of his colleagues and the stage was set

PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur for war against the party’s National Chairman.

The PDP governors who are mainly the sponsors of members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) got 10 out of 12 members of the party executive to reverse he decision earlier taken to sack the Minjiyiwa Kugama led Adamawa exco and the stage was set for the factionalisation of the party in that state. The action taken by majority of the NWC members was at the root of the crisis of confidence in the party’s hierarchy.

Apart from the challenges facing the party, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) under the chairmanship of the Rivers state governor, Rotimi Amaechi, had also made itself the most virile opposition to the government of President Jonathan as most of his policies are being brutally criticized by the body. Although the PDP governors constitute absolute majority in the NGF, Jonathan never had any luxury of peace as his policies are being constantly criticized by the Amaechi led NGF. The inability of the Presidency and the party leadership to settle the dispute between the Federal Government and state governors over the management of the controversial Excess Crude Account and the creation of the Sovereign Wealth Fund was at the height of several confrontations NGF had with President Jonathan.

The needto curb the powers of the Amaechi’s NGF, reposition the PDP and place it on the pathway of progress ahead of the 2015 general elections, according to the leadership, informed the formation of the PDP Governors’ Forum (PDPGF) under the

PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih, chairmanship of the Akwa-Ibom state governor, Barrister Godswill Akpabio.

The need for the party to have a rallying point ahead of the 2015 general election, according to political analysts, was necessitated by the orchestration of merger by the nation’s major opposition parties. It became even more threatening to the ruling party when the merger efforts were being driven by 10 opposition governors in the country.

Since the formation of the PDPGF, public opposition to Jonathan’s policy by the governors under the aegis of the NGF has ebbed. Akpabio, who represents the new face of the ruling party because of his sterling performance in his home state, has been able to galvanize the needed support for the president among his colleagues and has succeeded, in no small measure, in restoring sanity to the nation’s political landscape.

Although the leadership of the party has severally explained that the PDPGF Governors was formed not to rival the NGF, there are indications that the PDP governors, who are in the

Chairman, PDP Governor’s Forum, and A/Ibom state Governor, Godswill Akpabio

majority in the NGF, would definitely call the shot in the affairs of the body.

In the very short period of the formation of the PDPGF, critics have noted that the party leadership has been able to refocus as the harmony required amongst its governors, who are the prime movers of the party, has been restored. The PDP governors under Akpabio’s leadership have been reconciled with the party’s leadership and the presidency.

Political analysts have observed that most of the governors, who were hitherto diametrically opposed to Tukur’s leadership of the party, have been reconciled, although there are still some pockets of dissension.

Prior to the formation of the PDPGF, the party could hardly fund itself as most of the political office holders on its platform have failed to make their statutory contributions towards the funding of the party’s political activities. But, Akpabio on the assumption of the leadership of the new body promised to raise money, in conjunction with his colleagues, to bail the party out of its financial difficulties.

Equally concerned by the

“

Since the formation of the PDPGF, public opposition to Jonathan’s policy by the governors under the aegis of the NGF has ebbed. Akpabio, who represents the new face of the ruling party because of his sterling performance in his home state, has been able to galvanize the needed support for the president among his colleagues

dwindling fortune of the PDP and pockets of discontentment among the governors against its the leadership, the newly elected Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih, took it upon himself to tour all the PDP states with a view to consolidating its hold by interacting with the governors.

The tour is being undertaken by Anenih led BoT notwithstanding the reconciliation and consolidation tour earlier undertaken by the PDP NWC led by its National Chairman to the six geopolitical zones of the country. So far, many of the governors, who have been speculated to have concluded plans to leave the party ahead of 2015, have given the assurance that they would remain in the party.

However, there are insinuations that many of the governors visited so far have raised exception to the leadership style of the party’s National Chairman.

In spite of the efforts made by all these party men, crises keep mounting as the legitimacy of 8 out of the 12 man NWC is being currently challenged by a report emanating from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Although the party’s leadership had ruled out further comments on the matter, arguing that the membership of the NWC emerged in consonance with the PDP constitution, some other members of the party have since taken the matter to court.

The multiple dimension the crises rocking the ruling party has taken in recent time has made a critical section of the society to wonder who will fix the PDP and extricate it from its labyrinth of challenges it has helped foist on itself.

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2012

Prove you’re better than PDP, group challenges APC

By Umar Muhammad Puma

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he civil society group, Alliance for Credible Election has challenged the All Progressive Congress (APC) to use its manifestos to address the abnormality of disproportionate distribution of national resources especially as regards to the alarming levels of poverty, unemployment, social service crisis, infrastructaral decay and insecurity in Nigeria.

The group in a press conference in Abuja by its National Secretary, Emma Ezeazu, said APC must

demonstrate convincingly to Nigerians that it is not just interested in grabbing power from the PDP but that it is determined to effect real transformation in the quality of lives of the ordinary Nigerians.

“Nigerians are not interested in replacing one behemoth with another hydra headed moster, the APC must therefore show that it is not only offering superior values but that its idea of progressive Politics unambiguously cuts an image distance from the current dysfunction in Nigerian politics”.

He stressed that the constitution

of the merging APC must provide a clear departure from the exclusive discriminatory, non-issue based, non-ideological and clientele politics which it accuses the PDP of.

According to him, this can only happen when the APC’s instrument, constitution and manifesto, sufficiently accommodate the concerns of the vulnerable, women, youth and persons living with disabilities, because they constitute the biggest catchment of voting of populations in Nigeria.

He reveals that the emergence of the APC would be decisive in

determining public perception of claims to progressive ideas by APC.”With a progressive, credible and patriotic party leadership, the APC would not only generate appreciable public goodwill but will also insulate itself from an image crisis that that would leave its reputation in tatters”.

He called on the merging APC to as quickly as possible convene a multi- stakeholders summit of progressives and different segment of Nigerian society to address the democratic expectation of Nigerians.

L-R: Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly, Hon. Adamu Usman, Niger state Governor, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, and acting chairman of the Forum of Speakers of 19 Northern states and Speaker Kebbi state House of Assembly, Hon. Aminu Musa Jega, during the official opening ceremony of the 24th forum of Speakers of the 19 Northern states House of Assembly, at the weekend in Minna.

Implement white paper for CPC to grow in Kogi says Sadiq From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

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allam Sadiq Abdullai, Media Assistant to the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC)’s governorship candidate in Kogi state, Alhaji Idris Meyanga, in the 2011 governorship election, has called on the party leadership to implement the CPC White Paper for the party to grow in the state.

He said the foot dragging in the implementation of white on the internal CPC in the state was alleged to be the greatest undoing of the party in Kogi state.

According to Sadiq, for the party to play a major role in the forth coming election, right thing must be seen to have been done, noting that the individual victory should not be mistaken for party’s impact in the state.

“The success recorded through Buba Jibrin was a protest vote by Lokoja/kotonkarfe against the alleged imposition of Shaba Ibrahim by PDP on the people and not CPC strong hold in the state”, he pointed out.

Sadiq who was speaking to journalists in Lokoja yesterday narrated that the elders of the party should be bold enough to call a spade a spade and allow the

party to grow, stressing that if things were allowed to stand where it is today there may be no serious impact.

“Those who came in after losing their ticket in other party and trying to highjack the CPC structure in Kogi by imposing candidate on the electorates should be discarded outrightly for the party organs to spread”, Sadiq counseled.

ANNP chieftain calls for overhauling of electoral system

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former ANPP Governorship Candidate in Benue, Prof. Daniel Saroh, has called the need for a total restructuring of the electoral system to enhance free and fair elections in Nigeria.

Saroh told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview in Abuja on Monday that the measure became necessary to

enable the electorate have confidence in the electoral process.

He said that the electoral system in the past 14 years had not given way for better result.According to him, there is need to also address the issue of Electoral Offences Commission.

He said that if the Justice Mohammed Uwais Committee report on electoral reform would be given full consideration and implementation, it

would strengthen the electoral system.“Electoral reform is a very crucial issue because the only true election that has taken place in the last 14 years is in 1999.

“There are lots of malpractice, such as snatching of ballot boxes, the use of thugs, and under age voting, among others in 2003,and 2007,’’ he saidSaroh said the activities of the judiciary in the electoral process also

left much to be desired.

The judiciary had delivered judgments on some electoral issues, which had made some Nigerians to question the neutrality of the judiciary,” he said.He called for the scrapping of the states electoral commissions because they were tools in the hands of the state governors, adding that they could not conduct free and fair elections. (NAN)

Lawmaker donates items to alma mater in Kogi From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

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member of the National Assembly representing Dekina/Bassa constituency at the House of Representative, Hon Tom Zakari, has been commended for the gesture of providing educational materials to his alma mater, Our Lady of Schools, OLS, Ayingba.

The National President of the old students association, Mr Fidel Egwuche, made this known yesterday while accessing the materials in the school .

Egwuche noted that the presentation of such quality and modern materials will not only broaden the scope of the knowledge of students but will enrich their educationalbackground.

He pointed out that with the introduction of computer to digitize all educational system in the country, the aid will in no small measure assist students to update their knowledge.

The National President disclosed that the school deserve a face lift through more infrastructure like perimeter fencing, renovation and provision of portable water to improve the condition of learning in the institution.

He called on all old students of the school to emulate Zakari’sgood gesture by contributing their quotas towards the development of their alma mater.

Items donated were 20 computer sets, chairs and desks, a photo copier and two printer.

Others were two air conditioners, an internet dish, a gasoline generators, scanning machine, one spiral bidding system, two standing fans and solar energy facilities.

Obi condemns killing of exdeputy governor of Anambra

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ov. Peter Obi of Anambra yesterday condemned the killing of the former state deputy governor, Dr Chidi Nwike, describing it as “pathetic, crude and inhuman”.

Obi, who spoke in Awka, described Nwike’s death as a great loss to the state and the country at large.He said that the death had robbed the state of another statesman who was very concerned about the state’s governance and development.

The governor, who described those who killed the former deputy governor as “barbarians’’, wondered why some people could take another person’s life without any compunction.

Obi noted that the government had been striving to wipe out such acts of cruelty in the country, adding that such acts would only strengthen his resolve to fight crime in the state.

He commiserated with the family of the late Nwike and prayed to God to strengthen them in their moment of grief. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013

PAGE 41

Ubah now youth ambassador, offers Flying Eagles lifeline Stories by Patrick Andrew

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Chief Ifeanyi Ubah

he Managing Director of Capital Oil Plc, Chief Ifeanyi Ubah, has graciously accepted the conferment of the award of Nigeria youth Football Ambassador on him by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for his uncommon interest in youth development.

Accepting the award over the weekend, Chief Ubah expressed delight for the recognition stressing that he was pleasantly surprised

that one’s little efforts aimed at contributing positively to the upliftment of the nation, particularly the younger generation of Nigerians, was being noticed and applauded.

“I pledge to work even harder in the service of humanity and for the good of all in order to take Nigerian youth football to greater height,” Ubah who revealed that he once played under Anambra YSFON declared.

“I will also come in to give my backing to the youth teams. In the next few months, it is my believe that

we will start reaping the dividends of what is happening here today.

There will be a new fresh air for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

“On the camping of the U20 team, The Ifeanyi Ubah foundation has taken over the responsibility of the team’s camping and preparation for the FIFA U20 championship in Turkey.

With our efforts, the team will camp at the Beverly Hills hotel in Nnewi, Anambra state,” he said.

Ubah himself attested to the quality of facilities at the

Obuh off to Germany as Flying Eagles regroup today

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oach Sam John Obuh has relocated to Germany where he intends to study hard for his A licence coaching certificate even as the Flying Eagles regroup today in Nnewi, Anambra state to intensify preparations for the final phase of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Championship in Turkey, in June.

Obuh left yesterday after ensuring that all necessary logistics were in place for the camping of the 21 junior Eagles recalled to the camp even as he hopes to call up few foreign-based players to man areas where there are obvious deficiencies.

Already, Obuh revealed to Peoples Daily Sports that he has spotted some players he feels could add value to the present squad stressing that while in Germany he hopes to further keep taps on them by closely monitoring their performances in Europe.

Obuh will only be away for about a fortnight and should train under “very experienced” coaches before

finally reflecting his grade A lisence knowledge in practice to qualify for the award of the certificate.

He disclosed that he hopes to draw technical and tactical inspirations from the advanced level coaches and noted that Nigeria would be the better of from whatever level of technical expertise he would garner from the course.

He lauded the managing Director of Capital Oil Chief Ifeanyi Ubah for coming to the rescue of the junior Eagles when it became obvious that the NFF’s cash crunch would make it impossible for them to regroup no later than April ending.

Meanwhile, Team Secretary, Aliyu Ibrahim Lawal, disclosed the names of the 21 players called up stressing that for now only players that took part in the African Youth Championship (AYC) held in Algeria are to report to the Beverly Hills Hotel in Nnewi from today.

The Nnewi camp is the venue Chief Ubah has offered

would have absolute concentration to prepare for the FIFA World Cup Championship scheduled for Turkey in June.

According to him, he desires to see all the cadet teams excel at international fora and notes that unless they were adequately supported any dream of excellence would be a mirage. However, since he does not want to be associated with a mirage he said he was ready to assist with necessary logistics for concentrated mental and physical training.

to the team and Lawal said the facilities were up to standard.

He also disclosed that the coaches have used the days since the team’s return from Algeria to scout for more players in the league to fortify the squad ahead of the World Cup. The Flying Eagles, who are drawn against Cuba, South Korea and Portugal in the first round of the 2013 World Cup, are due to a training stint in Europe before the global challenge.

They are also expected to feature at the Toulon tournament in France as part of their preparation for the U20 World Cup. THE SQUAD FOR NNEWI: Goalkeepers: Jonah Usman, Emmanuel Daniel, Samuel Okani Defenders: Ikechukwu Okorie, Chizoba Amaefule, Shehu Abdullahi, Kingsley Madu, Aigbe Oliha, Hassan Abubakar, Aliyu Goyi Midfielders: Moses Orkuma, Ovboka Agboyi, Uche Agbo, Abduljaleel Ajagun Forwards: Alhaji Gero, Umar Aminu, Kayode Olanrewaju, Christian Pyagbara, Bright Ejike, Edafe Egbedi, Chidi Osuchukwu.

CAF U-17: Golden Eaglets maul Ghana’s Starlets G

Isaac Success, who scored a hat-trick plus one yesterday, on the prowl during the match against Guinea in Calabar

disposal of the team at the camp stressing that were they inadequate he would have opted for better training facilities anywhere in the world.

According to junior Eagles coach, John Obuh, the sponsorship is total package that would ensure that they lack for nothing throughout the entire one month camping period.

Further, Ubah assured that he would ensure that whatever incidental need the team may require, would be made readily available so that the team

olden Eaglets’ Isaac Success was truly successful yesterday as he secured a hat-trick and added one more to complete Nigeria’s routing of Ghana’s Starlets 6-1 in a scintillating display that overwhelmed their perennial West African rivals.

Success started the ride in the 10th minute, got the brace 30 minutes later and made it a hattrick in the 63 minutes only to sealed it up with a 68 minutes goal. Two other goals came from Ihenacho and Bernard Bulbwa.

The mauling of the Starlets takes the Golden Eaglets to the top of the table after Congo and Cote d’ Ivoire shared the spoils

in a 1-1 draw of the opening Group B matches of the 2013 CAF U-17 Championship played in Marrakech yesterday.

It would be recalled that the Eaglets played a total of 27 competitive and friendly matches en route the championship conceded only a draw without losing any game.

They also let in just one goal in the qualifiers.

Cote d’ Ivoire came from behind to equalize in a game the Baby Elephants dominated but could not breakdown a hardworking Congo. Goals came from Ngatsongo Obassi eight minutes into the match and an equaliser from Junior Ahissan even as the Red

Devils of Congo soaked up the pressure and dominance from Cote d’Ivoire to collect a point.

Nigeria’s next match will be against Ivory Coast on Tuesday same day Ghana will seek to redeem their image against hard fighting Congo.

NPFL results Rangers 3-0 Dolphins FC Heartland FC 3-0 Lobi Stars Shooting 4-1 Akwa United ABS FC 2-0 Bayelsa United Sunshine Stars 3-0 Wikki Nasarawa Utd 2-0 Gombe Enyimba 0-0 Kwara United Nembe City 1-0 Kaduna Utd Warri Wolves 4-1 El-Kanemi Sharks 0-0 Kano Pillars

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013

•Right-handed people live, on average, nine years longer than lefthanded people do.

•The combination "ough" can be pronounced in 9 different ways; Read this: "A roughcoated, doughfaced, thoughtful ploughman strode through the streets of Scarborough; after falling into a slough, he coughed and hiccoughed."

•The blue whale has a heart the size of a small car and its blood vessel is so broad, that a person could swim through it.

•A left-handed person finds it easier to open a jar than a right-handed person because they can supply a stronger anticlockwise turning force than a right-handed person.

However a righthanded person will find it easier to tighten the jar up afterwards.

•The orbit of the Moon about the Earth would fit easily inside the Sun. •A chameleon can move its eyes in two directions at the same time.

•Typewriter is the longest word that can be made only

using one row on the keyboard.

•Because of the rotation of earth you can throw a ball farther to the west than to the east.

•The name of all the continents ends with the same letter that they start with.

•Rubber bands last longer when refrigerated.

•There are 293 ways to make change for a dollar (euro, pound).

•You can't change other people, and it's rude to try.

•It is a hundred times more difficult to burn calories than to refrain from consuming them in the first place.

•If you're talking to someone you don't know well, you may be talking to someone who knows way more about whatever you're talking about than you do.

•The cheapest and most expensive models are usually both bad deals.

•Everyone likes somebody who gets to the point quickly.

•Bad moods will come and go your whole life, and trying to force them away makes them run deeper and last longer.

•Children are

remarkably honest creatures until we teach them not to be.

•If everyone in the TV show you're watching is goodlooking, it's not worth watching.

•Yelling always makes things worse.

•Whenever you're worried about what others will think of you, you're really just worried about what you'll think of

you.

•Every problem you have is your responsibility, regardless of who caused it.

•You never have to deal with more than one moment at a time.

•If you never doubt your beliefs, then you're wrong a lot.

•Managing one's wants is the most powerful skill a person can learn.

•Nobody has it all figured out.

•Cynicism is far too easy to be useful.

•Every passing face on the street represents a story every bit as compelling and complicated as yours.

•Whenever you hate something, it hates you back: people, situations and inanimate objects alike.

SUDOKU

Some Interesting Facts

Last edition’s solution

Say what?

PAGE 47

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Infuriating: Motaba the Gorilla tries to eat a banana being held up in front of the glass from six-year-old Ella O'Brien and four-year-old Bridget O'Brien at Source: Dailymail.co.uk Werribee Open Range Zoo in Melbourne, Australia.

www.peoplesdailyng.com

. . . putting the people first

MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013

SPORTS LA TEST LATEST

M

anchester City will meet Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup final after winning an enthralling Wembley encounter with Chelsea.

The 2011 winners looked on course for a comfortable victory as goals either side of half-time from Samir Nasri and Sergio Aguero gave them the lead their dominance deserved.

Chelsea, to their great credit given their recent arduous schedule, somehow summoned up reserves of strength and resilience after Demba Ba's stunning goal set up a grandstand finish that could have forced extra time.

Chelsea was very good in the last 30 minutes. The change to bring on Fernando Torres had a fantastic effect immediately. From then, it was all Chelsea. You need someone to find space in the box, and could you name a better player to do that than Frank Lampard?

The rejuvenated holders pressed for an equaliser that seemed unlikely for long periods and it took some key interventions from Joe Hart's deputy Costel Pantilimon, particularly from Ba, to assure City of a return to Wembley next month.

And substitute Fernando Torres was furious when referee Chris Foy refused his claims for a penalty in the closing moments when City captain Vincent Kompany pulled his shirt as he raced into the area.

Roberto Mancini's side may be on the brink of losing their Premier League title to Manchester United - but the prospect of silverware for a third successive season keeps their campaign very much alive and they delivered a real show of power for the first hour.

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We're fighting a symptom wich will continue to be worse until we fix the original cause of the problem; until you fix education... we're not going to have security. — CBN Governor Sanusl Lamido Sanusi on the Boko Haram insurgency

Our empathy deficit A

City battle Wigan in FA Cup final at Wembley

QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE

curious thing happened last month. Terrorists blew up a bus in a Kano motor park killing and injuring scores of passengers and bystanders. Since the park was in Sabon Gari, the victims were thought to be Igbos and thus victims of Boko Haram's plan to rid the north of Igbos and southerners. Wole Soyinka and J.P. Clark even suggested that Chinua Achebe's death might have been hastened by the slaying of "his people." Some polemicists declared the attack to be part of a pattern of anti-Igbo violence in the North.

Debate along these lines ensued in the Senate with media reports of frightened northerners fleeing the east fearing Igbo reprisals. Then the Kano State Government released the names of some victims of the bombings, a number of whom were apparently northerners. An awkward silence followed to enable us to reflect on the farcical level of discourse in the media and in the legislature.

Some people attacked the Kano Government for releasing the names and contradicting the preferred narrative of Igbo victimhood. That a number of northerners died in the bombing seemed to have rendered it a nonevent.

Disappointed Lagos newspapers could no longer publish sensational headlines about Igbos being slaughtered in the North. Their profit projections would have to be scaled down, at least until a more handsome number of southerners or Igbos in the North are slain. Overwrought "activists" could no longer belch out threats of reprisals and market themselves as "Igbo leaders."

There was yet more buffoonery and opportunism on parade. Abia State Governor Theodore Orji who in 2011 fired non-indigenes (including Igbos) from the state's employment called on Igbos in the North to return "home" since they were not safe. As though Abia, the hot-bed of commercialized kidnapping where Orji moved from advocating capital punishment for the kidnappers to placating them with an amnesty offer is necessarily any safer for Igbos. It is unlikely that a politician that has been so brazenly prejudiced against "non-indigenes" could possibly protect the "returnees."

The corpses were still smouldering from the bombing when some opposition politicians claimed that it had been carried out by the ruling party without bothering with the inconvenience of providing a scintilla of evidence.

Some of them even used the opportunity to call on the federal government to issue an amnesty to the terrorists. To think that these

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GUEST COLUMNIST Chris Ngwodo hacks who would make political capital out of this tragedy, who could scarcely be troubled to issue condemnations of the act or condolences to the grieving, are now advertizing themselves as alternatives to the incumbent government. And this is leaving aside the fact that Boko Haram's insurgency emerged from states mainly controlled since 1999 by opposition parties.

Whatever else the terrorists are doing, it goes beyond attacking specific ethnic groups. They are striking at physical and psychological fault lines with the clear intent of expanding their murderous campaign into an all out sectarian war. But in Nigeria today, outside of churches and mosques, it is really impossible to target crowded public spaces such as markets and motor parks with total assurance that the casualties will belong to one ethnic or faith community. In Kano, is it really possible to report a terror attack in public in such exclusivist terms?

And even if this were the case, should it matter? Should the victims of terrorist attacks disclose their states of origin and their religions before we grieve their deaths? Does it matter whether the victim is named Abubakar or Nnamdi, Ejiro or Tersoo? Is it not tragedy enough that lives can be so cavalierly cut short? Can we not mourn the brazen assault on our collective humanity, close ranks in solidarity as human beings and call evil by its proper name?

The great moral demand of our time is reverence for life. It means that when a bus is blown up, the ethnic origins and faiths of the victims should matter less than the fact that this is a demonic violation of our humanity. This specie of violence is what medieval jurists called hostis generis humani - "an enemy of humanity." We should be affronted by these murders whether the casualties are Muslims or Christians, atheists or agnostics, Igbo or Kanuri. This is the ultimate barometer of our humanity. For in the final analysis, only God can verify the authenticity of our declared religious convictions; whether one is truly Muslim or Christian or neither. The only thing that we can be certain of is that we are truly human.

The only measures that can

protect us all from the predations of reprobate elites and terrorists are those that are humanist and universal. In other words, there is no way of protecting only Igbos or only Fulanis. We share the same geography and eco-system; the same perils and opportunities and indeed the same future. Only the umbrella of a state that protects all can protect each. This is why attempts to sectionalize what is a human tragedy and claim a monopoly of suffering are daft. We are all victims and casualties of this omnivorous plague of violence.

To the extent that we persist in entertaining sectarian narrowmindedness and comfortable bigotries, we will remain vulnerable to terrorism and all the plagues of our society that are not restricted in their reach by our faith or ethnicity. The October 2010 Eagle Square bombing carried out by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta killed a diverse range of Nigerians - Muslims, Christians, Southerners, Northerners, civilians, and security agents.

Terrorist attacks follow this pattern because the perpetrators seek to maximize casualties and thereby sow fear - the dread of mass deaths in sudden acts of random violence - in the public mind. They usually cannot afford to be too specific or risk sacrificing spectacular casualty figures.

This normalization of mass murder is a threat to all.

When politicians and religious leaders claim that only their people are being killed by Boko Haram to the exclusion of other victims, they are guilty of moral myopia. What they should be doing is casting the terrorists as enemies of the human race, killers of Nigerians of every creed and clan.

They should be promoting empathy and solidarity, not monopolizing grief and using it as a moral bludgeon to inflict feelings of faux guilt on fellow sufferers. But hamstrung by a lack of empathy and moral imagination, too many religious leaders and politicians have resorted to rabble-rousing that only inflames sectarian passions and offers neither moral clarity nor healing.

What motivates a selfproclaimed Jihadist to kill Christians or a self-proclaimed Christian militant to kill Muslims

is not primarily hatred for Christians or Muslims although these are factors.

It is fundamentally misanthropy - the hatred of humanity - that is at work. The difficulty is not in killing a Muslim or a Christian but in taking a human life at all. Once that threshold is crossed, all else is fair game. The hand that can slay the stranger can, and will likely also eventually, slay kindred.

Annihilating infidels is only preparation for exterminating apostates. It does not take long before those who have been raised to kill unbelievers begin to hunt believers who, in their view, do not believe accurately enough.

This explains why violent crime flourishes after the cessation of hostilities in conflict-prone locales. Those who have tasted blood as ethnic combatants will likely do so again as gangsters and brigands. Violence is addictive and the god-like power of ending a life on a whim proves irresistible. This is why youths used as political thugs by politicians eventually turn to terrorism, banditry and murder for hire. It was veterans of the Aguleri-Umuleri communal wars of the 1990s that almost sacked Onitsha and Aba in an orgy of banditry in the early 2000s. It is a generation raised in an environment that turned a blind eye to the wanton slaughter of religious minorities as infidels and the destruction of their churches and homes in chronic bouts of religious rioting in the 1980s and 1990s that has produced the anarchist terrorist group that now slays Muslims and Christians alike.

Violence tends to reproduce itself and it is this culture of misanthropic violence, no matter the cultural garments that it wears, that we must repudiate.

What we should fear even more than the psychotic malice of terrorists is the loss of empathy that desensitizes us to tragedies as long as they are happening to other people that are not kin or fellow believers. It is empathy that enables us to keenly identify with the sufferings of others. The Bantu concept of Ubuntu which tells us that we are human through other human beings speaks to the notion of empathy and collective humanity. It tells us that we do not truly exist independent of others and that what ails one will shortly ail all.

When we cease to feel the afflictions of our fellow beings, it is a sign that that we are losing our humanity; and that our society is becoming a jungle. In such conditions, no one, regardless of ethnicity or religion is truly safe.

Chris Ngwodo is reachable on www.facebook.com

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Kano office: Plot 3, Zaria Road, Opposite Kano State House of Assembly. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos. Tel: +234-09-8734478. Cell: +234 805 727 9862. e-mail: contact@peoplesdaily-online.com; pmlnewsdesk@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141