Peoples Daily Newspaper, Saturday 16, February, 2013

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VOL. 3 NO. 27 SATURDAY 16 — SUNDAY 17, FEBRUARY, 2013. . . putting the people first

RABI’UL THANI 6 - 7, 1434 AH

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Bizar re: Senior le gislative adviser set ablaze by jealous wife >>Page 2

Sac k Maina, Sack Jona than or der s onathan order ders HoS >>Page 3

Arewa Studios: Beyond policing, Walama impacts on youths to keep them from trouble

PDP rremo emo ves emov Musta pha, conf ir ms Mustapha, confir irms Adeyanju as National Auditor >>Page 2

>>Page 24

Finger prints method imper ati ve to impera tiv tac kling tackling insecurity –Comrade Erubuoye James

I do chores because my maid attends classes, says former SA to Almakura

>>Page 13

>>Page 8

Cover

Super Eagles: End of a new dawn for Nigerian football? >> Pages 9,10,11&12 WWW.PEOPLESDAILYNG.COM

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 16 — SUNDAY 17, FEBRUARY, 2013

News From Nasiru Mu'azu Isa, Kaduna

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Senior Legislative Adviser to Senator Mohammed Saleh, Mohammed Ibrahim Matazu, has died after he was doused with petrol and set ablaze by his own wife.

Saleh, a retired Major General and CPC stalwart, who is also the current Senator representing Kaduna Central has vowed to ensure that justice, is done in the matter.

Mohammed Ibrahim Matazu, who was a former staff of Radio Nigeria and Nagarta Radio Kaduna, respectively before his appointment as senior legislative officer was set ablaze by his wife following some domestic problems. The incident occurred at the family residence in Gwarimpa, Abuja.

According to the deceased's younger brother, Engineer Magaji Ibrahim, "On Wednesday last week, my elder brother called me to say he was coming to Kaduna to represent Senator Mohammed Saleh at a meeting with the NNPC in Kaduna.

Thursday morning, I saw some missed calls on my phone so I called back the number only to be informed that my brother's wife had set him ablaze."

"The caller then told me how on Thursday, around 9am my brother rushed out of his room with flames on his body as he screamed and ran around saying he was burning from the fire.

While neighbours tried to rescue him, my brother's wife came out of the house, looking for him and when she saw him she challenged him, saying "what can you do now"?

"After neighbours had doused the flames ignited by the fuel, my brother told them that it was his wife that poured petrol on his body and set him ablaze, at this point, some of the neighbours grabbed the woman and then called in the police, who took them to the station along with my brother".

He said Matazu was later rushed to Zone 3, Wuse General Hospital where he was briefly treated. But according to the doctor's report, 77 percent of his body was severely burnt, though he was speaking and discussing his plight with people.

Narrating further, he said, "Senator Saleh later met us at the hospital and advised that we use to take him to the National Hospital Garki, but by the time we arrived there, there was no bed for him to be admitted. Then we located another hospital in Gwagwalada only to be told that they were on strike. It was at this point that we begged for an ambulance to enable us take him to 44 Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna".

"When we got to 44 Army Hospital at about 10 pm they treated him but we later moved him to Giwa private specialist hospital and from there we took him to the Ahmadu Bello Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Shika, Zaria, on the advice of doctors at 44 Army Reference Hospital.

"The doctors at Shika, about seven of them did their best to

Bizarre: Senior legislative adviser set ablaze by jealous wife

Late Mohammed Ibrahim Matazu

IGP Abubakar Muhammed

stabilize him and he was actually responding to treatment at the time. He even told me that he would survive and that there was nothing to worry about. But at about 4pm on Wednesday this week, a younger brother of ours called me to say Matazu had given up the ghost. He was buried on Thursday at the Kudenda burial ground”.

Asked why she decided to end her husband's life, the wife said she poured petrol on him because he was spending more time with the first wife in Kaduna than he did with her.

first wife bore six children for the deceased.

The accused wife is currently detained at Wuse police station.

"We have nothing to say, we have left everything for the law to take its course," said Magaji.

Meanwhile, Senator Saleh, who was at the condolence venue had this to say about late Matazu, "Ibrahim Matazu was a very pleasant and friendly personality. He contributed a lot to the development of our party that is, Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and in my

By Lawrence Olaoye

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday sacked its National Auditor, Chief Bode Mustapha and confirmed Alhaji Fatai Adeyanju, both from Ogun, state, as his successor.

This is coming as the ruling party the announced the constitution of a Caretaker Committee to pilot the affairs of its Ogun State Chapter pending the conduct of the State Congresses. The 17 member committee is headed

by Barrister Ishola Filani The party in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said it took the decision as a result of a ruling by a Lagos Federal High Court which nullified the process that brought Mustapha on board the party's National Working Committee.

According to Metuh, the PDP

Members of his family however, said his frequent visits to Kaduna were as a result of his assignment by the Senator, who was digging boreholes around seven local governments in Kaduna and Matazu was required to supervise the work.

Matazu's younger brother told Peoples Daily Weekend that though he spent about five days in Abuja, before going to Kaduna, the wife continued to complain that he did not spend enough time with her even though she is the second wife and has no child with him, while the

legislative duty, he did his best to contribute to the smooth running of my office. He was actually the pillar of the office."

He continued, "This is a plain murder case and when a case of homicide like this happens, it is a case between the State and the accused. His wife who committed this heinous crime is in police detention now, and I intend to follow through to ensure that justice is done. I don't know if this is a crime that requires bail, but regardless, I will make sure the family gets justice."

PDP removes Mustapha, confirms Adeyanju as National Auditor resolved to obey the ruling in consonance with its promise to uphold the rule of law more so when the court ruling has yet to be upturned by a higher court.

The state read "Following protracted dispute on the Ogun State and south West Zonal Exco of the Party, a series of suits were filed on the matter, amongst which include FHC/L/ CS/1248/2011, FHC/L/CS/ 282/2012 and FHC/L/CS/347/ 2012 "On 2nd May 2012 the Federal High Court, Lagos in FHC/L/CS/347/2012 entered judgment in the following terms: That Chief Bode Mustapha is removed from office as the National Auditor of the Peoples Democratic Party; that

…sets Caretaker C'ttee for Ogun Alhaji Fatai Adewole Adeyanju is the validly elected National Auditor of the Peoples Democratic Party; that the Peoples Democratic Party is to rectify its records by deleting the name of Chief Bode Mustapha as National Auditor and replacing the same with Alhaji Fatai Adewole Adeyanju; that the South West Zonal Congress of the Peoples Democratic Party conducted in March 2012 is nullified; that the Executive

Committee constituted for the PDP in Ogun State at Congresses conducted by the Bashorun Dayo Soremi led harmonized Executive Committee for the Wards, Local Governments and in the State in March 2012 are valid Exco of the Party at the various levels in Ogun State and are entitled to their 4-years tenure (the State Exco list is attached herewith) and that the PDP is to organize a fresh South West Zonal Congress at which access is to be given to delegates elected at congresses conducted by or under the supervision of the Soremi-led Ogun State Executive and accept the candidacy, for offices zoned to Ogun State, of only the persons nominated at the said congresses for the said offices."

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 16 — SUNDAY 17, FEBRUARY, 2013

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News

Sack Maina, Jonathan orders HoS

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

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he controversy surrounding the refusal of Pension Reform Task Team chairman, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina to appear before the Senate took a new twist yesterday as President Goodluck Jonathan ordered the Head of Service, Isa Bello Sali to take proper disciplinary actions against Maina for absconding from duties.

This followed a report submitted to the President by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar which said all efforts to arrest Maina had proved abortive following the arrest warrant on him by the Senate.

A statement signed by Presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati, said: "Following his receipt from the Inspector-General of Police of a status report on efforts by the Nigeria Police to execute the warrant issued by the Senate for the arrest of the Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina, President Goodluck Jonathan today (yesterday) directed the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to immediately commence disciplinary action against Alhaji Maina for absconding from duty.

NGO petitions Kaduna Speaker on state budget

By Nasiru Mu'azu Isa, Kaduna

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Kaduna based nongovernmental organisation (NGO), Youth Initiative for Peaceful Development, has sent a petition to the Kaduna state Speaker on the 2013 budget in the state.

The NGO in a letter to the Speaker, said their petition is against the unfair, marginalised and uneven distribution of wealth in the three zones of the state.

The statement asserted that in the preparation of budgets as set in the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Revenue Generation Areas are to receive priority over non revenue generating areas but in the Kaduna budget, the reverse is the case.

The NGO observed that the criteria and principles of budget and statistical index record were not followed in the current draft of estimated budget.

The NGO called on the Speaker to investigate and critically look at lopsided and unfair distribution of capital projects in the budget and correct the existing errors and prepare a supplementary budget that will be fair to all the three senatorial zones.

“Section 030402 of the Federal Government’s Public Service Rules lists absence from duty without leave as an act of serious misconduct punishable by dismissal.

“The Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar stated in his report

to President Jonathan that after receiving the Senate’s warrant for the arrest of Maina, he had constituted a team of detectives under the leadership of a Deputy Inspector-General of Police to find and arrest him in compliance with the Senate’s

…as Maina’s bid to stop arrest fails

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

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mbattled chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, on Friday failed to secure a Federal High Court order to protect him from arrest and prosecution by security agents.

Joined as defendants in the motion are the Senate, the Senate President, the Clerk of the Senate, the Senate Committee on Establishment & Public Service, the Senate Committee State & Local Govt Administration, Inspector General of Police, Sen. Aloysius Etuk (chairman, Senate

Maina

Committee on Establishment & Public Service) and Sen. Kabiru Gaya (chairman, Senate Committee State & Local Govt Administration).

Justice Adamu Bello, in his ruling on the exparte motion filed

by Maina refused to stop the defendants from ordering Maina’s arrest pending the determination of a suit he filed against them before the court.

Maina had approached the court with an application seeking an order of the court to compel the defendants to maintain the status quo and not to make any move to arrest or put him on trial in any court pending the final determination of the suit he had already filed against them.

In a nine-paragraph affidavit in support of the exparte motion, Maina averred that the National Assembly members were still making moves to cause his arrest, detention and prosecution in spite of an existing legal action.

He told the court, through his counsel, Mahmud Abubakar Magaji, that his purpose of instituting the legal action against the defendants would be defeated unless the court gives order to temporarily stop his pending arrest.

Jonathan directive."

The statement continued: "The Inspector-General said that the police has since mounted surveillance at Alhaji Maina’s home and

Edo ACN chairman escapes angry mob From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

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he Edo state chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Bar. Thomas Okosun, yesterday, escaped by the whiskers when angry youths stormed the party’s secretariat

Edo Council polls: CSO urges security agencies to be on alert

By Augustine Aminu

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head of the Edo state local council elections scheduled for April, coalition of civil society organisations have urged security agencies to be on red alert before, during and after the election to avoid the breakdown of law and order.

The coalition also urged the Edo state Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) and political parties and candidates to play by the rules to ensure a free, fair and credible election.

This was contained in a statement jointly signed by

Omowole Adeshina for the Movement for Transparency and Protection of Peoples rights; Ngozi Chibue for Coalition of Civil Society on Election Observation and Priscilla Akau for Centre for Gender Rights Initiative.

The statement reads in part: “We urge all the political parties, chairmanship and councillorship candidates to conduct their campaigns in a peaceful manner devoid of violence and hooliganism We urge all the political parties to respect the principles of internal party democracy as the cornerstone of the electoral process. To this end, political parties are

enjoined to respect their constitutional and legal framework and comply with guidelines agreed upon for the conduct of party primary elections”.

The Coalitions frowned at the recently held Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) primary election for Etsako West local government chairmanship post, saying there were attempts to give an upper hand to a particular candidate during the primaries.

It therefore urged political parties to at all times create level playing field for all aspirants during primaries.

Interior minister tasks Christians on Lent

By Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

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he Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, has challenged Christians in the country to emulate the virtues of the Lord Jesus

Christ, as they observe the Lenten period.

Comrade Moro urged the Christian community world over to use the period as one for sincere penance, repentance, alms giving and self denial.

The minister also

office but has been unable to arrest him because he has gone into hiding and stayed away from both locations since the warrant was issued, leading to his publicly being declared wanted by the police”.

The IGP assured the President that “intensive search” operations were still ongoing for the arrest of Alhaji Maina and that the police will not relent until he is apprehended and produced before the Senate.

In his directive to the Head of Service, President Jonathan noted that the Inspector-General’s report clearly indicated that Alhaji Maina had absconded from his official duties.

President Jonathan directed the Head of Service to act expeditiously on the disciplinary proceedings against Alhaji Maina and report back to him on actions taken."

stressed the need for special prayers for those in authority especially for President Jonathan that the Almighty should grant him good health and a sound mind for effective, dynamic and purposeful leadership.

apparently to deal with him and other party officials.The chairman and other officers were said to have escaped from their offices through the back door leading to Akenzua Road, off Airport Road when the youths descended on the party premises at about 3pm.The official sports utility vehicle belonging to the chairman of the party and three other vehicles were smashed during the fracas which lasted for several hours and caused heavy traffic jam.It was learnt that the opposing groups who are backing different councillorship candidates ahead the April 20, 2013 local government council elections in the state found out that the names of their councillorship candidates were substituted.It was learnt that the youths became more infuriated when they learnt that the leadership of the party had ordered that the councillorship positions in Egor and Oredo local government areas of the state be shared equally among the two major factional groups in the ACN; even after the authentic councillorship candidates had emerged in their various wards following last weekend’s chairmanship and councillorship primaries.It took the intervention of battleready mobile policemen to disperse the youths when they were about burning down the party’s secretariat.

Efforts made to get the reaction of the chairman proofed abortive as he would not answer his phone.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 16— SUNDAY 17, FEBRUARY, 2013

Photo News

L-R: FCT Congress for Progressive Change (CPC)m Chairmanship Aspirant, Abdullahi Adamu , Abuja Council NUJ Chairman, Chuks Ehirim, Vice Chairman, Hon. Boma Goodhead and FCT Campaign Manager of CPC , Yakubu Francis, during a courtesy visit to FCT NUJ , recently in Abuja.

Cross section of newly Inductee Surveyors, taking their Oath, during their Induction Ceremony, recently in Abuja .

L-R: Deputy Commissiner of Police, Isa Usman Baba, presenting Police Games Touch to AIG Suleiman Abba, for the up coming police games at Port Harcourt, rencently in Abuja.

L-R: Special Assistant to the President on Inter- Party, Senator Ben Obi, Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon Rtd, and the President, Federal College of Education, Ilorin Old Students Asociation (FGCIOSA), Mr. Remi Adeseun, during the Association’s 40th Anniversary, recently in Abuja.

L-R: Country Representative, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Mr. Seki Tetsuo, Leader, Terminal Evaluation Mission JICA, Mr. Satoru Takahashi and Minister of State for Education, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike. During the Signing of Terminal Evaluation report by the National Steering Committee Meeting on.

Strengthening Mathematics and Science Education (SMASE), recently in Abuja.

Photos: Justin Imo-Owo

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 16— SUNDAY 17, FEBRUARY, 2013

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 16— SUNDAY 17, FEBRUARY, 2013

News From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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lecturer in the Department of Mass Communications, Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, Malam Adamu Muhammad, has implored journalists in the country to halt the spread of HIV/AIDS by dismissing myths and misconceptions about the disease in order to bring a change to the risky behaviour and practices among people.

Adamu made the plea while presenting a paper titled: “Reporting HIV/AIDS: Journalists as Stakeholders” during a one day-workshop for media professionals, organised by the Ministerial Action Committee against AIDS at the

Group calls on NASS to intervene in NEITI, NNPC face off

By Umar Muhammad Puma

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ivil society group, Publish What You Pay (PWYP), has called on the National Assembly to critically examine the issues raised recently in the NEITI oil and gas audit report, and indeed all audit report of NEITI with a view to holding the indicted government agencies and private entities accountable.

Briefing journalist in her office, national coordinator of PWYP, Mrs. Faith Nwadishi, said it is unfortunate that the NNPC has continually rejected all the finding of the NEITI report of oil and gas audit and several other independent reports.

She revealed that the findings of the new report indicated that the NNPC owes the Federation Account N1.3 trillion, being dividend and loan payment from the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) export business from 2009 to 2011 and further N626.43 in NLNG funds from previous years.

She stresses that nontransparent financial transactions have since been confirmed or advanced by several other independent commissions, investigations and probe reports in the oil and gas industry, which include the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee report on fuel subsidy regime and the Nuhu Ribadu-led Petroleum Revenue Task Force committee report, among others.

Lecturer urges journalists to halt the spread of HIV/AIDS through reportage BIC Plaza, Bauchi.

According to the lecturer, the infiltration of mythical propaganda of HIV/AIDS which ranges from the cultural to the religious undermines people’s choice to effectively control their lives and sexual partners as this factor has given rise to the number of infected

individuals in the country.

He said: “It is the duty of a journalist to dismiss and expose these myths about HIV/AIDS because the strong belief in them has made so many people engage in risky sexual behaviour, thereby resulting to an increase in the rate of infection. Some of the myths and

misconceptions are sleeping with a dead woman cures AIDS; HIV is spread by mosquitoes; sex with virgins cures AIDS; sex is safe as long as the partner looks strong and healthy and sex with a baby cures AIDS, amongst many other myths and misconceptions”.

Mr. Adamu stressed that since journalists are the

watchdog of the society they should strengthened the efficacy of their reportage by encouraging other stakeholders to make use of non-legacy media such as the Facebook, twitter, web blogs and SMS to further correct the misconceptions and myths people have concerning the epidemic.

Aero staff arraigned in court over N64m ticket fraud From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

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ome staff of Aero Airlines were yesterday arraigned before the Magistrate at the Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA), Lagos domestic wing for

engaging in ticket racketeering against the airline to the tune of N64 million.

A source close to the airline confided in our correspondent that the bubble burst when the newly recruited Internal

Auditor/Supervisory Officer, Mr. Mike Amu stepped on a pin code of the airline, which later proved to be a code used to perpetuate fraud by one of the staff recruited about two years ago.

Marginalisation: Group sends SOS to Jonathan

By Etuka Sunday

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sukka Zonal Citizens, Abuja yesterday wrote to President Goodluck Jonathan claiming they have been marginalised in the polity.

The group, in a letter entitled ‘Marginalisation of Enugu North in the Polity and Our Continued Silence’, dated February 6, 2013, and signed by its president, Barr Paul Eze, and

secretary Mike Uja, alleges that since 1999, the district has not produced a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

It read in part, “Enugu East produced seven ministers and ambassadors; Enugu West produced four ministers and ambassadors; Enugu North with 48% population and 52% of registered voters of the entire Enugu state did not produce any minister.”

It also alleges that the same fate plays out in the appointment of ambassadors and judges to the Federal High Court.

The letter was copied to Nsukka leaders, including the Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly; Enugu State PDP chairman, lawmakers from the zone in the National Assembly, Association of Nsukka Professionals, and business mogul Chief Sam Onyishi.

L-R: Special Assistaant to the President on Inter- Party, Senator Ben Obi, Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon Rtd, and the President, Federal College of Education, Ilorin Old Students Asociation (FGCIOSA), Mr. Remi Adeseun, during the Association 40th Anniversary, recently in Abuja.

Photo: justin Imo-Owo

The accused staff, simply identified as Michael was said to have resided in London, United Kingdom for six years before he was recruited by the airline without any security background check on him. The source told our correspondent that no fewer than nine staff of the airline were immediately rounded up by the airline’s management, but two were later left off the hook by the airline after thorough investigation.

Seven staff were supposed to appear before the Magistrate Court at the airport, but six appeared while the seventh person (female) was absent at the hearing yesterday.

One of the staff accused of the fraud was the chairman, Air Transport Senior Staff Services of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Aero Branch, Comrade Akintayo Akingbeyin, but ATSSSAN management insisted he was roped into the fraud.

The culprits were accused of five-count charges which included fraud, 5 percent ticket sales, stealing and diversion of funds.

All the six who appeared before the court were granted bail by the judge and were scheduled to reappear on the 11 March, 2013.

However, ATSSSAN said it would intervene in the ticketing racketeering allegation against some of its members.

Speaking to our correspondent, the Ag. General Secretary, ATSSSAN, Comrade Olayinka Abioye said the union had written officially to the airline’s management to ensure that justice was done on the issue, just as he said that the union would not condone any act of criminality by any of its members.

Economic development solution to insecurity – Sanusi From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri overnor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, on Friday, said the security challenges confronting various parts of the country can only be tackled when the socio-economic problems which have left many poor, are addressed.

Sanusi made the observation, while speaking at the flag off of the Financial Inclusion Strategy Pilot

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Implementation scheme for the North-east, held in Maiduguri.

The CBN governor said the present security challenges beveling the country cannot be disassociated from poor economic development.

He said trying to solve one without the other is an effort in futility and everyone needs to bring all the resources available to tackle the problem of insecurity pervading the country.

He said Nigeria cannot afford to be so obsessed with the security situation of Borno to think that the only solution is to flee the state or limit strategies to solving the challenges only without tackling what perhaps caused it in the first.

He noted that thinking that security challenges is in isolation and can be tackled in isolation is like entering a vicious cycle that would do no one any good.

Sanusi who identified poverty

and unemployment as the root cause of the Boko Haram crisis, said for the nation to have security there must be a viable economy.

He said: “There cannot be security without a viable economy, security depends on a viable economy and we cannot fix the present insecurity in the state without fixing the economy or putting the economy in the right shape.”

He stressed that: “It is viable

economy first before security”.

On Borno, he said the people and especially government and its institutions cannot continue to flee the state because of the present level of insecurity.

He however said: “We do not believe all the problem of Borno is economic but we believe strongly that if we tackle this problem we would have gone a long way to tackle the sociopolitical problem of the state, especially the issue of insecurity.”

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 16— SUNDAY 17, FEBRUARY, 2013

PAGE 17

News Sambo, PDP G84 members meet

Kaduna teachers fail Primary 4 exams

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

From Nasiru Mu’azu Isa, Kaduna

ice President Namadi Sambo, on Thursday night, met with members of G84 from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Although the presence of his Chief of Staff, Mr. Mike Oghiadhome made it seem as if he was being expected, President Goodluck Jonathan was absent at the meeting in House 7.

After the meeting which ended at about 9.40, PDP national chairman, Bamanga Tukur told State House Correspondents that the meeting was just basically convened to strategies on how to reach out.

When asked whether the meeting was in line with calls by governors to convene the National Executive Council meeting (NEC), Tukur simply said it was purely a G84.

Present at the meeting were Secretary to Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim Special Adviser to President on Political Matters, Ahmed Gulak; former Defence Minister, Mohammed Bello Haliru, among others.

survey conducted in 2010 to test the mathematics and basic literacy competence of teachers inKaduna state where they were given Primary 4 tests in Maths and Basic Literacy, resulted in only one teacher scoring 75%, 10% less than the average mark of 85% of competency to teach.

The revelation was made by the Kaduna state Commissioner for Education, Mal. Muhammad Usman, during a one day educational summit held in Kaduna with the theme “Education for All is the Responsibility of All”.

He said of the 1,050 randomly sampled teachers in 2010, nine teachers scored between 50 to 75%, 250 teachers scored between

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25-50% while the rest scored below 25% which all below the competency level.

“If teachers that should be able to perform very well could not pass a Primary 4 examination in basic literacy, then you know that we are in problem”, he declared.

The survey also tested 1,840 pupils in Basic English and Maths with pupils in Primary 2 scoring 14% and 27% respectively while pupils in primary 4 scored 13% and 17% in English and Maths respectively.

The Commissioner said the result is not surprising stating: “If the teacher who is supposed to teach is incompetent, then how can the child be able to pass basic literacy test?”.

Mal. Usman in his presentation during the summit,

said the education of a child is the major responsibility of the local government.

He said the education sector of Kaduna state has been implementing new reforms and the purpose of the summit was to acquaint local government chairmen of the reforms.

The Commissioner observed that the reforms where as a result of a survey conducted in 2009, which showed that headmasters spent 62% of their time doing things not related to education.

Chairman of Kagoro local government, Danjuma Akuso who represented all local government chairmen, warned that the educational standard has gradually deteriorated and is about to collapse!

He observed that most schools he has visited lack furniture and

L - R Minister of Environment, , Hajia Hadiza Mailafiya , Chairman , House of Representatives Committee on Climate Change , Hon. Eziuche Ubani , and a Member of the Committee , Hon. Akpan Umoh, during the presentation of the National Climate Change Policy Report by the Minister at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

NSCDC issues license to 40 private guards

By Stanley Onyekwere

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s part of its effort to protect the Nigerian economy, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) yesterday certified and issued licenses to 40 new private guard companies (PGCs), as vital part of the nation’s security system, calling for higher wages for employees in the sector.

The new PGCs which are categorised into A and B in rendering different services in the country, are expected to partner with the Corps to ensure the protection and assurance of civil public life, property and to curb criminality.

Issuing the licenses to the PGCs at the Civil Defence Academy in Abuja, the Commandant-General of the Corps, Dr. Ade Abolurin, expressed confidence that the certified PGCs with their wealth of experiences would contribute immensely to the quest to protect and move the Nigerian economy forward.

According to him, the certification of additional PGCs to the existing ones in the country is because, where other formal security operatives cannot cover effectively, the PGCs come in to fill the gaps.

“Gone are those days when people set up PGCs for the purpose of sabotaging the system or profit making ventures at the expense of the core issues of safeguarding our people and environment…” he stated.

In his remark, the Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, who was represented by Director, Paramilitary Services, Amuga K. E., urged the beneficiaries to see the grant of the license as a call to national duty and not a profit making venture.

teaching aids; and that the teachers have no incentive to put in their best.

He further observed that primary education is the most basic level and the foundation of learning for any student stating that no student will perform well without this solid foundation.

He called for emphasis on supervision so that standards are kept and teachers will pay more attention when there is supervision.

Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board, Mr. Dare Akawo at the seminar, said that it is important for local government chairmen to take interest in education, adding that the Boko Haram insurgency can be attributed to the deteriorating level of education in the society.

2013: NIMET predicts higher rainfall in Northern Nigeria

By Ibrahim Kabiru Sule & Stanley Onyekwere he Nigerian Metrological Agency Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (NIMET-SRP) in Nigeria for 2013 forecasts a higher total rainfall in the northern part of the country.

NIMET also said the rainfall pattern in most parts of the country is likely to be similar to that of 2012.

According to the report, the predicted rainfall amount for

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the year will range from about 420 mm spread over 120 days in the extreme North-east, to 2, 980 mm over a period of 290 days.

The report reveals that based on the prevailing conditions at the time of producing the forecast, the identified areas with predicted higher rate of rainfall that may exceed that of 2012, are those that fall within the catchment area of River

Niger.

Presenting the 2013 report to the public in Abuja on Friday, Director General of the agency, Dr. Anthony Anuforom, however stressed that the forecasts are statements of probability and are based on the available scientific knowledge and data, and therefore some margin of error within tolerable limits, is not unusual.

He said: “It is also

We are committed to development of UNIABUJA – VC

By Usman Shuaibu

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he vice-chancellor of the University of Abuja in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Prof. James Sunday Adelabu, has said that the authority of the institution will remain committed to the developmental needs of the university all the times.

He also said his administration had sunk 10 boreholes as well as put in place storage facilities to boost availability of potable water, adding that contracts have been awarded for the construction of a hostel block for female students.

Adelabu, who made this known while briefing newsmen at the university’s permanent site, said the university has a lot

of standby generators to augment electricity supply.

On the contentious nonaccreditation of some courses, Prof. Adelabu said plans are top gear for the accreditation of the courses.

He however alleged that there are some top management staff who have been instigating students to cause crisis in the university.

noteworthy that the conditions that determine the rainfall pattern over the cover country have become more variable due to the effects of climate change and global warming; which is a big challenge for atmospheric scientists all over the world”.

Calling on the people and all stakeholders in the country to take due advantage of the report, Anuforom, disclosed that NIMET will not relent in ensuring a regular monitoring of the trend in all parts of the country and publish any updates periodically as the rainy season progresses.

Earlier in her remark, the minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, said it is expected that the early release of the 2013 SRP will enable all stakeholders apply the information in planning and executing their activities in such a way as to reduce vulnerability to climate extremes.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 16 — SUNDAY 17, FEBRUARY, 2013

Interview

I do the chores because my maid attends classes, says former SA

Who is Hajiya Hajara Danyaro?

My name is Hajiya Danyaro Ibrahim.

Iam an indigene of Nasarawa local government area of Nasarawa state. I attended both my primary and secondary schools in Nasarawa, Kofar Kudu primary school and GSS Nasarawa. I was also at the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa where I obtained first a National Diploma and then the Higher National Diploma. Later I pursued a post graduate diploma in education at the Usman Danfodio University Sokoto, a programme ran by the National Teachers' Institute {NTI} Kaduna. Presently, Iam pursuing a Masters degree at the Nasarawa State University in Keffi.

You were lately the Special Adviser to the governor on Inter Party Relations. Before that appointment, what were you doing?

Before I became the Special Adviser to the governor of Nasarawa state on Inter Party Relations, which incidentally is the first time such office came into being, with my humble self being the first to occupy that office, I have been holding various positions in government in the past. I was the first Woman Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, then I became a state commissioner with the state electoral commission, in charge of logistics and planning department. That was also a pioneer appointment. After my tenure of 5 years, I became pioneer chairperson again at the Adult and Non Formal Education Board, where we were able to establish over 3000 centres across the state, employing 3000 instructors to man the centres. Later I became the director of women mobilisation for the Tanko Al-makura (TAAL) campaign organisation, when the present governor was vying for the office.

After his election, Governor Almakura appointed me his SA on Inter Party Relations.

What has been your source of strength so far?

My source of strength has always been Allah, the Almighty. I have always been grateful to Him and have accepted whatever He destined for me. I always put my request and prayers before God, that is my strength and I remain contented with whatsoever He gave me.

Secondly, I happen to be three in one, a full time housewife, a mother of 5 children, a politician, a woman activist and a business woman, all rolled into one.

For me, the strength has also been determination and hard work.

How are you able to combine all these and still lead a successful married life?

Iam able to do that through the grace of God and the understanding of my family, my husband and children. My husband is a civil servant and one good thing I appreciate about him is that he never interferes with my official work.

When it comes to the home front, he is the head and in control. He gives me a lot of support in my political and business activities. There was a time I was in Saudi Arabia on hajj, when a fellow pilgrim sought to know how my husband was coping, having learnt I was processing a visa to go to India from the holy land and especially being the only wife. I told him

Hajiya Hajara Danyaro Ibrahim is a politician, seasoned technocrat and an astute business woman. In this interview with our Lafia correspondent, Ali Abare Abubakar, Hajiya Hajara, a former Special Adviser to Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura, gave an insight into how she was able to navigate the terrain of civil service, politics, as well as business and still remain dedicated to her family. Excerpts: my husband is an understanding man, who knew about my busy schedules. Still out of all these, I find time for my family. Like the policy that I have at home is that from our waking moment, say from 5 a.m, when I dress the children for school, I don't attend to visitors not until about 10 a.m. By then Iam sure to be at

Hajiya Hajara Danyaro Ibrahim

the office and by 6 pm, Iam back home and to my family. Any official engagement will wait till Iam in the office the following day. So I end up spending time with my family all the time through to the time the children leave for school while I head for the office or as the case now, to run my business.

How close are you to your children?

We are very close, because like I said, I have time for my family. When Iam with my family, I don't entertain visitors. When you come to my house in the evening, you meet us together with my husband and children. We guide the children through their homework, watch television together, listen to news, hear the complaints of the children and we spend close to 5 hours before they go to bed. In the morning again, we are together till we both go our separate ways. So I have ample time to spend with my children and we are indeed so close.

perspective. Iam a type of person that lay low on things, such that even my foray into politics did not affect my business.

Even while I was a commissioner with the state electoral commission, whenever I move, there is always one item or the other to sell in my car. Even when I became Adviser, people knew I always had something to sell in the car. So politics and appointments did not stop me from conducting my business. At times when it becomes impossible for me to dispense of my wares, my children are on hand to attend to my customers or they can also buy from my shop. If there is any As is the trend among difficulty, they always contact me for a women of your status, to way out. engage the services of a On a more personal note, what maid to take care of the type of person is your husband? children, do you have He is a loving husband, an averagely a maid who takes care religious man. He is loving and caring and of your children?

I don't have problems with my marriage.

Yes, I do have one but From the vantage position of your not in the sense you are position as Adviser on Inter Party trying to make. For me, I do relations, do you think the merger more handling of my involving your party, the CPC and children than does the maid. other opposition parties will work Like in the ratio of 70:30. I have this time around? a maid but not on a permanent Merger is no longer an issue. In 2007, basis. Like now, my last baby is there was a merger though it did not work about four years out as desired. In 2011, there was also an old.

Two attempt at a merger between CPC and years ACN. So the present situation is the ago, continuation of that process. While I was when SA to the governor, I visited most of the parties that have offices in the state, where we had talks with their various state chairmen. Some of these meetings were documented; your paper was on ground to report these. So I cemented a cordial relationship between the CPC and other parties in the state. So when the issue of merger came up, there was no much difficulty in Nasarawa because we have already built a good relationship with the parties involved in the merger. The parties have been interacting with the state government and were free to take their problems before the governor who wasted no time in attending to them.

Through the coalition, political parties in Nasarawa were in tune with the merger Hajiya Hajara Danyaro Ibrahim initiative, it is clear that the arrangement will succeed this time around.

he was enrolled in school, I also included the maid and enrolled her in school. By the time the children come home after school, they proceed for their Arabic class, which the maid also attends. So you will find out most of the time, Iam the one doing the home chores. Two of my children are now adults, with the first now 23, and the second 20, all of them at the university, 400 and 300 levels respectively. They equally assist in much of the work at home.

To your business now, what nature of business are you engaged in?

I engage in clothing, from children wares to that of adults. Jewelleries, costume, etc. I have been in the business for the past 25 years. Iam an experienced business woman. Anyone seeking to become successful in any business must first be determined. Such a person should be encouraged and hard working. I don't see politics being different from business; they are all businesses in different

“

When I became Adviser, people knew I always had something to sell in the car.

So politics and appointments did not stop me from conducting my business. At times when it becomes impossible for me to dispense of my wares, my children are on hand to attend to my customers

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 16— SUNDAY 17, FEBRUARY, 2013

PAGE 9

Cover

Super Eagles: A new dawn for Nigerian football?

Yobo

Vincent

Moses

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 16— SUNDAY 17, FEBRUARY, 2013

PAGE 10

Cover

Super Eagles: A new dawn for Nigerian football?

President Goodluck Jonathan in a group Photograph with members of the Super Eagles and Officials during the reception held for the Super Eagles at the State House Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye.

By Patrick Andrew rom the onset, the teeming Nigerian soccer fans were high in hope but low in expectation.

Palpable reasons exist for their fears and concerns. The Eagles left little to believe in their capacity to win the Africa Cup of Nations. For one, the team is a work in progress having undergone an overhaul in technical crew and players, barely months before the finals.

Stephen Okechukwu Keshi had been handed the rein in place of sacked Samson Siasia, who had failed to qualify Nigeria for the immediate past edition of the continental showpiece jointly hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

Keshi, in spite of not having the luxury of time, chose not just to re-jig the bunch, but to rebuild a squad from the ashes of the disbanded troop using the often maligned and discredited domestic league players as the nucleus.

Gradually, the bunch began to take shape. They trudged on with occasional flashes of brilliance but largely annoying display of crude, cruel and raw talent that needed burnishing. Patience was needed and Keshi had the patience of a vulture. That

F

though was clearly off the bargain list of the Nigeria Football Federation, so naturally anxious care sets in.

The football federation seethed, spurned Keshi's insistence on deploying the services of local players in the prosecution of the in-coming battles in the 2013 Nations Cup as well as the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaigns.

Veiled concerns assumed blaring posture as the body language of the officials of the football federation gave clear signals of doubt in the 'work in progress' being undertaken by Keshi. Even some notable exinternationals and coaches saw no good in persevering with the locals in the Nations Cup qualifiers. But the technical crew remained adamant especially following the inability of some so-called battle-tested stars' to replicate famed form and depth in Namibia.

Albeit the road to qualification was less torturous devoid of recurrent permutations as had been the experience in recent years, it was nonetheless rough as the Eagles secured the berth at the 29th Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa in bated breath.

The squad of 23 players

dominated by 17 fledglings who had never tested the brand and brawl of the Nations Cup fiesta had been bestowed on the responsibility of prosecuting the tournament at the expense of their battle-tested colleagues, who Stephen Keshi found out of fashion with the yearnings of the new dispensation.

Pre-tournament friendly matches against Peru, Catalunya, Cape Verde rekindled previous doubts and left little to cheer going into the Nations Cup. Still, caught by the fever and nuances of the fiesta, fans soared in hope and expectation.

That soon dissipated. True, a vastly improved Super Eagles; elegant in posture and zest traded tackles with the Stallions of Burkina Faso in the Group C opening game in Nelspruit, South Africa, yet their gullibility and loose exuberance lent the noose to hang them. And Alain Traore did.

Then came the Chipolopolo of Zambia, the defending champions, one team whose manager Renard Herves so much taunted the Eagles that it could be taken for granted that beating the Nigerians was a foregone conclusion. They did

not.

However, rather than step up performance, the Eagles depreciated in ardour, purposeful drive and tactical organization with the resultant unrestraint public outburst and outcry against their apparent lacklustre display.

Fears and condemnation blended together and officials' muted complaint turned blaring angst against Keshi.

Persisting fears of early exit prompted emergency board meeting of the NFF. Subsequently, Keshi was summoned and persuaded to accept the assistance of a foreign technical adviser. He stoutly turned it down.

Further, the NFF technical Committee stepped in and reminded Keshi of their illustrious role: to give technical assistance, notwithstanding that most members would hardly differentiate between zonal and man-to-man marking, and differences in tactical plots.

That responsibility also includes recommending for hire and fire of whoever its members felt merits such treatment.

They insisted that Keshi must change formation and tactics in subsequent game or

be hauled out and off the saddle.

There and then, Keshi offered to resign if the officials were uncomfortable with his tactics and formation.

The Eagles'belaboured victory over the Walyas Antelopes of Ethiopia in the final group match did little to pep up confidence and hope.

True, the Eagles had berthed in the quarter-finals but they had fluttered and spluttered with cogged wings.

Matters were not helped that their next opponents were tournament's top favouritesthe Elephants of Cote d' Ivoire.

Then came another summon from the NFF' technical committee to Keshi. Lose and be sacked was the summation of the two hours meeting.

And as was the case on October 7, 2011 when Nigeria played Guinea in the final qualifying game of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, the football federation were alleged to have contacted a foreign technical manager who on the stance to watch the Eagles take on the Elephants. Recall that Keshi himself was contacted to

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take over from Siasia barely hours after the game ended 22.

Keshi gave hint of his insight into the plots of the NFF to replace him after failing to force his hands on some players and on tactical formation. "I may or may not be the head coach of the Super Eagles after his tournament. In fact, you could be called upon to take up the job," he said to a Sports Journalist at the media tribune after the Eagles' c o m p r e h e n s i v e l y overwhelmed the favouritesElephants.

The result alone, the classic display, character and delectable manner the players upped the ante to dominate and dispatched the battle-tested, vastly experienced legions from Ivory Coast won new converts and admirers. The samba display, composure, tactical discipline were completely something alien, hitherto not associated with the team.

The steam was sustained against Mali and finally a rematch with the Stallions and the rest as they say is history.

Yes, history, as Keshi became the second player after Mohammed El Gohary who as player won the trophy and returned as coach in 1998 to lift the trophy again. Keshi, captained the Super Eagles to lift the trophy in Tunisia in 1994 and returned as coach 19 years later to the podium to be decorated as the African Champions.

Suddenly, a nation of passionate soccer devotees went up in wide jubilation. It was celebration galore, corporate

Augustine Egwuavon

Super Eagles: A new dawn for Nigerian football?

Coach Stephen Keshi

Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi interests, individuals and the governments: both state and federal awaken to and identified with the grand success.

The nation was in happy mood. Sadly, that euphoria was not to last long, it was punctured. The source of joy soon turned sour as gleeful, cheering crowd was delivered a sucker punch: Stephen Keshi has resigned as Super Eagles coach.

Keshi himself delivered the

shocker. He resigned because of the "insensitivity of the Nigeria Football Federation, who had repeatedly threatened him with sack," he told closed associates in South Africa.

Later he issued a statement.

"I have resigned my appointment as the Head Coach of Super Eagles of Nigeria.

While I have had cause to express my displeasure over some issues that happened in the course of our participation in the AFCON 2013, which my team won by the grace of God, especially concerning my relationship with the Nigerian Football Federation."

What were the issues?

Keshi had alleged insensitivity on the part of the Nigeria Football Federation. He buttressed his position by adducing persistent interference in job in the guise of supervision. That may be true because some officials of the executive committee particularly and curiously enough some members of the technical committee are known to be stoutly opposed to Keshi's use of domestic league players.

Yes, there are few instances that the domestic league players had disappointed, though Keshi kept faith with them.

Some technical committee members had never hidden their discomfort with Keshi's continued use of local players throughout the prosecution of the qualifiers.

Even notable coaches including former national teams' coaches had doubted the usefulness of the locals beyond being seen as training

materials. The result was at every point in time they were made the scapegoats even in instances where they excelled.

In Namibia where the established players like John Utaka, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Joseph Yobo and others were a shadow of themselves, even as the locals rescued the Eagles with scintillating performance.

It was similar in Blantyre, where the Rueben Gabriel, Godfrey Oboabana, Azubuike Egwueke twinkled only for Vincent Enyeama to spoil the party yet blamed the locals players.

Keshi promptly shouted him down and patted the locals on the back.

Another issue of concern to Keshi was bringing foreign technical advisers to breathe down his neck. According to '"Big Boss' the technical committee persistently threatened him with sack thereby created psychological discomfiture in his technical crew and even the team."

In Durban, sources say officials had attempted to force the hand of Keshi by insisting that he must accept outside help.

Keshi was to confirm this to the Senate President on arrival in Nigeria. David Mark had sought to speak to Keshi through one of his backroom staff at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. The latter, who had been in the system before Keshi joined the crew, handed over the handset to Keshi to speak to Mark.

Of course, for more than five minutes Keshi was blunt.

Firstly, he blurted out. Your Excellency, "‌.

(Names withheld) did not allow me to work in South Africa. He has been breathing hot air over my neck. He has repeatedly threatened me with sack if I don't accept a foreign technical adviser," he said.

Keshi told Mark that a

leading member of the technical committee, who is never known to have played football as a career, and had made a bad example of managing a club and state football federation, was the arrowhead of those attempting to impose the wish of a foreign manager on him.

The Senate President was to confirm this when during plenary he openly condemned the desperation for the recruitment of a foreign technical manager.

He pointedly told the NFF to dismiss the idea of another foreign coach for the Super Eagles and was overwhelmingly and unanimously applauded by other Senators.

As a hint to the pressure mounted on him to accept a foreign coach, Keshi had during the post-match conference after the Mali game "I don't mind working with a white coach, and I have worked with them throughout my career, as long as I learn something from them. But do not bring a carpenter or a mediocre coach here and say they are coaches. They are degrading African football," said Keshi.

Further stirring the hornet nests he made strong case for indigenous coaches thus: "We have capable ex-players who can do the job but because of their skin colour they are prejudiced and this is not correct. I don't like it."

"Big Boss" also highlighted that some officials disdain for domestic league players while mouthing support for the rebuilding process with local league players as the nucleus.

He sighted instances where certain clearly out- of- form

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foreign-based players, some lacking discipline and sense of patriotism were foist on him and how he strongly resisted and was later persecuted for standing his ground especially the team seems not to gel.

According to a dependable source, who had been privy to the airport discussion with Mark, Keshi laid bare the sins of corporate NFF vis-a- vis failure to meet basic logistics as contained in his contract with the federation.

Mark pleaded with him to forget the apparent deliberate efforts to frustrate and sack him but in the Nigerian people, who loved and appreciate him to forge ahead in his good work.

That was on Tuesday afternoon.

Why the NFF and NSC were desperate over Keshi Firstly, the Nigeria Football Federation was desperate to achieve something. No, not for posterity and the good of the nation, it was essentially to ensure that no question was asked about how the N1.4 billion appropriated for the Eagles' preparation and participation in the fiesta had been expended.

The football federation as usual was in a drunken spree in its disbursement of the funds.

All manners of committees were set with hangers on without definable functions accommodated.

Naturally, early exit would have prompted questions on how funds were disbursed. Till date, similar questions have remained dominant in the case involving the last administration's disbursement of the billions of Naira appropriated for the 2010 World Cup. Yes, a jamboree of a sort had proceeded to South Africa, mostly elements wholly dependent on the largess from the football federation. Of course, the federation won't spurn unnecessary leeches, the members delight in them, people to tickle their ears with sweet nonsense.

The National Sports Commission equally plays the hypocrite. Why did the commission have N250 million fallout from the tournament?

Like the NFF, they too could come under close scrutiny. So, the leadership quickly sought to play the Daniel come to Zion by presumably stepping in to appease and negotiate with Keshi to rescind his resignation.

Like the Zebra that hardly changes its spots, the same leadership was to shamelessly declare that Keshi 'never resigned' that what was in the media was the figment of the imagination of the Nigerian media.

Had Keshi's resignation originated from any local media, of course the NSC would have chosen to play the ostrich as usual. But Keshi had chosen

Super Eagles: A new dawn for Nigerian football?

L-R: Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Sport, Hon. Godfrey Gaiya , Deputy Speaker , House of Representatives , Hon. Emeka Ihedioha , Super Eagles Coach, Mr. Stephen Keshi , Hon. Bimbo Daramola , and Deputy Minority Leader of the House , Hon. Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila , during the special session with the Super Eagles, African Soccer Champions of the 2013 Nation Cup, at the National Assembly in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa the time and spot with the deft and tact of an old warrior.

Ironically, one recalls that the leadership of the commission had summoned and directed the NFF to tolerate non stumbling block in the quest to wrestle the Nations Cup from Zambia in South Africa.

Specifically, while threatening to re-deploy all sports federations' secretaries for being redundant- a threat that remains mere wishful thinking till datethe commission had instructed the NFF to sack Keshi if he is perceives in any way to be the hedge on their path to fulfill President Goodluck Jonathan's to sip from the prestigious AFCON trophy.

And that was the weapon to be dangled menacingly before

Aminu Maigari

Keshi whenever the football federation wishes to exact a prize from the former Togo and Mali manager. Besides, the Sports Minister, whose reign has assumed a perfect semblance with his predecessors' in acts and performance, needed to protect his job.

Breaking the yoke on indigenous coaches The weight had been excruciating and the burden hunchback inducing.

Imposition of mediocre and carpenters in the name of foreign coaches had been the recurrent refrain. Seldom are they truly allowed to operate with the necessary logistics needed to function at their duty posts.

Yet they are expected to magically produce water from

flinty rocks, failure which they are humiliated and crucified.

Take the matter of simple contractual agreement on monthly remunerations and allowances.

Whereas indigenous coaches are often owed and not expected to ask, their counterparts are promptly paid and sometimes upfront as was the case with Berti Vogt.

Sadly, Vogts proved worst than the indigenous coaches in the character of the 2008 Super Eagles that he cultivated and result egged out in Ghana.

In fact, in the end one wonders why Austin Eguavoen was relieved of the job in the first instance.

Before him, there had been Christian Chukwu and Shuaibu Amodu. Till date both coaches are still being owed their salaries and allowances.

Not so Lars Lagerback, who got paid for doing nothing in South Africa. Was that the Eagles' worst performance in living memory? Available statistics proves that it's no mere conjecture.

Samson Siasia bargained hard and got N3m as salary.

No, it was not choice but the embattled executive committee needed credibility and Siasia provided just that.

However, the same elements in the technical committee worked in tangent with him and were too ready to change him at first slip from the stance.

The excuse was plausible Siasia had a contract that spelt out terms and was a failure because he couldn't qualify the nation to the AFCON, not to talk of getting to the semifinals. He got booted out ignominiously as were other indigenous coaches in the cadet

teams while the technical committee that spoon-fed them remained intact.

This disgraceful treatment of the indigenous coaches may have changed. Keshi has seen to it. His victory in South Africa against all odds projected and placed on his path by hapless or rather accidental football administrators may have evaporated into the thin air.

Like his mentor, Clemence Westerhof, who had direct access to the Presidency and thus got whatever was essential to patiently build a team that matured some five years after, Keshi may have broken the jinx on indigenous coaches.

They will now be heard and seen and bestowed with due honour. Now, Keshi can call the bluffs of thick-headed elements always out to thwart shrewd advancement while pretending to wear the toga of progress.

It was a coup d' etat and the spoils abound for all to share.

Most importantly, it seems a new dawn for Nigerian football, coaches, domestic league players, who henceforth are to be accorded their rightful places in the national teams. The leadership of the football federation will no longer globe-trot the nooks and crannies in search of foreignbased U-15, U-17, U-20 and others.

Also, corporate organizations that have over the years delighted more in ambush marketing and promotional identification rather than outright sponsorship may see the new light and awaken to the breath of fresh air in the new dawn that is bound to alter the complexion of Nigerian football for long time to come.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 16— SUNDAY 17, FEBRUARY, 2013

PAGE 13

Interview Finger Prints method imperative to avert insecurity, says Erebuoye COMRADE EREBUOYE JAMES is the Coordinator of the Concerned Nigerian Network in the Diaspora, Vienna, Austria. In this interaction with, Muhammad Nasir and Ibrahim Kabiru Sule, he argues that finger prints should be introduced in Nigeria, no matter the cost to tackle insecurity. He also describes the current scarcity of fuel bedeviling the country as saboteur, adding that there is nothing like scarcity of fuel in Nigeria.

Excerpts:

A

s the coordinator of Nigerians in the Diaspora, can you tell us how that position affects Nigerians positively?

It affects Nigerians a lot because in that position, I work in collaboration with the Nigerian Embassies to make sure the welfare of Nigerians in the Diaspora is well protected. Also as an activist, I make sure that Nigerians trust me and my office including the Nigerian embassies because they know that am always there for their rights and I study their language (Deutsche) to follow their laws particularly in Austria and Germany.

Many Nigerians are said to be unjustly treated abroad; some languishing in prisons and others racially abused. How has your organization been helpful to alleviate their plight?

I must tell you that in my earlier living in Europe, I generated a lot of money from my music writing. I discovered that most Nigerians in the Diaspora need my help. I invested into Music to help Nigerians abroad. Some Nigerians in the Diaspora are victims of racism and sexual abuse.

Also, through their gay practices they abused young boys. I tried my best to bring cases to the European high court to make sure I get justice for Nigerians abroad who feel nobody cares for them.

Recently, your organization was quoted to have taken active part in politics especially the actualization of President Jonathan's transformation drive. What role did it play?

As anti-corruption activists, I never have anything to do with politics in my life. But in the other way round, the only way we can help youth who are suffering in this era of racism is to get a good leadership back in Nigeria and it's the only way out. Seeing the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan and listening to his speech aired earlier in 2010, we got the zeal to work and to make sure he became the President of Nigeria in 2011.So, the only thing we do then is 'no President Goodluck, no Nigeria' and the rally started in December, 2010 all over Europe, all over Diaspora. So, that was a personal sponsor to make sure that we get the right government in Nigeria back home.

We also made sure that those in the Diaspora came back to Nigeria to observe the election. We were so happy that it was the first time election was conducted in Nigeria without loss of lives.

Do Nigerians in Diaspora have voting rights?

Comrade Erebuoye James No.There are over fifty million Nigerians in Diaspora and most of them have a lot to contribute in Nigeria because we have a lot of engineers and experts living in abroad which I think they are needed back home. That's why we are fighting for Nigerians to be giving the right to vote in the Diaspora. Apart from that, I think we have a lot of role to play in Nigeria; it's our home. We have no other place to call our home. I believe others living abroad move out of the country out of frustration because back then, you know how Nigeria used to be.

Thank God Nigeria is developing fast.

How do you rate President Jonathan's Transformation Agenda, the performance of ministries, parastatals and agencies to date taking into cognizance the poor state of Nigerian roads?

For me, very good because I see Jonathan as a very quiet operator, not a noise maker doing the right thing at the right time, taking Nigerians to the journey of democracy, practicing exactly what democracy is meant to be not by force but by understanding. Bringing people together and make sure he implement the right thing and

make sure people follow it right.

Jonathan is doing very well if you access the Nigerian road during the December period because the road maintenance agency did a lot during the zero-potholes exercise. That's a very good evidence to say that Nigeria is moving forward.Talking about power, it's not something you can just get one day in the country.

There are areas I expect the minister of power should look into.

Also, Nigerians abuse the use of electricity; I don't think we will be able to manage the situation. In Europe where we live, you switch on the light when there is need for it, when you do not need it, you switch it off. But Nigeria is a place where light is used from morning till night, 24hrs. Mind you all these things run the current and at the end of the day, people will not be able to pay their bills. Not paying bills is big problem.

Nigeria is a place where people have to be educated from the grass root on how to use electricity, not only to provide electricity.

President Goodluck Jonathan has been tagged as a weak leader, and some of his lieutenants have been accuse as nonperformance as well, mostly the Niger-Delta, Police Affairs and the works

ministry. What is your take on this?

I disagree; he is not a weak leader. Just like I have said earlier, President Jonathan is a quite operator who is doing everything to get it right in the normal way as it's supposed to be. We are not in the military regime that uses force. In democracy, you take things easily. I also give credits to the Nigeria police; if Nigeria will embrace the police and the military and see them as their own brothers and work together, I think they will perform better.

For example, for the first time Nigerians came out and support the super Eagles and they came out victorious. So, if Nigerians support President Goodluck Jonathan the way they support the Super Eagles, he will deliver.

If you were to be given the opportunity to suggest ways of improving security in the Nation especially the spate of killings, what would you have done to solve this problem?

In the area of security, there are areas I will like to look into.

First, we have to look into how to make use of the right equipment.

In Europe, it's very difficult to commit crime, while in Nigeria somebody can commit crime in Abuja and go to Imo to commit

another crime and people in that state will not know who is coming to live with them. If you commit a crime in Vienna and you move to Hamburg, which is a country in Germany, before you live in Hamburg for one month, they will detect you. Using finger prints they will know that you have committed a crime in a particular time and date. But here in Nigeria, those things are not functioning.

If I were to tell you the first thing to do to tackle the insecurity problem in Nigeria is to introduce finger prints, no matter the cost, as long as that is done, we should be talking about perfect security in Nigeria. Without that, I don't think there is a way out.

Do you think Nigeria is ripe for improved rail way transportation? Give few insights on how to end fuel scarcity and unemployment bedeviling the teeming youth in Nigeria.

There is need to encourage the youths to go into farming; farming is very important even here in Africa. In Africa, people are not empowered enough and they are suffering, so nobody wants to be a farmer. In Europe, farmers are the richest; they drove the best cars and live in the best house. Another problem among the youths is unemployment. It will continue if the right people are not placed in the right place. When the right people are there, one man can create an avenue for hundred people to be employed. A lot need to be done in that area so that it will be able to reduce crime in the country.

The local engineers have to be given what they practice. When you said foreigners, yes but the local engineers need to be given more opportunities because they are the first people to know the problem in the grass roots. The foreigner you are bringing from Germany to the grassroots will not know what to do.

For example, look at the flood that almost consumed Nigerians recently, such local engineers if giving the opportunity to create local dams to practice what they have learnt and given assistance they wanted, they will perform better than the foreigners. I think there is need to give opportunities to our local engineers that will create employment to our people because he will carry Nigerian s alongIn the case of fuel scarcity, it's a sabotour. I do not think there is anything like fuel scarcity in Nigeria.

When you say fuel scarcity and the price they sell in Nigeria and compare with the price they sell in Germany, the selling price is almost the same. For over 24 years, I have never seen fuel scarcity in Europe. So Nigerians should not abuse whatever they have, that is the most important thing and sure way to solve the problem.

PAGE 14

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 16 — SUNDAY 17, JANUARY, 2013

Vox Pop Valentine Day: Refreshing views of love/lust Though Valentine Day has come and gone, some views about love is refreshingly apt. For instance, Law Mefor says the original meaning of love instituted by St. Valentine by his heroic deed has been replaced by lust, thus unprecedented immorality is now feeding on its ruins and spreading tears and sorrow. For a culture relativist, Jaafar S. Jaafar, the Day has no meaning, this and many more opinions of people in this Vox Pop. Augustine Aminu brings you the excerpt

Law Mefor, author and forensic psychologist

D

eriving from St. Valentine’s desire to side with love by marrying off young couples against the orders of the king of Rome in the Middle Ages, and consequently paying with his life, Valentine’s Day has indeed risen to World’s Love Day! Yet, celebrating love is a great thing only if the meaning and thinking of the celebrants is right and this is where the worry lies. What is celebrated in Nigeria, nay the world today may well be lust and therefore far from love. For a proof, there was protest in Indonesia against 14 th , February viewed by the people as World Fornication Day! A day before Val’s day was World Condom Day, but if you ask me, I believe February 14, would have been most apt for it.

I say so because my friends in the medical fields are confirming that sexual activities, usually unprecedented, more than triple on February 14, calculated from the packs of condom sold off, number of abortions that arise

from those who don’t care about unprotected sex, unwanted pregnancies and deliveries of babies in 7 or 9 months after Val’s Day. It is therefore evident that the original meaning of love instituted by St. Valentine by his heroic deed has been replaced by lust, thus unprecedented immorality is now feeding on its ruins and spreading tears and sorrow.

Socially, 14th, Feb. should be a day to renew commitment to genuine relationships and not the day to hide and indulge in carnal rascality. It is the day to sit out and gaze in your partner’s eyes, over whatever you can afford (it doesn’t matter if it is ‘mama put’ or bonce and coke!) and say; ‘I love you’, especially if you have not said so in a long while.

I personally see love itself as living for other people; unselfishly and unconditionally helping others, especially the weak ones to feel strong and become their best selves.

For people truly committed to each other, Valentine Day should not be such a big deal. May be the gift, and ‘point ‘n’ kill’ (snake pepper soup) or ice cream in the case of Ajebos, may add glamour or pep to it. But love made on 14th Feb. will have no other reason to be so different except it offers the opportunity for that to happen for the first time and that is often the case.

I don’t mean to dampen the spirit of people who celebrate Valentine Day, but to call attention to the real issues in the celebrations. On Valentine Day people should spread the love, not the legs.

Kanayo Jubal

J Aisha Suleiman, media practitioner in Abuja

F

or me, it's a time for rekindling the flame between couples or finding new love. Valentine comes once in a year, it's better to make the best of it while it lasts.

Jaafar S. Jaafar, journalist

V

alentine Day means nothing to me. It is just like any other day. But as a culture relativist, I respect the views of those who consider the Day as special. I wish them the happiness and the love they believe the Day bears.

ust like everything on earth, Valentine's Day was named to honour the memory of the charitable monk who shared all he had with those who had none. Down the line, it has been abused, just like everything else.

To me, it is an opportunity to show love to the best of your ability...not to those of your household, because you see them always, but to people who are not accustomed to acts of love.

Besides, it is supposed to be a time to reminisce about how much you love those around you; and wonder..."if everyone were like me, will the world be worth living in?"

John Ebriku computer analyst

F

Hassan Yusuf, civil servant

I

t means time to share or extend our hand of love to the less privilege, motherless, orphans and to our family and friends, there is no specific time to show love, it should be always,

Aminu Jes

Adamu AAgite, lecturer Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa

T

o me Valentine is just like any other day...I don't see any reason for setting aside a special day to celebrate love.

Love should be celebrated every

day. Love is the soul that is shared by individuals, shared by two individuals. Valentine has no basis in Islam. Engaging in Valentine's Day celebration is not a teaching of Islam. Like I said earlier celebrating/sharing love should be an everyday affair not on a special day.

W

ell, for me it means a moment of reflection.

Seeing areas I have failed to love genuinely and then making amends. It's a moment where I reflect on the value of the human person. Reflecting on areas where I took advantage and misconceived the idea of Love.

Okeke Happyok

I

t was a period to show love and care to people around him or her and should be an everyday thing.

Friday,

or me it reminds me of the ultimate sacrifice for love sake. God showed His love to humanity through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary, which has led to the salvation of those who believe and accept it. St Valentine also demonstrated it. It is our turn to follow suit by showing some bit of love and kindness to those in need.

I mean practically doing something remarkable with lasting impact in the lives of others. In my case I got something special for my wife. I believe in love and the best way to show it is to say it and act it. My neighbours here are feeling the impact of my little way of telling them that love heals the hurting heart and is health to the soul. It is not all about some sexual escapade as some out there think. I challenge our leaders to use Valentine Day, to make the people feel their impact; it will leave an indelible impression in their minds.

PAGE 15

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 16 — SUNDAY 17, FEBRUARY, 2013

Feature

How indecent dressing denigrates society

By Christiana Popoola and Zainab Yahaya Kandi

A

n adage says "Dress the way you want to be addressed" which means that the way one dresses speaks a lot about the person.

Indecent dressing is an abnormal way of dressing which shock or offend people. That is, the act of dressing that exposes some of the vital part of the body usually sexual organs that should be covered.

There has been a major controversy over the issue of indecent dressing across the globe.

Some see the laws against indecent dressing as the violation of human rights especially the rights of women because the issue of indecent dressing centre's mostly on the female gender Guys also dress indecently when their boxers show above their trousers or there is no underwear and yet their trousers just barely hang on to their waists all in the name of sagging.

Every country formulates laws that guide the smooth operation of their society. In formulating or legislating laws in any society, the difficulty has always arisen as to whether the government or legislating authority has the power to legislate on issues that should be considered within the personal or private realm of the individual.

The general question here is that, can the government or legislating authority deliberate on issues individuals consider as private or personal. One of such issues is the issue of dressing.

There is also the possibility of law enforcement officers abusing this duty and using it as an opportunity to sexually harass women as exemplified by some universities whose security officers even go as far as physically assaulting girls whose trousers are not full length and wear sleeveless blouses.

The law against indecent dressing has been welcomed by some and kicked against by others which have a lot of effect on the young generation This is why so many human rights organizations and civil society groups are resisting the

passage of the bill on indecent dressing. It is obvious then that to effectively stem the tide of indecent dressing, a change in the mindset of the individual should be emphasized rather than coercion. The co-operation of all with good intentions Nigerians is also necessary It is realistic that, the seeming moral laxity of the Nigerian youth is simply a reflection of the moral bankruptcy of our various families and the society at large.

The celebrities that most youth imitate would never dress half naked to a press conference or a live talk show the way youth dress to lectures or religious places.

People tend to wear smaller dresses that look good on their friends who are smaller than them, than wearing what suit their body size.

Understand that when you keep your sacred parts sacred, you tell the world that you respect yourself and can achieve your dreams through hard work and perseverance and not by flaunting your 'assets'.

What makes human beings superior to other mammals in the evolution process is our sense of

An indecently dressed lady dressing particularly among women, was contributing to incidence of rape in a society.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Alhaji Bello Ozigi, lamented that, "it is now a common sight to see youths either shabbily or offensively dressed on the street, where sensitive parts of the body are

“

Understand that when you keep your sacred parts sacred, you tell the world that you respect yourself and can achieve your dreams through hard work and perseverance and not by flaunting your 'assets'. reasoning which must determine what the youth must put on and not fashion.

As it was reported last week, a secondary school teacher Mrs Uduak Udoh advised every one to be involved in the battle against indecent dressing, said:"it will degenerate if not quickly checked.

"This trend, which we think is fashionable, will lead us to a state of Sodom and Gomorrah' if it is not checked the time to check it is now", she said.

She added that, indecent

exposed, this is 'un-Nigerian and serious affront on our sense of morality and decency."

According to him, "Most irritating is the prevailing trend among our youths who expose themselves, clad in dresses that reveal the essentials: boobs, buttocks, backs and hips The common sights on our street are boys and girls wearing skirts or trousers falling from their buttocks and they call it sagging."

In Nigeria, the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2007 passed

a law against indecent dressing.

The press and the public condemned the massive arrest of girls and women by the police on the streets of Lagos over what was termed as indecent dressing which resulted in victims illegally detained, allegedly raped and their money extorted. The law was eventually scraped.

The question that comes to mind is, what constitutes indecent dressing or how can one define indecent dressing, is there any universal agreement on what indecent dressing is? This depends largely on one's orientation and religion. For example in Malaysia, Muslim women are to cover up to their ankle and non-Muslims should dress decently.

There was also controversy over a bill that was brought to the floor of the Senate in 2008 on indecent dressing. This bill was presented by Senator Eme Ufot Ekaete the committee chairperson on women and youths titled "An Act to Prohibit and Punish Public Nudity, Sexual Intimidation, and Related Offences" carrying a jail term of six months. This bill drew a lot of comments from NonGovernmental Organizations (NGOs), many pressure groups and Nigerians that were out to shoot down the bill.

The Senator spoke to the press, noting that indecent dressing among Nigerians has continued to promote all manner of vices in the society; she claimed that the

bill she was proposing would address indecency and immorality and she aims to preserve cultural norms and values.

Stakeholders in the cultural sector have identified indecent exposure of the body, especially amongst the youths as one of the causes of the incessant cases of rape and sexual harassments across the country.

How can one tackle this menace without trampling on the fundamental human rights of the religion, culture, etc, thus making what is acceptable to you not acceptable to another.

Things should not continue this way; it must be checked or may have people of no shame and chaotic environment where everything looks unserious.

The issue of indecent dressing should be addressed in homes, private and faith based institutions.

Let us try and promote our cultural dressing and from there improve on ourselves, youths are leaders of tomorrow; as futures leaders, the youth should engage in useful things to ensure a great future if young people can use their time wisely and live purposeful lives, future will be better.

Appearance shows the manner, who can tell the kind of homes this ladies comes from, Sagging pants without any underwear, why would someone in their rightful sense of mind do this?

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 16 — SUNDAY 17, FEBRUARY, 2013

Tourism

Calabar, a tourist's haven C

a l a b a r is the capital city of Cross River State in South-South Nigeria. It is a charming and quite peaceful city which is set on a natural hill overlooking the Calabar River.

Calabar was established as a center of slave trade by the British in 17th century. It became the biggest colonial administration in Nigeria in the 18th, 19th and early part of the 20th centuries. At the end of slave Trade, the city was a major port for Palm Oil trade and commodities exports and imports from the South East of Nigeria. It became the Capital of Niger Coast Protectorate and later the Southern Protectorate capital of Nigeria. The city is a major center of tourism in Nigeria. The Calabar Carnival is the largest street cultural festival in Africa. The Carnival holds in December every year and attracts thousands of visitors and guests from all parts of the world.

Other attractions include the Slave Museum, Calabar Free Trade Zone, Tinapa Business and Tourist Resort, Cultural and Civic Center, Peace Park, Calabar Port and University Campuses amongst others. The city is a few hours' drive to the Obudu Ranch Resort which had hosted many Presidential Retreats and conferences in the past.

There is an airport which has connecting flights to other major cities in Nigeria. Calabar is a distance of about one hour from Lagos by plane. It is about 25 minutes from Port Harcourt and has an International Airport Margaret Ekpo International Airport.

Calabar is 1 hour flight from Lagos and a 4 hour drive from Port Harcourt. Also the major airlines in the country have their presence felt in Calabar and have flights to and from major cities in the country; they include: Virgin Nigeria, Arik Air and Aero Contractors. Their flight schedules can easily be found at their respective websites. Don't forget visas!

By boat There is also a regular boat service from various parts of Cameroon's coastline which transports vehicles and people. You can actually get Cameroonian visas on the boat which can save you a lot of time. However, you can use Calabar as a base before transferring into Cameroon by road slightly further north.

By car

Oban Hills

There are several Car Transportation services into Calabar from all parts of Nigeria including the Major Cities of Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Yola.

They include ABC Transport, The Young Shall Grow, Elim Tours Etc The local authorities have made a great effort to make the streets safe by enlarging them, removing potholes, and adding stripes between lanes. Local taxis are not advisable as the cars are very old and quite often the drivers are not particularly experienced.

As long as you are careful Calabar is quite safe.

There is a lot of Colonial Architecture in the older parts of Calabar that are around Henshaw Town, Duke Town and the waterfront areas.

Duke Town church is one of the oldest churches in Nigeria. It was established by the Presbyterian Church missionaries. By Eyamba Street just past the church there is a cemetery with stunning views over the town and river. Inside the cemetery is the tomb of Mary Slessor, a missionary from Dundee in Scotland UK who stopped the killing of twins in the east and southern parts of Nigeria.

Calabar Museum, on the hill overlooking the waterfront, in the Old Government House, the former residence of the colonial governor. The building was designed and built in Glasgow and shipped over in pieces. The museum concentrates on the history of Calabar, the region and slavery. It has a larger quantity of original documents relating to Nigeria. Tourists can easily get a guided tour from one of the staff.

Interested persons could spend three hours there and barely touch the surface of the material.

There are a lot of artefacts relating to the production of palm oil in the back which are fascinating too.

The Drill Monkey Rehab Centre at Ndidem Nsang Iso Road is located behind the Jahas Guest House. It was set up by two over Landers from the USA (Peter Jenkins and Liza Gadsby) who were biologists back home but who were persuaded by the Nigerian Government to stay in Nigeria and look after the endangered Drill Monkeys which were traditionally hunted and eaten in the Afi Mountain range that borders Cameroon. The couple now have staff in Calabar where they care for recently rescued monkeys e.g.

Tinapa

Peace Park, Calabar

Calabar Carnival those they capture from people trying to smuggle and export them and they also then return them to the wild at the Drill Ranch in Afi Mountains which is not too far from Calabar. You need a decent vehicle and map to get you to the ranch. The Afi Mountain Ranch (near Katabang) has cabins for guest accommodation and a forest canopy walkway (25m high!) for people to experience the environment more closely. Go, meet Mickey the chimp and experience having him sit in your lap and fiddle with your hair.

"The Marina Resort" The Marina Resort is one of the most fascinating tourist destinations in Calabar. The resort is home to buildings dating back to the colonial era as well as

modern facilities like the slave museum, speed boat ride, the carrousel horse ride, film/movie theatre, and night clubs. The resort affords visitors a rare view of the beautiful Calabar River in a relaxed atmosphere.

The Cross River State Annual Christmas Festival held every year attracts thousands within and beyond Nigeria. The Festival which includes music performance from both local and international artists, the annual

Creativity

Bottle house in Indonesia

Calabar carnival, Boat regatta, Fashion shows, Christmas Village, traditional dances and the annual Ekpe Festival is a yearly event that brings in thousands of tourists at the time of the year.

You can also visit Tinapa, similar to Universal studios, which provides international standard wholesale emporiums, integrated shopping complexes and product distribution elements supported by business tourism and entertainment facilities.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 16 — SUNDAY 17, FEBRUARY, 2013

PAGE 18

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

Let's share your love story.

Male Psychology decoded: How to make a guy fall in love

Heart Matterz With A'isha Biola Raji E-mail: rajia39ishabiola@yahoo.com Phone: 08082071393 (Text only)

My heartache story, she prefers my friend

I

haven't really dated anyone in a while. I don't reallyknow why, but mostly out of fear of rejection. I've been burned in the past by girls, many, many times.

Blessing cheated on me, Gloria cheated on me, and Rachel cheated on me. I got to the point where I just gave up.

Then I met this girl on-line, I really like her and I think she likes me too. After chatting on-line for a while, we decided to meet.

I invited my friend along to our meeting point. Then the unusual happened, she says she likes my friend instead.

Though my friend maintains he doesn't feel anything for her but I have a feeling he might play along later.

I can't stand this if it happens, I would rather than allow anyone take her away from me.What should I do?

—Tony

How do I break-up with him?

I

am a 23year old female.

My parents died when I was 8 years and so I dropped out of school because no one could afford enough money to pay my fees.

When I was 14, I met this guy and he struggled to send me back to school. He was selling fruits by the street just to pay my fees. He then got a job as a truck driver and he continued to finance my education with the little he was getting.

Now I am a graduate of Sociology from one of the state universities. Before I got admission into the university, I

Y

ou are in love with him but how do you make him fall in love with you? What would it take? Is there some secret about male psychology that would tell the tale?

If you very much want to attract men or rather, you want to attract that special man, Mr. Right, your soul mate; the one big attraction will be your personality.

You read that right; your personality. Not sex or money. Those things will only attract the wrong kind of man, so do not use those to attract the attention that you want.

If you want to make a guy fall in love with you and you want to make him commit to you big time, good dating advice will be to work on that personality. Develop these

traits: Happiness:Try to have a bright outlook on life. Be sure to look on the bright side of things.

Forget about your depression, anxieties and problems. Leave them at home. Be cheerful, smile often. This will attract people like a magnet.

Laugh a lot: Of course, this is related to happiness. The point is that if you want to make him fall in love with you, one of the best things you can do is to make him laugh. Learn how to tell jokes.

People who laugh together bond with each other and often; they fall in love with each other.

Compliment him a lot: Let's face it,people rarely get complimented. Quite the opposite

“

The point is that if you want to make him fall in love with you, one of the best things you can do is to make him laugh. Learn how to tell jokes.

People who laugh together bond with each other and often; they fall in love with each other.

is true. No doubt he spends most of his day dealing with people who complain and who criticize him.

What a refreshing change you will give him if you compliment him when you can. It will work wonders.

Be intriguing: Be a person of mystery. Do not talk too much about yourself,do not reveal too much about yourself. Do not make it a habit of explaining why you do or do not do certain things. A person of intrigue will get his attention.

Show him some attention: Let him know that he is welcome in your life. Talk about the things he enjoys talking about and doing.

Compliment him, smile at him,ask him questions and then let him talk. He will enjoy the attention and appreciate you for it.

Be sure to work on developing these traits,they will make you a people magnet and they will go a long way in your desire to make him fall in love.

The best dating advice says that you need to be a happy person. That will attract his attention and make him comfortable. Show him some attention; this will encourage him to take it to the next level. These things work. You are now an expert in decoding male psychology.

had promised to marry him but on securing the admission and seeing the four walls of the university, I had a second thought; I agreed to marry him because I was helpless not because I truly love him.

Moreover, I am now a graduate while he is illiterate, we can't relate well. I want out of the relationship but I don't know how to break the news to him. He had been very kind to me and I owe him a lot but I don't want to pay him back through marriage when I don't really love him.

—Angela

Valentine joke

O

n e morning Emma woke up with a start,her husband Jim asked what the matter was, she told him, "I just had a dream that you gave me a pearl necklace for Valentine's Day. What do you think it means?"

"You'll know tonight," Jim said.

That evening, Jim came home with a small package and gave it to his wife. Delighted, Emma opened it only to find a book entitled "The meaning of dreams".

PAGE 19

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 16 — SUNDAY 17, FEBRUARY, 2013

Beauty Tips

Watermelon tips to maintain your face, elbow, hands and legs We are still in dry season; do you aspire for a flawless, glowing and healthy complexion? Are you looking for a natural beauty enhancer? - Then here are tips to keep you smooth and supple throughout the season.

Watermelon interesting beauty facts For face, your ultimate choice has to be watermelons! The watermelon health facts and watermelon nutrition facts are much talked about but the watermelon beauty facts are little known. Yes, watermelons can play a vital role in enhancing your looks too! It can act as a natural moisturizer as it is an effective skin toner and also skin tighter.

The best way to utilize watermelon is to use it as a face pack, especially after working through a hot day.

Watermelon face pack 1: Try the invigorating watermelon face pack to give your face the cool, clean and youthful look. Take one cup of watermelon pulp and apply on face and neck. Rinse face and neck after 15 minutes. Your skin becomes soft and supple.

Watermelon face pack 2 for sunburns: Prepare a watermelon and cucumber face pack by mixing equal proportions of watermelon and cucumber pulp and leave it on your face for twenty minutes.This face pack heals the sunburns and lightens your complexion.

Dust and pollution closes the pores of your skin and makes it look dull and dark. Just rub watermelon and mint leaves frozen into ice cubes all over the face to open the pores. Your face will be

fresh and clean in no time.

Grated Watermelon Scrub:Squeeze out the juice from grated watermelon and mix with a pinch of gram flour.

Apply the paste on the face and leave it for fifteen minutes. The pulp is anexcellent scrub and leaves your skin glowing!

Elbow, hands and legs Yes, watermelon is the perfect solution to your beauty aspirations!

Dark elbow and knees Tip 1: Rub with lime juice, leave for10-15 minutes. Soak a towel in hot water and scrub firmly.

Tip 2: Mix 1 tsp. coconut oil with ½ a

tsp. of lime juice. Apply and wash in the same way with a hot towel.

Rough Hands and Feet Tip 1: Soak hands and feet in water to which corn flour has been added. Soak for 5-10 minutes.

Tip 2: Roast an onion, mash and make a paste. Apply on cracked heels. Wash after 20 minutes. Continue for a month till the cracks heal.

Tip 3:After a bath massage Mustard oil well into hands and feet. Wash with water and pat with a towel to dry.

Tip 4: Add ½ tsp. Vinegar to ½ a cup of curds. Massage feet and ankles well with this Wash after 5 minutes.

Tip 5: For cracks in heels, mix Candle wax with Mustard oil. Heat and apply.

Wear socks and leave overnight.

Calluses Crush 6 Aspirin tablets in 1cup of water with 1 tsp.lime juice. Coat the calluses with this. Cover with a warm towel. After 10 minutes scrub with pumice stone and wash.

What to do weekly: Once a week in ½ a bucket of water add 2 tbsps.of Vinegar and 1 tsp. of lime juice. Add a gentle shampoo and soak hands and feet for 10-15 minutes. Rub with a pumice stone and then have a bath.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 16 — SUNDAY 17, FEBRUARY, 2013

PAGE 20

Learning Book Review

With Augustine Aminu 07038749120 julius2001_a@yahoo.com

El-Rufai’s Arresting, ‘Accidental’ Account

By Sonde Abbah There is hardly a better time to assess and get to really know a person than in a period of crisis. It is the time when friends stand by their friends or ditch them; a time when people’s commitment to a cause can be properly assessed. And for an organisation, a crisis period is the best period to identify and weed out charlatans, saboteurs, fifth columnists and fair – weather compatriots” - Jay Shavel in his novel, THE JADE UNICORN

A

president at war with his deputy. A nation under the throes of corruption in high places, economic malaise and executive rascality. A commander – in – chief desperate to sit tight after the expiration of his constitutionally - allowed two terms in office. Add to this potent mix the antics of a motley gang of palace jesters, the single minded determination of a spurned but ambitious Vice President, and the suave shuffles of a powerful Minister who is now more or less operating like the de facto vice president….

There is hardly a better collection of ingredients for a spell – binding movie, than such a period of crisis. We may have no reason to expect such an absorbing film soon. In the interim, however, one of the principal characters of that tension - soaked era has produced a book that attempts to mirror this momentous period to the best of his recollection. Take a bow, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai.

As the then Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, el– Rufai was generally perceived as a tin god of sorts, largely on account of his relatively close relationship with the then President Olusegun Obasanjo.

He had been invited to “come and chop” by his old buddy, the then Vice President Atiku Abubakar. But in the heat of the well documented cold war that reigned between Obasanjo and Atiku, el-Rufai was gradually thrust into a sensitive position as a leading member of Obasanjo’s inner circle. And from this vantage position, the ex-Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) observed events with keen interest, even as he eagerly participated in not a few of the unfolding melodramas.

From that privileged o b s e r v a t i o n - c u m participation has sprung elRufai’s controversy-heralded book, The Accidental Public Servant. The new book is, in a nutshell, an account of the author’s chequered, controversy-riddled

adventure in the corridors of powers during the Obasanjo era.

Starting with his appointment as Director General of BPE to his emergence as the FCT Minister, the book not only highlights el-Rufai’s stewardship as an “accidental’’ public office holder. Rather, it goes much farther, x-raying his riveting encounters with many of the principal characters of that administration.

And, needless to say, there is no shortage of those encounters: the famous and infamous, as well as the good, the bad and the ugly.

Remember the dust generated by the appointment of elRufai’s two assistants when he reigned as the BPE boss, and who were paid in dollars? And the series of dramas that hallmarked his ministerial confirmation at the National Assembly?

The ruthless demolition of houses when he held sway at the FCT Ministry? His role as a member of Obasanjo’s kitchen cabinet? His participation, if any, in the then-president’s third term gambit?

All these, and many other similar events and related issues, are crammed into The Accidental Public Servant. As a personal account of the events in which he had participated either directly or indirectly during his remarkable sojourn in government, the book is as detailed - and juicy - as such a memoir can be. No less interesting is el-Rufai’s courage to tell it as it is (or as he feels it is), irrespective of whose ox is gored.

This, mind you, is a country where too many erstwhile public servants shy away from writing memoirs.

Their standard response is, “wait until I write my memoir”. But, alas, waiting for such persons is like waiting for Godot. And if they ever venture to take the plunge - as a few of them endeavour to do once in a blue moon - what usually emerges is a whitewashed, insipid account that does little more than to pander to the author’s ego. The see-noevil, hear-no-evil and tell-noevil kind of memoir, that is.

The authors of such memoirs appear to be too lilly-livered to unburden their minds, apparently for fear of stepping on toes.

Not Mallam Nasir el-Rufai.

In his usual frank and fearless, publish-and-be-damned manner, he bares it all in chapter after chapter of the 627-page book. The powerplay that characterized the Olusegun Obasanjo presidency; the sublime and ridiculous actions and inactions of top public servants; the charlatans, saboteurs, fifth columnists,

scheming opportunists, and fearful compatriots; the selfless, visionary, faithful and patriotic compatriots; these are all clinically characterized in The Accidental Public Servant .

Two examples would suffice here. In his narrative of the ungodly third Term shenanigans by thenPresident Obansanjo, el-Rufai is as brutally frank as he is blunt. He skillfully chronicles the whole thing dispassionately, unveiling the cant and hypocrisy that characterised that ungodly project.

According to el-Rufai, he had confronted Obasanjo in the heat of the third term gambit. The commander-inchief gave him the impression that he had no intention to sit tight. But when el-Rufai, now

convinced that the president was really after tenure extension, later confronted his boss again, Obasanjo started to show his true colour.

“If the National Assembly wishes to amend the constitution (to ensure third term) it (is) not my business”, el-Rufai quotes him as saying.

In fact, the ex-minister continues, Obasanjo even reportedly declared that as far as he was concerned, it was a matter of “No third term, no Nigeria”.

Such was his desperation, in fact, that Obasanjo reportedly hinted a number of persons that he would make them his running mate if his third term bid came to fruition. “For instance, he hinted to then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari, that if he supported the third term

“

He heard only what he wanted to hear, a condition borne of arrogance. If you don’t agree totally with him and his colleagues, you are against them

project, Obasanjo would pick him as his running mate and prepare him to be the next president”, the author relates.

Given the facts - as well as rumours - in the public domain in those days and the number of prominent personalities quoted by elRufai (including ex-President Shehu Shagari and former Head of State Muhammed Buhari), this narrative has an unmistaken ring of truth.

Critics may allege that halftruth, exaggeration and even selective amnesia punctuate this account, but more facts than fictions stand out here.

The same, however, cannot be said of the second example. According to the then-BPE boss, he had almost resigned due to alleged undue pressure and interference by then-Vice President Atiku.

But, alas, it so happens that the same el-Rufai is on record to have told a committee of the Federal Republic,a patently different thing. He had publicly claimed that he had unfettered access to President Obasanjo, and that he had a free hand in running the show at BPE. This may remind some of what Howard Cosell said in his seminal book, I Never Played The Game, about Pete Rozell, then-chairman of the USA National Football League.

Rosell, he stated, “heard only what he wanted to hear, a condition borne of arrogance.

If you don’t agree totally with him and his colleagues, you are against them…. And, what’s worse, they deliberately distort what you said in spite of the fact that you have said… is a matter of public record”.

But that seeming Freudian Slip, as well as some seeming contradictions here and there, do not detract much from the book’s value as an insightful and remarkable (even if controversial ) chronicle of one of the nation’s most trying times in living memory.

Through the eyes (or pen) of this diminutive “accidental” public office holder we see how Nigeria was governed / misgoverned in those days of the locusts, how certain office holders ego, pride and selfish interests jostled with national interests, and how expediency, rather than patriotism, held sway among certain so-called statesmen.

In fact, even some of his harshest critics would concede that despite his alleged arrogance and hubris, el-Rufai’s new memoir is, despite its imperfection, not entirely an exercise in egocentrism. Instead, the book marks out the exMinister as a bold, courageous and opinionated patriot who, despite his personal flaws and seeming excesses, means well for his country and compatriots and is truly committed to the common cause.

PAGE 21

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 16 — SUNDAY 17, FEBRUARY, 2013

Health News

Woman whose limbs wouldn't stop growing

By Claire Bates

D

octors have told a woman whose legs won't stop growing that they have developed a promising treatment for her after mapping her DNA. Mandy Sellars, 38, has a condition that has caused her legs to grow uncontrollably her whole life.

She even had her massive left leg amputated after it became infected with septicaemia. But the stump soon started growing again and within three years measured a metre in circumference and weighed 3stone.

Ms Sellars has now been told it has no name after genetic testing revealed it was the first case of its kind in the world.

The condition makes it incredibly difficult for

Mandy to move around and she is housebound during the week. She travels in a specially reinforced wheelchair.

Doctors had hoped to fit her with a prosthetic leg but as her stump kept growing, new legs had to be made and to date she is still unable to walk.

'I find it incredibly frustrating,' Ms Sellars, from Huncoat in Lancashire, said.

'I have such a zest for life and I really want to get out there and live it.'

This could now be a possibility, after scientists at Cambridge University took an interest in Ms Sellars' case.

Over the past year, Dr Robert Semple has mapped her DNA from blood and tissue samples. Ms Sellars' presumed she had a rare form of Proteus Syndrome the

Mandy discovered she couldn't be fitted with special prosthetics as her legs had grown too big

Mandy Sellars, pictured on Friday morning in her electric wheelchair, said she has a 'zest for life'

condition that affected the Elephant Man. However, the analysis

'I'm the first person in the world with it and it

revealed she had a unique disorder.

Pregnant mothers determine children's love for fruit and vegetables

B

abies are more accepting of foods their mothers eat often while pregnant.

Study indicates they also get a taste for novel foods through breast milk.

According to a research carried out by Monell Centre in Philadelphia.Babies are 'biologically hardwired' to

like food containing salt and sugar.

Study found that, they are not attracted to bitter foods like green vegetables Researchers have however said that, the parental crusade to get children to eat fruit and vegetables should begin before birth.

Ms Sellars with the medication she hope may reverse her condition Pregnant women with a varied diet are less likely to give birth to fussy eaters and babies are more accepting of foods mothers eat regularly while expectant and breastfeeding.

In one study, children whose mothers often drank carrot juice ate twice as much carrotflavoured cereal when being weaned.

Researcher Dr. Julie Mennella from the Monell Centre in Philadelphia said "The research clearly shows that if mothers eat a lot of fruit during lactation and pregnancy, then their child will be much more open to eating fruit during weaning.

The same goes with

vegetables.

"Babies have to be exposed to fruit and vegetables if they are to learn to like these flavours.

"The good news is our research shows babies can learn very early on about healthy foods," she said.

"The message is, eat the healthy food you enjoy and when the baby is old enough to start weaning, they will be familiar with those flavours."

In her research, discussed at the American Association for the Advancement of Science's annual conference, Dr.Mennella tested 46 babies aged between six months and a year for their liking of

carrot-flavoured cereal.

Those whose mothers drank carrot juice several times a week consumed more than 80g of the cereal, compared with only 44g in other babies.

"It shows how we are primed by our earliest exposures," said Dr. Mennella.

"Children get sensory information in the womb and through their mothers' milk."

Dr.Mennella also found that bottle-fed babies quickly accept fruit and vegetables if they are given them when they start eating solids.

In another test, green beans were given to babies for eight days.

hasn't even got a name yet,' Ms Sellars told ITV's This Morning.

'I keep suggesting Dr Semple call it Sellars Syndrome!'

As a result, Dr Semple's team have come up with a medication aimed at replacing her unique mutated gene with a therapeutic gene.

'I started taking it in September and the aim was to stop my limbs growing further.

Actually they have started to shrink a little,' Ms Sellars' said.

'I just kind of accepted my condition would get worse and keep growing but I am more optimistic following the discovery.'

Ms Sellars, who is a size 12 on her top half, has had to deal with her one in seven billion condition her whole life.

Dr Robert Semple studies Mandy Sellars over-sized right leg. He mapped her DNA and found out her condition was unique to her 'There was clearly something dramatically different about me when I was born as my legs were so much bigger than my body.

Doctors didn't know what it was and whisked me away - they didn't let my mother see me for two weeks. They didn't think I would survive.'

Her left leg was three inches longer than her right, and both were out of proportion.

But Mandy flourished despite their dire prognosis.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 16 — SUNDAY 17, FEBRUARY, 2013

With Aunty A'isha

Sights and sounds

Aso Oke

A

so-Oke is a short form of Aso Ilu Oke also known as Aso-Ofi meaning clothes from the up-country. It is the traditional wear of the Yorubas (the tribe of the southwest people in Nigeria, Africa). The Yorubas are the second largest tribe in Nigeria after the Northerners. Aso-Oke is a cloth that is worn on special occasions by the Yorubas usually for chieftancy, festivals, engagement, naming ceremony and other important events.

The beauty of Aso-Oke comes out more when it is taken as Aso-Ebi (group of people e.g. friends, families e.t.c). Cloth weaving (Aso-Oke) started centuries ago amongst the Yorubas but predominantly amongst the Iseyins (Oyo-State), Ede (Osun State) and Okene(Kogi State). The fibres used for weaving are either locally sourced or brought from neighboring states (northern parts of the country).

Types of Aso-Oke: Etu - stripped dark blue, sanyan -carton brown with white stripes, alaari - crimsom, eya - laced, takunsi - (cloth with different pattern), popo - elepo, alaagba, lace, check, damask, plain & pattern, prints, kente-oke, big & small loom, silk, cotton, net, metallic, takunsi, painting, monogramming, big loom, net lace, net design, ordinary lace, double weaving, super net and wire to wire.

Preparation and making of Aso-Oke Planting of cottons: The cotton used in making threads for weavingAso-Oke, is mostly planted during the rainy season, between the month of June and July. However the cottons would be ready for harvesting between November and February of the following year. Most cases after harvesting the cottons are kept in the bar for spinning.

Spinning: This is the process of separating the cotton seed from the wool and in doing this, a bow-like instrument called "Orun" in Yoruba language (spindle). The weaver spread the wool and rolls it on the loom (the loom is a handmade wood used in weaving; this loom is usually made by local carpenters). The spindle would be turned and while it is being turned, it will start rotating thereby thinning the cotton. This is done on a continuous basis till all the wool has been spanned.

Sorting: Cotton easily attract dirt; therefore the dirt's has to be separated from the wool in order to make the wool fit for use.

This process is known as sorting and there are machines for these purposes but in the absence of machine, it can be sorted out manually. This is very tedious and time consuming.

Patterning: This is the process where designs and patterns are made on the Aso-Oke while the cloth is being woven.

Weaving: After the above has been put in place, the actual weaving starts.

PAGE 23

rajia39ishabiola@yahoo.com 08082071393.

SHOR T ST OR Y SHORT STOR ORY

The little frog and the big buffalo

O

n e day a buffalo saw a little frog on its way to the pond and he asked him to stop. The little frog was surprised.

What are you doing by jumping like this? Yelled the big buffalo at the little frog This is how I walk responded the frog with a surprise.

You have got four legs like any other animal and why can't you just walk? Buffalo again yelled with the same anger.

Now the little frog understood the confusion the big buffalo had and it turned upside down and said, "Look at how my legs were made my dear big

buffalo. I do have four legs but the hind ones are differently made hence I can't walk and I can only jump to cover distances.

Oh I am sorry!Pleaded the big buffalo, I am really sorry for showing my anger at you without knowing the reason. "I shall be your friend from now onwards and I shall carry you now to wherever you want to go.

Please let me know where you want to go," requested the buffalo.

The little frog felt very happy with the sudden change in the behavior of the big buffalo.

The little frog said, "I need to get to the pond near that banyan

tree but I do not know how to climb on to your back."

"Do not worry, I shall sit down so that with one leap you can jump on to my back," suggested the big buffalo.

The frog did as suggested but the smooth skin of the buffalo made its efforts wasted. Both the big buffalo and the little frog were disappointed but continued their efforts. At one point the frog could jump on to the back of the buffalo but as the big buffalo started standing up it had slipped down. As their struggle continued they saw Dr.Dove coming towards them.

To be continued‌

HIS AND HERS CORNER

CombinationofofWestern Western Combination andAfrican Africanstyle style and

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 16 — SUNDAY 17, FEBRUARY, 2013

PAGE 22

With Aunty A'isha

rajia39ishabiola@yahoo.com 08082071393.

AFRICAN TALES

MODEL OF THE WEEK

The secret

O

n c e , a farmer was cultivating in his field when suddenly his axe hit something under the ground.

"What could it be?" the farmer wondered.

He carefully dug up the ground and was amazed to see two big pots full of gold coins buried there. "So much wealth!" the farmer cried with joy. He had never seen so much treasure.

He decided to take it home before anybody else could see it.

"That won't be a good idea!" he thought. He feared his talkative wife may spread the news around.

'Once the people come to know about it, they will be after me!" thought the farmer. He was in a dilemma; neither could he leave the treasure there, nor could he take it home.

So, he planned to test his wife.

"I will tell her something and ask her to keep it a secret. If she obeys me and keeps the secret, I need not fear that she will talk about the treasure." So, the farmer buried the pots of gold again and went home.

As soon as he saw his wife, he said, "Did you hear? The king has a tortoise inside his belly!" "Is that so?" asked his wife. 'Yes, dear!" said the

farmer. "Please keep this a secret."

"Of course!" his wife nodded. But it wasn't to be. That afternoon, as the farmer was taking a nap, his wife went to the neighbors, "Did you hear? The king has a tortoise inside his belly!" she said.

The news spread and spreading fast, the news finally reached the palace and to the king himself. The king was very upset and asked one of his courtiers to find out who had been spreading the rumor.

The courtier had heard it from his friend, who in turn had heard it from the washer man, who in turn had heard it from his wife, who in turn had heard it from her sister... and the chain went on until finally reached the farmer.

The king sent his guards to bring the farmer. When the farmer saw the king's guards, he knew his wife had been talking.

"What a fool I've been to ask my wife to keep a secret. Now I will have to pay for my foolishness," he thought.

The farmer was produced before the king. "Why did you spread such a silly rumor about me?" asked the king, who was very angry. "Tell me or I shall have you beheaded!"

The farmer was terribly

frightened. He decided to tell the truth, " This is the only way I can get away alive," he thought.

"Speak up!" shouted the king.

"Why did you spread the rumor?"

"I didn't spread the rumor, Your Majesty!" the farmer replied softly. "It was my wife who did it!"

"What do you mean?" asked the king. The farmer said, " I wanted to test whether my wife could keep a secret or not. And so I..."

"What secret?" the king interrupted.

"That I have found two pots full of gold coins!" replied the farmer."

TWO POTS OF GOLD COINS!" the king exclaimed, "Where?" Now the farmer knew that once he showed the pots to the king, he would get only a meager sum as reward. So, he replied, " I will tell you where it is, your Majesty, but first you must promise me that you will let me take half of it."

"I promise!" said the king. The farmer then took the king to his field and showed him the treasure. "You deserve to keep both pots for speaking the truth, dear farmer," said the king.

The farmer was very happy to hear this; he thanked the king and carried his treasure home. Now he had no need to keep it a secret.

Khadija B. Tahir

ACTIVITIES Using different colours of your choice, paint the picture below. Name and describe the objects.

Show your work to your teacher for correction.

Cheers!

CREA TIVITY CREATIVITY

Make your own trophy Whether you are playing football, other games, organising a painting competition or giving titles to all your friends, you can design trophies for all occasions.

What you need: " Thermal sheet " Plain paper " Adhesive " Colours " Cutter " Scissor " Colouring brushes

What to do: Take a thermal sheet and cut it out in any shape you want to make the upper half of the trophy.

Stick a piece of plain paper on it. With the help of adhesive or pins, mount it on a base. The base should be a block of thermal so the trophy is relatively stable.

Write the name of the winner on the trophy base with the help of a sketch pen.

Colour the trophy the way you want. Whenever you organise a game, give away a trophy to the winner.

PAGE 24

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 16 — SUNDAY 17, FEBRUARY, 2013

Kannywood

Entertainment

PAGE 25

Nollywood

Arewa Studios: Beyond policing, Walama Charley Boy, COSON, others mourn Goldie impacts on youths to keep them from trouble C harles Oputa, a former President of Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), popularly known as Charley Boy, has described the death of Nigeria's hip-hop singer, Susan Harvey, popularly called Goldie, as shocking.

In a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, Charley Boy said Goldie's death was a huge loss to the entertainment industry.

He described Goldie's death as sad. ``It is so unfortunate that we lost her, though the detail of the death is not yet clear,'' Charley Boy said.

He further described Goldie as a young musician with bright future. ``She is such a young girl with bright future, it may be some set of unchecked happenings in the body,'' Charley boy added.

A gospel artiste, Steve Willis, also said that her death was unbelievable considering that it was untimely.

“It is a big loss to Nigeria because she was the Lady Gaga of Nigeria,'' he said.

Willis urged his colleagues in the music industry to put in their best in order to leave a good legacy.

A gospel singer, Samson Mogekwu, known as Samsong, said “I lack the words to express the sudden death of Goldie. “it is unfortunate and the industry will miss her greatly.''

The news of the death of the sensational artiste, who was a housemate at the Big Brother Africa in 2012, broke on Thursday night.

Reports indicated that she died on Thursday night at Reddington Hospital in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The death threw the Nigerian entertainment world and the larger

Adamu Walama is a police officer whose love for his community transcends just policing, he has empowered the youths in his community through his Arewa Sound Studio, which is putting food on their table. He discloses the steps he has taken in giving back to the society, in this interview with Nasiru Mu'azu Isa.

H

ow does a policeman operate a recording studio?

Before I joined the police, in the area I live there were a lot of young people who just hang around without jobs and we had a lot of music artists both English and Hausa, who were just idling their time away. I felt that as a policeman, I have a responsibility to help these young people not just in ensuring the safety of my community but to assist in whatever way I can and moreover I have a job while these young ones are jobless.

One day some of the young men came to me and asked for assistance either monetary, or if I could promote some of them by building a studio for them. So I thought about it and decided I will provide them a studio where they can come and work.

What is the name of the studio?

The name of the studio is Arewa Sound Studio.

How long has the studio been open?

It has been operating for the past 2 years now.

Goldie

As a police officer are you allowed to operate such business?

No, no government worker is allowed to operate a private business but I need to make this clear, I am not operating the business. I set it up for the benefit of the youth and they are the ones managing it, I just happen to provide funding for the business. Funny enough I don’t know how the business is being operated, I don’t even know how to operate a computer.

Where did you get the money to fund such a business considering the police don’t get paid huge sums for you to be able to fund such project?

The truth is I took a loan from the bank to fund this studio, and as I am talking to you right now I’m paying back that loan from my salary. I’m sure a lot of people will ask the same question, it’s all about planning and when you plan well you will not face any problems and that is exactly what I did.

How did your interest in youth start?

Well, when you sit down with these young people their complain is always about the government and

the truth is, the government can’t provide jobs for everyone. So I call on my brothers and sisters who are employed to assist those without jobs by giving back to your community.

When you decided to help the youths in your community, why did you choose a recording studio instead of something else?

Well I have always been interested in music and when they came to me for assistance and considering the large number of youths who were into music, I felt that it was the best thing to do for them and God willing if I have enough money I would like to establish a hospital for my community. One thing most people forget is that a policeman is a member of his or her community and after retiring from the force you will come back to the same community so it is prudent to help your community. For those of us who are employed it is necessary to give back to your community in whatever way you can.

So how has the business been so far?

I think the manager is the best person to answer that question but as the key investor they have not informed me of any challenges, rather the information they have given me is that they are getting business from everywhere including Niger and Chad. So far they have informed me there are over 35 artists that have patronised us.

Most studios in Kaduna are generally Hausa studios but I have seen artists recording in English, why is your studio different?

The thing is in, this community it is not just Hausa people but all tribes and religions that exists and that it is the reason why everyone is welcome regardless of tribe or religion. The manager is a Christian, Julius and the producers are all tribes, we have both English and Hausa producers so that when you come and you want to record we have a producer who understands the language you are recording in.

They have asked me for money and I told them they should use the money they make from the studio.

As a policeman I am expected to

be able to work with all types of people and the fact that I sponsored the business gives it a bit of security because people don’t want any trouble with the police but the truth is I don’t have anything to do with the business but it is a good deterrence for any would be troublemaker.

So as the founder of the business do you benefit from the business?

No! I don’t because I did not do it to make profit. I set it up to help the young people of the community and they manage it and also use the proceeds they make to pay the staff that work there and also take care of the equipments and the generator. As the funder, of the business, my role is to make sure they don’t run the business down.

What is the reaction of the community to your generosity?

Most people actually don’t know about my involvement with the studio but those that know have come up to me and thanked me for my efforts but I’m really not interested in receiving any thanks

or appreciation, my happiness is in the fact that these young men and women have something legitimate that occupies their time which also takes them away from negative influences and trouble. Sometimes I come home and my wife tells me so so person brought this or that and when I check in most cases it is an artist who has worked in the studio.

Nollywood actor slumps, dies at National stadium, Lagos

You are one policeman who have actually proved the statement “Police is your friend”, what do you think?

Yes! Police is indeed your friend people should know that.

What is your advice to other people like you who have interest in helping the youths and those who are also idle?

My advice to people like me is to give back to their communities no matter how small it is, you never know how far the help can go, or how many people will benefit from it. For young people who seem idle all I can is that the government can’t provide jobs for all of us, so it is up to them to stand up and look for something to do.

Lugard Onoyemu

T

he movie industry has lost yet another actor to death.

According to what was confirmed by the Lagos State chairman of AGN, Emeka Rising, while contacted on phone over the news, Lugard Onoyemu, a former Lagos State AGN Secretary under Emeka Rising, died yesterday at the National Stadium.

It was reliably gathered that Lugard slumped at about 5:30pm while training at the Stadium in Surulere, Lagos. Before his death, we learnt that late Lugard wasn't hale and hearty. His death has left some of his members devastated especially Emeka Rising under whose administration the late actor served as secretary.

public into mourning.

Details of the cause of the death were sketchy at press time.

Also, the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), described the death as a huge loss, in a statement issued by Mr Chubueze Okereke, the Head, Media Communication and Strategy, in Abuja on Friday, According to the statement, the artiste was reported dead at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 14, at Reddington Hospital, Victoria Island, Lagos. ``She was said to have complained about severe headache shortly after arriving from Los Angeles, U.S., where she attended last Sunday's Grammy Award ceremonies" it added.

The statement quoted COSON Chairman, Tony Okoroji, as saying: "I am shattered by the terrible news of the sudden passing on of a young Nigerian woman working so hard to make a mark in a very difficult field.''

Okoroji said her performances

were exceptional and added that he had hoped she would be a force to reckon with in the music industry.

Also reacting, Mr Chinedu Chukwuji, the General Manager, COSON, said her death was a sad one for the country.

Chukwuji said Goldie was a star whose exceptional talent was visible in her art.

He said it was shocking and sad to have such a vibrant young lady gone at the prime of her life. ``At COSON we are deeply saddened and still trying to recover from the news. ``She is one of our own and we pray that God will give her family, friends, Kennis Music and Nigerians, the fortitude to bear this great loss," he added.

The statement said the late musician of Ekiti origin was renowned for her style of eclectic music, a style that gave her international recognition.

Ali Nuhu in a dance step with an actress

How TB Joshua Saved Me From Mental Illness--Hanks Anuku Nollywood actor, Hanks Anuku dazzled many when he was the popular face that graced many movie jacket covers. During his 'hay days', he was the choice of many film producers looking for the 'bad boy' roles.

But like a flower that withers, Hanks became a scarce commodity.

For years now, the number of released movies he has acted in recent times can be comfortably counted with the fingers.

In a reported interview conducted recently, the tall and 'scary-look' actor revealed that his career almost got ruined by alcohol and drugs which also almost led to a mental illness.

He stated that even while he was a Special Adviser to Emmanuel Uduaghan, who is the governor of Delta State governor, the illness reportedly forced him out of the government house.

According to him, "Yes, I got my healing through TB Joshua. It is our Lord's doing. I was having issues with mentality for over seven years, you will notice I have not been that frequent in movies for long.

"Even when I was special assistant to our dear governor, I was not in a good state of mind and this affected my work in the government before I

was advised to seek for solution in Ghana.

"I spent so much money visiting hospitals, orthodox and unorthodox doctors without positive result. Until I was introduced to TB Joshua. I was only watching his TV programme in Ghana and

was healed.

I put my faith into it just like the woman with the issue of blood and knew that I would be healed and I got my healing.

"I am now a mentally stable man.

I have dropped drinking and smoking habit, glory be to God."

Ini Edo sets heads rolling with ‘provocative’ dress

N

ollywood actress, Ini Edo has set some heads at logjam with her 'provocative' dress. The talented screen beau, married to Philip Ehiagwina, who is a US-based businessman, dazzled in her 'openchest' dress.

The said dress divided her chest into two with each side of her 'oranges' sharing one part of dress each.

One of her fans told Nigeriafilms.com, "this is why men want her. Who will see this that won't want to 'get there'?"

This 'controversial' picture was used as Ini Edo's avatar on her twitter page.

Another fan said, "these girls sef, why would a married woman dress like this? I doubt if her husband knows about this."

Ini Edo

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 16 — SUNDAY 17, FEBRUARY, 2013

Hollywood/Bollywood Mollie King dares to bare in backless Ryan Seacrest and dress Julianne Hough's

I

t might be chilly outside but Mollie King didn't let the biting temperatures get in the way of her wowing with her outfit as London Fashion Week kicked off on Friday.

The Saturdays star showcased her petite figure in a daring patterned halter dress with extremely low-cut sides as she posed up at the Felder Felder show at Somerset House.

Mollie, 25, teamed the cute outfit with a pair of neon yellow heels and a chainstrap navy and black Aspinal of London Victoria shoulder bag.

The pretty singer finished off her ensemble by wearing her blonde hair tied up in a top knot, and drew attention to her piercing eyes with lashings of black eyeliner.

And Mollie couldn't resist keeping her fans updated with her fashion week goings on via her Twitter page, admitting she was more than a little excited about her front row spot.

Tweeting a picture of herself with fellow singers VV Brown and Kate Nash, Mollie wrote: 'So nice sitting with vvbrown & katenash at #LFW.'

Valentine's weekend ruined

H

e had been hoping to make her Valentine's weekend as romantic as possible by planning a trip to London.

But Ryan Seacrest's plans were ruined when their British Airways plane flew into some trouble en route from Los Angeles.

A source told MailOnline that the aircraft was forced to make an emergency 'heavy' landing - when the plane lands without having emptied the fuel tank - in Las Vegas.

The pair have now been put up by the airline in a Vegas hotel, and have had to spend their romantic break in Sin City instead of the British capital.

A spokesperson for British Airways said of the

Careful! Mollie nearly revealed a bit too much as she headed on to the next event

Beyoncé and Jay-Z crowned Top Power Couple of 2013

I

Watch the throne! Beyoncé and Jay-Z crowned No. 1 Power Couple of 2013 in online poll

t's official... Beyoncé and Jay-Z are the number one power couple in Hollywood.

That is, according to a special Valentine's Day poll created in honour of the holiday.

The musical icons of Hip Hop and R&B beat the likes of Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, Posh and Becks and Will and Kate for the crown.

The couple have been together ever since they collaborated in 2002 on Jay-Z's '03 Bonnie & Clyde and Knowles' hit single Crazy in Love from her debut Dangerously in Love album.

Between them they have won countless Grammy's and music awards, have designed

separate clothing lines, and both have worked in film: Beyoncé as an actress and Jay-Z as a composer.

With a daughter, Blue Ivy, their family is complete, as well as their title as the most powerful celebrity couple.

In second place comes the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, whose romance captured the hearts of a nation and the world.

Kate Middleton as the commoner, has risen up to be the darling of the fashion world, and now she is pregnant with the heir to the British throne, Wills and Kate's powerful status is sealed.

incident: 'Safety is always our top priority and as a precaution, the Captain decided to divert our Los Angeles to London service into Las Vegas, following a suspected technical problem.

'Our pilots used their training and experience throughout and the flight landed normally at Las Vegas.

'We provided hotels for the customers and we will be rebooking customers onto alternative flights out of Las Vegas as soon as possible.'

Safe Haven star Julianne had earlier tweeted a picture of a cryptic message her American Idol host beau had left on a huge bunch of red roses he gave her for Valentine's Day.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 16 — SUNDAY 17, FEBRUARY, 2013

PAGE 27

Homes

Clever ways to maximize space in every room

I

n every home there is the need for more space. Regardless of how small or large your apartment is, we all seek the need for maximizing space to make our homes feel spacious and welcoming. Here are some clever ways to maximize space in every room in the home. If you've been pondering how to fit more into your cramped bathroom cabinets or you can't figure out how your bedroom could possibly share a desk to create a home office too, here are useful tips to help.

Opening up your entryway: The first area of your home that welcomes guests and sees your family off safely to school every day should be functional and have area to manoeuvre quickly and efficiently.

Maximize space by placing a bench or sitting area to remove shoes and place kids' backpacks when rushing off to school. Ensure you have wall mounted hooks, open shelving to place stuffs and place a large mirror on the wall to reflect the rest of your home.

Make your kitchen easy to cook in: The kitchen is the busiest room of your entire home. It must be made functional, welcoming, and be enjoyable to cook meals. Maximize space with vertical storage shelving in your pantry, use drawer organizers for dry goods and food storage containers. Purge old food, half- eaten dry goods and install overhead pot and pan storage to free up space below you counters.

Bathroom essentials: The room you wake up first to in the morning and see late at night often has the worst storage. Your bathroom can be maximized by assessing who uses the bathroom and

for what. Shared bathrooms with kids can utilize open shelving and baskets under the sink and behind the door can house small electrical beauty appliances when not in use.

A shoe organizer can turn into a lifesaving space saver that holds makeup, combs and brushes, jewellery and even accessories such as scarves and belts.

Living rooms need space!

Have you ever realized your living room and family room get the messiest without even trying? These rooms get the most traffic from friends dropping over, family watching television and you sprawling out on the sofa to watch the game! Maximize space with multifunctional furniture such as ottomans that hold video game accessories and coffee tables that have drawers and open shelving below.

You will love having hidden space when your busiest rooms are packed with people.

Kids' rooms: Whether your child is a newborn or a teenager, their rooms should be a reflection of their dreams but still be utilized for studying, playing and daydreaming! Create zones for playing, sleeping and quiet time or studying. Maximize space by hanging artwork and assignments on bulletin boards, art wire or other organisation accessories to keep desks and surrounding spaces free of clutter.

The bedroom: Every bedroom in your home should be a refuge from the world and a place where you renew in the evening and wake up rejuvenated in the morning.

Maximize space in your bedroom by ensuring your closets are used

properly. Store out of season clothing in under bed storage containers and invest in closet organisers that separate type of clothes, accessories, shoes, and more. Every closet can use functional organising.

Your laundry room: While it may be the least loved room of the house, maximizing storage in your laundry room can mean the difference in you getting your clothes done and not! One of the best ways to maximize space is with counter space for folding, shelves or cabinetry at arm's length for detergents and a hanging area for laundered clothes to dry, get ironed, etc‌ Small interiors don't have to be a challenge: Studio apartments, college dormitory rooms and small homes don't have to be a storage nightmare. In fact, living in a smaller home ensures you only keep what you absolutely need! Maximize storage by taking advantage of hanging bicycles from the ceiling, installing bookshelves over doorways, and installing built-in shelving in bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens.

The garage: While many think the garage is for storing items you don't want to see ever again, think again! Your garage space can be maximized by purging outdated furniture, broken appliances and more. To maximize the space you do have, install overhead ceiling racks for luggage, recreation equipment, and seasonal decorations and lawn equipment so you can fit your cars in the garage.

The outdoor reflects the interior: Space saving outside isn't as big of an issue but ensuring your landscaping isn't overgrown and unkempt can give the illusion of a cramped and unwelcoming home on the inside. Speak the same welcoming 'language' in your outdoor home by keeping your curb appeal looking great. Keep your lawn

Home library

cut, flowerbeds tidy and weed free and ensure your front entry is welcoming with a colourfully painted front door!

Freshome.com These 11 areas of your home can get the maximum storage out of them without you having to renovate your entire home. Whether your family is getting larger or you

just have more stuff, maximizing space is essential in every home! Do you need 100 more ways to maximize space? Take a look at 111 Simple Tips for your Everyday Home. A guide to help you beautifully decorate, organize and maximize space in every room of your home.

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 16 — SUNDAY 17, FEBRUARY, 2013

Cuisine

Pots & Pans

With Hajiya Ramatu Usman Dorayi

Agidi with corn flour

This is a traditional Nigerian recipe made from corn flour cooked with tomatoes, chillies, soft bones and seasonings until thick then spooned onto plantain leaves and allowed to

cool and harden before serving. It is flavoured with typical Jollof rice ingredients.

Ingredients: 6 tbsp (4 medium wraps) raw,

fermented, cornflour (corn starch) 150g soft bones (connective tissue) 4 medium tomatoes 3 hot chillies 1 small onion, sliced 3 tbsp vegetable oil 1 Maggi chicken cube (or stock cube of your choice) 2l water salt, to taste 10 medium sized, broad, banana or plantain leaves (or use greaseproof [waxed] paper) Method of preparation: Wash the soft bones, place in a pan and season with salt, the Maggi (or other stock) cube, a few slices of onion and one litre of water.

Bring to a boil and continue boiling until the bones are completely soft.

Combine the tomatoes, chillies and remaining onion in a mortar or

a blender with the softened bones and process until completely smooth.

Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot. When hot, add the tomato paste and fry for about 5 minutes, or until the raw taste has disappeared. Whisk the corn flour with about 300ml of the water to make a smooth paste.

Add the remaining 1.7litres of water to the pan with the tomato mixture and season to taste with salt. Whisk in the corn flour and blend then bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce to a simmer then continue cooking for about 20 minutes, stirring constantly, or until the mixture has thickened.

After this time wash the leaves and arrange on a tray. Scoop over the agidi, forming a fairly thick layer then set aside to cool and set.

Serve with pap.

Fresh corn

Kunun zaki (millet drink) This is a traditional northern recipe for a classic drink made from a blend of ground millet and sweet potatoes flavoured with spices and sweetened with sugar and chilled before serving.

Ingredients: 400g millet 120g sweet potatoes, peeled and diced 1 tablespoon freshly-grated ginger 1 tablespoon cloves sugar, to taste 2 litres of water Preparation: Wash the millet thoroughly, and then place in a large bowl. Cover with plenty of water and set aside to soak overnight.

Combine the sweet potatoes, ginger and cloves in a mortar and pound to a paste. Scrape into a blender, drain the millet, and add to the sweet potato mix and purĂŠe until smooth. Divide the mixture into two parts (one larger than the other).

Boil the water, turn the larger part of the paste into a bowl and stir in enough water to give you a thick paste (rather like porridge). Set aside, uncovered, to cool.

Once cooled, stir in the reserved portion of the millet paste, add water.

Cover the bowl and set aside to stand overnight.

The following morning, pass the mixture through a fine-meshed sieve cloth.

Refrigerate before drinking.

Wash millet and remove stones before grinding or blending with sweet potatoes

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 16 — SUNDAY 17 FEBRUARY, 2013

Womanhood

Preparng your daughter for married life M

otherhood does not start and end at bringing up children into well behaved adults. At a point they must leave home and, sometimes, permanently too. Here are some of the things your daughter must know before getting married.

Shopping for the perfect dress, filling out invitations, finding the perfect wedding s etting all of these are part of a girl's dream of getting married.

Before the big day, though, there are a few things you may want to discuss with your daughter.

By the time your little girl gets married she probably already knows all about the birds and the bees. One thing she may not know, though, is how difficult it is to live with another person. Although everything is lovely in the beginning, things can go sour very quickly, if your daughter doesn't know that the marriage will be a challenge, to say the least.

Talk to your daughter about difficulties facing all relationships. She should know that it will take patience, forgiveness and understanding to keep her relationship solid. If she's the type that gets her feelings hurt easily, explain to her that sometimes her husband will hurt her feelings even if he doesn't mean to. She should be prepared to let some comments and situations go.

On the other hand, communication is very important, so your daughter should know that she and her partner need to talk often,

“

Tell your daughter to pick and choose arguments with her husband wisely. If every issue results in an argument, the husband is less likely to pay attention to the points the wife is making than if arguments are seldom.

and openly, about any situation. Harboring bad feelings towards your mate, without their knowledge, only leads to trouble down the road.

Yelling, screaming or bossing her mate around will not help your daughter have a happy relationship. Talk to her about giving her husband trust and freedom.

Many women and men too, fall into a pattern of trying to control their mates but this causes additional troubles in the long run.

Men love to hear things like "I love you", "I need you", or "I want you". These phrases reassure a guy that he is important in his wife's life. A man that feels needed and loved tends to be more content than the one that is hollered at and called names.

Tell your daughter to pick and choose arguments with her husband wisely. If every issue results in an argument, the husband is less likely to pay attention to the points the wife is making than if arguments are seldom. It is

easier to wipe the whiskers from the sink, for example, than to make a big issue about it. At another time, remind hubby that he shouldn't leave the whisker chore to you, but do so in a kindly manner. Making a big fuse over every little thing will only cause him to tune you out.

Remind your daughter to appreciate her husband for who he is. Maybe he doesn't choose the perfect Christmas present but he does at least select one. Be considerate of his feelings when you feel let down. He probably doesn't even know what he did to upset you.

Advise your daughter not to let her appearance go.

Many women settle into the marriage and suddenly they're wearing ratty bedroom slippers and shirts with stains. No matter how old a man gets he still wants to have a woman that looks good.

Although it's okay to put off polishing your nails for a day

or so past when they need it, letting yourself get to the point of repulsion is a huge strike against your relationship.

Talk to your daughter about things she should never do, including playing girlish games, insulting him when she's angry, giving him the silent treatment, or flirting with other men in his presence or elsewhere at all. These things can damage any relationship beyond repair.

Keep romance alive.

Surprising your guy with little gifts or thoughtful gestures can get and keep his attention. Showing him you love him, no matter what, will keep most men coming back.

If your daughter is getting married soon, put off the shopping and wedding plans until you've talked to her, in a real manner, about her future relationship.

The advice you give her could keep her and husband happy for the rest of their lives.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 16 — SUNDAY 17, FEBRUARY, 2013

PAGE 31

Leisure Photo of the day

WORD SEARCH

With Augustine Aminu

A Real Lagos Child

Find the Halloween words from the bottom in the Halloween word search grid. The words can be forwards or backwards, vertical, horizontal, or diagonal. Circle each letter separately, but keep in mind that letters may be used in more than one word.

Halloween Word Search Z

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CANDY CARVE COSTUME DOOR TO DOOR DRACULA FRANKENSTEIN GHOST JACK-O-LANTERN KNIGHT MAKE-UP

MONSTER OCTOBER PRINCESS SCARY SKELETON THIRTY-FIRST TRICK OR TREAT VAMPIRE WITCH ZOMBIE

Quotes Don't despair too much if you see beautiful things destroyed, if you see them perish. Because the best things are always growing in secret. —Ben Okri As a rule I don't like suffering to no purpose.

Suffering should be creative, should give birth to something good and lovely. —Chinua Achebe Magic becomes art when it has nothing to hide.

—Ben Okri My joy knows no bounds… I will devote all my energy and all the powers available to me to the service of Nigeria and humanity. —Olusegun Obasanjo Money is good.so good that even housewives can tell if their husbands are wealthy or good for nothing bigots. The very moment your own wife starts yelling at you for no just cause, write yourself off as a complete failure —Osi Momoh Every road must have an end which may start another road or may end road to confront the quirks of fate. —Namdi Azikiwe The trouble with many youths in today's world is that they sleep too much. —Obafemi Awolowo

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

African proverbs The beauty of life can only be seen by those who focus their thoughts on counting their daily blessings regardless of their circumstances in life.

Edmond Mbiaka All our dreams can come true - if we have the courage to pursue them.

Walt Disney The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.

Helen Keller To the attentive eye, each moment of the year has its own beauty, and in the same field, it beholds, every hour, a picture which was never seen before, and which shall never be seen again.

Ralph Waldo Emerson They're saying we must cut off the wrists of those who steal goats, when everyday white-coated robbers are milking the nation of millions of dollars and getting away with it.

Prof. Wole Soyinka

CARTOON

PAGE 34

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 16 — SUNDAY 17, FEBRUARY, 2013

International

Meteorite blast in Russia injures over 1,000 A

meteor streaked through the skies above Russia's Urals region Friday morning, before exploding with a flash and boom that shattered glass in buildings and left about 1,000 people hurt,

According to CNN report, also gathered from state media, the number of injured has continued to rise through the day as new reports came in from across a swath of central Russia.

As of late afternoon

yesterday, the Interior Ministry said about 1,000 people had been hurt, including more than 200 children.

According to the news agency report, most of those hurt are in the Chelyabinsk region, with majority of injuries thought not to be serious.

"About 3,000 buildings have been damaged, mostly broken glass as a result of the shock waves caused by the

blast," the news agency reported.

Vladimir Stepanov, of the National Centre for Emergency Situations at the Russian Interior Ministry, earlier told

state media that hospitals, kindergartens and schools were among those affected.

"About 20,000 emergency response workers have been mobilized," RIA Novosti reported.

Casly-Hayford to chair Caine Prize 2013 panel

Dr Gus Casly Hayford A historian and broadcaster, Dr. Gus CaslyHayford has been selected to chair the panel of Judges of this year's Caine Prize for African Writing, who will be

Image of blast

Granulated sugar heals wounds faster than antibiotics – Research Too much sugar may be bad for the waistline, but it could help doctors heal the sick.

New research shows folk medicine from Africa may hold the key to treating wounds that defy modern medicine.

A study found granulated sugar poured directly into bed sores, leg ulcers and even amputations promotes healing when antibiotics and other treatments have failed.

The study is headed by Moses Murandu, a senior lecturer in adult nursing at Wolverhampton University, who grew up in Zimbabwe where his father used sugar to heal wounds and reduce pain when he was a child.

Sugar draws water from the wound into a dressing bacteria needs water to survive - which allows, accelerates the healing process, or kick starts it where progress has stalled.

When Mr. Murandu moved to the UK he realised that sugar was not recognised as a traditional medicine that had something to offer.

One of the patients receiving treatment as part of the research is Alan Bayliss, from Birmingham, who was being treated at Moseley Hall Hospital's amputee rehabilitation ward.

He underwent an above the knee amputation on his

right leg due to an ulcer at the Queen Elizabeth (QE) Hospital Birmingham in January 2013, and as part of the surgery a vein was removed from his left leg.

For his post-surgery

rehabilitation, Bayliss was moved to Moseley Hall Hospital where standard dressings were used but the left leg cavity wound was not healing effectively.

Nurses contacted Murandu and Bayliss was given the sugar treatment and within two weeks the wound had drastically reduced in size.

According to the study, sugar draws water from the wound into a dressing accelerating the healing process. The traditional remedy was suggested by Moses Murandu (left) for treating Alan Bayliss (right)

joined by award-winning Nigerian-born artist, Sokari Douglas Camp; author, columnist and Lord Northcliffe Emeritus Professor at UCL, John Sutherland.

Others members of the panel include Assistant Professor at Georgetown University, Professor Nathan Hensley and the winner of the Caine Prize in its inaugural year, Leila Aboulela.

According to the statement, this is the first time that a past winner of the £10,000 Caine Prize will take part in the judging panel.

"This year 96 qualifying stories have been submitted to the judges from 16 African countries. The judges will meet in early May to decide on the shortlisted stories, which will be announced shortly thereafter. The winning story will be announced at a dinner at the Bodleian Library in Oxford on Monday 8 July," said the statement.

The five shortlisted stories, alongside the stories written at the Caine Prize workshops are published annually by journals across the world and saw the inclusion in the 2012 anthology the story by last year's Nigerian winner, Rotimi Babatunde.

The Caine Prize is an annual award for African creative writing that is named after the late Sir Michael Caine, former Chairman of Booker plc and Chairman of the Booker Prize management committee for nearly 25 years.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 16 — SUNDAY 17, FEBRUARY, 2013

PAGE 35

Feature

Preventing blindness via prompt eye care T

he World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that more than 80 per cent of blindness and visual impairment is either preventable or treatable, while saving one's sight could be as simple as getting an eye test.

The report goes on to state that regrettably one person in the world becomes blind every five seconds, while a child becomes blind every minute.

In line with the report, Prof Abdulraheem Mahmoud, an ophthalmologist, argues that 75 per cent of Nigerians, who are currently blind, ought not to have gone blind. ``A common factor among most Nigerians who are blind is that they are poor, while a lot of these people have gone blind because of the failure of the society to address some of the causes of blindness. ``Some of the causes include accidents due to bad roads, injuries sustained by children using inappropriate toys and communal clashes, among others,'' he says.

Mahmoud, however, insists that 75 per cent of the 37 million persons who are blind worldwide could have their sight restored. ``In Kwara State, our research survey of blindness and ocular motility revealed a prevalence of blindness of 75 percent with cataract, glaucoma and river blindness as the three major causes," he says.

The professor identifies cataract as a major cause of blindness, saying that it is responsible for over half of the cases of blindness in Nigeria.

He describes the development as ``tragic'' because cataract is treatable eye condition.

As a way out, Mahmoud wants government at all levels to devote adequate resources to the health sector, so as to equip hospitals and train medical personnel.

He also urges the government to initiate cost-effective health intervention programmes such as a nationwide mobile cataract surgery programme.

Mahmoud equally feels that

trained ophthalmologists should periodically visit district and rural hospitals with adequate instruments and other logistics to conduct eye tests and surgeries.

He says that such intervention programmes will aid efforts to prevent blindness in the country, adding that this will consequently promote the citizens' wellbeing.

The consultant, however, notes that the use of traditional medicine to treat eye problems has been very counterproductive; as it tends to create grave complications.

Mahmoud insists that most of the traditional medication and concoctions used to treat cataract are unhygienic and could even be injurious to the eyes.

He says that couching, a traditional method of treatment, involves the use of a sharp instrument to dislocate the cataract lens and push it back into the posterior chamber of the eye. ``During couching, rupture and inflammation may occur and this could result in total blindness. ``I advise people to always seek professional hands in the treatment of their eyes; a checkup takes only 30 minutes," he says However, Dr Kunle Ajayi, the Group Medical Director, Catholic Eye Hospitals in Ibadan, says that not less than 500,000 Nigerians, in urgent need of cataract operation, continue to suffer because of the dearth of specialists.

He claims that his hospitals, located in Oyo and Ogun states, are only able to perform about 2,000 cataract operations every year. ``We have the capacity to do more if we have more trained manpower," he adds.

Ajayi reiterates that a major challenge facing eye health care delivery in Nigeria is the shortage of ophthalmologists.

Sharing similar sentiments, Dr Igbo Okafor, an optometrist, says that there are only 2,677 registered optometrists in Nigeria, adding that the figure is not enough for the country's large population.

He argues that one specialist cannot properly cater for the eye care needs of thousands of citizens.

An ophthalmologist, Dr Francisca Ekwuribe, defines cataract as the gradual decline in vision clarity due to the obstruction of the clear lens inside the eye. ``Cataract blocks and distort light passing through the lens and impedes vision," she says.

Ekwuribe explains that the major symptoms include difficulties in seeing at night and blurry vision. ``Cataract can develop in both eyes if not detected early, even though it is not contagious or painful. ``Although only the doctor can confirm a cataract diagnosis, the patient will be the first person to notice changes in vision. ``In the early stage of cataract, vision can be improved via eye glass prescription or by increasing lighting. ``However, in advanced cases, the only effective intervention is surgery,'' she says.

Ekwuribe says that cataract mostly occurs in persons over the age of 40, adding, however, that in some rare cases, it could affect children at birth or in early childhood due to hereditary enzyme defects.

She says that other factors that

could lead to the early development of cataract include smoking, diabetes, trauma, metabolic diseases and the side effects of certain drugs.

The ophthalmologist, nonetheless, advises Nigerians to undergo regular eye checks so as to detect eye ailments on time before complications crop up.

Ekwuribe stresses that the advent of the computer has added a new dimension to eye problems, adding that computer-induced eye problems could be severe in Nigeria because of its tropical weather.

Besides, Dr Stephen Ume, an ophthalmologist, says that continued exposure of the eyes to the sun could severely damage the eyes.

He says that Ultraviolet radiation (UV rays) from sunlight or indoor artificial rays could damage the eyes, causing cataract or cancer in the process. ``A lot of people who live in hot environments like Nigeria usually have very red eyes and sometimes, water comes out from their due to sun damage. ``I recommend that people should wear sun glasses when they go out during sunny days; I recommend this even for people who do not need prescription glasses,'' he says.

Nevertheless, Ume explains that not all sun glasses have the capacity to block UV rays, saying: ``People should not just assume that their eyes are safe because their sunglasses are expensive."

He also says that it is quite erroneous for people to think that their eyes are healthy just because they can see clearly.

Ume, nonetheless, underscores the need for the people to take issues regarding their eye care seriously, adding once the eyes are impaired; a person's capability to do several things is consequently hindered. ``A healthy lifestyle also goes a long way in protecting a person's sight,'' he adds.

Ume recommends the eating of fruits and vegetables that have high levels of antioxidants and Vitamins A, B and C, adding that fruits and vegetables include carrots, oranges, berries and banana.

He particularly warns the people against any tendency to ignore any swelling, discomfort or discoloration in their eyes.

In all, the experts emphasise the need for people to go for regular eye checkups because a healthy looking eye could have an undetected blinding eye disease. (NANFeatures)

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 16 — SUNDAY 17, FEBRUARY, 2013

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NRF: Northernwealth interest or Re: Sovereign fund political ambition?

By Mohammed Isa

W

ith 2015 lurking around the corner, coupled with the unprecedented security challenges, tribal and religious conflicts bedeviling the northern region, many socio-political associations are daily springing up with the self imposed mission of restoring and protecting the region's social, economic and political interests.

It is indisputable fact that since 1999 after the restoration of democracy in the country, the North has been steadily isolating itself politically, economically, socially and other spheres of human life, a situation that throw up several groups and associations aimed at reversing the ugly trend.

It is in that light that a little over a year ago the Northern Reawakening Forum (NRF) was initiated and convened by a group of young northern politicians and businessmen among others, to reactive the North's long culture of communalism, resuscitate its value of honesty and promote peaceful coexistence between different religions and tribes in the North.

Though as observed earlier, many associations such as NRF are springing up daily, however, the Northern Reawakening Forum stands out for scrutiny because of the people involved in its formation and activities.

Convened by former member of the House of Representatives, Aliyu Ahmed Wadada, the Forum is currently led by another ex legislator, Mohammed Kumalia, while majority of its membership is made up largely by ex this; ex that political office holders.

The suspicion on the real motive of the Forum, in spite of the positive political antecedents of both Wadada and Kumalia, is largely informed by the experiences of the past, where people with political ambition formed such associations claiming to protect the interest of their community but

WRITE TO US Peoples Daily Weekend welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed to: The Editor, Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja.

Email: letters@peoplesdaily-online.com ended using them as platforms for the realisation of their ambitions.

Though it is not a crime for one to pursue his political carrier in a legitimate way, however, it is morally wrong for a group to capitalise on the misfortune of their people, such as the one the northerners find themselves in today, to pursue its members' individual political ambitions.

Today, it is common knowledge that the once prosperous, peaceful North with its sense of dignity, pride and brotherhood among its diverse ethnoreligious society as bequeathed to this generation by the late Sardaunan Sokoto and his likes, has become the most backward, and now a laughing stock in Nigeria due largely to bad leadership and selfishness of many of its elites.

Name any sphere of human endeavor; education, health, infrastructural provision, economy, that the North is not at the bottom of the ladder. Even agricultural potential which the almighty has blessed the region with has been bastardized by the latter leaders of the region.

The North has of recent become the killing field of innocent people in large scale in the name of ethno-religious crises, which were fueled by the actions and inactions of the region's elites.

An average northerner has today, because of his continuous and sustain exploitation, become a subject of ridicule among Nigerians for no fault of his, while the region has been bereft of reasonable leadership that can boast of loyalty, respect, sympathy and commitment of the people.

The glaring bad leadership and its

consequences has created a wide gulf of mistrust between the elites cum leaders of the North and their followers, such that any initiative for the good of the region is viewed with skeptiscm and suspicion, for the people had already lost hope of having anything good from their self acclaimed/imposed leaders.

However, the activities of Northern Reawakening Forum, since its formation about one and half years ago has rekindled the lost hope, albeit with caution, that the North can weather the storm and reclaim its lost glory through institutionalisation of selfless leadership that can be a rallying point to the entire region.

As part of its effort to realise its objective, the NRF recently visited the crises ridden town of Jos, where its members interacted with the Plateau state government and various religious organizations in the state which culminated into a town hall meeting, where all the stakeholders participated and listed their grievances and how the

elusive peace could be restored in the state.

Not only that, it succeeded in restoring the Inter-faith committee in the state with the mandate of mediating among the two dominant religions in the state.

Also, worthy of mention is the Forum's participation in the recent public hearing on the Constitution review exercise conducted by the House of Representatives where it canvassed for issues that it believes will be beneficial to the North.

Furthermore, its position on Petroleum Industry Bill, the dredging of River Niger and Lake Chad, HYPADEC and other projects beneficial to the North is highly commendable.

However, in spite of these lofty and commendable initiatives, it behooves on members of the Northern Reawakening Forum, particularly the Convener and the Chairman to come closer to the people they claim they are making the sacrifice for, so as to have their support.

It will be a deceptive if the Forum, like many before it become a platform for the realisation of the political ambition of individuals. The North needs to know those who are genuinely for its reawakening, salvation and restoration so as to differentiate them from those who only use it as spring board to feather their political nest.

Mohammed Isa wrote in from Abuja, and can be reached at mammanmunir@gmail.com

“

In spite of these lofty and commendable initiatives, it behooves on members of the Northern Reawakening Forum, particularly the Convener and the Chairman to come closer to the people they claim they are making the sacrifice for, so as to have their support.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 16 — SUNDAY 17, FEBRUARY, 2013

PAGE 37

Opinion Ahmed Kaita and the power project in Kankia

By Abubakar Salisu

A

hmed Kaita was a member of House of Representatives representing Kankia/ Kusada/ Ingawa federal constituency of Katsina state up till January 11 , 2013, when a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja nullified the certificates of return issued to Kaita and nine other members of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) from the Katsina state in the National Assembly.

Earlier, on September 28, 2011, the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Katsina had ruled that Ahmed Kaita and his co-travellers, in their quest for political power, were not the candidates sponsored by the CPC in the general elections. In case of Kankia/ Kusada/ Ingawa constituency, the CPC candidate for the election was Hon. Musa Salisu, it is on record that Musa Salisu was the candidate that solicited for votes from the electorate during the campaign.

Ahmed Kaita had been reaping where he did not sow Until recently when Kaita suddenly lost his voice after the judgement of the court, he had been in the vanguard of probity and accountability on the pages of newspapers. Instead of him to be a blessing to Kankia and its area, the reverse was the case. The incident below further testified to the role that Kaita had

been playing to retard the progress and development of Katsina state. For the sake of clarity and better understanding, Katsina State Governor, Barrister Ibrahim Shema flagged off the construction of a 30 mw solar energy plant in Kankia town in the state. The solar plant is based on a partnership agreement between Nigeria /Germany.

The Katsina state government, in the partnership arrangement with the company, Hellious Group from Germany would provide 30 mw solar plant through renewable energy sources. This project is expected to be completed within 18 months.

According to the agreement, Katsina state government, apart from providing land and facilitating the process of getting approval of the Federal Government relevant agencies, the state government will also contribute 15 percent of the total cost of the project. Apart from the fact that the Kankia will be the primary beneficiary of the project in terms of employment opportunities and economic empowerment, the state government will also benefit 15 percent of the total profit generated from the sales of power for the period of 20-25 years after which the Germany company is expected to hand over the plant to Katsina state government.

However, Kaita, in his unguarded

statement on the pages of newspapers, castigated this noble and laudable project in which the primary beneficiaries are the Kankia residents. He went further to throw caution to the wind when he blew out of proportion the arrangement being made by the government to facilitate the visa arrangement for the two French engineers who are working on a similar project in Rimi town along Kankia road. For the undue publicity that Kaita gave to this security related issues so as to score cheap popularity. Today, not only is the project in Rimi stalled, but the German engineers have stayed away from Kankia due to the negative publicity given to the project.

There is need for every Kankia resident to know that Kaita's utterances may have contributed to the setback the project has suffered. It should be on record that the candidate that we voted during the last general elections in Kankia/ Kusada/ Ingawa federal constituency is Musa Salisu. The people have spoken and the court has affirmed. Kaita should exhibit honour and integrity by allowing the candidate that stands for credible representation to represent the constituency.

He should also not hesitate to refund to the government the salary and allowances he illegally received during

Succour for grassroots football

A

s efforts towards grassroots sports development gather momentum, a sports enthusiast, Barrister Kenneth Imasuagbon, has declared his readiness to contribute his quota in ensuring that football is made more popular in Nigeria than it is presently.

"Many hitherto unknown football talents discovered in various tournaments have proved that with more focus and commitment of government and the private sector, youths of the country can bring glory to the country", said Imansuagbon, a former governorship aspirant in Edo state. "I want to engage the youth's leisure time in creative activities and not crime". This was part of the message passed across at this year's edition of an annual football competition sponsored by Imasuagbon, the proprietor of the Pacesetters schools, Abuja. "When young people don't use idle time to perpetrate evil, it helps the country.

Instead of engaging in crime and other evils, you can channel your creative abilities positively and excel," he said.

Explaining why he initiated the Ken Imasuagbon football competition for all secondary schools in the Federal Capital Territory, Imasuagbon said it was to foster unity among secondary schools students.

"Football is a competition that brings people of different races and colour together, we have also discovered some young boys in the secondary schools coming together and have a united force in fighting crimes and other bad deeds through football", he added. In his opinion, the energy students exert during their leisure time can now be channeled towards productive ventures like football.The former gubernatorial aspirant urged the private sector to take the gauntlet in the nation's football and sports

KEN IMANSUAGBON is well known educationist and politician.

Recently he initiated a football competition for all secondary schools in Nigeria, especially the Federal Capital Territory. He told Peoples Daily's Sports correspondent Albert Akota that the idea behind the innovative competition was to foster unity among secondary schools students in Nigeria as well as discovering talents for the national teams. rebirth by meaningfully engaging the youths with the aim of rebuilding the society.

One hundred and sixteen secondary schools cut across Nigeria especially the Federal Capital Territory have registered for the 5th edition of the Ken Imasuagbon football competition which kicked off on 14th February 2013 at various centers. The competition comprises both male and female categories with certificates of participation; the competition was designed to complement the intellectual, spiritual and social values of the students.So far, the competition which started in 2009 has discovered talents with my humble opinion meet international standards, if given the necessary attention will end up as champions.

Imasuagbon, sponsor of many grassroots sports competitions in Nigeria, said as other residents of the city contemplate on how to develop other sports in the FCT, he has made up his mind to engage the youth in meaningful activities.Imasuagbon assured that soon, the competition will product players that would take over from the aging players in various national teams. "By the special grace of God, very soon, we would be seeing football competitions in

the FCT" he continued. "If that happens, we will make the game national for talent hurt, we will be developing football in such a way that the game will become synonymous with Abuja".

Although he also spoke passionately about developing other sports, he said it will not be a case of carrying all eggs in one basket as youths who have talents in other sports would be encouraged to develop such talents.

The philanthropist maintained that those who are good in other sports would be encouraged to take just as those who show ability to play other games would be given all the necessary encouragement.

He sought God's blessing for Coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshiled technical crew of the Super Eagles for returning Nigeria back to global soccer map, saying that the effort has uplifted the people and nation in no small measure. Hear him. "Super Eagles' victory at the just concluded African Nations soccer competition is a clear example to showed that youth development and peaceful coexistence were vital to nation building and delighted that Keshi has used the competition to showcase talent that abound at the

his stay in the House of Representatives, if he truly stands for honour and integrity. He should also note that it will be in Katsina state memorial record, that the comments of a young, inexperienced and misguided man from Kankia may have contributed to the bungling of an opportunity to establish an independent power plant in the community.

This should also serve as a lesson for CPC in future election, never to allow 'adult in outlook but toddler in thinking and knowledge' to fly the flag of the party for political contest. Kaita is a mistake in our midst and the court has helped us to correct the misfortune.

Governor Shema led administration is an example of purposeful government that even the critics of the administration find nothing to use to criticise the government, hence resolved to deliberate falsehood and misrepresentation of facts, in their desperate bids to malign the administration. Definitely, for Nigeria economy to get out of the woods, public accountability and transparency should serve as the hallmark of governance. The government need to execute public oriented projects without string of politics attached to it.

Abubakar Salisu wrote this piece from Kankia Local Government, Katsina state.

local football scene".We believe Nigerians can use this to know that there is still hope for this country in our oneness; there is hope in the rejuvenation of the economy as well as paying more attention to youth development and national unity for rapid development.We are very happy with the Super Eagles for the feat, they have made Nigerians proud, football is a very big business, if only we know how to tap it, in countries like Brazil and England, football contributes a lot.The victory was a credit for the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, those boys are Nigerians; six of them are local players; some believed they were not good enough, but they made us proud.Adequate security arrangement have been put in place to protect the precious lives and properties of the young Nigerians who will be competing for the honours during the two week soccer extravaganza, measures have been taken to forestall the use of mercenaries during the this year's competition.

The tournament, now in its fifth year, is the equivalent of the Principal Cup and kicked off on February 14 with over 166 public and private schools from FCT will be participating.The highest goal scorer, Most Valuable Player and best behaved team will be going home with prizes.Former Golden Eaglets, Coach Monday Odigie in 2009 commended Imasuagbon forencouraging the youths to embraced football, according to him, it made coach job easier because it is at such competitions that talented footballers can be identified and nurtured to represent the country.The Imansuangbon Cup began in 2009 to develop sports in the country and to positively engage the youth by taking their minds away from disruptive activities.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 16 — SUNDAY 17, FEBRUARY, 2013

PAGE 39

Focus Mothers’ conference: How to know your daughter

By A'isha Biola Raji

W

onder what it's like to have been a fourteen year old? A lot of women still remember what it was like with them at that age; the good, the bad and the ugly of being a fourteen year old.

According to a survey carried out

by TheBabyWebsite.com, "the most difficult to handle among teenagers are daughters, when they are fourteen." It is believed that, girls at this stage are desperate to grow fast in order to acquire freedom which is the ultimate thing they desire.

At this stage, the pressure from peer group is high and no fourteen year old would want to be left behind in whatever trend is going on.

However, if the urge to go with the wind is not properly handled, especially by parents, then a whole lot of things can go wrong with a teenager at fourteen.

This brings up the question, who should be saddled with the task of handling a fourteen year old daughter, is it the father or the mother? This and many more questions were parts of the discussion at Annual Mothers Conference of Great Heights Academy, Abuja.

The conference with the theme: Knowing your daughter was held in Abuja.

At the conference, several scenarios that could be facing fourteen year olds were discussed, scenarios ranging from telling lies, wanting to get married, choice of career and several other challenges.

In a paper presentation by Hajiya Rafatu Abdulhamid, Lecturer, Islamic Studies Department, University of Abuja, she described a mother as a female parent of a child.

She however clarified that, for a mother to be 'motherly,' she must have qualities of a good mother.

According to her, the beginning of motherhood emanates from having proper marriage built on fear of Allah(God) and in accordance with His rules. "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, if the first step is right, the subsequent ones would be right," she said.

She said a mother is like a seed which, if well nurtured, bears good fruits. Mothers are integral part of the role of bringing up children especially daughters, and are therefore expected to spend quality time with them in order to encourage them.

She said a female child according to the Qur'an has significant position in any society hence the need for parents to show support and be dutybound in their upbringing.

According to her,"The prophet (SAW), being a good model for the believers was kind and loving to his daughter. Throughout his life time, it was narrated that, "Whenever he sees his daughter (Fatimah), he will stand up, hug her and give her his place to sit."

The prophet (SAW) said about his daughter Fatimah, "Fatimah is part of me; what makes her angry, makes me

Minister for women

angry. Fatimah is part of me, what makes me sad, makes me sad and what pleases me pleases her. And surely, my daughter is part of me, I fear what frightens her and I am harmed by what harms her."

According to the school Director, Hajiya Rabi Namtari, she described a woman as 'the soul of the society' that is dedicated to the needs of her family.

She said there is need for fathers to also join hands in helping daughters especially at the critical age of fourteen surmount their challenges. This they can achieve by instilling confidence in the child.

According to her, the Qur'an and teachings of Prophet Muhammad says that, the paradise of a child lies under the feet of the mother hence placing huge responsibility on the mother in order to help the child achieve such feat.

Hajiya Namtari said, the annual conference is to help mothers develop skills which will be useful in proper

monitoring of their children hence the need for them to have better understanding of their needs.

The conference had been useful in the sense that since it commenced, parents having children in the school now have better understanding of their wards which is being noticed in the performance and behaviour of the children. "Parents now realize how to handle issues concerning their children," she said.

Hajiya Umar Kaita, mother of four, all of which are in the school at both primary and secondary level said the conference has been enlightening, informative and it brings a question to mind, "What have we been doing as mothers in taking care of the children entrusted in our care? "As a mother, am I discharging my duties?"

She said she was able to gather from the conference, places where she is lacking and she is determined to apply lessons she had learnt to bring

up her children.

She described the gathering as blessing for mothers which will help in identifying areas where they flop and hence rectify it. "It will also help in identifying areas of good measure and where there are rooms for improvement," she explained.

She described herself as a mother who believed in using strict measures in driving her points home with her daughters but since she started attending the conference, she has come to realize that, being harsh unleashing too much anger is not effective. "After the conference, I learnt to keep my anger in check while I resolved to use soft method. "Now we have come to be friends and they are more comfortable around me," she shared.

The parents however look forward to having another conference which they have come to cherish as they describe it as "Eye opener."

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 16— SUNDAY 17, FEBRUARY, 2013

Peoples Page

Meet mechanical engineer turned vegetable seller Engineer Lawal U.S Kangiwa is a Mechanical engineer, poet and writer, and currently member of the Association of Nigerian Authors, (ANA), Katsina State Chapter. He has written some unpublished poems and short stories, among his poems include 'Stubbornly So', 'Shema'u and Other Poem'. He also has a collection of short stories to his name called, 'The Orient Book of Dingis'.

One of his major contributions in ANA was his sole aim of reviving reading culture through a Reading Session initiative of the state chapter. Peoples Daily Weekend encountered Engineer Kangiwa in Katsina, who said 'as we speak, I'm on my way to a reading session where we invited some secondary schools for the event'. In his view, 'there is no way you can create intellectual, peaceful and enterprising minds without reading. I therefore wish to encourage students no matter their academic background to take up the hobby of reading and writing'. He said, while speaking with Lawal Sa'idu Funtua.

T

he story of a Mechanical Engineer, Lawal U.S Kangiwa is a story of a twist of fate, of commitment and entrepreneurship. Kangiwa, 39 years old attended Gobarau Primary School in Katsina metropolis, Technical College Mashi for his secondary school where he passed out with flying colours, having passed all his subjects in WAEC (Technical) and also eight papers in NABTEB examination as well as a Labour Trade Test examination.

After leaving Secondary school with requisite qualification in technical based subjects in 1996, Kangiwa got admission into Bayero University Kano to read Civil Engineering.

In his words, 'after completing my secondary school in 1996 I got admission into BUK to read Civil Engineering but as fate would have it I had to withdraw at 300 level due to some reasons'.

What are the reasons that made this promising engineer to withdraw from the university after spending three years? Kangiwa told Peoples Daily Weekend that he had to withdraw due to some problems that arose as a result of his visible and active role in the Student Union Government, (SUG) activities.

He disclosed, 'at that time I was fully involved in campus politics. I became a kind of godfather to the extent that if I did not bless a candidate there is no way the person can win election into the SUG. This situation seriously affected my academic activities'.

However, as he was determined to succeed in the world of academics in 2000, Kangiwa re-applied to BUK, but his second bid targeted Mechanical Engineering. As he had learnt a bitter lesson from his past experience, Kangiwa said he resolved to be more committed to his studies. "When I returned to BUK for the second time I maintained a low profile.

I distanced myself from anything that had to do with student unionism. In fact I

Engr. Lawal U.S Kangiwa in his vegetable shade stayed off-campus" He noted that it was while staying off-campus that he came across a colleague who introduced him to business, adding " my friend who was also a student in BUK encouraged me to venture into business, so after lectures or on weekends we would go to Kofar Wambai market in Kano where we hawked second hand clothes".

After graduating in 2005, Engineer Kangiwa served with a construction firm in Kano, called Standard Construction.

According to Kangiwa, right from the onset his plan was to go into business because he has never had interest in white collar jobs. 'I have never thought of taking government job or working for anyone'. On

finishing from the University and with the completion of the mandatory National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC), Kangiwa returned to Katsina where he hired a piece of irrigation site and planted some vegetables. He disclosed 'at that time I spent N2, 500 to hire the land and for other expenses, after harvesting it in four weeks I sold the vegetables at the cost of N9, 000. So this encouraged me to really consider irrigation farming'. As at now, Engineer Kangiwa said he has two hectares of irrigation land at the famous Ajiwa Dam site where he undertakes all year round harvesting of vegetables.

To expand his business, Kangiwa said he established five vegetables selling points in Katsina metropolis. According to him, he

has three selling points along KofarMarusa, one in GRA area and one in Kofar-Marusa Layout law-cost houses. He however stated that he gets most of his supplies from Zaria but sometimes travelled to Kano to buy some. Engineer Kangiwa mainly deals in cabbage, cauliflower, green beans, onion, fresh tomatoes and other veggies and have been smiling to the bank. He said, he makes a profit of N2, 500 daily but during festivities like Sallah, Ramadan fasting or when there are wedding activities in town he sometimes make up to N70, 000 daily'. He has about 15 people working for him.

On why he would never take up government job, Engineer Kangiwa, who is married and blessed with a daughter, said 'we

have examples of how one would be working in government and getting money but on retirement the person becomes relegated and at the mercy of the society, catering for one's family at that point becomes Herculean'. To him vegetable farming is the kind of business that you would do for life if you wanted, and does not consider retirement age. It is a business prevents children from roaming the streets and instead becoming engaged themselves, with this kind of business your children would come home after school and assist you with selling, therefore there would be no room to play around, you would always know where you children are and even after your death they can continue with the business.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 16 — SUNDAY 17, FEBRUARY, 2013

PAGE 47

From the Pulpit Beware of ingratitude and pride (III)

T

o d a y , I want to bring you the concluding part of this series which mainly focuses on the ingratitude and pride of Hezekiah. I encourage you to get the previous two parts to read in order to be able to avoid this pitfall.

Riches and honor come from God. (Ecc 6:2) Don't be proud and go into error because of them. God gives power to get wealth. (Dt 8:1718) God has promised wealth and honor to those who fear him. (Ps 112:3) But be careful you don't become proud. "The LORD despises pride; be assured that the proud will be punished." (Prov 16:5 NLT) Ps 62:10 warns: "If your wealth increases, don't make it the center of your life."(NLT) Don't put your trust in your riches. Paul told Timothy to "Tell those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone.

But their trust should be in the living God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment." (1 Tim 6:17-18 NLT) Pride proceeds from the heart.

(Mk 7:22) Therefore search your heart and repent today. "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." (Prov 16:18 NKJV) The Message translation renders it thus: "First pride, then the crash - the bigger the ego, the harder the fall" Prov 11:2 says, "When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom." (NKJV) God will destroy those who trust in riches.

(Ps 52:5-7) God will judge the proud.

(Eze 28:2- 10, Is 13:11, Is 16:6-7, Jer 13:15-19, Jer 50:29-32, Zeph 2:9-11, Eze 30:6-8, 18, Dan 4:37, Obad 3:14, Zech 9:6, 10:11, 11:3, Mal 4:1) Acts 1:1-11 h i s is a year of great expectation and realization, a year of great revival and renewal, a year of righteousness and full restoration. Every Bible Study will be the hour of power. We are going to experience the Acts of the Apostles afresh. In the studies, we shall explore together the supernatural power for DAWN – Discipling A Whole Nation, Demonstrating Apostolic Wonders Nationally, Dynamic Anointing Winning Nations, Developing Anointed Witnesses Nationwide, Dethroning Apostates’ Worldly Networks, Discipling Africa With Nationals, Discipling Awakened Western Neighbourhoods. We shall expound and experience the power for personal growth and church growth. We desire to see vibrant and glorious Christianity again as we study the book of Acts of the Apostles.

This book throbs with life and thrives with action. In it, we see the Holy Spirit at work, empowering believers, evangelizing the world, building the Church, using believers and Christian preachers to heal the sick and deliver the oppressed. Here, the Holy Spirit so enabled Apostles and disciples to overcome formidable obstacles, spread the gospel everywhere and achieve remarkable results. This inspired history of the early Church, written to reveal how the Church was built and strengthened in the most turbulent period in the world was authored by Luke. The book covers a period of about thirty-three years. It is filled with the supernatural.

1. THE PERTINENT PURPOSE

T

Remember the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:9-14. The proud Pharisee's prayer was rejected while the tax collector, a sinner, went home justified. "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 18:14NKJV) Remember the story of Lucifer in Isaiah 14:12-17. Because of pride, Lucifer lost his place. God said to Lucifer: "Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit. Those who see you will gaze at you, and consider you, saying: 'Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms, who made the world as a wilderness and destroyed its cities, who did not open the house of his prisoners?'" (Verse 16-17 NKJV) Beware of religious pride; don't be proud because of your wealth, positions or accomplishment. "When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, he will lift you up and give you honor."

(James 4:10 NLT) 1 Peter 5:6 says, "So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and in his good time he will honor you." (NLT) Hear the word of the Master: "And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Matt 23:12 NKJV) Moving from thanksgiving to thanksliving Ingratitude is a sin. Humble people have no problem showing gratitude. If you don't know how to show appreciation, the sea of

kindness will dry up for you. You must move from thanksgiving to thanksliving - thanksgiving as a lifestyle. Hezekiah wrote a poem to thank God immediately he was healed but he didn't engage in thanksliving and therefore regressed into pride - showing off his possessions rather than showing forth the kindness of God to him. He dispossessed God of the honour due to Him alone. This will normally happen once we stop focusing on God but on ourselves and our possessions.

Jesus healed ten lepers but only one of them, a Samaritan came back to show gratitude - the remaining took him for granted; they failed to respond appropriately to his kindness to them. (Luke 17:12-19) Respond appropriately to the kindness of God; don't be proud.

God was angry with Hezekiah, Judah and Jerusalem because of Hezekiah's pride. It was after Hezekiah repented and the people of Jerusalem humbled themselves that the LORD spared them His anger.

I don't know how you look at it but I have problem with Hezekiah's response to Prophet Isaiah's message from the Lord to him on the folly and consequence of showing the envoys from Babylon who had seen all that was in his house. "Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, 'Listen to this message from the LORD: The time is coming when everything you have - all the treasures stored up by your ancestors - will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD. Some of your own descendants will be taken away into exile. They will become eunuchs

GREEN PASTURES

By Pastor T.O. Banso cedarministryintl@yahoo.com GSM: 08033113523 who will serve in the palace of Babylon's king.' Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, 'This message you have given me from the LORD is good.'

But the king was thinking, 'At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime.'" (2 Kings 20:1619 NLT) I consider that a not-toogood response. When God said he should get ready to die, he didn't put up that kind of attitude. But because what God said would not happen during his reign, he didn't plead with God to change it. This appears to me as selfishness and lack of foresight.

He sowed a bad seed for his descendants to reap. That was not a good legacy to bequeath.

I expected Hezekiah to have approached God in humility to reverse His judgment. But he probably was more interested in the success of his reign - peace and security during his lifetime. He couldn't care if there would be no peace and security in future because of his own error. I pray that your action or inaction today will not mortgage the future of your children in Jesus' name.

"But Hezekiah did not thank God for his kindness, because he was so proud. So the LORD was angry with him and the people of Judah and Jerusalem." (2 Chron 32:25) May you know how to thank God always

for His kindness to you. May you not forget his kindness to you. May you not do anything that will prove the anger of God. "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

(James 4:6 NKJV) 1 Peter 5:5 says the same thing. God hates pride, and you should hate it too.

TAKE ACTION! If you are not born again, kindly say this prayer now: "0 Lord God, I come unto you today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and resurrected the third day. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour and surrender my life to him today. I invite Jesus into my heart today. By this prayer, I know I am saved.

Thank you Jesus for saving me and making me a child of God" I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations!

You will need to join a Bible believing, Bible teaching church in your area where you will be taught how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar of Lebanon.

May the Lord make you a Cedar Christian. May you grow into Christ in all things becoming all God wants you to be.

Power for finishing Christ’s unfinished work OF HIS GRACIOUS COMMANDMENT Acts 1:1-5; Luke 24:19,45-49; Psalms 27:14; 62:5,11; Isaiah 40:31; Hosea 10:12; 12:3-6; Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16; 11:9-13; John 14:15-17,26; Acts 11:15,16.

In “the former treatise” written to the “most excellent Theophilus” (Luke 1:1-4), Luke had carefully reported Christ’s miracles and messages, His deeds and doctrine, His supernatural works and saving words, “all that Jesus began both to do and teach”. Indeed, He was “mighty in deed and word before God and all the people” (Luke 24:19).

What Jesus began to do and teach the Apostles, disciples and the whole Church were to continue. Since they were to preach and proclaim His resurrection in the power of the Holy Ghost, He showed Himself to them as the risen Lord “by many infallible proofs”. For 40 days before He was “taken up” (Acts 1:2,9,11,22), He taught them concerning “the Kingdom of God ” and commanded them to tarry in Jerusalem, waiting, praying and expecting “the promise of the Father”, the “baptism with the Holy Ghost”, the enduement of “power from on high” (Luke 24:49).

But why in Jerusalem, the city of hatred, intimidation, fear and persecution? Why not wait to receive the promise and begin the great work in another city? Jerusalem was the place of divine appointment and in Jerusalem they waited, received the promised power, witnessed, wrought

FAITH DISCOURSE WITH

Pastor W. F. Kumuyi miracles, signs and wonders, raised and grew the Church and won great victories (Acts 1:4,8; 2:5,41; 4:16; 5:16,28; 6:7). They obeyed and waited; we must obey, wait on the Lord and pray until we are “endued with power from on high”.

2. THE PROMISED POWER FOR THE GREAT COMMISSION Acts 1:6-8; Micah 3:8; Luke 1:1517,35; 24:47-49; Acts 4:31,33; 6:5,8,10; Romans 15:13,19; 1 Corinthians 2:4,5; Acts 2:32,33,38,39; 5:32.

“Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

It is not for you to know, but ye shall receive power.” Our curiosity often hinders our spirituality and responsibility. “Lord, and what shall this man do? ” (John 21:21). It is not for you to know but ye shall receive power. “Lord, are there few that be saved? ” (Luke 13:23). It is not for you to know but ye shall receive power.

“Lord, who did sin that this man was born blind?” (John 9:2). It is not for you to know but ye shall receive

power. “How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? ” (1 Corinthians 15:35). It is not for you to know but ye shall receive power.

Those who really desire power for DAWN (Destroying All Wicked Networks) must not allow the natural man’s curiosity to divert their attention to things which are not their concern. In pursuit of Dynamic Anointing to Win Nations, we must Disregard All Worthless Nonessentials. Drop all speculations and seek the power of the Holy Ghost to do exploits for God’s Kingdom. “Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.” This power is indispensable for effectiveness in Christian witness and ministry. Great talents and intensive training without spiritual power will prove ineffective in this great work of eternal consequence. We must seek and receive the power of the Holy Ghost.

3.

THE PROPHETIC PROCLAMATION OF HIS GLORIOUS COMING Acts 1:9-11; Mark 16:19; Luke

24:50,51; John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; Revelation 1:7; 3:11; 22:12-14,20; Luke 19:10,13; Matthew 25:1-13; 1 John 2:28; Revelation 2:25-27.

The great Commission, the final commandment had been given.

Thereafter Christ blessed His disciples. His blessing was enriching but they must still wait and pray, believing until they received the supernatural power of the Holy Ghost.

As soon as He had commissioned and blessed them, He was “taken up into heaven”. What a spectacular event; what an unusual happening! Heaven is real. The risen Lord was “taken up” (Acts 1:9,11,22), and while the disciples beheld, “a cloud received Him out of their sight.” Then two angels (two men in white apparel) assured them that “this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.”

While the Apostles and disciples appeared lost in wonder and worship “gazing up into heaven”, the two angels (two for confirmation) assured them of Christ’s Second Coming at the appointed time. The angelic proclamation gave a sure prophecy and a clear promise that Christ will return as many prophecies of Scripture affirm. The rapture of the Church is certain; Christ’s Second Coming is sure; His return to reign on earth is guaranteed by the divine decree. Instead of idly standing by, pray, receive power, preach and “occupy till I come”.

BIG PUNCH We should not allow the present predicament in the south west to dissuade us from the leadership role that we are known for. The amalgamation of opposition into APC is nothing to worry about. – Bamanga Tukur

SATURDAY 16 — SUNDAY 17, FEBRUARY, 2013

Towards a golden generation

W

ho thinks for Nigeria?

Who plans for Nigeria? Who works for Nigeria? We ask these troubling but apt questions to bring to a close the theme we have been discussing several weeks ago, namely to religious tolerance and peaceful existence in Nigeria – a theme prompted by the leadership of Radio Nigeria. We have argued that in principle the notion of the existence of a persistent religious crisis in the country is a myth, and that there is nothing in the horizon to indicate the possibility of such a crisis in the foreseeable future.

So, instead of agonizing over a problem that doesn’t exist, the focus must be on real issues: absence of vision, collapse of leadership, breakdown of morality, disintegration of the fabric of society, absence of accountability.

Leadership [14 and 15 February 2013], carries reports which are extremely worrying.

The first points to the likelihood of a looming monumental economic crisis for Nigeria following America’s decision to secure energy independence and dispense totally with the need for foreign oil, including Nigeria’s oil. ‘After years of talking about it, we are finally poised to control our own energy future. We produce more oil at home than we have in 15 years. We have dou-bled the distance our cars will go on a gallon of gas, and the amount of renewable energy we gen-er-ate from sources like wind and solar. We pro-duce more nat-ur-al gas than ever before,’ the paper quotes President Obama’s State of the Union Address. ‘Indeed, much of our new-found energy is drawn from lands and waters... So tonight, I propose we use some of our oil and gas revenues to fund an Ener-gy Secu-ri-ty Trust that will drive new research and tech-nol-o-gy to shift our cars and trucks off oil for good.’

Part of the ramifications of this paradigm shift is that perhaps in two to three years time America may not need Nigeria’s oil at all, neither Europe nor much of the world. This obviously will have grave consequences for the national well being and stability.

Sure, Nigeria has not planned for this eventuality. Sure, Nigeria has never found time to think about its future.

The second report states that, according to Global Financial Integrity, GFI, a Washington based research and advocacy organization, about $129 billion

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or N20.6 trillion, illicit money, from crime, corruption and tax evasion was siphoned from Nigeria in the last ten years. The paper states further: About $19.66 billion, or N3 trillion, illicit money was exported from Nigeria in 2010 alone while an average of $12.9 billion, or N3 trillion, is moved yearly by corrupt politicians, businessmen, drug barons and criminals in a country where citizens grapple with poor transportation networks, unreliable electricity, inadequate healthcare facilities and other lacking social amenities despite being rich in natural resources.

We have already pointed to the economic opportunities presented to countries by Islamic Banking in particular and Islamic Finance in general, and how nations all over the world are racing to take advantage.

Dubai, a tiny country with a mighty brain, is a shining example of how a nation can look far into the future, can plan and can seize the moment, seize a golden opportunity. Khaleej Times, [9/2/13], reveals that the country is hurtling towards its goal of becoming the global capital of Islamic economy. ‘We have a clear vision for this vital sector and we want it to contribute significantly to our national economy and to help bolster our position as the world’s capital for Islamic economy,’ the Emir of Dubai, Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, said in a policy statement, quoted by the paper.

‘We have the infrastructure, the strategic location at the heart of the Islamic world and, importantly, a vast knowledge and experience in Islamic economy, Islamic banking, Islamic Sukook and insurance, and we have, above all, the resolve and ambition to achieve our goals.’ In the sukuk, sovereign fund, Great Britain still leads, with Malysia and Dubai in the second and third places respectively. But Nigeria, five times the size of Malaysia in human population, three times the size of Britain, a hundred and fifty plus times the size of Dubai is yet to make a significant move, despite the fact that it remains the most eligible candidate to be the hub of Islamic Finance and Islamic economy foe West Africa, better still, for the African continent.

Just as Dubai has a ‘crystal clear vision’ about how to position itself strategically at the

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WEEKEND with

Ibraheem Sulaiman sa427420@gmail.com

CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi heart of Islamic economy, how to diversify its economy, and how to endear itself to the world, so is Turkey crystal clear about its vision on education, more specifically, Islamic education.

The Prime Minister, Tayyip Erdogan, stated it categorically: ‘We want to raise a righteous generation.’ He was making reference to the education reform law adopted by Turkish Parliament in March 2012, which granted Turkish children wider access to Quran education and the study of the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad, in Turkish equivalent of Northern Nigeria’s Quran schools. ‘It is a law that shows how democracy in Turkey has advanced. Fascist pressures has been corrected through democracy.’ And it shows, Erdogan states further, where sovereignty lies. It may be recalled that secular Turkey suppressed Quran education in the way Northern Nigeria does today, albeit more subtly.

Secular Turkey despised Quran education in the way Northern Nigeria does. Quran is removed

from mainstream education and consigned to the dustbin. Its graduates, whose education is cut short, whose growth and development are arrested, are regarded almost as sub-citizens, with abridged rights and privileges, fit only for menial jobs, and as appendages.

Prime Minister Tayyeb Erdogan is a product of the despised and suppressed Quran education, as were at least one third of the top echelon of the ruling Justice and Development Party. Against the wish of all the powerful vested interests, in and out of Turkey,power has changed hands decisively and dramatically, from those who had been in charge for nearly a century to those at the receiving end. This alone should serve as a clear warning to the rulers in Northern Nigeria who feel they can toy with the destiny of Muslims forever. Let them listen to Prime Minister Erdogan. ‘We have been treated as if we were foreigners, second-class citizens for decades. Years have passed but today I am openly saying that we are in rampancy. We

have suffered from oppression and pains. Generations in this country were not allowed to freely learn the Quran, and mosques were closed down. In the name of modernization and Westernization, Turkish people’s links with their moral values had been weakened.’ A new era has emerged and Turkey is being transformed into a new nation.

After 90 long years, the Quran is back in the education system, and is destined to take its rightful place in the course of time. The urgent task before the new Turkey, as Prime Minster Erdogan sees it, is to raise new, upright generations attached to Islam and its values as the future trustees of the nation, that is, in the words of Turkey’s most influential intellectual, Fethullah Gullen, a golden generation of educated Muslims.

What is the vision of Northern leaders on Quran education.

What is their vision on education in general? Probably none. But we must look forward to the day when Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states will repatriate all of their children, who probably constitute three quarters of almajirai, condemned to begging in all parts of the country, rehabilitate and enroll them in Quran studies in dignity and decency as a first and necessary step towards a comprehensive, uninhibited education. Other states, of course, must do the same. It is time for the North to resolve the matter once and for all: that no child must be reduced to begging and destitution for the purpose of education, that every child must receive education in a healthy and dignified environment and that Quran studies is a fundamental right.

In other words, the resolution of Quran education as an integral part of education, in the mainstream – not in the margins, not in the dustbin – as the foundation, as the inspiration, is key to the rebirth of Northern Nigeria and the preservation of its identity. The entire Northern Nigeria, all of its strength, all of its political, traditional, religious, business and intellectual institutions, all of its social and mental resources must be fully mobilized and harnessed for the enterprise.

And, above all, there must be a vision, which aims to create, through education, a golden generation, aims to empower the people and the government to seize the golden opportunities.

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