Peoples Daily Newspaper, Wednesday, May 16, 2012 by Peoples Media Limited

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

Vol. 8 No. 38

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

. . . putting the people first

Jimadal Akhir 25, 1433 AH

N150

Blind couple, Muslim convert stand out in Kano mass wedding From Edwin Olofu & Bala Nasir, Kano

B Some of the 100 brides at Hisbah office after a mass wedding, yesterday at Kano Emir's palace mosque

lind couple Batula Umar and Adamu Faidawa as well as a new Muslim convert from Langtang in Plateau state, Isa Boxer Gamber, were among the 100 men and women that benefitted from a mass wedding held yesterday in a mosque in Kano. The wedding fatiha was performed by the Chief Imam of Kano, Professor Sani Zaharadeen, who Contd on Page 2

Wage crisis looms as FAAC fails to meet No, committee meets Friday – Minister By Abdulwahab Isa

or the second time this year, the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) failed to meet on Monday and yesterday as scheduled due to inadequate funds in the

consolidation accounts for sharing among the three tiers of government. Financial sector sources who spoke to Peoples Daily in confidence said public sector workers at federal , state and local government levels should brace

Buhari is a scaremonger, says PDP >> PAGE 2

themselves for a delay in the payment of salaries this month. FAAC was expected to round up its meeting yesterday to ratify fund allocations to the three tiers of government for the month of April. However, Minster of state for

Group wants FCT minister, Bala Mohd, sacked >> PAGE 3

finance, Dr. Yerima Ngama Lawal, yesterday denied the failure of the FAAC to meet was due to lack of funds in the consolidation accounts. Ngama in a text message reply to Peoples Daily noted: “It’s not true. We are having FAAC

308 victims killed in 118 Boko Haram attacks – Minister >> PAGE 4

Friday in sha Allah”. His Chief Press Secretary Malam M. Nakoji, confirmed the Friday meeting, saying invitations would be sent to journalists ahead of it. Efforts by Peoples Daily to get Contd on Page 2

Niger Assembly gets 10th Speaker in 13 years >> PAGE 6

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

CONTENTS News

2-11

Editorial

Op.Ed

Letters

Opinion

Metro

16-17

Business

19-22

S/Exchange

S/Report

Motoring

Newsxtra

Arts

INEC bows to Oshiomhole, postpones voter registration in Edo, Page 38

International 31-34 Strange World 35 Digest

Politics

37-40

Sports

41-47

Columnist

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Buhari is a scaremonger, says PDP We’re not Boko Haram – Presidency T By Lawrence Olaoye

he Presidency and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP yesterday reacted to opposition leader and former Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari’s apocalyptic warning Monday that there would be bloodshed in 2015 should Nigeria fail to get right elections billed for that year. On its part, the Presidency said in a statement by Presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, that it was sad that Buhari, “an elder statesman who once presided over the entirety of Nigeria can reduce himself to a regional leader who speaks for only a part of Nigeria. “We now understand what his protégé and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Nasir el’Rufai, meant when he wrote in a public letter in October of 2010, telling Nigerians that Buhari remained ‘perpetually unelectable’ and that Buhari’s ‘insensitivity to Nigeria’s diversity and his parochial focus are already well-known.’ “Who can know Buhari better than his own political associate? The statement sought to know how many states Buhari, as the CPC presidential candidate in the 2011 election, visited to campaign for votes? “Buhari never bothered to campaign in the southern part of the country and consistently played up the North-South divide to the chagrin of patriotic and wellmeaning Nigerians. It said the Federal Government led by President Jonathan “is not Boko Haram. Boko Haram means Western Education is sin. That being the case, one

wonders how a government that devoted the largest sectoral allocation in the 2012 budget to education could be said to be Boko Haram. “Between 1983, when Buhari forcefully seized power from the democratically elected administration of President Shehu Usman Shagari, and 2012, no other administration has committed the same quantum of resources as the Jonathan administration to education in the part of Nigeria that has witnessed the most Boko Haram-related insecurity. “Buhari claims that the Federal Government does not listen. Such an accusation ought not to emanate from a man overthrown by his own handpicked colleagues in the military for refusing to listen to advice and behaving as if he had a monopoly of knowledge. “It is on record that the Federal Government led by President Jonathan is a listening administration hence its decision to pursue all means of resolving the Boko Haram insurgency including dialogue.” Addressing a world press conference in Abuja, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh , said Buhari who was the presidential candidate of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in last year’s polls, was inciting Nigerians to violence. He said the retired General had predicted a bloody change in the past only to now cap it with the apocalyptic warning that there

would be blood-letting in 2015. Metuh said: “We appreciate Buhari’s frustration and antagonism towards the PDP. He has lost three times at the polls. But is Buhari really a democrat? Why is the blood of innocent Nigerians the only thing sufficient to quench his thirst for power?” He added: “What Nigeria needs right now is ‘evolution’ in the true spirit of democracy. The utterances of General Buhari, a former military Head of State are truly undemocratic, unpatriotic and un-statesmanlike. “Buhari should stop seeing PDP as the evil genius behind his failure. He was the architect of his own misfortune, as he and his party, CPC, headed to the 2011 election unprepared, with very weak party structures in more than three-quarters of Nigerian states at a time his campaign organization was in disarray over who controlled the party. “PDP is always mystified whenever Buhari talks about political transparency because it is an open secret that when it comes to politicking, negotiation and compromise, Buhari lacks any capacity to engage. He always behaves like a dictator and is accustomed to dishing out orders. “That was why many members saw his joining the ANPP, in the first place, as the genesis of its in-house crises. It was indeed a curse rather than a blessing to the party because before he joined the party it was able to win nine gubernatorial seats. But while he was there, it lost six

states.” Meanwhile, PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, also yesterday attributed the Boko Haram insurgency to injustice in the land. Receiving leaders of PDP Gombe state chapter led by Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, Tukur in his Abuja office, Tukur said: “At the moment, we live in fear; when we travel we look at our backs, talking of Boko Haram, Boko Haram. Boko Haram is another name for injustice by people who may be and are being deprived.” He continued: “I can tell you, with harmony and peace there will be security. When there is security there will be development, because there will be investment. “Invest in education, agriculture among others, our young men and young women we should look after them, they are hungry now, but I tell you unless we make sure we remove the hunger, we ourselves will not be able to rest. If picking say he mama no go sleep, he too no go sleep.” He told the delegation “there are three things, some people call them the triple R, reconciliation, after that you have reformation, this is to redirect issues that we consider are good for us and for the party and the third is rebuild, build on equity and justice. “Whenever there is darkness when there is light it will run away; PDP has come with that light. Let peace reign, out of these three Rs when we have them peace will come. After the peace what do we have? Security.”

Wage crisis looms as FAAC fails to meet Contd from Page 1 the views of Chairman of Commissioners of Finance Forum, Mr. Eze Echesi, who is Commissioner of finance, Anambra state, was unsuccessful. Echesi sent a text message saying that he was busy at the time our correspondent called him, promising to get back but he never did. It was learnt, however, that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has not been able to make regular payments to the federation accounts as oil marketers and corporations are deducting their shares of profit in offshore accounts to avoid dealing with local bureaucratic bottlenecks.

This is coming against the backdrop of an alarm about crude thefts raised by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. She said if the trend persisted it could adversely affect the nation’s revenue profile. The minister who spoke with selected media outfits in Abuja alluded to a news report that vessels loaded with about 1.2 million barrels of oil were seized from illegal bunkerers. She said the theft if allowed to continue, will cripple revenue sources and suggested that it must be tackled headlong. According to the minister, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) reported that

17 per cent of theft was recorded, and that the percentage represents about a fifth of the nation’s revenue target. “Bunkering is an activity we just have to stop. This is one thing we just have to stop. The NNPC reported that 17 per cent of oil production was lost in April, and this is about one fifth of the revenue,” the minister lamented. Also, the Director General, Budget Office of the Federation (BOF), Dr. Bright Okogu, said the increasing spate of illegal bunkering was capable of affecting government’s revenue projections, depending on the magnitude of the theft. Meanwhile, as a way of

cleaning up the fuel subsidy management process, the Ministry of Finance has taken new measures to streamline subsidy claims and payments as part of efforts to remove the pitfalls that are inherent in the extant structure. According to Okonjo-Iweala, the Technical Committee on Payment of Subsidies which is a separate think tank, is meant to ensure fool-proof management of fuel subsidy claims and payments system. The minister said so far, N451 billion had been paid this year as a backlog of subsidy claims for 2011 to oil marketers, adding that the committee will also verify all the claims.

Blind couple, Muslim convert stand out in Kano mass wedding Contd from Page 1

handed over the 100 brides to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, who, in turn, who handed them over to Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. The brides were given N20, 000 each for “empowerment” by the state government while Sheik Isaiah Rabiu gave N10, 000 as dowry to each of them and another

N100, 000 was provided as furniture allowance. Speaking to journalists, the Director General, Hisbah Board, Malam Abba Sa’id Sufi , said necessary steps were taken before the mass wedding took place to avoid unnecessary divorce cases later. He recalled that Hajiya Atine Abdullahi , Executive Director, Voice of Orphans, Widows and

Divorcees of Nigeria (VOWAN), a non-governmental organization, had notified the board of the existence of 1,800 divorcees and widows, and it decided to take up the challenge of getting them life partners. Malam Abba said that there was a marriage contract entered into in accordance with Islamic injunctions under the supervision of Kano State Hisbah Board that

stipulates that the husband should stay with his wife “in love and sincerity”. According to him, it was because there was no such contract that marriages often broke down in the past. Before the marriages were accepted by the board, 1,800 forms were given out to prospective husbands who were screened, mostly to ascertain their HIV status.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

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Alleged Facebook insult: Lamido denies ordering suspect’s arrest By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

overnor Sule Lamido of Jigawa state has told the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice that he never ordered the arrest and detention of one Moukhtar Ibrahim Aminu for allegedly insulting him on facebook. Moukhtar’s arrest by the Police

stemmed from a message he allegedly posted on his page on January 18 2011, The text reads: “O Allah destroy Sule Lamido and the rest of his friends, O Allah disgrace Sule Lamido and the rest of his cursed friends, O Allah curse Sule Lamido and the rest of his cursed friends, O Allah expose Sule Lamido and the rest of his cursed friends, O Allah

inflict poverty on Sule Lamido and the rest of his cursed friends Amen and all those for Prophet Muhammad (SAW) say Amen.” It was alleged that after Mukhatar posted the text message on his facebook page, the governor lodged a complaint with the police, which led to his arrest and arraignment before a Chief Magistrate Court in Dutse for

allegedly violating Section 393 of the Nigerian penal code. Aminu had approached the ECOWAS Court with a suit seeking, among other things, the enforcement of his fundamental human rights and all the members of his family and to also restrain the Lamido led government, the Police and their agents from further persecuting, arresting, intimidating and detaining

him or in any way affecting his fundamental human rights. But, a counter affidavit deposed to by one Alhaji Yusif, a litigation secretary in the Jigawa state Ministry of Justice, said Governor Lamido has never given any illegal or unlawful directives to the Police and the state Attorney General and has never infringed on the fundamental rights of Aminu.

Labour minister denies moves to break up NLC By Albert Akota

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Avsatel Communication Ltd, Mr. George Eder, President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Muhammed Umar, and Minister of Defence, Dr. Haliru Bello Mohammed, touring exhibition stands during the 48th anniversary and 2nd Nigeria Air Exposition tagged ‘Air Expo’ of Nigerian Airforce, yesterday in Kaduna.

Boko Haram: HURIWA threatens to sue Jonathan W

orried by the high rate of terror-related attacks in the North and incessant kidnappings in the South, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has threatened to take President Jonathan and key officials of his government to the International Criminal Court (ICC), to answer to crimes against humanity should the killings continue.

A statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and national media officer, Miss. Zainab Yusuf, said it has sent a letter to the National Secretary of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, to deliver to the Federal Government, urging it to take workable measures to end the violence. HURIWA disclosed that it has

also asked the ruling party and other political parties with elected political office holders to establish functional anticorruption units in the party offices to enforce compliance to anti-graft ethics and laws by their members as pre-requisite for holding offices. “We are opposed to the proposal by the Steve Oronsanye’s committee to disband or merge the

EFCC with the ICPC. Corruption is worrisome in Nigeria and therefore the two anti-graft agencies need to be empowered and further granted financial and operational autonomy to design better and effective strategies of fighting corruption. The recruitment process into the two anti-graft agencies is not transparent”. The group stated in a letter to the PDP national secretary.

Senate orders arrest of IGI DG, others Bank recapitalisation was to By Richard Ihediwa

he Senate has ordered the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar to arrest the Director General of the Industrial and General Insurance Company (IGI) and the entire management for alleged involvement in pensions fraud. The joint committee on Establishment and State and Local Government Matters investigating the pension scam issued the warrant of arrest yesterday and ordered the police to arrest the officials and bring them in handcuffs next Tuesday. Chairman of the Committee, Senator Aloysius Etok signed the

warrant of arrest. IGI has been the underwriting insurance company dealing with many government agencies but has allegedly failed to pay these agencies. Handing down the warrant of arrest, Etok said, "The Senate hereby issues a warrant of arrest on the Managing Director and the entire management of IGI to appear before us on Tuesday at 3pm. "The Inspector General himself must bring them in handcuffs because they have caused a lot of problem to the people". The decision to arrest the officials followed the non payment of pension retirees of NIPOST over a period of about 70 months.

save the economy, says Soludo

ormer governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Charles Soludo, yesterday told the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee investigating the near collapse of the Capital Market that the recapitalisation exercise in the banking sector during his period was to save the nation’s economy. Soludo, however, blamed the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the collapse of the Capital Market due to poor regulation. Similarly, the Minister of State for Finance, Alhaji Yerima Ngama, also heaped the blame of the collapse of the market on the SEC. Soludo while defending his recapitalisation policy stated that

his position was based on the global economic recession saying that he did not say it would not affect Nigeria but that the economy would not go into recession. The former CBN governor maintained that no amount of regulation could stop the crash of the market as crashes are normal part of the stock market, adding, "Stock market crashes will always happen: no amount of 'reforms' or 'regulation' will stop future ones! The jury is still out on what constitutes 'appropriate' regulation or 'reforms' of the market; debate raging in US now is over versus under-regulation! What is obtainable in the stock market is a reflection of the general economic and political situation in the country".

he Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu has described as mere speculation reports that the Federal Government is bent on polarising the organised labour union through the registration of another parallel Central Labour Union to cause distraction in the labour movement. According to the Assistant Director Press, Olowookere Samuel, Wogu debunked this claim stating that there is no such move or application from the Federal Government, its agencies or any labour union. “Well the allegation in the media is that Federal Government is bent on registering a union as parallel trade union centre. I have not received such application from Federal Government, and it is not within the purview of the Federal Government to apply for registration of any trade union. “I equally debunk that there is no such application from any interested union, having said so, the current position is that there is no application before the Minister of Labour and Productivity or cannot be located anywhere in the ministry,” the minister affirmed.

My Pikin: Court admits exhibit From Francis Iwuchukwu, Lagos

Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, yesterday, admitted a bottle of My Pikin baby teething mixture as exhibit. Counsel to the 1st accused (Kola Okunlola), 2nd accused (Adeyemo Abiodun) and the 4th accused (Barewa Pharmaceutical Limited), A. O. Eghobamien, had during the cross-examination of the second prosecution witness, Titilope Omowumi Owolabi, sought to tender the mixture which carried the signature of the witness as an exhibit. The court later on admitted the item as an exhibit in the absence of any opposition from both the prosecution and the 3rd accused person's counsel. Earlier during the examination-in-chief, the witness who claimed to be the Deputy Director, Establishment and Inspection at NAFDAC, informed the court that a visit to Barewa Pharmaceutical Limited by her team on November 25, 2008, revealed that there was no systematic way of procuring raw materials at the company.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

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Experts advocate primary healthcare in states By A’isha Biola Raji

resident-elect, Society of Gynaecology & Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON), Dr. Fred Achem, has called on all 36 states to adopt primary healthcare services so as to take full responsibility for their actions or inactions. Dr. Achem said this while speaking with newsmen in Abuja at a three-day training organised by the association in collaboration with International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO). He said the call was one of the three key points in the advocacy programme. “The second area is family planning; we want to achieve increased update of contraceptive; contraceptive prevalence in Nigeria according to

a 2008 demographic survey was 15%. Countries that have increased their contraceptive prevalence have reduced maternal mortality deaths. Here termination of pregnancy is the major cause of death, meeting the unmet needs of family planning will lower rate of pregnancy termination.” According to SOGON President, the third advocacy is on women education, saying, “girl child education is important, 64% of birth attendants according to 2008 survey are below skilled; we want skilled birth attendants across the states of this nation.” He however said that the midwife service scheme is catching up but there were bottlenecks in local governments not keying into the programme by giving midwives the required support.

Niger NDLEA arrests 47 male suspects From Iliya Garba, Minna

he National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Niger state has said that within the first quarter of the year, it arrested 47 male suspects with a total of 122.585kg of various illicit drugs. The breakdown of the arrests and seizures showed that the month of February recorded the highest arrest with 19 suspects and a total of 60.78kg of illicit

substances. A press statement signed by the Niger state command of the agency, Malam Abdullahi Abdul, yesterday in Minna included January with 7 suspects and 9.95kg of drugs, while March and April recorded 10 and 11 suspects with 49.55kg and 22.3kg of drugs respectively. Meanwhile, the command also disclosed that it secured 22 convictions at the Federal High Court Minna and rehabilitated a

total of 15 drug addicts within the period under review. The commander, however pleaded for logistics support especially operational vehicles from the state government, and thanked the state governor and sister security organisations for their support in fighting drug threats in the state, while calling on the public to continue to cooperate with the command in fighting illicit drug menace in the society.

Hollande sworn in as French president

rancois Hollande has vowed to “open a new path” to address Europe’s debt crisis after being sworn in as French president amid ceremonies in Paris yesterday. Hollande, who flew to Berlin later yesterday for urgent talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, became France’s first socialist head of state in 17 years . He replaced the conservative president, Nicolas Sarkozy. Sarkozy handed over the levers of power including the country’s nuclear codes and other secret dossiers, before bidding his successor goodbye on the steps of the palace and leaving with his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. Nicolas Sarkozy had earlier greeted his successor to the Elysee Palace. “I am addressing a message of confidence to the French people. We are a great country that has always risen to its challenges,” Hollande said, adding that he would run the country

with “dignity and simplicity”. Reporting from Paris, Al Jazeera’s Jacky Rowland said that these two words represented a break with the “flashy” style of Sarkozy’s presidency, and that Hollande’s down-to-earth style “will be more in harmony with ordinary French people.” Hollande is shortly expected to announce who will lead his government as prime minister, with Jean-Marc Ayrault, the head of the Socialists’ parliamentary bloc, tipped as frontrunner. Other contenders include Martine Aubry, the Socialist Party leader and former labour minister, Manuel Valls, Hollande’s communications director during the campaign, and Pierre Moscovici, his campaign and transition chief. Hollande comes to power with the single currency eurozone bloc teetering back into crisis with fears about Greece’s future in the single currency .

‘Wonder bank’ operator granted N2m bail By Lambert Tyem

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday arraigned one Eronini Iwunze before Justice G.U Umar of the Federal High Court Umuahia, on a two count charge of obtaining money under false pretence and illegal operation of a financial institution. The accused person is the Managing Director of BRC Sure Access Limited, located at 136 Tenant Road (3rd Floor) Aba, Abia state. According to Wilson Uwujaren Ag. Head, Media & Publicity of the Commission, “the accused person who pleaded not guilty to the twocount charge was granted bail by the presiding judge even when the prosecution counsel, Innocent Mbachie opposed the bail application on the grounds that the suspect could jump bail. “The judge granted the suspect bail in the sum of N2 million only with one surety in like sum. The surety, who must not be less that a grade level 17 officer in the civil service, will produce a certificate of occupancy of a landed property within Abia state.

Iwunze’s arraignment followed a petition by Mr. James Ogbuka who alleged that he was lured into fixing N2 million in his financial establishment (Supra) with a promise of 15% interest which amounted to N148,000 at the expiration of 180 days tenure. Based on the agreement between the two, the petitioner on November 2, 2009, fixed the sum of N2 million in the name of his brother, Ozuru Emmanuel Anyim. But at the expiration of 180 days tenure, the accused person, Iwunze failed to live up to expectation. The suspect neither paid the initial capital nor the interest accrued; rather he further deceived the petitioner to roll the N2 million for another 180 days. And since the expiration of the second 180 days tenure, all efforts by the petitioner to get back his money proved abortive. In the course of investigation, it was discovered that the nature of business operated by BRC Sure Access is at variance with the focus of the company registered with Corporate Affairs Commission which is to carry out the business of promoting and assisting in the incorporation of any company, rental and catering service.

L-R: Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Lawan Ngama, former member, House of Representatives, Chief Agunwa Anaekwe, and former CBN Governor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, during their appearance before the ad hoc Committee on the Investigation of the Collapse of the Nigerian Capital Market, at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

308 victims killed in 118 Boko Haram attacks – Police Minister By Lambert Tyem

he Minister of Police Affairs, Capt. Caleb Olubolade (rtd) yesterday, said the country has recorded about 118 Boko Haram attacks in the last one year in the life of President Goodluck Jonathan's administration. “Boko Haram insurgence is predominant in the northern states of the country…118 Boko haram attacks were reported in Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, Niger, Yobe, Plateau States and the FCT where 308 victims lost their lives and 33 suspects arrested,” the minister said. Speaking during the ministerial press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, the minister stated that the force has deployed modern digital tracking communication network and equipment for tracking kidnappers and other criminals. The Minister also said the Nigeria Police Force recorded

879 robbery cases and 366 kidnappings while 1609 suspects were arrested and 766 firearms and 31, 175 ammunition were recorded from the suspects in 2011. He explained that the police have 12 zonal commands, 132 area commands; 1130 divisions; 1600 police stations, 2224 police posts and 1591 police village posts across the country. Olubolade said that the force planned to increase its workforce to 650, 000 while 90 percent of its population would be professionally trained in modern policing tactics and weapons handling. The minister stated that the NPF had trained about 1110 personnel in counter-terrorism and rapid response programme, basic intelligence course, patrol duties and operation course, traffic management course, train-the-trainer, intelligence lead surveillance course, curriculum development and

effective leadership in public protection, intervention, mobilisation and sensitisation training. According to him, the Federal Government had provided about nine Bell helicopters for the police as well as some quantity of arms and ammunitions including various types of amoured personnel carriers and body protection armour (bullet proof vests). The minister stated that the police received fund from the Education Trust Fund for implementation of various projects at the Police Academy, Kano to the tune of N580 million. He added that the national public security communication system being executed by Messrs ZTE Corporation of China would provide robust and secure multimedia communication systems including voice, video and data for the police and other security agencies deploying Code Division Multiple Access system.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

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Group wants FCT minister sacked From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

ongress for National Democrats has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to drop Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Senator Bala Muhammed, in line with his vow to remove any of his aides that are not doing well on their jobs. The NGO claimed to be disturbed by what it called the glaring failure of the minister to provide effective services to the FCT

residents despite his ministry’s huge annual budget for that purpose. In a petition signed by its President, Alhaji B.B. Dogo and Secretary, Yakubu Jibrin, addressed to the Presidency and made available to journalists in Bauchi, the NGO described the present FCT administration as the worst ever in service delivery, including an inability to secure life and property. The petition continues: “FCT residents are now

forced to source for water as taps have dried up, electricity and even environmental sanitation as well as their security ignored. “CCTV cameras purchased at highly inflated prices are malfunctioning just as traffic lights (have gone dead) and the city has been overtaken by refuse. “The green areas hitherto created for beautification have been abandoned and in most cases allocated to fronts for sale.” According to the petitioners,

the FCT is a shadow of its former self in the institutionalization of abuse of office and illegal sale of land and other corrupt practices. “FCDA is now a fertile ground for land speculators who in most cases serve as fronts for highly placed officials and political appointees”, it says. “Statutory functions have been thrown to the dogs and the minister is busy misleading the President to curry favours instead of putting in the required service

to justify the trust reposed in him. “President Goodluck should appoint a formidable team to support his laudable programmes instead of allowing those (unable to perform) and rabble rousers to occupy sensitive positions in his administration”. Strenuous attempts, including a text message detailing the issues raised in the petition, by our reporters to get the minister’s aides to comment on the petition were rebuffed.

SSS grills politicians over Edo killings From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

ction Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chairman in Edo state, Barr. Thomas Okosun and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Dan Orbih, among others, were summoned and grilled by State Security Service (SSS) yesterday. Sources within the SSS said the purpose of the visit may not be unconnected with the recent political unrest and killings in the state ahead of July 14th 2012 governorship election. The SSS director warned them to be responsible leaders by playing ‘the game of politics according to its rules’, requesting them to be available in subsequent security meetings when call upon.

Katsina govt. sacks 5,000 LG workers From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

overnor Ibrahim Shehu Shema of Katsina state has directed for the “expunging” of 5,134 workers found on the payroll of 34 local government of the state. The governor gave the directive yesterday while receiving the report of an audit committee set up by the state government to verify the actual number of the workers in the 34 local governments. He similarly called on the councils audit committee screening staff of primary education board to hasten the completion of the exercise for the staff to begin enjoy the new minimum wage. There and then he gave his approval for the implementation of the minimum wage of N18,000 to local government workers, beginning from the end of May 2012. Speaking earlier, the chairman of the audit committee, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Alhaji Usman Musa said the total number of staff on the November/ December 2011 payroll of the 34 local government councils was 31,502 and it was used as a baseline. He noted that a total number of 31,150 were screened while the balance of 354 did not appear for screening.

L-R: Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, launching a book “The Servant Leader 2” on late President Umaru Yar’adua, yesterday in Abuja. With him is former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon. Photo: Joe Oroye

Court orders reinstatement of 346 sacked workers in Kogi From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

our years after being laidoff from work, Okene High Court in Kogi has ordered the immediate reinstatement of the state civil service sacked during staff audit conducted by a consultant, Sally Tibot in 2009. Justice Sunday Otu in his

judgment delivered on Monday declared that the workers job were wrongfully terminated as government did not follow due procedures in terminating their appointments saying their contracts still existed. The workers had in 2009 dragged the state government to court for illegally sacking them and omitting their names from payroll

during table salary payment ordered by the consultant. Otu who noted that the civil servants affected were not dully screened also ordered the payment of all the entitlements and benefits accruing to the workers from 2009 when their appointments were wrongly terminated to date. Counsel to the state government, Mr. Jamil Isah had

argued during hearing of the case that the plaintiffs were sacked after the screening exercise and that the court had no right to impose employees on an employer against its will. The jurist however declared that only the 346 workers whose appointment letters were tendered in court were the beneficiaries of the court order.

Tobacco bill: ERA/FoEN demands presidential assent From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

s governments and public health advocates plan towards this year’s World No Tobacco Day (May 31) the Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria has sent a strong appeal to President

Goodluck Jonathan to use this year’s commemoration to sign the across the globe Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) to assent to the recently passed National Tobacco Control Bill. In a press release issued in Lagos and signed by ERA/FoEN Director,

Corporate Accountability & Administration, Akinbode Oluwafemi, the organisation urged President Jonathan to sign the National Tobacco Bill (NTCB) to celebrate the global event. ERA/FoEN also asked the Health Minister, Onyebuchi Chukwu to take the lead in the

processes that will lead to the signing of the bill ahead of the World No Tobacco Day. The2012 WNTD has as theme: Industry Interference, and urges government to protect their public health policies from vested and other tobacco industry interests.

Monarch tasks govt on robbery, NBC to sanction erring media In an address delivered on his behalf Awo who made the statement From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin assassination ofyesterday by the Zonal Coordinator and Director in his palace while From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

traditional ruler in Kogi state, Chief Thomas Amedu has called on the Federal Government to map out appropriate modalities that will help curb the menace of armed robbery, assassination and other related crimes in the country. Chief Thomas, the Onu Adoja

chatting with newsmen noted that the situation was becoming alarming and embarrassing to Nigerians. He however called on Nigerians to assist all the security agencies with necessary information to enable them address the situation, urging government to provide more jobs.

he National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has threatened to sanction broadcast organizations in the country that flouts its 1993 guidelines governing broadcasting. The commission’s Director General, Yomi Bolarinwa disclosed this at a media parley on Political Broadcast held in Benin City, the Edo state capital yesterday.

of Broadcast Content, Chris Okoyamo, he described as unacceptable the morbid, abusive and inciting campaign strategies by politicians. ‘It’s unfortunate; our experience in Edo state in recent time has been heart breaking. Despite the law, campaigns started as far back as February, six months ago, yet the law only allows 90 days for campaigning in the media.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

PAGE 7

Ogun to probe fake admission list, bank accounts of TASUED From Dimeji KayodeAdedeji, Abeokuta

gun state government yesterday, said it will investigate rumours of a cabal operating a fake account and admission lists for unqualified students into the Tai Solarin University of Education

(TASUED), Ijebu-Ode. The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Barrister Segun Odubela made this known in Abeokuta at a Ministerial Press Conference in preparation to mark the one year anniversary of the present government. There were wild allegations of a separate

account and admission lists to accommodate applicants who have deficiencies in their results with plans to later accommodate them after making their papers. ‘It is coming to me now as news, I have never heard of it before, but I can assure you that with this information coming to us now, we are commencing

investigations, and anybody found wanting would be brought to book’ Odubela said. Speaking in same vein, the commissioner said all fake and unregistered private schools in the state would be shut down because according to him, they are drawbacks for education in the state.

Sambo eulogizes late Yar’adua By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

ice President M o h a m m e d Namadi Sambo has extolled the servant leadership qualities of Late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua. Sambo spoke yesterday at the International Conference Centre, Abuja during a book launch in honour of the Late President. Remembering his inaugural speech when he was sworn-in as President in 2007, Sambo quoted late President Yar’adua thus: “I will serve with the fear of

God, I will serve with humility and I will be a servant leader.” He recalled the policy principles of Late President Yar’adua who declared war on the energy sector, noting that “his 7-Point Agenda was coherent and many felt that when that was faithfully implemented, would be the answer to the myriad of problems plaguing the nation and that it will remove the nation from the incessant quagmire of darkness into light.” Sambo also noted that as a servant leader, “President Yar’adua was compassionate as he

expressed love for all Nigerians and showed genuine affection for all without discrimination or bias.” In his remarks, the chairman of the event, Chief Solomon Lar, represented by former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, said the Late President Yar’Adua brought a fresh dimension to bear on governance in the country as an avowed democrat. Gana disclosed the intention to establish a foundation called ‘Servant Leader Foundation’ whose main aim would be to encourage Nigerians to

aspire to the high goals of selfless service to the fatherland. The Guest Speaker, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule, also said Late President Yar’adua was a just and fair leader who died for the service of his fatherland and urged that leaders at all times should emulate the qualities of late President. According to the book reviewer, Prof. Essiet U. Essiet from the Bayero University, Kano, others deal with civil service reforms, Niger Delta as well as the health problems of the late President.

Mark directs senators to join fight against polio

enate President David Mark has directed all senators from Bauchi, Yobe and Jigawa states to move to their constituencies to monitor the on-going polio immunisation in their districts. Sen. Adamu Gumba, (Bauchi South), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi yesterday that the senators were given the directive to mobilise the people, whom they represented.. “We, being the representatives of the people, were directed to come and mobilise parents to bring out their children to be immunised against polio. “This is due to the upsurge of the wild polio virus in some of our states. “We were also directed to report to the Senate on successes or challenges of the exercise in our respective districts to enable the Senate intervention where necessary. “With the participation of the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rulwanu Adamu, and his Dass counterpart, Alhaji Bilyaminu Usman, it is

clear that the state government has taken the eradication of polio in the state serious. ’’ Gumba said it took many rounds of immunisation before yellow fever was eradicated and, therefore, the people must endure several rounds of polio immunisation for it to be eradicated. “During the scourge of yellow fever, victims were separated from family members and taken into the bush, only to return after recovery. “But most of them died in the bush due to the deadly nature of the disease. Polio is just equally deadly like yellow fever. (NAN)

Railways takes safety campaign to level crossings, Jonathan dragged to court motor over Salami’s recall parks

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

Federal High Court in Abuja has been asked to stop President Goodluck Jonathan from reinstating the suspended President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Issa Ayo Salami. The National Judicial Council (NJC) last Thursday rose from its meeting in Abuja with a recommendation for Salami’s reinstatement as the President of the Court of Appeal. The plaintiff Noah Ajare had joined the President and the Attorney General of the Federation as 1st and 2nd defendants respectively. Ajare through an originating summons asked the court for a declaration that all the

meetings, discussions and recommendations for the reinstatement of Salami by the President on the recommendations of the NJC is illegal, unconstitutional, null and void and must be put on hold. He premised this declaration on the ground that the suit filed by Salami is still pending in court and doing anything at this point will further undermine the rule of law. The plaintiff further sought for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their servants, agents or privies from implementing, discussing and or rectifying the recommendations of the NJC in respect of Justice Salami pending the hearing and determination of pending court actions.

We’ll make Nigeria’s wealth accessible to all, says Yelwa By Adeola Tukuru

he Chairman of F i s c a l Responsibility Commission, Alhaji (Dr) Aliyu Jibril Yelwa has reiterated his determination to apply the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 so as to make Nigeria’s wealth available to her citizens.

Speaking at the induction workshop for newly-recruited staff of the Commission in Akwanga, Nasarawa state yesterday, Alhaji Aliyu Jibril Yelwa said with determination, Nigeria could adopt the Brazilian example to attain the status of a developed economy with the help of fiscal best practices.

From Suleiman Idris, Lagos o reduce the spate of collision between vehicles and moving trains, the Nigerian Railway Corporation has commenced an enlightenment campaign at level crossings and motor parks. The campaign which began in Lagos, said the corporation, was imperative as facts and record of past instances of collision of vehicles with trains, revealed that over 80 percent of accidents occur at the level crossings. With the involvement of the Corporation’s Youth Corpers as project group, NRC covered all the level crossings and all motor parks on the axial line of the track within Oyingbo and Agege including Oyingbo, Yaba, Idi-oro, Mushin, Ilupeju, Oshodi, Shogunle, Ikeja, Ashade, and Agege. The Leader of the Campaign team, Mr. James Gyang (Deputy Director Research, Health, Safety and Environmental Services) represented by Mr. Oyewole Oyekunle, Assistant Director (Health, Safety, & Environment) blamed accidents at level crossings on the impatience and poor safety conduct of users.

PAGE 8

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

Newly installed UK-based Nigerian mayor of London borough of Enfield, councillor Kate Anolue (middle), with some members of the Nigerian community, yesterday in London. Photo: NAN

Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Ado Muhammad inspecting its cold store at Oshodi, in Lagos recently.

Bodija bridge in Ibadan washed away by flood following Monday night's. Photo: NAN

Honoured: Flanked by a motorcade, France's President Francois Hollande, yesterday paraded through the streets of Paris.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

Gunmen kill prisons chief Community leader, 85, dies in Minna in Maiduguri A ...attack senator’s residence By Etuka Sunday

From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri nknown gunmen have killed an Assistant Controller of Prisons attached to the Borno state command of the Nigeria Prisons Service, (NPS), Usman Laskarima. Witnesses told newsmen that Laskarima died as a result of gunshot injuries sustained when three unidentified gunmen attacked him while he was chatting with friends close to his house at Budum area of Maiduguri metropolis. “The late warden was trailed by three people who hid their rifles under their dresses. He was the only one that was attacked even though there were other people around,” a resident

of the area who simply identified himself as Modu Shettima said. “I think he was their only target…he was shot on the head and neck around 6.15pm and the assailants simply walked away as we all fled the scene of the ensuing confusion,” he added. Both spokesmen of the state police command and that of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF), declined comment on the incident. However, a security source who confirmed the killing in the late hours of yesterday, said “a cordon and search operation” was carried out at London Ciki and Gwange, two areas that have remained an epicenter of violence in the last two years. “During the search, a team of soldiers had engaged some

gunmen who were suspected to be behind the attack in a shootout, which left two of the suspects dead, five others were arrested. Two locally made pistols were also recovered,” the source added. In a related development, unknown gunmen killed a policeman when they attacked the residence of Senator Kaka Malam Yale, the immediate past legislator representing Borno Central, in the National Assembly. It was gathered that three gunmen had stormed Senator Yale’s residence in Konduga town, headquarters of Konduga local government council at about 8:30pm and gunned down a police guard. The Senator was lucky to have escaped unhurt.

R-L: Former Vice-President and founder, American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, Atiku Abubakar, decorating Director of Project, AUN, Mr. Alex Cobo, with a Distinguished Service Award, during the commencement of this year's graduation ceremony, on Monday in Yola.

KEBBI contractor duped N4m by conmen From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

n alleged mobile phone number purported to belong to Governor Saidu Dakingari of Kebbi state has been used to dupe an indigenous contractor, Alhaji Nasiru Mohammed, of about N4 million. Speaking to newsmen yesterday in Birnin Kebbi over his ordeal in the hands of the dupes, Alhaji Mohammed who is also the state chairman Oil Marketers Association, said: “A man called me and asked me whether I was Alhaji Nasiru and I said yes. He now said “Governor Dakingari’s ADC wants to talk to you. Later on, one of them called me claiming that he is the ADC and said if I wanted a contract, I should be

sending recharge card to number, 07061584353 a line belonging to the governor”, he said. Nasiru further explained that after discovering that he was in the hands of miscreants he immediately contacted the ADC to the governor who later confirmed that the victim was the second person involved in dubious act of unscrupulous elements and claimed the governor no longer used the telephone line. He said after reporting the incident to the governor’s ADC in Abuja, two men appeared that they were security agents and promised to fish out the conmen and demanded N120, 000 to arrest the culprits. He paid them the sum of N30, 000 as inducement with a promise

to pay the balance after collecting the money back from the conmen. The victim said two weeks later, they phoned him that they were able to get the culprits one in Abuja and the other one in Kano. After the investigation by the Governor’s ADC they discover that those two men that claim they are security agents too were fake security agents and he was advised to take the matter to court. “The case which is now before the Magistrate Court Zone 6, Abuja, for more than four months but nothing has been done”, he said. Alhaji Nasiru then appealed to the Inspector General of Police and Kebbi state Commissioner of Police to intervene in the case.

community leader, Hajiya As’mau Dangana, 85, died in a brief illness at the weekend in Minna. Hajiya Dangana was described by sympathisers who thronged her residence as a woman of substance because of her contributions to her community, Kpakungu, in Minna, where she ensured that the poor, rich and less privileged live together in peace for the development of the community. According to Alhaji Mohammed Wali, former

Deputy Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the deceased had left a legacy of love, community development and passion for the poor. He urged her survivours to emulate the late Hajiya As’mau whom he added, never showed sentiment or other considerations. Late Hajiya As’mau is survived among others, by Alhaji Suleiman Dangana,f ormer Editor of Voice of Nigeria Abuja and lately special assistant to the governor of Niger state; Barrister Ibrahim Angulu Dangana of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Bauchi residents bemoan water scarcity From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

cute water shortage has hit Bauchi, the Bauchi state capital , causing concern among residents. A cross-section of the residents have appealed to the state government to provide hand pump boreholes to enhance access to portable water in Bauchi and its environs in order alleviate the suffering of people. Boda Alhassan, 32, a resident of of Jahun Fadan Baya Street in Bauchi metropolis; and Mr. James Maina, a civil servant, who resides in the old GRA Bauchi, agreed individually, that they couldn’t remember when last they saw water running from their taps. According to them, people, especially those in the state capital experienced hell during the dry season when wells and other sources dried up, forcing school children and their parents to abandon every other venture in a bid

to get water, especially from the remotes areas of the state. A water vendor in Bauchi, Inuwa Abu, said a 20 litre jerry can of water now goes for N30 as against its old price of N10, adding that he makes about N1, 000 a day as a result of the rise in patronage. Our correspondent reports that more than 20 commun ities in Bauchi suburbs and other major towns in the state have raised the alarm over the nagging problem of water scarcity. Bauchi state Commissioner of Water Resources, Alhaji Sani Muhammad Bura, said the state government has earmarked N735 million for the construction of 57 boreholes to alleviate water scarcity in the state. The commissioner said the water requirement for Bauchi state is 40-50 million gallons per day, but the state can generate only 12.5million gallons per day, which falls short of demand.

NDLEA warns Ogun secondary school students against drug abuse

he National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA, Ogun Command, has advised secondary school students in the state against drug abuse. Mr. Isaac Aloye, the Assistant Commander in-charge of Operations and Intelligence of the agency, gave the advice in IjebuOde yesterday during a career talk. The talk on ”Career Guidance” was organised for secondary school students by an NGO, Centre for Alternative Development and SelfEnhancement (CEADESE). Aloye said young people had been identified as the highrisk group prone to drug abuse and as such, there was the need to enlighten them on the required skills to resist the use of illicit drugs.

He urged the students not allow peer influence to force them into drug abuse, which might cause them brain damage, psychosis, destitution or lead them to deviant behaviour. “Drug and substance abuse are more prevalent among the youths. The youthful age is often characterised by innocence, dreams, great expectations, frustration and rebellious behaviour against societal norms. Aloye said that drugs and substance abuse were very high in the state and urged the students to avoid places and people, who abused drugs. Mr. Henry Adeniji, the CEADESE lead consultant, said the career talk was organised to assist secondary school students in the state in making career choices. (NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

Student stands trial over attempt to set police headquarters ablaze From Ojebola Matthew, Lagos

R-L: Plateau state Governor, Mr. Jonah Jang, welcoming new Commander, Special Task Force (STF), Major-General Henry Ayoola, during the latter’s visit to Government House, Jos. Photo: NAN

Reps summon AGF to answer audit queries By Lawrence Olaoye

he House of Representatives has summoned the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Jonah Otunla, to appear before its committee on Public Accounts, failure to which it would use its constitutional powers to subpoena him. This followed the decision of the committee chaired by Rep Solomon Adeola to probe the activities of the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in the loss of public funds in the defunct banks that failed to raise the minimum N26 billion capital bases in 2004. According to the chairman, the Accountant General of the Federation would be facing the committee in the next one month to answer queries raised by the Auditor General of the Federation between 2005 and 2009. He said, “the Office of the AGF (Accountant-General of the Federation) has not yet responded to queries from the committee. This is the eighth time they have failed to honour our invitation.”

…to investigate NDIC, CBN over loss of public funds in distressed banks The committee equally queried the NDIC and the CBN for their decision not to guarantee public funds trapped in the 59 failed banks after the banks consolidation exercise carried out by the CBN in 2004. According to the committee, while the private investors funds in the distressed banks were guaranteed by the CBN and adequately insured by the NDIC, public funds deposited by government agencies in those banks that became distressed were not guaranteed neither were they adequately insured. Adeola specifically expressed dismay that the NDIC disclosed that N12 billion belonging to several government agencies, including the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) were trapped in City Express Bank alone. In the AGF report presented to the committee, it was also revealed that the agency lost N586 million to some defunct banks, notably the

City Express Bank but the committee vowed to ensure that the money is recovered. The committee equally ordered that FERMA should refund the N1.97 billion unremitted taxes to the coffers of the Federal Government following the disclosure of the AGF that the agency was indebted to the government to that tune. Adeola also ordered FERMA to refund the sum of N4.2 million that the agency fraudulently paid to a fictitious consultant. Citing the AGF's report, Chairman wondered aloud why FERMA had yet to remit N1, 964, 013, 883.48 being withholding and value added taxes (VAT) to the government. He drew the attention of FERMA's management to N586,366,000 reportedly “written off” in 2006 because the money was trapped in some distressed banks, and echoed the directive of the AGF to the agency to recover the money.

olice have arraigned one Usman Emmanuel, 31, from Kogi state, who claimed to be a final year student of Lagos State University, for attempting to set the Police Force Headquarters Annex ablaze in Lagos. He was arraigned before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, Lagos state on a 2-count charge of felony to wit, threat to kill and set ablaze the Force Headquarters building. Police investigation revealed that in November 2011, the accused and others (now at large) phoned the Assistant Commissioner of Police (names withheld) in charge of Intelligence Bureau, Force Headquarters, Lagos, allegedly demanding for N2 million ransom so that they will spare his life and those of other top police officers and shelve the plan to set ablaze the Force Headquarters. The demand and threat were allegedly sent to the police boss in 16 text messages. But when the victim could no longer bear the incessant threat messages, he reportedly informed

his boss, the Commissioner of Police in charge of Force Intelligence Bureau, who directed him to fish out the caller. Following the directive, a team led by DSP Austin Osebose traced the suspect to a motor park in mainland area of Lagos, after a female undercover police officer sold a dummy to him that she had a business deal for him to execute. At the conclusion of investigation, he was charged to court for threatening to kill police officers and set ablaze the Police Force Headquarters. The offences, DSP Raymond Odion Akhaine, the prosecutor said, are contrary to Sections 1 (2) C(ii) of the Terrorism (Prevention Act) and punishable under Sections 2(2, ii) of the Terrorism Act, laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2011. The magistrate, Mrs. A.F.O. Botoku, ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison pending FDPP’s advice, but urged the police prosecutor to speed up the process and produce the FDPP’s advice within 30 days. She adjourned the matter till 15 June 2012 for mention.

Bayelsa officials fail to stop trial By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

hree Bayelsa officials have failed to stop their ongoing trial before a Federal High Court in Abuja. The accused persons are the Director of Treasury in Government House, Abbot T. Clinton, Director of Finance, Ikobho Anthony Howells and Dr. Charles Sylva Opuala. The trial judge, Justice Donatus Okorowo dismissed their no case submission to the six-count charge of unlawful conversion, money laundering and mismanagement of about N2 billion belonging to the state. The accused had asked the court to discharge them of the allegation because there was no prima facie case established against them. They argued that they were supposed to be tried before a Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State since the alleged offences were committed in Bayelsa and not in Abuja.

Ruling on the objections, Justice Okorowo said it was premature to consider the proof against the accused persons without concluding trial. The judge held that no-case submission applies only when there is no legally admissible evidence against the accused. Justice Okorowo dismissed claims by the accused that they were wrongly charged under a non-existing law – Money Laundering and Prohibition Act 2004 which had been repealed adding that the Money Laundering and Prohibition Act 2011, which is now in force, recognised that of 2004. Since the offences were allegedly committed between 2004 and 2011, the Judge held the new Act is applicable. "All the objections are hereby dismissed. The accused persons are called upon to enter their defence", he declared. The Defence counsel Messrs. Chris Uche (SAN) and S.I. Ameh (SAN) had at the last sitting urged the court to discharge and acquit their clients of the alleged offences.

9 LGAs demand new state in Plateau Kaduna govt develops Queen Amina’s tomb site From Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

ine out of the seventeen local government areas of Plateau state have written to Senate President David Mark seeking for the creation of a state out of the present Plateau. The new state if created would be known as Lowland state with its capital Tunkus in Mikang local government area. The group known as

"Movement for the Creation of a New State out of Plateau State", in a press statement signed by its spokesman, Mr. Stephen Musa, said the creation of a new state was aimed at bringing development closer to the grassroots. The local government areas proposed to make up the new state are Kanam, Kanke, Langtang North, Langtang South, Mikang, Qua’an-Pan, Shendam, Pankshin and Wase.

From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

he Kaduna state government said it is determined to boost tourism in the state with the development of the historical site of the tomb of the legendary war heroine, Queen Amina of Zaria. Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Suleiman Ibrahim, who briefed the press

yesterday, noted that work has equally started on development of the Kagoro Hills Holiday Resort, in Kaura local government area, with a five star hotel, presidential lodge, an airstrip, among other facilities being provided there. According to the commissioner, the tomb of Queen Amina which is located at Turunku, near Kaduna, was being

redesigned to attract tourists from all over the world. Ibrahim listed some other tourist centres also being developed to include, the Zaria Dam Holiday Resort and the Kangimi Dam Holiday Resort. He said that government would use the 2012 Kaduna Festival of Arts and Culture (KADFEST) to reunite the various people of the state.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

Lawyer petitions HRC over client’s detention From Sadeeq Aliyu, Sokoto

Sokoto based legal practitioner, Kabiru G. Mohammed, has petitioned the executive secretary of the National Human Right Commission (HRC), for unlawful detention of his client Hayatudeen Shehu by the State Security Service (SSS). In the copy of the petition made available to our reporter, the petitioner said on January 21st, 2012, men of the SSS went to the residence of Hayatudeen Shehu at Unguwar Rogo area of Sokoto, and “unlawfully arrested our client after searching all round the house with metal detectors without discovering anything implicating”. According to him, his client had since the date of his arrest been kept in detention by the SSS at the headquarters in Abuja for about three months now. He said: “This is apparent disregard, abuse and breach of fundamental human rights of our client accorded him by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”. He urged the Human Right Commission to use its office to secure the release of his client and that due apology be tendered to him by the security agency.

PAGE 11

CBN gov decries disunity among Nigerians From Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

entral Bank of Nigeria (CBN governor, Malam Sanusi Lamido, has decried the level of division among ethnic and religious groups in the country and challenged Nigerian leaders to retrace their steps in view of the current insecurity in the country. While speaking at the thanksgiving service of late Ngo

Elizabeth Pam, mother of Dr. Ishaya Pam, Chief Medical Director, Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), at St' Luke's Catholic Church in Jos, Sanusi said the current crop of leaders have failed the country. The CBN governor said “the current crop of leadership in Nigeria, and I mean all of us, who are in position of leadership need to ask ourselves where we have failed and take practical steps to redress it so as to build a strong and virile

country.” According to him, “it is for those of us who inherited office from them to ask ourselves where we have failed and retrace our steps by going back to doing the same kind of things they were doing because if we don’t, we cannot build Nigeria.” Sanusi, said that the past leaders did not exploit ethnic and religious sentiments but were all united in one common goal which was to build

a peaceful, just and united Nigeria irrespective of their political, ethnic and religious differences. “I attended a catholic school and was a choir boy in King’s College. So for me, we are one people whether Muslim, Christian, we worship the same God. Jesus Christ is one of the greatest Prophets in Islam, we (Muslims) honour Him and adore Him,” he said. The CBN Governor described the late Ngo Pam as a friend to his uncle, Alhaji Ado Bayero, the Emir of Kano, and commended her for maintaining friendships for over 60 years and for raising responsible children.

NGO kicks against stigmatisation of leprosy patients From Sadeeq Aliyu, Sokoto

non-governmental organisation, Leprosy Mission Nigeria has identified stigmatisation as one of the major factors compounding the problems of persons affected with leprosy in Nigeria. At a one day workshop organised for media practitioners in Sokoto, resource persons explored the scope of leprosy as a disease from local and international view points, impact of stigmatisation, control and the role journalists are expected to play in containing the endemic. Sokoto State Leprosy Desk Officer, Alhaji Shehu Tureta who made the presentation, explained that the aim of the workshop was to partner with journalists to sensitise people on the need to reduce stigma, abuse and discrimination against persons affected with leprosy. He highlighted the trend of leprosy in Sokoto state from 1993 when Leprosy Mission Nigeria started intervention in controlling the disease, saying the affliction has drastically reduced with the introduction of multi drug therapy treatment which cures the ailment with efficacy. The representative of the state Ministry of Information, Alhaji Abubakar Usman Junaidu, called on individuals to complement government’s effort in providing health care for the general populace and assured of the contribution of the press in carrying out the message of the workshop.

L-R: General Manager, Rivers state Newspaper Corporation, Mr. Celestine Ogolo, Permanent Secretary, Rivers state Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Awoye Bob-Manuel, and Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Chukwuma Chinye, during the commissioner's visit to the corporation, yesterday in Port Harcourt. Photo: NAN

JOHESU suspends nationwide strike From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

he Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) in the country on Monday suspended the national strike embarked upon till July 31, 2012, with the national executive council of the unions urging members across the country to report at their duty posts with effect from 8am yesterday. The President of the body, Comrade Felix Faniran, who addressed journalists at the end of a meeting of the JOHESU national leaders held at the NASU headquarters office in Ibadan, said the suspension of the eight-day-old strike which affected all federal institutions across the country, followed a thorough review of reports of the negotiating committee with the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity which showed some signs of commitment from the

Federal Government to the demands and aspirations of the striking workers. He said it was only suspended till the end of July "when the Federal Ministry of Health and other Federal Government agencies concerned are expected to have met the demands of the unions." He disclosed that the negotiations with government succeeded in yielding positive

dividends for the striking Joint Health Sector Unions as, according to him, out of the 10-point demands presented by the unions, six issues were resolved in favour of JOHESU. Among the six issues were the health care professionals whose promotion from CONHESS 14 to 15, who have been unduly delayed since 2000 should henceforth be effected in accordance with extant schemes of service, also that the

2008 job evaluation report be presented to the appropriate committee for discussion, adoption and approval before proceeding to carry out a new exercise in 2012 being contemplated by government. Others include that the Abdullahi Bello Presidential Committee Report on Harmonious Work Relationship in the Health Sector which was submitted to the FMOH since November 25th 2011 being unduly delayed be forwarded to the Presidency on or before 21st day of May, 2012.

Gwaram council pays N500 per bag of waste From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

waram local government council in Jigawa state has adopted a new method of paying N500 for a bagful of nondegradable materials as a means of empowering its people. This was disclosed by the local council chairman, Alhaji Bala Sule Kila while flagging-off the programme at Sara town. He said

the new method is aimed at ensuring proper sanitation and cleanliness of the environment. Alhaji Bala Sule Kila explained that under the new development the local council will buy a bag of wasted polythene and other non compost materials at the cost of N500. Speaking to news men shortly after the flag-off of the programme, the chairman noted that the programme was going to be at all

major towns and markets and that after collecting the refuse all is going to be burnt. According to him "we started at Gwaram, Zandam Nagogo, Basirika, Fagam and Sara here; it would be sustained as you have seen and since the rainy season is around the corner it will further help us in removing every dirt that would block our drainages and water ways to prevent flooding."

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

Adieu, Rashidi Yekini

ust as Nigeria was adjusting to the grim reality of the demise of one of its sport icons, Major-General Henry Adefope, the cold hands of death returned to snatch one of the country’s soccer legends and all time leading goal scorer, Rashidi Yekini. Although he only burst onto the continental scene in 1993 following his sterling performance in front of goal, and was subsequently named the African Footballer of the Year, the first Nigerian to be so honoured, the others being Victor Ikpeba, Emmanuel Amuneke and Nwankwo Kanu, ‘gangling Yekini’ as he was fondly referred to, had been a regular member of the Super Eagles as far back as 1984. As a member of the senior national team, Yekini had set ayet-to-be equaled record of 37 goals in 58 appearances, a rare feat considering the paucity of top football strikers in his time. He represented Nigeria in three Africa Cup of Nations and two World Cup Finals and made a significant contribution to the country’s triumph at the 1994 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Tunisia and subsequently scored Nigeria’s first World Cup Finals goal at the USA ’94 – a tournament in which the Super Eagles were voted the most entertaining team. Born in Kaduna on October 23, 1963, Yekini cut his soccer teeth at the now defunct UNTL FC in Kaduna, from where he moved to the Shooting Stars of Ibadan and

later Abiola Babes of Abeokuta before lacing his boots for Africa Sports FC of Ivory Coast. In search of a greener pasture, the striker moved to Europe to ply his play for Olympiacos of Greece and then Setubal of Portugal, where in the 1993/1994 season he scored an unprecedented 90 goals in 108 club appearances to become a Portuguese icon.

“

we urge the authorities to adopt a more proactive attitude towards individuals who, at the peak of their career, rendered unquantifiable services to the nation while they are alive, instead of leaving it till after their death to pour encomiums on them Quite unlike most of his foreignbased professional colleagues, Yekini demonstrated his modesty by returning to the domestic scene to lace his boots for Julius Berger FC and later Gateway FC between 2003 and 2005 before bowing out for good. Sadly, neither the Nigeria Football Federation nor his last domestic league club, Gateway FC

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deemed it fit to organise a farewell match for him. Even when he became overwhelmed by emotional and health challenges, Yekini remained modest, rejecting all entreaties to approach the state for assistance of any kind. Instead, he led a quiet life, content to indulge in daily exercises at the Liberty Stadium Ibadan and generally maintained a pleasant if reserved disposition towards his immediate neighbours. Yekini was one of the few patriots who never insisted on exacting the pound of flesh from the nation but rather offered his services with pride. While mourning the demise of this sport icon, we urge the authorities to adopt a more proactive attitude towards individuals who, at the peak of their career, rendered unquantifiable services to the nation while they are alive, instead of leaving it till after their death to pour encomiums on them. In this respect, we applaud the NFF for promptly naming the national U-15 national soccer tournament after Yekini to immortalize the fallen hero, Furthermore, we call on the National Sports Commission (NSC) to, as a matter of urgent national policy, create an investment portfolio whereby sport personalities will be assisted to save for the rainy day, and also set up a functional insurance policy for all sport professionals. Adieu, Rashidi Yekini.

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PAGE 13

Fashola, doctors and a sick dad By Emmanuel Onwubiko

agos state has been in the news in the last couple of days for the very wrong reason. The entire medical doctors working in the Lagos state public health sector proceeded on an indefinite strike to protest what they termed as poor condition of service and the failure of the Lagos state government under Mr. Babatunde Fashola, a senior Advocate of Nigeria to meaningfully negotiate with the striking doctors and reach peaceful resolution. The situation in the Lagos state health sector degenerated to the worst case scenario when the Lagos state government announced the immediate dismissal of the over 900 striking medical doctors and stated that it was ready to recruit fresh medical practitioners to fill the vacancies left by the striking medical practitioners. This decision to sack the striking doctors has not gone down well with a cross segments of the society. A lot of groups and highly respected opinion leaders have lashed out at governor Fashola for literary using a sledge hammer to kill a fly by the unilateral decision of his administration to terminate the appointments of the striking doctors. Those sympathetic to the Lagos state government are of the opinion that the legendary Hippocratic oath sworn to by all medical doctors absolutely forbids them from proceeding on strike. Few days after the medical doctors proceeded on the industrial action, the mass media carried pathetic stories of how poor patients in the Lagos state owned hospitals are left to die because they have no means to seek alternative private healthcare. Specifically on Thursday April

By Muhammad Jameel Yusha’u

eflecting the old regional structure of Nigeria, made up of northern, western and the eastern regions, the flow of migration to foreign countries is patterned this way: Yorubas most likely making England their second most important country after Nigeria, the Igbos heading to the United States while people from northern Nigeria head for Saudi Arabia. It is also interesting that you find two categories of people engaged in this wave of migration, the professionals particularly medical doctors and engineers, as well as students, some of whom choose to stay in these countries after the completion of their studies. The second category is made up of individuals who migrate in search of good life but who are ready to engage in any business, legal or illegal in order to stay abroad. Sometimes I wonder how some of these guys find their way either to the UK, US or other countries. But the subject of this write up is on Nigerians living in Saudi Arabia, particularly the women among them, called Kano-toJeddah. Last year on a visit to the Holy land I witnessed something that shocked me. We were going to

26th 2012, the Daily Sun newspaper reported that when it visited the medical emergency ward of the Lagos state university Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, the ward was deserted with two corpses found inside. A resident doctor who helped reporters gain entrance into the ward said one of the men died on Tuesday night, while the second died on Wednesday morning. The doctor who pleaded anonymity said the men were in critical conditions and needed intensive care, which could not be rendered when doctors abandoned their duties as a result of the strike. “This is the kind of development we witness when there is strike,” the doctor said. “The same scenario is going on in other hospitals owned by the state. Scores of patients will die, it can be swept under the carpet, but that is the reality of strike.” A closer look at the modern version of the Hippocratic Oath shows that medical doctors are obliged not to embark on an indefinite industrial if such is capable of endangering lives since the Oath is usually taken by physicians and other health care professionals swearing to practice medicine ethically. The Hippocratic Oath was upgraded and updated by the Declaration of Geneva. There is also the modern version penned in 1964 by Dr. Louis Lasagna, former principal of the Sackler school of Graduate Biomedical sciences and Academic Dean of the school of medicine at Tuffs University and this is the widely accepted version in use now. Three stanzas come in handy for the purposes of our current piece. The three stanzas of the modern version of the Hippocratic oath that are of relevance to this piece are as follows; “If I fulfill this oath and do

not violate it, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and art, being honoured with fame among all men for all time to come; if I transgress it and swear falsely, may the opposite of all this be my lot”. The other stanza stated thus; “I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures (that) are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism.” Importantly, another aspect of the oath stated thus: “I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon’s knife or the chemist’s drug.”… Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given to me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God.” But the question to be asked is why subject the working condition of those medical doctors who ought to save lives to very dehumanizing situation by the political office holders? Again, should political office holders treat medical doctors as slaves just because those politicians are aware of the possibility of using the Hippocratic Oath as a weapon of blackmail to seek to stop the aggrieved medical doctors from demanding that their labour rights be respected and for the entrenchment of better working environment? The doctors were legitimately demanding the full implementation of the consolidated medical salary structure (CONMESS) which is a national pay scale for medical doctors put in

place by the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to save the health sector from the effects of brain-drain whereby medical experts migrate to Europe, America and Asia in search of greener pastures because of poor working environment locally. It is wrong that the Lagos state government failed to implement a subsisting legal agreement to pay the nationally accepted wage bill and it is even worst that the Lagos state government decided to sack the medical doctors rather than use peaceful negotiation to reach a truce. To even think that the Personnel Management Board (PMB), the disciplinary agency of the government which met on April 11th-13th 2012, quickly established a case of misconduct including absence from duty against the striking doctors and subsequently dismissed them on May 4th, 2012, is reprehensible and a breach of the fundamental laws of equity and fair hearing because the Lagos state government cannot become the judge and the prosecutor in a matter that affects its interest without hearing from the striking doctors. The Lagos state government’s sack of the medical doctors smacks of dictatorship and arbitrary rule which are antithetical to the current democratic wind of change that has blown in Nigeria. The letter conveying the dismissal of the Lagos State-based medical doctors looked like a letter from the late Nazi leader Adolphus Hitter to the prisoners of the Second World War shortly before he carried out the most despicable genocide of the Jews. The letter from the Personnel Management Board of the Lagos state Ministry of Health read thus;

“The committee therefore recommended your dismissal from service in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Service Rules No. 04502, 04507 and 04508. The board has therefore approved your dismissal”. The letter was signed by the Chief Medical Director of Lagos state University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Professor David Oke. To demonstrate how infinitely unrepentant most Nigerian politicians are, it was reported last weekend that the Lagos state governor Mr. Babatunde Fashola sent his sick father to the united states of America for medical treatment even when other poor patients are left to die because of the impasse or the ongoing strike which the state government deliberately failed to resolve. On May 13th 2012, the citizen platform, an online journal that reports on Nigeria carried a shocking story that Mr. Ademola Fashola, the father of Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos state, has been flown to the United States for medical attention for an undisclosed ailment, as the crisis rocking health sector in Lagos state continues. The governor’s father was said to be accompanied by two doctors from the state, one of who is the medical director of Ebute-Metta Health Centre, F.O. Williams. A senior official of the state government who sought anonymity confirmed that the elder Fashola had been evacuated from the country before the strike. The citizen platform reported that one of the affected doctors who sought anonymity claimed that the governor once stated, during one of their negotiations that “he Contd on page 15

Child abuse, Kano-to-Jeddah and Nigerian Muslims the Haram for Fajr (dawn) prayer, when we saw a small girl no more than five years old sitting in between the roads that lead to the Haram. The sophistication with which the girl was begging requires a lot of rehearsal even for an adult to emulate. Her hands were raised, voice twisted, eyes twinkling, and legs folded. The mere sight of that little girl will provoke the slightest sympathy in any person who cares about the life of a child. Just imagine your daughter in that situation. Few meters away was another woman monitoring that little girl, keeping an eye on the money people were given her as charity. Together with my wife we approached this woman to offer a word of advise, that she should fear Allah and think of the condition she puts this little girl, to imagine the cold, and the time of the night. There is nothing to call the situation of that little girl other than child abuse. After listening to our little advise, the woman responded with

the worst abuse you can think of. She told us that they have migrated from Nigeria after “you have made it ungovernable, yet even in the Holy land you cannot spare us, are you not ashamed that you cannot even provide electricity. We have migrated in search of a better life”. On hearing that I told her that I am not one of the Nigerian elites she is referring to, in fact I don’t even live in Nigeria, I am simply journalist, and the condition I saw that little girl was baffling. It is good to respect our selves and protect the dignity of our children. That was not enough to satisfy the woman. After this little conversation, we proceeded to the Haram. On our way back after the Fajr prayer the woman has already assembled other women engaged in the same trade. Unknown to us she has trailed our entrance to the Haram and waited for our return, on our way out she continued with her abuses in the assembly of those women, my wife and I refused to

join issues with her. But we kept thinking about that little girl, who is just one among thousands of children that are being abused in order to make money. On visiting Madina I narrated this story to a friend and a brother who has concluded his PhD at the International Islamic University Madina. His response was “you have not seen anything”, Even the Saudi government is struggling with the situation of those Nigerians, and is looking for solution to this unending problem, they have deported some of this people, yet they find a way to come back. Last week by Allah’s grace I was in the Holy city and on my way to the Haram I saw similar group of women, this time around, the number of this little girls has increased, even the best movie director will require exceptional expertise to train his actors to behave the way those little girls were acting. While I was amazed at what I was seeing, one of the governors who has just

won a controversial by-election came to pass on his way to the Haram. Dear Muslim Governors in Nigeria, please when next you meet each other think about the future of these little children that are being abused. Remember that while you pass by them whenever you visit the Holy land, your children of similar age back home are in school as you prepare them to have a decent future. When next you meet please, consider establishing a bi-national commission between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia in order to address this abuse. I know some people might say that you already have millions of these children at home, but in this case think of the embarrassment they cause our nation, just like drug traffickers and money launderers are causing us humiliation in Europe, Asia and North America. Muhammad Jameel Yusha’u wrote from Newcastle upon Tyne mjyushau@yahoo.com

PAGE 14

By Muhammad Ajah

he first year of your return to the White House as the second governor of Ebonyi state for a second term since May 29, 2011 has continued to scale challenges and yet spark hope that at the end of your second term, history would have to contend between advancing you as the best ever or otherwise in the leadership of the state. When I first heard, while studying abroad, that Ebonyi had been created, I was overcome with joy. And in 1999, I could not contain my elation when the first executive governor of the state, Dr. Sam Ominyi Egwu emerged. I sat for several hours and silently told myself, “How I wished Akanu Ibiam lived to see the struggle he began with some good fathers of Ebonyi, not with the slightest thought that one of them will govern the state in no distant time. But at last, my beloved state will soon begin to taste the joy of independence and progress under a civilian governor”. Dr. Egwu, a son of the soil and an educationist, however, started on a good step as most politicians do in Nigeria. His eight years of leadership have left many asterisks and the state of the state speaks louder than what a pen can scribe. A good leader never accepts the philosophy of putting the past behind. And it is not for an individual man to judge his fellow. Your Excellency, when I came into the state few years after Egwu’s inception into office, I made enquiries on his performance. The answer was from a local government official who

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

A letter to Governor Martin Elechi proclaimed, “I tell you the truth. unfair, politically unpatriotic and Ebonyi rural dwellers yearn to Though I am from the grassroots religiously hypocritical for writers have only eight hours of but always visit the state capital to commend and celebrate failure uninterrupted power supply for official assignments, the man or partake in misguiding a every day. They need schools and is wonderful; he is at his best; I government democratically set up hospitals with adequate think he needs only depend more to deliver dividends to the people. infrastructures. They desire on God.” I told the p o r t a b l e respondent that drinking water the best and they testimony is deserve living Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text from an homes. adversary and Again, the messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written not a lover or advancement contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 beneficiary. of the words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and As a critical e d u c a t i o n al a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed observer of the system can only to: development in work by offering the state, my a compulsory The Editor, anger was quite and free Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, aroused when education at 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. the National both primary Email: let ters@peoplesdaily-online.com P l a n n i n g and secondary Commission school levels SMS: 07037756364 (NPC) and donor with the state a g e n c i e s indigenes comprising the British This is a chronic ailment in the having preferential acceptance in Department for International Nigerian society, but worse in states the state varsity in Abakaliki and Development (DFID), the World where development is at best only the federal polytechnic in Bank, the United Nations on the lips of government officials. Unwana. Sir, learning needs conducive Development Programme I have always advocated for the (UNDP), USAID and CIDA rated the prioritization of education because environment and competent state fifth in terms of budget and it is the fulcrum of social selfless administrators and fiscal management, service development, mental and creative instructors. To make teachers delivery, policy formulation, productivity as well as individual more efficient, active and communication and transparency self-reliance and progress. Though productive, training programmes seminars should be during Egwu’s regime. said it is easier to force a horse to a and Now, my feeling is that Ebonyi river but difficult to force it drink, compulsorily and periodically is yet to attain its position as the you should give Ebonyians the organized for them while stringent salt of Nigeria. And I feel justified fundamental opportunity to create rules that will guide the activities of the pupils and student should be because a lot has not been done. a future for and by themselves. There are still acute hunger, Rural programmes, schools, reviewed. There should be annual illiteracy, health hazard and hospitals, roads, housing scheme, fiscal and honorary rewards to the maternal mortality problems sports and tourism are areas that best performing teachers at ward, pervading the state. It is socially need tremendous turn-around. local and state levels while the

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supervisors should equally be motivated so as not to play foul as the umpires. It was observed, even during Egwu’s regime, that although school fees were not paid, many school authorities of public schools created unnecessary levies that amounted to paying double school fees: levies such as PTA, sports, inter-house, birth certificate, examination, lab, condolence, send forth, corpers’ security, agriculture, school maintenance among others. All these make it very difficult for an average income earner to release the children and wards for training, thus frustrating, confusing and sabotaging the free education regime of the government. That, in its direct effect, forced more youths and children out of school to swell the child labour market. Once the Ebonyi education becomes functional, the thought and attitude of the people will be refined, defined and naturally projected for aggressive national utility from their young ages. Connected to these too are the social vices like examination malpractices, general school maladministration, cultism, child-abuse (trafficking and prostitution) at schools. Parents and teachers can stop exam cheatings and child abuse if they are severely rebuked and punished for non-compliance and negligence. The State House of Contd on page 15

Freedom of Expression: Between Azazi and Gantz By Yushau A. Shuaib

reedom of expression is essential in every civilized society so long as it does not harm individuals’ character or malign institutional reputations through false and misleading information. It is a fact that violation of freedom of expression is violation of the right to freedom of association and assembly. While some individuals and institutions are cautious of making public statements because of the sensitive natures of their assignments, it could be considered justifiable and legitimate when such interventions are for the general good of the society. In April 2012, two top Military Generals, one from Nigeria and the other from Israel, made public statements that have continued to generate debates because of the sensitive security positions they hold in governments. General Andrew Owoye Azazi is the National Security Adviser in Nigeria, the most populous Black Country in the world, and General Benny Gantz, the Chief of General Staff of Defense Forces of Israel, the nation widely believed to have the Middle East’s only nuclear arsenal. While their individual remarks have continued to generate controversies and debates, coincidentally their respective citizens hail their positions while the governments condemn the outburst because of security implication in their respective

countries and sub-regions. Whenever the issue of Middle East is discussed, the confrontational stance between Israel and Iran always comes to mind over the alleged nuclear ambition of the latter. Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Minister of Defence Ehud Barak have threatened to attacks Iran if the international community refuses to take actions. At Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day this year Netanyahu blatantly stated that: “The regime in Iran openly calls and determinedly works for our destruction. And it is feverishly working to develop atomic weapons to achieve that goal.” The officials in Iran have denied the allegation of seeking nuclear ambition but insisted that the country is only enriching uranium for peaceful energy purposes and that its nuclear program is not a threat to anyone. Countries like the US, European Union, Canada, Japan and Australia are not swayed as they imposed sanctions on Tehran include restrictions on Iranian oil sales, and an asset freeze on certain individuals and organisations. Probably in response to the anxiety and fear of going to war with Iran through suspected preemptive strikes, Israel’s Military Chief, Lieutenant-General Benny Gantz said he does not believe Iran will decide to build an atomic bomb and called its leaders “very rational”. Lt-General Gantz’s remarks

published in a popular Israeli Haaretz newspaper stated that “Iran is moving step-by-step towards a point where it will be able to decide if it wants to make a nuclear bomb. It has not decided yet whether to go the extra mile.” He added that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would not make a huge mistake of going the extra mile to make an atomic bomb. In his words: “I think the Iranian leadership is comprised of very rational people. But I agree that such a capability in the hands of Islamic fundamentalists, who at some moments may make different calculations, is a dangerous thing.” Interestingly, subsequent remarks by former Foreign Intelligence (Mossad) chief Meir Dagan, and former Shin Bet (Domestic Intelligence) chief Yuval Diskin clearly argued in line with General Gantz by criticizing Israel’s political elite on a possible strike against Iran and the unresolved Palestinian question. While Meir Dagan pointedly said: “This (planned attack on Iran’s nuclear installations) is the stupidest idea I have heard in my life,” Yuval Diskin added that: “Israel is now led by two incompetent politicians with messianic delusions and poor grasp of reality. Their plan to attack Iran is leading to a worldwide catastrophe.” Similar tempo is being played out in Nigeria. At the South-South Economic Summit in Asaba, Gen. Owoye Azazi, the National Security

Adviser who spoke extemporal disclosed that elements within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) helped create the environment that brought about the Islamic sect, Boko Haram. He was alleged to have said: “The issue of violence did not increase in Nigeria until when there was a declaration by the current President that he was going to contest. PDP got it wrong from the beginning. The party started by saying Mr. A can rule, and Mr. B cannot rule, according to PDP convention, rules and regulations are not according to the Constitution. That created the climate for what is happening. Is it possible that somebody was thinking that only Mr. A could win, and if he did not win, he could cause a problem in the society?” On the Boko Haram, Azazi added that: “It takes a very long period for somebody to train a sniper. But I can assure you that Boko Haram has got to a level of sophistication. There’s a lot that could be done to address the problem. Even if all leaders we know in Boko Haram are arrested, I don’t think the problem will end because of the problem that created the phenomena: religion, poverty, or the desire to rule. I think it is a combination of everything.” Responses to Azazi were swift from the party in government and the government itself. In a statement, Olisa Metuh, spokesperson to PDP said the party remained united in support of

President Goodluck Jonathan, rejecting allegations of practicing politics of exclusion. He described Azazi’s comments as “a poor reflection of the internal workings of the Party and a wrong deduction on the roots of security challenges in the country.” President Jonathan during his sympathy visit to ThisDay office in Abuja which was attacked by a suicide bomber said: “I don’t believe that it is undemocratic practices in the PDP that could give rise to Boko Haram or any other groups. So probably, people need to ask NSA to explain what he really means.” Many Nigerians still believe in the remarks of General Azazi which clearly pointed out that more need to be done to address the insecurity in the country through programmes and policies that have positive and direct bearings on the citizenry. The two Military Generals in Israel and Nigeria have spoken the minds of the majority, including this writer. It is ‘the truth and nothing but the truth’ towards finding lasting solutions to regional insecurity and global peace. Probably sooner or later if Politicians are wiser, we will live to witness Iranian and Israeli leaderships celebrating their unity, while Nigerians from the South and the North will sincerely and strongly believe in the oneness of the country. Yushau A. Shuaib wrote from Finance Estate, Wuye Abuja yashuaib@yahoo.com

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

PAGE 15

Dankwambo’s Midas touch in Gombe D By M. L. Ismail

espite improvements here and there, we are still wriggling under the agony of politicians’ gross abuse of the word promise. But that nevertheless has not taken away the fact that promise is a norm in the leadership circles and on it hinges the trust thrust on them via our mandates. Therefore, the much the leader and the led would expect from one another depends largely on the loudness, weightiness and articulateness of what has come to be known as ‘political promise(s)’ in the Nigerian parlance on the one hand, and how well the goods are delivered on the other. And like many, Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo made it abundantly clear from the onset that the fulcrum of administration in Gombe state is to steadily rekindle the hopes in the led while re-engineering their energies and the institution of governance to create better opportunities for positive change. He capped it with the assurance that the administration would consistently match words with action, both in policy formulation and implementation, adding that this would be seen from the numerous programmes and projects to be accomplished under his leadership in the next four years. Integral to this resolve as often expressed by him is the high premium placed on the development of infrastructure and social amenities across the state as vehicles of galvanizing meaningful socioeconomic development of the state and its people. It is now barely a year since he assumed office and it is justifiable to say the gains of Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo’s administration in Gombe state

Contd from page 13 has no need for public health hospitals”. “Fashola told us that he doesn’t use facilities in the state hospital and that whatever project he carries out there is not for himself,” he said. The doctor also claimed that former Lagos state governor Chief Bola Tinubu, last year, at a meeting to broker peace between the state government and the doctors, said the state could afford to shut down all the public health facilities. On reading the story that the Lagos state governor flew his sick dad to the United States for the best medical attention before he failed to convince the medical doctors not Contd from page 13 Assembly may enact a law on this. The state police and teachers/ lecturers/parents can battle cultism to a standstill. Cultism, worrisomely, is gradually and steadily gaining acceptance into the secondary schools. Your Excellency, in the interest of the Ebonyi people, actions should be taken on these: One, the local government leaderships (including the development centres) seem to be doing extremely very little or nothing at all in terms of complementing the efforts of the state government in developing the grassroots. If it can

ricochet every promised made since mounting the driver’s seat and even as far back as during the electioneering activities. More so, the activities of this less talk, more action governor thus far indicates that of a leader who is in touch with the led. The same way he brandish a scorecard that outshines most of its counterparts’ over the same period of time. In a nutshell, he has made his mark and just like the views of some watchers of event, he will live to be remembered if what we have seen in less than just a year is all he would do for the whole four years. But as luck would have it, the Governor is not yet done with the dogged effort at delivering the goods to the good people of Gombe state. This is evident in the recent procurement of machineries and earth moving equipment to fasttrack the development of rural communities. The equipment according to Hassan Ahmadu, Commissioner for Rural Development and Cooperatives will be used for the construction of access roads, earth dams, culverts and other smaller works that would make rural life more cheering and enticing, especially to the youths. The move is not only inspired by the need to save funds but the burning desire to speedily transform Gombe state as well. It will at the same time provide employment opportunities for unemployed youths who will be engaged whenever there is any work to in their domain. “It is not all works that should be contracted out. There are some that can be done at the Ministry level to keep the professionals in our fold busy and at the end of the day, government would have saved some funds for other projects. But the idea of this administration open

up as many rural communities as possible,” explained the Rural Development Commissioner. The initiative behind making the rural settlement more alluring a habitation is engendered by need to diversify the economy through fostering participation in agricultural activities, especially among the younger people who require great deal of encouragement to stand up to the task of replacing the present generation of aging farmers. But agriculture itself has to be made easy to attract participation. It is on this note that Gombe state government refurbished 35 grounded tractors and procured the same number for the state farmers’ use. Still felling underachieved and haunted by the drive to make the state the food basket of the northeast sub-region, government ordered for additional 200 unit of tractors from Pakistan. On arrival, the state tractor hiring unit will have more than enough at farmers disposal and at giveaway price too. In the interim however, 34,000 metric tons of assorted fertilizers have been earmarked for this year’s farming season with the probability of adding more. Out of the said number, 20,000 metric tons will come from the state while the remaining would be supplied in conjunction with the Federal Government. And without being told, stringent strategies have been put in place to block the loopholes that distorted the distribution network in the past. With recognition of the saying that cleanliness is next to Godliness in Gombe state comes deliberate efforts by the Dankwambo administration to give the state capital and other local government headquarters befitting look. Most recent in this direction is the procurement of ten trucks, loaders,

road sweepers, tractors, trucks and waste bins. These will further complement the already awarded landscaping, installation of traffic and street lights, designing of all roundabouts and general beautification of the state capital. And talking about environmental sanitation activities proper, Gombe state government is currently training Environmental Marshalls who upon graduation will enforce government plans in that direction. Also being trained are Security and Traffic Marshalls all of whom will help out in enforcement on related fields of endeavour. Numbering 1,200 trainees, these are mostly illiterate and unemployed youths, most of whom hitherto earned living through brutality, hooliganism and begging. 520 of their secondary school dropout counterparts on the other hand have just commenced training on 13 different trades in four skills acquisition centres spread across the three senatorial districts of the state. 320 were graduated on Thursday, May 3, 2012 and resettled with tools of the trades they learnt and an interest-free loan of N250,000= to enable them take-off. Suffice it at this juncture to know that these schemes are at the pilot stage and would soon be scaled up to contain the massive response to government call. Also not left out are the unemployed graduates. Their data have all been captured by the various Ministries in which their course of study are relevant. The aim is to engage them temporarily or permanently as opportunities present themselves. Considering that that illiteracy is fundamental to most of the problems confronting the Nigerian

Fashola, doctors and a sick dad

to embark on strike, one book immediately came to my mind namely the novel by Robert T. Kiyosaki aptly titled “Rich Dad, poor Dad”. From the Wiki summaries, we learnt that one theme that’s apparent in this book is that for an individual to be wealthy, he must aim to own the system or means of production, rather than work for another individual. The author stresses that “there is obviously something confining about being an employee; it shuts the

mind to other possibilities and it stunts initiative”. Fashola of Lagos state can afford foreign medical treatment for his dad while others can perish because he wields enormous power of control over the financial resources of Lagos state and also enjoys huge security votes while the people die from abject poverty. Recently, the senate President David Mark traveled to Israel for medical attention when he reportedly suffered from tooth-related problem.

The Federal ministry of Health recently banned public office holders from using public fund to enjoy foreign medical attention even while they deliberately destroy the public health infrastructure. Going by the ban on foreign medical pilgrimage as announced by the minister of health Dr. Onyebuchi Chukwu, the question that immediately comes to mind is if the almighty governors of the 36 states that behave like Emperors will comply with this directive,

nation today, the educational sector has received premium attention since the inception of the present leadership in the Jewel State. it all begun with the review of the largely unqualified teaching personnel, conversion of 30 primary and postprimary schools (15 each) to model schools and then plans of reconstructing some schools and constructing new ones with a view to ensuring that there are not more than 40 pupils in a class, while aiming at just 1,500 and 1,000 students in the day and boarding schools respectively. Recently as part of the efforts to woeful performance in the lower academic strata 1,000 qualified teachers were employed, though still a far cry from the 3,033 needed to adequately cover the state need. More so, works are at the verge of taking-off at the Gombe State College of Education, Billiri. The idea was first expressed in December 2011 during the annual Pissi Tangle celebration (a cultural festival celebrated by the Tanagle in Billiri local government of the state). it is expected to produce teachers for the state as well as affording indigent citizens an easier access to tertiary education. Time and space may not take it all but it has been one year of consistent development of human resources and infrastructural development. And indeed, the joy of the people of Gombe state know no bound with the promises that are being so easily fulfilled as they are made. For the Governor himself, it has been one year of Midas touch in justifying the confidence reposed in him. What is now left is the cooperation and prayer of the people for greater things to come. M. L. Ismail wrote from Bolari Quarters in Gombe listen to the voice of reason and invest meaningfully in reviving the collapsing health sector? Are these political office holders waiting for violent revolution before they do the right thing? The state government must recall the medical doctors and meaningfully invest in the health sector. The Lagos state House of Assembly and other state houses of Assembly should pass a law banning use of public fund to pay medical bills of political office holders, their siblings and concubines. Emmanuel Onwubiko wrote from www.huriwa.com.

A letter to Governor Martin Elechi be effectively carried out, there is need to set up a monitoring team that will quarterly or bi-annually tour all the local government areas and development centres to see with eyes what is being done for the people at the rural levels. The tour should be unscheduled and without pre-information to the local leaderships. Moreover, there are vast and fertile unploughed lands that demand modern farming technology. Nearly every human need comes from land and with

farming most of the developed countries without petroleum or gold have flourished. Egypt, for instance, lives largely on revenues from farming and tourism. Most North African countries have turned their deserts into green farmlands from where they export cash crops for their national incomes. Ebonyi has already been blessed by God with such vast arable lands, thereby demanding some sophisticated agricultural plans, machines and mechanism to grow and engage the citizens.

Small sale industrial scheme should be seriously encouraged while Ebonyi Investment and Property Company should rise up to its challenges. Your Excellency, you need to bring closer to your government non-governmental organizations which are passionately devoted to assist the underprivileged in the society: such NGOs that extend hands of love and support to the widows, orphans, deserted elderly and the needy. Is it possible to create Ebonyi state Welfare Board?

One of the greatest problems facing the state is associated with the youth: unemployment, lack of education and thus the natural inclination to crime and societal vices. The labour market is the crime nurse. Therefore, in the presence of insufficient employment opportunities, aggressive enlightenment campaigns on youth should be carried out in such a way that the youth would imbibe it. Muhammad Ajah, a writer, is based in Abuja.

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

AEPB plans upward review of waste bills By Josephine Ella

A man taking a pour generator for fueling, yesterday, in Garki, Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

FCT NSCDC recovers 45,000 liter tanker from vandals By Adeola Tukuru

he Anti-Vandal Patrol Team of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) yesterday recovered a 45,000 litre tanker filled with crude oil in Kamadi village, located in the Kwali Area Council, FCT. Addressing newsmen after

the incident, FCT Commandant of the corps, Barr. Rabi Saidu, said that the NSCDC had on May 14 th , 2012, discovered a hole dug in a pipe line, prompting it to leave sentinels on sight to monitor the hole dug by unknown vandals, whom he said later came with a 45,000 litres tanker with registration No. XA711KMK, Bayelsa State.

“Our men who monitored the whole situation were almost closing on the vandals when they were loading the crude before they fled the scene and abandoned their truck”, Barr. Saidu said. Saidu, further stated that items recovered from the tanker was Two cash invoice of purchase of Nokia phones with

the name of one Egbulu Ihueze, Two way bill delivery receipt from NNPC pump station in Kaduna, dated December and January 29 th ,2011 29 th ,2012. He averred that had since commenced on the issue, assuring that the corps will return the crude oil tanker to the NNPC.

FCTA builds 4 sporting facilities, 3 police stations By Josephine Ella

he Federal Capital Territory (FCT) administration has completed four sport facilities in Abuja to improve the recreational facilities in the territory. According to the FCT Minister, Senator Bala

Mohammed, the sport facilities in Apo Legislative Quarters, Garki Area 1, Wuse Zone 6 and Wuse Zone 3 would enable residents of Abuja keep fit and stay healthy. He emphasised that the health of the residents is synonymous to the health of the nation, saying his administration would do everything possible to

encourage physical and mental exercise of all residents. On the present security challenges, Senator Mohammed revealed that his administration has constructed and completed 3 new police stations and 11 new Police Posts in the territory. The three police stations completed are in Wuye, Durumi and Daki-Biyu

Districts, while the police posts are in Life-Camp, Jabi, Wuye, Utako, Wuse Zone 4, Maitama, Wuse Zone 7, Garki II, Garki Area 3, Daki-Biyu and Garki Area 10. He further disclosed that the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) is already undertaking the necessary preparation for the commissioning of the projects.

Court orders woman, 38, to pay N1,000 for trespass

n Abuja Magistrates' Court on Monday, ordered one 38-yearold Agnes George of Jabi, Abuja, to pay a fine of N1,000 for criminal trespass. The convict was sentenced by Magistrate Sadiya Mayana, following her guilty plea before the court. The Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Philips Appolos, told the court

that on May 9, the convict trespassed into the Gwarinpa General Hospital and could not give a satisfactory account of herself, when confronted. He said that Mr Aggry Obi of Gwarinpa Hospital Abuja lodged the complain against the convict at the Gwarimpa Police Station on the same date.

The convict, who pleaded guilty to the charges, explained that her boyfriend brought her to Abuja in 1998 from Kaduna and both have been living together since then at Life Camp, Abuja. She further said that early this year, the boyfriend threw her out of his house and collected the money she used for her business, ``and till

today, I do not have an alternative accommodation. ``I have a place at Lake View Garden where I sell soft drinks. I usually park my car there and sleep inside it and some other times, I enter into the hospital premises''. In her judgment, Magistrate Sadiya Mayana ordered the accused to pay N1, 000 fine. (NAN)

he Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), yesterday disclosed plans for an upward review of waste bills in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), based on services being rendered by the board. The Director, Isah Shuaibu, said the increment would enable the agency provide efficient service to residents and business facilities in the city. Shuaibu, who disclosed the plan at a press briefing in his office to notify members of the public, business outfits of the impending waste bill increase, described the fee to be charged as Polluter Pay Principle on multi-tenanted apartments and other similar facilities. He lamented that the cost of managing all categories of wastes in the FCT has been very expensive; hence, it becomes imperative for the board to review its operation for an efficient waste disposal system. According to the director, the Polluter Pay Principle would explore all the uncharged facilities in commercial areas such as hospitality facilities and business plazas across the city. He explained that the agency has only been charging for number of shops and rooms for rent in the profitable commercial outfits, where the business have enjoyed public and private patronages but have failed to be charge appropriately on their waste generation. His words: “The decision to increase charges not limited to hospitality facilities alone but all commercial business operations must service workers who rely on their salary alone. Those who enjoy public patronage must pay as they have continued to enjoy economic benefits from the individuals, corporate organization and government agencies”. While giving an insight into other areas that would be considered when determining the new charges, Isa said that the beside the rooms, there are conference halls that take a lot of guests at the same time, restaurants, night-clubs laundry facilities etc which generates liquid and solid waste but are not captured in the poor charge template of the agency. According to him, the initial waste fees which is far unrealistic and below present economic reality, was intended to encourage businesses to thrive in the FCT. However, since the city has become a business and conference hub, the board has been shortchanging itself by charging fee not commensurate with the services being rendered, a situation which has put the board under so much financial pressure, thereby affecting its output.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

PAGE 17

Three vehicles were involved in an accident, yesterday morning along Aleita Airport road in Abuja, causing a traffic hold-up as some of the victims were rushed to the Hospital by sympathisers. The wreckages of the vehicles are seeing at the Scene of the accident.

Hats hawker displaying his products, yesterday at Utako market, in Abuja. A gardener trimming flowers, yesterday along Yakubu Gowon way, in Abuja.

Surveyors on duty, yesterday at Total station, in Central Area, Abuja.

An auto mechanic trying to lose nuts tyer hub of this vehicle, yesterday at Gudu mechanic village, in Abuja. Photos: Joe Oroye

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

Nigeria needs hi-tech to curb insecurity, says Arewa youth leader INTERVIEW

ooking at the present security challenges facing the country, what solution do you proffer? Well, right now, it is evident that we are faced with security challenges. It all started with Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), before the Boko Haram menace which originally began from Borno state, and later spread to some parts of Northern states like Yobe, Kano, Kaduna and also the FCT. The federal government under the leadership of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan does not have the modern technology to curb the Boko Haram menace. In contemporary societies of Europe and America, there are bomb detectors that are planted underground, for easy detection of any device. But in our situation of Nigeria, you will observe that the security operatives at various check points do not have these bomb detectors. The security operatives are not angels or spirits to detect what a vehicle is carrying. Another problem is that we accord so much respect to tinted vehicles, looking like an official car carrying pilot lights which might turn out to be explosives. The best the security men could do on sighting such vehicles is to salute them. I want to advice the President, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Naval, Chief of Air staff ,SSS DG and other security chiefs to as a matter of urgency order for the installation of bomb detectives across the country as a major step towards combating the Boko Haram menace that has clouded the affairs of this nation. We should also copy from smaller nations like India, which had been able to control internal security. I was in India recently, today there is nothing like terrorism in India because they have a car tracker that can identify your

Recently, the country has witnessed incessantl security challenges, owing to the activities of the Boko Haram sect. In this interview with Adeola Tukuru, the Director of Publicity, Arewa Youths for Peace and Security, Salihu Dantata Mamud, who doubles as the National Secretary of the Action Party of Nigeria (APN), proffers suggestions on how to effectively stamp out terrorism in the country. Excerpt:

Salihu Dantata Mamud vehicle. They don’t use security men to check people. We should also follow the steps taken by the USA, after the 911 attack on the world tower centre, to set up the homeland security. in our context in Abuja, the FCT administration can set up the Abuja Metropolitan Vigilance Squad ,these Squad can be made up of all the security agencies, volunteer citizenry youths, private sector representatives ,volunteer civil servants, traders and jobless youths and even touts who can contribute to policing.

What do you have to say about the issue of the new number plates which the FRSC claims will improve security. The Arewa Youths for Peace and Security (AYPS) were the group that brought out the awareness of new number plates to the National Assembly. The law that the so called number plates is being talked about is borrowed and when I say borrowed, there is nothing like the improve security in new number plates. When I read recently on leadership newspaper, where the Director of the State Security

Service (SSS) was quoted as saying that “the new number plate can help combat terrorism in the country”, I was confused considering the list of officials fake number apprehended. The origin of the fake number plates were from road safety officers, some of these men who gave fake number plates to people were arrested and handed over to the SSS, but they were not paraded on any National dailies or TV. Therefore there is nothing the new number plates can use to combat terrorism. Assuming the people who got the number plates directly from Road safety were terrorists, they would have succeeded. What advice do you want to give to FCT minister in the area of development in Abuja? I would like to advice the FCT minister Senator Bala Mohammed, to set up a committee to look into the welfare of the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), popularly known as the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO), because it is the highest agency that generates revenue for the FCT. When the FCT minister recently presented them with 35 vehicles. I criticized it because you can’t give them vehicles to work without motivation. But I later investigated some VIO officials, who told me that they still collect N14,000 as salaries compared to the Fire Service whose least salary is N70,000. Fire Service was initially under the FCT DRTS, and they are collecting higher salary than the VIO. These boys that go into the sun to generate revenue for the FCT should be motivated.

Man, 26, arraigned for criminal breach of trust and impersonation

he Police, yesterday, arraigned a 26-year-old man, Suleiman Umar, before an Abuja Senior Magistrates’ Court charged with criminal breach of trust, cheating and impersonation. The Police Prosecutor, Cpl. Emmanuel Adigbo, told the court that the case was reported at Maitama Police Station by Mr Wole Adepeta of New Karu, Abuja, on May 11.

Adigbo said that the accused, who claimed to be the Chief Security Officer attached to Rahamaniyya Oil, deceived and collected N120,000 from the complainant. Adigbo said the accused promised to register a company, Suntex Investment Ltd, with the Corporate Affairs Commission (C.A.C), to enable the complainant to secure a contract with Rahamaniyya Oil.

He said the police, during interrogation, discovered that the accused had converted the money to his personal use. Adagbo added that the accused was not the Chief Security Officer attached to Rahamaniyya Oil. The accused, after listening to the First Information Report (FIR), pleaded not guilty. The Counsel to the accused, Mr Tajudeen Adebite, asked the

court to grant him bail, and said that he had no criminal record and there was no likelihood that he would jump bail. Senior Magistrate Hadiza Shagari granted the accused bail in the sum of N50, 000 with a reasonable surety who must reside within the jurisdiction of the court. She adjourned the case to June 7, for continuation of hearing. (NAN).

Man, 30, remanded on rape charge

n Abuja Upper Area C o u r t yesterday, ordered that a 30-year old man, Adamu Garba of Karu village , Abuja, be remanded in prison for raping a nine-year old girl. The prosecutor, Francis Udofia, told the court that the crime was reported on May 10 by her mother, living in Karu village, Abuja. Udofia said that sometime in 2010, the mother of the victim complained that the accused had sexual intercourse with her daughter. The prosecutor said that during the act, the accused “damaged her private part that she now wets the bed at night’’. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. The judge, Umar Kagarko ordered that the accused be remanded in Keffi Prison and adjourned the case to June 11, for further hearing. (NAN)

35-yr-old docked for forgery

he Police in Abuja, yesterday, arraigned a 35year-old man Paul Okoye of Block B 37 Shop 1 Wuse Modern Market, Abuja , for criminal breach of trust and forgery. Police Prosecutor Albert Okara told the Karu Magistrates' Court that on March 8, one Linus Eneani of the same shop address wrote a petition to the police commissioner against the accused. Okara said that sometime in 2006, the accused fraudulently breached the trust Eneani reposed on him by forging a power of attorney with the complainant name and signature. He added that the accused also used his brother Bredan Okoye to bore the complainant's name and signed his signature on shop owner's identification form dated Feb. 22, 2007. He said the accused did all in a bid to transfer shop 1 B, 37 section, at Wuse market, which the complainant asked the accused to buy from him, which, he had occupied for the past five years. The prosecutor said that after the complainant served the accused notification letter for him to vacate the shop, he then went to Abuja Market Management Limited to pay for his service change and he discovered that his name has been changed. According to the prosecutor, the offence of criminal breach of trust and forgery contravenes sections 312 and 363 of the Penal Code. The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge. Chief Magistrate Shairbu Ahmed granted the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000 with one surety in like sum. Ahmed ordered that the surety must be a civil servant on Grade Level 9 and adjourned the case to June 25 for hearing. (NAN)

BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

Email: amunuimam@yahoo.co.uk

PAGE 19

INSIDE

- Pg 20

FG begins 2nd phase of airports re-modelling

Mob: 08033644990

Alleged N44bn scam: EFCC trails FAAN boss From Suleiman Idris, Lagos and Lambert Tyem

aving waited at various time after series of letters and calls to inviting him to answer questions on financial management, a team of officials of anti-fraud agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday stormed the headquarters building of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in search of its Managing Director, Mr. George Uriesi in order to make him answer petitions against the agency over alleged mismanagement of revenue running of about N44 billion. A source who saw when the team drove into the complex said the team of four officials of EFCC alongside a police officer arrived the headquarters of the agency at the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Ikeja in a white coloured Toyota Hiace mini-bus bearing registration number Abuja, BK 562 RVC. The visitors, who arrived the premises at about 10.25am yesterday without giving giving any reason for their mission were said to have left without setting their eyes on Mr. Uriesi, who they learnt was

Flight schedule AIR NIGERIA (MONDAY - SUNDAY) LOS-A BJ: 07.15, 11.40, 14.00, 16.30, 17.00, 17.20, 18.30 ABJ-LOS: 07.00, 09.30, 10.30, 11.15, 16.15, 19.15, 19.35 ABJ-KANO: 18.40 KANO-ABJ: 08.35 ABJ -SOK (MON): 09.35 ABJ-SOK (FRI): 10.10 ABJ-SOK (WED/SUN): 11.20 SOK-ABJ (MON): 11.35 SOK-ABJ (FRI): 12.00 SOK-ABJ (WED/SUN): 13.20

AEROCONTRACTORS (MON - SUN) LOS-ABJ: 06.50, 13.30, 19.45 LOS-ABJ (SUN): 12.30 LOS-ABJ (SAT): 16.45 ABU-L OS: 07.30, 13.00, 14.00, 19.00 ABU-LOS (SUN): 10.30, 14.30, 19.30 ABU-LOS (SAT): 18.30

DANA AIRLINES (MON - SUN) LOS-ABJ: 07.02, 08.10, 12.06, 15.30, 17.10 ABJ-LOS: 07.20, 09.36, 13.05, 14.40 ABJ-LOS (SAT/SUN): 13.05, 18.00

away on official duty in Abuja. H o w e v e r P e o p l e s Daily gathered that the visit of the anti-graft agency may not be unconnected with the many petitions that have been written against FAAN even before the current MD assumed office late last year. One of such was a petition by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), the umbrella bodies of airlines owners, who had written the EFCC that government’s fund totaling N44 billion could not be accounted for by FAAN

IRS AIRLINES

By Abdulwahab Isa with agency report

fforts by the authority to rein in the inflation rate to a single digit is yet to materialise as the rate for the month of April rose to 12.9 percent in April, year on year, from 12.1 percent in March, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed yesterday. According to the NBS, the change in the overall index was largely because inflation in the month of April 2011 had been so subdued, while food inflation, the largest component of the index, fell slightly to 11.2 percent, compared with 11.8 percent in March. “The higher year-on-year change could be partly attributable to base effects as the index was relatively more stable in April of 2011 ... lower price levels in April 2011 will reflect higher year-on-year percentage changes in April of 2012,” the statistics bureau said. Inflation was worse in urban areas last month, registering a 13.4 percent rise, compared with 12.4 percent in rural areas. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has warned that inflationary pressures are too strong, hinting that it is likely to keep monetary policy tight this year. The apex bank held rates at 12 percent last month, and governor Lamido Sanusi noted a “resurgence of inflationary pressures”, though he praised the government for efforts to introduce fiscal discipline into its 2012 budget. Core inflation, stripping out volatile agricultural produce, EXCHANGE RATES

CBN CFA • £ RIYAL $

LOS -ABJ: 9.45, 11.45, 2.45

• £ RIYAL $

rose by much more than the headline rate, by 14.7 percent year on year, the NBS said. Arunma Oteh re-elected chairperson of IOSCO Africa/ Middle East regional committee The Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Arunma Oteh was yesterday re-elected as the Chairperson of Africa/ Middle East Regional Committee (AMERC) of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).

BUYING 0.2843 198.7276 248.309 41.2489 154.7

SELLING 0.3043 200.0122 249.9141 41.5156 155.7

BUYING 210 250 40 156

SELLING 212 252 42 158

A statement from the commission in Abuja said Oteh, the Nigerian candidate, was returned unopposed as the chairperson of the organisation at the on-going IOSCO meeting taking place in Beijing, China. It said that also returned unopposed was the Vice Chairman of the regional committee, Mr Hassan Boulaknadal, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Moroccan capital market regulatory authority. (NAN)

who craved anonymity confirmed the operatives visit, he however said they were at the agency to make various clarifications over the concession agreement between FAAN and one of its major concessionaire, Maevis which has become a subject of both litigation and counter accusation over the modus operandi of the agreement. The Economic & Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), also confirmed that its operatives only went to the FAAN boss’s office to find out some details contained in a petition written by the MD to the Commission. Spokesperson of the Commission, Wilson Uwujaren told Peoples Daily that the visit to MD’s office was informed by his failure to respond to several EFCC’s invitation to him to come and make some clarifications contained in his petition. Uwujaren said the MD had petitioned against some concessionaires of the FAAN but that he need to provide more information on some of the allegations contained in his petition.

L-R: President, Fertiliser Association of Nigeria, Mr. Thomas Etuh, Country Representative, Cassava Project , Mr. Scott Wallace, and Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Chris Ene, during the D-8 countries’ private sector investment workshop on Gene Bank Development and Investment in fertiliser production, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Management Tip of the Day

15th May, 2012

PARALLEL RATES

ABJ-LOS: 11.30, 3.45, 4.45 LOS-KANO: 6.15 LOS-KANO (SAT/SUN): 16.30 KANO-LOS: 07.30 KANO-LOS (SUN/SUN): 10.30

They are spending the money as if it is their own personal money because they think there is no tomorrow; they behave anyhow and that is why nothing works in Nigeria but in other parts of the African continent things work. Everybody wants to be a billionaire,” Mahonwu told journalists. When contact however, through an SMS, Mr. Uriesi said the allegation were a figment of imagination of those who said the EFFC came for him. While a top official of FAAN

Inflation was 12.9 % in April, says NBS

LOS-KANO : 08.10 KANO-LOS: 11.25 KANO -ABUJA: 11.25 ABUJA-KANO : 10.08

for three years running as the sole mangers of all Federal Government owned airport facility across the country. When contacted, Chairman of AON, Dr Steve Mahonwu, while acknowledging that the body did wrote such petition, said the body indeed want the federal agency to be scrutinised alleging that top officials of the aviation agency were spending the money generated by FAAN as if it was their personal income. “The thing should be probed.

Stop getting bad advice

eople love to give advice. While it's useful to hear what others think, sometimes they give off-target or foolish guidance. Here are a few ways to increase your odds of getting good input: Target your requests. Don't ask whoever is available. Create a list of

people who have access to relevant resources, information, and experience on your problem and approach them first. Frame your question. Figure out what you need before asking for input. Know what information would be useful to hear and help

explore gaps in your thinking. Redirect the conversation. If the person offering advice jumps to erroneous conclusions, redirect them. Most people will not be offended when politely refocused. Source: Harvard Business Review

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS

Nigeria, India bilateral trade hits N2.5tr

he volume of trade between Nigeria and India was valued at $16.4 billion (N2.5 trillion) in 2011, representing an increase in trade volume and value of over N1 trillion compared with the previous year.

FIRS seeks NASS’ support over N23 tr medium term target

he Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), is seeking the support of the National Assembly over speedy passage of subsisting tax laws and amendment to existing ones to enable it attain its medium term target of N23.039 trillion.

Osun spends N300m on hydropower project

he Osun state government is to spend N300 million on the construction of Hydro Power Station, tagged, ‘O’POWER’ at Ikeji-Ile in Oriade Local Government Council Area of the state.

Govt moves to position SMEs as growth drivers

he Federal Government has commenced moves to position the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria as economic growth drivers.

Overland Airways bags industry recognition award

verland Airways was honoured at the 18th Annual LAAC Seminar and Industry Recognition Awards organised by the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) as the leading Air commuter services operator in Nigeria.

Nigerians applaud NCC over sanction on telecoms operators

takeholders in the Information and Telecommunications sector have commended the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for imposing sanctions and fines on the GSM operators over the appalling state of their services.

British Airways partners IATA on service delivery

he travel industry has been described as a changing phenomenon that travel agents must gear up to stay informed if they want to remain competitive and deliver value to their customers, especially in Nigeria, British Airways country manager, Mr. Kola Olayinka told Nigeria’s leading travel agents at a series of industry workshops which the airline hosted in conjunction with the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The workshops, held both in Abuja and Lagos with over 175 senior Nigerian travel executives in attendance brought the travel agents, together to brainstorm on how the country’s travel industry can meet global standard and challenges. “Customers have a choice on which airline they fly with and in which class of cabin they travel. We recognize that travel agents play an important role in advising customers on how to get the best value, the benefits of upgrading to another cabin, what the most convenient routing may be, how much time to leave for transfers and myriad other aspects of a journey. But, to be able to do this well, agents need to stay informed,” Olayinka told the gathering. Others discussants at the workshop include IATA’s passengers and cargo manager for South and West Africa, Ms Laura Suwa, who spoke on fare calculations, processing refunds, loyalty programmes for individuals as well as businesses and better working practices and bank settlement plan (BSP) procedures. She said that BSP was now firmly entrenched in Nigeria and this is testimony to the extent which the country’s travel sector is maturing. Vice-President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Mr. Segun Adewale commended British Airways for organizing the workshop, which he said would go a long way to improving travel agencies’ operations. The workshops provide the

L-R: General Overseer, Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo; Chairman, Air Nigeria, Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim; Mrs. Modupe Ibrahim and Managing Director, Air Nigeria, Kinfe Kahssaye, on arrival of the Air Nigeria’s Airbus A330-200, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

Air Nigeria A330-200 aircraft commences inaugural London operations Stories from Suleiman Idris, Lagos

n historic inaugural flight of Air Nigeria’s Airbus A330-200 aircraft into Gatwick South Terminal in the United Kingdom took place on Monday at the International wing of the Murtala Mohammed airport in Lagos. The new aircraft had on Sunday night touched down at the same terminal in preparation for commencement of operations on the Lagos-London route. The aircraft, which arrived in the country, en route Cairo, Egypt, at exactly 8:45pm was greeted with a ceremonial show by fire fighters of the Federal Airports

Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Those on board the flight include the Group Managing Director of Global Fleet, Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim OFR; the Managing Director, Air Nigeria, Mr. Kinfe Kahssaye and some management staff of the airline. The aircraft, according to the airline, was selected for its proven operational efficiency which comes with a two class seating configuration of 24 Business seats and 244 Economy class seats. In an interactive session with journalists in Lagos, the MD, Kahssaye had said that the recommencement of the long haul route by the airline was made

possible after the successful turnaround of the airline over the last two years, adding that the airline is now well positioned to compete favourably in the international market. The Ethiopian-born official pointed out that the recommencement of the long-haul flights confirms Air Nigeria’s commitment to boost business and tourism travels through regular growth and innovation that would meet the aspirations of the travelling public. The aircraft, he added is equipped with state-of-the-art iPads for in-flight entertainment in the business class cabin, making Air Nigeria one of the first African airlines to offer such a product to passengers.

FG begins 2nd phase of airports re-modelling

viation Minister, Princes Stella Oduah, has said the Federal Government would kick-start the second phase of the airports remodelling project from June 1. Oduah, who disclose this to newsmen in Abuja at the weekend, said the government was also committed to reconstructing and

transforming the airports to brand new ones. She said: “What we are doing goes beyond re-modelling of the airports. We are actually doing restructuring and reconstructing of the airports. As you have seen, we are just starting to go round the airports. “We are doubling the sizes of those terminals and changing all

the facilities and utilities within the airport. So, you can’t call that re-modelling: it is restructuring and reconstructing. “We want to ensure that passengers’ safety and get value for their money. Most importantly, we want every Nigerian and stakeholders to be proud of our airports.”

Airlines urged to key into satellite-based navigation system

irline operators and pilots have been urged to key into the satellite-based navigation system as all is now set for Nigeria to switch to thesatellite-based navigation system also known as the Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) soon. Disclosing this development in Lagos, the General Manager, Public Affairs of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mr. Supo Atobatele convened a meeting between the agency and all the airlines’ operators and pilots to inform

them about the need to key into the satellite-based navigation system which will take effect soon. He however stressed that any time from now, NAMA would announce the commencement of the satellitebased navigation system, adding that airlines that would operate on the system are only those whose aircraft are in compliance with the PBN system. “Anytime from now, we will announce a specific date for the commencement of the PBN

system in Nigeria, particularly for the major air route and airports like Lagos, Abuja, PortHarcourt, and Kano” “The test flight has been done by Emirates Airline as the first to carry out the approach test on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) in Lagos, while the KLM recorded same in Kano; as at today, South Africa Airways has equally joined, they did it on their own and it was 100 percent successful, so, we are urging all the local airlines to join too”, he affirmed.

On the benefits of the PBN Mr. Atobatele noted that aircraft that are compliance will land faster as it will facilitate seamless flight operation without the pilot having to contact the Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) all the time as they can see all the information on the cockpit while flying. Nigeria migrated from terrestrial air navigation system to a satellite-based navigation system with Emirates Airline being the first airline to carry out the approach test on GNSS in Lagos, while KLM airline recorded same in Kano.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

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Umoja brand: First Bank sees export potential in Nigeria tourism Stories by Miriam Humbe

n April 29 this year, Nigerians gathered at Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos, to watch the Umoja dance, facilitated by First Bank of Nigeria. The Umoja, which means ''the spirit of togetherness'' in the Zulu language, is a two hour explosion of song and dance performed by an energetic and creative crew that hails from South Africa and is a child of circumstance that originated out of deprivation and intimidation of blacks that characterised South African history. It was said that in the 1950s, the apartheid government passed a law. The law allowed the government to determine who

would live where. This resulted to forced removals and the relocation of black people who occupied valuable land or land considered too close to White settlements. Over the years, tens of thousands of Black people were forcibly removed, not compensated and dumped, often in the middle of nowhere. To stay happy in the midst of poverty, intimidation and killing, the blacks formed a solidarity movement and began to sing and dance with emotional, soulful and expressive voices in their various counties. The music with local instruments created out of natural surroundings has now moved to the present time. It has become a strong brand 'with unmistakable flavour of the country,' standing firmly on its

GOMBE STATE NOTICE IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE PROBATE DIVISION, GOMBE STATE. Whereas the person/persons whose names are set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and at the place stated in the column. And whereas the person/persons whose address and claimed relationship to the deceased person/persons is set out in the second column hereunder has applied to High Court of Justice Gombe for grant of “Letters of Administration” of the personal properties of the said deceased. Notice is hereby given that “Letter of Administration” will be granted to such person/persons unless NOTICE TO PROHIBIT the grant thereof is filed in the Probate Registry High Court of Justice, Gombe within twenty-one (21) days from the date of publication of this notice. S/N 1.

4. 5.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

SCHEDULE: DECEASED Adamu Sa’idu Shabbal of Ministry of Finance, Gombe State. Who died on 4th April, 2012 Deceased. At Kaltungo. Ndam Mandap labara of N.P.F. Kwadon, Yamaltu Deba L.G.A. Who died on 1/10/2011, at Gombe. Iliyasu Hussaini Bello of Federal Ministry of Works Gombe Who died on 23rd December, 2006 at Gombe. Pater Lakedde of N.P.F. Dutse, Jigawa State Who died on 25th Feb.,2012. Waziri Dantala of N.P.F. Gombe Who died on 9th April,2012 at Gombe. Nicholas Nawaila of N.P.F. Lafiya Who died on 20th April,2007 at Lafiya. Adamu Audu of N.P.F. Sokkoto Who died on 21st June, 2011 at Tal, Billiri. Ishiyaku Baki of N.P.S. Gombe Who died on 20th December, 2008 at Billiri. Yahaya Adamu of N.P.F. Gujba Division, Yadin Buni, Yobe State. Who died on 20th August, 2011 At Gombe. Rabi Eli Kori Of Fed. Min. of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Abuja Who died on 8th June, 2003 Deceased. at Gombe. Robert Danbaka of NIPOST, Gombe Who died on 24th April, 2011. At Talasse. Molta Sokka of Fed. Office of Statistics, Gombe, Gombe State. Who died on 18th August, 2009, at Billiri. Aishatu Yelma of Sabon Layi Kaltungo Who died on 30th May, 2011, at Kaltungo. Musa Maibugu of N.P.F. Yola Who died on 31st December, 2009 at Billiri. Michael D. Dadiya of F.C.E. Zaria Who died on 7th July, 2009 at Gombe. Simon C. Ononuju of Kwasuwan Katako Gombe Who died on 6th march, 2012, at Gombe.

Dated 14th day of May, 2012 Probate Registrar High Court of Justice, Gombe, Gombe State.

own among the imported musical genres. The dance has become an export tourism potential for South Africa. Umoja's popularity is embedded in its attachment to the history of South Africa, especially as the performance depicts among others, police harassment of innocent citizens, wrongful executions, discrimination and poverty among the Blacks. Spectators, especially outside South Africa who heard about such intimidations in former apartheid country but never read books on it see Umoja as a dramatic picture of the incidents. First Bank's facilitation of the Umoja performance in Lagos, therefore, is not only the celebration of arts and restoration of the culture of theatre performance in Nigeria, but an eye opener to Nigerian tourism campaigners and dance troupes that they have something very

important too to export. According to the bank's head of marketing and corporate communications, Folake AniMumuney, the bank's Corporate Social responsibility (CSR) resonates with nation-building and economic development, hence its deliberate focus on tourism as a non-oil revenue earner for Nigeria. "We are confident of the potential of this sector to create jobs for the unemployed. Increase in arts and entertainment activities will lead to an increase in the number of personnel required by event centre operators and event marketing companies, just as it will put money in the hands of small scale food vendors around the vicinity of large scale events. We are mindful of the positive impacts of increased activities in the arts and entertainment spheres on the entire value chain and indeed the Nigerian

Some exciting tourist destinations in Nigeria

The Hills of Benue in Gboko, Benue state he Hills of Benue in Gboko, Benue state is one of Nigeria's most interesting tourist spots. Its location and

features showcase best nature has country. Located in the region of Nigeria, shares boundaries

middle belt Benue state with Taraba

state on the East; Plateau state on the North and Edo state on the West; and Anambra, Enugu, Cross River States on the South. The entire landmass presents hills of various shades and touristic appeals. lkyogen Hills exude mild weather condition which ensures steady green vegetation and a round- theyear grazing of animals in the areas which is also known as Ikyogen Cattle Ranch. Ushogbo Hills in Ushogbo town also offers clement weather condition that makes it most fulfilling spot for tourists and adventures. Bassa Hills, like the Ushogbo Hills, are worth visiting especially for their satisfying scenery and Swern Hills are valued for their historical linkages. The hills are believed to be the place for origin of the Tiv people.

Lake Chad ake Chad occupies a strategic location serving not only Borno state, where it is located but serving also the three neighbouring countries of Niger, Cameroon, and Chad. The lake, apart from serving the agricultural and economic needs of the people, attracts a great number of tourists. Of paramount interest to tourists is the boating opportunity and visits to the numerous fishing villages in the area. Surrounded by wetlands, Lake Chad Basin is home to more than 20 million people with the majority depend on lakes and other wetlands; they hunt for fish farming, and grazing. But the lake is threatened by the creeping desertification and poor water management and fisheries. Lake Chad is the

remnant of a much larger lake known as Mega-Chad, which 22,000 years ago drained a

greener Sahara and three times the size of Lake Victoria, Africa's largest lake now.

APPLICATN FOR GRANT Yakubu Adamu of J/Fari Quarters Gombe The Brother of the said Lohjul mandap of Bolari Quarters Gombe the Son of the said Deceased. Emmanuel Illiyasu H. of U.M.C.N. Church, Yapandi Filiya, the Son of the said Deceased Nancy Jonathan Silas of Personnel Dept. Billiri L.G.A. the Sister of the said Deceased. Moh’d Waziri & Evelyn Moh’d of State INEC Gombe, the Brother & Daughter of the Said Deceased. Yakubu Nawaila of Piyau Akko L.G.A. the Brother of the said Deceased. Timothy Adamu of ECWA Church No. 2 Tal, Billiri, the Son of the said Deceased. Emmanuel Ishiyaku of ECWA Church Awai, Billiri the Son of the said Deceased. Dauda Adamu & Sa’idu Adamu of Nasarawo Quarters Gombe The Brothers of the said Deceased. Esron Eli & Jonathan Dadiya Yazu of ECWA Ture Mai, kaltungo the Brother & Daughter of the Ibrahim Abdullahi of Wala Lunguda, Balanga L.G.A. the Son of the said Deceased. Bitrus Kure of ECWA Church, Ayaba Billiri the Brother of the said Deceased. Barr. Hamma Yelma of Fed. Low Cost, Gombe the Son of the said Deceased. Rejoice Musa Maibugu & Titus Maibugu All of ECWA Church, Fed Low Cost, Gombe. The Daughter & Father of The said Deceased. Sam Ayuba Tosal of Bambam, Balanga L.G.A. the Brother of the said Deceased. Mrs. Grace Simon C. Ononuju of Yalanguruza Quarters, Gombe the Widow of the said Deceased.

Signed: Moh’D Umar Pindiga Esq. Chief Registrar, High Court of Justice Gombe

economy, hence our reinforced commitment in this direction," she stated. The Umoja dance troupe stormed the country with their unique dance and song moves, is African culture been promoted or is the project of a culturally Africa the quest . The story of Umoja tells the tale of South Africa, its people and the changes that the years have had on their music. The only way to truly appreciate the story as told in the beautiful stage musical is to experience it in all its glory. The energetic dance moves that reverberates throughout the National Theatre long after the last foot had been stomped, the vibrant colours of the various costumes for different segments of the musical and the enchanting tone of the narrator stays long with those who made it to the show last year.

Ushogbo Hills in Ushogbo town, Benue state

T L

some of the given the

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

27 Japanese firms in Nigeria for AfDB launches Oxford business opportunities companion on African economies By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

epresentatives of no fewer than 27 Japanese firms are currently in Nigeria to explore trade and investment opportunities in all sectors of the country’s economy. The representatives, led by the Nigerian Ambassador to Japan, Mr. Godwin Agboh met the Minister of state for Trade and Investment, DrSamuel Ortom in Abuja yesterday to seek the support and cooperation of the ministry in their bid to establish profitable business ventures in Nigeria. The envoy told the minister that he had personally led the delegation from Japan in response to President Goodluck Jonathan’s charge to allambassadors to join hands with government in a bid to drive in Foreign Direct Investment (FDIs) into the country.

While informing the minister that 24 of the of the companies were Japanese indigenous companies and 3 of them were owned by Nigerians doing businesses in Japan, Mr. Agboh noted that that delegation was made of people interested in wide range of business areas including automobiles, mining, solid minerals, manufacturing, engineering, construction among others. Responding, the minister thanked members of the delegation for choosing Nigeria as their business destination and the Ambassador for being the first among his colleagues to respond positively to the President’s charge. He expressed the readiness of the Federal Government to grant the potential investors the necessary support and incentives needed to make their businesses a success.

He praised the Japanese for establishing a strong presence in all parts of the country, saying, “there is no Nigerian village you will go today without one or two products from Japan.” while noting that the country was blessed with countless investment opportunities and mineral resources, Dr Ortom lamented that of the 88 million hectres of arable land in the country, only about half is being utilized. The trade delegation had earlier visited the headquarters of Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) where they met the ExecutiveSecretary, Engr Mustapha Bello and were shown the processes of establishing businesses in the country. They were also scheduled to meet VicePresident Mohammed Namadi Sambo in the State House yesterday.

By Muhammad Nasir

he African Development Bank (AfDB) has launched the Oxford companion to the Economic of Africa at a high level seminar on ‘Avoiding the fragility Trap in Africa’ held in Tunis and hosted by the AfDB’s chief and Vice-President, Mthuli Ncube. The disclosure was made by chief economist of the World Bank’s Africa region, Shanta Deverajan, who noted that the Oxford companion to the economics on Africa, with more than 1oo entries from leading economic analysts is testament to the fact that economic analysts plays a central role in helping African policy-makers asses the many trade-offs among interventions, and to formulate

Kebbi govt to assist PHCN improve power supply

L-R: Programme Manager, Cross River Agriculture Development Agency, Mr. Otu-Bassey Bassey, Deputy Director, Planning and Implementation, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Ekundayo Babajide, and representative of Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Martin Fregene, during a workshop on State level Implementation of Rice Value Chain Agenda for 2012, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

and implement policies for Africa growth and development. It was noted that the compendium presents various perspectives, including country case studies, noting that by doing this, it rejects the one size fits all approach that has sometimes been applied to African development. Ncube also recognised the contribution made in the compendium by several economists from the AfDB. These included country perspectives across an array of issues including cooperate governance in south Africa; challenges of achieving structural transformation for poverty reduction and human development in Uganda, post conflict challenges in Libya, Zimbabwe on the brink of recovery including others.

he Kebbi state government has said that it will support the Power Holding Company Nigeria (PHCN) improve power supply for social and economic activities in the state. The state Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development, Alhaji Abdullahi Bunza, made the pledge on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi during his visit to the Business Department of the company. He said that the continued load shedding of electricity in the state had retarded social and economic activities. According to him, investors are not keen to invest in the state because of the problem while costs of social services have gone up due to irregular power supply.

Responding, the PHCN Business Manager, Alhaji Umar Aliyu, explained that load shedding was sequel to the population increase and inability of the two available 7.5 MVA transformers to satisfy demands. He called on the state government to provide an additional transformer within the metropolis to improve power supply. According to Aliyu, the supply of similar transformers by state authorities in the past had improved power supply. He gave the assurance that PHCN would ensure power supply within the limits of available facilities, and called on consumers to ensure prompt settlement of bills. (NAN)

Association urges FG to monitor Bauchi unemployed graduate discovers technique budget implementation quarterly

of producing bio-diesel from Jotropha seeds

n unemployed graduate of economics, Malam Bello Lame says he has devised a simple technique of extracting bio-diesel from Jotropha seeds. Lame made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Bauchi. Lame said he conducted research on ways to extract oil from the Jotropha seed and discovered that the oil could be extracted with an oil milling machine and processed into diesel. He said his research also focused on how to improve the quality of Jotropha seeds for high yield. Jotropha is a drought resistant tree found, which could be used for the production of light hydrocarbon fuels, generally referred as ‘green fuel. It is found in the arid zone of the Northern

parts of the country. Lame said the research would encourage development of alternative energy at the grassroots. He said the application of simple technologies in the production of bio-diesel could ensure the availability of biodiesel; provide employment; and reduce the emissions generated from the use of non-bio-diesels. “Based on our findings, Jotropha oil can serve as substitute to diesel; it is a bio-fuel which is extracted from vegetable seed. “Economically, people in the rural areas can venture into production of Jotropha oil, which will help them alleviate their poverty and also serve as a means of controlling desertification.’’ According to him, the Jotropha seed contains high

quality by-products for the production of aviation fuel, cosmetics and soap. He said: “At present we have wild Jotropha tree. We successfully developed improved seedlings and now farmers can produce 7.5 tons per hectare by using improved Jotropha seedlings.” He urged the federal and state governments to utilise the abundant Jotropha resources available in the country to check desertification and sensitise communities on the economic importance of the seed. Lame also called for the development of diesel-powered cooking stoves and lanterns for domestic use to reduce the dependence on fire wood, create market for Jotropha diesel and at the same time curb desertification via tree-planting. (NAN)

he President of Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), Mr. Segun Ajanlekoko yesterday urged the Federal Government to devise effective ways of monitoring budget implementation quarterly. He gave this advice during the association’s meeting held at the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) in Lagos. The association also used the occasion to present an overview of the 2012 national budget. Ajanlekoko said that quarterly review of budget implementation would help to stop delayed implementation of projects. He said that there was the need for the Federal Government to liaise with the professional bodies in the monitoring process for transparency in project management. “To avoid delayed implementation of the budget, there should be a process to

monitor the budget on quarterly basis. “The Due Process Department should review its processes to prudently facilitate project expenditure approvals on a timely basis. “There is need to constitute a joint inspection, monitoring and evaluation team involving accredited representatives of the various professional bodies under APBN. “This will engender improvement and transparency in project management and delivery at different stages across the country. It will also improve our annual budget performance,’’ he said. The APBN president said that the 2012 budget assumptions were conservative and attainable. He said that since there was no longer any unrest in the Niger Delta, the anticipated crude oil production of 2.48 million barrels per day could be surpassed. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

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PAGE 25

Failure of FCT palliative buses: Commuters recount ordeals By Josephine Ella

here she stood in the very long queue with stress evident on her pale face. Apparently, exhausted from the long wait, she decided to squat on her haunches, but this only gave Okuchi, who had waited for more than one hour to board a bus to her Gwagwalada residence, just a little respite. When our correspondent approached this commuter at

Wuse bus stop last weekend, she was completely lost in thought. Not until after repeated efforts, did she become conscious of the figure right beside, who was beckoning for her attention. As the conversation gathered momentum, Okuchi Egbochukwu’s quick response and enthusiasm was suggestive of a person in desperate need for lasting solution to her predicament. “Hmm, this is what we go through every day. It has not

been easy, but what can I do? I don’t have the choice. I have to bear the difficulties because my monthly salary is very little”, she confided in our correspondent. Prying further into the nature of her job and her monthly take home pay, the cleaner said: “Can you believe that my salary is only N10, 000? You see why no matter the difficulties, I have to follow this bus to reduce my transport fare so that at the end of the month,

This palliative bus broke down recently, near Power House junction in Abuja.

I will still have little money left.” This pathetic experience of Egbochukwu, who works in a business outlet within the city centre, presents a vivid picture of what many other passengers commuting to different destinations in the FCT go through on daily basis. More than one year after the present FCT administration launched a new transportation scheme, incorporating the operators’ license scheme, the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT)

system and the Abuja Light Rail project, the license scheme is yet to take-off, while the BRT model is equally not operational. Though, the administration cashed into the recent Federal Government’s (FG) assisted mass transit scheme which came into effect in the wake of the protests that swept across states in the country, following President Goodluck Jonathan’s hasty removal of petroleum subsidy,

investigations revealed that this has made just little or no difference. When the President launched the Urban Mass Transit programme on January 1, this year, as palliative, to cushion the effect of the removal of petroleum subsidy on Nigerians, many people doubted the sincerity of the programme. In the heat of the public condemnation that trailed the fiscal policy regime, the FG had announced the programme, promising to deliver 1600 buses nationwide as one of the components of his fuel subsidy palliatives. Along the line, the FG promised that the Federal Capital Territory, would be alloted 300 of the high capacity buses, but as it is, report has it that only less than 50 of these buses were eventually disbursed to the FCT administration to cover the entire territory. The worst of it is that, many of these buses which some Nigerians observed, are ‘refurbished moving trucks,’ have already packed up. A visit to the urban mass transit terminal, near Katampe hill, revealed many of the palliative buses completely grounded at the terminal, when they should be plying our roads. Meanwhile, the few available ones still managing to run skeletal services are often seen breaking down intermittently along various routes in the FCT. Commuters plying NyanyaMararaba route were stranded recently, when one of the buses conveying them, broke down near Power House Junction half

Buses allocated to the FCT, during the launch of the mass transit programme by the FCT administration.

way into the trip. As it is now, when on board, desperate commuters are no longer certain that these buses would convey them to their destinations safely. This further lend credence to the remarks by observers, who when the buses were launched by the FCT administration, were very quick to note that the buses were obsolete buses assembled and painted to look like new one. For these residents, the Federal Government has succeeded in deceiving Nigerians in to believing that the buses are new. Sadly, commuters who line up at various bus stops, now have to wait for more than an hour before an available bus arrives to convey them to their destinations, a development which leaves commuters wondering whether the buses were actually launched to really lessen sufferings of the poor masses. A commuter, Saidu Abubakar, who lamented his ordeal to Peoples Daily, while waiting to board the bus to Kubwa said: “I am not happy about what is happening. I have been standing in this bus stop for a very long time now to board a bus to Kubwa, but none of these buses are forthcoming”.

He wondered if the FCT authority actually distributed the number of buses they promise to distribute to the routes linking the satellite towns, saying “if they did, we will not suffer this way”. Another commuter, Fisayo Olorunyomi said the government is subjecting the poor masses to more hardship rather than alleviating their sufferings. “As far as I am concerned, I cannot see any positive result of these buses on the lives of people. How can you queue under the sun for two hours to get a bus? This is punishment. I used to wait for them before but now I follow this Araba buses,” she said. It would be recalled that during launching of the palliative buses, President Jonathan had noted that the

deregulation of the downstream oil sector which resulted in a hike in transport fares by private transport operator, prompted the Federal Government to get involved in the mass transit system to provide cheaper services. The President had also assured that a committee, to be headed by Vice-President Namadi Sambo, with some governors and key stakeholders in the transportation business as members, would be put in place to work out a sustainable mass transit programme for the country in other to create a mass transit culture. On why the FCT transport scheme which had been launched in March last year had yet to take-off its operations, up till now, the Secretary, FCT Transportation Secretariat, Engineer Jonathan Ivoke

“

As far as I am concerned, I cannot see any positive result of these buses on the lives of people. How can you queue under the sun for two hours to get a bus? This is punishment. I used to wait for them before but now I follow this Araba buses

Achara said that the secretariat encountered some constraints. According to Achara, who spoke recently to Peoples Daily, “the operators are not getting loans from banks to provide the required number of buses we agreed on. You know the bank charges for loans are very high so they could not come to an agreement because the banks are charging 25 per cent interest rate”. He explained that the operators needed N2 billion to start the transport scheme, adding that the secretariat gave them guidelines and licenses to operate but they could not meet up with the deadline “so we had to re-strategise by approaching the Urban Development Bank to get the financial support to provide these vehicles”. He said that the buses, which would be procured soon, when taken delivery of, would be managed by the Abuja Urban Mass Transit Company (AUMTCO). “Our previous arrangement and the President’s intervention is what are being unveiled now,” he said as he explained that the President allocated 200 buses out of the FG assisted mass transit scheme to the FCT “and you know that the Urban Development Bank is in charge of the project”. According to him, the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed has also made

arrangement with the bank for an additional 200 buses, which would add up to the more than 100 buses owed by the Abuja Urban Mass Transit Company (AUMTCO) for the FCT transport scheme to become fully operational. Asked how residents could be guaranteed that the palliative buses would not be grounded soon after as did the previous ones, due to poor maintenance culture, the Secretary said the administration was going to embark on training and retraining on managerial capacities of the operators, maintenance and traffic issues. However, with what is happening now to the palliative buses, there is doubt if the administration has put all these into effect. When contacted at the weekend on the disappearance of these buses from many routes, the Transport Secretary, who had earlier when our correspondent visited him in his office, told her that, he needed to get an update from the manager of the buses. Subsequent efforts to get the feedback from him were not successful as he told our correspondent that he would d get back to her, requesting for more time to verify the matter.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

By Nuel Shepherd

Range Rover Sport: Commanding tourer

ange Rover Sport now has even more appeal and style. There is a new striking 19 inch 15-spoke alloy wheel with 'Range Rover' wheel centres. Plus the practicality of the new powered tailgate. The infotainment system takes a major step forward with the introduction of the superb 380Watt harmon/kardon sound system with 11 speakers including subwoofer. Bluetooth connectivity now includes audio streaming and the new full colour touchscreen information screen incorporates a 10 disc virtual CD player. Hard Disc Drive Navigation now comes with Traffic Alert and "Say What You See" voice control. The sophisticated, fully adaptable six-speed transmission with CommandShift responds to driving style and driving conditions by reconfiguring shift patterns, as appropriate, for optimum driveability. This means you'll enjoy a better response, smoother and more efficient gear changes, as

well as improved economy. Range Rover Sport's highly rigid body, with its low centre of gravity and energy-absorbing crumple zones, offers impressive levels of safety and occupant protection. Dynamic Stability Control monitors wheel speed and steering angle to help make cornering safer and more stable. Roll Stability Control operates progressively to help reduce the likelihood of the onset of a rollover situation. And of course ABS, in the form of four channel, all-terrain anti-lock braking, is fitted. While for added peace of mind there is a total of six airbags, including side curtains. Range Rover Sport also features Land Rover's legendary command driving position, which gives better visibility of the road ahead for earlier recognition of hazards and helps during manoeuvring and parking. It has notched 25 per cent more power (375BHP) and 20 per cent more torque than the previous 4.4

litre Naturally Aspirated engine. A ZF 6HP28 six-speed automatic transmission is optimised to provide class-leading response and control - CommandShift for better response and smoother gear changes. •'Drive by wire' throttle control and camshaft profile switching • Dual Independent Variable Camshaft Timing system (DIVCT) • Engine Data Location: Front North South Capacity: 5,000 • No. of cylinders: 8 • Cylinder layout: Longitudinal V8 • Bore: 3.64 inches / 92.5 mm • Stroke: 3.66 inches / 93 mm • Compression ratio: 11.5:1 • Cylinder head material: Aluminum • Cylinder block material: Aluminum • Ignition system: Denso Generation 1.5 • Valves per cylinder: 4 • Maximum power bhp@rpm: 375@6,500

- Maximum torque lb-ft@rpm: 375lb-ft@3,500 Fitted across the range, four corner air suspension helps ensure the vehicle is optimized for a responsive ride, handling, and balance. Combined with steering that's nimble at slow speeds and more weighted at high speeds, there's a greater feeling of control and stability. Range Rover Sport is assertive, with a unique identity and a lowto-the-road, contemporary appearance. Stylish and bold, the vehicle features Range Rover signature 'concentric circle' headlamps with LED technology and a 'twin stripe' design on grilles, vents and lights for added charisma and a truly purposeful line. There are also rear light clusters that boast LED technology and you can now choose from three new exterior colours for even more appeal. Range Rover Sport is the definitive luxury sports tourer.

With its superbly appointed interior and elevated cockpit, it's designed to cosset and cocoon every passenger. The ergonomically designed centre console and controls place the emphasis on the driving experience, whilst the interior mood lighting brilliantly enhances the experience of night-time driving Providing a revolution in the clarity of driver information is the virtual instrument panel with the latest Thin Film Transistor (TFT)LCD screen, which allows the display to be adapted to suit the driving conditions. Other essential information, as well as being the communication and entertainment hub of Range Rover Sport, is provided through the Touchscreen on the vehicle's fascia. With a 5.0 litre LR-V8 510hp engine, Supercharged is the most powerful, high-performance Range Rover Sport ever created. When compared to the previous Supercharged engine, it delivers more power, more torque and improved fuel economy. The Range Rover Sport Supercharged specification includes a new, eyecatching Atlas grille surround and fender vent mesh, Gloss Black lamp inners for a more jewel-like appearance, Noble plated fender vent fingers and body-coloured door handles. There are chrome tailpipes. Plus 20 inch 9-spoke alloy wheels with new 'Range Rover' centres and Automatic High Beam Assist (AHBA) as standard. Inside are Oxford Leather seats with contrast stitching. The steering wheel-mounted paddleoperated gearshift and Adaptive Dynamics with Dynamic Program give a sportier, more engaging drive. Also fitted as standard is Dynamic Response, which adjusts the vehicle's settings to deliver more control and comfort on and off-road. And to cope with the extra demands of the Supercharged, high-performance brakes have been developed.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

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Burma boys and strange wars BOOK REVIEW By Ikhide R. Ikheloa (Nnamdi) Contd. from last Wednesday

he book’s other major failure is in not mining what is truly harrowing – the fact that these soldiers were indeed little boys conscripted to fight a war by their elders. Once you get to that realization, several passages in the book assume a haunting surrealism, like during a particularly wretched passage to India; of little boys stowing away their mothers’ delicacies (kuli-kuli and dawadawa) as they go to the war in Burma: “’While we were at sea over a hundred pounds of dawadawa were found under Aminu Yerwa’s bed after the men sharing his cabin started complaining of foul smell. The dawadawa had gone bad in the airless cabin and there were maggots gathering inside it.’ Dawadawa, a seasoning made from fermented locust bean, was pungent enough even when fresh.” (p 52) These were children after all, albeit loquacious children, who afflicted with chicken pox, malaria, and diarrhea, seemed to be fighting diseases and home sickness rather than the Japanese. As a result, the book’s lack of depth startles and rankles and leaves a yawning chasm in the reader. And the reader soon learns that nature abhors a vacuum. For instance Burma Boy does not go to the depth of feelings that forced these young men to fight in a war that they did not ask for. You would have to read another book. Burma Boy is a cautionary tale about the limitations of oral story-telling in literary world. How many epic stories have we lost because they got lost in the translation to “the book”? Maybe youtube.com will help but I am afraid that we have done our ancestors a grave injustice. Fifty years ago, Chinua Achebe wrote Things Fall Apartand in so doing set out to model how we should tell our own stories. Things Fall Apart was a stunning salvo in response to contemporary literature like Joyce Cary’s Mister Johnson that sought to dehumanize the African. With that book, Achebe assured the world in compelling evocative prose that the sum total of the African should not be expressed in primal grunts and halfsentences. For we were poets, philosophers and scholars before the Westerners came and christened us bumbling illiterates. That war rages on today. I must say that I was particularly distressed by Bandele’s use of contrived English in this book. Indeed our writers’ new-found love with contrived English in its various viral strands threatens to shove us back into those dark ages that Achebe and his peers got us out of. Everything must be viewed in its proper context; as in Things Fall Apart, the language must be a vehicle – of communication,

The book cover not of eternal damnation to a dark hell that only houses sub humans. We are not children of a lesser god. I have a frayed copy of James Shaw’s The March Out. You read the book and you are left with no doubt as to where Biyi Bandele got his inspiration from. His Muse drank liberally from The March Out, down to similar scenes, characters and leafy sceneries. Even the signs are the same as in: WARNING DEAD JAPS IN THE RIVER ALL WATER MUST BE CHLORINATED (p 27 in The March Out and p 140 in Burma Boy) Biyi Bandele pronounces himself gratefully indebted to the late James Shaw and similar writers whose “unforgettable” accounts chronicled “salutary instances of the courage and resourcefulness” shown by the Africans who served in Burma. I beg to disagree. James Shaw’s The March Outis unforgettable only in its rank racism in depicting Africans as exotic sub humans. The Japanese are referred to as slanteyed Japs and Africans loll about grinning, shuffling and speaking contrived half-sentences. Hear Shaw: Haruna looked wooden; he and the others plainly resented my presence. Not wanting an unwilling orderly, I asked for a volunteer, but with no response. Feeling depressed, I told Haruna to leave m, and sat for a time too uncomfortable for even the slight exertion of exploring my hole. Suddenly a presence loomed up, and a voice spoke: “Dis orderly work – me fit do um for you.” I was surprised at being addressed in English, for the speaker was a Tiv, or Munchi, one of an extremely backward tribe with which teachers and missionaries have little success. Not one in a hundred speaks English or Hausa, and their own jawcracking dialect is hard to learn. Training them is difficult at first, but they make good soldiers and boast that they do not fear to die,

believing that death met bravely is the only passport to life hereafter…. As is usual in his tribe, his teeth were filed to points like a dog’s and the skin of his face stood up in bumps and ridges. It had been cut open in infancy with a knife, another playful Munchi habit.” (The March Out, p 28). If you think that passage is beyond the pale, unfortunately, in several instances, Burma Boy cries louder than Mr. Shaw, the bereaved. U n f o r t u n a t e stereotypes litter the pages of Burma Boyand it gets tiresome. The March Out does have something going for it that elevates it beyond Burma Boy: It has helpful maps of Burmaand Indiaand I love the black and white picture of “a typical West African infantryman” wearing a “tribal haircut!” Stripped of appropriate context Bandele’s characters come across as needless stereotypes that reinforce those in James Shaw’s unfortunate book. So Burma Boy, rather than being an Achebean response to a most unfortunate book about Africa, simply becomes yet another version of the same. Because the book falls far short of the expressed or implied purpose – to give rich voice to Bandele’s father’s “stories of carnage, shell shock, and hard worn compassion.” I would strongly recommend that the reader first read Bernard Fergusson’s excellent introduction to James Shaw’s The March Out. It serves as an excellent context to Bandele’s book. Or better yet, read James Shaw’s entire book. I find it interesting just reading the very positive reviews of this book by Western reviewers. For me, Bandele can do a lot better than this.Burma Boy is a story hanging in mid-sentence stuck in the deep throat of Bandele’s Muse, still waiting to be told. I understand why the author would like to write a book about Burmain honor of his father, a brave Burma Boy but I am not sure I understand why I would call this a successful response to the stated need to write that book. In the end, Ali Banana concurs with the bemused reader: “He was a foot soldier fighting a crazy war he didn’t even really understand. He didn’t understand why King George was waging a war in Burma from far away England. And it didn’t matter to him.” (p 206) Neither did it matter to Bandele apparently. Private Ali Banana is luckier than this reader; in the end, he embraces the liberating arms of madness and engages in juicy dialogue with snakes and trees. Oh, to be so lucky. Concluded Source: African wtriter.com

FR OM THE FROM LIVE ST AGE STA with Patrick-Jude Oteh 0803 700 0496, 0805 953 5215 (SMS only)

In a season of drought

friend of mine sent me a sms recently and it simply read ‘I tire’! That is the feeling all over the country right now. Those of us who are still working are simply tired and those that had long stopped working are having that satisfied smirk that says – I told you so! How did we get to this sorry pass? We have even been touted lucky as we had pulled off the 6th Jos Festival of Theatre 2012 so if everyone is complaining we have no reason to do so. We have every reason to complain! The very idea behind a vibrant, resilient organization is the ability to move from one work to another. You simply cannot sit and be happy over one accomplished job. The idea is to keep working. Our company is prepared to work but the truth is that there are no jobs and those that are available are either not worth it or simply just does not make sense. How do you explain doing a forty man cast play with a budget of N200,000? Okay, we are ready to bend over backwards a bit – why not take a play with fewer people? The answer is usually in the negative. What do you do? The government has continued to pay lip service and deliver rhetoric instead of matching its words with action. It is a real sorry pass. For those who know my thoughts on arts funding and the separation of government from it as much as possible, the thoughts that keep going back to government is borne out of the fact that the government is simply the biggest player in our economy so if the government does not release money into circulation a lot of things become slow or simply die off. This is what is happening presently. There is simply no money in circulation. Or am I refusing to see the money? Or what are we doing wrong? This situation is not limited to our organization alone. Most of us are simply not working and those that are working are not doing so at optimal levels. We are all at the level of just getting by. It is not for lack of what to do nor is it a function of our organization haven eaten enough. The jobs are simply not there. And those that manage to work might not get paid. What makes the situation more damning is the news that filters out daily of billions either missing in transit or simply gone AWOL. Where does all this money disappear to? Who built all the bottomless

holes? A few days ago, I was in conversation with a friend and he was of the opinion that all artistes should go on strike! Who will notice was my alarmed reaction. As long as there is no world cup in the offing or national sports around the corner where artistes can insist that without their money they would not go on stage, it is like trying to break open a wall made of steel. Let us leave this talk for another day. I think the most disheartening of all thoughts now is the singular question – how do you dream in this place? Or going back to one of the questions asked in WOZA ALBERT – what kind of country is this? We have gradually come to acknowledge that we are a unique kind of people in a unique kind of country but there are too many rascals out there! Too many people who have absolutely no right doing what they do or being where they are. Yet we are a tolerant people and we keep tolerating them no matter what happens but this will not always be so. Even Pharaoh Ramses knew this and only too well. Why are we saddled with men and women who cannot inspire anyone? On the night of May 10th 2012, I listened to the interview that Christine Amanpour had with the former President of South Africa, Frederick de Klerk. In my estimation, I think it was a brilliant interview. I am referring to people who inspire you with the way they talk and act and it was no surprise that this was the man who eventually had the presence of mind to release Nelson Mandela with no conditions. These are the kind of leaders we want to lead us not people who cannot think beyond the whims and caprices of their guts and immediate vicinity. We are back to the question – where are the jobs? Who will engage our company? Did you hear about the recent UMOJA tour of Nigeria sponsored by First Bank? That is the kind of engagement I am talking about – engagements that will keep us engaged for the next one year creating and having a venue to showcase our work. This is indeed a season of drought. Beyond this season, in the next coming months some companies are certainly going to bite the dust.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

Restless Diary: YellowYellow Rivers of Dreams (I) BOOK REVIEW By Ikhide R. Ikheloa (Nnamdi)

ugust 2007. I am alive. I just shook myself off a journey that I was definitely unprepared for. Ogun has sacrificed a mangy dog on behalf of my shivering spirits and thunderous sparks of fire mark Sango’s outrage at that cursed spot on America’s highway where the cutlass, hungry metal danced pangolo on a concrete road waiting for me, bush meat for evil deities. My faithful SUV looks like the broken trap that barely missed a prize antelope. I am alive, lucky antelope, and Sopono says to Iku, a pox on all your friends and our enemies! There will be another day when that journey will begin for me. But not now. Life is short. And so I land in August, bleary-eyed. Fela Anikulapo Kuti is glaring at me. Ten years ago, Abami Eda, the Weird One moved on, wagging his saxophone at us. The people remember Fela in song and they celebrate this meteor that came streaking by in slow motion. Christopher Okigbo is staring at Nigeria shaking his head at empty volleys of thunder. Forty years ago Christopher Okigbo moved on. We remember Okigbo and we shake our heads. What happened? And Chinua Achebe sits in chilly exile looking out across the Atlantic, Okonkwo in the winter of his life. Fifty years ago, Chinua Achebe birthed Things Fall Apart. We remember and we shake our heads. What happened? Me, I am definitely not ready to move on. Life is too good. Even in exile. Besides, try to imagine a world without ME. Olorun ma je! I wake up born again, all sweaty in the dying heat of the August of yet another dying summer in America. What am I going to do with myself, my lawyers have given me a thorough medical examination and they say I am not fit to do anything until the insurance company of the olodo that tried to send me off settles me with oodles of useful US dollars. Medical malpractice, say hello legal malpractice. August, and I am restless. I turn to the priest Chinua Achebe for meanings locked tight in his brooding scroll Hopes and Impediments. We should all read that book again and again. The answers that elude us are there. What is our purpose? Why are we here? What are you doing with our gifts in the service of our people? Why am I asking all these questions? Perhaps my lawyers are right; this journey that missed me really messed up my thinking cells. It shall be well with me. Pray for me, people! My lawyers are right; I ache all over, I ache badly - to wrap my eyes around a good book, just like my daughter Ominira yearns for a good summertime

The book cover cheeseburger. So as I loiter around my hut waiting to be settled, I have been reading, searching for the book that will slake my thirst. I read Sidney Poitier’s latest, The Measure of a Man. I greatly enjoyed The Measure of a Man because I greatly enjoyed Poitier’s earlier book This Life (published in 1980). The Measure of a Man, published in 2007, is a smaller book but it pursues the same themes (the black immigrant’s experience in America) and also updates Poitier’s thoughts from the benefit of an older man. Sidney Poitier is a great man; an amazing warrior who exudes dignity, charm, grace, and genuine, unique, self-refined intelligence, traits that give me goose bumps each time he appears on the screen. There are a few truly greats that will cause the earth to wail inconsolably when they step onto that pantheon in the sky and Sidney Poitier is one of them. I would strongly recommend The Measure of a Man to anyone interested in the immigrant experience, especially from the perspective of someone of color. Sidney Poitier gets it. Read both books of his if you can get a copy of This Life. This Life is grittier than The Measure of a Man, with a delightful edge that has dissipated with age. This Life is also a bit more candid. Both books do complement each other in my view and I think that the reader would be enriched immensely

from reading both. I read Jhumpa Lahiri’s two books, Interpreter of Maladies and The Namesake. I simply could not put them down and do something else with my life. Interpreter of Maladies, Lahiri’s debut book of short stories earned her a welldeserved Pulitzer Prize. I don’t remember the last time I read short stories this gripping. If you enjoyed reading Chimamanda Adichie’s novel Half of a Yellow Sun, then you must hurry to get Lahiri’s books. Like Adichie, Lahiri faithfully and with a mythical intelligence records the lives and anxieties of Bengali immigrants struggling mightily, sometimes courageously, sometimes comically to come to terms with the meaning of life the alien planet that is America. Poignant, evocative, haunting in the desperation of the lives of the exiles, and just plain gripping is how I would describe both books. In the novel, The Namesake, Lahiri flawlessly executes the daunting transition from a writer of short stories to a novelist. Well almost, I do prefer her book of short stories. I read both books with a deep sense of envy and sadness in knowing that the books swirling around in my head have already been written by a goddess of letters. And I am left to wallow in the cloying discomfort of my alienation, with no hope of profiting from my neuroses. Read both books and you’ll never be the

same again. And so the other day, googling for Half of a Yellow Sun, I somehow came upon Kaine Agary’s Yellow-Yellow. I had never heard of Kaine Agary and the fact that the book was published in Nigeria by DTALKSHOP publishers aroused my interest. I have been trying without much success to learn about Nigerian writing published in Nigeria and I was pleased to see that I could buy the book off the Internet at amazon.com. I can only say that this is the first time that I will agree with the blurb writers of a book when I quote Rumbidzai Bwerinofa (“a truly authentic narrative of a region”) and Toni Kan (“stark and socially realistic”). Yellow-Yellow is not an easy book to write about; it is understated in an honest way and the writer’s limitations, if we call them that, ironically provide ammunition and strength to the telling of a great story. There is this spiritual defiance and attitude in Agary’s willingness to ignore traditional writing convention in order to birth a story about a phenomenon that I had never seen documented, certainly not in this fashion. What is this book about? The main character Zilayefa or Yellow-Yellow is the half-caste product of a Port Harcourt tryst between an expatriate Greek named Plato Papadopolous and an Ijaw woman. The father promptly abandons YellowYellow and her mother and they live a life of quiet desperation in the village. In between long stretches of tedium, YellowYellow dreams of finding a Prince Charming to rescue her from her colorless empty existence and take her to the city where the streets are paved with gold. It is really not as banal as that as the reader soon finds out. YellowYellow is the story of the multitude of multi-racial children that are born of the liaisons between whites and Asians and the women of the Nigerian delta. Agary does a great job of tracing the history and documenting the generation (and generational differences), and subculture of these halfcastes or “Yellow-Yellow” as they are popularly called. Yellow-Yellow was evidently not written to win literary prizes, it probably will not, and from my perspective, that is refreshing and confers on it a credibility that would be sadly missing were it to be “written to the test” of the ultimate - a prize. If you are looking for highfalutin, elegant, high-sounding prose, this book is not for you. If you are looking for a book with a strong plot pregnant with complex intrigues, this book is not for you. If you truly want to curl up with a good eminently readable book, Yellow-Yellow will not disappoint you. Source: African wtriter.com

PEOPLES POEM OF THE WEEK Title: THE TOWN CRIER By Adeola Ikuomola

The spayed light bleeds for internal peace The castrated atmosphere thirsts for love And the assaulted clouds travail for unity.

The gagged rainfalls sing for democracy The shackled east wind claps for amnesty And the maimed floods sprint for integrity.

The moon mourns our national miscarriages The stars lament over the regional stillbirths And the sun sighs for local infant mortality.

Now mark the accursed bloodthirsty serpents Their sharp fangs flare in our bone marrow Threatening our fragile national spinal cords

QUO TE UOTE “A religion that takes no account of practical affairs and does not help to solve them is no religion.” –– Mohandas Gandhi.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

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The fact and fiction of revolutions ANALYSIS

n May 1, as thousands of New Yorkers staged their modest but hearty May Day rally hoping to revive the Occupy Wall Street movement in the city faculty, students, and a few other denizens gathered in the small but delightful Martin E Segal Theatre Center at the City University of New York (CUNY) to watch and listen to theatrical performances and selected readings by playwrights and novelists from Egypt, Georgia, Iran and the United States. The event, dubbed "Revolutionary Plays Since 2000" and organised in conjunction with the PEN World Voices Festival, featured works by Laila Soliman from Egypt, Lasha Bugadze from Georgia, the Civilians from New York City, and Mahmoud Dowlatabadi from Iran, with Mike Daisey as the moderator. Founded and chaired by Salman Rushdie, the PEN World Voices Festival is now an annual event in New York City, and attracts writers from around the world to read and stage their work. The event, as the organisers had envisioned it, was "dedicated to the emerging global voices of revolution from Egypt, Georgia and the United States", seeking to explore "the links between uprisings in the Middle East, Eastern Europe and movements like Occupy Wall Street, looking for similarities between these grassroots expressions of frustration, fury and optimism. How does theatre react to these crucial historical moments? With documentary exactness? With lyrical outrage?" Particularly poignant in this gathering was the barely noticed encounter between the young Egyptian playwright Laila Soliman and the aging Iranian novelist Mahmoud Dowlatabadi, who was in New York to promote the English translation of his novel, The Colonel (which has yet to pass the censorship of the Islamic Republic and be published in its original Persian in Iran). As he began to read an excerpt from his novel, Dowlatabadi turned to Soliman and said: "I hope what I will read will not disappoint you" - and when Soliman came to join him on stage she asked in a whisper why he thought she may be disappointed. Dowlatabadi thought Soliman was full of hope and devoid of caution; she thought he was full of pessimism and lacking hope. They were misreading each other. The stage was deceptive. Mahmoud Dowlatabadi's The Colonel is a heavy read - and like any other literary work of art, it must be read in the original. But the original does not exist - except in a handful of copies that Dowlatabadi has entrusted to a few close friends - while one fateful copy is wandering through the miasmatic labyrinths of the censorial policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Dowlatabadi wrote his novel in a span of two years between 1983 and 1985, as the Iran-Iraq war was

The ongoing revolution in Egypt can learn from its fictional representations raging and the Islamic Republic began in earnest its reign of theocratic terror, with mass executions in its prisons, cultural revolutions, university purges, and a massive totalitarian attempt to pacify the multifaceted, defiant Iranian political culture. Dowlatabadi sat on his novel for almost three decades. When he finally submitted it to the ruling authorities for permission to publish, they said no. He subsequently allowed a German, then an English, and now a French and Italian - and soon an Arabic and Hebrew - translation. But to this day, the custodians of the sacred censorship refuse to allow its publication in its original Persian in Iran. Though there are possibilities of publishing it in Persian in Europe or the United States, Dowlatabadi insists - and rightly so - that its original Persian must be published in Iran or nowhere else. The Colonel reads very much like Gabriel García Márquez's The General in His Labyrinth/El general en su laberinto (1989) the fictionalised account of the last days of Simón Bolívar, the Venezuelan revolutionary leader. Just like Márquez, Dowlatabadi too writes this novel as the dismantling of the myth of the grand liberator. "Dowlatabadi says The Colonel first came to him as a nightmare and reading it is like reliving the nightmare of a people." The Colonel is the story of one retired army officer of the Pahlavi regime whose five children have been attracted to multiple ideological strands in pre-and post-

revolutionary Iran. He has lost three of his children to their ideological convictions and subsequent death. One son is hidden in the basement of his father's house, catatonic with guilt and moral and intellectual defeat, and an older daughter is married to an opportunist businessman perfectly at home in the Islamic Republic. The novel opens in a dark rainy night when the colonel is summoned by the authorities to come and collect the corpse of his younger daughter, Parvaneh, who has just been executed in prison for having been a sympathiser to a defeated political group. From that very first page forward, there is a lump in the throat of the narrative that will not let go until the very last page. The Colonel is a eulogy, a Jeremiah of hardened pains, the literary lachrymose of a mourning nation, a funeral procession, a people delivering the corpses of their own children to the graveyards of their bodies and souls. The Colonel is painful to read, impossible to put down. Dowlatabadi says The Colonel first came to him as a nightmare - and reading it is like reliving the nightmare of a people. The Colonel is self-flagellation of a nation, regretting all its delusional ideals, fearing with fury what it has done to its own children. The Colonel is the chorus tragedy of lost hopes, of transpired aspirations. Dowlatabadi's protagonist, the colonel of the title, is self-absorbed, hallucinatory, introverted, constantly listening to the echo of his own voice and the vivid recollections of things past that he cannot, seems must not, forget -

“

indeed condemned to remember. Just like The Colonel in his Labyrinth, Dowlatabadi's Colonel is also narrated between two colonels, the decaying patriarch of a family recalling the story and one Colonel Mohammad Taqi Khan Pessian (1892-1921) - a nationalist officer in the hiatus era when the Qajar dynasty (1789-1926) finally yielded to the Pahlavis (1926-1979) - after whom he has named one of his own sons, thus positing three historical, fictional, and aborted colonel liberators adjacent to each other. The three shades begin to bleed into each other, and the hallucinatory narrative that emerges becomes even more compelling than the factual history itself. Dowlatabadi's Colonel is descriptively thick, thickening the horrid hallucinatory implosions of a pain some one hundred years plus in the making - some three decades plus in the open. But The Colonel reads painfully - the horrors of a father who has been summoned in the middle of the night to go and collect the executed body of her youngest daughter, just murdered by the authorities of the Islamic Republic - when following an edict from Ayatollah Khomeini they carried out a mass execution of political prisoners. "Why did you sit on this novel for all this time?" I asked Dowlatabadi while he was in New York. "Becase," he said, "I wanted it to be farthest from the daily and routine politics of the time so it can

“Dowlatabadi says The Colonel first came to him as a nightmare - and reading it is like reliving the nightmare of a people.”

get to the truth of it all." The hallucinatory prose is the coagulated pain of a people, caught in the snare of conflicting ideologies. It was prophetic that the novel was written when it was written, that it was published first in multiple languages other than Persian, in the birthplace of its author. The Colonel is now an urtext an original that does not yet exist, and yet all its translations can only allude to it - as shadows with no body yet to claim them. In an introduction to a collection of three essays by Terry Eagleton, Frederic Jameson, and Edward Said on Nationalism, Colonialism, and Literature (1990) Seamus Deane, the Irish poet and novelist, called for "a new discourse for a new relationship between our ideas of the human subject and our idea of human communities". In that vein he thought it necessary, if we are to overcome the colonial experiences, for something "native", "and yet not provincial". But what exactly would that mean, in the aftermath of an Islamic revolution and a sordid theocracy that it begat, and now after the return of the repressed of the Islamic Republic in the Arab Spring? For the revolutionary fiction that will arise in the factual aftermath of these transnational revolutions, the pain of the past must be wedded to the hope of the future. What Laila Soliman did not know that evening on stage in New York was that Mahmoud Dowlatabadi was looking at her and seeing Parvaneh, the youngest daughter of the colonel, whose young, executed body he is summoned to collect after that fateful bang at his door. Dowlatabadi was carrying the wound of a revolution more than 30 years into the horrors of its delivery. What Dowlatabadi did not know that evening on stage was that Laila Soliman heralded from a generation that had no trust in any grand ideology of a total emancipation to become so bitterly disappointed at the end of the game. There was no ending to Laila Soliman's game, as Mahmoud Dowlatabadi stood in front of her and recited the pain of his endgame. The aging patriarch of Persian literature and the young Egyptian playwright met and did not meet that evening in New York, but their two respective peoples have much to learn from each other one giving the other hope, resilience, and steadfast determination, and the other revolutionary wisdom, aging and seasoned solace: that the fact of revolution has much to learn from its fiction. Culled from Aljazeera. Hamid Dabashi is Hagop Kevorkian Professor of Iranian Studies and Comparative Literature at Columbia University in New York. His most recent book The Arab Spring: The End of Postcolonialism has just been published by Zed.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

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even United Nations peacekeepers in Congo were wounded when gunmen opened fire at a protest in the east of the country on Monday, a UN spokesman said. There were no details on the condition of the peacekeepers. An unspecified number of other peacekeepers in the contingent were injured by stone throwers when a base in South Kivu province was surrounded by crowd of 1,000 people, the United Nations said. "The seven wounded peacekeepers have been taken to Goma, North Kivu, for medical treatment," Martin Nesirky said in a statement. The United Nations said the protest was against attacks by Rwandan Hutu rebel FDLR forces in the area, and it suspected that local Mai Mai militia shot at the blue helmets from within the crowd. Reinforcements have been sent to the area, which is calm but tense, the UN added. Congo's last war officially ended nearly a decade ago but its east is still plagued by a plethora of local and foreign armed groups.

Seven UN peacekeepers shot at Congo protest S.Africa opposition, unions sling rocks at march

Militias were integrated into Congo's army over the past decade, but recently armed groups have reemerged

Africa must end hunger to sustain growth, says UN

frica needs to boost agricultural productivity and address the debilitating hunger that affects 27 percent of

its population if it is to sustain its economic boom, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said on

Women sell vegetables and fruits on the roadside in Nairobi, Kenya, June 19, 2008.

Tuesday. African economies grew at an average of more than 5 percent during the past decade with many countries benefiting from surging commodity prices, as well as growth in services, construction and agriculture. But the character of the growth has done little to reduce extreme poverty and hunger. More than 40 percent of African children under five are malnourished, which means they suffer irreversible mental and physical disabilities, the UNDP said. "The situation is quite bleak," said Sebastian Levine, a UNDP policy adviser for Africa. "This economic resurgence that we have seen has not really had the impact that we would expect." Africa is the second fastest

growing region after Asia, yet 48 percent of people were found to be living in poverty in 2008, compared to just 14 percent in East Asia and the Pacific. Africa continues to be a net importer of food despite an abundance of fertile land and water. In its first Africa Human Development Report, "Towards a Food Secure Future", the UNDP called for more investment in agriculture to ensure sustained growth and poverty reduction. "If you don't address food security, you'll not be able to sustain this (growth)," Pedro Conceicao, UNDP's chief economist for Africa, told AlertNet. "In the long run, you will need populations that are healthy, that are educated, and that are able to be productive."

programme's director, told Reuters. "But we have identified resistance, it is a problem out there, and we need to take urgent and concerted action to make sure we maintain the

effectiveness of the tools." The who recommends four main classes of insecticides, the most common of which are pyrethroids. But resistance to at least one of these classes has now been detected in all regions where the disease is endemic.

Insecticide resistance threatens malaria fight

alaria-carrying mosquitoes in Africa and India are becoming resistant to insecticides, putting millions of lives at greater risk and threatening eradication efforts, health experts said on Tuesday. While existing prevention measures such as mosquito nets treated with insecticide and indoor spraying are still effective, experts said tight surveillance and rapid response strategies were needed to prevent more resistance developing. Despite decades of efforts to beat it with insecticides, bednets and combination drugs, malaria still kills more than 650,000 people a year, most of them babies and young children in sub-Saharan Africa. Because the disease is spread by Anopheles mosquitoes, insecticides are a vital part of controlling it. Publishing a plan to help countries tackle the threat, the World Health Organisation's global malaria programme said resistance had been detected in 64 countries.

"We think we're ahead of the curve. The tools we have today work extremely well in almost all settings, so we don't want people throwing their hands up in the air and saying this is a catastrophe," Robert Newman, the

march by South Africa's main opposition party on the headquarters of leading union federation COSATU descended into chaos yesterday, with police firing tear gas to disperse crowds of rockthrowing protesters. About 1,000 members of the opposition Democratic Alliance marched through downtown Johannesburg in support of a government plan to subsidise the wages of young people in a bid to ease chronic unemployment among the unskilled youth. The group was met by angry COSATU members who blocked the streets, sparking a violent confrontation that had to be broken up by police. A few people were injured in the volley of rocks, although none of them seriously. The protest turned the tables on the powerful union movement, whose frequent marches in major cities often descend into violence and property destruction. Youth unemployment is more than 50 percent and, in an ominous sign, half of those currently between 25 and 34 years old will not find work in their lifetimes, according to a study by the Institute of Race Relations. The so-called "Youth Wage Subsidy", backed by the Finance Ministry, is aimed at helping young people find work by reducing the wage bill for employers who are nervous about hiring people with no skills or experience. COSATU, in a governing alliance with the ruling African National Congress, opposes the measure, saying employers will use it to hire youth at cut-rate wages and then push older workers out of jobs.

Somali piracy: EU forces in first mainland raid

U naval forces have conducted their first raid on pirate bases on the Somali mainland, saying they have destroyed several boats. The EU forces were transported by helicopter to the pirate bases near the port of Haradhere. Anti-piracy forces have been reluctant to attack mainland bases, fearing for the crew of captured ships. Somalia-based pirates have seized vessels across the Indian Ocean and demand huge ransoms for their release. They are believed to be holding

about 17 ships and 300 crew. The latest incident involves the Greek-owned oil tanker Smyrni which was hijacked in the Arabian Sea last week. The Liberian-flagged tanker carrying 135,000 tonnes of oil is reported to be heading for Somalia. BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner says the attack on the land base is a significant development in the fight against Somali piracy. The overnight raid on Somali pirate bases is small but significant. This is the first time since the EU set up its naval

patrol force off Somalia in Dec 2008 that it has taken the fight to the pirates' home base. The idea, says the EU, is to disrupt the pirates' business model and upset their logistics. Naval officers say there were no casualties on either side but if raids like this are repeated - as they probably will be - the pirates are likely to adapt their operations making it harder for their equipment to be destroyed without also hitting local Somalis. The EU recently agreed to expand Operation Atalanta to allow forces to attack land targets as well as those at sea, and this is

the first time its forces have used the new rules to attack a base on the mainland. The attack was carried out overnight and, according to the European forces, no Somalis were hurt during the action. The multinational forces used helicopters in conjunction with two warships to leave five of the pirates' fast attack craft "inoperable". The European naval mission issued a statement saying: "The focused, precise and proportionate action was conducted from the air and all forces returned safely to EU warships on completion".

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

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Obama Ex-editor charged in UK hacking scandal campaign attacks Romney over Bain record

resident Barack Obama's re-election campaign opened an assault on Mitt Romney's background as a private equity executive on Monday with a video that seeks to undermine the Republican's central argument for why he is qualified for the White House. Romney's record as an executive at Bain Capital, a firm that bought and restructured companies sometimes resulting in a loss of jobs, was a hotly debated topic during Romney's Republican primary battle against Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and a host of other conservative alternatives. Romney's rivals mounted their attack after Reuters published a January special report examining a Kansas City, Missouri, steel mill that went bankrupt under Bain's ownership. Now the Obama campaign is telling the story of the GS Technologies mill to argue that the brand of capitalism Romney practiced at Bain benefited wealthy investors at the expense of workers. The Democratic incumbent's campaign released a six-minute video that featured the demise of the company, which Bain bought in 1993. Less than a decade later, the mill was padlocked, and 750 people lost their jobs. Bain profited on the deal, receiving $12 million on its $8 million initial investment and at least $4.5 million in consulting fees, acco

ebekah Brooks, a former editor of the UK's nowdefunct News of the World newspaper, has been charged with perverting the course of justice over the phone-hacking scandal, British prosecutors have said. "I have concluded ... there is sufficient evidence for there to be a realistic prospect of

conviction," Alison Levitt, Principal Legal Advisor to the Director of Public Prosecutions, said yesterday. "All these matters relate to the ongoing police investigation into allegations of phone hacking and corruption of public officials in relation to the News of the World and The Sun newspapers," Levitt said.

"We deplore this weak and unjust decision." Brooks, who rose to be chief executive of News International, the British newspaper arm of Murdoch's News Corporation media empire, was charged with concealing material from detectives, conspiring to remove boxes of archive records from the company's headquarters, and

Brooks along with her husband, Charlie Brooks, have become the first suspects to be charged in the case

Greece set for elections as coalition talks fail

US army to open combat-related jobs to women

he US military is expanding the number of jobs available to female soldiers that would potentially put them on the frontlines. The Pentagon said it will open more than 14,000 combatrelated roles to women serving in the army, breaking with the long-held policy of excluding them from most jobs that would potentially put them in harm's way. The expansion is meant to help US women achieve promotion to the military's highest ranks. Rights advocates and other supporters of the change say female soldiers essentially have been serving in combatrelated roles for years, even if they are nominally removed from it. "There are no frontlines anymore. If you go all the way back to the civil war, you had a frontline and clear back line. You don't have that anymore because it's an asymetric fight. Everybody at any moment could be in danger," Captain Kelly Hasselman told Al Jazeera.

hiding documents, computers and other electronic equipment from the police. Also charged were Brooks' race horse trainer husband Charlie Brooks, her secretary and other staff who worked for News International, including her driver and security officials. In a statement, Brooks and her husband said: "We deplore this weak and unjust decision. After the further unprecedented posturing of the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) we will respond later today after our return from the police station." The news is a personal blow for Murdoch and also embarrassing for David Cameron, the British prime minister, who was a close friend of Brooks and her husband. There was no comment from Cameron's office. The charges are the first to be laid since police launched a new inquiry last year into allegations that journalists at the News of the World hacked into the phones of celebrities, politicians and victims of crime to generate front page stories. The newspaper was shut down in July last year over the allegations and Brooks resigned from her post at News International. Dubbed by some the "fifth daughter" of Murdoch, Brooks edited the News of the World from 2000 to 2003 and went on to become the first female editor of The Sun daily tabloid, Britain's most widely read newspaper, for six years.

President Barack Obama acknowledges applause after delivering the commencement address to graduates at all-female Barnard College, on the campus of Columbia University, in New York on Monday.

Party leaders met on Tuesday for a final round of talks which ended without agreement on a new government

reece is set to go to the polls again after days of coalition talks failed to produce agreement on a new government, says the leader of the Socialist Pasok party, Evangelos Venizelos. A final round of talks yesterday morning broke up without a deal. In elections on 6 May, a majority of Greek voters backed parties opposed to austerity plans demanded by the EU and IMF in return for two bailouts. A caretaker government will be appointed on Wednesday, reports say. "Unfortunately, the country is heading again toward elections," Mr Venizelos told reporters after the talks yesterday. European leaders say that they will cut off funding for Greece if it rejects the bailout agreed in March. This would mean effective bankruptcy for Greece and its all but certain exit from the European single currency, analysts say. Polls suggest the leftist Syriza bloc, which came second in the 6 May vote and rejects all further cutbacks, could become the largest party after a new election. Syriza wants to renegotiate the bailout package but also wants to keep Greece in the euro.

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alestinians are marking Nakba Day, or the "day of c a t a s t r o p h e " , commemorating Israel's declaration of statehood in 1948 and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of their kin from their land and homes. Protests were taking place across the Palestinian territories yesterday with the main rally staged in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. Demonstrations also took place at the nearby Ofer military prison and Qalandia checkpoint where there were some minor clashes. Our correspondent Cal Perry in Qalandiya said: "The clashes are very small and very fierce. The Israelis have been firing rubber bullets and tear gas throughout the morning. "The crowd is expected to grow throughout the day. We are expecting to see things in Jerusalem and Qalandia because it is the crossing between Jerusalem and Ramallah." A mass rally is scheduled to take place in the Gaza Strip, with smaller protests to be held elsewhere in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The Higher Arab Monitoring Committee, which represents Palestinian communities in Israel, has called for a general strike and for Palastinians to visit the sites of former Palestinian villages. More than 760,000 Palestinians, estimated today to number 4.7 million with their

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

Palestinians mark Nakba with protests descendants, fled or were driven out of their homes. About 160,000 Palestinians stayed behind, and now number about 1.3 million, or 20 per cent of the population of Israel. Early on Tuesday, an AFP correspondent said clashes broke out between police and demonstrators in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Issawiya. Israel also said a projectile fired from Gaza landed in the country's south, though it was unclear if it was linked to the Nakba commemoration. "An explosive device fired from the Gaza Strip, a rocket or a mortar shell, landed early this morning in southern Israel, causing no injuries or damage," Micky Rosenfeld , Israeli police spokesman, told AFP. Israeli security forces are on alert and Nakba Day commemorations in the past have often resulted in clashes with troops and police. "We are co-ordinating with the military and border police, we hope things will be quiet," Rosenfeld said on Monday. "We

May 15 has been the day when Palestinians mark the "Nakba" when many fled from their homes have mobilised a number of units in various areas," he said, without elaborating. Last year, Israeli troops opened fire on demonstrators from Lebanon and Syria as they tried to breach a security fence

‘Over-consumption’ threatening Earth

he environmental conservation charity World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in a report released Tyesterday said the demand on natural resources has become unsustainable and is putting "tremendous" pressure on the planet's biodiversity. WWF named Qatar as the country with the largest ecological footprint, followed by its Gulf Arab neighbours Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. Denmark and the United States made up the remaining top five, calculated by comparing the renewable resources consumed against the earth's regenerative capacity. The Living Planet Report found that high-income countries have an ecological footprint on average five times that of low-income ones. "We are living as if we have an extra planet at our disposal,"

said Jim Leape, WWF international director general. "We are using 50 per cent more resources that the Earth can sustainably produce and unless we change course, that number will grow fast -- by 2030 even two planets will not be enough," added Leape. The survey, compiled every two years, reported an average 30 per cent decrease in biodiversity since 1970, rising to 60 per cent in the hardest-hit tropical regions. The decline has been most rapid in lower income countries, "demonstrating how the poorest and most vulnerable nations are subsidising the lifestyles of wealthier countries," said WWF. The report comes ahead of June's Rio+20 gathering, the fourth major summit on sustainable development since 1972. The WWF is urging governments to implement more

efficient production systems that would reduce human demand for land, water and energy and a change in governmental policy that would measure a country's success beyond its GDP figure. But the immediate focus must be on drastically shrinking the ecological footprint of high-income countries, particularly their carbon footprint, the WWF said. "This report is like a planetary check-up and the results indicate we have a very sick planet, said Jonathan Baillie, conservation programme director of the Zoological Society of London, which co-produced the report along with the Global Footprint Network.

man convicted of killing an Iranian nuclear scientist in Tehran two years ago has been hanged, Iran's state media report. Majid Jamali Fashi, 24, was convicted of killing Professor Massoud Ali Mohammadi by detonating a bomb outside his home in January 2010. Fashi was also accused of being a spy for the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad and receiving $120,000 (£72,000) for the killing. Israel does not comment on such claims. "Majid Jamali Fashi, the Mossad spy and the person who assassinated

situations, although they were not aware of plans for any big demonstrations along the borders. "We are getting ready for all kinds of provocations," he told AFP on condition of anonymity.

As foreign troops leave, Afghan refugees and poverty increase

An Afghan boy pulls a donkey carrying branches of grass in Kabul, Afghanistan.

ulam recalls the evening she fled her home in northern Afghanistan on foot, running with her teen daughters under the cloak of darkness to avoid

Iran hangs ‘Israel spy’ over nuclear scientist killing

Qatar was named as the country with the largest ecological footprint, followed by Kuwait and the UAE

and enter Israel. Four protesters from Syria were killed along with another 10 from Lebanon. A senior military official in Israel's northern command said troops had trained to handle all

Masoud Ali Mohammadi, our nation's nuclear scientist was hanged on Tuesday morning," Iran's Irna news agency reported. Professor Massoud Ali Mohammadi was a particle physics professor at Tehran University. He is one of several high-profile nuclear scientists to have been killed in Tehran in recent years. Iran has repeatedly accused Israel and the US of trying to harm its nuclear programme. The two countries believe Iran is trying to acquire the technology to build nuclear weapons something Tehran denies.

cooking a dinner for 20 Taleban insurgents. "This Taleb burst through my door and demanded I cook for them. But I had no money, and I was scared they would take my daughters," Gulam said, pulling a stripy shawl tightly around her gaunt and wrinkled face. That night six months ago, Gulam and her family joined the half a million Afghans who are internally displaced, mostly from conflict but also natural disasters, a number, which has been steadily increasing since 2008. Intensifying violence as NATO combat troops prepare to leave by end2014 and a poor economic outlook in the face of shrinking aid could spell a humanitarian disaster for Afghanistan, where a third already live beneath the poverty line. "Security in the country is terrible. Day by day there are more of us," Gulam told said while visiting the UN compound in Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of northern Balkh province.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

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â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Kill my ex and my sonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;: Poison trial doctor begged cellmate to murder his pregnant lover while he was behind bars

Calculating: Dr Edward Erin plotted his former lover's death while behind bars

disgraced doctor jailed for trying to poison his pregnant lover was so bent on revenge and winning his freedom that he plotted her murder from behind bars. Edward Erin, 46, had tried

to give Bella Prowse drugs that would make her miscarry their child, and was locked up for six years. But in jail Erin hatched an even more heartless plot. He asked a former cellmate to kill both Miss Prowse, 35, and his son - who had been born safely. The cellmate, Joe Mallia, was then to send a text from her phone purporting to be a confession that the doctor had been innocent of the plot to poison her. Erin's scheming was thwarted a second time, however, after Mallia recorded his requests for journalists. The police were then informed. The former doctor, father of two children by his wife, is now due to receive a lengthy new jail sentence after being found guilty of attempting to pervert the course of justice. Astonishingly, however, it emerged in court that Erin's wife Lowri is still standing by him, in spite of his adulterous affair with Miss Prowse and his murderous plotting. The doctor's downfall began in 2007 when he was working as a chest and allergy specialist, and Miss Prowse was his secretary. She was unaware he was married, and began an affair with him. When she became pregnant

he begged her to have an abortion, but she refused. The doctor used his medical knowledge to try to cause an abortion without her consent, including by spiking her coffee with the arthritis drug Methotrexate. She realised what he had been doing and told police. Only then did she discover not only that he had been spiking her drinks, but that he was also married with children. Erin denied attempting to cause an abortion, claiming Miss Prowse was trying to frame him. A jury rejected his claims. As well as being jailed, his asthma research at the Royal Brompton Hospital and St Mary's Hospital in West London were called into question. He had also run a large property empire with his microbiologist wife from their home in Kensington. Sentencing him at his Old Bailey trial three years ago, Judge Richard Hone told him: 'One part of you is a doctor caring for his patients. But your other part is self-centred, vainglorious and irresponsible. 'The trial process has exposed you, stripped of your flummery, as a liar, a cheat and a predator.' In prison Erin began trying to persuade Mallia to help him but when Mallia was released two years ago he contacted The

Sun newspaper. On a subsequent visit to Erin in Parkhurst prison on the Isle of Wight, Mallia made a recording of their conversation, which was handed to police.In the covert video, the doctor told Mallia to send a text to the boss of his former lover Miss Prowse from her mobile. Erin said: 'You say "I can't live with my life any more. 'I set Ed up, I put the drugs in the drinks. Ed was the best ever. He's done nothing wrong but I have lied to the police and the court and I can't get busted because of my baby. What should I do?".' Mallia told Portsmouth Crown Court, which found Erin guilty of his latest crime a fortnight ago: 'Erin said if Bella was killed he'd be freed and not struck off the General Medical Council. He wanted me to do it and kill her baby. 'He told me if I did it I would never have any financial worries. I was just stringing him along.' Erin - who was due to be released this year - will now face a long extra term behind bars when he is sentenced next month. His betrayed wife said after the poison trial that she believed her husband's defence that his secretary had cooked up her

Victim: Bella Prowse gave evidence in the trial of Dr Erin, her former lover story. Mrs Erin said: 'I know in my heart he is not capable of what he was accused of. I simply don't recognise the man who was described in court.'

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

Why having an overweight mother could lead to you being obese as an adult

verweight mothers-to-be could be condemning their unborn children to decades of ill-health. Research has shown that men and women whose mothers were carrying extra pounds when pregnant are more likely to be fat and unhealthy themselves – even when in their 30s. While it is well-known that overweight mothers-to-be risk having big babies, who grow into overweight children, this study is one of the first to show that the legacy can still be felt years later. And not only does it affect weight but overall health, including blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Taken together, such changes could raise the risk of a host of ills, from strokes, to diabetes and heart attacks. The findings, from a study of women who give birth in Jerusalem in the mid-1970s and their children – come amid fears that obesity among pregnant British women is reaching epidemic proportions. Almost half of women of child-bearing age are overweight or obese and more than 15 per cent of pregnant women are dangerously overweight.

The researchers weighed and measured 1,400 men and women aged 32 years and did a series of blood tests. The results were then compared with data collected about their mothers when they gave birth to them. The analysis, published in the journal Circulation, showed a clear links between the two. The adults whose mothers were the most overweight before becoming pregnant were heavier than the sons and daughters of the lightest women. Waistlines were on average more than three inches bigger, blood pressure was higher, levels of dangerous blood fats were higher and readings for ‘good’ cholesterol lower. Men and women whose mothers put on lots of weight while carrying them were also more likely to be too heavy for their height as adults. Lead researcher Dr Hagit Hochner, of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said: ‘We know now that events occurring early in life to foetuses have long-lasting consequences for the health of the adult.’ Study co-author, Professor Orly Manor, said: ‘In an age of an “overweight epidemic” in the world, it is important to know

Children whose mothers put on lots of weight while carrying them were likely to become overweight adults (posed picture) that factors that are involved in leading to overweight and other health risks. ‘This understanding makes it essential that we identify these early windows of opportunity in which we can

intervene in order to reduce the risks of chronic illness later in life.’ Various factors are thought to be behind the phenomenon. For instance, the mother may pass on ‘fat’ genes and unhealthy

eating habits to her child. But conditions in the womb are also thought to be important. For instance, exposure to high amounts of sugar and fat may lead to long-lasting changes in appetite control or the storage of fat. Obesity also cuts the chances of pregnancy and obese mothersto-be are more likely to need a Caesarean section and are at greater risk of losing blood while giving birth. Their children are more likely to be stillborn or die in the first weeks or months of life and to suffer other birth defects such as club foot or cleft lip. Concern about the numerous harms is so high that British doctors have started to medicate babies in the womb, in a desperate attempt to stop them from being born obese. If the NHS trial is a success, the treatment could be in widespread use in as little as five years, with tens of thousands of obese mothers-to-be drugged each year. Tam Fry, of the National Obesity Forum, said the Israeli study underlines how ‘desperately important’ it is for women to get in shape before they conceive. Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Simple blood test could show which women are at risk of postnatal depression

ne in seven women will experience postnatal depression after the birth of their baby - now scientists think they could spot those most at risk with a simple, accurate blood test. Researchers at Warwick Medical School found women who developed the condition were more likely to have variants of two receptor genes involved in the body’s stress response. The discovery could lead to earlier treatment for women who are likely to suffer from post natal depression. At present women are often diagnosed by chance if a midwife or relative notices the symptoms, which usually appear a fortnight after birth. However, many new mothers are unwilling to admit they are suffering in the mistaken belief the condition means they are a ‘bad mother.’ Presenting the teams research to the International Congress of Endocrinology, Professor Dimitris Grammatopoulos: ‘Current screening policies rely on the opportunistic finding of PND cases using screening tools such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Score (EPDS), but such tests cannot identify women at risk, ahead of them developing the condition.’ The scientists assessed a group of 200 pregnant women for PND using the EPDS, once during their

first visit to the ante-natal clinic, and again two to eight weeks after they had given birth. They found that the women who developed PND were more likely to have a DNA sequence variation in two receptor genes (the glucocorticoid receptor and the corticotrophin-releasing hormone receptor-1). These receptors control the activity of the hypothalamopituitary adrenal (HPA) axis, which control the activity of

Post natal depression affects one in seven women and is far more severe than 'baby blues.' Mothers may struggle to bond with their babies and treatment and support are vital

hormones triggered in response to stress. The finding appears to show that postnatal depression is a specific subgroup of depression with a distinct genetic element which means that some women are genetically more reactive to the environmental factors which trigger depression. Professor Grammatopoulos said their study was the first to show a link between the functioning of the HPA axis and

post natal depression. ‘We think that we have made an important step forward in characterising the prospective risks and are therefore paving the way for timely, appropriate medical treatment for women who are likely to develop PND,’ he said. The team now intend to conduct further research on other genetic variants of the HPA axis in a larger, multi-centre study involving women from

Coventry, Birmingham, and London. PND is a serious condition and quite different from the ‘baby blues’, which is milder and shorter-lived. Symptoms include sadness, changes in eating and sleeping patterns, crying episodes, reduced libido, anxiety and irritability. Effects on children can be significant; for example, depressed mothers are less likely to be affectionate towards and to play with their children and they may use less ‘baby talk’ which is designed to engage the child’s attention. This may lead to learning and emotional difficulties for the children in later life. Although it may seem evident that PND is caused by some kind of hormonal upheaval the role of the HPA axis in this form of depression has not been proved until now. ‘We believe that we have made a discovery with important clinical and social implications. ‘If we can identify women likely to suffer from PND in advance so that they can be treated appropriately and at an early stage, we will have improved the lives not just of the parents, but also of their children,’ Professor Grammatopoulos concluded. Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

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Budget more funds for combating terrorism, says former PDP Chairman INTERVIEW The immediate past Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, recently spoke to newsmen in Ilorin where he counseled that the Federal Government vote more funds to security agencies to combat terrorism even as he chronicles challenges he faced while leading the ruling party. Our correspondent in Ilorin, Olanrewaju Lawal, was there. Excerpts: How did come to be the PDP chair? hen there was the need for a change of baton which came so suddenly, unfortunately, anyway, it came suddenly and we needed to put someone on that chair and the time to do it had not come. The party found itself almost in a dilemma and they did not mince words that the most senior person on the party should head the party; most especially when the Constitution of the party says that ‘when there is a vacuum in the position of the chairmanship, the chairman hands over to the National Secretary. So I was asked, has the chairman handed over to you and I say yes. And they said I should continue. And I stood up to say they should give me at least 24 hours notices because I have to consult and think about it. They were surprised and we had to enter into lobbying too because that was part of politics. They said we are not giving you 24 hours, let us break. It was after that lobbying that I say ok, I have agreed t lead. So are there things or people that played prominent role in assisting you during your tenure? I believe with the support of the press, people, and other eminent personalities who had seen in us transparency, honest of purpose, balance in action and passion for integrity that helped us hold sway. It is not enough to say that those who went ahead of me did not go about it with integrity or honesty of purpose, but I think, it is the way you hold or drive some of this values or virtues is what is important. Anyone of us who finds himself in position of authority tomorrow must be upright, think about integrity which is the foot print you want to leave on that position. You must also think least about personal gain. We must think how to develop this nation. That is exactly what drove me to be humble as I am. Were you not tempted or

pressurized to elongate your administration? Towards the end of my service there were a lot of pressures that I should continue. But I declined. We must to whatever we say. That is one of the cultures that I introduced in to PDP. If we say we are going left, just go that left, even if we are going to encounter some dangers, let the entire people see that we are keeping to our word. That is exactly what we did and at the end of it PDP is good for it. If I had conceded and say ok let us play politics with it. Yes I will still be there as Chairman but I think you will not be as proud as you are today and by and large it will affect the PDP and it will affect the governance. What are some of the challenges you encountered during your tenure? I had a lot of challenges when I was in office. But to God be the glory, many of them were surmountable. One of the challenges was to make the PDP members obey the rules they themselves made as a result of the population. Because of the population of PDP, it becomes difficult because we are governing human beings remember, particularly Africans, and Nigerians. It becomes difficult to get everybody to agree to obey all the regulations and directives. When you talk about internal democracy, some of us who are inside know what we are talking about. You are talking about internal democracy where one person speaks out and everybody rushes at it. It does not happen in PDP. We argue. Whether you are President or former president, immediately it is party politics we are discussing, everybody is on the same level. PDP is a leveler. It is a leveler because when we come together, we discuss. Everybody is the same. And we tell ourselves the truth and when we step out, everybody knows his or her level. We maintain discipline but not that we dish out orders. The challenge of overall internal democracy was one of the greatest ones that I faced. We were able to

Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje tell governors: ‘sit down, you are a governor and do your job as a governor. We were able to tell the Senators, you are a senator, go and do your job as a Senator.’ How were you able to successfully pilot the affairs PDP during your headship of the party? One major principle that guided me apart from the guidance of God was the fact that I went along those offices with a high sense of decorum or discipline. I never allowed myself to be deceived by any other phenomena whether money or any other material consideration. I held so much with passion the idea of integrity, fairness, equity and honest of purpose. Those were my guidance. I paid the least attention to materials gains when I was in these offices. I want to believe that this was one of the things that helped us to achieve because eventually, there was a time when some top officials in Nigeria went to somebody who is very close to me, you all know, and asked him where did you bring this man who does not like

money. We have tried to dissuade him but he is not yielding. How can you bring somebody who does not like money? In Nigeria, we use money in politics. And the person replied them, have you seen anybody who does not like money? That man has passion for integrity. And he dismissed them. For anybody who wants to come to be to play hanky-panky politics will think twice. Also if you are fair and honest and you have vision, you will be courageous to tell anybody the truth. What people have been dodging; what people have been going around to circumvent, I say it the way it should be no matter whose ox is gored. Was there any time you were warned because of your leadership style? There was a time when some member of mine in NWC said the tradition is that people do not last on this chair. Not only that you will not last, you will not even spend half of the time. But I think at the end of the day, people appreciated the truth and my courage. I have taken some positions which to some people

“

I think it should continue. Security is a matter of concern and I think the government is taking the bull by the horn. Training is not something that you can go and buy at the shops, it has to take some time. And then the personnel will come back and you buy the equipment

appeared confrontational but to me it is saying the way it should be and not confrontation. I have had occasion to tell some people, you cannot do that, you have been the president or vice president of this country for some years, then if you have to talk this way, then you have been deceiving Nigerians and if you are not very careful, I can send you out of this meeting. Who are you and he knows that I can do it because I have done it once or twice to people they thought are untouchable. If you call someone party leader, he must be able to do that occasionally. What is your advise to the Federal Government on how to tackle insecurity? On the part of the government, it is very important for government to diversify attention and pay more attention in terms of allocating funds to train our security officers on how to combat the modern day because it is a different world on its own. It is not about policing or soldiering. It is about a special skills. Immediately after 9/11 in America, the money allocated to defense has now taken 30 per cent of the total budget of America and 73.3 per cent of that 30 per cent is used to train personnel and buy equipment for the purpose of ensuring that the insurgence of terrorism is quenched. I see no reason why we cannot do that in Nigeria. We have other priorities yes, but life first. With the little that I know about government, I know both the military and the police; a lot money is being released now to train our personnel in America, India and UK. I think it should continue. Security is a matter of concern and I think the government is taking the bull by the horn. Training is not something that you can go and buy at the shops, it has to take some time. And then the personnel will come back and you buy the equipment. If you buy the equipment now and the personnel do not know how to use, it becomes useless. I think about 600 personnel came back before I left office and they were posted to some pressure areas, like Borno and Yobe. You can see the kind of arrest and discovery they have made. I also learnt that about 200 were also posted to Kano and they have been able to make some substantial feat. By and large, it is because we had taken it for granted, these people had eaten so deep into us before we knew it. It will also take some time before we can win the war and I know the government will win the war. Continued on page 39

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

Nasarawa Assembly rebukes Commissioner, orders contractor to stop work From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

he Nasarawa State House of Assembly (NSHA), has ordered Zakari and Co, a consulting firm hired by Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura, to assess and collect revenue on behalf of the state, to stop work, saying that the contract may after all “not be in the interest of the state”. This followed the resolution of the committee of the whole, in which the House faulted a section of the contractual agreement between the state ministry of finance and the consultant, specifically, that with a fall in the value of collectible tax which has drastically affected the N373 million monthly benchmark set

for the contractor, it is no longer feasible for the government to proceed with the contract. Speaker of the assembly, Musa Ahmed Mohammed, after taking his time to listen to the responses of Prof. Mohammed Mainoma, state Commissioner of Finance, Danjuma Zubairu, Chairman of the state Internal Revenue Board and Musa Dauda, state Accountant-General, who were summoned before the assembly to give answers to queries earlier raised by the House committee on Public Finance and Appropriation, observed that the law establishing the Board did not allow for a consultant to collect revenue on its behalf. The House also faulted the AG for being a signatory to the

accounts of the Board, saying that this goes contrary to the law setting up the Board, which requires that only its Chairman remains a signatory, with the AG, Musa Dauda, accepting to get back to the Governor and to advice him appropriately on the matter. Ahmed Zakari and Co was recently hired by the Nasarawa state government to assist the administration of Umaru Tanko Al-makura improve on its internally generated revenue, with the firm expected to get 10% of revenue above the N373 m per month ceiling for the next 16 months. Information from the state revenue board has shown that internally generated revenue in the state has been on the increase

from N100m per month in 2002 to an estimated N500m in 2011. Meanwhile, the Assembly has rebuked the Finance Commissioner over his conduct when he appeared before it with the Speaker warning that even the governor can be impeached for misconduct. Earlier, Prof. Mainoma, while making his submissions, failed to acknowledge his apparent failure to comprehend the laws setting up the Board, insisting that the Financial Act gave the AG power to be a signatory of the accounts of the board, as well as questioning the legality of the Assembly to investigate the contract, alleging that “the assembly has usurped the functions of the executive.”

L-R: Edo state Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and a member of the state House of Assembly, Hon Pally Iriase, during a rally of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) for the re-election of Oshiomhole, yesterday, in Sabongidda Ora, Edo state.

Pilgrimage: Christian, Muslim boards ready to be scrapped By Lawrence Olaoye

xecutive secretaries of both the Christian and Hajj Commissions yesterday told the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs that they were not afraid of being scrapped as they are capable of funding pilgrimages and other religious matters. The Board Secretaries of both religions disclosed this at a meeting with members of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs chaired by Rep Nnenna ElenduUkeje in the Nationakl Assembly. Elendu-Ukeje had asked members of the Commission what would be the fate of their

Commissions should the Stephen Oronsaye recommendation that the Boards be scrapped be eventually approved by the Federal Government. Kennedy Opara Executive Secretary of the Christian Commission responded that Christians in Nigeria could conveniently fund their pilgrimages provided the same Federal Government would provide a workable time-frame of total disengagement from "funding us to enable the Commission work out how to fund our activities." He explained that the Commission last year alone generated a million dollar for the

Federal Government. "What we want is a situation where the Federal Government can give us between 5 to 10 years period to get our bearings right then we will fund ourselves after the grace period . Opara explained further that "pilgrimages entail massive movement of people and this people are Nigerians so there is no way Government will not be involved." Speaking in the same vein, Executive Secretary of Hajj Pilgrimage Commission, Bello Mohammed declared that Muslims like their Christian brothers could fund their pilgrimages provided there was a

disengagement time table of total withdrawal by the government. He said, the Oronsaye Commission perpetually harped on cost of funding as if Nigeria will remain in its present financial crisis without an end. "We already pay almost 85percent of the cost; it is only 15percent of the cost that FGN pays, if not the fact that both Israel and Saudi Arabia are outside the country who would be talking of pilgrimages?" If the activities of the commissions are eventually given to the ministry of Foreign Affairs it may lead to institutional failure because we have been doing these things for long.”

INEC bows to Oshiomhole, postpones voter registration in Edo By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

he Independent electoral Commission, INEC, Edo state on Monday suspended the proposed update of voter registration. This followed rising Security concern and alleged threat by the state governor, Adams Oshiomhole to let hell lose should the Commission go ahead to embark on update of voters’ registration with 472 Direct Data Capture, DDC, machines. The state spokesman of INEC, Mrs. Imodu-Sule Precillia, who gave the indication in a telephone interview, said the exercise has been postponed indefinitely. Mrs Imodu-Sule who confirmed the postponement said a stakeholders meeting would be convened ahead of July 14 th 2012 governorship election in the state where INEC will contact all the parties concerned and agree on a new date for the exercise. Meanwhile, the state governor, Adams Oshiomhole in the early hours of yesterday led thousands of supporters to barricade the INEC Headquarters, at Ikpoba Hill, Benin City, the State Capital. The governor had called for the suspension of the voters’ registration and the removal of two Senior Staff of INEC, staff. The Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, governor while addressing party supporters at the Commission’s office, vowed to let hell lose should INEC embark on fresh voter exercise. Oshiomhole appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan, Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar and Director of State Security Service, SSS to use their positions to prevail on the National Leader of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Chief Tony Anenih to resign and allow the state to develop. The governor told the gathering that he had officially written a protest letter to Chairman of INEC, Prof Attahiru Jega to not to allow some unwanted elements believed to be working for PDP to soil the image of the Commission he has sacrificed a lot to build. According to him, ‘Before becoming the governor of Edo State, I fought with seasoned Generals… ‘At the residence of Tony Anenih, they resolved that they have paid the Head of ICT in Abuja, they have already compromised Mrs Umeh in Benin. Mr Umeh who is the husband of Mrs Umeh is a boy to Chief Anenih.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

ACN calls for rehabilitation of cultists From Ojebola Matthew, Lagos

ith the recent crisis rocking the Aguiyi Ironsi International Market, Ladipo-Mushin, Lagos, the Chairman of Mushin Local Government Area, Mr. Babatunde Adepitan has raised the alarm over the importation of armed thugs at the market after the Lagos State House of Assembly dissolved its leadership last week, an action that failed to bring a lasting peace to the market. The Assembly in its resolution last week dissolved all factions in the market and ordered Mushin Local Government to set up a caretaker committee that will run its affairs for three months before the election. The alleged hiring of thugs popularly known as Bakassi Boys from the Southeast was in response by a factional leader of the market on Friday, Chief Jonathan Okoli, who is believed to be against the dissolution of the market leadership by the state Assembly. Okoli however denied the allegation when contacted saying that the traders wanted him as their leader. The council boss however alerted the public that massive looting has been going on in the market after the House passed the resolution last week. According to him, Okoli was busy forcing the traders to pay N30, 000 each per shop in preparation for the execution of his deeds.

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Gov Aliyu carpets Senator over unguarded comments By Lawrence Olaoye

overnor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger state has taken a swipe at Senator Ibrahim Musa for casting aspersion on the policies and programmes of the PDP-led administration in the state, saying the lawmaker’s uninformed comments about the state gave him away as someone that was out of tune with the times. Senator Musa who represents Niger North Senatorial District on the platform of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in the Senate had in a recent interview dismissed the PDP led government in the state as a failure. But Governor Aliyu’s Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo described the allegation as false, untrue,

wicked and a big insult on “an administration that has made welfare of the common man an article of faith.” He said Senator Ibrahim Musa’s charge of non performance against the PDP led government in Niger State was far from the truth, adding that the senator’s remarks were not based on sound understanding of issues in the state. “From education to agriculture, works and infrastructural development to tourism, Aliyu has stamped his seal of excellence,” the statement said, emphasizing that road projects scattered across the three Senatorial Districts make Senator Musa’s claim on the state of Niger roads untenable. It gave instances of Kutigi-Fazhi; Batati-Dabban;LumaBabanna; Bonu-Gurara

Gov. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu Waterfalls; Mokwa-Raba;BirgiLapai Gwari roads that were recently completed and commissioned by the state government. The statement said the state’s free education policy, its

commitment to the development of agriculture, graduate employment p r o g r a m m e , w a r d development projects and other interventions make Governor Aliyu’s five year administration the closest to a revolution in Niger state. “But rather than ascribing to Governor Aliyu his place in history, all his exemplary attributes seem to constitute considerable embarrassment to those who feel threatened by the successes of the current administration,” it said. The statement urged the Senator to desist from making slanderous statements against the state government, because the allegations he has so far made are baseless and could only have come from anyone consumed by hatred, grounds of which still puzzles government.

Observers satisfied with Taraba LG election From Yushau Alhassan, Jalingo

bservers for local government Election in Taraba state have expressed satisfaction with the successful conduct of the election. Secretary of Forum of Chairmen of state Independent Electoral commission in Nigeria, Hannatu Usman Bilniyat, told newsmen yesterday in Jalingo

that TSIEC prepared well in terms of logistic, particularly transportation of election materials and personnel to various locations. Hannatu who is the Chairman of Kaduna state Independent Electoral Commission KSIEC said accreditation of voters started in good time in all the polling units they visited. Hannatu who said there was

adequate security arrangement however pointed out that the restrictions of movement imposed by the state government was not strictly observed. The FOSICON secretary observed that most of the polling Units were too far, some even ten kilometers apart, and recommended for even spread of polling Units to bring them more closer to the people.

She commended the Taraba state government for daring to conduct the election even when the country was facing serious security challenges. She also lauded TSIEC of conducting a violent free election saying that Taraba State was the thirteenth out of the thirty six state in the country to conduct Local government election in Nigeria.

Budget more funds for combating terrorism, says former PDP Chairman Continued from page 37 What is your take on the controversy raging whether President Goodluck Jonathan should contest in 2015 or not? The dynamism in politics makes it to be politics. President Goodluck Jonathan about a year ago was in America and he made a statement that he was not going to contest the 2015 election. I think he made it when he was meeting with President Barack Obama. He came back and some Nigerian politicians did not take it well with him. They said, ‘you are a politician. You cannot take that decision alone. You have your party, you have your people.’ He said more than three times again that he was not going to contest in 2015. You will recall up till the present moment, his party, the PDP, has never made a statement on that. This is because the party realizes the dynamism in politics. That does not mean that the PDP has accepted that statement neither had they come out to say ‘ yes it is true he is not contesting.’ Jonathan kept quiet except recently when the polity was being heated that he is going to contest or he is not going to contest. So in order to create a balance relationship between him and Nigerians and his party, he

must react. Then he asked people to step the debate down. He does not want any discussion about 2015 now. It is distractive. I agree it is very distractive. Unfortunately with the incidences going on, is when we should begin to think of 2015. I think we should leave that the decision with the political party to begin to do their own work secretly and not making it an issue. When it is made an issue, people are diverting attention when people are dying in the hospital, and government is

now spending money on 2015. I think the stand of Mr. President on the issue is appropriate. People should keep quiet and leave him to pay attention to governance. When the time comes, the door will be openede and politicians be let out to go and contest. For goodness, 2015 is still some time away now. Before we start talking about 2015, it should at least be one and half years or two years for now. What is your view on the agitation by some that BoT chairman should be given to

Former PDP Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje

South East, particularly Dr. Alex Ekwueme? The issue of BOT, if you look at the clause of the Constitution of the PDP, the business of BOT is purely the business of BOT. The clause says there shall be BoT which shall comprise a certain category of members of the party. The administration and running of BoT is purely that of the members. But of course the chairman of the party is a member of the BoT. The BoT will appoint its own chairman by itself and not a question for the party or the public. The Constitution did not say when the President comes from this zone, the vice should come from the other zone. It is not in the Constitution of PDP. But if it is at the discretion of BoT to say the chairman should come from this area, it is not the constitution of the PDP. It is the discretion of BOT. And that is why some of us are just looking at them. The secretary of BoT remains the highest office there now and he has a right to convene meetings. Also two third of members of BoT has the right to ask the secretary to convene a meeting. So if a meeting of is convenes today, the chairman of the BoT will emerge because if it does not, they are not obeying the constitution of the party The issue

of whether a personality is being considered or another not being considered is because PDP is a phenomena that must be talked about. Positive or negative, talk about PDP. What will you want to be doing now after leaving office sir? I made a statement that if I am given an opportunity, I will go back to teaching because I have passion for that profession. When we were trying to run election in Cross River State, the issue of continuity reared up, I killed it immediately. I was discussing with one of the movers of continuity, he asked me what are you going to do after you leave office, I said I am going to teach. He felt disappointed. As a matter of fact, in developed political cycles, I should now become a consultant, go to schools and share experiences. So when I talk about teaching, I do not mean going to classrooms to teach pupils. No matter what ever level you teach, as long as you are impacting knowledge and as long as you watch your students or pupils assimilating the lessons. That is what I enjoy doing most. When I teach and I watch people’s eyes brighten up and I know they will ask me questions and I later go home and sleep.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

Ogun PDP factions clash over election guidelines Senate confirms Yusuf T Suleimanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s replacement From Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, Abeokuta

he stakeholders meeting organized by the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission {OGSIEC} for political parties ahead of the July Local Government election, yesterday resulted in open face-off between the two factions of the troubled Peoples Democratic Party {PDP}. The mild drama occurred when elections guidelines were being distributed for leaders of the parties by the Commission, but when it was the turn of Peoples Democratic Party {PDP}, two factional leaders emerged to collect the guidelines. The development which occurred at Nigeria Union of Teachers {NUT} Hall, Kuto, Abeokuta venue of the stakeholders meeting brought temporary hitches to the programme, as the electoral umpire became confused on who to handover the materials to. The two factional leaders laying claim to the guideline include were Engr Bayo Dayo and Gbenga

Northern governors meet to consider security situation By Lawrence Olaoye

he regular meeting of the 19 state governors under the auspices of the Northern State Governors Forum will hold tomorrow at Gen. Hassan Usman Katsina House in Kaduna. A statement by Mr. Daniel Clifford Shashere, Secretary to the Government of Niger State and Co-coordinating Chairman, Forum of Secretaries to the Governments of Northern States, disclosed that the meeting will consider, among other issues, report of the Committee on Agriculture and New Nigerian Newspapers as well as security situation in the region. The Coordinating Chairman further stated that the meeting would be preceded by the meeting of the Forum of Secretaries to the Governments of Northern States yesterday. A communiquĂŠ will be issued at the end of the meeting.

Sobowale. However, following the unresolved leadership tussle between the factions, the Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission, Alhaja Risikat Ogunfemi had to decline handing over the guidelines and other electoral materials to either

of them. The controversial leaders were then asked to leave. Earlier in her keynote address the electoral boss assured all the political parties of the Commission's genuine efforts in providing level playing ground, just as she charged the parties to exhibit sense of discipline before, during and

after the elections. Ogunfemi equally called on the youths across the state and environs not to allow themselves to be used for illegal and criminal activities during the poll, as that would be tantamount to defeating the genuine purpose of credible elections

By Richard Ihediwa

L-R Senior Special Adviser to Vice-President Namadi Sambo on Political Matters Alhaji Abba Dabo, and Benue state Governor, Mr. Gabriel Suswam, during the latter's visit to the VP, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

Be good ambassadors, Ukeje tell Nigerians travelling abroad By Lawrence Olaoye

ep Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje, Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs has appealed to Nigerians travelling abroad to be good ambassadors of the country by always abiding by the rules of such trips. Elendu-Ukeje said in Abuja yesterday after a closed door meeting with the minister of foreign affairs, Mr Gbenga Ashiru, on the alleged wrongful deportation of three Nigerians from Egypt. She said from the briefing given by the Minister, there was need for Nigerians travelling abroad to always represent the country in good light by obeying the rules of both Nigeria and the country of visit. The lawmaker said that the true situation on alleged deportation of three Nigerians from Egypt on May 7, was that one went with fake passport and the other one, Sekinah

Abiola refused to show the immigration officers while in Egypt evidence of funding or her address. She said contrary to the earlier reports, 150 other passengers were on board in the aircraft, with majority, being Nigerians on the flight and were allowed entry into Cairo. One of the alleged deportees, Sekinah Abiola had claimed that six Nigerians with valid visa were deported and were subjected to inhuman treatment for three days at the airport without being given water and food. Ukeje (PDP-Abia) said the allegation that they were put under inhuman conditions by Egyptian authorities for three days at the airport were untrue, as they were sent back the same day through Ethiopian airline. ``They arrived Cairo on May 7,2012 at 1.30 a.m. hours and departed on May 8, 2012 at 2.30a.m and arrived Lagos 12.15 a.m. on May 8, 2012, so where is

the three days'', she asked ``Our relationship with Egypt and other African countries have been very cordial. In fact, we have increased our air traffic between Egypt and Nigeria to 16 flights in a week via Abuja, Kano and Lagos'', she said. She said the Egyptian noted increased in the human and drug trafficking cases coming from Nigeria since January 2011, hence the beefing up of security checks at all her ports. Ukeje said her committee of Foreign Affairs was touched by the recent deportation of Nigerians from South Africa, thus her concern when it learnt of another round of deportation from another Africa nation. ``Basically, we are imploring Nigerians too, to reciprocate the concern and good faith demonstrated in their welfare by the House not to do anything capable of tarnishing the image of Nigeria abroad'' she said.

Youth advocate second term for NTA boss By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

youth based organisation, Supreme Niger Delta Youth Council, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to re-appoint the current Director General Nigerian Television Authority, Mohammed Usman Megawata, for another four-year term in office to complete his developmental strides in the television station. Speaking at a press conference

recently, President of the group, Comrade Bassey Ekamon described Megawata as a patriotic Nigerian who has turned the fortunes of the station around, saying that he has the knowledge and the commitment to serve the nation. Ekamon stressed that his transparent leadership at the television station has earned him the most Transparent Public Servant (TPS) conferred on him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences (ICPC).

Enumerating some of his achievements, the leader of the group said the DG has established four new channels to give the Nigerian and international viewers choice of more specialized programming, listing the channels to include: the NTA 24, NTA entertainment, NTA Knowledge and NTA Sports 24. He said other achievements recorded by Megawata was the first Digital Terrestrial Television Network in Nigeria set up in 2009

through a joint venture with Star Communication and network in China. The group stated that under the current DG, forty VSAT terminals were installed in all state capital stations across the country in 2009, pointing out that the VSAT terminals were used for internet connectivity and for news contribution by NTA station, which has facilitated the timely transmission of breaking stories across the country.

new minister has been added to Federal cabinet as the Senate yesterday confirmed Mr. Inuwa Abdulkadir (Sokoto) as minister to replace Yusuf Suleiman who resigned as Sports Minister, earlier in the year to contest the Sokoto state governorship in February. Abdulkadir who was grilled for about two hours by Senators yesterday blamed the current security challenges facing the nation on religious leaders and suggested that government should regulate religious preaching to check inciting preaching saying such will go a long way to curb the general insecurity in Nigeria. He accused both Christian and Muslim clerics of taking advantage of the constitutional guaranteed freedom of speech and expression to incite Nigerians into killing one another. He said, "I do not believe in the school of thought that there is religious intolerance. Some people using the platform for personal aggrandizement, some of the clerics who ordained themselves either Christians or Muslims are those behind it. "They hide under the guise of freedom of expression to say what they like saying and do whatever they like to incite the people. The issue of preaching should be regulated, if it not checked, we will never address the problem." He also called for collaborative action among Nigerians on other areas of national development saying that is the only way to ensure economic growth and sociopolitical stability in the country. Senators through a voice vote unanimously confirmed his nomination after the question was put to that effect by Senate President David Mark. Mark, urged the new minister to put the interest of Nigeria ahead of personal interest to move the nation ahead. It is not yet clear what portfolio President Goodluck Jonathan would assign him to though most of the questions posed to him by the Senate had to do with issues of youth development and social stability and integration in the country.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

PAGE 41

London 2012: Beach volleyball coach sure of Olympic ticket

smail Charkuma, the Head Coach of the national beach volleyball team, has declared that the country will clinch a ticket at the Beach Volleyball World Cup Olympics Qualification Tournament. Charkuma, who hinged his optimism on the quality of players in the team, said that the Federation of International Volleyball (FIVB) sanctioned competition is scheduled to hold from June 27 to July 1 in Tortoli, Italy. “We will not disappoint the

country, we will go there to show to the world that Nigerian athletes are good in the sport,” he said stressing that his players would bring their experience to bear on the Olympic qualifiers. “The players did well at the continental competition but we still have one more competition to qualify us for the Olympics,” he added and recalled that the country’s beach volleyball team came third at the continental event, which was held from April 11 to April 15 in Mauritius.

FIFA lists Sudanese referees for Eagles, Namibia

orld football-governing body, FIFA has named Sudanese referee Khalid Abdel Rahman as the centre man for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Brave Warriors of Namibia, which is scheduled for the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar on Sunday, June 3. Same yesterday, FIFA also confirmed the tie for the UJ Esuene Stadium,Calabar following the withdrawal of candidature of National Stadium, Abuja by the Nigeria Football Federation. He will be assisted by compatriots Waleed Ahmed Ali (1st Assistant), Mohammed Idam Hamid (2nd Assistant) and Badr El Din Abdel Gadir (4th Official). The Match Commissioner is Jammeh Bojang from Gambia while the Referee Assessor is Badara Sene from Senegal.

Nigeria defeated Congo Brazzaville to book a ticket for the final round of the Olympic qualifiers in Italy. Goodluck Anyasodike, Osas Omoreghe, Isaac Igigba and AbdulAzeez Adamu among others will represent the country.

Rossaye (2nd Assistant) and Ganesh Chutooree (4th Official). The Match Commissioner is Adam Mthethwa from Swaziland while the Referee Assessor is Bernard Mfubusa from Burundi. The match will be played at the Kamuzu Banda Stadium in Blantyre, starting from 2.30 pm local time (1.30pm Nigeria time).

Arsenal tour organisers to fix Abuja pitch

rganisers for the Arsenal tour to Nigeria in August have disclosed they plan to fix the Abuja National Stadium pitch ahead of the tour. Arsenal’s grounds men three weeks back visited the Abuja National Stadium to take first-hand information on the state of the pitch. According to a three-page report by a wire service, which claimed to have seen the report, the Abuja stadium turf was declared dead and needs to be out rightly replaced.

Bolaji Abdullahi, Supervising Minister of Sport

The grounds men also recommended a fresh soil culture for the stadium whose pitch has gone four months without been watered. “After reviewing the recommendations of our grounds men, we have resolved to change the pitch of the Abuja national stadium,” Nigerian representative of the organisers said. He added, “We need to do this because we don’t want any kind of injuries by the Arsenal players. We are committed to having the Wenger boys here. That is why the grounds men at the Emirates came here. So, the pitch you would see on August 2 would be same you watch week in, week out at the Emirates.” On how soon the works would start on the pitch, our source, who was also pivotal in the coming of Manchester United, said, “We have two months before the game and that is enough time for our grounds men to finish the job. But we have to first inform the National Sports Commission because we expect to get part refund for the work on the pitch.” On how much it would cost Arsenal to put the pitch in shape? He reluctantly said,” it would be in the region of N20m to N25m.” The NSC had earlier said it would cost the country about over N75m to fix the Abuja National Stadium turf during a house committee on sports visit to the arena.

tournament where we emerged in the third position. “That competition has helped to sharpen our competitive edge for more challenges ahead. We will also pray for luck because training and luck works together,” he said.

CAF Champions League

Sunshine draw Esperance as Egyptian giants clash at group stage By Patrick Andrew

igeria’s CAF Champions League campaigners, Sunshine Stars have been drawn against Tunisian duo of Esperance-current defending champions and Etoile Du Sahel,

... Names Mauritian officials for Malawi, Nigeria auritian Referee Rajindraparsad Seechurn will be at the centre when the Super Eagles confront the Flames of Malawi in Day 2 of the 2014 FIFA World Cup African series, in Blantyre on Saturday, June 9. Rajindraparsad will be assisted by compatriots Balkrishna Bootun (1st Assistant), Akhtar Nawaz

Meanwhile Anyasodike, one of the Tortoli-bound players, reiterated that they will clinch a ticket at the qualifiers for the country. “We will build on the momentum we generated from the CAVB Beach volleyball Continental

former champions in the draw conducted yesterday for the group stage of the continental fiesta. The draw threw up a number of local derbies in the both groups A and B. In A comprising Sunshine Stars and sensational giant killers ASO Chlef of Algeria, the Tunisia duo would offer a tasty derby. Also, in group B Cairo giants, Al Ahly, who defeated Stade Malien on Monday to berth in the group stage, and Zamalek have an appetizing date in a clash that will further heighten security concerns for the Egyptian authorities, who are still reeling

Group A Sunshine Stars (Nigeria) Esperance (Tunisia) AS Chlef (Algeria) Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia)

Group B

Gbenga Ogunbote, Sunshine Coach

Ahly (Egypt) TP Mazembe (RD Congo) Berekum Chelsea (Ghana) Zamalek (Egypt)

from the Port Said Massacre earlier this year. Completing the group are Berekum Chelsea the Ghana club side that ousted Cotonsport of Cameroon who had in turn defeated Heartland FC of Nigeria. TP Mazembe, the 2010 champions complete the group that has three former champions and Ghana’s rave of the moment. Debutants Berekum Chelsea of Ghana will be considered the underdogs in what is a very difficult pool to predict, but the West African side have shown already with their away win at CotonSport in Cameroon in the last round that they are not to be taken lightly. Sunshine will have Herculean task dislodging one of the Tunisians, who are favoured to advance from the pool given their experience in this competition over the past few seasons. The pool stages start on the weekend of July 6-8 and run through to September.

World Cup 2014: Keshi to name Eagles squad tomorrow

uper Eagles’ Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, will tomorrow in Abuja unveil his squad for next month’s 2014 and 2013 World and Nations Cup qualifiers against Namibia, Rwanda and Malawi respectively Already, 24 domestic league players have been sweating it out in Abuja for about a fortnight now, ahead of the international friendly against Peru in Lima on May 23. A list of 17 will be made out of the 24 plus five foreignbased players, who have been called up for duel in Lima. Keshi will name the players he intends to use to confront Namibia and Malawi in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Calabar and Blantyre respectively, as well as the 2013 African Cup of Nations qualifier against the Amavubi of Rwanda in Calabar, a release by the Nigeria Football Federation declared. Nigeria take on Namibia on Sunday, June 3, then fly to Blantyre to play Malawi on Saturday, June 9 and return to Calabar to play Rwanda on Sunday, June 17. Tomorrow, Keshi who was the longest serving skipper of the Eagles,

will named the squad for the Peru friendly plus the other foreign-based players that would make the final list for the all important qualifiers in June. Meanwhile, the delegation to Lima will depart for Madrid from Lagos on May 19, and connect a direct flight

Joseph Yobo

from Madrid to Lima on May 20 – an 11-hour flight across the Atlantic Ocean. The squad for the clash with Brave Warriors of Namibia is expected to arrive in Calabar on May 27 to start preparations for the big match.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

We will work hard to retain league title, says Eguma

olphins of Port Harcourt Chief Coach, Stanley Eguma, says that the team will work hard in the second round of the Nigeria Premier League to retain the league title. Eguma, who believes that defending champions have what it takes to retain the trophy, says though Dolphins did well in the first round but insisted that the team would need to redouble its efforts to pick a continental ticket at the end of the season. “The second round just started. I believe that we need to work very hard, which of course we are doing now and work harder than we have done before and to make sure that we pick a ticket at the end of the season. “You know because as the defending champions, a lot is expected from us and we cannot falter. We will do our best, we are still up there, our hope is still bright. We believe that we can pick a ticket this time around, a continental ticket, if not winning the title.” Further, Eguma reveals that the team will shop for new strikers and work on the ones in the team to ensure that they are sharp and consistent in their offensive play. He assured fans of the team’s readiness not to disappoint, so that fans could continue to support them.

Senegal in contact with Alain Giresse

UEFA Champions League: 9 countries FCT Bayern loss will be begin golf tourney

a blow to Germany

Arjen Roben

Muller Gomez

in an interview. Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer, defenders Holger Badstuber, suspended for the final, Jerome Boateng and Philipp Lahm as well as Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Mueller, Toni Kroos and Mario Gomez have been called up for the tournament co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine. “To win the Champions League title would be important, it would be an historic achievement. That would be super for our players because they would join us fully motivated and would find their rhythm immediately because of that motivation,” Loew said. Three-time European champions Germany, looking for their first title since 1996, have started preparations in Sardinia this week with less than half of the players called up. The players from doubles winners Borussia Dortmund arrived later yesterday, following their 5-2 German Cup win over Bayern on Saturday, while Real Madrid’s Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil will join them in a few days.

...No Barcelona player listed in Spain’s Euro 2012 preliminary squad

pain coach Vicente del Bosque announced a preliminary 21-man squad for Euro 2012 that did not include any player from World Clubs champions, Barcelona. Barca only last weekend lost the La Liga title to archrivals Real Madrid who garnered 100 points as against 93 amassed by the dethroned champions.

enegal football federation (FSF) has contacted French coach Alain Giresse who announced last week he was quitting Mali national team after failing to reach an agreement with officials for a renewal. The FSF is in quest of a coach after newly appointed Pierre Lechantre turned his back on the Teranga Lions following a last minute discord in the terms of a two-year contract. The FSF wanted to know if the former Gabon coach was interested in taking charge of the Senegal team which is currently in the care of assistant coach Joseph Koto ahead the qualifiers of the 2014 World Cup set for early next month. Senegal will play a friendly match against Egypt on May 24 in Marrakech, Morocco before hosting Liberia in Dakar on June 2 and facing Uganda a week later in Group J completed by Angola.

efeat for Bayern Munich against Chelsea in Saturday’s Champions League final would hit German confidence ahead of Euro 2012 next month, national team coach Joachim Loew said yesterday. Bayern, who lost to Borussia Dortmund in the German Cup final last week, are eyeing their fifth European crown when they take on Chelsea in Munich. Eight of Bayern’s squad will then join the national team, preparing in Italy, on May 25. “If they lose again in a final, after their league and German Cup losses, in their own stadium then disappointment would be great which I think would mean I would need to give them (Bayern players) two or three more days to process that,” said Loew. “They would then need a bit longer to find their motivation but they would find it. Because the Euros are also a huge target. But a defeat would be, I think, a bit of a low blow for us,” he told the German football association

Sergio Ramos

But it’s only a preliminary list. At Euro 2012, which kicks off on June 8, the world champions will be defending the Euro title they won in 2008, as well as trying to become the first nation to win three straight major tournaments. Del Bosque has not picked players from teams which still have finals to play. This means that there are no players from either Barcelona or Athletic Bilbao - who will meet in the Spanish cup final on May 25 - or from Chelsea, who will face Bayern Munich in Saturday’s Champions League final. Around half of the players in Tuesday’s squad are expected to be discarded, in order to make way for the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Fernando Llorente and Fernando Torres. Del Bosque plans to announce his final 23-player squad on May 27, two days ahead of the UEFA deadline. The new faces in the squad are Juanfran, Alvaro Dominguez and Adrian of Europa League champions Atletico Madrid, plus Javi Garcia of Benfica, Benat of Betis, Bruno of

Villarreal and Isco of Malaga. Spain will prepare in Schruns, Austria, from May 22 to 31, at the same training facilities where they stayed ahead of the 2010 World Cup finals. On May 26, Spain will play a friendly against Serbia in the Swiss town of Saint Gallen, in which the likes of Juanfran, Adrian and Isco will be trying to convince Del Bosque to take them to Euro 2012. Nominees: Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose Reina (Liverpool), David de Gea (Manchester United) Defenders: Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Alvaro Dominguez (Atletico Madrid), Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Jordi Alba (Valencia), Nacho Monreal (Malaga) Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Santi Cazorla (Malaga), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Benat (Betis), Javi Garcia (Benfica), Bruno (Villarreal) Forwards: David Silva (Manchester City), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla), Roberto Soldado (Valencia), Isco (Malaga), Adrian (Atletico Madrid).

ine countries yesterday tee off the first FCT Professional/Amateur Golf Tournament which has been organised to foster national and international unity. The countries are Gambia, South Africa, Ireland, Sweden, Ghana, Cameroon, Gabon, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal and the hosts Nigeria. The tournament, which tee off at the IBB International Golf Club, debuted with professionals golfers taking to the court till Friday, while the amateur category is scheduled to come into play on Saturday and Sunday. The maiden FCT golf fiesta is featuring golfers with handicap limit from one to 18 for men and one to 24 for females. Speaking at the unveiling of the Logo in Abuja on Monday, the FCT Minister of State, Ms Olajumoke Akinjide, said the FCT Administration has designed the programme to bring together persons from different countries with aview to generating social relationships. “The introduction of the championship is a testimony of the determination of the present administration to enhance the socio-economic fortunes of the inhabitants through sports. “Sports competitions at whatever level symbolise peace and promote the ideals of unity and, in recent times, fast-track conflict resolution.” Akinjide said foreign participants were invited to arouse the interest of corporate organisations, attract investors to Abuja and promote the potentials of the city as a viable business environment and tourism destination. “Abuja has the potential to act as a mirror or window through which everything about us can be brought to the fore for the world to see, evaluate and understand us better.” The Minister commended the Sports Department of the Social Development Secretariat, organisers of the tournament, for the initiative.

Syria to send 10 athletes to London Olympics

David de Gea

he president of the Syrian Olympic Committee says the wartorn country will send 20 sports officials and 10 athletes to the London Games. Gen. Mowaffak Joumaa says 10 Syrian athletes have either qualified or received wild-card invitations to compete in swimming, track and field, weightlifting, boxing, equestrian and shooting during the games. Joumaa says he and other sports officials will travel to London despite the British government’s warning that they could be banned from attending the Olympics because of his close links to President Bashar Assad. The Syrian government’s 13-month crackdown on an uprising has killed thousands of people and led to broad sanctions and a European Union travel ban against top officials.

Sen. Bala Mohammed, FCT Minister

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

PAGE 43

Originally called Du quartier aux étoiles (From the Suburb to the Stars), the French title of Louis Saha’s autobiography sums his trajectory up well – with one important omission. It leaves out the incessant injury setbacks and comebacks in between, and the hunger that has kept the striker going, kept him believing. That same hunger informed his choice when he joined Tottenham Hotspur from Everton on a six-month contract in the winter, his mission being to help Spurs force their way back into the UEFA Champions League. After promising spells plagued by injury at Newcastle United, Fulham and Manchester United, Saha travelled south to the capital eager for a new challenge. Four months on from his Spurs switch and the 33-year-old Parisian is still looking to the future with hope and enthusiasm. He even earned a return to the France side for the friendly against Germany in February, though he will not be making the trip to UEFA EURO 2012 next month. “To be part of the adventure and try to come back with a huge title would be an honour,” he told FIFA.com, two days before Laurent Blanc left him out of a provisional squad list for the tournament of players based abroad. The news will have come as a blow, but Saha will bounce back as he always has. Overall, he is happy and confident, as FIFA.com discovered when meeting up for a chat.

t can often be a difficult situation for a footballer when the end of a contract approaches. Are you yourself concerned? Not at all. I knew the situation when I signed. It’s not a problem for me, and I’m happy with my life at the moment. The important thing is to give everything for six months so that I can then sit down calmly and think about my future. I have several possible options, and I’m confident about my chances of signing a new contract and continuing my career at the highest level. My desire to achieve things and win is still there, whatever struggles I’ve been through and whatever my age. I love competition and that’s not about to change. A few days after signing for Spurs, you scored a double against Newcastle. It was almost symbolic of your career so far: you have always been able to bounce back and impress when people least expected it. Is there a secret to your mental strength? I’m competitive by nature. So, when a challenge presents itself – either in life or on the pitch – I give the best of myself to overcome it. I’ve had several injuries but I’ve never doubted my ability to come back. I’ve worked hard and I believe in myself, which is important. Have you found what you were to expecting at Tottenham? I joined a club which, over the last two years, has won the respect of all the other big clubs in the Premier League. Tottenham have enjoyed a rapid rise and rubbed shoulders with the best in the Champions League, which is no more than they deserve. For me, being part of that process of increased recognition and getting another taste of the highest level in England is immensely satisfying. Turning to the France team, what were your thoughts on the side you joined up with in February, a year and a half on from your previous cap in September 2010? Against Belarus, the national team had just come back from the World Cup and was right in the middle of a rebuilding phase. Everything had to be put back in place and the squad didn’t have the confidence it has now. The get-together before the Germany game in February only lasted three days, but, despite it being such a short period of time, I can tell you that I found the team to be calm, confident and brimming with quality. We then showed all of that on the pitch against one of the best teams in the world. Against Brazil and England, Les Bleus showed they have the potential to shine at the EURO and a chance to do something. We’ve got what it takes. Do you get the feeling that the standard has rarely been so high in Europe and that this EURO will be especially competitive? There were three European teams in the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup, so yes, that proves the quality of the sides on the continent. This tournament will be very, very tight. Every EURO is difficult to begin with, and I’m well placed to comment. We had a really great team in 2004 and went out to Greece in the quarter-finals. Football isn’t an exact science and I really think that every team in the tournament has a chance. France can believe they can do it – I think they can, anyway. Your autobiography, translated in English as Thinking Inside the Box, has had good reviews since it came out. Have you enjoyed promoting it as much as you enjoyed writing it? It’s true that I got a huge amount of pleasure from writing the book, and it’s a fantastic feeling to see, read or hear so much positive feedback. The reviews in the press have been good, such as the one in the Sunday Times, for example, and that’s a source of pride as much as it is an honour. Even people who know me have learnt different things, and those who don’t know me have discovered a person and not just a football player. Promoting it has sometimes been difficult, what with the travelling and various requests, but that all helps earn more money for charity and humanitarian organisations that deserve it. That was another goal of the book, in addition to providing a new perspective on football and my life.

Louis Saha

“

There were three European teams in the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup, so yes, that proves the quality of the sides on the continent. This tournament will be very, very tight. I’m 33 years old but I’m still a child. Like I said, I wrote the book to help kids keep their innocence. I love football for what it is; I love the game.

Franck-Ribery

What messages did you want to communicate with the book? I speak about a lot of subjects, and I hope the reader is able to burrow into the world of football and come away with a different idea of it than the one peddled by the media. I wanted to provide another point of view that will maybe allow the public to have a different opinion. It was also of prime importance for me to address the book to youngsters and help them. Football has changed; it wasn’t the same ten or 15 years ago and with this book I want to give them the tools to make their dreams come true. Writing the book must have caused you to reflect on your career. What conclusions did you come to? I’m 33 years old but I’m still a child. Like I said, I wrote the book to help kids keep their innocence. I love football for what it is; I love the game. Obviously, the money has been a great opportunity on top of that to allow me to do what I love the most. But it hasn’t changed me; I’m still the same man. That’s what I try to make people understand with the book. I’m competitive and I’ll always be that way. I love doing things, not watching them as a spectator. And that will always be the case – it’ll never leave me.

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

RESULTS Men 1. Deressa Chimsa (ETH) 2hr 06min 25sec 2. Stephen Tum (KEN) 2:07:17 3. Philemon Limo (KEN) 2:09:25 4. Francis Kipkoech Bowen (KEN) 2:10:05 5. Nephat Ngotho Kinyanjui (KEN) 2:11:06 Women 1. Agnes Jepkemboi Kiprop (KEN) 2:25:41 2. Flomena Chepchirchir (KEN) 2:26:50 3. Meseret Debele (ETH)2:27:15 4. Sovad Ait Salem (ALG) 2:27:21 5. Misiker Mekonnin (ETH) 2:29:46.

Ethiopia’s Chimsa wins in Prague

eressa Chimsa of Ethiopia won the Prague International Marathon over the weekend and Agnes Kiprop of Kenya dominated the women’s

race. Chimsa pulled away about 10 kilometres from the end to finish the race in two hours, six minutes and 25 seconds in the second fastest time on the track. Stephen Tum of Kenya was second in 2:07:17 and his countryman Philemon Limo was third in 2:09:25. Kiprop who won in 2:25:41 was followed by another Kenyan runner, Flomena Chepchirchir, and Meseret Debele of Ethiopia. About 9 000 runners participated in the 18th edition of the race.

IAAF World Challenge: Gatlin faces Dix in Daegu today

Funmi Jimoh

Justin Gatlin

resh from his splendid feat at the first leg of the Samsung Diamond League in Doha, Qatar, where he ran a season’s best 9.87 in men’s 100m, Justin Gatlin returns to the block today in Daegu where he’s the favourite to clinch the IAAF World Challenge series. He is up against a field rich in depth that will comprise fellow American Walter Dix, who won the 100m last year and will be looking for a repeat victory. Dix also captured two silvers on the very same track at the World Champs and will face some fierce competition this time. Though Dix and Gatlin will be spared the presence of Asafa Powell, who opted out of the race perhaps to prepare for the second leg of the diamond lleague fiesta, Mike Rodgers and 2008 Olympic bronze medallist from Trinidad and Tobago, Richard Thompson, are also in the field, will be up in battle. Grenada youngster, Kirani James, the the 400m reigning World champion from Daegu 2011, equally makes a return to the venue where he made history and seems likely to repeat the performance going by the current form and the strength of opposition. No, there is no underrating Americans Calvin Smith and David Neville here, but James performances are worthy of respect. And as he debuts today for the season, on his mind will no doubt be the London Olympics and where else but Daegu would better serve as the launching pad for him to gear up for the Olympic duel. In the men’s 110m Hurdles it will be a high quality race. Last year’s winner David Oliver will be defending his victory against compatriot Aries Merritt, who recently ran a world leading 13.03 accompanied by a wind-aided 12.99, the first ever sub-13 second race of his career. Merritt was second here last season and will be joined by 2011 World champion Jason Richardson, also from the U.S. Another quality race to look forward to is the women’s 100m where there are noticeable sprinters. Of course, there is the 2011 winner American Carmelita Jeter, who equally showed class

Women’s Hammer Throw Challenge to get underway

by winning the World title on this same track and has already run a world leading 10.81 this season. Jeter remains unbeaten in nine straight finals and hasn’t lost a 100m race since May 2011 when she finished second in the Shanghai Diamond League meeting to Jamaican Veronica Campbell-Brown 10.92 to 10.95. Jamaican Sherone Simpson will be heading the 200m field and also has the fastest lifetime best at 22.00 (2006). So, the field is set and the battle cry has been made and athletics buffs are eargerly looking forward to an exciting contest. Many of the top athletes will be appearing in the 100m Hurdles lead by Brigitte Foster-Hylton of Jamaica, who is the second fastest in 2012 behind World champion Sally Pearson. The veteran has clocked 12.51 this season and faces competition from American Kellie Wells, who is not far behind having run 12.55 in 2012. Two previous major champions are also running, Canadian Perdita Felicien who won the World title in 2003 and American Dawn Harper the reigning Olympic champion. Both however have a lot of work to do if they want to challenge Foster-Hylton and Wells for the top two spots. Shot Put is another competition to look forward to too. Canadian Dylan Armstrong, who silver at the World Championships, will be competing. Trust the Americans, they are there too and Adam Nelson (21.54m in 2012) and Ryan Whiting (21.50m in 2012) made the list to vie for honours. Reigning World champion in the Javelin Throw Matthias de Zordo of Germany will be throwing for the first time in 2012 and will face competition from fellow German Mark Frank, eighth at the 2011 World Championships, and Ari Mannio of Finland. World Championships bronze medallist Trevor Barry heads the men’s High Jump and there will be a good men’s 800m as well. David Mutua (KEN) and Andreas Bube (DEN), who both ran good season’s bests in Doha, will be running and 17-year-old World Youth Best holder (1:44.08 in 2011), 2011 World Youth Champion Leonard Kosencha of Kenya will be starting his season. 2012 World Indoor Champion Mohamed Aman of Ethiopia is also in the race. In the women’s Pole Vault the top duo from the Doha Diamond League meeting will be in Daegu. Russian Anastasiya Savchenko and German Silke Spiegelburg both cleared 4.57m in the Qatari capital. A 6.80m jumper this season, American Funmi Jimoh will be the favourite in the women’s Long Jump c o m p e t i t i o n . Countrywoman Janay DeLoach should be challenging for the win - she jumped 6.98m for the World Indoors silver medal in Istanbul just two months ago. David Oliver

Men’s 100m 1. Justin Gatlin (U.S.) 9.87 2. Asafa Powell (Jamaica) 9.88 3. Lerone Clarke (Jamaica) 9.99

Men’s 200m 1. Walter Dix (U.S.) 20.02 2. Churandy Martina (Netherlands) 20.26 3. Jaysuma Saidy Ndure (Norway) 20.34

Men’s 400m 1. LaShawn Merritt (U.S.) 44.19 2. Luguelin Santos (Dominican Republic) 44.88 3. Angelo Taylor (U.S.) 44.97

Men’s 800m 1. David Lekuta Rudisha (Kenya) 1:43.10 2. Job Kinyor (Kenya) 1:43.76 3. Andrew Osagie (Britain) 1:44.64

Men’s 1500m 1. Silas Kiplagat (Kenya) 3:29.63 2. Asbel Kiprop (Kenya) 3:29.78 3. Bethwell Birgen (Kenya) 3:31.17

Men’s 3000m 1. Augustine Choge (Kenya) 7:30.42 2. Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya) 7:31.40 3. Moses Ndiema Kipsiro (Uganda) 7:31.88

Men’s 3000m Steeplechase 1. Paul Kipsiele Koech (Kenya) 7:56.58 2. Richard Kipkemboi Mateelong (Kenya) 7:56.81 3. Roba Gari (Ethiopia) 8:06.16

Men’s High Jump 1. Dimitrios Chondrokoukis (Greece) 2.32 2. Jesse Williams (U.S.) 2.30 3. Mickael Hanany (France) 2.30

Men’s Long Jump 1. Aleksandr Menkov (Russia) 8.22 2. Khotso Mokoena (South Africa) 8.10 3. Ndiss Kaba Badji (Senegal) 8.04

Men’s Discus Throw 1. Piotr Malachowski (Poland) 67.53 2. Ehsan Hadadi (Iran) 66.32 3. Zoltan Koevago (Hungary) 65.77

Women’s 100m 1. Allyson Felix (U.S.) 10.92 2. Veronica Campbell-Brown (Jamaica) 10.94 3. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (Jamaica) 11.00

Women’s 800m 1. Pamela Jelimo (Kenya) 1:56.94 2. Fantu Magiso (Ethiopia) 1:57.90 3. Janeth Jepkosgei (Kenya) 1:58.50

Women’s 3000m 1. Vivian Cheruiyot (Kenya) 8:46.44 2. Meseret Defar (Ethiopia) 8:46.49 3. Sylvia Kibet (Kenya) 8:47.49

Women’s 100m Hurdles 1. Brigitte Foster-Hylton (Jamaica) 12.60 2. Kellie Wells (U.S.) 12.72 3. Phylicia George (Canada) 12.79

Women’s 400m Hurdles 1. Melaine Walker (Jamaica) 54.62 2. Kaliese Spencer (Jamaica) 54.99 3. Perri Shakes-Drayton (Britain) 55.25

Women’s Pole Vault 1. Anastasiya Savchenko (Russia) 4.57 2. Silke Spiegelburg (Germany) 4.57 3. Nikolia Kiriakopoulou (Greece) 4.50

Women’s Triple Jump

he women’s portion of the IAAF Hammer Throw Challenge will commence in Daegu. The reigning World Champion from Russia, Tatyana Lysenko, will start her summer season having competed twice during the winter. It will be a no-nonsense competition as World record holder, German Betty Heidler will be competing, her best this season at 76.66m in May. Daegu World Championships bronze medallist Zhang Wenxiu of China is also here and has already set an Asian record 75.72m this season. The top trio could face surprising competition from Zalina Marghieva of Moldova, who has already set 74.47m national record this season and placed eighth in Daegu World Champs in 2011.

Samsung Diamond League results

1. Olga Rypakova (Kazakhstan) 14.33 2. Keila Costa (Brazil) 14.31 3. Francoise Mbango (France) 14.09

Women’s Shot Put 1. Nadezhda Ostapchuk (Belarus) 20.53 2. Jillian Camarena-Williams (U.S.) 19.81 3. Nadine Kleinert (Germany) 19.67

Women’s Javelin Throw 1. Maria Abakumova (Russia) 66.86 2. Barbora Spotakova (Czech Republic) 66.17 3. Christina Obergfoell (Germany) 64.59 Walter Dix

Carmilita Jeter

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

PAGE 45

ii i. Robin van Persie's agent is keeping

Pictorial iii

his cards close to his chest with regards talks over a new contract with Arsenal; the Dutchman has been linked with Man City. ii. Paolo Bandini suggests Italy may benefit from the success of Juventus in Serie A. iii. England fast bowler James Anderson is named cricketer of the year for the 2011-12 season by the England and Wales Cricket Board. iv. Dortmund's Shinji Kagawa is set to leave the club this summer after turning down the offer of a new deal. Man United have been strongly linked with the Japan midfielder. v. Prop Duncan Jones joins fellow Welshmen Shane Williams and Stephen Jones in plotting a Barbarians win over Wales. vi. Britain's Nicola Adams is one fight away from 2012 qualification, after her last 16 win at the World Championships in China. vii. Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has declared Mario Balotelli is staying at the club, transfer to AC Milan this summer had been mooted.

vii

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

SPORTS LA TEST LATEST

Keshi to replace injured Obi,

uper Eagles boss, Stephen Keshi is sad over the reported injury to Inter Milan's midfielder, Joel Obi, one of the youngsters on his radar for the World and Nations Cup qualifiers. Keshi, said yesterday that Obi's injury was blow as he had outlined him for a role in the Super Eagles’ subsequent confrontations and wished the player quick recuperation. “It’s sad that he’s injured. He’s one of the promising players we had in mind for our qualifiers. But we cannot invite an injured player to camp. One thing is certain; he has many years ahead of him to serve his fatherland. I wish him the quickest of recoveries," Keshi enthused. There are already indications that a new player would be invited in the stead of Obi, as the national team technical crew makes last minute adjustments to its team list that is scheduled to be announced any moment from now. In yesterday’s morning’s training, 17 players instead of 18 featured following the permission granted Barnabas Imenger to shake off the knocks he had picked up at his club in the hotel gym. He said later that he feels less pain in his troubled knee and should be back in training latest by today. Meanwhile, Heartland’s duo of Obinna Nwachukwu and Daniel Akpeyi, as well as Warri Wolves foursome; Chigozie Agbim, Azubuike Egwueke, Sunday Mba and Ossai Uche, who formed the spine of the national team at the moment, were also absent in the training because they were yet to arrive in the camp from continental clubs assignments. Keshi hopes they will be part of today’s training as they were expected to hit the camp last night.

Stephen Keshi

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‘To Let’ sign up at SEC

am going to recall this anecdote from an Indian friend about a former President of the United States of America, Calvin Coolidge. President Coolidge had a reputation for word economy. But not only this, many people without an intimate knowledge of Coolidge had mistaken him as a common citizen because he had neither the airs nor the carriage or “personality” of a President. A tourist came up to him as he watered the gardens of the White House. “Who lives in this grand building?” the President was asked. He looked up at the tourist and said to him “No one. They just came and went.” The moral of this is that the office of the President and many of the public services of nations are not permanent. Incumbents come and go, making way for new occupants but the office remains. Usually, problems arise where the occupant of the offices assume that the permanence of the office is his or her own. That accounts for why they go on to commit atrocities in the mistaken belief that there will be no end to their tenure or that someday, there won’t be another person to assume that office to look into what he or she had done. A President’s office or any political office has an in-built revolving door so that there will be entry and exit. In line with this historical reality, no matter the arrogance of Edwin Clark, Asari Dokubo and the other band of men behaving like the new day colonizers of Nigeria, the day will come when the current occupant of the Presidential Villa will exit the place for another man or woman to enter. The Aso Rock Villa, just like the Elyse Palace, which President Sarkozy is about to vacate in France, is fitted with a revolving door to ensure the facility of exit and entry. By the way and manner they conduct themselves in the high offices they occupy, you will think that Nigerian leaders don’t think or worry about the fact that they will one day be called to give an account. Professor Okereke-Onyuike, the former Director-General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange and Dr. Arunma Oteh, the current DirectorGeneral of the Securities and Exchange Commission may never have thought that the day will come when their linens will be washed in the public. But as

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MUSINGS By

Garba Shehu garshehu@yahoo.co.in

SEC DG, Dr. Arunma Oteh

the Public Hearing on the collapse of the Stock Market makes progress, the Hulk Hogan - like wrestling match these powerful women have engaged in has clearly become the most interesting spectacle in the country today. I think Oteh fired the first accusatory shot when she alleged that the NSE under OkerekeOnyuike had lent itself to financial skimming, misappropriation and false accounting. The NSE, it was alleged, bought a yacht at the price of N37million and wrote the book value at one year. The Stock Exchange was also alleged have paid for 165 Rolex Watches at the price of N186million but that of this number, only 73 watches were supplied. Ninetytwo watches valued N99.5 million are still to be supplied. When she appeared before the panel, Okereke-Onyuike dismissed those charges as irrelevant and trivial. In any case, she boasted, “we are a private company with a right to generate money and spend it as we wish”. Really? This is acting like the man who defecates in front of his building and says to Abuja Environmental Protection Board “What is your business? This is my house”. This sets one wondering about the role of corporate greed in the collapse, or near collapse of the world’s many economies, including the United States of America. A

landmark legislation rammed through the American Congress is to precisely punish corporations for lavishness in rewarding corporate executives. When they asked her about the explicit evidence of conflict of interest in her assumptions of the chairmanship of the no-less dubious conglomerate, the Transcorp Plc at the same time she was the Director-General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Professor Okereke-Onyuike did not see anything wrong with what she did. In the NSE, the hat of the stock trader or a market player and that of an umpire are as distinct as apples and oranges but Okereke-Onyuike wore both. It sounded funny that it was the former President, General Olusegun Obasanjo that forced her to become the Chairman of Transcorp. My question to her is: did Obasanjo procure her from the slave market that she cannot decline his bid for wrong-doing? Couldn’t she say “no”, Mr. President? As for the SEC under Oteh, this place is clearly yet another honey pot. Since the commencement of this probe, Oteh, her cheerleaders and those opposed to her have regaled Nigerians with details of gaudy games at the SEC which come to nothing short of a celebration of impunity, wealth, power, greed and affluence. Oteh’s hotel and restaurant bills are not only outrageous and insensitive; she combines this with the occupation of c o m p a n y - f u n d e d accommodation. She runs the place solo. She unilaterally hired contract staff and sidelines the executive management in decision-making. There have been eye-brows raised concerning the reported cases of two special assistants she hired from the Access Bank. They help her to run her office and they carried on without acknowledging obvious conflict of interest. When she was asked an important conflict-of-interest

situation from the fact that her office was run with support from Access Bank; and also the fact that Access Bank directors jointly owed the defunct Intercontinental Bank a whopping sum of N16 billion and she (Oteh) at the SEC okayed the sale of the creditorbank to the debtors, Oteh clearly came blank. She could not come across as to why this had happened. Instead, she carried on as if she had done a favour to the public by allowing the sale of Intercontinental Bank to Access Bank under a cloud. Testimonies by OkerekeOnyuike and Oteh before the House Committee mark the new heights of decadence in the country’s public trust scheme. Both clearly have contempt for convention and procedural scruples. Of course, Nigerians are familiar with incidences like these, which have become a normal, everyday occurrence. The difference Oteh and Okereke-Onyuike make is that they have chosen to defend conflict of interest, fraud, cheating and impunity explicitly and in full public view. If Oteh and other officials of her category, who breach public trust, are left off lightly on such issues it will give a good explanation for the culture of impunity that reigns in Nigeria. At the revolving door of the DGs office, the “To Let” sign which has been on the floor for upward of two years appears set to go up. As part of his economic reforms agenda, former President Obasanjo outsourced and head-hunted experts and other professionals to come and lead these efforts to give the economy a shot in the arm. There is nothing wrong in bringing in technocrats to come and undo the damage being caused by the greed, selfishness, profligacy, corruption and disregard of the due process by the civil servants. Wastes have been too often associated with civil servants. Ironically however, with the current revelations and others before, Nigerians are now becoming ever skeptical of even the technocrats who are brought in to restore efficiency in the way the country is run. We have now seen the clay feet of these seemingly “indispensable” experts!

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