Saturday 17 - Sunday 18, January 2015. Edition. by Peoples Media Limited

Are 2015 elections feasible? Pages 7-9

Oil benchmark review: For whose benefit? >>Pgs 4-5

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Saturday, JANUARY 17-18, 2015 Rabiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ul Awwal 26-27, 1436 AH

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N150 Vol. 4 No. 26

Thumb-printed ballots intercepted in Benue

>Pg 6

Borno visit: Chibok community berates Jonathan

>>Pg 10

APC Presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (R), acknowledging cheers from APC supporters during the partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Presidential and Governorship rally, yesterday in Makurdi. Photo : NAN

Again, explosion rocks Gombe market Pg 6

Buhari is fit as fiddle, APC campaign org >>Pg 10

278 Days after

Will the abducted Chibok schoolgirls ever be rescued?

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

Page 2

Interview

Oil boom major doom to Nigeria —Leo Ogor

Crude oil more than anything else has been a major curse to Nigeria breeding laziness, greed, corruption and other vices, according to the House of Representatives Deputy Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor (PDP, Delta). Ogor said the declining oil price is the tonic Nigeria needs to wake up from its stupor and diversify its economy. He spoke to Assistant Editor, Patrick Andrew, who brings you excerpt...

ome members are unlikely to return to the House just few years after they were elected, how do you see this affecting democracy? It bothers me and I believe that the institution needs to be strengthened. The experience you get on the floor is immeasurable and you don’t get it in any classroom. If a young man comes to the House and after four years, his constituents decide that no ‘let us get a new person’, you will just keep changing your lawmakers on a continuous bases and they won’t be able to add value to the constituency because being a new member in the whole negotiating exercise, he might not be able to make enough impact. I remember when l came in the first time even moving a motion was a problem to me, but today l can close my eyes and take on any subject matter on the floor of the House. However, first, I also want to be mindful of my oath of allegiance which gives the electorate or rather the constitution gives the electorate the power to elect. But this time l think it is important that we appeal to the electorate that they should give experienced legislators the opportunity to serve them. It is also important that legislators go home regularly, to brief their constituents in respect to developments in the National Assembly. Again, we should think of the possibility of institutionalising principles and ethics and l am talking about that reference to the right of first refusal. I think if you compare what happens here and the United States from where we copied the presidential system of government there are people that have spent about 30 -40 years in the Senate and House of Representatives because they have become institutions within that

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Hon. Leo Ogor institution, they add a lot of value to the chambers and l think we should begin to copy from those great nations that we copied the presidential system from. What should we be looking forward to in 2015? Well, you can clearly see that this is an election year and definitely we will try as much as possibly to pass most of the pending bills. We have been able to push the constitution amendment to a very logical conclusion, the PIB (Petroleum Information Bill), which you will also refer to is there and we assure you that before we leave we will do as much as we can to pass the bill. The budget is there as well. The document before the House is going to be considered

tomorrow (Wednesday, January 14), and we will do our best to ensure that most of the pending bills are properly taken care of. But elections also have its challenges so we will not be sitting down here while our opponents are campaigning in our various constituencies. So you can see the challenges that we are facing now, if we have the right of first refusal we will probably sit down here and concentrate in doing this job knowing fully well that the electorate are there and that they will give us the necessary support. There is also the opposition that is campaigning on a daily basis. So there are some challenges, but we are mindful of the fact that before the end of February this whole exercise would

You can imagine the wicked and dastard attitude of these insurgents, they just walk into villages where they are no security personnel and slaughter people like rams. I mean why are you killing these people? What have they done? Are they not worthy living? Given the same opportunity that is if they have arms they probably would have been able to defend themselves against these so-called insurgents.

have been concluded, we will have the opportunity and privilege of thrashing out these bills. Therefore, be reassured that all these bills that l have mentioned will definitely pull through the third reading. But what would you say is actually responsible for the delay in the passage of the PIB? I am concerned. I was told the last time the issue was raised on the floor of the House that the bill was ready and because you have raised it here l will look into it by asking the chairman myself on the status of the bill. I do recall that he told us that it was ready for presentation and l want to assure you that it will definitely be considered before the end of the seventh assembly. But by tomorrow morning (Wednesday, January 14), I will ask the chairman and if he doesn’t give me a convincing answer l will take it up on the floor of the House because there are clear provisions on the presentation of bills. I know that it will be passed because it is a very important bill that has affected investments in the oil sector and because our responsibility is to make good laws for the governance of this country and which the PIB is one of them, we will endeavour to get the bill passed before the close of the seventh assembly. The House had backed

the request for the state of emergency three times, but is there any hope in sight that insecurity is going to be a thing of the past in Nigeria? Sure! We all believe the fight or rather the slaughtering of innocent people is totally uncalled for. For anybody to embark on such a programme there must be some level of ideological input or challenges, but looking at what is going on at the moment where some blood thirsty people are destroying innocent souls for no justifiable reason. You can imagine the wicked and dastard attitude of these insurgents, they just walk into villages where they are no security personnel and slaughter people like rams. I mean why are you killing these people? What have they done? Given the same opportunity that is if they have arms they probably would have been able to defend themselves against these socalled insurgents. My thinking and believe is that this whole exercise will come to an end some day. This is totally uncalled for because you don’t just go around killing people for no justifiable reason or course, l consider it very wicked and l think if there is anything they want they should table it, the federal government has asked them severally what exactly is bothering them yet nobody is out there to talk. The worst aspect is that they are just going about slaughtering innocent, peasant farmers and burning their villages, it is painful. Surely, it will come to an end someday all we need to do is to encourage the armed forces to keep fighting and we will see light at the end of the tunnel. It seemed there was partisanship in the voting pattern in the House last year, it mostly reflected party lines rather than national interest, will there be an end to partisanship? Yes, to a large extent. You saw what happened today in respect of the motion on the allegation of hacking into the database of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). It was a very straight forward motion that bordered on national interest and l stated very clearly that this motion has no party colouration, but based on national interest because

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

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Feature

Is Nigeria’s de-industrialisation imminent? Henry Boyo

he above title may seem out of place in the wake of the launch of “Nigeria’s Industrial Revolution Plan” by President Goodluck Jonathan in February 2014. The NIRP is clearly a recognition of the embarrassingly modest contribution of manufacturing (less than seven percent) to our Gross Domestic Product. Conversely, the contribution of the services sub-sector, for example, has grown from about 23 percent in 2011 to a robust 52 percent by 2013 without any significant job creation component. President Jonathan expects “the NIRP and its sister project, the National Enterprise Development Programme, to “address the constraints that have consistently inhibited the growth of manufacturing by building industrial infrastructure, prioritising power for industrial use, mobilising and reducing cost of funds so that the real sector can produce for domestic consumption and also reduce the drain on our reserves from imports.” Subsequently, at the inauguration of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the NIRP in May 2014, President Jonathan tasked “the manufacturing sector to work harder to add value to Nigeria’s produce rather than just exporting raw materials”, as “no country has ever become prosperous, only by extracting and exporting its raw materials.” However, the question is whether Mr. President’s noble vision is supported by the actual reality on ground, or could this also be another ‘feel good’ propaganda in the manner of earlier failed projects such as Operation Feed the Nation, NEEDS, SEEDS, and Vision 2010 and Vision 2020 programmes respectively? It may be too early to make a call on the possible success or failure of the NIRP and NEDEP, but some observers may insist that the morning mirrors the day; consequently, such critics may refer to recent developments that could consign the NIRP and NEDEP programmes to the dust bin. For example, early in December 2014, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, unexpectedly reneged on his earlier assurances to maintain the naira exchange rate at the five year-old-rate of about N155=$1. Consequently, the naira now trades at between N165 and N173/$1 at the CBN’s official retail Dutch Auction window. However, these ‘premium’ rates seem only applicable for government transactions. For example, the CBN would now substitute a minimum of N165 for every $1 of distributable dollar-denominated revenue,

Dr Okonjo Iweala

President Goodluck Jonathan

Mr. Godwin Emefiele

before sharing to the three tiers of government, a process which, incidentally, instigates the poisonous economic burden of excess liquidity which makes socially and industrially supportive inflation and interest rates unattainable! Indeed, there are already allegations by manufacturers that their forex applications for importation of raw materials/input have been directed to the interbank window, where dollars currently exchange for close to N190/$1, i.e. about 30 percent more than what manufacturers paid barely a month ago. Alarmingly, the current demand pressure may likely push the interbank naira exchange rate above N200=$1, with disastrous consequences for production costs of the real sector. Thus, a manufacturer who usually required N100 million to import raw materials/inputs, will now unexpectedly need to consolidate about N130 million for the same inputs, if the naira exchange rate approaches N200=$1. Worse still, the same manufacturer who barely survived the burden of borrowing N100 million at 20 percent interest rate, may

unfortunately, now need to borrow N130 million, with possibly higher cost of funds just to remain on the same spot. Additionally, the Nigerian manufacturer will carry the burden of providing their own power, as well as provide access roads, security and undertake other extraneous expenditure to stay in business. It is a no-brainer that, ultimately, Made-in-Nigeria products will certainly be more expensive, than, finished or intermediate import equivalents. Consequently, the inflationravaged income of Nigerians may ultimately persuade even a patriot to patronise imported products because of their relatively cheaper prices. Instructively, inflation deepens poverty nationwide as all income earners including the N18,000 minimum wage earner lose 40 percent of the purchasing power of their incomes every five years at the current annual inflation rate of eight percent. Some Nigerians may recall that several event centres, churches and mosques that dot our landscape were once vibrant factories whose ‘lives’ were truncated by the series of naira devaluations

under the Structural Adjustment Programme. Indeed, the proliferation of more idle carcasses of such factories is a clear indication that the Nigerian industrial landscape is probably still a long way from where it used to be before 1983. The SAP devaluations not only decimated our industrial base, but also led to a disruptive and retrogressive brain drain as Nigerian professionals exited our shores in droves in order to protect their lifestyle and dignity from the collapse of the naira exchange rate. Thus, the latest round of devaluation may be seen as an unwelcome dejavu as it portends another cycle of social oppression and industrial embattlement which certainly runs counter to President Jonathan’s vision of transforming Nigeria’s manufacturing sector with the NIRP and NEDEP. Also, ECOWAS member states ratified a Common External Tariff Protocol in Abuja on December 15, 2014. The CET was curiously, sponsored by the European Union under the umbrella of an “Economic Partnership Agreement”.

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President Jonathan expects “the NIRP and its sister project, the National Enterprise Development Programme, to “address the constraints that have consistently inhibited the growth of manufacturing by building industrial infrastructure, prioritising power for industrial use, mobilising and reducing cost of funds so that the real sector can produce for domestic consumption and also reduce the drain on our reserves from imports.

Under the provisions of the CET which will commence in January, 2015, European and other import sources of our raw materials and finished goods will have unhindered access to ECOWAS markets, specifically with Nigeria (with close to 200 million population and relatively superior consumer demand) as the prime destination. Under the CET, ECOWAS countries can no longer protect local industries and indeed the highest tariff category of 35 percent is restricted to a limited range of goods for which ECOWAS countries have proved their capacity to manufacture. This rather lopsided “partnership” has been described as an Enslavement Partnership Agreement by some observers, because, Made-in-Nigeria products will obviously have no chance against more competitive imports from those countries with established requisite infrastructure, such as adequate and competitively priced power, articulate and cheaper transport facilities, very low cost of funds (between three and seven per cent) as against 20 and 25 percent rate of interest to Nigeria’s infrastructurally challenged real sector. Thus, President Jonathan may be clearly misguided in his expectation that with the establishment of the NIRP and NEDEP, Nigeria would also replicate China’s industrial revolution and become a successful world class economy. Instructively, China did not carelessly throw open its borders for a measly pot of pottage of the 6.5bn Euros pledge to 15 ECOWAS member states over the next five years from the European Union. Indeed, China’s industrial incubation lasted for over 20 years, during which time they quietly developed their local industries and only systematically opened up their market as Chinese industry acquired sufficient skills and muscle to successfully compete with imports from anywhere. As it is, with the ratification of the ECOWAS CET and the present economic destabilisation related to the present naira devaluation, we may just have sold the future of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector to our economic predators, and we may ultimately just remain a country with a bourgeoning services subsector with minimal job opportunities for a growing youth population and deepening poverty. Regrettably, while the CET opens up our markets to overseas imports, Made-inECOWAS products (where they exist) may never be competitive enough to take advantage of the export opportunities to the EU under the celebrated Economic Partnership Agreement! Culled from opinion.ng

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Special Report

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

Budget 2015

Oil benchmark review: For whose benefit? By Aminu Imam, Patrick Andrew, Ikechukwu Okaforadi and Etuka Sunday

he National Assembly on Wednesday passed for second reading the N4.3 trillion 2015 budget proposal, with the lawmakers lamenting the continued decline in crude oil price. It is now common knowledge that the price of crude oil has fallen suddenly and precipitously and has left all concerned struggling to catch their breath. But since June last year, prices have more than halved. Oil prices dropped last Tuesday to nearly a six-year low. Brent crude oil has now dipped below $50 a barrel for the first time since May 2009 and US crude has also fallen below $50 a barrel. This development caught most people unawares and has agitated not a few minds, as the world had enjoyed some stability in the price of oil for almost four years now. Until June 2014, the global price of oil had remained relatively stable at about $ 110 per barrel for almost four years. What is almost alarming and sent all concerned scampering, was the fast rate at which the price is falling. The reasons for this change are twofold – first is the weak demand in many countries due to insipid economic growth, coupled with the surging US production. Added to this is the fact that the oil cartel, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is determined not to cut production, as a way to prop up prices. The war in Syria and Iraq has also seen ISIS, or Islamic State, capturing oil wells. It is estimated that the group is making about $3m a day through black market sales - and undercutting market prices by selling at a significant discount - around $30 a barrel! Some OPEC members need oil to be above $120 a barrel to avoid hard-spending choices. Alongside Saudi Arabia, Gulf producers such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kuwait have amassed considerable foreign currency reserves which means they could run deficits for several years if necessary. On the other hand, other OPEC members, such as Nigeria, Iran and Iraq, with greater domestic budgetary demands because of their large population sizes in relation to their oil revenues, have less room for manoeuvre. In Nigeria, the outlook is grim. The Coordinating Minister of the

Refinery in Nigeria Economy, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, however, maintained that Nigeria will not borrow to maintain its expenditure, but would look inwards to generate revenue and cut down on spending. The country has seen growth in the rest of its economy; but despite this it remains heavily oildependent. Energy sales account for up to 80% of all government revenue and more than 90% of the country’s exports. This perhaps

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explain why when the oil market sneezes Nigeria automatically, catches cold. While experts and analysts fret over the implications of this deteriorating market for the Nigerian economy, the largest in Africa and the continent’s largest exporter of crude, the question on the lips of many Nigerians is: “Who stands to benefit from the oil price benchmark review?” The parameters of the 2015 budget proposal include the

oil benchmark price of $65 per barrel, projected oil production of 2.2782million barrels per day and the average exchange rate of N165 per dollar. It could be recalled that controversy and familiar disagreements between the executive and legislative arms of government over budget oil price benchmark delayed the 2015 budget presentation. Both Okonjo-Iweala and the Governor of the Central Bank of

The comparable benchmarks often cited by officials of countries like Venezuela, Algeria, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman, falls flat on its face because those countries have been steadily building up massive foreign reserves and savings through their Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWF), and were capitalising on over a decade of persistently high oil prices while investing heavily in infrastructure. Here, we simply spend and borrow.

Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, have taken turns to assure Nigerians that there is no need to hit the panic button yet. The governor of the CBN had assured of stability of exchange rate to continue to enable economic agents make plans. The Nigerian Stock Exchange is not spared the impact of the falling price of oil, as Nigeria is now dependent on foreign investors, institutions that purchase Treasury Bills issued by the federal government to finance its deficits in recent times. Yields on local debts rose across board in volatile trading as growing concern about the global economy continued to mount. Analysts believe investors will demand higher yields from the DMO of up to 18 percent, to hold FGN bonds this year. Speaking on the way forward to Peoples Daily Weekend, a Lagosbased financial and management consultant, Dr. Boniface Chizea, said Nigeria must act deliberately to remove itself from the position of being a victim of such external shocks arising from fluctuating price of oil in the international market. According to him, “what the Contd on Page 5

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

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Special Report

Oil benchmark review: For whose... Contd from Page 4 country should do is what we have tried to do since the introduction of SAP in 1986. It would be recalled that the main thrust of the policy then was the diversification of the economic from its unwholesome dependence on oil while at the same time unleashing market forces for the allocation of resources. But probably due to lack of focused and determined implementation we have not made commensurate progress. “The fiscal authorities have responded to the evolving scenario by increasing the revenue targets for the country’s two major nonoil revenue earners; the Federal Inland Revenue Services and the Customs. Ideally we should be dependent on revenue from such sources for the funding of recurrent expenditures. There is the urgent need to deregulate the oil market in Nigeria so that private capital could be attracted for the establishment of refineries to make the country less reliant on the importation of refined petroleum products and even to export such products to the West African sub-region”, he stated “It is a matter for the records that some other OPEC countries own filling stations in strategic locations across the globe and there is no reason why Nigeria cannot play in that league”, he emphasised. He said, Nigeria must as a nation appreciate the imperatives of building fiscal buffers such as the Excess Crude Account and the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) to cushion us in such eventualities foregoing the political considerations that have undermined all attempts to do so. It is a no-brainer that if there is any sudden external shock in terms of petroleum prices, on which we depend for much of our earnings, as is suddenly happening now, it means we have no cushion. Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, Senator Bukola Saraki, alluded as much during a Senate sitting in December last year, when he said, “We have a problem in our hands, but not one that cannot be surmounted with the right political will”. According to him, “these are troubling times for the Nigerian economy. Our revenue base is caving in under the stress of falling price of oil in the international market. Due to the drastic and persistent nature of this fall from the highs of $115 in June, it is my considered view that we can’t continue to give the impression that it is business as usual. “The fact that the free fall in the international oil market price has seen it losing over 25 per cent of early June highs means that correspondingly, our economy has lost over 25 percent of budget revenue estimates of the period as a result. Also, a former governor of Kwara state further called on

Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Coordinating Minister of Economy the federal government to tell Nigerians the truth about the financial status of the country. The lawmakers in their separate contributions, during Wednesday’s debate on the N4.3 trillion 2015 budget proposal to the National Assembly regretted that the 2015 proposal for capital projects is not only unrealistic, but grossly short of expectations. In his contribution, Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Ahmed Makarfi (Kaduna-South, PDP), said the 2015 budget proposal should not be taken lightly but with extreme caution, stating that the decline in oil price should be a wake-up call. He also said that the cost of governance should be cut down in order to save the country’s finances, because this is a trying time for the country. Senator Makarfi said the legislature needed to apply caution in handling the budget so as to allow equitable distribution

Queing for fuel in Nigeria

to various sectors. “The budget cannot be looked at in a hurry. This is an austerity measure. Money should be generated into the national purse. We also need to cut down on cost of governance by blocking leakages. “We need to review the earnings and spending of the MDA’s while taking into consideration that the exchange rate of N165 to a dollar, and the oil benchmark of $65 per barrel are no longer realistic.” Other senators who spoke in similar vein included Abdul Ningi, Isah Galaudu, Ita Enang and Ayogu Eze. Others included Senators Victor Lar and Olubunmi Adetunmbi. Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the sitting, said the National Assembly must lead the fight to entrench fiscal discipline in the country. The senator said: “There is

need for financial diversification, and we also need to review the federalism we are practicing. The budget was a wake up call and urged the federal government to work. “I do believe that it is time for us as a parliament to make sure that all the revenue items are captured as a way of having a pool of resources. We should be mindful of election expenses. We need to advice ourselves accordingly”, he stated. Also, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi-Central, PDP), agreed that the Appropriation Bill should be treated with caution, saying people are still confused by the issues of oil price fall. Senator Ayogu Eze (EnuguNorth, PDP), also added that the bill is based mainly on oil revenue, calling for a diversification of the country’s revenue sources. While the bill was referred to the committee on finance and appropriation to report in four weeks, many discerning Nigerians are of the view that, in actual fact, there is not likely to be a marked difference between the proposed 2015 budget and previous ones, as it is never designed to impact significantly on the lives of the citizens. A Kaduna-based Chartered Accountant, Mr. Leke Fakayode, while speaking to Peoples Daily Weekend, said, “The budgets always come with enticing captions, and lofty promises but it is the same unpalatable menu Nigerians have been fed with over time, which has never moved us forward. “Even when crude price was over $100 for a long spell, there was no evidence that it translated into the well-being of ordinary Nigerians. The same policies that have failed the nation in the past are recycled to no avail”. “Who in truth are the beneficiaries of the N1.22 trillion subsidies on petrol and kerosene? Is it the poor Nigerians, who still buy kerosene for N130 or more per litre, or the fat cats implicated in the subsidy scam probe? Why is it that budget after budget,

neither interest rate nor inflation now put at 8.3 percent has come down? Why is there still high exchange rate and surplus cash in the system, which the CBN is ever mopping up at the public expense by paying interest to the banks? Why are there so few jobs created in the economy despite claims of seven percent growth rate?” he queried. “Indeed, it would appear that the nation’s economy managers are toying with the intelligence of Nigerians. In the face of fluctuating crude prices and output, we have never been given the true position in terms of the shortfall from production neither are we told the excess in terms of price. “The comparable benchmarks often cited by officials of countries like Venezuela, Algeria, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman, falls flat on its face because those countries have been steadily building up massive foreign reserves and savings through their Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWF), and were capitalising on over a decade of persistently high oil prices while investing heavily in infrastructure. Here, we simply spend and borrow. It is time our representatives realised that you do not continue to do the same thing and expect a different result. Throwing money at our irredeemably profligate federal, state and local governments has continued to pauperise Nigerians. The executive too has been unpardonably profligate, failing to pile up robust foreign reserves and treacherously squandering the Excess Crude Account (ECA), in flagrant violation of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007. “We must reduce our dependence on crude oil and start looking for alternative sources of revenue”, he concluded. Many analysts have said that a shrinking global economy, a reduction in our oil shipments to the United States and disruptive piracy on our coastal waters should actually dictate lower benchmarks. They say oil price benchmark should not be more than $45 per barrel on assumed production of about 2.3 million bpd, while the National Assembly should insist on strict compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act; all extra revenues accruing from higher prices and production should be sent to the ECA and the bulk appropriated exclusively for capital projects in the next financial year. Although, the lawmakers adjourned plenary to February 17, to enable members participate in electioneering activities, there is no justification for further delay in reaching a compromise on the crude oil price benchmark for the 2015 budget. Time is of essence in budgetary matters. The presidency and the lawmakers must sit down and ensure that they finish with the harmonisation, as Nigerians are on the edge as to the chances that the budget would be faithfully implemented when approved.

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NSA vows to stop Boko Haram recruitment

he National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki, has vowed to stop the capacity of the Boko Haram terrorist group to recruit new members. This is part of the country’s triple-component countering violent extremism (CVE) programme, Dasuki who was represented by the Director, Behavioural Analysis and Strategic Communications, Office of the NSA (ONSA), Dr. Fatima Akilu, stated this on Friday in Abuja at the unveiling of the deradicalisation programme He said that the event was an interactive session organized by ONSA with the support of the European Union (EU) through the Instrument Contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP), in order to familiarize the public with the efforts of government in its soft approaches to counter-terrorism. Dasuki noted that every country has a tailored deradicalisation programme with Nigeria having three main components of the CVE ~ counter-radicalisation, deradicalisation programme and strategic communication. He said: “Every country has a tailored deradicalisation program, which takes a different form from other programs in different parts of the world; the programs share the fundamental principle of ensuring that would-be terrorists must be dissuaded from radical belief systems in the interpretation of religion and behaviour towards others.

FAAC: FG, States, LGs share N465.755b for December By Mohammed Usman

total of 465.755 billion naira of net statutory allocation wasshared among the federal government, state government and localgovernment for the month of December, 2014. On the percentage rate, federal government with 52.68% gets 220.484billion naira, states with 26% get 111.832 and LGs with 20.60% get 86.218. Derivation with 13% of mineral revenue of oil and gas went with 54.290 billion naira. According to the communiqué issued, gross revenue available from the value added tax was N73.466 billion against N60.638 billion distributed in the preceeding month. This resulted in an increase of 12.827 billion.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

News Thumb-printed ballot papers intercepted in Benue From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

head of elections in February, a bus loaded with thumb-printed ballot papers and stocked in sacks was intercepted by a vigilante group in Gboko in the wee hours of Thursday. A source who pleaded anonymity told Peoples Daily Weekend that the Volkswagen bus

with Abia registration number, HAF 641 XA was seized without security operative accompanying the vehicle around 2.00am. It was also learnt that the vehicle driven by a middle aged man, when searched thoroughly, was discovered to be carrying ballot papers said to have been thumb-printed in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The State Police Public

Relations Officer DSP John Bako, who confirmed the arrest in a telephone chat with our correspondent, explained that INEC gave the directive for the retrieval of the ballot papers to pave way for new ones ahead of the February election. On why the police or INEC officials did not accompany the vehicle, Bako said the issue is under investigation.

Also confirming the report, the Public Relation Officer of INEC in the state, Ochai Louis, said the approval to retrieve the ballot papers was issued by the national secretariat of the electoral body, adding that it is done across the entire State so as to receive new ballot papers for the forthcoming election.

L-R: Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State,; Lagos APC Governorship Candidate, Mr Akinwumi Ambode; Deputy Governor, Mrs Adejoke Oelope-Adefulire; Lagos APC Deputy Governorship Candidate, Dr Oluranti Adebule and Former Deputy Governor of Lagos, Mr femi Pedro, at the APC campaign at Apapa,yesterday in Lagos .NAN

Again, Explosion rocks Gombe market From David Hassan, Gombe

here is indication that a suicide bomber Friday hit a busy satellite market in Arawa area of Gombe State. According to an eyewitness account who spoke to our correspondent, the incident occurred at exactly 7.30pm when people in the area were on their normal businesses. He said, “I was coming towards the market when I heard the blast and had to run for my dear life,” noting that the market was one of the busiest places where people gather

to buy and sell. Speaking further, the source said no one could tell the exact figure of casualties affected during the blast even as he said that the blast exploded when people had already filled the market. Our correspondent’s attempt to contact the Police Public Relations Officer DSP Fwaje Atajiri for comments proved abortive as his cell phone was switched off at the time of filing this report. Meanwhile, the command had earlier Friday, said it uncovered a substance suspected to be an explosives device in a Hilux van

at a checkpoint along Dadin-kowa Deba road in Gombe. Speaking to our correspondent, the Police Public Relations Officer DSP Fwaje Atajiri, said the van with registration number MUS 104 BR was intercepted at the Tactical Operation Point when policemen were operating stop and search in the area around 4:45am. He said the owner of the vehicle loaded with grains and a substance suspected to be explosive devices might have lost direction though he headed to Gombe with the devices and could not move further

before he decided to abandon the vehicle at the checkpoint and took his heels. Meanwhile, the PPRO said the command had paraded 18 hoodlums who used to disrupt the peace of the public in Gombe metropolis, adding that police would not fold its hands and watch such evil to happen in the state. He warned political parties to advise their supporters not to take the law into their hands in destroying billboards and posters belonging to other parties, adding that if found wanting, the police will act appropriately.

weeks, it was reliably gathered that the prison authorities have been running in confusion to properly cover up their pit falls. It was also gathered that the sad incident has kept officers of the prisons on their toes especially at midnight as the alleged escape of the suspects happened on the 14th of December, 2014. A source who pleaded anonymity because of security implication, said

the fleeing suspects were classified to be notorious kidnappers who have carried out most high profile kidnapping cases in the state. When contacted for comments, the Comptroller of Prisons in the state whodid not want his name in the print, however dismissed as untrue the jail break saying that security was beefed up on instructions of higher authorities.

Jail break panic rocks Delta prisons

By Osa Eresoyen, Asaba

alpable tension has continued to rock Okere Prison in Warri, Delta State as security was beefed up following alleged prison break where no fewer than four high profile kidnap kingpins kept in its custody were said to have escaped. Although the presence of security agents within the prisons

may have warded off suspicion, indications were that the incident which the prison staff have been keeping to their chest, was let out when residents of Warri metropolis began to question the rationale behind the sudden barricade of the dual carriageway leaving residents to use only one lane. With increased presence of security agents especially heavily armed military men in the last two

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

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Are 2015 General Elections feasible? There are people whose responsibility it is either as number one citizen in the country or chief of army staff or the national security adviser or those charged with the responsibility of guaranteeing the safety and security of the citizens as established by the constitution. They should do their work and ensure that we are all secured and safe. And then, let us hope and pray that by February, we should be able to come out en-masse to cast our votes. We should pray that the insecurity should not go beyond February. What we should do is that we should be positive. —Hon. Tambuwal President Goodluck Jonathan By Patrick Andrew

n normal democratic settings, the feasibility of the 2015 general elections, which is less than a month away, would be irrelevant because the elections would have been a foregone conclusion. But uncertainty reigns. There are contending forces for and against conducting the general elections for varying and vested interests, sectional and political parties’ interests and those that are fighting and insisting on shifting or continuing with the exercise depending on where their interests lie. Whereas the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) sees any attempt to shift the elections as the ruling party’s ploy to elongate its tenure, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has consistently denied harbouring any inclination towards shifting the date for the conduct of the elections. Lai Mohammed, the APC spokesman, had in a swift reaction to a veiled call by Senate President David Mark, sometime last September, that Nigeria should consider the option of shifting the elections, insisted that there was no justifiable reason to ponder on postponing the elections. The APC’s national publicity secretary said those who are flying the kite of postponing the election ostensibly because the nation is at war were trying to imperil the nation’s democracy. “Election is the lifeblood of democracy, the mechanism

People queuing to cast their votes by which modern democracy operates. It is the only way for the citizenry to renew and refresh the governing process so they can get the most benefits out of democracy. Therefore, anyone that

tries to sabotage this mechanism is aiming a dagger straight at the heart of democracy,” a statement he signed said. The APC, Mohammed said, views any such consideration

as a ploy to truncate democracy and elongate Jonathan’s administration in a manner that only suggests dictatorship, warning that it would not only generate tense ambience but could

result in serious consequences for the country. ”We in the APC saw this coming, and we have said it at Contd on Page 8

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Contd from Page 7 several fora: That the Jonathan administration has deliberately allowed the insurgency in the north-east, an opposition stronghold, to fester so he can cash in on it to get re-elected. Simply put, the administration has been playing dirty politics with Boko Haram, at the expense of the lives and property of the citizenry and the well-being of the nation. ”However, the administration is being too clever by half to think that Nigerians will reward it for its failure in its main reason for existence, which is the protection of the welfare and security of the citizens. There is just no way that this government will be allowed to profit from its ineptness and its conspiracy to prolong an insurgency that should have ended a long time ago,” the party said. Mark had during a debate on a motion titled “Threat to National Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity of Nigeria by Insurgents,” moved by Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba (PDP, Cross Rivers) and 44 others said, “There is no question of election; it is not even on the table now. We are in a state of war”. The Senate president said hours after the National Assembly reconvened from its recess. Then, Boko Haram were holding several towns and villages in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States for weeks and later proclaimed it part of an Islamic caliphate. “When Boko Haram moved from kidnapping, killing of people and destruction of property to occupation of parts of Nigerian territory, it has declared total war in Nigeria. There is no difference between what Boko Haram is doing against Nigeria and what an enemy country waging war in Nigeria would have done. “The issue is beyond that of mere internal security. It is about how we execute the war. If Boko Haram has captured most parts of the country we represent and has created a caliphate, it means that some of the senators from those areas can no longer be in this chamber. This is why we must pay urgent attention to the matter,” Mark concluded. Though subsequent barrage of condemnations forced Mark to retract on the call, the subject matter has, however, remained on the front burner of public discourse and the opposition party capitalised on that comment to lambast the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for allegedly conniving with the ruling party to attempt to circumvent the interest of the nation for some selfish reasons. Mark’s comment itself came on the heels of INEC’s hint that it may not be feasible to hold the 2015 elections in those places, a hint that generated widespread

General Elections feasible?

Mu’azu condemnation, especially from opposition politicians who said it was a ploy to disenfranchise Nigerians and favour President Jonathan. INEC later clarified that it only gave conditions for conducting elections in the insurgence ravaged areas, stressing that it never said there would be no elections in those states. That though did little to assuage lingering suspicions in some quarters that the ruling party was planning to use the raging insurgency as an excuse to call off all elections nationwide. Mark had relied on the provisions of the 1999 constitution to suggest the possibility of shifting the elections on the account of the ‘war situation’ that Nigeria is currently faced with. The 1999 Constitution provides that when the nation is at war elections could be suspended and tenures of politicians extended for a renewable six-month period through a resolution of the National Assembly. Section 135 of the Constitution says: “If the Federation is at war in which the territory of Nigeria is physically involved and the president considers that it is not practicable to hold elections, the National Assembly may by resolution extend the period of four

“Where will they vote since the constitution has no provisions for people to vote in the Diaspora? The constitution does not allow someone residing in Abuja to vote for a person residing in

Oyegun years mentioned in sub-section (2) of this section from time to time; but no such extension shall exceed a period of six months at any time.” The subsection referred to here affects the tenure of the president. There are other similar constitutional provisions on extending the tenures of state governors, and federal and state lawmakers under Sections 180, 64 and 105 respectively. Based on this and depending on the exigency on ground, the 2015 general elections could be jettisoned, according to Barrister John Ade, who practices law in Utako, Abuja. That view was strongly corroborated by Pastor Tunde Bakare, a former running mate of General Muhammadu Buhari in the 2011 presidential election under the platform of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). In his message titled: “The Gathering Storm and Avoidable Shipwreck: How To Avoid Catastrophic Euroclydon” delivered in his church at Ogba, Lagos on New Year day, Pastor Bakare quoted Section 135 (3) of the 1999 Constitution and said “The argument against this would be the notion that the country is not at war. If indeed the country is not at war, how can one explain the invasion and annexation of Nigerian territory by insurgents launching attacks from our borders and neighbouring countries?” Again, using the argument President Jonathan hinged his request for the state of emergency in the three north east states, the cleric quoted Jonathan’s statement on the activities of terrorists: “These actions amount to a declaration of war and a deliberate attempt to undermine the authority of the Nigerian state and threaten its territorial integrity. As a responsible government, we will not tolerate this.” That was then, now the situation has worsened he noted

and went on to explain that the proposal for suspension of elections is not with a view to giving President Jonathan an avenue for undue tenure elongation “but for the purpose of building a coalition that will bring lasting solutions to our problems.” “If the election favours Jonathan, the north will raise the issue of incumbent sentiment to foment trouble and if otherwise, the Niger Delta region would also react”, he said. Bakare, however, canvassed for the creation of transitional government and insisted that the president must not act with the intention to seek re-election, but “rather, he should, within the period, commit himself to building a non-partisan coalition comprising of major stakeholders and competent statesmen from each geo-political zone.” According to him: “This coalition, (to be) headed by the president, will constitute a combined force that will tackle terrorism and address what I have earlier referred to as the fundamentals, within a time-frame of two years or less.” Elaborating on the fundamentals, Bakare called for immediate implementation of the report, or part thereof, of the 2014 National Conference, especially as it relates to: • Restructuring with a view to achieving true federalism under zonal commissions, as well as fiscal federalism; • Ensuring as proposed by the report of the National Conference that adequate allocation is given to a Solid Minerals Development Fund in addition to other recommendations geared towards economic diversification; • Achieving national reconciliation and integration by adopting, constitutionalising and propagating the national charter for reconciliation and integration;

• Conducting accurate census; • Establishing a truly independent electoral body; • Creating a true people’s constitution that will reflect the aforementioned features; and • Conducting free, fair and credible elections in the consensually accepted constitutional arrangement. Of course, mixed reactions have trailed Bakare’s statement. The first to disparage it was the All Progressives Congress (APC) that went on to warn those nursing the plan to postpone the 2015 general elections to perish the thought, saying Nigerians will not accept it, under any guise whatsoever, any scheme by desperate elected officials to get tenure elongation by subterfuge. Making a strong case for elections to be conducted in spite of the presence of insurgency in some parts of the country, the APC said if countries like Afghanistan and Iraq have successfully held elections even though they are in a state of war, it would amount to lame excuses if Nigeria adduces that as a basis for failing to organise elections in February. The Social Democratic Party (SDP) also insisted that elections can only be shifted in places where there are strong and incontrovertible evidences that INEC won’t be able to conduct elections in those areas. A lawmaker, who recently defected to the SDP and prefers anonymity, says “Though he sounds convincing it is difficult for it to be accepted especially by those who feel that the election is theirs for the taking.” Again, just like Bakare said, “Now, if the president concedes to an interim arrangement it means he will still head the government. How will such persons emerge as interim government? How will members of the opposition receive it? How will it lead to the surrendering of the insurgents or how will they be crushed?” Furthermore, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) in response to the lingering concern over the probability or otherwise of holding the elections insisted that it must hold. Prof. Ango Abdullahi, Spokesman of the forum, said at a briefing this week that “NEF is aware of sentiments being canvassed by anti-democratic forces that an unconstitutional interim national government or a similar illegal arrangement should be put in place to stop the forthcoming elections. We want to warn in the strongest terms possible that any design to prevent the expression of popular will in February under whatever guise or excuse will be rejected and resisted by all Nigerians. “We fully support the ongoing efforts to eliminate all kinds of threats including the Boko Haram insurgency. The forum wishes to remind the nation that any effort to postpone the elections, limit its scope or truncate the democratic process will be a resounding victory for Boko Haram. Only enemies of Nigerian people, worse than Boko Haram insurgents will wish this on our people. “The February elections must hold under the most secure and peaceful conditions possible and we have no doubt that the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan is in a position to guarantee this, if it wishes. Contd on Page 9

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Feasibility of 2015 elections Contd from Page 8

We, therefore urge the president to rise to the occasion and prove to Nigerians and the world that he can provide the necessary and enabling environment to conduct credible elections. We expect the president to openly and unequivocally condemn any sentiments or efforts to truncate the political and electoral process. “The forum is concerned that violence in many forms is becoming one of the defining characteristics of the campaigns and preparations towards the February elections. We are concerned that the insurgents who terrorise some parts of the northeast may escalate its attacks as we move nearer to the elections. This must be resisted by our military, so that every Nigerian who wants to vote will do so in safety.” In a similar vein, Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), Dr Babangida Aliyu, has said that until solutions are proffered to the current security challenge confronting the northeast and election held in those areas, results of the 2015 general election may not be credible. That is the thrust of the matter, according to a prominent member of the House Committee on Media, who recently defected to one of the opposition parties. “It is a constitutional issue. The president has the power to bring up the issue if he believes that the situation in the north-east forbids the conduct of the general elections,” he said, adding that because the matter will be politicized, not a few would prefer to turn blind eyes instead of allowing the exigency of the time to prevail. Harping on the need to ensure that the general election is credible, the Deputy Leader (PDP, Delta), Leo Ogor, said the elections must meet the specification of the constitution to be deemed credible and that unless all sections of the country participate in the elections it would be null and void. “Conducting the presidential elections in every part of Nigeria is a constitutional issue. Now, should INEC fail to conduct election in any part of Nigeria, then such election falls short of the constitutional provisions and would therefore be invalid.” A top ranking member of the House of Representatives, who had recently defected, said the PDP had severally attempted to introduce the issue, but could not muster courage to do so for fear of the likely backlash from the opposition party. “When Mark (Senate president) said in September that ‘election was not on the table’ he

“

was merely testing the waters and the reactions were enough signals that as credible as it seems, the opposition would not accept it especially now that they appear to have its nose in front in the contest.” “Clearly, the situation calls for a shift in date for the conduct of the elections but the validity of such shift will be contested by my party (the APC) because we believe the elections are ours to take, come next month,” stressing that if the PDP had majority the matter would have been brought to the House. “However, all the PDPled government needs to do is introduce a motion. That is what is required but they are afraid that its intention would misunderstood and since it is already unpopular with a section of the country the motion is bound to be given political colouration, if eventually introduced.” In other words insecurity stands as a barrier but one that many believe is deliberately being orchestrated by the ruling party to its advantage. Senator Ahmed Lawan (APC, Yobe) believes that the PDP government is not doing enough to tame the insurgency in the north-east and may be profiting from the woes in that region. “The biggest problem within the military is that morale is low. The political class is also not helping matters. There are those who are benefiting from this problem and they will not want it to stop.” Besides, another thorny issue that might have an adverse effect on the election is the availability of Permanent Voter Card (PVC) needed by all registered and eligible voters to be able to exercise his or her franchise. The PVC is an innovation of the Jonathan administration but it has its own headache. Not many have secured their cards in spite of meeting all the prerequisites for obtaining same. The problems have been logistics and inadequacies on the part of INEC. Several prominent politicians do not have the PVC. They include key political figures like Governor Babatunde Fashola, and others who despite having been captured are yet to get their PVCs not to talk of ordinary Nigerians that would proclaim them eligible to vote. Even those that have recently attained the voting age of 18 and above who did not participate in the process in 2011 may be short-changed. Though they did register during the Continuous Registration (CV) exercise, like their peers they too are yet to get their voter card. The development forced the

NSA Gusau House of Representatives to urge INEC to allow those with temporary voter cards to exercise their franchise because insistence on the use of the non-available PVC could effectively deny them the right to vote into office whomever they desire. Only this week, the INEC Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega, said a sensitisation workshop with a theme: “Nigeria 2015 Elections and Beyond: Stakeholders Conference on the Roles of the State and NonState Actors in Mitigating Violence in Elections, that the commission was doing its best to ensure that eligible voters have their cards. He regretted that before the 2011 general elections, Nigeria never had a credible voters register with which credible polls could be conducted, noting that a good register of voters is the key infrastructure on which the “electoral edifice has to rest.” He said the commission had so far printed 54,341,610 Permanent Voters’ Cards of which 38,774,391, representing 71.35 percent had been distributed, adding that a total of 15,567,219 cards were yet to be collected by their owners. He also allayed fears that the credibility of the elections would be marred by this inadequacy, noting that all eligible voters will still have the opportunity of collecting their voter card before the deadline for the exercise expires. But this has done little to assuage the fear that many will be disenfranchised as captured by the appeal by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, Adeyinka Jeje, in respect of the voter card problem.

When Mark (Senate president) said in September that ‘election was not on the table’ he was merely testing the waters and the reactions were enough signals that as credible as it seems, the opposition would not accept it

Prof. Jega “Any electoral management that refuses to take into cognizance the confidence of the voter in the electoral system and level of participation in the democratic process is invariably plunging the nation into legitimacy crisis. “It is quite clear from the analysis that if INEC is not called to order, it would embark on unconstitutional disenfranchisement of eligible voters. I am appealing to INEC not to allow itself to be an instrument in subverting the process of free, fair and credible election. It should allow, without any controversy, the use of Temporary Voter Cards during the 2015 election or else it might open itself to litany of litigations which I hope will not frustrate credible general elections in Nigeria.” Should INEC insist on the use of the PVC not a few eligible voters will be disenfranchised, come next month. Former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Mohammed Uwais, also added a decent voice on the issue and warned that the 2015 elections would run into troubled waters if the exercise was not held in the troubled states of Adamawa, Yobe and Borno. He threw into the fray yet another thorny matter that could discredit the general elections: participation of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). “When the Electoral Act was enacted in 2010, this sort of situation of having IDPs was not envisaged, so there is no provision in the law on how to deal with it and the constitution is also silent but the way to go round it is to get the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act and make provisions to make it possible for the IDPs to exercise their franchise. “It all depends, if the National Assembly is willing, it can pass a law within two days, then it goes to the president and the president within a day or two can also assent to the bill, just as he said ‘there is certainly a lacuna’,” urging the National Assembly to expeditiously amend the Electoral Act to give room for the IDPs to vote in the election if the elected representatives in the legislature

are willing. However, Barrister Richard Brendan raised yet another constitutional issue that he feels might invalidate the elections should the IDPs be allowed to vote in their respective refugee camps. “Where will they vote since the constitution has no provisions for people to vote in the Diaspora? The constitution does not allow someone residing in Abuja to vote for a person residing in Yola. “Of course, that is why INEC says if you registered in Kaduna and eventually relocate to Abuja but was unable to do transfer before now you cannot vote in your new location. They say you can only exercise your right to vote where you were registered. You can’t do it elsewhere otherwise your vote will be null and void and the election invalidated,” stressing that it would be a problem if the IDPs vote outside their places of residence or be disenfranchised. “The government should work hard towards addressing the security challenges. I am opposed to the postponement of the elections. Elections are being held in Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and several countries where there are security challenges. What we should do is to address and make up our minds on the fact that there should be elections come February, 2015,” Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, said. Responding to Tambuwal’s statement, the PDP’s publicity secretary said, “The PDP is fully ready for the coming elections. Our leaders and members are working hard in all nooks and crannies of the country leveraging on our existing grassroots appeal, wide-spread political structures, a track-record of performance and abiding affinity and loyalty to the people. “Our amiable leader, President Jonathan, has demonstrated strength of character, sincerity of purpose in his handling of state affairs and Nigerians are desirous of demonstrating their support for him come February 14,” implying the certainty of next month’s general elections.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

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Borno visit: Chibok community berates Jonathan By Mustapha Kwaru, Maiduguri, with agency report

ne of the elders and spokesman of Chibok community in Borno State, Dr Allen Mannaseh, has berated President Goodluck Jonathan for not saying a word on the abducted schoolgirls during his recent visit to the state. Mannaseh, who was reacting to the visit, said it was unfortunate that the president could not even say a word about the Chibok schoolgirls during his visit 277 days after the girls were taken away from their hostels. Kibaku community is an umbrella body for people of Chibok and they doubted if the Federal Government is making any meaningful effort to rescue their schoolgirls, he said. “We are saddened as parents

of Chibok girls for more than 278 days ago, our daughters have been forcefully taken away from us. To me, I was disappointed by Mr President during his visit to Maiduguri yesterday for not even saying a word to the parents of Chibok girls or sympathise with them, it showed that the Federal government has forgotten about these girls.” Jonathan on Thursday made a surprise stop in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, which has been the epicentre of deadly attacks, abductions and destructions of property by Islamist terrorist group, Boko Haram. After talking to soldiers, Jonathan visited a camp for people displaced by insurgent attacks, assuring the victims that they would soon return to their original communities. However, the president did not

mention a word about the girls who remain missing nine months after Boko Haram insurgents seized them. Some of the girls managed to escape on their own. Yesterday’s visit was the first time Jonathan stopped in Borno State since last April’s abductions that caused global outrage. The president had earlier visited the violence-ravaged state in March 2013 to hold a town hall meeting with members of the Borno Elders Forum and other stakeholders on how to solve the Boko Haram insurgency. Speaking to SaharaReporters, Manasseh accused President Jonathan of making empty promises during his visit to displaced people. “As a director of information of the Chibok Community nationwide, I am short of answers when people call to

2015: Nigerians demand security, jobs, power-Survey

Smoke bellows from roof of stalls during a fire incident at Berlin market, yesterday Marina in Lagos

By Evelyn Okakwu

survey group, the NOIPolls, has revealed that a majority of Nigerians want the Federal Government to focus more on security and employment creation, as well as electricity generation for the year 2015. A statement by the body’s Chief Operating Officer, Dr Bell Ihua said: “In 2015, most Nigerians would like the President to focus his attention on Security especially in the North East region, followed by Job Creation and Electricity,” adding that: “While Job Creation was top priority for Nigerians in 2013 and 2014, Security has become paramount for Nigerians given its current state and ill effect in the nation.” The statement further said: “The New Year Special Edition Snap Poll conducted by NOIPolls revealed that most Nigerians (81 percent), representing about 8 in 10 Nigerians indicated they experienced enjoyable holidays over Christmas and New Year and this proportion has increased over the past 3 years,” the statement added. According to the statement, an assessment of the state of security across the country during the holidays showed that most Nigerians reported the environment where they spent the holidays as ‘peaceful and secure.’ Although a considerable proportion of the North-East residents considered their environment ‘peaceful but not secure’ and ‘tense’ during the holiday. The statement said concerning the state of security in the geopolitical zones; “Perception on the state of security across the geo-political zones revealed that the North-Central has the largest proportion of Nigerians who indicated having a ‘peaceful and a secure’ environment during the holiday (96 percent). On the other hand, NorthEast has the largest proportion of residents that indicated having a ‘peaceful but not secure’ environment (22 percent) and those that indicated it was a ‘tense and insecure’ (14 percent).

ask me why the president kept mute about the Chibok girls on occasions and in places [where] he needs to touch on them.” According to the community leader, the residents of the besieged community “feel pained because we were one ethnic nationality that mobilized and voted for President Jonathan more than any other in the entire northeast. How can we who supported, mobilized and voted for Jonathan call on the parents of the abducted schoolgirls to vote PDP?” Manasseh also said the president’s response to the carnage in Baga, where Boko Haram insurgents killed hundreds of residents, was inadequate. “The Baga issue deserves more than just condemnation,” said the community leader.

Buhari is fit as fiddle - APC Campaign

By Umar Muhammad Puma

he APC Presidential Campaign Organisation has dismissed allegation credited to Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, that its principal, General Muhammadu Buhari does not enjoy good health, and asked Nigerians to ignore the “utterly silly and reckless statement.” In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, the Campaign Organisation dismissed as “unsolicited, reckless and silly” the allegation that former President Obasanjo was planning an imposition of General Buhari on Nigeria as he allegedly did the late President Yar’Adua while ignoring their health conditions. “GMB is fit as a fiddle,” said Garba Shehu, the Spokesman of the organisation. “He has no known ailment and is in excellent condition of health to pilot the affairs of the country.” The statement added that Buhari is “almost a health freak,” who exercises regularly and undergoes medical examinations at regular intervals. “On each occasion, the outcomes of those medicals have been favourable. The recent medicals he did gave him a clean bill of health,” Shehu said. He joked that “GMB is not given to curses otherwise he would have

done as the late President Nnamdi Azikiwe did when a similar mischief played out over his health. Zik swore that whoever did this to him will expire before him, and they all did.” Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has called on the National Assembly to probe how the billions of naira appropriated for defence and security have been spent. Congratulating President Goodluck Jonathan for finally finding the courage to visit Maiduguri to pep up the gallant troops battling the Boko Haram insurgency, APC said the President has more trips to make to Chibok, Buni Yadi and Potiskum, among others. In a statement issued in Makurdi yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the President should follow up his visit to the epi-centre of the Boko Haram battle with visits to the parents of the 219 missing Chibok girls as well as the families of the boys who were killed at the Federal Government College in Buni Yadi, Yobe State, last year. It said it is only by doing so that the President can begin to refute the published report that his visit to Maiduguri on Thursday was politically motivated, aimed at laying the foundation for his impending electioneering campaign swing across

the north, especially to Maiduguri on January 21st. ‘’We have always said the President and the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces should never be afraid to visit anywhere in the country. We have always said the President should not just be the Commander-in-Chief but also the Consoler-in-Chief. We are glad that the President has finally agreed with us. ‘’But it is necessary to remind the President that he must not play politics with human lives, and that he must stop putting Jonathan first, Jonathan second and Jonathan third, at the expense of the nation,’’ APC said. The party said now that the President has woken up from his slumber, he should also address the issue of the low morale of the troops and their lack of the necessary fighting equipment, if they are to effectively battle the terrorists who have killed and maimed thousands of innocent citizens. ‘’It is instructive that a few hours after President Jonathan visited Maiduguri, the global news channel CNN aired an interview with some Nigerian soldiers who complained of very low morale among the rank and file, lack of fighting equipment and very poor welfare. Another blamed the terrible situation being faced by the troops on massive corruption.

Angry youths mob Boko Haram suspect to death

n unidentified man was Friday lynched in Kano on suspicion that he belonged to the deadly sect, Boko Haram. The man was stoned to death by hundreds who gathered near Kano Central Mosque shortly before the commencement of Friday prayers. The attackers said the man arrived at the area with an explosive material and a gun. Spotted, a group of youths chased him from Karkasara to the Central Mosque where he was rounded up and stoned to death. The Kano Police spokesperson, Musa Majiya, confirmed the incident. He however said security operatives arrived at the scene promptly but could not trace any of the alleged weapons the man was accused of carrying. Majiya, an Assistance Superintendent of Police, said because of the unproved allegation, police had commenced investigation into what actually happened. He warned the public against taking laws into their hands whenever they suspected anything untoward, saying it could lead to attacks on innocent people. The attack came more than two months after Boko Haram launched a devastating bomb and gun attacks on the central mosque killing more than 100

Wildfire razes shops in Marina

o fewer than 500 shops were razed in another midnight fire at the Berlin Market, Marina on the Lagos Island yesterday. Property estimated at millions of Naira were lost in this latest incident, which is coming barely 24 hours after two men lost their lives and many persons were rendered homeless in a similar fashion in the Ijora Bardia and Iwaya, Yaba areas of Lagos State on Thursday. The Director of the Lagos State Fire Service, Rasak Fadipe, said the shops were constructed in rows and occupied about two acres of land in the area. Fadipe explained that more than five fire trucks loaded with 10,000 litres of water each, from different divisions of the agency had been deployed in the scene. The spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency in the South-West, Ibrahim Farinloye, added that firefighters were having difficulty accessing the area due to some obstacles. “A fireman from the state fire service was injured after some urchins dragged the hose with him,” he said. Rescue agencies from federal, state and corporate organisations are among those at the scene as firefighting operation is still ongoing. Meanwhile another fire outreak on Thursday afternoon at the Kirikiri area of Lagos, involving three warehouses, is still raging. Fadipe said efforts were also ongoing to put it off. He added that a 12-room building was also gutted by fire around the Ilasamaja area of Isolo overnight.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

‘No death in Adamawa IDP camp measles outbreak’ From Umar Dankano, Yola

he outbreak of measles ravaging children of the Internally Displaced Persons, in NYSC Damare camp, Girei I and Girei II Camps all in Adamawa State was yet to claim any life, Peoples Daily Weekend findings revealed. Our findings in Yola yesterday revealed that the outbreak was as a result of the influx of more people being recorded in the recent times from neighbouring Borno and Yobe States and Republic of Cameroun due to the activities of insurgents. Confirming the outbreak, Executive Secretary of Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), Mr. Haruna Hamman Furo said there were cases of Measles in some camps but however noted that there was no death recorded because of the timely intervention of medical team in the camps. “There is outbreak of measles not just in the camps but also within the community, the outbreak can be linked to the daily movement and influx of IDPs into the various camps and the host communities in Yola. The development is natural due to constant coming of new IDPs and who happens to be with some of such illness,” he said He explained that some of these IDPs have been hiding on mountain tops and under trees without proper hygiene and care since the insurgents struck their areas, adding that it was possible for them to have contacted the disease in their hideouts before coming to the camps. “Not minding the fact that some of these Internally Displaced Persons came across the boarders where they were into hiding for quite sometimes. Some came down from top of mountains that were trapped for two to three weeks so these types of ailments are bound to be with them.” Furo said. Commenting on the development the State camp coordinator of NEMA, Alhaji Sa’ad Bello said the disease is relatively under control as NEMA and other agencies are working round the clock to also curtail the spread of the disease in the camp and the at state large.

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2015: INEC sets up task force on IDPs

Wife of the Katsina State Governor, Fatima Ibrahim Shema, Presenting a blanket to an almajiri, recently in the state. With her is the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Amina Gacci, .

By Ahmed Abubakar

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is to hold a crucial meeting with stakeholders on Tuesday, 20thJanuary 2015 with a view of getting a robust buy-in and support of the modalities it has articulated to ensure that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) exercise their franchise in next month’s elections. According to the INEC weekly news Bulletin, three (3) representatives each of the State Governments of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe; Members of the State Houses of Assembly from the three States; Speakers of the State Houses of Assembly from the three States are expected to attend the meeting. Religious Leaders (CAN and SCIA); Representatives of Security Agencies comprising Army, Police, DSS, Office of NSA, Chief of Defence Staff and Civil Defence Corps; are also to participate in the meeting. The Director General NEMA; CSOs (Cleen Foundation, ACE etc); DG IPCR; Present and Former RECs of the States; and Administrative Secretaries of the States were mandated to be present at the meeting. Determined to ensure that the IDPs are not disenfranchised in February’s elections, the Commission had two months ago organized a Roundtable to discuss the fate of the IDPs. Experts and academics generated brilliant ideas to address the issue of the IDPs which were submitted to the Commission. Thereafter, the Commission set up a Task Force on how to get the IDPs to vote within the ambit of the extant laws. The nine-member task force headed by National Commissioner, Thelma Iremiren is to examine the legal, political, security and administrative challenges in achieving IDP voting during the 2015 General Election. They are also to evaluate the standards and recommendations emerging from conferences and workshops by international and local agencies on IDP voting, and determine their applicability to Nigeria for the 2015 General Election. The committee is to submit a comprehensive report, which should embody specific recommendations on IDP participation in the 2015 General Election.

Photo: Mamud Isa

Nigerian military condemns CNN report By Mohammed Usman

he Nigerian Military has condemned the report by CNN which showed footages of interviews with individuals claiming to be Nigerian soldiers. In a statement signed by the Director Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, the military said that the report was certainly another orchestrated smear campaign targeted at the image and character of the Nigerian Armed Forces by some entrenched interests, adding, “This CNN interview and report is an unfortunate effort to promote blackmail. It smacks of an international conspiracy against Nigeria’s national security.”

Continuing, the statement added “A reputable medium is not expected to indulge in propagating concocted stories from persons or individuals whose identity remains questionable. Unfortunately, the report has been so zealously repeated with a view to enhancing its effect in terms of mischief.” It added that even if the persons turned out to be Nigerian soldiers, the scenario can only be speaking of the extent to which those who seek to bring the Nigerian military into disrepute can go in their desperation. Meanwhile, Ghanaian President John Dramani Mhama asked African presidents to prepare a coordinated plan to defeat Islamist militants like al-Shabaab

in Kenya and Boko Haram in Nigeria. Regional political bodies such as the Economic Community of West African States cannot contain the threat from Boko Haram, Mahama said in a speech yesterday in the capital of Ghana, Accra. The meeting will probably take place at the end of the month at the annual African Union meeting of heads of state in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, he said. Boko Haram has killed more than 13,000 people since 2009, according to Nigeria’s government. “These are extraordinary times that call for measures that are equally as extraordinary,” he said. “It is my intention for us to emerge from that session with a specific plan of action.”

Minister tasks FMBN on rising challenges Staff movement usual, on-going -SEC By Evelyn Okakwu

inister of Lands Housing and Urban Development, Akon Eyakenyi has tasked the newly inaugurated board of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, (FMBN) to tackle the rising challenges of the Bank in recent times. Speaking at the meeting to mark the inauguration of the FMBN’s new board, the minister said; “The challenges facing the Bank are real, but surmountable”. She called on the board to consolidate on its previous strides by creating room for strategic thinkers who will ensure

greater and sustainable improvement. Also speaking, the re-appointed Managing Director FMBN, Mr Gimba Ya’u Kumo said his second tenure in office will focus more on providing affordable and sustainable housing for Nigerians. “My second coming will focus more on affordable and sustainable housing fund. Not that we do not have funds but the funds we have, most of the local agencies cannot afford it. So we want be able to talk to government to see how they can liaise lenders to give us single digit funding for housing finance. “During the second

tenure; we will try to consolidate what we have already done. As we speak, we have been able to make sure that each of our contributors, who are over two million (2, 000 000) can log on to a website designed for that purpose, see their balance at the end of the day and even monthly, to know their contribution strength to the scheme. “We have also been able to ensure that when you work for up to 35 or the age of 60, you will not need to apply again, all you’ll need will be to take out of your previous contributions, including your interest, if you do not have mortgage on you,” he said.

By Aminu Imam

he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has said its redeployment exercise was done to strengthen regulatory mechanism through efficient handling of complaints from the investing public for timely use of enforcement machinery where necessary on erring capital market operators and improvement on investor education. In a statement made available to journalists, the Commission disclosed that the redeployment affected key divisions such as, Investigation, Enforcement, Investor Education and Financial Literacy. It said: “This is why the redeployment affected key divisions such as, Investigation, Enforcement, Investor

Education and Financial Literacy. “Also, it is a well known fact that capacity building is a necessary building block for any capital market regulation. Thus, many staff had to be posted to the Commission’s Learning and Career Development Division for continuous training,” the capital market regulator said. “It is imperative to equally note that majority of the capital market operators are based in Lagos. Therefore, the need to improve the regulatory oversight through the use of our Lagos Zonal Office was highly desirable. This is why one of the Directors was posted to head the Lagos Zonal Office. The role that SEC Nigeria plays in the nation’s economy is very critical and such changes should be expected from time to time to strengthen capacity and further improve the ability of

the Apex regulator to carry out its functions effectively. Besides, the acting Director General, Mounir Gwarzo has also assured the staff in his meeting with them earlier in the week that there is nothing to fight about. He reassured staff members that the present management is committed to returning the organization to its traditional core values experienced a decade ago and would undergo corporate rebranding to alter battered image suffered in the past. SEC mentioned that the redeployment came out within 48 hours of assumption of duty of the Acting DG,; which shows the timeliness of the redeployment and the way the new helmsman has a clear and deep understanding of the workings of the SEC due to the fact that he previously worked in the Commission.

PAGE 12

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

Photosplash

Members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) on road to sensitising the public on 2015 elections recently in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo Taraba SDP gubernatorial candidate, Chief David Kente, displaying the partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flag after receiving it from the National Chairman of the party, Chief Olu Falaye, in Jalingo on Thursday.

L-R: Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Prof. Charles Esimone; Registrar, Mr Christian Okeke, and other Dons, arriving for the matriculation ceremony of 2014/2015 intakes of the university, yesterday in Awka, Anambra State.

Bauchi State PDP stakeholders at their meeting yesterday in Bauchi.

L-R: Acting Secretary, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Mr. Akolade Omoyola, Federal Commissioner,CCB, Mr .Ibrahim Manzo,Federal Commissioner CCB,Dr. Ademola Adeso,and daughter of the deceased. Christy Ekoja, at the final burial of late Pa Paul Okwori, at Ojigo in Benue State at the weekend. Photo: Mamud Isa

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

PAGE13

Relationship

Do rebound relationships last?

rebound relationship may be used to mend a broken heart or to show an ex that they have managed to move on. This type of relationship is easy to spot because they are essentially a band-aid for the pain of a breakup. People use rebounds to feel wanted again and avoid the pain of rejection. Before long, they realize that the relationship is just a distraction. A rebound relationship is a distraction. It is a connection to another person that keeps us from having to experience the full extent of an emotional pain. It is a misguided attempt to move on with our lives. Many people jump into the dating scene because they fear being alone. It is a quick fix, one in which we can drown out our pain by reveling in the emotional intensity and passion of a new found love. The duration may also depend on how long it takes for the new partner to figure out that they are just a rebound. Few people are interested in being a distraction or a rebound partner for long. Despite the concerns about a rebound relationship, not every breakup leads to a rebound. In some instances, the relationship is actually over and the partners are both able to be emotionally available to their new dates. Some individuals can move on within hours of the end of a relationship while others take months. Likewise, some people breakup because they have already met someone that they are interested in. For these cases, the new relationship is far less ’new’ than it appears to outsiders. Two people who genuinely connect can be honest about their emotional baggage and keep the new relationship alive. In general, rebound relationships do not last. The duration of the relationship depends on a few factors. If the individual on the rebound is available and emotionally stable, the new relationship might last long. Unfortunately, many people who are on the rebound are not able to make a true emotional connection with someone else. They still possess the baggage of the last relationship and may have feelings that remain from an ex. If this is true, the new emotional connection will be marked by struggles and will be impossible to maintain. This kind of relationship does not last because the person that just left a relationship is not capable of being in new one at the time, the new person sees that the other person isn’t ready for a relationship of the rebounder realizes that they need time to heal. When someone leaves a relationship, they are heartbroken and are not capable of loving someone right away. This is why you often hear people saying that they aren’t ready to date after a break-up.

Unhappy couple in rebound relationship They need time to heal and get past things. With a rebound relationship, the person doesn’t address these issues and just jumps into another relationship. Eventually, the rebound fails because they realize they aren’t emotionally able to be in a relationship or the other person recognizes this and ends things. But in certain situations a rebound relationship can transition smoothly into a healthy relationship if the new partner is the right kind. The biggest problem with rebounds is that they are borne of trauma. A break up, whether or not it makes sense to the afflicted

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parties, will threaten selfesteem, emotional stability and ultimately our ability to make objective decisions leading to poor romantic choices. If you are in a rebound relationship and want to make it permanent this tips might be helpful. Take the relationship slowly. Being a friend to the person you might have a romantic interest in is probably the best way to start. By spending casual time together doing fun, nonromantic things, your emotional investment in each other will slow down and you will have the opportunity to see if you will

be interested in a relationship. Don’t rush into physical intimacy. The longer you wait, the better your chances are for having a lasting relationship. Provide the time and space they need. Be kind, thoughtful and encouraging (like any friend would be), but don’t pressure them to move on with their life. Instead, acknowledge that they have been hurt and make them feel cared for and understood. Spend time with friends and family. This provides an opportunity to talk about his/ her hurts and frustrations with friends and family. It may sound a bit selfish, but it will help

Don’t go into a rebound relationship expecting your new partner to make up for the shortcomings and mistakes of the old partner. You may have just come out of a relationship that involved infidelity or abuse so you turn around and expect your new partner to be able to make up for the pain you experienced in the old relationship. More than likely, all you will do is exchange one set of problems for another. You need to figure out what you want in a relationship before entering a new one.

make the relationship about the two of you rather than about their previous relationship. Don’t be overly available. Set some boundaries to protect your heart and don’t become a ‘primary caregiver’. It is important that you maintain control over your emotions and behaviour for your own sake. Don’t go into a rebound relationship expecting your new partner to make up for the shortcomings and mistakes of the old partner. You may have just come out of a relationship that involved infidelity or abuse so you turn around and expect your new partner to be able to make up for the pain you experienced in the old relationship. More than likely, all you will do is exchange one set of problems for another. You need to figure out what you want in a relationship before entering a new one. Experiencing and healing the pain of a broken relationship helps us become compassionate to other people’s pain. Emotional pain won’t kill you; it is what you will do to avoid that pain that might kill you. Or, at least make you wish you had not moved so swiftly into a new relationship. So, do yourself and any potential new relationship partner a favour and deal with the pain of your old relationship before moving onto another one.

PAGE 14

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

Crime Cycle

Stanley Onyekwere pmlcrimecycle@gmail.com 08138559513

Teenager, remanded for robbing motorcyclist

or allegedly robbing a motorcyclist with a toy gun, an Abeokuta Magistrates Court has remanded a teenage boy, Dayo Akinola, alongside 23year old Damilola Aroyeun, in Ogun state. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Akinola, 19, and his accomplice, Aroyeun, are facing trial on a two-count of armed robbery and possession of firearms. The Magistrate, Mr. Emmanuel Adekunte, who did not take the pleas of the accused, said they should be kept behind bars at Ibara Prisons pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp. Augustine Ozimini, told the court

that the accused committed the offences on Dec. 8 at about 10.09 p.m. at Isale Abetu in the state capital. He said the accused robbed one Daniel Ogunseye of his motorcycle valued at N200,000 with a toy gun. “The duo accosted Ogunseye at a deserted area and threatened to shoot him with the toy gun if he failed to surrender his motorcycle to them, the prosecutor explained. The offences, the prosecutor said, contravened Sections 1(2), (a) , and 6 (b) of the Armed Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Laws of Nigeria. Meanwhile, the magistrate adjourned the case to March 3 for mention.

346 suspects arrested for drug peddling in Kaduna

he National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kaduna State Command, says that it arrested 346 suspected drug traffickers and seized 6,366.906kg of substances, in 2014. According to the NDLEA Commandant in the state, Samuel Azike, said this in an interview with

the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Kaduna. Azike said the agency had also secured 149 convictions and impounded 11 vehicles within the period under review. He said the substances seized are; 6,288.94kg of Cannabis; 0.009kg of Heroin; 86.118kg of psychotropic substances and

0.016kg of cocaine. He said the command had also destroyed a half hectare of cannabis farm at Sabon Garin Aamu in Kauru Local Government Area. The commandant further said that 143 drug addicts had been rehabilitated by the agency’s Drug Demand Reduction Unit (DDRU). He said the command would

intensify sensitisation campaign against the use, hawking and dealing in illicit drugs to save the public from its harmful effects. He called on the state and local governments, traditional rulers, community and religious leaders, among others, to support the agency in the fight against drug abuse.

Police arraign landlord Mass transit safety tips: charged with assault I

he police have arraigned a 50-yearold landlord, Onyebuchi Chukwu, in a Surulere Chief Magistrates Court in Lagos, for alleged assault. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accused, who reside at No.52, Adelabu Street, Surulere, Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of burglary and assault. According to the prosecutor, Cpl. Gbenga Salami, the alleged crime was committed at 12.30 a.m. on November 24 at the residence of the accused, He told the court that the accused forcefully broke and entered into the apartment shared by his tenants, Yusuf Mohammed and Sahadu Mohammed because they owed him house rent. “After breaking into the apartment, Chukwu hit the two brothers with iron rod on their heads when they were sleeping and asked them to pack out of the house at midnight.

``But, neighbours begged the accused but he refused and an eyewitness alerted the police who came and arrested him,’’ added the prosecutor. Salami said the offences contravened Sections 171 and 404 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011. Section 171 provides that anyone who unlawfully assaults another and thereby does harm to him is guilty of felony and is liable to three years imprisonment. However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and the Chief Magistrate, Mrs. M.O. Olajuwon, granted him bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum. She ordered that the sureties must show evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State government and must be residents of Lagos and have genuine means of livelihood. She adjourned the case until January19 for proper trial.

Court grants bail to trader accused of producing unregistered custard

nner City Transportation Residents of large cities utilize buses and trains to get them from home to work, take them to places for social purposes as well as shopping and other trips to go shopping or attend events. Much of the travel is done during peak hours, so there will certainly be a lot of people around. While this might lead to crowded situations, it likewise offers a “safety in numbers” scenario for travelers. Offenders search for those separated from others, so you are less likely to be accosted when in a large group. Other times you may discover yourself waiting at a selection point where few individuals are. When this takes place, seek out the largest number of people you can find. Crooks could be lurking behind-the-scene, waiting for somebody to stray by themselves. If there aren’t people around, at the very least hang around in a well lit area – even if it means standing away from a bus stop. A mugger or worse will want you to be in the dark and utilize it to benefit from the element of surprise against you. Remain in the best area you can till you can see a bus or train. It doesn’t hurt to wave to notify a bus driver that you want to ride the bus. When waiting for a train or trolley, make sure you keep a safe distance from the tracks. When you are on a bus that has only a few passengers, sit up near to the front. A criminal is less likely

to single you out if you are near the driver. Pay close attention to anyone exiting at the same stop no matter what form of public transportation you use. It is most likely a coincidence, yet it’s not a bad idea to keep an eye on them to make sure they aren’t following you. If you think you are being followed, get to a public location as fast as you can and stop to check and see if they pass by. Don’t leave until they are no longer around. Call the police if you are not sure that you are secure. Whatever you do, don’t go home if you think someone is following you. Don’t unwittingly let an unwanted person have your address. You may need to get a taxi home. When you enter, inspect the credentials and make sure the image id matches the person driving the vehicle. Flights As you fill up your bags for an air travel, keep in mind the new and updated laws regarding what you can and can’t bring on board. Pack as little as possible, and bring just what you require. Keep your bags nearby at all times when you reach the airport terminal. Every flight terminal has security officers at work, so if you feel threatened by anybody, find a guard and request assistance. Culled from www. crimepreventiontips.org.

trader, Christopher Nduka, 42, standing trial for alleged production of unregistered custard products regained temporary freedom, following the granting of bail by a Federal High court in Lagos State. Nduka, who is being prosecuted by the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), is facing a twocount charge of production of unregistered consumer product. However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge. Justice John Tsoho granted the accused bail in the sum of one million naira with one surety in like sum. Tsoho, however, ordered the accused to be remanded at the Ikoyi Prisons, pending the perfection of his bail terms. He then adjourned the case to March 3, 2015 for trial. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that earlier, the Prosecutor, Mr. Washington Adumen, told the court that the accused was arrested on a tipoff on November 6, 2014. Adumen said the accused operated a factory, located at No. 3, Saturday Close, Salolo on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, where he allegedly manufactured the unregistered products. The prosecutor added that the factory had previously been sealed by NAFDAC, due to noncompliance with the registration policy of the agency. He said that the accused and his cohorts allegedly broke the sealed factory and continued with their secret production of the commodity before they were apprehended. The prosecutor noted that the products include Nourish Gold Banana Custard, Falcon Refined Granulated Sugar, Falcon Vanilla Custard and Nourish Gold Chocolate Custard. He said the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 5 (a), 6 (1) (a) and 17 (1) of the Food Drugs and Related Products Registration Act, Cap. F33, Laws of the Federation, 20004.

Crime quotes:

n age cannot bind itself and ordain to put the succeeding one into such a condition that it cannot extend its (at best very occasional) knowledge , purify itself of errors, and progress in general enlightenment. That would be a crime against human nature, the proper destination of which lies precisely in this progress and the descendants would be fully justified in rejecting those decrees as having been made in an unwarranted and malicious manner. ― Immanuel Kant, An Answer to the Question: What Is Enlightenment?

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

PAGE 15

Politics

Non-violence accord: Will it work? By Patrick Andrew

or those of us that are politicians, we must avoid provocative statements, we must avoid threatening ourselves. It is saddening that we make statements that are provocative and the younger ones are listening to usPresident Jonathan Midweek, all the presidential candidates of the respective parties signed an accord to eschew violence during their campaigns and in the forthcoming general elections scheduled for February 14 and 28. That they all agreed to non-violent election is indeed laudable. Such agreement in an ideal democratic norm is hardly strange, after all that’s what democracy- which allows room for sundry shades of opinion-is all about. The accord, coming on the heels of some spatter of violence in Okrika, Rivers State, where the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat was burnt down and the Jos episode where the PDP convoy was attacked and a car razed in the process, perhaps may have been a fore gleam of what to expect as the campaigns hot up. The accord was struck at a workshop- some people prefer to say ‘talk shop’ implying that beyond talks nothing else will come out of it,- 14 presidential candidates struck the deal at the 2015 General Elections Sensitization Workshop on Non – Violence, in Abuja. The workshop, which was organised by the office of the National Security Adviser to the President, also had in attendance Kofi Anan, former Secretary – General of the United Nations, his former special adviser, Ibrahim Gambari and former military adviser to the United Nations Peacekeeping Unit, Isaac Obiakor. Both President Jonathan and Gen. Buhari were in attendance and both took turns to speak on the need for restrain and non-violence in the coming elections. Jonathan recalled that electoral violence led to the collapse of the First and the Second Republic, noting that the federal government has a bill of N15 billion to pay for the 2011 post-election violence. So far N3 billion of the amount has been paid to victims in Kaduna State alone. “Provocative and inflammatory statements by people whether they are traditional or religious leaders, or ethnic nationalities leaders must stop. We must stop this. We can practice politics without bitterness. “We must accept that the struggle to rule is not the struggle to conquer. Whenever you win election, you will rule the whole country and not only your political party members so that at the end of the election,

everybody must be your friend and follower. “We must stop the hate issues then of course these violence will begin to reduce. We must also strengthen the security.” Fellow contestant, Gen Buhari, chose to focus on the judiciary implying that the failure of the court is one of the reasons for non-violencefree election, adding that his experience in three elections in 2003, 2007 and 2011 convinced him of the rot in the system even at the Supreme Court. “And these three Supreme Court judgements are available with the government printers, for those that are really serious to know what is happening in our political development. “I could give a good example which I am sure some of you will vividly recall. In 2003, when we disagreed with the elections, we spent 30 months in courts. “Out of those 30 months in court, I know I can recall, I missed only four sittings; no matter when it started, whether it is seven in the morning to eleven in the night,” he said, stating that the amendment of the Electoral Act is important to the success of the upcoming elections”. The exercise though has generated mixed reactions. Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, thumbed up the accord, noting that it was a decent arrangement that could guarantee a peaceful election. “It was with high expectations that I went through details of the Abuja peace accord recently agreed by political party leaders, mandating decent and civilized campaign among the contestants, their agents and supporters,” said Mr. Soyinka, a Professor of Comparative Literature. “I was not disappointed. It is a positive step in the direction of democracy, for which I must commend the efforts of those seasoned interventionists, Emeka Anyaoku and Kofi Annan.” Soyinka said if adhered to with good will and sincerity, the accord would ensure a wholesome space for future elections, and pre-empt further violence. “It might even come close to what the democratic ideal should be, as canvassed by others, including Governor Fashola a few years ago – a people’s fiesta.” Corroborating Soyinka, Prof. Itse Sagay, said the peace pact is superior to the law. “It is morally binding, it is superior to the law because this is a question of not only of conscience but also of integrity and honour. For me, it is superior to any law because any act of violence is a crime already.” However, Second Republic lawmaker, Dr Junaid Mohammed, believes the peace accord will amount to nothing if the Independent National

Jonathan hugs Buhari in Abuja. Electoral Commission, (INEC), police and the presidency fail to conduct free and fair elections. “The peace accord between the two gentlemen means absolutely nothing if the government in power tries to use INEC and the police to rig out the opposition. Some of us still believe strongly that INEC is partisan and General Buhari raised some very pertinent issues which I believe we must all listen to because he has contested elections severally, so he knows where the shoes pinch”. In other words, the accord would be effective if INEC and the security agencies do their bit without lending themselves to the ruling parties in states and the centre for abuse. This often leads to during and after election violence with the resultant destruction of lives and property. Well said but how much of it takes into consideration the electorate or more aptly the irate supporters of parties and individuals? Besides, in a society where whoever buys the expression of interest and

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nomination forms believes he has won and anything to the contrary means he or she has been rigged out, what does signing a non-violence accord on a piece of paper amounts to? This, perhaps, is the reason a Human Rights activist, Femi Falana, sees the whole exercise as a charade that is at best rhetoric and at worst a piece paper that would be blown away once violence starts. “As none of those who signed the peace accord could be made to account for any uprisings that may happen after the elections. The country should be concerned about ensuring that electoral offenders and those against the progress of Nigeria are prosecuted rather than signing an accord that will never work.” Two elements are prominent in the above statements: namely the attitude of party loyalists and the contestants themselves and mostly importantly, the fact that electoral offenders are hardly punished leaves tenable excuse for many to indulge in same.

Therefore, for the nonviolence accord to be relevant and effective the court must enforce the rules by punishing perpetrators of electoral fraud. This position was aptly captured by Attahiru Jega, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who averred that for Nigeria to achieve violencefree elections, political parties and their candidates must imbibe a high level of professionalism in their conduct. He added that giving room for internal democracy and willingness to accept outcomes of election results by candidates would go a long way in stemming the tide of electoral violence. Jega regretted that the courts were yet to convict electoral offenders. And two days later it led by example by dismissing three staff found wanting in the distribution of the PVCs. The peace agreement otherwise known as “Abuja Accord” by the organizers of the event essentially barred the contestants from making inciting speeches in whatever guise that could cause the eruption of violence before, during and after the elections. Sadly, it may be an exercise in futility if the utterances of the two major political parties are anything to go by. “It is timely therefore to urge the leadership of the APC to move beyond signing of the peace pact to genuinely take practical steps to rein in members, especially, the horde of brigand thugs already on the loose in parts of the country, or be held responsible for any failure,” Olisa Metuh said in a statement. Earlier, Lai Mohammed said, “Our presidential candidate, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, moved fast to condemn the violence in Jos. On the contrary, neither President Goodluck Jonathan nor any of his party leaders has condemned the shooting of our supporters and the bombing of our office in Okrika.” Inflammatory utterances, no matter the manner they are veiled or coined, still send a message that are decoded in whichever way the hearer chooses to. Throw in stomach infrastructure and you change the complexion. There is hunger in the land. Period!

The accord will be effective if INEC and the security agencies do their bit without lending themselves to the ruling parties in states and the centre for abuse.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

Page 16

Politics

Dickson bars TAN from Bayelsa By Patrick Andrew with agency report

overnor Seriake Dickson yesterday ordered the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) to leave the state and cease campaigning for President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election in Bayelsa state. , in what appears a battle between Mr. Dickson and loyalists of the president’s wife who are in charge of the organization in Bayelsa State. The decision appears a fallout of deteriorating relations between the governor and Dame Patience Jonathan, who had earlier resigned from her position as permanent secretary in the Bayelsa State civil service. Last week, Governor Dickson, fired three loyalists of the first lady from his cabinet, accusing them of

disloyalty. The governor, however, denies any rift between him and the First Lady. In a press statement Friday signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, Mr. Dickson directed the leadership of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, TAN, to immediately leave Bayelsa State. The group had for several months staged massive rallies in support of Mr. Jonathan long before the formal kick-off of electioneering in the country. At the time, the group claimed it was campaigning to convince Mr. Jonathan to seek re-election. But in a fresh twist in relations between the governor and the wife of the president, whose loyalists are said to be in control of TAN in the state, Mr. Dickson accused the group of promoting subversive activities and

inciting crisis and divisions within the PDP in the State. Mr. Dickson, who gave the warning at a meeting with the Peoples Democratic Party’s flag bearers for February general elections at the party’s secretariat in Yenagoa, said he is responsible for directing campaigns for Mr. Jonathan in the state. He described the PDP in the state as the only recognized political platform and structure saddled with the responsibility of leading the president’s campaign in the state with him as party leader. Mr. Dickson said the activities of TAN have outlived their usefulness. The governor also alleged that TAN and some members of its top hierarchy have become tools of subversion, creating needless rancour, acrimony and divisions, stressing that the government and the PDP in

the State will no longer tolerate their actions. He noted that the activities of TAN and the other groups, if not checked, could be counterproductive, especially with the presidential and other elections, only a few weeks away. He said that he has the mandate of Bayelsa people to protect the stability, peace and security of the State. The governor, who announced the planned visit of Mr. Jonathan to the state, said he would use the opportunity on February 5 to express appreciation to Nigerians for their unwavering support and solidarity to the Jonathan administration. He also noted that the state is set and that the people are now fully mobilized to accord the President a rousing reception for the mega rally that would be organized in his honour. The governor emphasized that

Bayelsa State is a stronghold of the PDP and a strong support base for President Jonathan, whom he noted, does not need to campaign in his home state. An unnamed official of TAN, who was contacted for comments, described the allegations as “wild and unfounded” adding that TAN had noted three unprovoked attacks on the organizations. He said that the organization will deliberate and issue a statement in response to the comments by the governor. “It is very primitive of someone who claims to be working for the President to try to attack an organization build to promote the candidacy of the same President, this development has exposed the workings of his mind,” the TAN official said.

Thugs set Zamfara PDP senatorial campaign office ablaze From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

group of suspected hired political thugs have set the campaign office of a senatorial aspirant who is also a serving member of the House of Representatives representing Gusau/ Tsafe on the platform of PDP, Ibrahim Shehu Gusau, early hours of yesterday. This came following attack on a serving Senator Kabiru Marafa’s youth convoy by yet to be identified group of young politicians staying at the campaign office of the PDP central Senatorial aspirant, Ibrahim Shehu Gusau, while on their way to attend the ongoing governor Yari’s gubernatorial campaign in Bungudu local government area. According to an eye witness who did not want his name in print, “Two vehicles full of thugs with the escort of some on motorcycles had suddenly parked nearby the ravaged campaign office to force out everybody sleeping therein, the next sorrowful sight was a formidable flame and vortex of smoke”. Impeccable source that spoke to Peoples Daily Weekend under the condition of anonymity revealed that, initially, the campaign team of a PDP aspirant vying for the office a member house of representatives Gusau/Tsafe federal constituency, Mahdi Ali Gusau, was allegedly instructed to be barred from having access into ‘Yandoto town of Tsafe by Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa for political campaign. “The alleged refusal for Mahdi’s right to have access into ‘Yandoto town, the home town of Senator Marafa, has resulted into unruly brawl between supporters of the

two sides, the situation that led to the destruction of some vehicles in the convoy of a visiting PDP house of representatives aspirant”, the source added. Meanwhile, in his speech during gubernatorial campaign in Bungudu local government area on Thursday, Senator Kabiru Marafa heralded that, he is in support of revenge mission over any damage done to the ruling APC as political party and the good name of incumbent Governor Yari in the name of politics. “It is now clear that, members of the opposition PDP have embarked upon attack on our great ruling APC, enough is enough, henceforth, we will never tolerate any politically mischievous actions against us and our party in the state”, Marafa stressed. Sources from neutral parties believed that, the attack on the office of a PDP house of representatives aspirant must not be unconnected with the inciting reaction speech made by the Senator Marafa, which he supported the adoption of fire-for-fire political approach against any opposition party that vows to launch attack on the properties or member of the ruling APC during campaign days in the state. Contacted on phone over the incidence, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state Command, DSP Lawal Abdullahi, replied that he would give a call later sometimes as he was busy attending to official assignment. Also contacted, the campaign manager of Ibrahim Shehu Gusau for Senate, Nasiru Abubakar Milo replied that, he was in the mosque for friday prayers but would call back to narrate his feelings over the attack.

L-R: National Chairman of PDP, Sen. Adamu Muazu; President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo, at the PDP Presidential rally, yesterday in Abakaliki.

Kwara PDP goes spiritual over 2015 polls

head of it campaign flag off for next month general elections in kwara state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday held a special prayers at the Ilorin Eid Praying Ground for the success of the party in the coming elections. Three gubernatorial aspirants of the party,Alhaji Janni Ibrahim, Alhaji Hakeem Lawal and Kale Belgore as well as scores of PDP supporters in the state attended the prayer.

There was heavy security presence as armed and unarmed men of the Department of State Security Services (DSS), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDS) and the Nigerian Police were seen at different locations at the praying ground. Pioneer PDP chairman in the state, Barrister Kunle Sulyman, some party officials in the state including the party’ Secretary, and party chieftains were also attended the prayer. In his lecture, Sheik Usman Millo,

urged the people of the state to shun religious sentiments in the coming election and vote for good governance. The cleric, who spoke against the background that the governorship candidate of the PDP, Senator Simon Ajibola is a Christian while that of ruling APC, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed is a Muslim, recalled that the eid Praying Ground was provided by a Christian governor, George Inni.

LP best democratic party in Nigeria, says guber aspirant

Gambo Ahmed, Lafia

Governorship aspirant on the platform of Labour Party, Barrister Innocent Lagi, has described the party as one of the best and most democratized political party in Nigeria and Nasarawa State. Barrister Lagi made the assertion while addressing the Nigeria Union of Journalists Na-

sarawa State correspondents’ chapel shortly after their election at the Maikudi Plaza Jos Road Lafia the state capital yesterday. According to him, labour party has embarked on a deep campaign which is all about the grassroots in order to identify and know their problems and has extended its campaigns to the rural areas to relate with the people stressing that it was calling on Nigerians to vote

the party into power in the forth coming general elections. He lamented money politics in Nigeria adding money-bags were not interested in the people but just to grab power and warned that the unemployment would remain the lot of youth if Labour Party was not given the mandate to govern. He dismissed the rumoured crack in the

ranks of the party stating that it remains united and would never witnessed disintegration occasioned by internal wrangling. Lagi assured practicing journalists in the state proper welfare if elected as the number one citizen as according to him, journalists are the instruments of projecting political class but lamented the total neglect of them in the state.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

By Tajudeen Balogun

onsidering the utterances so far made by stalwarts of the major political parties – the opposition APC and the ruling PDP before the electioneering campaigns properly took off and series of attacks against party members and their belongings, it is unfortunate to conclude at this age, that Nigerian democracy is yet to grow beyond the knees. What is more ironical and disheartening were, despite the warnings and pleas by the party leaders to their followers to shun violence, but to sell the parties and mobilize for people’s support, frightening messages, violent attacks and killings have become the order of the day. For some good reasons, I must be particular here that, the ruling PDP has not done well on the issue in focus. Consequently, it has again succeeded in affirming the accusation that it encourages “secretly or openly” violence or keeps members that have flair for, or launch attacks against its opponents (with or without the support of its leaders). For instance, President Goodluck Jonathan early last week, while inaugurating his campaign organisation, charged PDP members to go out and sell the party to Nigerians, mobilize and seek for their support in the February general elections. Yet, with the prevailing circumstances, it is not clear, if the ruling stalwarts do listen to their leaders when making such strong comments; Of course, it is doubtful if they believe in what their leaders say, if at all they listen and it is also unclear, if the leaders themselves really mean what they say. The followings (already of public knowledge) will give credence to the above position. Nothing much (politically) until around late 2006, was known of the Pharmacist/businessman and now the Lagos PDP governorship candidate, Mr. Jimi Agbaje. Having lost in his bid in 2007 in a similar aspiration (state governorship ticket), under two different opposition platforms, Agbaje effectively somewhat became passive (politically) until lately, the speculations (now confirmed) of his crossing to the PDP. The key point here is that this politician was generally perceived to be of high potentials and a “well bred” type. This is Agbaje I and so many other Lagos residents knew before the recent actions and certain unexpected statements credited to him. He unveiled his new toga and newly ‘indoctrinated mentality’ last week Thursday, (during President Jonathan’s campaign official take off) in Lagos, when he declared as he was called to speak on behalf of his counterparts from other states, that the entire Lagos State “will fall” for the PDP. Before you question the remark and its significance, listen to new Agbaje, in another ‘call for questions’ utterance. At a political parley the same week, in London, the candidate who is jostling to be voted for as a Governor of the country’s former capital, said that the South-South people would shut down Nigeria if President Goodluck Jonathan loses in his re-election. This is one very inflammatory comment, which a prominent Ijaw leader and President Jonathan’s supporter, Chief Edwin Clark, as well as the ‘repentant’ Niger Delta militant leader, also a fan of Mr. President, have made in the past and were generally condemned. The first Agbaje’s utterance was made in the presence of President Jonathan; so,

Page 17

The ruling ‘House’ and character crises

President Jonathan between then and now, what has he done to check such unambiguous, misleading and ‘connotative’ statements? And obviously, the London remark was more shocking and worrisome. Ordinarily, one would have expected that the same president who had repeatedly picked holes in the opposition’s “threat” against rigging of polls to publicly condemn an irritating address of such magnitude, if he truly meant his caution against anti – peace crusade he and his party always harp about, and for which they call the opposition names. For Mr. Agbaje, I must state by his two successive bombshells, it is either he is confirming that he had naturally become one of the die – hard supporters of President Jonathan who will spare nothing (right or wrong) just to preach that the ruling presidential candidate is an ‘angel’ and incomparable to none; has succeeded in digesting the modus operandi in his newly found party or has been surprisingly disillusioned by desperation and desire

“

Gen. Buhari that his party must win at all cost. I do not need to be reminded at all of the similar frightening statements by top leaders of the opposition APC. I remember very well, its National Chairman, Chief John – Odigie Oyegun, once declared last year that his party would not accept rigged election results and added that the party would not hesitate to come up with a parallel government, should any foul play take place. Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, uttered what was similar to that when he said that if the 2015 elections are rigged, he and his party would fight no one, rather, would opt to form (run) a government that people voted for. If truly elections were rigged, forming a parallel government is never one of the options provided for, by the Nigerian constitution, so, a knock there for the opposition and its members in their threats. Rigging is illegal and it can never be corrected with another illegality – two

Of course, it is doubtful if they believe in what their leaders say, if at all they listen and it is also unclear, if the leaders themselves really mean what they say. The followings (already of public knowledge) will give credence to the above position.

Politics wrongs can never be right. I have once articulated this in a previous commentaries. But more importantly, the question must be asked and answers must be provided, as to who between the two major parties fired or started the violence. The above has given an insight. Still, events that have transpired in the less than two weeks of the rigorous presidential electioneering campaign were good pointers and indicators to who actually is abiding by the rules of the game and those breaking them. Nigerians and the entire world still remember very well that some opposition members last Tuesday were attacked on their way to Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, when on their way to General Muhammadu Buhari’s official flag-off of his presidential campaign. The armed robbery attack claim by the police is difficult to absorb and believe, as there were no traces of taking away any valuable after the bloody ambush and attack. Two days later, Mr. President and his supporters visited Lagos for a well-attended flag-off of his campaign. Despite the gridlock in the adjourning axis to the venue, TBS, Lagos Island, there was no single case of violence either around or towards the location of the rally. Ironically, the two states are governed by the opposition party. So, what good explanations could be adduced for violence in Rivers and none in Lagos? Does it mean that the opposition APC in Lagos was tolerant and conscious than the Rivers PDP who allegedly chose to let loose and take laws into their hands? I believe common sense would be the judge here. The violence and attacks raged last weekend as irate youths descended on President Jonathan’s branded campaign bus and set it ablaze. The arson was allegedly committed by youths believed to be supporters of the APC. And in what could be described as revenge, far away in Okrika, Rivers State, unknown people (suspected to be opposition members) stormed the APC office in the town and bombed it. Last Tuesday, another report had it that another youth and supporter of the opposition party, APC was killed by gunmen in Rivers State. Now, the two major parties have recorded casualties and both are counting their losses. But beyond this, the very fundamental question that must be asked is who fired the first salvo? Will the recorded skirmishes have taken place, if the Port Harcourt violence had not occurred? In the escalations witnessed so far, the PDP has more questions to answer. Violence in politics is needless. Those who promote it are enemies of progress of the people and country in general. The perpetrators must therefore be identified and made to face the wrath of the law. Finally, if the present ruling party, its leaders and members are upright and not “hooligans” as they claim, its house must and urgently be organized and put in order, especially to show good examples to others. If the PDP and its members act the peace it preaches, others will follow and anyone who fails to fall in line will be roundly condemned, while the people will also applaud that the laws take its course against any political recalcitrant in any part of the country. These coming elections must be peaceful and successful; therefore, the ruling party (first) and the opposition must be seen by all standards to believe and deliver such, not by words alone, but by actions. Culled from African Examiner

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

Page 18

Politics

2015: Dankwambo inaugurates 21-man c’tte From David Hassan, Gombe

ombe state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, has boasted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would retain its majority in the forthcoming general elections in February. Speaking at the inauguration a 21 man committee to oversee the party’s campaigns in the state, the governor said that the PDP was prepared for

the elections noting that it remains the party choice for the people. He urged members of the committee to work purposefully by ensuring that the electorate are adequately sensitised not only to collect their permanent voters’ cards but be both physically and mentally ready to cast their votes for the candidates of their choice. He appealed to all not to see elections as avenues to resort to

violence but to exercise their franchise by casting their votes to those they think have attractive package for them, stressing that without peace there would be no meaningful development. Also speaking, the chairman of the committee and also the Director General of PDP campaign organization in Gombe state, Alhaji Saidu Umar Kumo, lauded the governor for finding them worthy

Jonathan’s visit to Borno is political – Kwankwaso... From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos

ormer APC presidential aspirant and Governor of Kano state, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, has described President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to insurgence ravaged Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state as ‘political’ and not for humanitarian purposes. Jonathan visited the area on Thursday to sympathise with the victims of the Boko Haram scourge but Kwankwaso thinks otherwise stressing had empathy been the main thing the president would have visited the area before now. Speaking on the Hausa Service of the BBC monitored in Jos, the governor, who was responding to questions on the president’s

visit to Borno in the midst of his campaigns, the visit was politically motivated and done with the intention of winning over the afflicted people. “In my opinion, there is no connection between Jonathan’s visit and the claimed sympathy visit for the people of Borno state. To me, the president went to Maiduguri for his own political reasons because the rightful time for him to have visited the area has passed. “The time the president ought to have paid such visit was when several atrocities were committed by the militant Boko Haram sect. He should have gone there when many persons were killed. I know the people of the state would not be happy because it is not done at the right time.

“Any reasonable Nigerian must understand that Jonathan’s visit has political connotations. We all know that political campaigns have started. So wherever you go now especially as a politician, even if it is for shopping in a mall, it is concluded that you went there because of politics. I see the visit as political”, he added. Meanwhile, in swift reaction, the Borno state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Baba Bahir said, “there is nothing to criticise about Mr President’s visit to Maiduguri. That he visited is commendable. He should be praised for his courage to identify with the people not be railed at as some persons have done. It is better that he came than not visiting our afflicted people at all”.

Election violence rally against, yesterday in Lagos

No PDP member defects to APC in Katsina-LG From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

he Mai’adua local government council chairman, Engineer Abba Yusuf Mai’adua, has debunked a media report that claimed some PDP members in Mai’adua and Sandamu local councils had defected to the opposition APC. Engr. Abba said yesterday in Katsina that all members of the PDP in those areas were intact and under the leadership of the state governor

Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Shema and the speaker of the house of assembly, Alhaji Ya’u Umar Gwajo-Gwajo. Mai’adua said that the PDP government in the state has executed various development projects in the area that according to him “boost health care and education facilities in the area and generate employment”. He noted that the state government has provided electricity to about seven villages across the area, adding that the government

was also providing free drugs to communities in the area even as he said that the local council has also provided health care facilities in all the 10 wards in the area, by building 37 health clinics across the area. Further, he said the Speaker of the State of Assembly singularly constructed a modern healthcare centre, eight day secondary schools, and generated employment for more than 1000 youth in the area.

to serve and assured that they would work had to meet the party’s expectation. He promised that the party would play according to the rules and thus be a model for the opposition parties. He said their first task would be to create necessary awareness for the electorate to obtain their PVCs and be ready to cast their on February 14 and 28 respectively.

Ex-PDP Reps member defects to APC From Gambo Ahmed, Lafia

former Peoples Democratic Party member representing Lafia/ Obi Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Muhammed A. Al-Makura, has defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC). While formally defecting from the PDP to APC yesterday at his residence in Lafia, the lawmaker said he opted to leave the PDP because of the current political wind blowing across the country, which according to him has adversely affected the political fortunes of PDP. He said the mass movement of real and genuine progressives from it (PDP) to APC,was a demonstration of patriotism and feeling for the people that have suffered under the PDP-led government. “Our collective decision (myself-my teaming supporters) to dump PDP for APC was reached after a careful analysis of internal conflicts within the party with its attendant consequences in addition to obvious acts of injustice to respected members of the party”. He described the party as lacking in democratic principles stressing that the federal government has been inconsistent in policy, and a great betrayer of trust and confidence of the electorate. “As a two- time duly elected representative of my people, I was subjected to all forms of humiliation and distrust by the party after spending over a decade trying to build the fortune of the party to an enviable height”. He said was attracted to the opposition APC by its cardinal principles and objectives adding the APC is populated by men and women of good will and proven integrity noting that he had no option but to join hands with them to salvage “our dear nation from total collapse”.

My govt ‘ll be transparent -Buhari From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

ll Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, retired Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has decried the widespread corruption under the administration of Goodluck Jonathan, stressing that his government would ensure accountability and transparency. Buhari, who was in Makurdi, Benue State capital during his presidential rally held at the IBB Square, regretted that despite the trillions of naira budgeted every year by government for the security sector yet it is unable to stop the Boko Haram insurgency. He pledged that if voted into office, his government will focus priority on adequate funding and equipping the military and other security operatives in the country especially the police to enable them effectively curb crime and fight wars. “Imagine a situation where a Nigerian soldier will go to the media to say that they cannot fight Boko Haram because of poor equipment. This is shameful. If elected, I will ensure that the military is well funded and equipped. The Police will no longer pay for uniforms, it would be given to them freely. They will be properly funded to fight crime”, Buhari pledged. Further, he promised that agriculture would be form the nucleus of his government as a means of providing employment to the teeming youths of the nation, adding that he will collaborate with financial institutions to give soft loans to farmers to engage in commercial agriculture. “Benue is the food basket of the nation and this has not properly harnessed. If we come into power, we will ensure that large quantity of oranges which abound in the State is processed into finished products and marketed to other parts of the country and beyond”, he said. Buhari, who barely a month ago was denied landing in the State, was accompanied to the rally by his Vice Prof. Yemisi Osibanjo, Director-general Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Sen. Bukola Saraki, representatives Abike Dabiri, Senate Minority Leader Sen. George Akume, Sen. Barnabas Gemade, Chief Audu Ogbe amongst others. He also presented flag to Dr. Samuel Ortom as the State governorship candidate.

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PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

Tourism See Chimpanzees, domesticated cheetahs at Okonni Wildlife Sanctuary

or those of you planning a vacation for you and your entire family next holiday, all you need to consider is a place where nature vividly reveals its many attractions; a place where beauty and relaxation are mixed into one great emotion and the feeling of being jolly and stress-free. Welcome to Okonni wildlife sanctuary; a place for splendid holiday rest that will leave a history in your memory. The Okonni wildlife sanctuary is a relaxing arena where human can peacefully cohabit with animals in the wild. It has comfortable accommodation and exciting facilities such as restaurants, sports ground, swimming pools, etc. A visit to the sanctuary is an expedition which will not only give element of surprise to your family but also a memorable family bonding experience for every member of the family. The Okonni wildlife sanctuary is sited in the ancient city of Benin, the Edo state capital, an Island area in the South-South of Nigeria. It regularly attracts tourists, visitors, and investors; giving people the opportunities of interacting with domesticated cheetahs as well as getting actively involved in the conservation of endangered species. Experience the thrill of being tooth to tooth with harmless wild animals. Perhaps, if you are adventurous, you may want to wrap yourself a l big size

A coalition of Cheetahs

A group of Chimpanzees,

python at the site. Also, one can take a leisure walk on the catwalk within the flora fauna kingdom while viewing lions, cheetahs, pumas, white Bengal tigers, bush baby, muna monkeys, putty nose, white throat

monkeys and many birds species. The sanctuary also provide a home for abused, neglected and elderly donkeys where they allowing them to live out their lives with respect and dignity surrounded by their

own kind in a protective and natural environment. The Okonni wildlife sanctuary was the first in the country to be protected by the law of conservation in August 1985 and is jointly managed by the Edo state government and the Nigerian conservation foundation (NCF). Tourists visiting the site will gain insight to a more glorious past as well as a promising future amid the natural beauty of this great diverse region from the rainforest in the east aboard savanna woodland in the center which will give you and your family an experience of cute creatures in the wild. Chimpanzees are one of the most interesting species of animals in our world and here you can interact and play with these special animals to your hearts content. Located in Benin City in the Edo State of Nigeria, this wildlife sanctuary was the first in the entire country to be protected by law for its conservation rights. This all happened in the month of August of 1985 and was a huge step forward for the people of the country, the conservationists

and the animals that needed protecting. The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) and the Edo State Government jointly own the sanctuary that is home to hundreds of protected species with also a wide array of rare monkeys and primates. Species such as the extremely rare White-throated monkey call this piece of heaven home, a place where they can relax and be animals without having to worry about the horrible consequences of what man has done and could do to them. Other animals that tourists have the pleasure of seeing in this magical animal kingdom are the Mona monkey, the Potto buffalo, the Bush-baby, Porcupines, Red river hogs, Hornbills and the Red Cangaby as well as the main attraction, Chimpanzees. One of the most fascinating species to watch as youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll recognize many things they do resemble us. So take a break from the many equally interesting cultural sightings of Nigeria and go play with the Chimps and monkeys of Okonni Wildlife Sanctuary. nigeria-direct.com

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PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

Homes

By Mariam Humbe

f you are running a home-based business or controlling your business from your home, one of the keys to being efficient and productive is to separate your business from your personal life. How? You can achieve this by having an organized home office for your business. This is where you will keep your files, communicate with your employees and clients, keep track of your bookkeeping, monitoring your marketing efforts and the results of each, and handling other tasks related to your business. How organized your home office is could largely determine how productive and successful you will be as an entrepreneur. So, this is one aspect you shouldn’t treat with levity. Here are five tips on how to transform your home office into a conducive, pleasant, efficient, and organized workspace. Find the perfect space-: Your first step towards having an organized home office is to ensure that you have a place set aside to serve solely as your home office. Your home office won’t be effective if you keep shifting it from your closet to your store, and to your guestroom. Instead of migrating about the house in search of the perfect space, select one spot and make it the permanent location of your home business office. Your ideal space is out of the way of pedestrian traffic. You don’t want to be distracted by everyone that walks by. And the space must be unaffected by noise. You sure don’t want clients to hear your baby’s cry in the background when they are speaking with you on phone. Make it comfortable-: Your ideal home office is one that is ergonomically comfortable for you. You’ll become less productive if your working arrangements make you feel uncomfortable. If your chair deadens your legs or your table doesn’t have the space needed, you will spend a lot of time wandering around the house trying out other parts for comfort levels. Get a cushioned chair that you will remain comfortable sitting on for several hours. Get a table that’s not too high or low, else you’ll complain of backache after each working day. And leave enough space for stretching your legs and walking around. You can ask a professional person to come to your house to assess your

workspace for ergonomics and then make appropriate changes. Better yet, you can do this yourself using online resources that reach how to set up an ergonomically perfect home business office. Clear all clutter-: Having clutter in your home business office will make it hard for you to remain organized. If you have on your table things that are not related to your business, such as your kids’ toys or books, eliminate those first. All you should have in your home office are those things that are relevant to your business. Nothing more! After eliminating irrelevant items from your home office, you still need to organize the relevant ones. Have a cabinet for arranging your files and papers. None of those should be lying on your table, except what you’re working on at a given moment. Apart from papers, cables also contribute to home office clutter. They

trap dust, snag your feet, and make your office look disorganized. So, manage your cables by neatly tying them together using cable ties or raise them completely off the floor by sticking them to the underside of your desk with adhesive cord clips. To reduce your cables, consider using wireless devices such as a wireless keyboard and wireless mouse. Eliminate useless stuff-: Keeping useless stuff in your home office can actually reduce your productivity. For example, you spend more time to find the paper or file you need because it’s hidden underneath several others that you no longer need. The solution? Simply trash a l l

those useless files and papers, so you’ll quickly find your files and papers next time you need them. Go paperless where possible-: Paper is one of the reasons why your home

office gets disorganized quickly. The less paper you have, the less work you’ll have to do each time you arrange your office. So, try to replace the use of paper with your computer. Those files can simply be replaced with computer files. And those documents can be replaced either with Microsoft Word documents or scanned copies. By developing a less paper-intensive system in your home office, you will not only have a more organized office, but you will also be able to quickly find your files and documents when you need them. Just use your computer’s search box, and the file you need will

it!

pop out of where you saved

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PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

d n e k e We ent

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Fashion

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Hollywoo

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d Bollywoo

Omotola listed among Yahoo’s ‘Highestgrossing movie stars’ >>PG 37

Jennifer Lawrence says she’s ‘miserable’

>>PG 35

Brad Pitt, Gosling, Bale to star in ‘The Big Short’ >>PG 36

Cheryl FernandezVersini tops UK’s beauty icon list >>PG 37

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

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Health Extra

New scanner reveals marvels of human bones By Ellie Zolfagharifard

rains, veins and bones as you’ve never seen them: Scanner reveals gruesome, high-definition images of the human body Next-generation GE scanners are being used by doctors in Florida. They hope to make medical scanning cheaper, easier and more accurate. Dubbed ‘Revolution CT’, the scanners beam x-rays through a patient’s body from which a computer reconstructs a detailed image, slice by slice. Technology can build an image of a complete heart in a single heartbeat The GE scanners, used by doctors in Florida, are currently involved in their first clinical trial aimed at making the process of medical scanning cheaper and easier. Dubbed ‘Revolution CT’, they beam x-rays through a patient’s body from which a computer can reconstruct a high-definition image, slice by slice. The scanner shows a highdefinition image of the skull and the Circle of Willis - a structure which supplies blood to the brain and surrounding area. The Buckinghamshirebased healthcare group claims that the scanner can build an

image of a complete heart in just a single heartbeat. The screw here can be clearly seen in a patient’s foot. Dubbed ‘Revolution CT’, they beam x-rays through a patient’s body from which a computer can reconstruct a high-definition image, slice by slice Pictured are high-definition images of the skull and the Circle of Willis, which supplies blood to the brain HOW DOES REVOLUTION CT WORK? The scanners beam x-rays through a patient’s body from which a computer can reconstruct a high-definition image, slice by slice. GE claims that the scanner can build an image of a complete heart in just a single heartbeat. This is because it uses high-resolution and motion correcting technology similar to the image stabilisation features in personal cameras. Because it can scan faster, it can scan far more accurately, capturing clear images of moving organs. While they are safe for patients who have pacemakers or metal inside their body, they require them to stay very still while the imaging is taking place. But GE’s scanners are different. The Revolution uses high-resolution and motion

The chest cavity with a side view of the heart. Local doctors said they were able to diagnose even the most challenging cardiac patients with erratic or high heartbeats using the new technique

correcting technology similar to the image stabilisation features in personal cameras. Because they can scan faster, they can scan far more accurately, capturing clear images of moving organs. The team at West Kendall Baptist Hospital recently completed the world’s first six-month clinical trial of the Revolution CT machine. Local doctors said they were able to diagnose even the most challenging cardiac patients with erratic or high heartbeats and reduce the radiation dose for paediatric patients. ‘According to our physicians, patient feedback about their experience with the Revolution CT has been uniformly positive,’ said West Kendall Baptist Hospital CEO Javier Hernández-Lichtl. ‘The advanced design definitely makes for a less intimidating, more comfortable patient experience, while yielding amazingly accurate and detailed images.’ The technique is known as X-ray computer tomography and is often used in hospitals to look for tumours, bone fractures and bleeding. Pictured are two different view s of the rib cage. Dailymail.com

View of the Circle of Willis. It is located at the base of the brain and forms a circle of arteries around it

The rib cage, the heart and the chest cavity. West Kendall Hospital CEO Javier Hernández-Lichtl said: ‘The advanced design definitely makes for a less intimidating, more comfortable patient experience, while yielding amazingly accurate and detailed images’

The screw here can be clearly seen in a patient’s foot

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

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Womanhood Prof Viola Adaku Onwuliri: Upholding democratic values in foreign policy

rof. Viola Adaku Onwuliri is an educationist, author, woman leader, and professor of Biochemistry. Born in Umuokisi, Amuzi, Ahiazu Mbaise local government area of Imo State. Education: She was educated at Owerri Girls’ Secondary School, Imo State, 1970-1974; University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 1975-1979; University of Jos, 1981-1991; Howard University, Washington DC, USA, 1990; Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, USA. She obtained a Ph.D in Biochemistry from the University of Jos. Career: She was graduate assistant, 19811984; assistant lecturer, 1984-1987; lecturer 11, 1987-1990; lecturer 1, 1990-1993; senior lecturer, 19932001, reader, 2001-2004; professor, 2004. She is a member, executive committee, International AIDS Society, Geneva; Nigerian Society of Biotechnology; Nigerian Society of Experimental Biology; African Society for the Biochemistry of Lipids; founder, Federal University of Technology, FUTO, Women Association; member, Auxiliary Knights of St John International, KSJI. She was deputy governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2011 elections in Imo State. She has 57 publications to her credit. Adaku Onwuliri, educationist, author, woman leader, professor of Biochemistry, was running mate to former governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State. Born in Umuokisi, Amuzi, Ahiazu Mbaise local government area of Imo State, the current Minister of State, Foreign Affairs attended University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 1975-1979; University of Jos, 1981-1991; Howard University, Washington DC, USA, 1990; Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, USA. She was graduate assistant, 1981-1984; assistant lecturer, 1984-1987; lecturer 11, 1987-1990; lecturer 1, 1990-1993; senior lecturer, 1993-2001, reader, 2001-2004; professor, 2004. She is a member, executive committee, International AIDS Society, Geneva; Nigerian Society of Biotechnology; Nigerian Society of Experimental Biology; African Society for the Biochemistry to Lipids; founder, Federal University of Technology, FUTO, Women Association;

“

Member, Auxiliary Knights of St John International, KSJI. She has 57 publication to her credit. She is propagating the nation’s transformation agenda to the international community. After her appointment as minister of state together with the Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs Amb, Olugbenga Ashiru and the second minister of state for foreign affairs, much success have bben achieved in the foreign affairs Ministry. Strong commitment to the promotion of democracy and democratic values in foreign policy exertions in Africa, as evident in Nigeria position and efforts in Mali, Guinea Conakry, Libya, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Equatorial Guinea etc. Nigeria was honoured in New York in September 2011 with invitation to become a member of the Governing Council of the Community of Democracies, an inter-govenmental organisation with headquaters in Polan. Election of Nigeria into International Organisations, includes: Nigeria’s election to the Executive Board of UNESCO in Paris in November 2011, for a term of 4 years; to the Governing Board of UNEP in November 2011, to the ECOSOC on 24 October 2011, Honourable Minister of Justice to international Law Commission in November 2011; Dr. Chile Osuji to international Criminal Court (ICC) in November 2011 etc. Under the BNC with the US, America investors are to invest massively in Nigeria’s energy sector; United State is training ex-Niger Delta militants in skills acquisition and vocational trade; and also assisting with environmental rehabilitation in the Delta. She is popular for her insistence that Foreign Embassies in Nigeria treat our citizens with respect. Current roles and interests: Professor Viola Onwuliri is the Foreign Affairs Minister of State 1 in Nigeria. She is the elected Representative for Africa on the Governing Council of the International Aids Society (IAS) for the control and elimination of HIV/ AIDS, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The first Nigerian and the first African female to be elected into this position. Previous roles/ appointments: Professor Viola Onwuliri

Prof. Viola Onwuliri was previously a professor of biochemistry at Federal University of Technology Owerri, (FUTO) Nigeria and the President of the FUTO Women Association. She served as deputy Dean for

She is a pioneer member of the National Women Coalition on AIDS (NAWOCA) and was the only member from the south east appointed in the National Technical Working Committee by the First Lady of Nigeria. As an academic, she has supervised numerous student research projects and has published numerous articles in scientific journals.

the faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Jos, Nigeria for seven years. She has acted as Dean of the college of Medicine and Head of the department of biochemistry at the University of Jos. She was selected as Deputy Governor nominee for Imo State, Nigeria during the 2011 elections. Key Accomplishments Professor Viola Onwuliri is a global frontliner in the fight against HIV/AIDS and has vigorously pursued the campaign against the scourge of HIV/AIDS especially amongst youths and women. Through her efforts, the Federal University of Technology Owerri has become recognized as a leading institution for Advocacy against the spread of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria and the National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (NACA) has

approved the establishment of a HIV/AIDS Youth Friendly Center in FUTO. She is a pioneer member of the National Women Coalition on AIDS (NAWOCA) and was the only member from the south east appointed in the National Technical Working Committee by the First Lady of Nigeria. As an academic, she has supervised numerous student research projects and has published numerous articles in scientific journals. Following the resignation of the Minister of State, Education, Nyesom Wike. President Goodluck Jonathan has appointed Prof. Viola Onwuliri as the new Minister of State, Education. Her appointment is in substantive capacity. articles.onlinenigeria.com

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

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World Kiddies

With Miriam

SIGHT AND SOUNDS Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport

Facilities The airport serves civilian and military flights. Runway 06/24 is mainly used for civilian flights, while runway 05/23 primarily serves the Nigerian Air Force base at the south side of the airport. Runway 05/23 was in use for all operations, when the main runway was rehabilitated in the beginning of the 21st century. Between the two runways lie the terminal facilities. The main terminal with the control tower serves international flights and domestic services operated by Arik Air. Facilities in the departure lounge are minimal, with a newsstand near the check-in counter and a small bar at the airside. There is a small VIP lounge for business class passengers. Duty-free shops are currently closed. In the arrivals hall there is a small bar and a post office. On the south side of the airport, along runway 06/24, is the domestic terminal currently serving operations of IRS Airlines. Facilities include a newsstand and small bar. Construction of a new domestic terminal, adjacent to the main terminal building, started in the beginning of the 21st century. Construction was abandoned but was resumed. The operator of the airport, Federal Airports Authority Nigeria (FAAN), saw the completion of the new terminal in November 2009. It was commissioned on May 2011.

ABCDE

HIS AND HERS CORNER

Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport

allam Aminu Kano International Airport (is located in Kano, the capital city of Kano State. It was a Royal Air Force station before the country became independent. It is the main airport serving northern Nigeria and was named after a politician, Aminu Kano. The airport consists of an international and a domestic terminal. The terminals share the same runway. Construction started on a new domestic terminal and was commissioned on May 23, 2011. In 2009, the airport handled 323,482 passengers. History Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport is the oldest in Nigeria, with operations starting in 1936. In the first decades of operation, it became an important fuel stop for airlines flying long-haul services between Europe and Africa. Newer aircraft did not need such fuel stops any longer and, with the demise of the economy of Kano in the late 20th century, many international airlines stopped serving the airport. Until they indefinitely suspended services in June 2012, KLM was the only European airline serving Kano, which they had done without interruption since 1947. This makes KLM the longest-serving foreign airline in Nigeria. The bulk of international flights cater for the large Lebanese community in Kano and Muslim pilgrimages to Mecca.

Humbe

Hanging out together

Cartoon Angle

Donald Duck and Daisy

Tom and Jerry

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

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Kiddies World

With Miriam

AFRICAN TALES

Humbe

ABCDE

MODEL OF THE WEEK

How the Elephant got its trunks

Osedebamen Albert

ACTIVITIES

nce upon a time there was a herd of elephant. All of them didn’t have trunks because it wasn’t invented yet, so they looked liked pigs. One day a baby elephant was taking a stroll to get some water from the river when a crocodile came up and took the elephant by the neck and threw him into the water. Five seconds later blood was rising from the river. This happened a lot to baby elephants when they were

taking drinks from crocodile infested waters in the African grasslands, and it had to be stopped! Then one day an adult elephant also came to get a drink. Then a crocodile from the muddy water grabbed its nose and pulled and pulled then suddenly the crocodile let go of the elephant’s nose. The elephant fell back and realized his trunk was three metres long! Very quickly he ran back to the

elephant herd and said. Hey guys look - having a long nose is awesome because you can lift stuff and drink water from it, it’s awesome! All the others got the treatment too and that is how the elephant got it is trunk! But some elephants got their trunks bitten off! This procedure evolved so they, they don’t look like pigs. That is how the elephants got their trunks.

With the help of the right materials, have fun colouring this image. Show your work to your parents or teacher for correction. Cheers!

CREATIVITY

How to make a paper purser

ave you ever wanted a purse but never had the money to buy one? Well, now you can make your own purse on the spot!

Things You’ll Need

• 1 sheet of A4 paper (letter size will also work) • Sellotape • Felt tips/ Colouring pencils • Scissors • Glue (optional) Method Fold the sheet of paper, taking the top right corner and folding onto the left edge. You should be left with a right angled triangle

followed by a rectangle below it. If you do not have scissors fold the rectangle up so that the bottom of the triangle finishes and the fold begins immediately. Unfold this and and carefully tare of this rectangle. If you do have scissors just cut off the rectangle. Unfold the triangle. You should be left with a square. Fold the bottom edge up so that it is around 4⁄5 centimeter (0.3 in) away from the top.*If

you would like separate compartments, unfold that fold. Using the rectangle that you cut off earlier cut out a rectangle that fits inside the purse. Stick all the edges apart from the top edge to the side of the purse. Then fold back. Fold the left and right edge of the purse to the back. Turn the paper over. Stick what you just folded to the back of the purse. Turn over. Fold the top part of the purse over the rest.

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e-Learning

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

Learning a language – 10 things you need to know

hinking about learning a foreign language? From ignoring your age to avoiding the F-word, our multilingual experts share their tips 1. Make realistic, specific goals You have decided to learn another language. Now what? On our recent live chat our panellists first piece of advice was to ask yourself: what do you want to achieve and by when? Donavan Whyte, vice president of enterprise and education at Rosetta Stone, says: “Language learning is best when broken down into manageable goals that are achievable over a few months. This is far more motivating and realistic.” You might be feeling wildly optimistic when you start but aiming to be fluent is not necessarily the best idea. Phil McGowan, director at Verbmaps, recommends making these goals tangible and specific: “Why not set yourself a target of being able to read a newspaper article in the target language without having to look up any words in the dictionary?” 2. Remind yourself why you are learning It might sound obvious, but recognising exactly why you want to learn a language is really important. Alex Rawlings, a language teacher now learning his 13th language, says: “Motivation is usually the first thing to go, especially among students who are teaching themselves.” To keep the momentum going he suggests writing down 10 reasons you are learning a language and sticking it to the front of the file you are using: “I turn to these in times of self-doubt.” 3. Focus on exactly what you want to learn Often the discussion around how to learn a language slides into a debate about so-called traditional v tech approaches. For Aaron Ralby, director of Linguisticator, this debate misses the point: “The question is not so much about online v offline or app v book. Rather it should be how can we assemble the necessary elements of language for a particular objective, present them in a user-friendly way, and provide a means for students to understand those elements.” When signing up to a particular method or approach, think about the substance behind the style or technology. “Ultimately,” he says, “the learning takes place inside you rather that outside, regardless of whether it’s a computer or book or a teacher in front of you.” 4. Read for pleasure For many of our panellists, reading was not only great for making progress, but one of the most rewarding aspects of the learning experience. Alex Rawl-

Panellists describe the importance and joy of reading for pleasure in another language. ings explains that reading for pleasure “exposes you to all sorts of vocabulary that you won’t find in day-to-day life, and normalises otherwise baffling and complicated grammatical structures. The first book you ever finish in a foreign languages is a monumental achievement that you’ll remember for a long time.” 5. Learn vocabulary in context Memorising lists of vocabulary can be challenging, not to mention potentially dull. Ed Cooke, co-founder and chief executive of Memrise, believes that association is key to retaining new words: “A great way to build vocabulary is to make sure the lists you’re learning come from situations or texts that you have experienced yourself, so that the content is always relevant

“

and connects to background experience.” 6. Ignore the myths: age is just a number You are a monolingual adult: have you missed the language boat? Ralby argues “a key language myth is that it’s harder as an adult”. Adults and children may learn in different ways but that shouldn’t deter you from committing to learning another language. “Languages are simultaneously organic and systematic. As children we learn languages organically and instinctively; as adults we can learn them systematically.” If you’re still not convinced of your chances, Ralby suggests drawing inspiration from early philologists and founders of linguistics who “learned dozens of languages to encyclopaedic levels

as adults”. 7. Do some revision of your native language Speaking your first language may be second nature, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you understand it well. Kerstin Hammes, editor of the Fluent Language Blog, believes you can’t make good progress in a second language until you understand your own. “I think understanding your native language and just generally how language works is so essential before you launch yourself at a bunch of foreign phrases.” 8. Don’t underestimate the importance of translation Different approaches may be necessary at different stages of the learning process. Once you have reached a certain level of proficiency and can say quite a bit,

Travel and living abroad can complement learning in the classroom: “The books and verb charts may be the easiest way to ensure you expose yourself to the language at home, but the people and the culture will far outclass them once you get to the country where your language is spoken.”

fairly accurately, Rebecca Braun, senior lecturer in German studies at Lancaster University, says it is typical to feel a slowing down in progress. “Translation,” she says, “is such an important exercise for helping you get over a certain plateau that you will reach as a language learner ... Translation exercises don’t allow you to paraphrase and force the learner on to the next level.”. 9. Beware of fluency Many of the panellists were cautious of the F-word. Hammes argues not only is it difficult to define what fluency is, but “as a goal it is so much bigger than it deserves to be. Language learning never stops because it’s culture learning, personal growth and endless improvement. I believe that this is where learners go wrong”. 10. Go to where the language is spoken It may not be an option for everyone but Braun reminds us that “if you are serious about learning the language and getting direct pleasure from what you have learned, you need to go to where that language is spoken”. Travel and living abroad can complement learning in the classroom: “The books and verb charts may be the easiest way to ensure you expose yourself to the language at home, but the people and the culture will far outclass them once you get to the country where your language is spoken.” Source: Guardian.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

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Leisure

Compiled By Doyin Ojosipe

The Magic Crocodile

here was once a big cave. The top part of the cave was dry and there was water in the bottom part of it. Many animals lived in the dry part and a crocodile lived in the bottom part of it. He liked to lie in the water and sleep. Sometimes he came out of the cave for a short time. One day a hunter with his bow and arrow came near the cave. He saw the crocodile and decided to kill him. He aimed at the crocodile. But he became blind at once. The hunter dropped his arrow and he began to see again! He saw the smiling crocodile of course. The crocodile was happy! The hunter aimed at the crocodile a second time and again he became blind. Then the hunter ran back to the village where he lived and told the people about the crocodile. “As I aimed at him I became blind. The arrow fell out of my bow and then I could see again,” he said. The people of the village did

not believe him. Many of them took their bows and arrows and went off to the cave. They saw the crocodile. He was lying in the sun near the cave. They aimed at him and became blind. “Take your arrows from your bows,” the hunter cried. They did so and could see again! It was clear that the crocodile was a magic crocodile. “No man can kill me,” thought the happy crocodile and went back to the cave. The other animals in the cave were happy, too. The magic crocodile did not let the hunters kill them and of course. They said “thank you” to the crocodile. Many young men came to the cave and tried to kill the crocodile. But nobody could do it with bows and arrows. In those days hunters knew nothing about the guns. However one day, a hunter who had a gun in his hands killed the crocodile. The crocodile’s magic worked only against bows and arrows. It did not work against guns.

Laugh out loud (lol)!

Search out the weather words!

Akpors and friends on a picnic Three friends: Akpors, Rukewe and Oghene decided to go for a picnic. Rukewe packs the picnic basket with drinks and sandwiches. Oghene carried the basket and they set out for the park 10km away. It takes them 2 hours to get there. When they arrived, Rukewe quickly spread the mat and set out the sandwiches. After checking around, Oghene found out that Rukewe did not pack the bottle opener. They then begged Akpos to make the 4 hour trip to go for the opener. He disagreed. “You’ll finish the sandwiches before I return,’’ Akpos protested. ‘’No we won’t’’, assured Rukewe. After some more cajoling from them, Akpos reluctantly sets out for the opener. After 5 hours, there was no sign of Akpors. They decided to wait for another 3 hours. There was no sign of Akpors. Oghene and Rukewe after waiting on Akpors for more than 8 hours were by now very hungry so they decided to take one sandwich each. As they were about to eat, Akpors pops out from behind a rock screaming:’ I knew it! I’m not going again’’!!!

Pay attention to this motivational story…

esson: “A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble.” Once upon a time two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch. Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence. One morning there was a knock on John’s door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter’s toolbox. “I’m looking for a few days work,” he said. “Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there. Could I help you?”

“Yes,” said the older brother. “I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That’s my neighbor, in fact, it’s my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I’ll go him one better. See that pile of lumber curing by the barn? I want you to build me a fence - an 8-foot fence - so I won’t need to see his place anymore. Cool him down, anyhow.” The carpenter said, “I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I’ll be able to do a job that pleases you.” The older brother had to go to town for supplies, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing.

About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer’s eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge... a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work handrails and all - and the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming across, his hand outstretched. “You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I’ve said and done.” The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other’s hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his shoulder. “No, wait! Stay a few days. I’ve a lot of other projects for you,” said the older brother. “I’d love to stay on,” the carpenter said, “but, I have many more bridges to build.

Beauty

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

PAGE 28

TIPS

Compiled by Isioma Nwabasha

How to grow long and healthy hair

We all want long, healthy and super shiny hair just like the celebrities we see. All hair grows an average of half an inch per month, but it is how you treat your hair that determines how much you will retain. There is no magical way to grow your hair long overnight. What makes it grow is dedication and a lot of patience. It is a slow process but eventually you will notice the change. It is also important to know that everyone’s hair is different and grows at a different speed. Here are some easy tips to grow your hair:

Avoid hot tools ry to avoid heat as much as possible. There is nothing worse for your hair than heat. Let it dry naturally after washing and limit the use of heat tools. Make sure to apply a heat protection product. Remember that every time you use heat, some damage is being done to your hair. Trimming This sounds counter-productive, but trims help get rid of dry, damaged and split ends which can work their way up the shaft of your hair, causing even more damage. A trim is defined as removing one quarter to half inch of hair, nothing more. If your stylist insists on cutting off inches of hair every time you visit a salon, your hair won’t get longer. Depending on the chemicals you have in your hair, as well as your daily routine, you may need a trim between six weeks to six months. The better you care for your hair on a day-today basis, the less often you will need trims. To get a healthy long hair, first you must remove all unhealthy bits. If you have split ends, get a trim because there is no other way to repair split ends. Relax with Care Chemical abuse is one of the biggest causes of hair damage. When it is time for a touch-up, get one because the longer you wait, the greater the chance of breakage when the relaxed hair meets the new growth. Overlapping a relaxer onto previously relaxed hair is another major cause of breakage. If you choose to wear your hair relaxed, it is best to find a competent stylist and stick with him or her, the fewer people you have applying

Avoid hot tools

chemicals to your hair, the better. Moisturise Once you get rid of all the split ends, use a conditioner to prevent split ends in the future. Use a deep conditioner once every week. Oils are also good for your scalp and hair. Use oil treatments to provide your hair with the nourishment it requires. You must start with a healthy hair in order to get long hair. Healthy short hair is more beautiful than a damaged long hair. It is best to use products that replace spent moisture. This includes using shampoos and conditioners formulated for your hair type. Eat right Unhealthy, weak and limp hair is a sign of poor diet. If your body isn’t getting enough nutrition, neither is your hair. How you treat your body has an effect on your hair and skin. Remember to include fresh fruits, vegetables and protein in your diet. Drink loads of water. If there is need, multi-vitamins are also a great way to get all the necessary vitamins that your body requires. Yes, what you eat, drink and how you treat your body has an effect on your hair. Since your hair grows directly from your body, when you treat your body well, your skin, nails and hair benefit too. People who suffer from vitamin deficiencies and unhealthy diets can suffer from dry and brittle hair. Use a wide tooth comb Avoid brushing your hair while it is wet. You hair is more likely to get damaged when

wet. When shampooing, don’t rub the roots too hard because your hair will get weak. Also, don’t use a towel. Let it air dry. If your hair gets frizzy or tangled when you don’t brush it while it is wet then its best to use a wide tooth comb, the best comb for your hair is a wooden one. Hair styles and accessories Never use rubber band or elastic hair ties that pull your hair. Avoid sharp hair accessories or pins. They will break your hair when you try to remove them. Use hair ties without the metal connector and accessories that are safe for your hair. It is believed that satin pillowcases prevent hair breakage and drying. Don’t make styles that can break your hair.

Trimming

Moisturise

Eat right

Long and healthy hair Back combing, tight ponytails and tiny braids pull your hair from the roots and make them weak. Remember that styles that pull all your hair and stress the roots are not easy to remove therefore they damage your hair. Use protective styling Once your hair is at a certain length, you might want to wear it loose all the time to let everyone know just how long it is. You want to feel the wind blowing it to and fro, but wearing your hair in protective styles more often than not will help you retain that precious length. Protective styles keep your ends, the oldest and often driest parts of your hair, from rubbing against clothing, pillowcases and car seats. By keeping these ends up and out of sight, you hold in the moisture your hair needs and prevent dryness that can lead to breakage. Protective styling also applies to nighttime care, a silk or satin hair cover or pillowcase is better for the health of your hair than cotton.

Use a wide tooth comb

Compiled by Miriam Humbe

Fashion

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

et your spontaneity free and allow your imagination to conceive the embellishments created by cutting out shapes from Ankara fabrics to create the embellishments that are utterly captivating. Ankara Clothing Designs and Patterns are vibrant with highly colorful designs. These colors have a strong cultural and societal connection with the people of West Africa. The designs developed are creative and bold. The festive nature of these designs is used to tell stories about the beauty of the African culture. The patterns used mean different things to different people. Some will refer to different designs like a star as a concord, or a shell. Ankara clothing is used in a variety of ways and the blend of colors assembled can make for vibrant and celebratory occasions such as weddings, birthday and other special occasions. A common trait to nearly all Ankara Designs and Patterns is the emphasis on bolder, more colorful, and brighter designs used. These designs also typically portray blocks in some form. African fashions express their beauty

PAGE 29

Tell the African story with stylish, patternised Ankara and elegant natures with their clothing. Some designs have broad and emphasized embroidery. Other Ankara clothing patterns focus on the simple, intricate designs without embroidery. Some styles focus on a single color as others mix many colors naturally and beautifully. Some styles work better with shorts and others with long pants. African clothing is meant to enhance the shape and beauty of a person. Currently, Ankara clothing is solely not used in making outfits but it is also applied to make bags, shoes, accessories and umbrellas. Ankara accessories may be combined with various types of dresses, jeans, plain t-shirts, dresses, patterned or printed dresses. It provides people with special services that entail fashionable and contemporary styles with vibrant array of colors and patterns. The fabric is cheap, affordable and available and comes in a rich variety of colors and patterns. Also, it comes out beautifully whether combined or worn plain.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

PAGE 30

Pots & Pans U Plantain Pancake With Miriam Humbe

se up overripe (black) plantains when you make plantain pancake, but you can also make use of the ripe (yellow) ones too. Plantains are rich in minerals (potassium, magnesium, and iron, phosphorous), Vitamins (A, B6 and C) and fibre and taste really good. Ingredients Ingredients

Makes about 16-20 pancakes - 2 Ripe/overripe plantains - 200 grams plain flour or wheat flour - 2 raw eggs - 2 to 3 tablespoonfuls evaporated milk or powdered milk or condensed milk - 1to 2 Tablespoonfuls sugar - 100ml Water (more or less) - Chili pepper or Scotch bonnet (atarodo) (to taste) - 1 tablespoonful Onions (minced) (to taste) - A pinch of Salt - A pinch of grated nutmeg (optional) - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder or baking soda (to make it fluffy) - 2 to 3 tablespoonful vegetable oil (for greasing the pan) Tip: You can substitute the water in the recipe for whole milk Preparation Preparation : Mash the plantains until smooth and without lumps To get a smooth consistency, you can puree in a blender or mix the mashed plantains thoroughly with a little water, pass it through a tight sieve and mash any lumpy plantains with a spoon. Break the eggs into a wide bowl, add the milk, sugar and mashed or blended plantains, mix together using a whisk or a fork. Add the grated nutmeg (optional), the minced onions, pepper and salt.

Gradually sift in the baking soda and flour and keep on whisking. The mixture would begin to thicken and look lumpy. Add the water and continue stirring until the pancake batter is smooth with a runny consistency, but not too watery. Leave the batter to rest for 15 minutes. Tip: Note that the lighter you

make the batter, the thinner the pancakes will turn out. Pour a little oil on a pan, enough to grease the pan; spread the oil with a brush to grease the whole surface and heat up until hot. Tip: A non-stick pan is highly recommended for this. Using a ladle (soup spoon), scoop up some of the pancake

batter and pour into the hot pan. Gently tilt the pan, so that the batter can evenly coat the surface of the pan. Cook one side of the Pancake (on low heat) for a few seconds; as you begin to see air bubbles and the sides of the pancake turning dark;flip over and cook the other side. Repeat this process for the

remaining pancake batter. Always grease the pan before use. Serve and Enjoy! Tip: You can also puree all the ingredients in a blender and cook as written above. Plantain Pancake can be enjoyed as a snack with a chilled drink or as a breakfast/dinner meal with a cool/hot beverage.

Carrots, orange and pawpaw juice Ingredients • Ingredients

Preparation Preparation

• Nutrition

Equipment Equipment • Juice extractor. Ingredients Ingredients

Step 1 Use a juice extractor to process the papaya, orange and carrot, and pour into a glass.

• 375g papaya, seeded, peeled, chopped Step 2 • 1 orange, peeled, chopped Add the ice cubes. Stir • 1 carrot, chopped and serve immediately. • Ice cubes, to serve

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

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PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

PAGE 32

Fiction

‘Okada’ man’s tales of woes

here’s never been much to say for taking an okada ride, no passenger ever got off the bike with a great smile and said “Thank you for that wonderful ride, let us do it again soon.” That being the case for passengers that got on for at most twenty minutes, it was a small wonder one rarely found a rider with a pleasant disposition after a hard day’s ride. Shittu slowed as he passed the junction, scanning three men who stood apart with various degrees of frowns on their faces. The first man to wave him down was at the extreme, he’d have to pass the other two before reaching him. He looked the fellow over and noted that his shinning skull had an even shinier crown at the fore. He wore a suit that did his figure no good, his face was swollen and bulbous with multiple chins and his fat cheeks glistened with sweat as though he had dabbled them in water. Fatter ‘Papa Ajasco’ Shittu thought as headed towards him. Suddenly however, the man nearest to him raised his hand and blocked Shittu as he passed by. Because Shittu had slowed to almost a crawl he still kept control of his bike, though barely. Steadying himself, he looked to chastise the man for stopping him in such a dangerous manner when the most curious thing happened; the fellow vaulted his left leg over the passenger seat and settled in, Shittu’s open mouth produced no sounds. He looked the impudent scoundrel over while the man who beckoned on Shittu first stood fixed with an incredulous look. Without a thought, the okada rider accelerated away sparing not a glance for the cheated man who spat out “That’s why you will never progress in your life! Stupi…” as they zoomed by. Shittu could feel his passenger’s smile as they rode and when they were out of sight from the junction the man told him “British-America.” Shittu nodded, “N150” he replied. “What? No be N80 again?” “N150.” “Which kind nonsense be this, in fact stop the bike now. Stop!” Shittu coasted for a short distance then stopped. His passenger did not descend. “So my friend I been ask you how much!” The man said testily. “N150” Shittu said, “or you didn’t hear me the first time?” he did not try to hide his boredom. His passenger did not still did not alight though Shittu could feel the tension and anger seep into the man as he sat there trying to calm himself before speaking. “What do you mean N150!” He burst, “Is it not this junction that everybody is taking N70 for? I was even trying to help you when I said N80! What kind of human being are you eh? Do you think I am thief, did I steal money from you? Do I owe you? How can you say N150? Are you the thief?” Shittu did not turn as he repeated, “N150.” The passenger was almost frenzied now, “Why? Eh my friend why? What did I do to you that you doing me like this? Are you a real Christian? Are you a real Muslim? Don’t you know God? Is this life? Eh tell me, if you see

someone doing this same thing you are doing to me just now to your brother will you clap for him? This is not fair oh my brother this is not fair.” Shittu shook his bike slightly to hear the sound of fuel in his tank. He guessed he had maybe a quarter tank left. That would last a while till he could head for the Mobil petrol station, there he would get fuel at the fair pump price even though there would be a long queue, he was determined not to be suckered anymore by those thieving black-market sellers. “N150.” Then he hesitated, “Ok. N140.” The man seated behind Shittu raised his hand, Shittu did not have to look behind to see, he had felt it rise from where it had been touching his back only a moment ago. This did not bother Shittu, he did not believe that hand would strike him, he did not believe the hand would dare. “Okay.” The man said, his voice weakened suddenly “I see so it is just to do wickedness that you came out for today shey? You are just here on this road, to do wickedness! That is why,” he paused to suck in air “that is why you even parked here. Here that no other empty bike passes that is why. Just carry go please, I will pay you N120.” Shittu’s eyes slanted and he turned his neck a little to look hard at the man who had quieted

“

now. Shittu’s stare was direct and without wile, the man knew exactly how he felt. “Let’s go.” They sped off. As they reached their destination Shittu gladly took the man’s money and gave him change for N120. Both parted with viciously blank faces, their eyes masking their thoughts as if in sync. Shittu kicked off, planning to make a U-turn and head back the way he had come. He did not like heading past the British-America, the people beyond here always managed to bring out the worse in him plus the soldiers over there did not have any qualms with shooting anyone they considered a threat to peace, and peace hung on a very thin thread now. He made his turn and quickly picked up his speed, he almost missed the young woman in black skin hugging trousers standing on the other side of the road as she waved to him brightly making sure she caught his attention. Shittu watched for cars on the empty road and again turned around and parked beside the lady. Shittu noticed her trousers. They looked like jeans but the material seemed too fitting and crease-less to be jeans. “Abuja hostel” she said, Shittu did not know the University was still running, not in this ghost town anyway, “How much?” He looked to the ground and found an empty can of coke with his eye then he remembered he

had nothing to eat all day long. Yet he still felt no hunger, his thoughts immediately reverted to the charming material that made up the lady’s trouser. It was fascinating to watch it fit as she lean on one leg to another, comfortably fulfilling its mistress’ desire for comfort and attraction. Shittu slowly raised his eyes and to her long bright shirt-dress that almost touched her knees and from there he met her face and saw his expectation realised. She wore no make-up his eyes could discern though he was directly in front of her. She had clear skin, the colour of rich coffee though on her left cheek Shittu spied the beginnings of a pimple budding. Her eyes were oval and perfectly fitted to her face like eyes usually are. Her nose was beautiful to Shittu, he really liked the way her nose and mouth merged to form a hexagon. Shittu said “Abuja hostel?” She nodded, “150 Naira.” Shittu looked to her. She did not flinch or falter but simply paused her fidgeting for a brief second then got on his okada. Shittu felt her slide onto the bike. He waited for her to settle in before he would begin, this ride would last as long as thirty to forty minutes. When she was comfortable he started his bike and set out, carefully weaving through some earth that he suspected might have nails in it. As he got on the road, he froze in

“What do you mean N150!” He burst, “Is it not this junction that everybody is taking N70 for? I was even trying to help you when I said N80! What kind of human being are you eh? Do you think I am thief, did I steal money from you? Do I owe you? How can you say N150? Are you the thief?”

total shock for his new passenger had gently wrapped her arms around his waist and snuggled closer to his back. He could smell had perfume and it was nice, nothing spectacular, but it was nice. Too nice. This ride lasted long. Shittu took his time to sense her hands around his body, to feel her grip tighten when he swerved too fast or hit a bump. He almost felt her pulse quicken as they raced by trailers and other big vehicles. He felt so alive he could touch germs right then, he smiled a big smile that showed his teeth and felt the pleasant wind against his face. When they arrived the hostel his passenger disembarked. “Wow.” She said clearly dazed. “You are crazy oh.” She remarked with a catchy grin. She was wide eyed and excited, probably frightened at some point he imagined, but she gamely bore her anxiety and let him have his fun. Shittu was touched, it is not everyday that one meets a woman who lets a man play and live precariously. She fished around her purse and brought forth a N200 bill which she handed to him. Shittu did not remember what the price, if any, they had agreed on, all he remembered was her scent and the feel of her warmth around him. He dared to hope, he dared to dream. Shittu reached for the money but stopped his hand midair. Then he waved the money away and mustered every atom of strength, will, courage and faith he had in his being and said: “I don’t want your money. I like you. Can I please have your number if that’s not too much to ask?” She was smiling still but quickly put away her money. “I am sorry, but I don’t give my number to strangers,” came her reply. Maybe it was the smile, maybe Shittu had too much Alomo to drink four nights ago but in came the will to press on and he did, even managing to match her smile as he replied, “Stranger? Haba we just shared an exciting journey here together. We are now friends.” She chuckled at that and suddenly the smile vanished. Shittu’s heart tumbled in trepidation. “I don’t give my number to okada riders oh. I was trying to be nice but please, don’t force me to insult you, I have standards abeg. You didn’t even go to school sef.” The scales fell from his eyes then, what had seemed like a pleasant smile returned as a mocking grin. He felt her contempt and annoyance at him for keeping her talking under the sun even while their business was over. What was he thinking he thought to himself? Wordlessly he zoomed off. It was not long after that he had to stop and wipe his eyes. Stupid specks of dirt had got in and caused tears to start to flow from them. Surprisingly however they did not stop now. They kept coming. The tears, the stupid tears. Naijastories.com

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PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

Romance

When the most beautiful girl on campus said ‘yes’

t was not only extremely unusual for Betty to reply Pings, it is equally unbelievable, ‘Hello’ was the simple reply she gave in response to Jomi’s ping, but the beep of his blackberry phone woke the sleeping man up quickly. ‘Betty!!!’ He typed as fast as he could, and then he confirmed that there was no spelling error before sending instantly. It was after his reply that he recovered fully from sleep, and realizing it was not a dream, he became dazed and shocked. Both feelings coupled with great uncertainty and slight happiness, he had pinged her unconsciously, when his eyes were already getting too heavy to focus on the phone, he had done that and slept immediately, and when her simple reply came in, he couldn’t help appreciating the subconscious him that had pinged her. He curiously anticipated her reply because her next words would determine his own mood. ‘Darl.’ She replied almost as soon as the message ticked ‘R’ on his screen, and then she added the smiley of a smiling pretty face. Jomi stood from bed happily, and sat at the edge of his room’s chair. Betty was really replying his chat, and that was not a dream, it was really very happening and that obviously was a very rare great event in his life. Of course not many would believe him if he told them in school the next Monday, but at least their believing or not had nothing to do with the stark reality, in which euphoria Jomi was now basking in. He typed his next words quickly but carefully, so as to let her know that he was still with her; ‘Betty, its so strange to have you replying my chats.’ After sending, he wished he hadn’t, he wished he had just pretended everything was cool, so as not to turn her good mood off. Her simple but much expected reply came after about ten seconds, it was; ‘lol’. He didn’t mind that her reply was short, and the fact that she couldn’t have indeed been literarily laughing out loud at such time of the night. But he was happy that she had at least replied and that she had obviously not taken offence in his accusation. His mind got very busy again, as he tried hard to figure out what his next words should be, when he finally figured out what to write, he did that quickly; ‘I’ve been thinking about you all day’. That was a very strange and direct expression, although as a matter of fact, he had always been thinking about her, and besides, all the boys in Neggs High School have always been talking about Betty. And so

Jomi realized how so much he had made a fool of himself for claiming what belongs to everybody, he therefore began to blame himself for being so stupid and so direct in his speech, even though it was an obvious truth, he knew he should have at least protected his own ego too. When she didn’t reply in quite a while, he knew that she had already called it a day with him, and while still tempted to stay awake, he restlessly and regrettably fell on his bed again, but this time, sleep would not come – sleep could not come. He stared at his phone curiously, as if a magic would happen and a message would come in. It seemed almost imaginary when a beep simultaneously brought in a message into his phone right before his eyes, it was from her and Jomi read it immediately.

“

‘Thanks dear.’ The smiley of a blushing face followed, and then the most unbelievable words followed after, ‘I broke up with Chempor today.’ “What?!” Jomi screamed before typing. He deleted what he typed and gave it consideration before considering punching the ‘Send’ key, he felt there was a need to rephrase the words, and so he concluded, typed and sent, ‘Is that really true?’ The big screen of his phone brightened his focused face, but his eyes concentrated joyfully on the part of the screen that informed him that; BettyCute is typing… ‘Absolutely’ came in shortly after. He sent her a smiley of a sad face, and then typed; ‘so what are you gonna do now?’ Jomi could picture her looking sad as she typed on her

phone, he could imagine that she was feeling lonely, and perhaps he was the only one awake on her BBM list, thus a good companion for the night, and as he began to feel proud that this girl was indeed giving him absolute attention now, her reply entered. ‘I don’t wanna brood on dat for to long’ She sent. Jomi’s eyes grew curious, ‘I’ll agree to the next boy that asks me out’ She concluded. ‘Seriously?’ Jomi said as he typed and sent without reluctance. ‘Yes.’ Jomi marveled, he had severally heard that Betty was a very blunt girl, she didn’t hide her actions and feelings and above that she kept to her words, but it would make him the devil if he tried to show his jubilation for the bad news she had just declared. If he wanted in, he had

‘Can we go out on a date tomorrow?’ he left the text in the text box, and deliberated sending it or not. If he sent it, there was no way she’d say no, but there was no penny on him to take her out on such a befitting date, and if he didn’t suggest a date, he could loose her forever.

to play his game nicely. ‘But is there no way to fix things up with him?’ ‘- hey! I’m not going back on my decision. And between, I don’t like been convinced against my decision.’ Jomi smiled, if only she knew that what she was now saying interested him more than anything, she would have known she didn’t need to say so much to convince him that she was not going back on her decision. ‘Can we go out on a date tomorrow?’ he left the text in the text box, and deliberated sending it or not. If he sent it, there was no way she’d say no, but there was no penny on him to take her out on such a befitting date, and if he didn’t suggest a date, he could loose her forever. Jomi thought hard on the two options. The desirable glory of being the one dating Betty, the attention that would bring him, the respect from other mates, seniors and juniors and even teachers, the tales that would go round the school about him, the benefits of dating an half cast, the possible agreement to his future proposal to her, the… He couldn’t afford to lose all that after getting this close. Without delay, Jomi punched the ‘Send’ key on his phone and he watched the text tick the usual ‘D’ for its deliverance and then he watched as the D turned R, which technically meant that the message had been read. For few seconds, he wished he had first asked her what she would be doing, he wished he hadn’t allowed his emotions to think for him. But something in him still felt cool with the presentation, the lady had made it crystal clear that she was going to go out with anyone who asks her out next. And if that ‘anyone’ excluded him, she wouldn’t have told him about it. She deliberately delayed, so that he would think she was considering the offer, even though she must have known right from the start that she would later send a ‘yes’ to him. And when he asked her to fix a time and a venue, she sent, ’12 pm tomorrow. Lamis Lala’ He typed a reply to that quickly, by first sending a cool face smiley and then; ‘Ooh, LamisLala it is then. I’ll ring u by 11:30’ She delayed again before, she definitely wasn’t surprised that he had her number, because almost everyone in the school did, for Whatsapp purpose, few of which she replied. She only replied him now by typing; ‘Alright. Early to bed?… Night!’ And when he sent her a dozing smiley and wrote; ‘Night’ She didn’t read it. Naijastories.com

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

PAGE 34

Nollywood Omotola and I have done great things together -Sound Sultan

Omotola

Sound Sultan

S Y

ound Sultan needs no introduction in the music and the entertainment industry in general having spent over a decade carving a niche for himself.The multi-talented Naija Ninja record label cofounder in a brief chat tells Nigeriafilms.com what makes him tick, his relationship with Nollywood’s super star, Omotola Jalade, and why he chose to do music with her. ou have maintained your ground and remained relevant in the Nigeria music sector despite the fierce competition, what is the secret? Well, all I would say is God first, then I believe I have the energy, the voice and the zeal to move on- the gift of life too is

inclusive. One other thing is my fans; I always keep in touch with them as they keep encouraging us with the right words and buying the albums whenever it is out. It’s like a cycle. I always try to rejuvenate that same hunger and zeal I started with to keep me afloat. Lots of budding artistes

always mention you as a source of their inspiration. What is that thing you often do to them? I’m always real with any act I meet, even if you are not popular. If I see you have the prospect, I will try to encourage you with the best ways to make you blow. I’ll advice them, nurture their talents, and motivate them till

they get there. They all like me, because I am just being real; my real self. While you were growing up, did you foresee yourself being this big? Nobody will know that one na, I be God? (Laughs) But you had an idea you were going to turn an entertainer?

Yes, my brother Babedee started before me, I knew I was going to join him later. And I did. Looking at other top female actresses, why did you choose to do musical collaboration with Omotola Jalade? We have done a couple of songs and things together before. She is like a sister to me. We have a working chemistry. If you ask her she will tell you that also. What could bring Sound Sultan down? I don’t see any of that coming. All my challenges and discouragement I see it as a path to fame. I don’t keep that in my hard drive. They are all motivations. Nobody can bring you down, unless you allow it. As a handsome popular star, has any of your female fans embarrassed you provocatively? None that I can remember. Even if they do, I can’t tell you, I’ll put it in my song (laughs). It could be recalled that late last year, 2014, during an interactive session with her fans on Twitter, Omotola Jalade had declared Sound Sultan as her best male Nigerian act in the music world. Source: com

Nigeriafilms.

I was a taxi driver -Adewale C

omic actor, A d e w a l e A d e b a y o , also called Elesho, is known for the rib cracking jokes he infuses while interpreting his scripts. The actor, who spoke on how he began his acting career which he revealed recently on a programme monitored by Nigeriafilms.com, said he was a taxi driver for sometime before becoming an actor. “Someone asked me if I could drive a taxi in Lagos and I replied yes and that was how I started

driving and through that I met some big people in the movie industry and that was how I found myself acting”. Also speaking on the issue of piracy, he said, even stakeholders always work to tackle piracy, but only God could help the situation because the issue is complicated. The 58year old actor through his acting career has featured in several movies such as Oro Mi Dayo, Temi among many others. He said fans should expect more from him this year.

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PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

Hollywood

Jennifer Lawrence says she’s ‘miserable’ J

ennifer Lawrence isn’t enjoying her time off. The ‘Serena’ star, who recently rekindled her relationship with Coldplay frontman, Chris Martin, is currently taking a well-earned break from Hollywood, but admits she is “miserable.” When asked by Eddie Redmayne if she is being “a lady of leisure,” the Oscar winner said: “I am miserable. I was so excited to get time off, and now I don’t know what to do with myself.” When the British star admitted that she feels she has to make things up to justify taking a break, Jennifer responded: “Yeah. I’m like, ‘I paint-I’m a painter!” The 24-year-old beauty is also upset that she has almost completed filming the final episode of the ‘Hunger Games’ series.

When asked about the upcoming movie by Eddie, she said: “I’ve got, like, one more thing to shoot for ‘Hunger Games’. We just have one scene to do for the end. I’m not happy about it at all.” “Meanwhile, Jennifer felt like she was “going to cry” after the 33-yearold actor confessed he’s “been a closet lover of faux-reality TV since ‘The Hills.’ “She said: “I feel like I’m going to cry. We’re making a breakthrough. I went to Pump the other night to meet [restaurateur and ‘Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ star] Lisa Vanderpump. I had her sign a bottle of vodka, and when she gave it to my friend who was with me at the Oscars, my friend said, ‘Jennifer, this is so much better than the Oscars!’ “

Bafta nods for Hawking biopic stars

ddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones are both in line for Baftas after being nominated for their roles in the Stephen Hawking biopic: The Theory of Everything. The nominations were announced at Bafta’s central London HQ in Piccadilly. Redmayne faces competition from stars including Michael Keaton and Benedict Cumberbatch for the best actor award, while Jones is up against names including Amy Adams and Reese Witherspoon. The other actors in the running against Redmayne are Ralph Fiennes and Jake Gyllenhaal. Redmayne, who has already been short-listed for the Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild awards for his role, was the favourite to win the Bafta even before the nominations.

The critics have raved about his performance in The Theory of Everything which is based on the memoirs of Hawking’s ex-wife, Jane, which deals with their relationship, his scientific success and the onset of motor neurone disease which left him severely disabled. Jones, who plays his wife, also faces competition from Gone Girl star, Rosamund Pike, and Julianne Moore. Other nominations include nods for Keira Knightley and Imelda Staunton for best supporting actress and Steve Carell and Ethan Hawke for best supporting actor. The awards, seen as a dry run for the Oscars, will be handed out on Sunday, February 8 at a glittering ceremony at London’s Royal Opera House. Wes Anderson’s The Grand

Budapest Hotel heads the nominations list with 11, one ahead of Keaton’s Birdman and The Theory of Everything. The Imitation Game received nine nods. All four are on the short-list for Best Film along with Richard Linklater’s Boyhood. The US director said it was “thrilling” to be recognised. Among The Theory Of Everything’s other nominations are for best British film, best adapted screenplay and best director for James Marsh. Mike Leigh’s Mr Turner is nominated for four awards including costume design and make up and hair but there was no recognition for Timothy Spall’s performance in the title role which won him the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. David Oyelowo’s performance as US civil rights leader Martin Luther King in Selma was also ignored by Bafta. The battle for best British film sees the Hawking biopic face competition from ‘71 - a drama set in Belfast in the early years of the troubles - and Paddington which starred Ben Whishaw and Nicole Kidman and was based on author Michael Bond’s books about the marmalade sandwich-loving bear. Also nominated is Pride - based on the real-life alliance between gay rights activists and striking miners in the 1980s - and science fiction thriller Under The Skin. Among the other awards presented on the night is the Rising Star, which recognises the best new talent.

Music industry ‘harder for females’

op star, Rita Ora, believes it has “always been harder for females” to succeed in the music industry, as she prepares to take up coaching duties on BBC1 talent show,The Voice. The Hot Right Now singer said she has been “very vocal about women sticking together” but many people were “scared” to use the word “feminist”. Ora, 24, has replaced Kylie Minogue as the sole female panellist on the next series of The Voice, alongside Sir Tom Jones, Will.i.am and Kaiser Chiefs frontman, Ricky Wilson. She told the Mirror:

“Without pulling the female card, I think it has always been harder for females in all aspects. “Whenever we have an opinion, it always seems to be taken out of proportion. As a woman in this industry, it has always been about proving yourself, so I’m proud to be on a panel with such successful men. “I think people take the word ‘feminist’ seriously and are scared to use that word. In this industry, all the heads of labels are men. I have always been very vocal about women sticking together.”

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Celebrity gists Avatar’s sequel delayed until 2017

he sequel to 2009 hit, Avatar will not be released until 2017. The Oscar-winning Director of Aliens and Titanic, James Cameron, said he is working on three new Avatar films at the same time. The first film was supposed to be out in December 2016, but Cameron said writing the stories had become ‘very involved’. “There is a layer of complexity in getting the story to work as a saga across three films,” he explained. He said the goal was to have the scripts for the three movies completed by the end of this month so that filming can begin. “We are writing three simultaneously and we have done that so that everything tracks throughout the three films. We are not just going to do one and then make up another one and another one after that.” The three films will be shot in New Zealand, where some of the original film was also made. Avatar is the highest-grossing film in history, with box office takings of almost $2.8 billion (£1.8 billion). Set in the 22nd century on a distant planet inhabited by a humanoid race, the sci-fi epic went on to win three Oscars.

Brad Pitt, Gosling, Bale to star in ‘The Big Short’

-list actors, Brad Pitt, Ryan Gosling and Christian Bale are set to share the silver screen together in an upcoming film, The Big Short, an adaption of Michael Lewis’ bestseller, “The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine.” Per Vulture, Paramount and Pitt’s production company, Plan B Entertainment, began adapting the novel back in 2010 shortly after the father of six signed on to Moneyball, which was also based on one of Lewis’ books and later became an Oscarwinning film.

Gwyneth gushes about her two famous exboyfriends

ollywood actress, Gwyneth Paltrow, has dated two very awesome and hot Hollywood actors, Brad Pitt and Ben Affleck, and the world apparently doesn’t want her to ever forget it She made an appearance on the Howard Stern Show and got asked a number of questions about the details of her relationships and breakups with Brad Pitt and Ben Affleck. She revealed that she was definitely in love with Brad Pitt and that with Ben Affleck her parents did not want them being together.

‘‘I definitely fell in love with Brad. He was so gorgeous and sweet. I mean, he was Brad Pitt. I was such a kid, I was 22 when we met. It has taken me until 40 to get my head out of it. You can’t make that decision when you are 22 years old. I wasn’t ready and he was too good for me. I didn’t know what I was doing.’’ On Ben Affleck and her parents: ‘‘I think they appreciated how he is super intelligent and really talented and funny. They loved him, but they were okay with us not being together. [He was] not in a good place in his life to have a girlfriend.’’

The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine, which spent 28 weeks on the New York Times’ bestseller list, is a nonfiction story that centers on the build-up of the housing and credit bubble in the 2000s, which led to the global financial crisis from 2007 to 2010. Variety also reports that Adam McKay will write and direct the forthcoming film which “will likely feature several A-list actors who have similar-sized roles, similar to the cast of Traffic or The Counselor.” Pitt’s production company has garnered

a notable reputation in recent years with films such as 12 Years a Slave, which took home last year’s Oscar for Best Picture, as well as Selma, which has been steadily acquiring Academy Award buzz and was honored with the Golden Globe for Best Original Song. Meanwhile, the 50-year-old Fury star will appear in By The Sea, which is directed by wife, Angelina Jolie. Bale most recently appeared in Exodus: Gods and Kids and new dad, Ryan Gosling is currently filming The Nice Guy.

Birdman, Grand Budapest Hotel lead Academy Award nominations

ominations for the 87th Academy Awards were announced on Thursday, while Birdman and The Grand Budapest Hotel lead the race with nine nominations each. Nominees for best picture are American Sniper, Boyhood, Birdman, The Imitation Game, The Theory of Everything, Selma, The Grand Budapest Hotel and Whiplash. Nominees for best actor are Steve Carell (Foxcatcher), Michael Keaton (Birdman), Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything), Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game) and Bradley Cooper (American Sniper). Nominees for best actress are Julianne Moore (Still Alice), Reese Witherspoon (Wild), Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl),

Marion Cotillard (Two Days, One Night) and Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything). Those in the best supporting actor category are J.K. Simmons (Whiplash), Edward Norton (Birdman), Ethan Hawke (Boyhood), Mark Ruffalo (Foxcatcher) and Robert Duvall (The Judge). The nominees for best supporting actress are Patricia Arquette (“Boyhood”), Emma Stone (“Birdman”), Meryl Streep (“Into the Woods”), Keira Knightley (“The Imitation Game”) and Laura Dern (“Wild”). Best director are Richard Linklater (Boyhood), Alejandro Gonzalez-Inarritu (Birdman), Bennett Miller (Foxcatcher), Wes Anderson (The Grand Budapest Hotel) and Morten Tyldum (The Imitation Game).

Nominees for best adapted screenplay are The Imitation Game, American Sniper, Whiplash, The Theory of Everything and Inherent Vice. Those for best original screenplay are Boyhood, Birdman, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Foxcatcher and Nightcrawler. The nominees for best animated feature are Big Hero 6, How to Tame Your Dragon 2, The Boxtrolls, The Song of the Sea and The Tale of Princess Kaguya. The Lego Movie, widely believed to be a favorite in this category, wasn’t nominated at all. The 87th Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, February 22, at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre with Neil Patrick Harris as host.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

PAGE 37

Ent e r t ain m en t

Omotola listed among Yahoo’s ‘Highest-grossing movie stars’

ollywood actress, Omotola JaladeEkeinde, is definitely breaking boundaries. The gorgeous actress, who is currently celebrating 20 years in the movie industry, was recently put on Yahoo’s list of ‘The HighestGrossing Movie Stars you’ve Probably Never Heard of’. Omotola happens to be the only Nigerian, and African, on the list, as well as being one of the two women on it. Yahoo states that, ‘Hollywood stars like Tom Cruises and Samuel L Jacksons are ten-a-penny these days, you can’t leave the house without seeing their faces plastered on bus stops and the sides of buildings. What of the actors who have achieved great success but receive no recognition for their work? Why, that bloke you were queuing behind in Waitrose could have been one of these guys, the 10 highest-grossing movie stars you’ve never heard of’. The post goes on to list Frank Welker, Bob Bergen, Jack Angel, Mickie McGowan, Michael Papajohn, Martin Klebba, Clint Howard, Chris Ellis and Bollywood star, Shah Rukh Khan.

Cheryl FernandezVersini tops UK’s beauty icon list

inger and X-Factor judge, Cheryl Cole, who now goes by Cheryl FernandezVersini is the UK’s top beauty icon for 2014. The survey by Superdrug is conducted every year and has had the Dutchess, Kate Middleton, as its top beauty icon since 2011. Cheryl had an incredible year as she not only made a return to the hit talent show, but had a chart-topping album, Only Human and also married Jean-Bernard FernandezVersini. According to a Superdrug spokesperson; “Our customers definitely take their cues from Cheryl, she is a natural beauty not afraid to try the latest beauty trends and always looks completely polished. In fact our customers are so inspired by her that her debut perfume, launched earlier this year, has already secured itself as our number three bestselling celebrity scent.“. The list sees Kate Middleton now occupying the second spot with Michelle Keegan, Holly Wiloughby, Angelina Jolie, Dame Helen Mirren, Emma Watson, Beyonce, Nicole Scherzinger and Jennifer Lawrence making up the top 20.

Transformers lead Razzies ‘worst film’ shortlist

he fourth entry in the Transformers franchise leads this year’s Razzie nominations, which single out the worst movies of the last 12 months. Transformers: Age of Extinction, which made more than $1 billion at the worldwide box office, has seven nominations including worst picture and screenplay. Director Michael Bay has also been nominated for a Razzie, which launched in 1980 as a spoof of the Oscars. Kirk Cameron’s Saving Christmas and The Legend of Hercules received six nods. Teenage Mutant Ninja

Turtles, another Michael Bay’s production and Nicolas Cage’s thriller, Left Behind, were in the worst picture category. Other notable nominees include Cameron Diaz, who is cited for her roles in romantic comedies, The Other Woman and Sex Tape, as well as worst supporting actress in the remake of Annie. Seth MacFarlane, who hosted the Oscars in 2013, also has a number of nominations for his comic western, A Million Ways to Die in the West. He joins Bay in the worst director category and is nominated for “worst screen combo” with Charlize Theron, who is also up for worst actress. MacFarlane is also in the

running for worst actor alongside The Legend of Hercules’, Kellan Lutz, Cameron, Cage and Adam Sandler. Sandler is no stranger to the Razzies, having received 10 nominations for worst actor and won three times. A new category has also been launched to honour a past Razzie winner for a critically acclaimed role. Online voters will choose between Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Mike Myers, Keanu Reeves and Kristen Stewart for this year’s “redeemer” award. The winners of the spraypainted golden raspberry statues will be announced at a ceremony on the eve of the Academy awards in February.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

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ISSUES How Jonathan ‘killed his Goodluck’ Adekoya Boladale

ith a tension soaked atmosphere, countdown to the 2015 general election has begun, just as various political parties and contenders continue to rally round for the sympathy and votes of the electorate. Apart from the federating states with rainbow like contending parties, the presidential election which seems to have gained more international interest and attention is arguably between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Initially, many pundits in spite of the ongoing insurgency in the north east and unending daily bashing of whatever is left of President Goodluck Jonathan’s goodwill by the press and the opposition believes the president may pull this battle through and we were right in making such calls as at then. Looking at the factors that determine electoral victory, Jonathan as at November, 2014 was still doing well in the race. His strongholds were still under his control. Public perception (though battered, still shared some level of sympathy for him), the religion card, coupled with his frequent visits to Jerusalem and the apathy of voters’ towards presidential election were elements, if sustained could have earned him victory. Events in the past few weeks have however shown clearly that the people with such believe of the president’s victory may have overestimated his political exposure, determination and goodwill. From available facts, he seems to be suffering from cerebral leukemia, a blockage of the flow of reality to the brain, creating a delusional image of popularity and acceptability, hence decisions are irrationally taking without recourse to pragmatic events. Away from the razzmatazz of social media, the defeat of President Jonathan at the poll in 2015 will be largely due to his own undoing. Sincerely, a close examination of his disposition to the election shows a man who is tired of the pressures and demands associated with the presidential seat. Left to him, he would have thrown in the towel long ago and taken a trip to the serene and calm village of Otuoke but for the notable

cabals who benefit immensely from his incapacitation. For them, the demand for him to continue in office is overwhelming. The All Progressives Congress on the other hand, having identified these elements took no time in unnecessary glorification of illusional popularity and worked vigorously at ensuring a united team, creating a strategic campaign system where people-focused manifesto devoid of unnecessary ‘TAN-nated’ dancers are passed directly to the electorate. Paint a message of anti-corruption (though giving no convincing model to be adopted) against a generally perceived corrupt government. Build a mindset of change seeking electorate who

would see the election as a form of revolution waiting to happen and position itself as the long awaited saviour. All these it got right! President Jonathan’s campaign strategy is currently based around the following factors, grassroots penetration, religion, southern support and achievements in office. Grassroots politics has been identified as the strong pole of electoral victory as mostly those in the grassroots have limited access to the media hence their decisions are not based on press influence, they believe in the decisions of charismatic leaders they know and trust. Using this model in core consideration of the INEC election timetable which places

WRITE TO US

Peoples Daily Weekend welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed to: The Editor, Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. Email: opinion@peoplesdailyng.com adverts@peoplesdailyng.com pictures@peoplesdailyng.com contact@peoplesdailyng.com National Assembly and presidential elections on the same day one would have expected the president to ensure that candidates of his party contesting for the National Assembly seats are people with massive grassroots presence, well respected and loved. The effect of this, is to have the president leverage on the popularity of these individuals at the poll, hence the electorate are indirectly forced to vote for him without much ado. Unfortunately, the list of the PDP candidates flying around shows clearly that the president may not be well informed. A case study is that of Ogun State where senatorial tickets are dashed out to concubines of kinsmen and renowned international fugitives who have lost every bit of acceptability and whose name

continues to be a stain to the already tainted garment of the PDP. As a Christian, President Jonathan believed strongly that almost every Christian would overwhelming vote for him come February 14 and he was right about this. If there is one thing the PDP has done successfully, it is the painting of General Buhari has a bigot, however, this was before the emergence of Pastor Osinbajo as the APC vice-presidential candidate. Unlike Pastor Tunde Bakare who was General Buhari’s running mate in 2011, Osinbajo comes from one of the most conscious and populated churches in the world, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and even though the General Overseer, Pastor Adeboye, is yet to publicly

endorse any candidate, members of the church are aware of the strategic plans some of the most influential pastors are putting up to ensure that Osinbajo comes out victorious. This is not limited to the RCCG alone as close sources within the Catholic faith and other radical Pentecostals are now sympathetic to the progressives. If these work out, Jonathan maybe more empty politically than we think. This is the price you pay when campaigns are based on religion rather than issues and policies. The southeast which was initially penned down as the unshakable stronghold of the president now appears uncertain. The endless bickering on PDP’s gubernatorial candidates in Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo have opened a glimmer of hope for the APC in those states. The All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) believed to represent the political consciousness of the south easterners has suddenly pulled out of its usual endorsement for the president. In a similar action, foremost Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohaneze Ndigbo in spite of pressures to endorse Jonathan has refused to yield. The south south region doesn’t seem united in having him win the election with divisions in Bayelsa, Delta and Akwa Ibom. The results from these regions may not only be shocking but catastrophic. If there is one thing the APC has gotten right, it is its campaign strategy. Beyond criticism, the party has been able to put forward a well coordinated campaign with the youth at the forefront of its media and mobilisation section. This has helped it reach out to young ones in schools. The party has also done well in the management of resources, as funds get to the right hands and are used judiciously. The PDP in spite of its huge resources continue to run an uncoordinated, uninspiring, ridiculous and ‘tan-ated’ adverts which possesses little or no content but a choreography of dancers dancing to nowhere. Some say the time for change is now, I say let what will be, be. As for me, I stand with history in February, praying silently that this path would never be taken again. Boladare posted this article on Abusidiqu

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PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

Opinion

Mbaka, Catholic clergy and politicians

Ethelbert Okere

n terms of vitriolic and acerbic contents, the sermon by Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka on President Goodluck Jonathan is not different from what opposition elements have been saying about the Nigerian leader. Therefore, the furore over Mbaka’s statements has to do more with the fact that it came from a cleric, more so a Catholic priest, than its contents. I have since come to the conclusion that Nigerian politicians are more sensitive to issues raised by Catholic clerics than their counterparts in other denominations. The reason is simple. Catholics, at least in the Nigerian context, are more doctrinal over views held by their clergy on sundry issues. For the average Catholic, the rev. father, bishop or archbishop does no wrong. What he says is the gospel truth. And, the more local, the more emotionally attached is the average Catholic to his priest and his views. Politicians and public office holders dread being on the bad side of Catholic clerics for the mere fact that their views are upheld tenaciously by their parishioners. Catholic clerics have greater influence on members than in other churches; so that once any politician finds himself in their bad book, he is done for. The result is that in several parts of the country, especially in Igbo land, the fear of the Catholic priest is the beginning of wisdom for politicians. Going back to the recent incident concerning Mbaka’s sermon on President Jonathan, my view is that it has merely

pointed at the discomforting perennial fracas between Catholic priests (including bishops and archbishops) and politicians. The origin of this is outside the scope of this article but I think it is sufficient to state here that the frequency of clashes is not a healthy situation. In my view, the trend erroneously gives the impression that Catholic priests are becoming less and less altruistic in their charges against politicians. As a matter of fact, not a few Nigerians are beginning to see most of the interventions as mundane and driven by partisan proclivities. Right or wrong, such perceptions rather than lead to a collective resolve to have a better society, instead results in mutual suspicion and even a vitiation of the ecclesiastical prestige of the supposedly well-meaning clergy. I shuddered at the allegation that Father Mbaka was paid money by President Jonathan’s opponents. And one wonders: if our clergy, especially those from the Catholic fold, for the purpose of this article at least, do without attracting to themselves jibes that effectively negate their ecclesiastical awe? Not unexpectedly, Father Mbaka has been hailed by some as ‘fearless’, given his antecedents. He had similarly exhibited such fearlessness in the past but the present scenario might arm critics of the Catholic clergy, as aforementioned, to query whether the penchant for canonic diatribes has altogether elevated the collective image of Catholicism in Nigeria, regardless of the

vices of the larger society. For example, there are those who point at the 2011 case in Imo State when Father Mbaka led a campaign of calumny against the then Governor, Ikedi Ohakim, on an allegation that the latter physically assaulted a Catholic priest. Although Mbaka has since confessed that he acted on false information and has preached a sermon to say that Ohakim did not do what he was accused of, another highly respected Catholic cleric, the Most Rev. Anthony Obinna, the Catholic Archbishop of the Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, insists otherwise. At his New Year mass on January 1, 2015, Archbishop Obinna reportedly reminded the congregation, made up of top politicians and priests at the Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, that Ohakim flogged a priest, stripped him and left him with only pants. Not a few were surprised or even shocked to hear that from the archbishop, the reason being that just a few months earlier, Mbaka had told a congregation of the same Catholic faithful that the rev father in question, Fr. Eustace Okorie, had told him that he never met Ohakim let alone being flogged by him. So, which does the world take from these two highly revered Catholic priests, living less than three hours drive away from one other? Clearly, this apparent lack of consensus among the elite of the Catholic church on a matter such as this tends to paint them in the same picture as the politicians they criticize. It is the same breakdown of elite consensus that is the bane of Nigerian

politics. From the same pulpit, Fr Mbaka raised the issue of dud check given to the Owerri Catholic Archdiocese by the current Governor of Imo State, Chief Rochas Okorocha. That matter raised so much dust, as some Catholic priests in Imo hauled invectives on Mbaka, asking him to mind his own business. At the end, the ordinary folk, followers of the clerics, went home with the following impression: It is all politics! Is that what these men of God really want? In my view, the Catholic clergy, especially in Igbo land, is making itself vulnerable to mundane things that it seeks to correct, not necessarily because the clerics are guilty of the same offence but by sheer manner of approach. Of course, there can be no doubt that not every Catholic priest holds the same view as Mbaka on President Jonathan. As a matter of fact, he is believed to have held a different (opposite) opinion of the president just a month ago. I have a hunch that before the elections, another fiery Catholic priest of Igbo extraction will pontificate on the virtues of President Jonathan and his good works It is not that Igbo Catholic priests are more politically gullible than their counterparts elsewhere but it may well be that like their brothers in the outside world, Igbo Catholic priests are ‘republicans’. Okorie posted this article on Ekekeee.com

Gombe 2015: Dankwambo and the rest Dahiru Hassan Kera

he burden of leadership naturally falls upon a charismatic, selfless and vision driven individual whose power is rooted in the determination to use his wisdom and knowledge to design viable policies and strategies geared towards the entrenchment of good governance and socioeconomic development for the benefit of the human race. Therefore, it is obvious that a society without a leader is bound to collapse. Since Gombe State was created in 1996 by the then Gen. Sani Abacha’s military administration, quite a number of military administrators and civilian governors have governed the state but until recently, there has not been a conscious effort to develop the state, restore its lost glory and transform the infrastructural cum socio-economic potentials of the Jewel of the Savannah for the better. The military administrators did little or nothing to deliver the dividends of governance to the people, while the state did not witness considerable development as key sectors of the state’s economy were stagnated. This may be due to the military’s despotic rule, as they were unelected and equally felt unaccountable to none. They saw themselves as wayfarers and lone rangers in the corridors of power and so acted like the wayward pirates of ancient lore, plundering and pillaging the natural resources of the territories they passed through oblivious to

none at all. However, with the advent of civilian rule in 1999, anxious and hopeful Gombians expressed confidence that it would be different this time around as they would elect their own leaders who would be accountable to them and act in consonance with the wishes and aspirations of the people and so, Alhaji Abubakar Habu Hashidu of the ANPP was elected and sworn in as the first civilian governor of Gombe State amidst fanfare, pageantry, hope and high expectations. A lot of promises of rapid developmental and progressive change were made by Hashidu and his cabinet and the people felt that indeed they were in for good times, but alas, mid-way into his tenure, the governor was carried away by politics seemly due to

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his quest to seek power for a second term which eventually led to its derailment. At the end, Hashidu’s bid for a second term crashed as the PDP wrestled the reins of power from his iron tight grasp. Hashidu’s one tenure could not in any way be compared with Danjuma Goje’s eight years of the locust which ravaged and pillaged the state mercilessly and remorselessly. At the beginning of his tenure, the uncompromising Danjuma left no one in doubt that he was out to favour his inner circle of henchmen and enforcers and any one that dared to question his leadership style was visited with acts of thuggery and violence by the political thugs masquerading themselves as Yan-Kalare. The state was virtually cowed and none dared to speak or criticize his numerous excesses.

While the electioneering processes have since begun, Dankwambo’s administration has continued to deliver the dividends of democracy and the most recent was the presentation of soft loans to Gombe traders and farmers association.

However, after darkness surely comes a light and as the Almighty Allah will have it, a defiant and unrepentant Goje was replaced by a vibrant and forward looking Dankwambo, who has so far brought succor and hope to the people of the state. A lot of achievements were successfully recorded in all sectors of the economy within three and half years of modest stewardship. To chronicle the landmark achievements and milestones of a super achieving Dankwambo may take quantum space and time, and it is only pertinent to state that seeing is believing, only a visit to the Jewel of the Savannah will reveal the true scope of the Talban Gombe’s transformational policies and programmes that have continued to draw deserved honours, awards and accolades from far and near. While the electioneering processes have since begun, Dankwambo’s administration has continued to deliver the dividends of democracy and the most recent was the presentation of soft loans to Gombe traders and farmers association. The presentation of his ‘score card’ recently has equally demonstrated his commitment to the welfare of his people and if achievements and performances are anything to go by, then Dankwambo has no match in the 2015 general election. Kera wrote from Gombe and can be reached on dahiruhkera99@ gmail.com

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

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Comment

A thought for the Chibok girls Lekan Sote

he other day, Abiola Okubajo, obviously a mother, sent in an email titled, ‘A Mother’s New Year Prayer.’ First, she noted that “300 young girls were stolen in Chibok,” and “one (Nigerian) girl became a murderer because her parents took her to a gun range.” She then prayed to God: “You know my heart for my children. You know I want the best for them, I put my children in your care, keep them safe in 2015. When bad things are happening around them, hide them under your wing. Protect them from those who wish to do them harm. I pray that you will be with them whenever I am not there in 2015.” It looks like the din of the #BringBackOurGirls chorus is thinning out, and the crescendo of political campaigns has taken over the public sphere. Maybe Oby Ezekwesili should arrange a presidential debate to find out what, and if, any of the presidential candidates has a plan to end the insurgency in the north-east, free the unfortunate girls, cheer their distraught parents, and bring members of the Boko Haram group to book. Boko Haram and the #ChibokGirls should be campaign issues. It is time for the Nigerian state to send very strong signals to the sect that the party is over, and it must pull up its tents, and go back home. The 2015 presidential election must be a beacon of a new day, a new era, for security, the first responsibility that the constitution assigns to the government. The state must make open commitment to bring back the girls; enough of the platitudes and blame games. If you are a parent, or at least have some blood running in your veins, you can empathise with Habila Adamu, a Christian, who survived a Boko Haram attack. He says: “I urge our leaders to come together and stop (the) shedding of innocent blood. They should rescue the children that are in Sambisa Forest; remember those hiding in schools; and

provide food and shelter for the homeless, the orphans, and widows.” Nigerians should be mad at the presidential candidates of the major political parties. Why? Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) of the All Progressives Congress, in correctly identifying a way to sort the mess, ended up playing politics with a grievous issue. He says: “The number of soldiers, policemen, and officers of the SSS they (presumably, the present government) deploy during elections, if they had deployed them to Borno and Yobe (and Adamawa) States by now Boko Haram would have become history.” President Goodluck Jonathan, seeking reelection on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, hoping to score cheap political points, went into unnecessary, irrelevant, history: “They (very likely referring to Buhari as a former Head of State) refused to equip the military; they didn’t buy anything; no helicopter, nothing. Ask them what they did with their defence budget the whole time they were in office; they didn’t equip the military.” He then gave a disingenuous cop-out: “No country equips armed forces overnight.” Section 217(c) of the

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Constitution empowers the Armed Forces to assist in “suppressing insurrection and acting in aid of civil authorities to restore order when called to do so by the President, but subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.” After the National Assembly gave approval for the executive arm to obtain a loan of $1bn to procure arms and more vigorously prosecute the war, nothing more has been heard about arms procurement. The first resolve to stop Boko Haram must come from the commander-inchief. “If a man be driven to battle, he is no patriot; but he who marches into the fray with flashing eyes and beaming face, singing, ‘It is sweetest, for one’s country, to die,’ proves himself to be sincere in patriotism,” is not going to appeal to a Nigerian soldier who joined the army to escape unemployment and is now made to face a Boko Haram foe that is better remunerated, better armed, and therefore better motivated. Even though America’s Central Intelligence Agency says Boko Haram is associated with the Al-Qaeda terrorist organisation, it is not quite clear if it is sponsored by a foreign

President Goodluck Jonathan, seeking reelection on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, hoping to score cheap political points, went into unnecessary, irrelevant, history: “They (very likely referring to Buhari as a former Head of State) refused to equip the military; they didn’t buy anything; no helicopter, nothing.

state or it is just a loose band of renegades having a tiff against the Nigerian state. Unless the agency is feigning ignorance for tactical reasons, the body language of the Department of State Service does not show that it knows who is behind Boko Haram, its sources of funding and equipment, as well as its planning and operational strategy. Most of what is known about the sect is speculative and even anecdotal, and therefore unreliable. Sometimes, the matter is treated with such levity that Jonathan could sometimes say Boko Haram is in his government, and when critics close in on him, he backtracks, changes his tune, and says something like: “Well, I run the executive arm of the government. You could find Boko Haram in other arms.” Chad Republic‘s Ambassador to Nigeria, Isah Brimah, vehemently refutes allegations that Chad is funding the insurgents. He undiplomatically charged that the Nigeria Police hides its incompetence by putting too much store into its arrest of a Chadian with arms meant for Boko Haram. But has it ever occurred to anyone that Boko Haram leadership, like Al Qaeda’s Osama bin Ladin who was ensconced in the laps of luxury, near a Pakistani military academy in upscale Abbotabad, and not an evil forest, some craggy mountain or dark-tunnelled cave, that the international media misled everyone to believe, could actually be comfortably quartered in some swank apartment in a high brow neighbourhood in bustling Lagos, cozy Abuja or ritzy Paris. The DSS must earn its spurs by infiltrating the ranks of Boko Haram, supply the intelligence to the armed forces, who will then smoke out the insurgents, and bring back the Chibok girls-even if they have been married off, pregnant or with babies. They can still be rehabilitated. Sote posted opinions.ng

this

piece

Baga massacre: Why Nigeria moved on O Abimbola Adelakun

n Sunday, an exceptional event occurred in Paris, France. About 60 world leaders, in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo massacre, had in a show of international solidarity, gathered to mourn the cartoonists, satirists and others who were slaughtered by marching against the marauding force of terrorism. These world leaders, with residents of Paris and other “arrondissements” stood as one against the bestiality of a fringe but vengeful collective. Their mien – hands locked together – evoked imageries of the ‘60s when the United States civil rights leaders did the same to demand liberty. Like those civil rights leaders, those who gathered in Paris leaned on symbolism by standing on the boulevard named after the French writer, Voltaire (the one to whom is attributed the famous quote: I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to death your right to say it). At about the same period the Charlie Hebdo attack took place, a more cynical harvest of deaths occurred in Baga, Borno State, and claimed multiple lives. While Amnesty International claimed 2,000 lives were reportedly lost, Nigeria’s military authorities admitted that it was only

150 lives that were lost. What Nigerians have gained, so far, is an abdication of duty by all that should be concerned with the citizenry and territorial integrity of Nigeria. We have seen a prominent female minister quickly tweet a #JeSuisCharlie without concomitant empathy dispensed towards the people of Baga that lived and died right in her own backyard. We have seen a press release from the presidency to the people of France promising to stand in solidarity with them to fight the scourge of global terrorism but not one to the people of Baga or, other communities being decimated by Boko Haram. Who knows, maybe they await another visit from the Pakistani teenage child rights advocate, Malala Yousafzai, to give them instructions? What Nigerians have witnessed from their lethargic politicians is the politics of figures: the back and forth over the official and unofficial account of people who died. Various reports, especially the international media, put the deaths at around 2,000 while the Nigerian Army, petulantly, told us the number had been exaggerated. The counter figure, given by the Army spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, might not even be true because their antecedents have not

shown that they tell the truth. Besides, the politics of Boko Haram in the midst of intense politicking will taint whatever they will admit. And, do not hold your breath awaiting the ‘correct’ number of casualties. Remember, it took forever to count the number of girls abducted in Chibok. The response of France thumps the merry-go-round by the Nigerian government, and that of Nigerians themselves who, by now, have become wearied by the frequency of the attacks. The Baga massacre might just end up as another incident to be filed under “all in a day’s existence.” Both rulers and the ruled in the Nigerian space appeared to have moved on, focusing instead on the spectacles of electioneering. The French government, however, did not merely move on because what they lost to the attack was huge enough to shake the very base of their society. For France, the terrorists struck at the founding philosophy of their society, their history, their culture and the very essence of their ‘Frenchness’. Nigeria has had a rather different trajectory; we have neither learnt to espouse a philosophy nor nationalist ideals that define us. Due to that lack of a sense of national identity, there is little

about us that is threatened when Boko Haram invades and appropriates our land space. When fellow Nigerians are killed in grievous attacks by rampaging zealots, we are not galvanised to unleash outrage and fight back because we do not see such as vulnerability of our ‘Nigerianness’; that the death of one, killed by those who seek to eradicate our nationality, also diminishes all of us whether we reside in Baga or Banana Island. France is turning the Hebdo attack into an opportunity to reinforce its ideals, build a stronger sense of nationhood and create history out of havoc. The United States did the same too after 9/11 and the Boston bombings. In Nigeria, unfortunately, when we are attacked, we shuffle around before moving on to other things. Those who lack a national philosophy will spend their lives helping those who have developed one, to polish theirs. That is why those who ignore Baga are also the ones who run to declare solidarity with Paris. To paraphrase the South African writer, Alan Paton, cry, beloved country. Adelakun posted this article on Opinions.ng

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

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Online Comments

Prof. Jega

President Jonathan Jonathan promises to create 2 million jobs annually Wale says: How will they create 2million jobs annually? Where would they work? This is an empty promise. Change is inevitable.

Boko Haram: Iron fist in a velvet glove Kjaz says: How many primary, secondary and universities did President Jonathan build within six years? Does he know how many schools Buhari built within three years of his regime?

More than 70 percent of WAEC candidates ‘fail’ exams Bakre Kabirat Oluwaseyi says: There are so many reasons why candidates failed WAEC. In the process of registration, examination number or center number might not be written properly and this may lead to the candidate’s failure. Again the school authority might not pay attention to the students continuous assessment and projects or assignments which may deny students a good result. Some parents and guardians do not pay close attention to their wards performance in school. Presently, most students are not ready to learn, they prefer to play truancy and during examinations they have no choice than to cheat and once they are caught they have failed the paper automatically. These listed causes may also deny a student a better result.

Mr. President also can be forgetful Abdullah Musa says: President Goodluck Jonathan started out as an emperor. Has anyone seen the photo of Vice President Sambo in deep bow before the emperor, (may be the lady behind the VP was his wife) showing gratitude to the emperor for carrying them along? What is the basis of Jonathan‘s hubris? Oil! That being from the area of Nigeria where oil is found makes him an untouchable. He was misled into being a president for an ethnic group. Now that he sees the possibility of being booted out of office, desperation might be attractive to him. And in that Nigerians should be vigilant.

So not jailing corrupt officials of his government has become an official policy. The world over, those who are caught stealing from government’s coffers are jailed promptly and here we are being told by our president that his style is a softer approach. Do we need any other reason to vote out this man? He is not fit to govern this country. People have been telling me how clueless this man and I believe them. This president is a potent risk to the well-being of Nigerians. Mohammed C.A says: This president is just trying to play over our intelligence, how could he even say that past leaders did not equip the military, what were they using for peace keeping missions in other countries? He is just incapable of ruling this country anymore, so let us just vote him out.

Nigerian Stock Exchange set to woo Diaspora investors Odogwu_Aganaga says: Sir, is that the latest scam strategy? Nigeria is a joke.

Shagari, others shun PDP guber rally

I am so glad with the advice my president gave on the 2015 election, I believe Nigeria will be better. Every candidate should eschew violence.

Some candidates not qualified for February polls – Gov Aliyu COSH says: Aliyu, were you qualified to contest for the governorship election?

Friendly tie: Eagles to play Yemen as Sudan withdraw Iwe Eagles Ewebegom says: Yemen? Has it come to this? Are the Eagles so desperate to win a match that they stooped this low? Please could the coach prepare them to play with my three boys in grade school and I expect a stiffer challenge from them than Yemen.

Elections may not hold in Adamawa, Borno, Yobe – INEC Cosh says: Election must postponement.

hold.

Elaine Kroeger says: January 15, 2015 at 1:23 pm (Edit) I am horrified by these real life tragedies going on in our world and it is only by the grace of God that some people have escaped with their lives. I pray for peace all over the world.

Thomas Uzombah says: This is the time for Nigerians to pray to almighty God to intervene. It is not the time to apportion blames. Bad leadership has undone the prospects of this nation and its potentials to develop its massive natural endowments. The difficulty being encountered in the fight against insurgency emanates from the problems all past leaders created. God can intervene to fix the nation. Both Buhari and Jonathan are partly responsible for our woes and at if God does not intervene, there is nothing any of them can do in ending the insurgency.

Buhari: INEC robbed me of 40 percent votes in 2011

Mutiny: One death sentence, too many

Chris says: God will save us.

Sold by her father: Little girl sold in Myanmar and trafficked to China

Kome Epini says:

Odogwu_Aganaga says:

Can you give the name of any person, officer or soldier, who got into the army in Nigeria to “defend the nation’s integrity as you suggested here’’? Every uniformed personnel in Nigeria is just as patriotic as a mercenary. A Yoruba adage says it all: “I am looking for money not work, because there is plenty of work in my father’s cocoa farm.” Nigeria is a joke.

Drama as Jonathan Obasanjo in Abeokuta

visits

Nuruddeen says: If Obasanjo supports Jonathern as a result of meeting him in his home, it means that he is not a serious minded person. We are waiting the outcome of the meeting. Mike says: I am waiting for the outcome of the meeting.

Five ways to make money in social media StanAle says: Interesting article, but I recently found an interesting tutorial that seemed really nice.

‘Time is up for PDP’, Tambuwal boasts John says: No doubt Nigeria is not in a very good shape. Let us be honest with ourselves, this horrible state of Nigeria had been on for several years. What worries me the most is the manner the same people who put us in this mess accuse their co-thieves, especially those that have recently defected from the PDP to the APC. Can any person tell us the difference between the two? It is baffling to hear those that became what they are today through the same “corrupt government” turn back to call one another corrupt without looking at themselves in the mirror. This is the not the kind of progressiveness we are talking about. For APC to call themselves “a progressive party” but are still absorbing the same people they labeled “corrupt” into their fold is laughable. The soul of many Nigerians that these people are wasting in the name of politics will never forgive them.

Stop stealing from Buhari tells PDP

Why I don’t jail corrupt people – Jonathan Okay Offiah says: Did our president really say that? This man is not only gutless, but shameless.

HS Tambuwal

Nigerians,

Nura Shagumba says: We are always praying for the fall of these thieves that are currently leading us. May Allah make Buhari the president of Nigeria.

Gov. Aliyu

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Interivew ‘Oil boom major doom to Nigeria’ Contd from Page 2 it is important to protect and strengthen this institution because tomorrow you may not be in party A you might move to party B of course you can see the high level of cross-carpeting in the House recently. I also made reference to my oath of allegiance which is to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria so if the issue is one that affects national interest everyone will support it. Yes, once in a while you see people arguing along party lines but in most cases we, as a House, tow almost the same line and work together for the interest of our great nation. But you can’t run away from party politics. We are going into another election, how do you see democracy? We are not doing badly even though we are still in the learning process. I have always said that the military ideology is still there. However, my strong emphasis is the ability to strengthen institutions. We believe more on individuals and now the hour has come for us to dwell on the institutions. Institutions should not be seen as individuals because when somebody occupies an office instead of looking at the policy

“

of that institution we tend to look at the occupant of the office and it carries some element of sycophancy. However, for me, democracy is working, working for all of us and the only way it can work better is for everybody to participate, get involved. The president has signed into law the Freedom of Information bill, which gives everybody the opportunity to ask for whatever you wish to know as your fundamental rights are protected. I emphasize that it is working though we may not have been able to achieve the American standard. But if anybody tells you that democracy is not working, tell the person that he or she is joking. The declining oil price has had an adverse effect on Nigeria, where do you stand on this? It is a very sad experience but I have also emphasized that in every disadvantage there is also an advantage, we never prepared for it. We have as a nation relied too much on oil and even while relying on crude oil we have not added value to it. We take this product in a raw form, export it and use the proceeds to buy finished products. This is very sad. It is just a peasant farmer who harvests their cassava take same to the market to sell and use the proceeds to buy garri.

I think we should learn to add value to this product because there are lots of bye-products. The second advantage that I have seen in the drop in the price of oil is that the hour has come for us to diversify our economy. The agriculture potentials in this country are enormous and we can make more money in agriculture than in crude oil. The era of saying we make much money in oil and we don’t know what to do with it is gone for good. So what we should do is to look beyond oil, the oil itself has become a major doom to us rather than an advantage. If you look at what is happening now we used the benchmark of $65 for our budget but today the price has dropped to below $50. We are going to sit on the floor of the House and adjust it, we are going to have a major budget deficit and the funding is going to come from borrowing, but I don’t regret it. I am even happy we have it, happy because the time has come for us to look inwards. We may suffer some challenges but because we know that we don’t want this thing to happen to us again, we will try to diversify this economy. What is the House advocating on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)? Well, we sympathise with them and the challenges that they are

I know that the bill will be passed because it is a very important bill that has affected investments in the oil sector and I think because our responsibility is to make good laws for the good governance of this country and which the PIB is one of them, we will endeavour to get the bill passed before the close of the seventh assembly.

Ogor facing at the moment, but NEMA is doing its best for them. Besides, these are challenges that are confronting us and we are not going to run away from our problems. It has happened and the security agencies should try as much as possible to recover those areas that the insurgents have taken over, INEC should also put in place necessary facilities for them to exercise their democratic right, the constitution guarantees their right to vote and be voted for. INEC must fulfill its responsibility by making sure that these IDPs exercise their fundamental right which I think is very important. What has become of the Electoral Act? For me this is probably not the right time to discuss that issue. I think there are some aspects of the act that I disagree with and which has some political colouration, there are sections that border on usurping the powers of the president to deploy

the armed forces in line with the Armed Forces Act and if I am the president, I will not sign that bill. I raised this motion on the floor of the House, but unfortunately, party line was the order of the day. So at worse we will rely on the 2011 Act and carry out our elections. Whatever the amendments are we will look at them. The president will probably return it to us and we will subject it again to legislative fireworks. There is nothing wrong with the 2011 act is in perfect shape it is we the electorate that have the problem. The law is meant for human beings and not human beings for the law the ability to respect the law is the most important thing because there is nothing wrong with our laws, if we are ready to abide by the law we will have no problem in anything we do. It is only when people try to circumvent the law for their personal interest that you are confronted with problems.

2015: PIB, Electoral Act, other bills to suffer By Patrick Andrew

he Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2014, as well as the Medium Term Expenditure Frame which precedes the passage of the Appropriation Act may suffer temporary neglect because of next month’s general elections. Concerns to this effect was however rested by the Deputy Leader of the House of Representatives, Leo Ogor, (PDP, Delta), who has assured that all pending bills of national importance will be attended to before the House winds up. Ogor said the bills would not be attended to until after the general elections because lawmakers are preoccupied with political campaigns ahead of the February presidential and other elections. “We definitely will try as much as

we can to pass most of the impending bills. We have been able to push the constitutional amendment to a logical conclusion. The PIB which has been delayed will also be attended to and passed before this House winds up. “We will do all our best to make sure that all these pending bills are totally taken care of. As for the Electoral Act, it is only a matter of amendment. We have a working Electoral Act which is very functional. But there are issues with the proposed amendment which will definitely raise dust. And this issue bothers on the constitutionality of empowering INEC to deploy troops for the purpose of elections when the president has been vested with that sole responsibility of determining the operational use of the military. So no president will sign such Act even if we pass it. Such issues need to be addressed

before we pass the amendment. “You also know that as an election period, we are also having challenges, because we can’t be sitting down here while some of our colleagues or opponents are out there campaigning. We are mindful of the fact that before the end of February, we should have tackled all these pending bills. So be rest assured that all these things that I have mentioned will definitely go to third reading on the floor of the House,” he said. On the issue of lawmakers’ turnover due to their inability to win return tickets for the general elections, Ogor said Nigeria’s democracy will be the worst for it. He noted that changing of lawmakers every four years leaves a very big gap of competence and productivity in the lawmaking process. “To a very large extent it bothers me. The institution needs to be strengthened.

The experience you get on the floor is not something you get anywhere. You can’t even get it in the class room. The learning process starts from the floor of the House. When a new member comes into the House, in four years he or she is still learning”. On the growth of democracy, he said, “Again, we should also talk about institutionalizing this principle of democracy where lawmakers are allowed to grow and perform effectively. Because, if you look at the United States from where we copied the presidential system of democracy, you would realize that there are lawmakers who had stayed in the congress for about 30 to 40 years. So you can see that because they have become institutions within the institution which has helped them develop their democracy to an enviable height”, Ogor submitted.

Biographies

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Emir Muhammadu Dikko C.B.E (1865 - 1944)

lhaji Muhammadu Dikko C.B.E (1865 - May, 1944), was the 47th “Sarki” (Emir) of Katsina from November 9, 1906, until his death in 1944. He was the ninth Fulani emir, as well as the first emir from the current ruling Sullubawa dynasty, succeeding Yero dan Musa, the last emir from the Dallazawa dynasty which was installed by the Jihad of Usman dan Fodio. He was succeeded by his son Usman Nagogo. Dikko was Born in 1865, during the reign of emir Muhammadu Bello; to Muhammadu Gidado, who held the powerful title of Durbi, one of the king-makers, and his wife TaMalamai. Dikko received Islamic education from the scholars of Katsina at Tsagero from an early age. in 1882, when Dikko was still young, the Emir Ibrahim died, and Musa, an old enemy of Gidado, became emir. He confiscated the family’s properties, stripped Gidado of the Durbi title and gave it to his own son Yero. This brought hardship to Dikko, but Musa’s death and the ascension of his younger rival and Ibrahim’s son Abubakar brought reprieve. Yero was stripped of the title and Dikko’s older brother Muhammadu Sada was appointed. Abubakar also imprisoned Yero accusing him of the murder of Gidado. Being well educated and from a noble family, Dikko was given the title “Karshi” (currently held by one of his great-grandchildren) by Abubakar. Dikko was a warrior, and fought bravely in many of Katsina’s wars with Maradi, further earning the trust and admiration of Abubakar, who appointed him Durbi (Sada having died before), his father’s old title, making him the district head of Mani[disambiguation needed]. It is said that this happened after a battle, and Abubakar was so astonished by Dikko’s bravery, that he removed his own turban and used it to bestow the Durbi title on Dikko. Durbi Being Durbi brought Dikko even more closer to the emir, earning him more power and prestige, but bringing along a lot more responsibility, enemies, and new friends. Among Dikko’s friends and confidants was Mallam Haruna, a scholar and prince from Kanon-Bakashe (now in Niger), who had settled at Tsagero, a town close to Katsina, where the Emir’s children and other nobles were taken to study then, and where Dikko himself was educated. Dikko was given the responsibility of leading many more battles, he was also given the task of monitoring the civil war in Kano, where two claimants, Tukur and Alu, were fighting over the emirship. Dikko is said to have had the dream of one day becoming emir himself, and his quick rise to power and his increasing popularity were said to have worried the emir. Before the death of Sada, he had instructed Dikko to obey and be loyal to Abubakar. The Arrival of the British and Rise to the Throne In April 1903, the British army, led by Lord Frederick Lugard arrived at the gates of Katsina. Having already conquered most of Hausaland, including nearby Kano and the Sokoto, the capital of the caliphate established by Danfodio, the British were welcome by the emir, and Katsina surrendered without a fight. The arrival of the British created a dilemma for emir Abubakar, who feared that the British may depose and exile him if he offended them, as they did to other emirs of conquered territories, but was not too eager to please them either. Abubakar was also worried about further disappointing the Katsina people, who were already angry over his surrender to people they saw as infidels, who had come to destroy legacy of

Dan Fodio’s jihad. This led to the emir appointing Dikko as his liaison with the British, also being responsible for their welfare and the provision of supplies. Abubakar enjoyed some degree of autonomy, but was often in disagreement with the British and their policies. The appointment of Dikko has been interpreted by some as an attempt by the emir to insulate himself from having to interact directly with the British, it has also been accused by some to be a plot by the emir, because Dikko might offend the British, and he might be taken away, ridding the emir of a powerful potential rival. However, Dikko tried hard to please the British and earn their trust. The British were not comfortable with Abubakar as emir, because of the disagreements he had with them, as well as the influence that the palace chiefs and the nobles had on him, making their policy of indirect rule ineffective. In late 1904, a dead dog was found in the British resident R.E Olivier’s well. Abubakar was blamed, and he was removed and exiled to Ilorin in January 1905. Needing a loyal emir, Yero, former emir Musa’s son, a rival of Abubakar, the British assumed, would be loyal to them and would most certainly not be influenced by Abubakar’s loyal courtiers. Olivier, was said to have warned Yero that henceforth all dismissals and appointments had to be approved by the British, but Yero resented the British and was poised to have his way. He dismissed many officials, including Abubakar’s sons, replacing them with his supporters and loyalists. He also used his own court to overrule judgements given by the British and the local judges. In February 1905, Olivier was transferred and Herbert Richmond Palmer was brought to Katsina as resident. Not long after he arrived, Palmer indicated his desire to undertake reforms in the judiciary and reorganize the districts, Yero disagreed and never cooperated. Meanwhile, there was an uprising in Sokoto, and Palmer was instructed to immediately for Kano. Before leaving, he instructed Yero to look after what he was leaving behind. Yero, thinking that the British had left permanently, ordered his men to loot the properties. When the British eventually returned, Palmer asked Yero to provide labour and materials to rebuild the looted properties, but neither Yero nor his loyal officials were willing to comply. Meanwhile, the British needed a supply of camels and firearms, and the trusted Dikko was sent by Palmer to Agadez to make the purchase. While Dikko was away, on November 9, 1906, Palmer got tired of Yero’s antics and deposed him, accusing him of incompetence and insubordination. Yero was exiled to Lokoja, and Palmer announced Dikko’s appointment as the interim emir, even though he was not from the ruling Dallazawa clan. The expected heirs to the throne, including the Yarima (crown prince), were overlooked in Dikko’s favour. Dikko returned, oblivious to his new status as the emir, and was at Katsina’s famous Kofar Sauri gate, when a man accosted him and ran towards him, and on meeting him, bowed down and greeted him in the style that only the emir was greeted, the man also praised Dikko as the “Sarki” of Katsina. Dikko was baffled by the man’s behaviour, and asked him if he had gone mad, but the man broke the news to him of Yero’s deposition, and his subsequent appointment as emir. Dikko, who had caught a Guinea worm infection, was unable to ride a horse, and had made his return journey from Agadez on a camel, he first stopped at his house at Kofar Sauri, before being escorted to the palace by cheering supporters.

The late Emir Dikko Dikko cooperated well with the British throughout the time he was acting emir, and on 25 January 1907, the visiting acting British High Commissioner William Wallace confirmed Dikko as the new emir of Katsina. Reign (1906-1944) Dikko faced stiff resistance from the deposed Dallazawa and their loyalists, who saw him as an usurper and a stooge imposed by the British. Dikko consolidated his position by appointing many of his loyalists to key posts, including his Friend Mallam Haruna, who was appointed as the first ever Waziri (second-incommand) of Katsina. Dikko also strengthened his relationship with many of the district heads and nobles by marrying out his daughters to them. During Dikko’s reign, various reforms were initiated, they include the introduction of various taxation systems, and the departmentalization of the native authourity, with his son Usman Nagogo becoming the head of the Police department 1929. Nagogo was later made Magajin gari, the district head of Katsina metropolis in 1937, making him the closest of the princes to his father. Another major reform was the relocation of the district heads, who had previously lived inside Katsina, to their various districts. This relocation also somehow affected Dikko himself, as his closest confidant and second-in-command, Mallam Haruna, was reappointed by the British as a district head and relocated to Kaita, and the Waziri title was given to Mallam Zayyana. Dikko also built a hospital and established the famous Katsina College, the first secondary school in Northern Nigeria, in 1922. Dikko promoted western education, giving some of his own children to study under the British, and encouraging other no-

bles to do so too. In 1935, Dikko demolished and reconstructed the mosque built by the Dallazawa clan’s patriarch, Ummarun Dallaje. The mosque became known as Masallacin Dutsi. He also became the first reigning emir to go to Mecca for Hajj, doing so by car in 1921, from where he also became the first emir to go to England, where he and his entourage met King George V, and visited the famous London Zoo. Dikko returned England in 1924 and 1937. After the British conquest, Katsina was no longer at war with anybody. Dikko, a skilled horseman himself, encouraged the use of Katsina’s hitherto war horses for sports like racing and Polo. He dedicated and constructed a large Polo ground, which is still in use today. Dikko encouraged his own sons and other nobles to play the sport. Dikko’s son and successor, Usman Nagogo, attained a handicap of +7, the highest ever attained by an African. Dikko’s successors still hold the life presidency of the Nigerian Polo association. Death and Succession Dikko died in early 1944 after suffering from an illness, leading to a succession struggle. On one hand were the Dallazawa princes lead by the powerful Yarima, a descendant of emir Abubakar, who felt that the emirship was theirs by right, and on the other hand were Dikko’s powerful sons who also tussled between themselves for the throne. In March 1944, the king-makers settled for Dikko’s younger son Usman Nagogo, who was the clear choice of the British because of his sound western education, as well as his closeness to his father. Nagogo was turbaned on May 19, 1944. Dikko is buried in a garden inside the Katsina emir’s palace. A street in Katsina town is named after him.

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Archive

The Maharaja’s daughter who became a suffragette F or the first time in 70 years, Hampton Court Palace was closed to visitors. Outside its gates stood an intriguing figure: a slight woman, of Indian origin, wearing expensive furs. She was selling suffragette newspapers out of a satchel, and shouting: “Votes for Women!” It was the extraordinary Princess Sophia Duleep Singh, with her own beguiling combination of royalty and revolutionary fervour. The art galleries of the palace remained locked in 1913 because it was feared that Sophia’s fellow suffragettes would mount an arson attack. Indeed, they had burnt the grandstand at Hurst Park racecourse just down the road. It was revenge for the death of Emily Davison, who had martyred herself to the suffragette cause by hurling her body beneath horses’ hooves at the Epsom Derby. Sophia lived opposite the palace on Hampton Road, in a “grace and favour” residence granted to her by Queen Victoria, on an allowance provided by the India Office. She thought she deserved no less. After all, her father, the Maharaja Duleep Singh of the Punjab, had signed away his kingdom and fortune at the behest of British officials. He had been just 11. It was hardly a fair transaction. It’s no exaggeration to say that the maharaja would spend the rest of his life failing to come to terms with it. Snatched from his family and cared for by strangers in England, he became something of an exotic pet to Queen Victoria. She called him her “beautiful boy”, and had him pose for portraits in his silk pyjamas. With horrible inevitability, his later life would be an orgy of adultery, drinking and plots against the dastardly British. Anita Anand’s gripping book is a sad story of dispossession and dislocation. Sophia Duleep Singh was the exiled maharaja’s sixth child and the Queen herself was her godmother. Her grandfather was Ranjit Singh, the so-called “Lion of the Punjab”, who ruled over a Sikh empire for almost 40 years until his death in 1839. Sophia spent her childhood at Elveden Hall in Suffolk, where her father had been busy frittering away his money on art and Indianstyle architectural improvements. Leopards and cheetahs paced in cages in the garden, while the maharaja occupied himself with feats of the field, such as shooting 780 birds with only 1,000 cartridges, and fathering illegitimate children. Sophia’s mother, Bamba, the illegitimate daughter of a German merchant and an enslaved Abyssinian, nevertheless won the heart of Queen Victoria with her modesty and her Christianity. But the maharaja would abandon his family for a hotel chambermaid

Glamorous: Sophia, right, with her sisters, Bamba and Catherine, on their debut at Buckingham Palace in 1894 named Ada, leaving them only his debts. Poor fragile Bamba took to “drinking alcohol to an injurious extent”. She eventually died at Sophia’s side while nursing her daughter through typhoid. It was not the best start in life for Sophia, who would later ask children what it was like to go to school. She was curious, having never been herself. Sophia spent her early adulthood in high society and pointlessly breeding dogs, before visiting India in 1907 and coming into contact with both desperate inequality and the concept of Indian independence. “Ah, India awake and free yourself!” she wrote, as her political conscience developed. Sophia and her sisters do try the patience with their continued insistence to the British authorities on their special status, complaining, for example, if taken in to dinner by an accountant instead of a duke. It seems a bit inconsistent with going home and writing things such as, “Oh you wicked English how I long for your downfall.” Anand’s quotations from Sophia’s limited surviving writings

do not reveal her to be particularly articulate or insightful, but this is compensated for by a truly fantastical life-story covering India and Britain, war and peace, the personal and the political, with a liberal number of deaths, scandals and exotic jewels. Yet Anand bludgeons the reader with prose best described as workmanlike. Her favourite adjective is “large”, and she likes to end a chapter with a variation on “but nobody present at X could have guessed that Y was about to happen”. While the story is fastpaced and thrilling, its twists are signposted so clearly that one is sometimes left disappointed: as when a murderous attempt on the life of Sophia’s sister Bamba is heralded but resolves itself only into a rumour of food poisoning. Anand also makes a valiant attempt to meet the challenge that faces every popular historian: deploying novelistic techniques to bring the story to life, without departing too far from the evidence. Her biggest problem is the gap at the centre of the book where it would be have been wonderful to hear from Sophia herself. She is a frustrating diarist. Anand creates

a long and moving descriptive passage in which Sophia visits her grandfather’s tomb, complete with sensations and imagined feelings, but with little help from her protagonist. All Sophia seems actually to have recorded was: “I am glad to have seen the tomb at last.” Under these circumstances, it’s difficult to maintain a balance between vibrancy and plausibility, and here Anand doesn’t always succeed. Take the following sentence: “Digging their heels into already glistening flanks, the sisters raced their horses towards the city centre.” Now, Anand has told us elsewhere that Sophia would have been wearing tailored European dress, presumably a riding habit, and her sister Bamba a sari. Can two women so attired, riding side-saddle, actually “dig their heels” into their horses’ flanks and “race”? To me it suggests that the author has not fully visualised the scene. It remains to quantify Sophia’s contribution to the suffragette movement. Her greatest achievement seems to have lain simply in turning up. Unlike her comrades, Sophia had difficulty getting her-

self arrested, because the police knew what damaging publicity would result. But even though she had a horror of public speaking, Sophia’s presence at meetings was enormously powerful. She also gave financial support, and became a notorious taxrefuser. Her failure to pay tax on her dogs, carriage and servants may sound like a minor issue. But eventually it got Sophia her day in Feltham Police Court, and the chance to say that she would not agree to taxation without representation. As a result, bailiffs seized her personal jewellery. It was her suffragette friends who bought it back for her. Anand points out that nobody had ever tried or even wished to return the Singh family’s most celebrated jewel, the Koh-i-Noor diamond, even while its members slipped into bankruptcy. Sophia needed her surrogate family of suffragettes just as much as they needed her, and in their noble cause she found something like redemption from the tragedies of her birth family. Prose aside, this is a noble book. Source: telegraph.co.uk

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Digest

Are men naturally born criminals?

ur prisons are overflowing with men, while women account for less than five per cent of the prisoner population. Jessica Abrahams explores what’s behind the gender crime gap There are 84,731 people in prison in Britain and according to the latest figures, 80,915 of them are men. Less than five per cent of this country’s prison population is female, and the trend is similar elsewhere in the western world. In France, it’s about three per cent; in Germany, just under six. The global median is 4.3 per cent, according to figures from the International Centre for Prison Studies. You can find all sorts of trends by analysing the demographics of the prison population that might tell us something about the groups most likely to offend, at least at a level warranting incarceration, but perhaps the most striking and persistent is that serious crime is still overwhelmingly committed by men. The discrepancy is not quite so stark when looking at lower-level crimes, because when women do participate in crime they tend to commit less serious offences. But the gap still exists at all levels: in 2011, men accounted for about three-quarters of all criminal court cases and out-of-court disposals (warnings, cautions and so on). So how can we explain this? The factors most commonly thought to contribute to crime - a lack of education (half of prisoners have no qualifications, compared with 15 per cent of the general population); experiences of violence or abuse as a child (41 per cent of prisoners witnessed domestic violence as a child and almost a third experienced abuse); financial difficulties, and so on—affect men and women alike. Yet from pickpocketing to white collar crime to assault, men are more likely to offend than women. For a long time, this phenomenon was overlooked. Criminological research and theory focused almost exclusively on men, without explicitly questioning why the gap existed. But as feminist theorists started demanding a closer look at such differences the crime gap rose to light, and from the 1970s onwards various explanations were presented. Today, although there is still no universally-accepted explanation, most criminologists point to socialised gender roles and the different expectations of male and female behaviour. Professor Frances Heidensohn, a criminologist at the London School of Economics, describes the gender crime gap as “such a robust and long-established finding… [that] it’s not like other findings”. “Certainly since industrialisation [and the availability of reliable data]... you have a very consistent, established finding that women are the minority of offenders, they don’t commit such serious crime, they don’t do it so often, and their criminal careers are shorter and less professional,” she tells me. “There’s a general assumption that it must be a sociologically-based difference.” Biological versus sociological Some people have of course argued that it is biological rather than sociological: that men are naturally more violent, for example, or that they’re stronger and therefore more capable of com-

Professor Frances Heidensohn, a criminologist at the London School of Economics, describes the gender crime gap as “such a robust and long-established finding… [that] it’s not like other findings”. mitting some crimes. These assumptions might explain why it took so long for anyone to question the different levels of crime among men and women. But as Heidensohn points out, most crimes are not violent in nature and can’t be put down to physical differences: the most common crimes in the UK are motoring offences. Men do tend to take more risks, according to many studies, which could be relevant, although whether that’s an innate or socialised difference is difficult to tell; more on that later. Could it be that women commit more crime than it appears but are simply better at getting away with it? One idea - the so-called “chivalry theory” - holds that paternalistic judges and authority figures are more lenient on female offenders, explaining the lower number of women behind bars. The evidence on this is complex and contradictory: there is a competing view that judges are sometimes harsher on women because criminal behaviour deviates further from what is expected of them. Like most areas of life, implicit gender bias almost certainly does play a part in sentencing. Sometimes it is explicitly referred to. In an underage sex case in the United States in 2013, for example, where an adult woman was convicted of engaging in sex acts with a teenage boy, the judge reportedly commented: “There is a difference [between male and female sex offenders]. I have a difficult time articulating precisely what that difference is... but nevertheless I think we know there’s a difference.” Sentencing guidelines in the US and UK do not allow for a distinction between male and female offenders—the judge in this case ultimately said he could not take it into consideration. But his language is nonetheless revealing about the kind of background assumptions that might be at play during sentencing decisions.

If we think of recent highprofile female defendants such as Amanda Knox - characterised during her trial as “angelic” on the one hand and “a she-devil” on the other, and as “foxy Knoxy” by the tabloid press - it’s hard to argue that gender didn’t play a role in how she was perceived by the public and media and even legal figures. There seemed to be a fascination with her and a scrutiny of her character on a different level to that of her male co-defendant. But gender bias can work both ways, depending on various factors - the nature of the crime, the appearance and behaviour of the defendant, particular attitudes of the judge and jury - and is more or less impossible to measure. Either way, it can be only a partial explanation, since regardless of sentencing men are involved in three times as many criminal cases in the UK as women. One influencing factor in the past was thought to be a difference in opportunities. Women face discrimination “in both the legitimate and illegitimate worlds,” as Heidensohn puts it. They are less likely to hold senior positions in financial companies where there are opportunities to commit embezzlement, for example, and similarly the world of organised crime tends to be very male-dominated, operating on strictly traditional gender roles where women tend to take domestic, sexual or care-giving roles rather than being directly involved in the gang’s operations. Opportunistic differences do not apply to all types of crime and are clearly becoming less relevant, but gender norms do matter. They result in different social and psychological constraints on the behaviour of men and women. Tim Robertson, chief executive of the Koestler Trust, an arts charity supporting offenders, notes a point frequently made in psychological studies, that social and

cultural stereotypes dictate that “men are about strength and having power over other people, and being able to show off, and being bread-winners. Especially when they get frustrated in those roles that can lead them to be angry or violent, or to find dishonest ways to make that money.” As a young male prisoner put it in an interview with two psychologists, Tony Evans and Patti Wallace, who were researching masculinity in prisons: “Men don’t cry, do they? Men take it on the chin... Where I live, it’s part and parcel of the way you live, you know what I mean... You can’t be soft… You must stay powerful using whatever means necessary.” For women, meanwhile, there’s more pressure or encouragement to behave well and to care for other people. The existence of familial responsibilities is widely acknowledged to be a key factor in preventing former criminals from reoffending, and women tend to have more responsibilities from an earlier age. “A lot of men have told me that they find their role as an involved father - even if their children are not resident with them - as a very stabilising factor,” says Tamsin Gregory, a spokesperson for the St Giles Trust, a charity that supports former prisoners. She also notes that because women are more likely to have responsibility for children, “they sometimes access more statutory support in terms of housing, services and so on,” although the availability of these services is becoming ever more scarce. These are, again, stabilising factors that can help to reduce reoffending. “Any comment you make about gender is a generalisation,” says Tim Robertson, “but on the whole it is perfectly true to say that men commit crime and women help people out of crime,” through creating stable relationships and environments. “I think there’s a growing recognition in criminal justice circles about the role that families play” in rehabilitation. If the crime gap can, at least partially, be explained by socialised gender roles and responsibilities, could this knowledge be incorporated into rehabilitation programmes? Is it time to avoid hypermasculinity? Professor Heidensohn has argued this in the past. “[Many] remedies for young offenders are about boot camps and militarisation” - itself a kind of hypermasculinity - “in the teeth of all the evidence that military discipline is actually associated with high levels of indiscipline… There’s a great degree of domestic violence and abuse of alcohol and so on in armies the world over.” Instead, she suggests, “why don’t we learn something from the successful sisters of young offenders? [They tend to be] much more conformist. Why don’t we look at how that is achieved?” Some rehabilitation programmes are beginning to address this head on. The Man Up programme, which was first trialled in 2013, takes small groups of men in prisons, young offenders institutions and in the wider community and encourages them to explore the concepts of masculinity and identity. Safe Ground, the charity behind Man Up, notes that

through their extensive experience of working with young men in custody, “our understanding is that the idea of ‘masculinity’ can hinder personal development and growth, leading to negative outcomes.” Charlie Weinberg, Executive Director of Safe Ground, tells me the programme “is designed to offer a space in which men of different ages can, often for the first time, really think through the impact of cultural and social norms around male attitudes and behaviours, on their lives and relationships. For many men, the pressure to be seen as, for example, ‘strong, brave, hard’, makes it very difficult to ever back down or admit fear or reluctance in many situations... Men who take part in Man Up are much more able to identify the kinds of limits and boundaries set on them as ‘men’... [They] work together to redefine themselves and to create new ways of allowing themselves to be in the world”. But even when it isn’t explicitly acknowledged by the offender, reevaluating the concept of masculinity may be a key part of breaking the cycle of crime. Robertson notes that the arts, which are used in many hugely successful rehabilitation programmes run in UK prisons, are essentially a way of achieving this. “Painting, drawing, writing poems and so on,” he says, “they’re about helping people to come to terms with their feelings, about being able to express things appropriately, about being able to communicate, about listening to others and understanding… It helps them to dismantle or get a perspective on some of those macho stereotypes and assumptions… some of those very ‘male’ behaviours that are associated with crime.” In her 2013 essay “The longest war,” historian and feminist writer Rebecca Solnit wrote about how the one factor that overwhelmingly connects violent crimes - that the perpetrators are male - is so often overlooked: “Instead, we hear that American men commit murdersuicides, at the rate of about 12 a week, because the economy is bad, though they also do it when the economy is good; or that those men in India murdered the bus rider because the poor resent the rich, while other rapes in India are explained by how the rich exploit the poor… The pandemic of violence always gets explained as anything but gender, anything but what would seem to be the broadest explanatory pattern of all... It’s rare that anyone says what this medical study does, even if in the driest way possible: ‘Being male has been identified as a risk factor for violent criminal behaviour.’” What she writes equally applies to non-violent crimes. This is not to say that men are inherently more criminal. Neither is it to deny the very real effect that other “risk factors” such as age, education and background have on offenders. But it is important to recognise one of the most universal and yet frequently overlooked trends in crime. If we can properly work out why the crime gender gap exists, why women are so much more likely to stay away from it, we might be able to use that knowledge to tackle the cycles of criminality more effectively. Source: Independent.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

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International

Death toll: The Baga controversy By Obinna Anyadike

ontroversy has surrounded the death toll in the northern Nigerian town of Baga and nearby villages, following an attack in early January by the Islamist militant group, Boko Haram. A BBC report published on January 8 quoted a local government official as giving the civilian death toll of 2,000, although it did add that other accounts put the number in the hundreds. Amnesty International used the 2,000 figure in a press release and despite the caveats strewn through the statement, the number stuck and was taken up by the world’s media including the Toronto Star which did a chronology. The government’s response, some days later, was that ‘only’ 150 people had died. The military spokesperson tweeted: “RE: @Amnesty International on Boko Haram’s ‘deadliest act’. They are the evil we must all fight not government.” Ryan Cummings, Chief of Security Analysis for Africa at the crisis management outfit Grid24, asks: “is it credible to believe that Boko Haram had indeed killed as many as 2,000 people in a single act of mass violence?” The town’s regular population was estimated at 10,000 by the official although likely to have been far lower at the time of the attack. So Boko Haram “would have had to employ significant resources in terms of both manpower and equipment to be able to systematically execute as much as a fifth of the town’s total population,” Cummings added. Verifying numbers is hard in such a remote region where local media fear both Boko Haram and the army’s antagonism towards reports of their often lacklustre

Aftermath of Boko Haram’s bombing. Source: IRIN News performance. “Local officials, as the BBC quoted, are probably as reliable a source of information as you are going to get,” Cummings told IRIN. But he argued that a fixation on numbers inevitably leads to sensationalism and the trivialisation of a complex story that demands far more nuanced coverage. “The Boko Haram crisis is a microcosm of the need for more responsible reporting. With breaking news, you don’t always have the luxury, but in this case it seemed reckless.” Satellite imagery is a key tool for investigators, especially where access is difficult. Human Rights Watch reported that their analysis of satellite images acquired of the Baga area “reveals evidence of largescale destruction”, particularly in the town of Doro Gowon, the site of the multinational

joint task force base, a few kilometres from Baga. In Baga itself, the rights group estimated that 11 percent of the town has been ‘damaged’. With the area still being fought over, “the extent of loss of life and damage to property will become clearer when the battle is over.” Data monitors like the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) tally the toll of conflicts. They draw on media and NGO reports despite the likely political, economic or regional biases. Clionadh Raleigh, an ACLED researcher, acknowledges the inherent problem with the reliability of numbers, but says the project uses the most conservative estimates available, is transparent in its sourcing and is able to revise their datasets on a weekly basis.

Differences in methodology and filtering lead to wide differences in estimates. IRIN compared the total reported Boko Haram-related deaths in 2014 from three tracking services. The figures include deaths among security services and militants, as well as civilians in incidents only inside Nigeria. IRIN found ACLED’s estimates to be the lowest (at 7,711) compared to two others, the Council for Foreign Relations (11,245) and Nigeria Watch (11,779). In March 2014, there was a difference of over 2,000 between the highest and lowest estimates. While ACLED had hesitated in the past to cite casualty figures, which are seized on by the media “rather than the rich detail in the data”, the raw numbers do provide a means to gauge trends and intensity. According to Raleigh, her preference is to use local media reports as sourcing, in

“

Source: IRIN News

the hope that it will maximise ground truth. But in the case of Nigeria, local press coverage of the six-year crisis has been disappointing, the latest example being the limited reports on Baga. “The media hasn’t been a major player on the insurgency, on researching the issues,” an Abuja-based conflict analyst, Hussaini Abdu, told IRIN. In addition to security concerns in affected areas, part of the problem is the deeply political nature of domestic media ownership. “A lot of the politics the media is enmeshed in makes it difficult for them to report objectively on what is going on,” Clement Nwankwo, Executive Director at the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, noted. While sections of the media have been merciless in their criticism of President Goodluck Jonathan’s performance in the run-up to the general elections on February 14, his government’s handling of the conflict has not been a central campaign issue, neither have there been full-throated demands for investigations into the string of military setbacks. “There is a new agenda around nationalism so people are a bit cautious,” Abdu said. There is concern over offending the military. A raid by the army on the distribution centres handling several of the country’s leading newspapers in June 2014, at the height of the controversy over the abduction of more than 200 school girls from Chibok, in Borno State, was widely regarded as a warning. Then Information Minister, Labaran Maku, advised the media to “define the lines between the urge to report and the need to protect the interest of our nation”. Culled from IRIN News

is it credible to believe that Boko Haram had indeed killed as many as 2,000 people in a single act of mass violence?”

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

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Business

Mixed reactions trail plan to end fuel importation in 2018 By Mohammed Usman

ecently, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, said the federal government is planning to stop the importation of petroleum products by 2018. According to him, “There are many sectors we should have developed over the years, but for decades, we relied entirely on the exportation of raw materials. That era has gone. That was why this administration launched the Industrial Revolution Plan in 2012. We have started it already, and you can see it in the auto, sugar, the cotton and textile industries. “If this investment goes according to plan; then by 2018, we will no longer import petroleum products into this country. We can no longer be a country that is importdependent, especially in products we can produce ourselves. Nigeria has a comparative advantage in the agro-industrial, mining-related and petroleum sectors. “Stopping the importation of oil will save us a minimum of $10 billion. We have spent about $3 billion importing steel. We spent about $6 billion importing cars and spare parts. We spent about $1.7 billion importing sugar, but we can in fact grow sugar cane in this country.’’ The minister added that oil importation will be replaced with 13 products. “As part of the industrial revolution plan, we have also identified 13 products that will replace oil. These are areas where Nigeria has comparative advantage and export capacity. Mexico did it in seven years. We can also start and diversify our economy and revenue sources.” In line with the minister’s statement, Peoples Daily Weekend took to the streets to find out Nigerians reaction to this policy. Many of those interviewed expressed doubt over its implementation, while others lauded the initiative.

An oil installation

A respondent, Mr. Nso Mbu, said the policy cannot be implemented. According to him, it is election propaganda. “This is the truth. If you look at it very carefully, all of these are coming within the period of election. May be after February, this story will not be there again. With the type of bureaucracy and parliament that Nigeria has, coupled with the type of management that is available here, it would be very difficult.” Also, Akor Abimaje said this is not the first time Nigerians are hearing such promises from the government. Nobody even believes them. “So I don’t think that promise is achievable. There is nothing on ground now to show that such will be implemented.” The story was the same, as another respondent, Mr. Johnson, an artist, stressed that if they had given this promise before now, Nigerians would have believed them, “but for now, I don’t trust them. This is because even in 15 years time, importation of oil will not stop. “But if they can do it, let them do so, we will be happy with that. If they don’t do it life still continues. God has blessed this country, but our leaders are mismanaging our resources.” For Abubakar Bashir “You see, Nigeria is one of the richest countries in the world. The way things are going now under this administration, I would say it is not possible, but if the government changes, I may say yes.” He added that based on the state of refineries and the remaining period before 2018, I don’t think this policy will be implemented. “Even if government changes, it will go beyond that time to get our refineries back on track. If this administration is prepared to revive our ailing refineries, then there may be light at the end of the tunnel.” In his own response, Suleiman Adamu said Aganga’s promise is belated. According to him, the federal government has not done

Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke enough to mitigate the people’s suffering, adding that “Even before I was born they have always promised to provide constant electricity and water supply, but till now, power supply and potable water are erratic. They have been making promises that they are yet to fulfill. So for now, I don’t believe whatever the government says. “Now, the PDP has been in power for the past 16 years, but sincerely, they have not been fair to us. You see, the government does not care about the suffering of the masses. All they know is how to keep emphasizing on the economic problem of the masses without ameliorating it.” For Aliyu Adekunle, “Well, for me as a person, it should be done faster. All the refineries that they said they are building will take five years to complete and some of them will come on board by February 18, 2018. Dangote is building one in Lagos and another one in Ondo State. If they can expand the capacity of the old ones also, and

Olusegun Aganga with sincerity, Nigerian can stop the importation of petroleum products by 2018.” According to Mr. Peter Ezeaga, it is possible provided that there will be removal of fuel subsidy. “Well it will be achievable when fuel subsidy is removed. If the subsidy is removed, investors will invest in refineries.” Citing an instance, he stated that Malaysia which is a small country has 38 refineries which are all privately owned. Peter disclosed that without removing subsidy, no investor will invest in refineries. Mr. Taiwo Kale stated that the promise may not be achievable. “Presently, Nigeria has refineries that are not working. As I speak now, no refinery is working 100 percent now and they were built to reduce the importation of fuel. But these refineries are moribund. In fact, some of them are not even working at all, while others are not producing up to 40 percent capacity. If the refineries that have been operating for over 15 years now could not stop fuel importation, I doubt the feasibility that between 2015 and 2018, Nigeria could stop the importation of fuel. For me it is not possible.” Mr. Longe Adewolabi said implementing this policy within the stated period may not be achievable. “Well, I will say may be it is only the minister who knows the kind of measure he wants to put in place to achieve what he is foreseeing for Nigeria. But in my own opinion, I doubt it. This is because there are many problems in Nigeria right now. Presently, the refineries are not working, so it would be completely impossible for Nigeria to stop fuel importation even in 2020, let alone 2018. “So, I think the first thing, if that would be possible at all, is to see seriousness on the part of the federal government in fixing the refineries. If that is not done, then achieving this feat will be a mirage. But in my own opinion, I don’t think it is

possible in 2018.” Responding, Mr. Steven Adaji elaborated on the impossibility of ending fuel importation in 2018. “I don’t see it working. I strongly believe that for any policy to work that way, the government in power must create an enabling environment that will support such policies, what are they doing to ensure that this feat is achieved?” He noted that the United States of America is one of the biggest markets for Nigeria, but they are no longer interested in buying our oil again, as they have enough shale gas that can last them for another 50 years. We haven’t even resuscitated our ailing refineries so howdo we intend to stop the importation of fuel by 2018? “How many of our refineries are working, if they are, what is the capacity? At the Kaduna refinery for instance, when you see light there today, may be in the next one to two months, you will that they are no longer working.’’ Sometimes, it seems government is not even interested in seeing most of these agencies do there work. “For me, they are not interested in seeing it work because they themselves are the ones involved in the importation of petroleum products. It is just like if they don’t import, they will not get money. So, for me they are encouraging importation.” For such policy to work, the NNPC must be working perfectly. For instance, the price of crude oil is falling every day, why are we still buying petroleum at a high price? For Mr. Nmfouma Onukpanu, this promise can be fulfilled. “It can be implemented if Nigerians invest in production. But the thing is that an average Nigerian does not like to invest in a long term project. If government does not ban importation, this policy will not work. In many countries, they ensure that you build a factory if you want to sell vehicles in their country. But Nigeria does not have that kind of law.”

PAGE 48

Business Insurance operators Nigeria imports 17m tonnes of appeal to steel annually NAICOM to curb illegal fees

nsurance operators on Friday appealed to the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to introduce strategies to detect institutions who solicit, offer or allow commission in the transaction of businesses. Some insurance operators who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on condition of anonymity, said the payments were to prevent NAICOM from knowing that they still solicited and offered these illegal fees. NAN gathered that some insurance companies had illegally been paying overriding commission and other illegal fees into the personal bank accounts of some insurance brokers. Overriding commission is an additional cost being paid by insurance companies to the insurance brokers, over and above what the law prescribed, in order to gain undue advantage over other competitors. The operators said the brokers have continued to solicit for overriding commission and that the insurers have been offering these illegal fees to the brokers to place business with them, they added that NAICOM was not aware of the act to bend the rules, as regards payment of approved fees. Mr. Mohammed Kari, NAICOM’s Deputy Commissioner (Technical), had said that it was illegal for any insurance institution to solicit, offer or allow commission or rebate in the transaction of insurance businesses. Kari described such transactions as illegal, except as provided by the extant insurance laws and guidelines. He warned that any insurer, who grants or receives a rebate, offer, demand, pay or receives commission, contrary to Section 53 (1) and (3) of the Insurance Act 2003 would face the penalty. ``The person will in addition to the penalty prescribed by Sections 53(4) and 76 of the Insurance Act, be liable to other penalties as prescribed,’’ the NAICOM deputy commissioner said. He said the commission has directed that no insurer, broker or its agents shall charge or receive premiums in excess of the actual premium on an insurance policy that may result in refunding the excess amount paid thereafter. According to him, this is in line with Article 3(9) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLCFT) Regulation, 2013. He recalled that NAICOM had issued a circular that any insurance institution that fails to comply with the content of the circular shall be penalised in line with relevant provisions of the Insurance Act.

By Mohammed Usman

igeria imports about 17 million tons of steel per year, even as it produces between 2.5 million to 3 million tons per year domestically, an international online agency, Industrial Info Resources reports. The agency, which quoted the director of steel and non-ferrous metals in the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development to have said that Nigeria had more than 30 privately owned rolling mills with a range of capacities, but only 15 were producing iron rods, while others had power or gas challenges, attributed tight cash and less construction to the 30

percent capacity of Nigeria’s steel rolling mills. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Stock Exchange is seeking to attract companies from outside Africa’s biggest economy to sell shares as slumping oil prices weigh on local businesses. However, on the world stage, Reuters reported that Brent oil rose more than two dollars to almost $50 a barrel yesterday after the West’s energy watchdog forecast that the market downtrend would end. Analysts said a strong rebound was unlikely as global output continued to outweigh demand. Oil prices have dropped by nearly 60 percent since June as

production around the world has soared, outstripping demand at a time of lacklustre global economic growth. The International Energy Agency (IEA) said oil prices could fall before they recover, but there were signs that lower prices were beginning to curb production in some areas including North America. “How low the market’s floor will be is anybody’s guess. But the sell-off is having an impact. A price recovery, barring any major disruption, may not be imminent, but signs are mounting that the tide will turn. A rebalancing may begin to occur in the second half of the year,” the IEA said in its monthly report on Friday.

Brent crude futures for March jumped to $49.82 from $2.15. It later eased back and was trading around $49.70. U.S. crude was trading at $47.35 a barrel, up $1.10. Analysts said Brent, which traded steadily above $48 a barrel before the IEA’s announcement, also had strong technical support. “Our forecast seems to point towards a consolidation stage in the weeks to come. We expect crude prices to trade range-bound between $44.75 and $50.69 for WTI March 2015 and $46.4 to $52.89 for Brent March 2015,” Phillip Futures said in a note to clients.

L-R; Taraba State Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Gowan, Finance Treasury FCTA, mallam Musa Dabo, Lagos State Commissioner of Finance, Mr Ayo Gbeleyi and Gombe State Commissioner for Finance,Alh. Hassan Muhammadu, during the Month of January 2015 Federation Account Allocation Committee meeting, yesterday in Abuja. - Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Naira falls 1.3% on importer-dollar demand By Mohammed Usman with agency report

he naira fell to 1.3 percent against the U.S. currency on Friday, following a surge in demand by importers in Africa’s biggest economy amidst scant dollar supply. The naira fell to 188.20 to the dollar after it opened at N185.75, the same level it closed at the previous day. Dealers said dollar liquidity in the market had dried up in the face of demand from importers buying foreign goods to sell in Nigeria, which imports around 80 percent of what it consumes. Oil firms normally sell

dollars to the interbank monthly to buy naira for their local operations, but dealers said this had not happened on Friday. The central bank has intervened to help prop up the naira and also meet dollar demand but pressure on the local currency is still mounting in the wake of plunging global oil prices. The bank was forced to devalue the naira two months ago to halt the slide in its foreign reserves. It devalued the naira by eight percent and tightened trading rules to curb speculation against the currency. But the naira has traded well outside its devalued band of 160-176 and reserves

are still falling. Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves on January 13 were down to 3.2 percent month-on-month from December to $34.51 billion by January 13 because of draw-downs to defend the naira, the central bank data showed. Meanwhile, Mr. Kingsley Nwokoma, President, Association of Foreign Airlines Representative of Nigeria (AFARN), on Friday called for the expansion of the cargo apron at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. Nwokoma told aviation correspondents on Friday in Lagos that the expansion would assist the federal government to generate

more revenue, especially at this time of dwindling oil prices. He said the construction of the ultramodern warehouse built by Skyway Aviation Handling Company Ltd. (SAHCOL) had added value to the industry while entrenching healthy competition. The president noted that the sector could only recover fully when stakeholders put safety related issues on the front burner. Nwokoma commended the Aviation Minister, Mr. Osita Chidoka, for setting up a committee to look into aeronautical and non-aeronautical charges which AFARN had made representations to him.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

Page 49

Oddities Compiled by Isioma Nwabasha

Man obsessed with animation spends heavily on bizarre hobby

ob Harrison, a grown man obsessed with ‘My Little Pony’, has spent thousands feeding his unusual

passion. Rob is part of a legion of male fans around the world in love with the animation, a group so large they even have their own nickname, ‘bronies’. He loves watching characters such as Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy and Applejack. The main attraction in the IT consultant’s living room includes memorabilia such as soft toys, full-sized costumes that he wears to conventions and card games. Rob, from Vancouver, Canada, admits he knows people will laugh at his obsession but insists that it doesn’t bother him. “I always knew people were interested in the show. I was kind of ignoring it because I thought it was a show for girls. But I was ignorant. It wasn’t until after I watched it that I realised they were going for more general focus. “I have been into cartoons for as long as I can remember. I have so much in my apartment my friends and family aren’t surprised anymore. I just roll with it and if people try to make

me look bad and get a laugh then I laugh with them. It is just an interest like any other hobby, we are just a group of guys sharing a common interest.” Rob, who is currently single, first became a fan of the show in 2013, after being asked to help at BronyCAN, the biggest convention in Canada. And after the encounter with an army of bronies, he immediately took to the camaraderie and common interest of the group. “I met a bunch of people in the community and realised they were a lot of fun to be around. Plus it turned out I liked the material more than I thought I would, the show was fun but the whole package is what sealed the deal. A lot of meet-ups are drinking parties. But we all found this weird thing online so why not get together and have fun. I do travel for it, Seattle, USA, is the furthest I have been but there is one in the UK and Germany too for example. It seems like there are more and more brony conventions popping up every single month. ‘‘I used to make fun of my ex for it, but she must have shown me a few episodes I didn’t like. It was a surprise I ended up getting into it. If I met another girl and

she wanted me to give it up then I could as it’ is an interest not a lifestyle. However, if someone were to ask me to give up a piece of myself I wouldn’t want to be with them anyway.” Rob, whose other interests

include costume performance, cars and photography, said being a brony is an inexpensive hobby anyone can get into. “I’ve spent a few thousands on my collection - I don’t go for the super rare, expensive stuff;

Youth quits job to become professional zombie

finance worker has swapped his steady job to become a professional zombie. Bored of crunching numbers, horror fan, Alex Noble, took great pleasure in handing in his notice, telling his bemused boss that he was off to pursue a career with the undead . “It took quite a bit of explaining, I don’t think my boss really understood. When

I told my friends, they thought I was giving up a stable career on a whim. A lot of people will be happy doing their job for 20 years, but opportunity only knocks once.” The 26-year-old from Cardiff is now employed as a trainer by Slingshot, the company which runs zombie chase game, 2.8 Hours Later. Players are given a scenario and a mission to complete,

which sees them stalked across their hometown by hordes of the undead. “I have always been into zombies, explained Alex, whose favourite film is Day of the Dead. I started off doing quite a bit of extras work. Most of it was unpaid, but then my hobby grew into a job.” Alex spent five years volunteering as a zombie extra in films, tv and games, before being offered the position with Slingshot. “People started noticing me, because I was doing things differently. I had a niche look and I was doing the movements and noises differently.” He is now responsible for running ‘zombie school’ for the volunteers taking part in the game. There are 60 volunteers for each night of the event and with the tour spending several nights in each city, that means around 200 zombies at each school. Zombie training takes place a weekend before the event and involves a presentation about the game, plus a choreography session and a health and safety briefing. The event will take place

in Cardiff in March and players will be told that the human race is dying out as the population succumbs to zombie infection. As part of a resistance group, they will have to break into a quarantined slum, outwit criminal gangs and outrun the zombies to rescue the only uninfected children on earth. Each event requires 60 volunteers, 12 actors, 12 stage managers, five makeup artists, 10 members of production crew, security staff, plus bar staff for the zombie disco after-party. More than 600 players take part each night, with the event attracting about 2,000 participants in each city. Each night, the volunteers are attacked by the make-up artists. “Firstly, we make the skin pale and add shadow to the eyes to make them look really ill. Then we add veins and splatter them with blood in our splatter booth, which is like a field hospital tent where we throw theatre blood over them.” The tour will start in Cardiff, before heading to Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield and Bristol.

more the vinyl collectables, card game and a few plush characters. I have a pretty substantial collection from the trading card game which I have almost every card in and am known for.’’

Money revives man in coma

cash driven man, who spent more than a year in a coma, finally woke up when nurses wafted banknotes under his nose in an attempt to stir fond memories. Xiao Li, 30, fell into a coma in August 2013 after spending almost a week without sleep at an internet café, where he was researching business ideas. Nurses at a hospital in Shenzen, China, decided to waft banknotes under his nose in an attempt to rouse him after his family reported his love for money. And to their amazement, he snapped out of his slumber almost immediately. Chief medic, Dr Liu Tang, said: “We had asked his family what really drove him, and they were very clear that it was money. When we learned about his fondness for money we experimented with notes and change. We found a crisp, new 100 Yuan note crumpled under his nose and it worked best.’’ Tang said they saw Xiao twitch his fingers as he tried to reach up and snatch the 100 Yuan bill - worth £10 - while his eyelids flickered. “It was extraordinary. I have never seen anything like it in 20 years as a doctor. Memories of smell and sound can be very powerful stimulants.” Now Xiao’s family are keeping up the therapy at his hospital bed in Shenzhen, while he continues his slow recovery. Liu said: “He still has some way to go before he is discharged from hospital but he is making good progress.”

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

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Healthy Living

Dangers of smokeless tobacco

hewing tobacco, snuff, snus, and dissolvable tobacco in the shape of sticks, pellets, and strips are tobacco products that are not smoked but used in other ways. All types of smokeless tobacco contain nicotine and chemicals known to cause cancer (carcinogens). Chewing tobacco comes in three forms: • Loose leaves • Plugs • Twists or rolls A piece (plug, wad, or chew) of tobacco is placed between the cheek and gum. Users chew on it for several hours and spit out the tobacco juices and saliva as they build up. Snuff and snus are ground tobacco. Moist snuff and snus are sold in cans or sachets (pouches that look like tea bags). Users put a pinch (dip, lipper, or quid) of moist snuff between the cheek or lip and gum. Sachets are placed between the cheek and gum. Dry snuff is a powdered form sold in cans. A pinch of dry snuff can be placed in the mouth or sniffed up the nose. The newest forms of smokeless tobacco are finely ground dissolvable tobacco that is flavored and shaped into sticks, pellets, or strips. These forms melt in the users’ mouth within 3 to 30 minutes, delivering nicotine. These new forms of smokeless tobacco contain three times more nicotine than an average cigarette. Nicotine in smokeless tobacco is what gives users a buzz. It also makes it very hard

Man chewing tobacco to quit. Every time smokeless tobacco is used, the body gets used to the nicotine and starts craving it. Craving is one of the signs of addiction. Another sign of addiction is tolerance. This is when the body adjusts to the amount of tobacco needed to get a buzz. With continued use, more and more tobacco is needed to

get the same feeling. Many users say it is harder to quit smokeless tobacco than cigarettes. Some people believe that smokeless tobacco is okay because it does not contain smoke. This does not make it safe. Some smokeless tobacco delivers more nicotine than

cigarettes, making addiction more likely. There are also direct effects of smokeless tobacco on the mouth. Bad breath. Smokeless tobacco can give you really bad breath and discoloured teeth. This will not help anyone’s social life. Dental problems. Smokeless tobacco’s direct and repeated contact with the gums causes them to recede and become diseased, leading to loose teeth. Many forms of smokeless tobacco also contain sugar. This mixes with the plaque on the teeth to form acid that eats away at the tooth enamel to cause cavities and chronic painful sores. Cancer. Cancer of the mouth (including the lip, tongue, and cheek) and throat can occur at the spot in the mouth where the tobacco is held. Surgical removal of cancer is often needed, and parts of the face, tongue, cheek, or lip might be removed too. Leukoplakia. A white, leathery-like patch called leukoplakia may form in the mouth. The patches vary in size and shape and can become cancerous. If you have a patch in your mouth, your doctor should examine it right away. Heart problems. The constant flow of nicotine into your body causes many side effects including increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, and sometimes irregular heartbeats, which may increase the risk of sudden death from a condition (ventricular arrhythmias) in which the heart does not beat properly.

Is soy milk safe for babies?

oy milk is a common alternative to cow milk, which may be chosen for a variety of reasons. Strict vegetarians, for example, often drink soy milk and those who are allergic to cow milk or who have difficulty digesting lactose may choose soy milk as an easy-to-digest alternative. It is an option for babies over age one for the same reasons. Additionally, soy milk is available in a variety of flavors that may appeal to children who are resistant to the taste of plain cow milk. It is very high in protein, which is essential for your child’s physical development and low in saturated fats and cholesterol. Soy milk contains no dairy or lactose. This would be beneficial for infants who are lactose intolerant (cow milk contains lactose). To get the full benefit of soy milk for your child, select the full-fat variety, as fat is vital for the development of the brain in children younger than two years. Because soy is not naturally packed with as many vitamins and nutrients

as cow milk, select one that is fortified with vitamins A, D, and B, folate and calcium. Additionally, vitamin B12 can be found only in animal foods, so consider mixing soy milk with vitamin-fortified cereal to ensure that your child receives adequate nutrition. It is very important to understand the difference between soy milk and soy infant formula. Though soy milk does have health benefits for children, it is important to be aware of some of the dangers. First, parents must understand the difference between soy milk and soy formula. Children younger than one year should be fed formula, as milk either cow milk or soy milk does not contain all the nutrients necessary for a baby’s development. Formulas are supplemented with vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fatty acids that are not found in regular milk of any kind. Babies under one year of age have very specific nutritional needs that cannot be met with soy milk alone.

A baby drinking soy milk

Nicotine poisoning. The new forms of smokeless tobacco look like candy or breath strips, making them attractive to all ages, even children. While tobacco from a cigarette tastes bitter and unpleasant, the new forms are minty increasing their potential for poisoning. Trying to quit can be difficult, but it is not impossible. Here are some tips. Pick a quit date and throw out all your smokeless tobacco products. Ask for help. You can successfully quit with help and support. Ask your friends, family, teachers, and coaches for support and encouragement. Tell friends you are quitting and ask them not to offer you smokeless tobacco or other nicotine products. Chew on something else. A few good examples are sugarless gum or apple slices. Stay busy with healthier activities. You could work on a hobby, listen to music, or volunteer your time. Exercise can help relieve any tension caused by quitting. Try biking, walking, running, or other sports. Everyone is different, so develop a personalized plan that works best for you. Set realistic goals so you will be more likely to achieve them. Reward yourself. Save the money that you would have spent on smokeless tobacco for something special. Treat yourself to your favourite restaurant, a special purchase, or an event. Spend time with family and friends who are supportive.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

Peoples Daily WEEKEND, SATURDAY — SUNDAY, JANUARY 17 - 18, 2015

Give all your worries to God (II) G

lory be to God! I’m pleased to welcome you again to your favourite column. Last week I began another series, and I took my text from Matt 6:25-34.I differentiated between planning and worrying, and said that God does not want you to worry. I started sharing with you six reasons you shouldn’t worry. I was only able to discuss threereasons before I rounded off, and these reasons were: (1)Worrying is a waste of time; it achieves nothing. (2)Most of the fears your worrying centers on don’t ever become a reality. (3) Worrying distracts you from finding and focusing on the right solution to the particular challenge you’re confronting. I’ll start today by sharing with you the remaining three reasons you shouldn’t worry, and go further to show you how to overcome worrying. Worrying reveals lack of faith in God. Jesus tells us that little faith is at the centre of worrying. Hear him: “And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t he more surely care for you? You have so little faith!” (Matt 6:30 NLT) But these days, it seems many people have degenerated from little faith to no faith in God. And I’ve no intention to change the words of the Master. George Muller said, “The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.”That means anxiety (worry) will kill your faith, and true faith will kill your anxiety! Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. (Rom 10:17) If you’re worrying, it means you believe what your circumstances are saying more than what the Word of God is saying; you believe what the devil is saying more than what God is saying. If you’re a child of God, you

should know that God is in control of your life – not the devil. You should approach life by faith not by worrying. Protestant clergyman and abolitionist, Henry Ward Beecher said, “Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it by the handle of anxiety or by the handle of faith.”Are you always using the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith? Because God cares for you. This is another important reason you shouldn’t worry. God is the dependable CARETAKER. That’s why He’s asked you not to worry. He can handle your cares – your challenge or trouble. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Casting the whole of your care – all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all – on Him for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” (The Amplified Bible) You don’t need to worry because God cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. He’ll sustain you; He’ll not let you fall. (Ps 55:22) He will provide a way of escape for you in any situation. (1Cor 10:13) Rom. 8:28 assures that all things shall work together for your good, so why worry? Because He cares for you, He’ll answer you if you call upon Him. “And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved.” (Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21 NKJV) Rom. 10:13 alsoreiterates this Scripture. God cares for you, and you’re free to call on Him whenever you have any challenge. “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” (Jer 33:3 NKJV) Worrying is not good for your mental and physical health.Pro 12:25 says, “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.” (NKJV) Worrying robs you of your of peace. Studies

have shown that worrying can cause depression, tiredness, stomach ulcer, speeding up of the aging process, stress, and heart attack. It can open the door of your life to other sicknesses. You don’t have to allow it ¬– it’s within your power to do. How to overcome worrying I’ll like to share with you what you need to do to overcome worry. If your worrying is as a result of sin, repent, ask God for forgiveness and believe that He has forgiven you. “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” (Ps 103:12 NKJV) Jesus told that woman caught in adultery: “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” (John 8:10 NKJV) Don’t hide your sin; it’s a futile effort because God already knows all the details. Commit your life to God and trust Him. If you’re not born again, first commit your heart to Jesus accepting him as your Lord and Savior. You cannot overcome worrying without committing your life to God and trusting Him that He cares for you no matter what, and has the best plan for you in all situations. “Commit your to the LORD; trust in him and he will act.” (Ps. 37:5 NEB) Pro. 16:3 says, “Commit to the LORD all that you do, and your plans will be fulfilled.” (NEB) Seek God’s will in all you do. Make God’s will number one in your life and you won’t have to worry. Everything will turn out for your good. Prov 3:6 says, “Seek his [God’s] will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.” (NLT) Billy Graham said, “Anxiety is the natural result when our hopes are centred in anything short of God and his will for us.”I cannot agree more. Be content with what God is doing in your life. What God is doing in

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From the Pulpit green pastures

By Pastor T. O. Banso

cedarministryintl@yahoo.com GSM: 08033113523 your life now may not be the best you desire but you must learn to be content knowing that God is not finished with you yet – your life is work-in-progress. It’s not worrying that will make your life better than it is now. Lack of contentment is the number one cause of worry in many people’s lives. Hear what Paul said: “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.” (Phil 4:11-14 NLT) Did you see that?Paul learnt how to live whether he had much or little. He wasn’t worrying; he had learnt contentment.Still talking about contentment, Paul says, “So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.” (1 Tim 6:8 NLT) Everybody is not at the same level in life. There are those ahead of you and those you’re ahead. Don’t fret because of where you are. You still have a future to live. God will take care of you. If there’s anything good that’s not enough today, you will soon have abundance of it!Stop worrying. Heb. 13:5.says, “Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never forsake you.’” (NLT) This is where I’ll stop today. Has God spoken to you? Did you get anything from today’s message? Go and act on the Word you have received and it shall be well with you in Jesus’ name. Next week, by the grace of God,

I shall bring you the concluding part of this series. Jesus loves you, and I do too. TAKE ACTION! If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus. I urge you to take the following steps:*Admit you’re a sinner and you can’t save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start to attend a Bible-believing, Bibleteaching church. There you will be taught how to grow in the Kingdom of God. Kindly say this prayer now: “0 Lord God, I come unto you today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and resurrected the third day. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour and surrender my life to him today. I invite Jesus into my heart today. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank you Jesus for saving me and making me a child of God” I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible believing, Bible teaching church in your area where you will be taught how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things becoming all God wants you to be. I’ll be glad to hear from you.

Associated apostles with a sacred mandate Acts 13:1,2; 9:26-28; 11:2226,29,30; 12:24,25; 14:14,15; Deuteronomy 10:8; Exodus 6:13,26,27; Hebrews 5:4; 1 Samuel 12:8; Matthew 9:3538; John 4:34-38; Matthew 20:6,7.

B “ “

arnabas and Saul” were among the preachers and teachers in the Antioch Church. Barnabas was an effective, Spirit-filled minister who already had a profitable ministry in the Church, both at Jerusalem and in Antioch (Acts 4:36,37; 9:27; 11:1924). Saul, too, was already a faithful and effective minister with a fruitful ministry in Damascus, Jerusalem and Antioch (Acts 9:22,26-29; 11:25,26,29,30; 12:24,25). These two ministers, Barnabas and Saul, were not ordinary ministers in the Antioch Church. In conversion and character, in consecration and commitment, in courage and conviction, in exposure and experience, in faith and faithfulness, in intercession and interpretation, in revelation and knowledge, these two ministers (called Apostles in Acts 14:14) were far above the other ministers in Antioch. Antioch was an important city. It was considered the third city of the Roman Empire and the

Church there could have thought that sending forth Barnabas and Saul would create a vacuum which would never be filled. The Holy Ghost did not send inexperienced, untried ministers to the millions (now billions) of ignorant, darkened souls in the Gentile world. God sent (and still sends, today) experienced, equipped, empowered servants of the Lord. “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said ...” Waiting on the Lord, ministering in acts of devotion, meditation, intercession, offering prayer and praise, setting our affection, love and desires on God, open the door for His revelation. Ministering to the Lord by prayerfully and meditatively seeking His glory while we forget ourselves and our pressing needs gladdens His heart and moves Him to reveal His will, His most urgent will and work to us in clear, unmistakable terms. “The Holy Ghost said, Separate ME Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” Unless we minister unto the Lord, fast to be weaned from deep, personal desires, we shall be in competition with the Holy Ghost, holding back “Barnabas and Saul” for the work WE have assigned them. Let the Church minister

By Pastor W.F Kumuyi

unto the Lord in prayer and fasting, then hearken unto the Lord as He speaks. “Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it.” Let go of all and let God have all. A P P O I N T E D AMBASSADORS FOR A SPECIFIC MINISTRY Acts 13:3-5; 6:3-6; 14:2123; 1 Timothy 5:22; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Timothy 1:3; Acts 20:28; Colossians 4:17; Acts 26:19,20; Galatians 1:15,16; Philippians 2:5-8,19-22; Hebrews 11:24-27. “And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” The two

seemingly indispensable ministers were released immediately. “They fasted and prayed.” Earlier, “they ministered and fasted”. That devotional exercise prepared them to hear from God and be sensitive to the voice of the Spirit. This latter prayer and fasting, after knowing the will and call of God, purged them of any inordinate affection or unscriptural attachment to God’s servants. They loosened the invisible cord that tied them to the posts of the Antioch Church, knowing and acknowledging that “the Lord hath need of them” (Matthew 21:3). So, straightway, “they laid their hands on them, they sent them away” (Acts 13:3). “They fasted and prayed.”

Fasting and prayer, when done in the right way, with godly motives and total abandonment to God’s will, predisposes us to God’s revelation, inclines us to God’s will, cleanses and purges our hearts of idols in all their forms, sets us free from the world and its slavish dominion. And “they fasted and prayed” that God would bless and prosper them in the new and greater assignment. “They laid their hands on them.” This act of the laying on of the hands of the remaining leaders of the Antioch Church was not to call, qualify or ordain them. They were already called, appointed, qualified, equipped and ordained by God. Paul’s call, appointment and ordination were not by man but by God (Galatians 1:1,10-12; Acts 9:15; 26:16-19; 2 Timothy 1:1). By laying hands on them, they identified with them, releasing and supporting the divine call and God’s revealed will. “They sent them away.” “So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia.” They surrendered wholeheartedly to go where the Spirit appointed and the Church acknowledged the divine ownership and authority over them. The Holy Ghost sent them forth as He went with them in great anointing and power.

S p or T

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

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Manchester City face Arsenal with without Toure

Wenger wanted me to dump Nigeria for England â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Iwobi Pg 53

AFCON: Youngsters to watch in Equatorial Guinea Pg 55

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

Wenger wanted me to dump Nigeria for England – Iwobi Stories by Albert Akota

lexander Iwobi, the Arsenal FC youth player who is in the National U-23 camp has revealed that his club Manager, Arsene Wenger wanted him to play for England but he chose Nigeria instead. The player said that when his father Chuka Iwobi and former Super Eagles captain Austin Jay Jay Okocha, persuaded him to play for the U-23 team he could not say no because of the high regard he has for Okocha who is his uncle. “Wenger had advised Alex to play for the England national team but Austin Okocha and I told him he had a brighter chance playing for Nigeria and he agreed. “Alex has huge respect for Okocha since he has watched his video clips and read about his exploits while playing in England as well as in the Super Eagles. “So, he agreed to play for Nigeria”, Alex’s father Chuka said. Despite his slow start in

training with the U-23, his father Chuka tipped him to make the squad attributing his slowness to environmental change and newness in the Nigerian team. “I have seen Alex play against bigger and more experienced players in the UK and has excelled so I am confident that he will prove his worth in the Nigerian U- 23 national team. “He is not expected to click in his first attempt but I know his coaches here might have seen the talent and his skills which is most important. “Players often face slow start when they play in a new team. You could see in this training that he wasn’t getting the needed passes and had to track back most times to get the ball. “I know with more training sessions with the rest of the players he would improve with the national team” Iwobi senior boasted. Meanwhile, Alexander Iwobi is expected to leave Abuja for London on Sunday to avoid being sanctioned by Arsene Wenger who gave him permission up till the weekend.

Alex Iwobi

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Sports

Super six:

Siasia dares LMC D ream Team VI coach, Samson Siasia has hinted that they will not be playing at the proposed Super Six football tournament to be organized by the League Management Company (LMC). The proposed tournament is scheduled to start on January 22 in Abuja and was intended to feature Nigeria’s representatives on the continent, Kano Pillars, Enyimba, Warri Wolves and Dolphins, and then the Flying Eagles and the Dream Team. But Siasia says his team will be travelling on the 22nd to Tunisia, for two international friendlies against the Tunisian U23 team. “We have two friendly games on the 24th and the 28th and these are good friendly games to assess the players against Tunisia and I think it will make more sense than the Super Six.” “We will leave here (Nigeria) on the 22nd and play on the 24th and the 28th before we return to Nigeria, I believe it will make more sense,” Siasia said. The former Super Eagles coach however posited that it is still possible that they will play in the Super Six tournament. “We are still trying to get more information about the Super Six and maybe we can divide the team into two. One of the teams will travel to Tunisia, and the other will play the Super Six, we are still working on that.” The Dream Team VI is preparing for the All Africa Games qualifiers and is presently training

Samson Siasia

AFCON: Congo, Burkina Faso search for rooms

eams arriving at the Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea have been forced to search for places to sleep because of a lack of hotel rooms. Congo coach Claude Le Roy said five of his 35-strong party attending the tournament did not have accommodation. He revealed that the hotel the bulk of his team are in lacks running water and has exposed electrical cables. Burkina Faso coach Paul Put also criticised facilities, saying the event should have been delayed until June. Equatorial Guinea is staging the tournament at short notice because Morocco was stripped of the right in November. Morocco was reluctant to host the three-week event because of health fears following the Ebola outbreak. Congo, who plays Equatorial Guinea in their opening game on Saturday, are based in the port city of Bata. Le Roy said Congo had not received any help from the

Confederation of African Football (Caf), adding that his party had arrived a day before they were officially due to because they expected organisational problems. “I’m not disappointed, that’s what I was expecting,” he added, when asked about his side’s accommodation. “Le Roy said he had told the players to make sure they qualify for the last eight so they will get a “very nice hotel” when other teams leave. Put said that some of his players were feeling unwell and angry after their disrupted preparation. He added that “time was too short to organise a tournament like this”, even though Equatorial Guinea acted as co-hosts of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations with Gabon. Delaying the finals would also cause an issue over the release of players, given the agreement Caf have with Fifa is for a window spanning January and February.

Claude Le Roy

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Sports

Manchester City face Arsenal with without Toure

anchester City has suffered from various injury problems in recent weeks, which has changed the nature of their attacking threat. On Sunday, their approach in the final third will largely depend upon the identity of their forwards without Yaya Toure. Sergio Aguero was unavailable for a month with a knee injury, but returned as a substitute against Everton last weekend and could be fit to start against Arsenal. With 14 goals in 14 league games, Aguero is incredibly dangerous, and excels at shooting quickly from tight angles after a burst of pace to escape the attention of opponents. Arsenal must anticipate his movements, rather than simply respond to them - few can catch him. Yaya Toure is away at the Africa Cup of Nations, meaning Fernando and Fernandinho should be the midfield combination. The former sits deeper, the latter can shuttle forward into attack, and is given more freedom without Toure. Frank Lampard is another option, and remains superb at late runs into the box.

Swansea City, Chelsea clash: Monk confident of goals despite Bony departure

arry Monk believes Swansea City can continue to trouble opposition defenders following the departure of Wilfried Bony and has set his sights on a Premier League scalp against Chelsea. Ivory Coast international Bony completed a big-money transfer to Manchester City on Wednesday, leaving a huge void at Swansea, where he scored 34 goals in 70 appearances in all competitions. But Monk insists he is not in a hurry to spend the Bony proceeds on a replacement striker, with Bafetimbi Gomis hungry for a first-team run and Nelson Oliveira having arrived on loan from Benfica. Chelsea claimed a 4-2 victory

Sergio Aguero

Newcastle keen to set record straight against Southampton

Algeria’s keeper withdraws from AFCON

lgeria has suffered another injury blow ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations finals with goalkeeper Mohamed Lamine Zemmamouche ruled out after getting hurt in training. The keeper became the third player named in the original 23man squad selected last month to be forced to withdraw from the tournament in Equatorial

when the sides met at Stamford Bridge in September and hold a slender two-point lead over Manchester City at the summit of the English top flight. Swansea, meanwhile, are ninth, but will be eager to halt their run of three league matches without a win. Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is also spoilt for choice and could reintroduce Thibaut Courtois after the Belgium goalkeeper spent last weekend’s clash with Newcastle United on the bench with a finger injury. The London club’s last five away trips in the league have yielded just one win, but Chelsea has never lost to Swansea in the Premier League.

Guinea, which starts on Saturday. Zemmamouche suffered an injury to his shin, the Algerian Football Federation said. CS Constantine’s Cedric Si Mohamed, who was in the squad at last year’s World Cup finals, has been called up as Zemmamouche’s replacement ahead of Algeria’s Group C opener against South Africa in Mongomo on Monday.

Newcastle United’s caretaker manager John Carver (L)

nterim manager John Carver wants his Newcastle United side to avenge the 4-0 defeat to Southampton earlier this season in Saturday’s reverse Premier League fixture at St James’ Park. Under Alan Pardew, Newcastle was well beaten on the south coast in September during a dismal start to the campaign that saw them stay winless in the league until mid-October. Carver is continuing to hold the fort as Newcastle finalise their search for Pardew’s long-term replacement and is determined to

pick up his first win in charge. Mehdi Abeid (toe) and Siem de Jong (thigh) remain ruled out, despite returning to training this week, while Carver’s opposite number Ronald Koeman also has injury concerns over Morgan Schneiderlin (thigh) and Victor Wanyama (hamstring). Wanyama picked up the problem during Wednesday’s 1-0 FA Cup third-round win over Ipswich Town - a result that extended Southampton’s unbeaten run to seven matches in all competitions.

Having taken seven points from nine against Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United in the top flight recently, Koeman’s main concerns are likely to centre on injuries and squad rotation. Toby Alderweireld (hamstring) is another absentee, but Shane Long - who made the most of a rare start to score the winner at Portman Road was pleased to give Koeman a selection headache.

Mohamed Lamine Zemmamouche

Weekend fixtures EPL

Aston Villa v Liverpool Burnley v Crystal Palace Leicester v Stoke QPR v Man Utd Swansea v Chelsea

Tottenham v Sunderland Newcastle v Southampton

Sunday

West Ham v Hull Man City v Arsenal

Sports

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PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, saturday 17-sunday 18 January, 2015

AFCON: Youngsters to watch Rivaldo Coetzee (South Africa) in Equatorial Guniea With the kickoff of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations commence today, football pundits look at youngsters that could set Equatorial Guniea alight.

Born of Algerian parents in France, the 20-year-old midfielder plays his club football for the English Premiership club Tottenham. After being haunted by injuries earlier in his career, Bentaleb has gone on to re-establish himself as the first choice in central midfield ahead of seasoned campaigners like Brazil’s Paulinho. Despite having represented France at under-19 level, he was picked for Algeria at senior level and went on to start in all three their World Cup group games in Brazil. “When people ask me why I chose Algeria over France I say that when I was younger and France lost I was not crying in front of my TV whereas when Algeria lost, I was crying and getting angry. I chose Algeria because my heart always wanted Algeria,” he was quoted as saying.

Rivaldo Coetzee (South Africa)

Ronald Kampamba (Zambia) Popularly known as ‘Sate Sate’, the 20-year-old striker plies his trade in the Zambian Premier League with Nkana. In the 2012-13 season he finished as the top scorer in the MTN FAZ Super League with 18 strikes that powered his club to the title in 2013. He scored Chipolopolo’s soli-

tary goal win their 1-0 win over Cape Verde in November last year to book a spot in the Afcon finals. He will no doubt be one of Zambia’s trump cards at this year’s Afcon and his good eye for goal makes him an outside contender for the Afcon golden boot.

Eric Bertrand Bailly (Ivory Coast)

N’Tji Michel Samake (Mali)

orn in May 1996, Francois Kamano is Guinea’s young striker currently playing his club football for French Ligue 1 club SC Bastia. The 18-year-old signed a four-year contract with the club after previous trials for AIK, Villarreal CF, and Stade Rennais. The former Satellite FC player already has two senior national team caps for Guinea and will look to add on to those in the Afcon finals. The youngster with European top-flight football experience is one of many gems that will look to introduce themselves to Africa and the world in style during the Afcon.

Fabrice Ondoa (Cameroon)

orn on Christmas Eve in 1995, the Indomitable Lions goalkeeper joined Spain giants Barcelona in 2009 at a tender age of 13. The move came after the shot-stopper had made a name for himself at the Samuel Eto’o Foundation. He progressed through the Catalan’s youth system and was promoted to the Barcelona B team in Segunda División. In August last year, Ondoa was called up to Cameroon for the matches against DR Congo and Ivory Coast. He then went on to keep a clean sheet on his international debut, in a 2-0 win against DR Congo.

he football folklore will tell you the sound of the name Rivaldo is associated with rattling the net, not stopping goals from going in. Unlike the famous Brazil star Rivaldo, who was a forward, Bafana Bafana’s own Rivaldo is a central defender who plays his club football in the Mother City for Premier Soccer League club Ajax Cape Town. Coetzee made his first-team debut during the 2013-14 season and never looked back. His sterling performances earned him a national call-up and he went on to make his international debut for Bafana in an Afcon qualifier against Congo on 12 October 2014, making him the youngest player ever to represent the country.

imply known as Eric, the 20-year-old central defender plies his trade in the Spanish La Liga with Espanyol were he has earned himself a handful of caps. Eric joined Espanyol’s youth system in December 2011 at the age of 17. He then got a work permit in October 2012 and made his senior debuts in the 2013-14 campaign with the reserves in Segunda Division B. On 5 October 2014 Eric made his La Liga debut, coming on as a late substitute in a 2-0 home win against Real Sociedad. He is seen is a future replacement for Kolo Toure, who will be quitting international football after this Afcon. Keep an eye on this future star.

The 20-year-old goalkeeper was a surprise inclusion in Mali’s final 23man squad for the Afcon finals in Equatorial Guinea considering he plays his club football for the country’s local side CS Duguwolofila. Coach Henryk Kasperczak picked the youngster ahead of French Ligue 1 club Ajaccio goalkeeper Oumar Sissoko, who is much more experienced with no less than 15 senior national team caps for Mali. Samake is the youngest member of the Mali squad captained by veteran Roma midfielder Seydou Keita. If given a chance to start in the Afcon he will certainly look to make his mark as Africa and the world watches Africa’s biggest soccer extravaganza.

BIG PUNCH Such petty act of making me rather than the message, the issue by dear @GENOlukolade speaks on the deep challenges of our key institutions. SATURDAY — SUNDAY, JANUARY 17 - 18, 2015

Saturday Column By

Otive Igbuzor

he importance of education to human beings and the development of society have been recognized all over the world. The relationship between education and development is well established such that education is a key index of development. It is well known that education improves productivity, health and reduces negative features of life such as child labour, as well as empowerment. This is why there has been a lot of emphasis particularly in recent times for all citizens of the world to have access to basic education. The importance and linkage of education to the development of any society is well known. It is in recognition of its importance that the international community and governments all over the world have made commitments for citizens to have access to quality education. Over the years, Nigeria has expressed commitment to education, in the belief that overcoming illiteracy and ignorance will form a basis for accelerated national development. However, regardless of the incontrovertible evidence that education is crucial to the development of the community and the nation, there are a lot of challenges that have deprived citizens and the country the benefit of relevant and quality education. As we approach the 2015 elections, one issue that is of great interest to the electorate is the educational system. Over the years, the educational sector in Nigeria has faced a lot

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of challenges making it difficult for good, quality education that is empowering and capable of bringing about sustainable development to be provided. The challenges include low girl-child enrolment, poor completion rates, unqualified teachers, inadequate funding, inadequate facilities, ineffective supervision and inspection, problem of relevance and coherent and coordinated policy planning and implementation by the three tiers of government (federal, Sstate and local governments). The challenges in the educational sector have led to poor educational outcomes. In the May/June 2014 West African Examination Council for instance, only 5,259 candidates representing 31.28 percent obtained credits in five subjects and above including English Language and Mathematics out of a total of 1, 692, 435 candidates. In addition, a whopping 10.5 million children are out of school in Nigeria which is one of the highest in the world. Despite the poor state of educational infrastructure, state and tertiary educational institutions have failed to access over N44 billion and N65 billion from the Universal Basic Education and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) respectively. The challenges in the education sector have been compounded by the insurgency in the country, especially in the north east zone. Students are discouraged from going to school, especially with the abduction of over 200 female students from Chibok Secondary

—Oby Ezekwesili in a twitter fight with Defence Spokesman, Gen. Chris Olukolade.

2015 elections and education reform in Nigeria

Prof. Jega School in Borno State and the killing of scores of students at the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, Yobe State, and other schools across the north east zone and other parts of the country. Teachers are not left out as it is reported that at least 170 teachers have been murdered in Borno State and an estimated 300 educational institutions destroyed in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States, including 80 primary schools in Borno State alone. There is no doubt that there is the need to focus on school safety which should include increasing security consciousness among the citizens, removing circumstances that can jeopardise security in schools and securing the school through adequate infrastructure,

Despite the poor state of educational infrastructure, state and tertiary educational institutions have failed to access over N44 billion and N65 billion from the Universal Basic Education and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) respectively.

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technology, intelligence and effective security arrangement by school authorities and security agencies. In the recent past, there has been some intervention in the education sector including the building of 150 Almajiri schools across the northern states, outof-school children programme, girl-child education programme, establishment of 14 new universities, increased funding, review of school curriculum and training of teachers. But the challenges still remain and the educational outcome still not satisfactory. As we approach the general elections, political parties and candidates need to tell us how they will address these challenges. It is no longer enough to promise to improve education and quality. We need to know the strategy that they will utilise and what they would do differently. Experience has shown that it is more than just throwing money at the problem. It is crucial to know what public administration reform will be carried out in the education sector to address the challenges. In particular, we need to know the strategy that will be

utilized to ensure that girl-child enrolment will be improved. Concrete strategies are required to deal with the poverty, cultural and religious barrier to girlchild education. Concrete plans and programmes are required to upgrade teachers and ensure that only qualified ones are produced and motivated to teach at all levels. A clear plan and programme of supervision and inspection is urgently needed. The issue of relevance must be addressed holistically with the participation of citizens, the industry and professionals. A clear capacity building strategy is required for bureaucrats and managers of educational institutions. We need to know what will be done to prevent unaccessed funds from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Tertiary Education Fund (TETFund). One form of insanity is to do the same thing again and again and expect a different outcome. Igbuzor, a pharmacist, human rights activist and policy analyst, posted this article on Premium Times

DAN GAYE

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