Saturday 17th May, 2014 Weekend Edition

SPECIAL REPORT

Confab: Why North yielded to 13% derivation —ACF Spokesman

When religious war was averted in Kaduna >>Pages 4,5

>>Pages 2,3

weekend.peoplesdailyng.com

. . . Putti ng the p e o p l e fi rs t Vol. 3 No. 91

SATURDAY — SUNDAY, MAY 17-18, 2014

RAJAB 18-19 1435 AH

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US dispatches another drone to Nigeria >>Pages 6,11

Discordant tunes over Jonathan’s Chibok trip

L-R: : DirectorGeneral, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Muhammed Sidi; special representative of the Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction, Mrs Margareta Wahltrom and Chief Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Usman Baraya, at a dinner for delegates at 5th African Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, on Thursday night in Abuja.

Photo: Justin ImoOwo

Emergency rule

Borno Elders, Senators reject extension

More fear, anxiety over US, France presence >>Pages 7,8,9

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

Page 2

Interview

Confab: Why North yielded to 13 percent derivation, ACF Spokesman, Sani W

hat has been the situation with the committees?

As far as the committee on Devolution of power is concerned, we agreed that some forms of power should be devolved from the centre to the states and local governments in those areas that we consider the local governments and states would do better. But the devolution should not be such that it can weaken the centre because the centre needs to be strong enough in order to keep the country one. However it should not be too strong as to stifle the federating units to the extent of tilting the country to unitary system of government.

So in principle we agree on these and the starting point was to look at the exclusive and concurrent lists. We consider some items and recommended that some items be removed from the exclusive to the concurrent list, while we also agreed that some items be retained where they currently are.

We did not too much argument except on item 39 on the exclusive list which borders on solid mineral, oil and gas. You would recall that in 1960, 1963, 1979, 1999, that particular item had been in the exclusive list and so we reasoned that in a country or in a concept of nationhood, can there be resource control?

Can we still regard that country as a country and the constituent parts of the country control their resources it is most likely going to affect the concept of nationhood because a nation pre-supposes the bringing together of people and help them unleash their synergy against common challenges for the common good. If you begin to say that there should be element of control of resources it will weaken the centre and tilt the country towards confederal arrangement thereby bringing about the possibility of subversion of a sovereignty.

We didn’t quite like that so we retained the item 39 on the exclusive list but added some forms of proviso that in view of the fact every part of this country has natural resources that still remained untapped, let there be some provisions. That some amount be from the federation account be set aside for the purpose of developing those mineral resources so that in the long run there will bring about balanced development.

Then, there was the issue of revenue allocation formula. Some people felt since there is devolution of power their allocation should naturally be devolved in line with the new arrangement. So we considered that what accrues to the centre should be reviewed from 58. 68 percent down to about 42.5 percent, state’s allocation increased to 35 percent and local government also is increased to 22. 5 percent. We are hoping that with this it will be a little bit balance. We were guided because certainly whatever we want to do we have to consider devolution of power against the imperative of national unity and then find an appropriate balance between the central authority and state level power for the purpose of keeping the country one. This was what informed our decision on revenue allocation formula.

How was the matter of derivation which had led to the deadlock in the committee resolved?

When it came to the issue of derivation there were two contending views; one, the oil producing states wanted the revenue from oil to be upped to 50 percent, then the other group which has no oil say no, no, that will be bring about imbalance in development,

Anthony Sani, is the Spokesman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the Northern Delegates Forum (NDF) at the National Conference. The delegate serves in the Committee for Devolution of Power which opted to retain the 13 percent derivation. Sani threw light on why the North that had fiercely opposed the derivation formula yielded grounds after more than half an dozens stalemates as well as reasons for the region’s rejection of rotational presidency. He spoke with Patrick Andrew at the Nigeria Judicial Institute (NJI), Abuja, venue of the conference. Here are excerpts…

Mr. Anthony Sani bring about inequality. Further, they argued that already the present formula seem to have produce a situation where the oil producing states are living on the cutting edge whereas the non-oil producing states are living on knife edge that could not be in the spirit of the constitution. That could not also be in the spirit of national unity and balance development. So after much disagreement, it was agreed that the best approach now in the light of the situation we have found ourselves: we are having a national malaise, serious national security challenge, why don’t we maintain the status

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quo? So after deep consideration we opted to retain the status quo. o we retain it at 13 percent but in the hope that with the provisions to set aside some amount for the development of other mineral resources at least it will bring about some element of balanced development in those areas where such are lacking. So we are hoping that the conference that will agree that the status quo be retained because of there is no need creating some bigger problems now than the national security. This consideration was the spirit that led to our resolved to let the

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When people begin to talk about the high cost of running a presidential system I say no. America has about 25 cabinet ministers, France has 15 but here in Nigeria we have a crowd who are paid over and above their counterparts in America, which is richer than Nigeria.

status quo remains.

At least there should be more efforts to develop those states which have fairly limited resources because you know poverty has a way of creating a bad problem, when people believe they are cheated when their empowerment has been stolen, their opportunity has been stolen, the tendency is that they will take it out on the society and bring about insecurity. Perhaps, it is the poverty around, unemployment, ignorance around that are bringing about all these insurgency, kidnapping, armed robbery and militant activities. But if there are some balanced economic activities in every parts of the country, this is more likely going to address the underlying activities of insecurity in the country.

But the North had fiercely opposed the derivation as it is presently constituted, did the decision to retain it as it is now quite satisfied the yearnings of Northern delegates to the conference?

Well, I have just mentioned the overriding reasons. As far as there was an agreement that some amount be set aside from the federation account in order that some mineral resources be explored because it appears there are plenty in the North but they have not been able to develop them, that was what brought about the concession. The other people wanted it increased but we say it couldn’t possibly be and even if we were to agree for increment of the derivation it will be only on the onshore not offshore. Eventually, after serious consideration, it was not about whether anybody was satisfied, no, we felt we should not rock the boat at this moment in view of the fact that Nigeria is facing a national crisis. Again, it was not the question of satisfying that one or this one but let the status quo remain instead of opening another profound controversy and distract attention from the threatening security challenges. ithout there will be another blowing crisis on our hands in the face of the present security crisis which is yet to be resolved. We don’t want to divert attention from what is currently threatening the unity of this country by opening another tense episode, more so since there have been some provisions to develop other resources which have remained untapped so far.

In a situation like this I always want to quote Mr Clinton – the former President of the United States of America- he says, “When it comes to public affairs there is time to stay the course, there is time to make compromises and there is even time to let go in the overall larger interest of the system”. This also helped us to look at the larger interest of the country.

Besides, even the Sarduana once said in 1952 or 1953, “We owe our achievement largely to

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PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

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Interview

Confab: Why North yielded to 13 percent derivation, ACF Spokesman, Sani Contd from Page 2 our ability to make compromises and our ability to make friends of former foes,” so there was no hard and fast rule about compromises.

Nobody should take it with hard feelings because they say “decision is the function of the situation”.

What were those items the committee recommended to be dropped from the exclusive list? ell, I can’t recall all but about six of them were recommended. We consider education seriously and we didn’t think the federal government should have anything to do with that. If you have noticed the issue of labour, they have not been very happy to recommend for the concurrent list, and there were some issues that borders on business and economy.

We also discussed about the fiscal responsibility, the post of the Accountant General of the federation should be separated from the Federal Government and we also consider agriculture which at the moment is in concurrent list.

Many are uncomfortable with the suggestion that the resolutions of the conference be subjected to a referendum, which has no constitutional provision, aren’t you people worried that your laudable recommendations may not eventually be implemented?

I don’t think we have any business talking about that. One, Mr. President appointed us, we were not elected we can only make recommendation to the appropriate authority, which is the Federal Government. Whatever they want to do with it is their business not ours.

If they want to go by referendum, there must be a law backing it, of course we have a sitting National Assembly, we largely don’t think it’s our responsibility what the appropriate authority does with our recommendations. Our responsibility is to make recommendations to the appointee authority.

But won’t it be efforts in futility if your laudable decisions are unimplemented?

Yes, that had been the worry and was part of the reasons some of us were somewhat skeptical about the conference, we felt those recommendations of past conferences are still unattended to and they are very good. That was part of our hesitation but most people say we should attend may be the attitude this time around will change. It is not good to use the action of the past to judge the present. Even Mr. President made reference to that that simply because the past has not done very well therefore we shouldn’t take action again? So, we will make our recommendations and forward it to them and it is left for them to imple-

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ment it either by way of executive bill to the National Assembly or come up with whatever they deem necessary. I don’t think it is our job, mind you we are appointed not elected.

Other committees have taken a look at issues like state creation, state police and others, what is the position of the Northern delegates on these matters?

Actually we would have preferred that there should not be state police and we retain it even in this committee in the exclusive list. As for our position in the creation of states, nobody has said there shouldn’t be state creation. What we said from the beginning in our memo is that in the light of some many states which people claimed are not viable, to the level that some are even saying that the geo-political zones should even become the federating units, then why should we create additional states? More so, when what becomes of the new states will be that they create new majority and minority, and therefore create more cleavages along ethnic and religious lines across the country. o, we suggested that in our memo that the exercise be kept on hold until the situation demands them. But the South East insisted that there should be an additional state for them on the basis of equality. What we say is that we cannot create states on the basis of equality because what is the justification in saying North West Zone and South East be equal? Any state has varied circumstances and so if state must be created, it should go beyond equality to include land mass, population, after all states are created to address human needs.

We are insisting that if it is only going be on the basis of equality we won’t support but if it going to take into account population and land mass and other factors which we consider very reasonable we will support fully, but certainly not on the basis of equality. This is because injustice is not only when people are treated unequally but also when

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people’s rights are treated unfairly.

Another thorny issue here is rotational presidency, is it the view of Northern delegates that rotational presidency should take preference over free choice?

We in the North have since said in the first place we had never wanted politics of zoning but in 19941998 the South because of June 12 morally pummeled the North into accepting politics of zoning. And we conceded. That was what brought about Olu Falae and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo from the South West being privileged to contest the 1999 elections. The reason was because of power shift and so we conceded.

After he (Obasanjo tenure) finished Umar Yar’Adua came on, but somehow he died.

When that happened we demanded that we should be allowed to finish our tenure then all of a sudden constitutionalism, all of a sudden democracy tenet came in.

Fine, Nigeria came in and decided that politics of zoning was not necessary by electing President Goodluck Jonathan. That was the judgement of Nigerians against politics of zoning and we say so be it, so that democracy proper plays out. For any person to begin to talk now that politics of zoning should be brought back that’s not fair. Those who imposed politics of zoning were the ones who killed it, and Nigerians endorsed it by electing President Jonathan against the existing politics of zoning and we have agreed that in the spirit of democracy let it go. For people to begin to say they want to bring back politics of zoning it is not very fair.

Is the stand of the NDF similar to that the Arewa Consultative Forum on this issue? es. That’s it, if you have been following. As politicians, if you have been following this argument that’s been the position of Arewa Consultative Forum and we have made it very clear that there is no zoning again.

Now, what form of government is the NDF recommend-

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We retain it at 13 percent but in the hope that with the provisions to set aside some amount for the development of other mineral resources at least it will bring about some element of balanced development in those areas where such are lacking.

Mr. Anthony Sani ing?

Let me tell you. The NDF and by extension the Arewa Consultative Forum had never believed the problem of Nigeria has something to do with form of government, but it has more to do with failure of leadership. If you seriously look at it the presidential system is working in America very well, the parliamentary system is working in Britain very well as well and the combination of both is working in France.

When people begin to talk about the high cost of running a presidential system I say no. America has about 25 cabinet ministers, France has 15 but here in Nigeria we have a crowd who are paid over and above their counterparts in America, which is richer than Nigeria.

Will you say that the presidential system is costly? We made it costly.

In America for example the senate president is the vice president so the paraphernalia of that office is not separate; the office of the vice president takes care of the senate.

But here we have the senate president and his paraphernalia of office independent of the office of the vice president and that goes with the cost. Would you say that is the fault of the presidential system? o the problem with Nigeria is a matter of leadership. Once people decide to vote the correct persons into offices and insist that their vote counts I believe they elected officers will be accountable to them.

There have been suggestions that severe punitive measures be adopted against corrupt officials, what’s the position of NDF? We also made it clear to the conference in our memo. We said all those who are corrupt be subjected to capital punishment.

Capital punishment?

Yes, capital punishment. We said those corrupt officials must face

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capital punishment.

But can you define capital punishment, sir?

I am sure you understand English Language. It means they should be executed. Is it not what happens in China? They must be executed.

People say we are harsh, we agree because it calls for drastic action to stop the spiraling acts of corruption in the country.

But some say it is barbaric?

Yes, they may say so, but America has capital punishment for corrupt elements in the society depending on the degree of the offence. So those who say we are barbaric, are we more barbaric than America?

Do you subscribe to the present efforts made by the federal government with regard to foreign assistance in fighting the scourge of insurgency?

When all the foreigners came to the Arewa political forum I was the spokesman and we clearly appealed to them to bring their expertise, counter-terrorism strategy of the intelligence community to help fight the insurgency. Even if you recall during Yar’Adua the foreign intelligence officer who came to lecture us told us that it would take some time to defeast insurgency because it is not a conventional war but a gorilla warfare. o the request for foreign assistance is clear because terrorism is not a conventional war but a war that transcends national boundaries. After all Nigeria has been helping others to sort out their security challenges so if we are in similar difficulties what’s wrong in asking for their assistance? Nothing! The ACF agrees that the federal government should go as far as efforts can go. We have appeal to the Boko Haram to release these girls in the interest of Islam, which is the religion of peace and certainly not of violence.

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PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

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Special Report

How religious war was averted in Kachia

From Muhammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

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esidents of Kachia town in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State were on Sunday morning thrown into state of confusion and panic when Muslims and Christians youth clashed in the area killing a handful and setting ablaze places of worship such as mosque and churches.

About four people had been confirmed dead during the crisis on Monday by the Council Chairman Mr Pater Agaite. But on Wednesday leadership of the Miyyeti Allah from Kachia said 12 of their members were killed in the crisis.

The crisis threw the whole communities who have been living in peace for decades into chaos as residents and villagers ran for safety.

Most of the people were said to have spent the whole night at their door steps within their communities for fear of the unknown, and it was gathered that the whole town which is about 153 kilometers away from Kaduna town was covered with smoke that emanated from the fire set on people’s houses, shops and places of worship.

Kachia Local government has an area of 4,632 km² and a population of 244,274 by the 2006 census and there are different tribes in the area such as Hausa, Kadara, Jaba, Ikulu, Gbagyi, Kaje among others.

The people are mostly farmers with majority are either Christians or Muslims.

There are also traditionalists who have no religion in the area. Peoples Daily gathered that the area has not witnessed such crisis since 2000.

But the crisis that erupted on Sunday Morning lasted up to the following day of Monday was between the Muslims and Christians youths and the genesis of the crisis was said to be the Eid ground at the outskirt of the town.

It was gathered that the Muslims alleged or suspected Christians of damaging the Mosque’s fence which was recently constructed. Peoples Daily gathered that the incident was reported to the local government Chairman, Mr. Peter Agaite who promised to renovate the damaged prayerground and did so weeks back.

But on Sunday when the youth went back to continue the work, they saw another part of the fence damaged again and out of anger they demolished a near-by church.

It was gathered that the youths got angry about the demolishing of the church, and retaliated also by demolishing a nearby mosque. That created a serious tension and panic within Kachia town and environs.

Residents said the youths fenced the prayer- ground to prevent encroachment because, according to them, villagers around and other people do encroach the land.

“Two weeks ago some youth went to

One of the burnt mosques fence a prayer-ground known as Idi to prevent encroachment of people into the ground but they couldn’t finish the work that day, and when they went back the discovered that a portion of the fence was demolished by unknown persons.

“The youths alerted the local government chairman, Mr. Peter Agaite and he promised to repair it and kept his promised. When the youth went back to continue the work, they saw another portion of the ground damaged again. And out of suspicion, they demolished a near-by church.

“The youths of the demolished church did not take it lightly as they too started demolishing a near-by mosque this generated tension and panic everywhere in Kachia and environs”. Eye witness said.

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owever, the state government in a quick response imposed a 24 hour curfew in the town and environs so as to restrict movement in the area. Soldiers and Policemen were deployed to the communities to help restore peace and order in the town.

On Wednesday, Peoples Daily Weekend further gathered that the State Governor Muktar Ramalan Yero also visited the town personally to speak with the people on the need for them to embrace peace.

The governor also vowed to ensure that anyone found culpable in the crisis that erupted in the area is punished accordingly.

He said investigation into the cause of the ugly incident has since commenced, saying government will ensure that per-

He said investigation into the cause of the ugly incident has since commenced, saying government will ensure that persons found to have perpetrated the violence are prosecuted no matter their status in the society.

sons found to have perpetrated the violence are prosecuted no matter their status in the society.

“Investigation is already on and whoever is found to have a hand in this crisis will face full wrath of the law. I want to assure the people and I will call on people not to try thwarting the course of justice by protecting suspects during arrest,” he said e called on people in the area to prevent their children from engaging in violent acts during crisis saying “if you allow your children to engage in such acts, they will one day turn against you when there is no crisis.”

Governor Yero also admonished women in the area to desist from protesting half naked and called on them to always present their grievances with dignity and respect to womanhood.

He pleaded with people of Kachia and environs to continue to live in peace with one another despite differences in tribes or religion. he Governor visited affected areas of the violence including camps of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and hospital where victims are receiving treatment.

At the hospital, Governor Yero directed that the State bears all medical bills while those that sustain serious injuries are to be transferred to Kaduna for treatment.

A resident of Kachia town who does

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PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

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Special Report

How religious war was averted in Kachia Contd from Page 4 not want his name mentioned told our correspondent on phone that the governor begged them to remain in peace with one another irrespective of religion or tribal differences. “ As I am talking to you now, the governor is appealing to us to stop fighting each other and that we should find a place in our heart to forgive each other. The governor actually want us to forget what happened on Sunday and Monday,” he said.

According to him, about eight people were confirmed death in the crisis, describing the crisis as unfortunate.

Similarly, Leadership of Meyyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria Kaduna State Chapter also raised alarm that 12 of their kinsmen were killed during the crisis with about 1000 fulanis made refugees in the area.

The Fulani leadership led by their state Chairman Aldo Ahmadu Sulaiman who stormed the Nigerian Union of Journalists secretarial to lay their complain said they were disturbed with the way and manner they were attacked at their settlements.

“We are worried about the kachia crisis but unfortunately something that happened in the town some people used the opportunity to follow our people to their settlements to attack them.

This incidence made us to believe as some people are waiting for a slightest opportunity to attack us.

“ Fulani men are not directly involve in the crisis but they went after our people killing and destroyed our property. Presently, We have more than 1000 refugees fulanis. They are there in Military barracks together with other people affected by the crisis.

“They bunt fulani houses, more than 100 fulani settlements were bunt all in Gumel district. 12 people were confirmed death and were have buried them,” he said. he Fulani Chairman also said about 20 cows were killed and that a number of their kinsmen have are still in the bush which they didn’t know their faith.

“We don’t want to attack anybody because We are peace lovers and we want to live in peace with those in our communities. But we don’t know why they always attack us each time there is a crisis. This is our worry.

“We are appealing to the state government to fish out all those responsible in this crisis. Whoever they arrested should be taken to court so as to serve as deterrent to others,” he said.

He also assured that as leaders they will make sure they visited their people to console and plead with them to always remain in peace wherever they are.

In his remarks, Miyyeti Allah chairman in Kachia, Aldo Toro Bello Ladduga asked why are they were attacked each time there is a crisis?

“We didn’t know why they attacked us because we are not fighting anybody. Some of our

Gov. Yero addressing affected community members

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One of the churches burnt leaders were killed in the crisis including our cows. We are not happy with the commissioner of Police who denied that there was lost of lives in the crisis,” he said. he Agom Adara, Mr Galadima JP while receiving the governor in his palace thanked him for finding time to visit the victims of the crisis and called for surveillance to prevent

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Yero (middle), and Commissioner of Police, Umar Shehu assessing the damage

outsiders from escalating crisis in the state.

As part of the state governor’s effort to forestall future reoccurrence, he directed that the Eid ground fence be built by the State Government, while an access road is to immediately be constructed to the area behind the Eid ground.

This singular act by the state

One of the burnt worship places

government, many believe, will go a long away in promoting peaceful coexistence in the local government area and its environs. The governor was also urged to ensure that perpetrators of the crisis are brought to book so as to deter others from instigating people to cause crisis in the state.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

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News

Chibok trip: Discordant tunes in Presidency

By Patrick Andrew

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resident Goodluck Jonathan’s yesterday’s expected visit to Chibok, Borno state, where more than 230 senior secondary schools were abducted by members of Boko Haram insurgent group went awry even as aides to the president issued contrary statements on the failed trip.

On Thursday, Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, had alerted the nation that President Jonathan would visit Chibok the next day- Friday- to assess the extent of damage on the town and on the psyche of its people, some one month two days after the unfortunate abduction of the prospective West African Senior Secondary School Examination Council graduates.

But it was not to be and no reason was adduced for the sudden change of plans.

However,SpecialAdviseronMedia to the President, Mr Reuben Abati, in a statement yesterday denied any such plan by the president to embark on an assessment trip to Chibok. According to him, all official functions, including trips of the president, are always documented stressing that there was no such documentation indicating the Chibok trip.

“Every movement of the President is documented and backed by press statement. Chibok is very important.

Such trip would have been backed up by a press statement from my office.

“We never announce Chibok trip.

It was not on the President’s schedule.

All the reports about the so-called trips quoted some unnamed government officials,” he said claiming that it was wrong and malicious to allege that a “non-existent trip has been cancelled.”

However, this position was countered by some other aides who

informed the APF earlier in the day that there was such plan to embark on the trip to Chibok.

They Aides insisted that visiting Chibok was on the president’s mind as at Friday morning, but that the trip had to be cancelled thereafter, perhaps following security concerns.

They claimed that they were placed on alert for the trip noting that even advanced party had left for Chibok as at Thursday.

Dependable sources confided in Peoples Daily Weekend that security reasons may have played insignificant role in the cancellation of the visit.

The president was expected to fly out to France after returning from Chibok, however, a source said security chiefs persuaded him to shelve the trip for fear of breached of the president’s security.

For instance, they argued that it was wrong for the world to have had prior knowledge of the visit because it endangers the life of the president.

“Recall that during the United States of America’s red era with Iraq, President George Bush’s visits to Baghdad were never made public until after his return to Washington DC.

“Of course, that was for security reason. Now, it was wrong for certain officials of government to disclose such journey ahead of time because it exposes the president and his security could easily be compromised,” the source suggested stressing that it was the reason some aides opted to deny there was such arrangement in the first place while insisted there was.

Before the botched visit was announced, there have been concerns in certain quarters over the inability of the President to visit Chibok, although the First Lady, Patience Jonathan had visited Borno over the matter.

Founder, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, (CIBN), Alhaji Oladimeji Otiti; Oba of Lagos, Obarilwan Akiolu; President, CIBN, Dr Sina Aina and Chairman, first city monument bank, Otunba Micheal Balogun, during the unveiling of a book titled “the economy of financial inclusion in Nigeria” written by Dr Aina, yesterday in Lagos.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

LG polls: Police bans street hawking in Kano

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he Kano Police Command has banned hawking and general trading during the local government election in the state today, according to the Commissioner of Police, Mr Aderenle Shinaba.

“We do not want to see any kind of selling or hawking during the election period. Police and other

security agents will take positions early before the commencement of the election. ``We call on residents to cooperate with us. We shall remain nonpartisan as we have assured all parties, but we will not allow anybody to violate electoral rules and regulations.

We have enough officers and men to man all the polls and together with

our sister agencies, we will ensure free and fair election,’’ he said yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) has said it had discovered fake ballot papers meant to be used to.

The KANSIEC Chairman, Dr Sani Malumfashi, who disclosed this to newsmen, said the fake ballot papers could easily be detected.

``The original one is scientifically customised to each local government and it has a space for date that will be filled by the electoral officer with biro at the polling station,’’ he said.

Malumfashi said investigation was on to catch the perpetrators, adding that the findings would be made public.

FG to unveil National Policy on Renewable Energy

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he Federal Government yesterday said it had concluded plans to launch a National Policy on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency to boost power supply in the country.

The Minister of State for Power, Alhaji Mohammed Wakil, discloed in Abuja while receiving visiting Vice President of China Hydro International, Mr Han Yang.

Wakil said that in the policy, government sought to provide an integrated framework for all stakeholders, especially investors in clean energy for power generation and the general development of renewable energy in Nigeria.

He said government desire is to join the global trend of using clean energy and harnessing solar wind and hydro resources to address the power challenge in the country.

The minister also said that the government was working on a vision to generate about 30,000 megawatts from renewable sources to augment supply from the national grid.

“We are committed to driving President Goodluck Jonathan’s agenda; his vision of a Nigeria where 30,000MW will be generated from renewable sources in the next one decade.

“It is to that end that we are also working on a Presidential Initiative on Renewable Energy for power generation. This is to provide the needed political support at the highest level of government for local and foreign investment and drive in solar, wind, small hydro and bio-mass power.’’

Wakil said the work had reached advanced stage at the Katsina Wind Farm, with a capacity of about 10MW, while other renewable energy projects were ongoing around the country,” he said noting that that Nigeria was ready to partner with countries like China to develop its power sector.

Earlier, Yang had told the minister that China Hydro International, which has 50 years of experience in executing projects in solar, wind and hydro power, was interested in collaborating with Nigerians in all sectors of renewable energy.

Committee wants 10 years ban for convicted corrupt officials

By Patrick Andrew

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overnment officials convicted for corruption may be barred from elective and appointive positions for 10 years if the recommendation of the committee on Politics and Governance is finally adopted.

The committee, which had earlier recommended the removal of immunity clause from the constitution to allow for the prosecution of president, vice president, governors and their deputies if found wanting for corrupt

practices, has recommended a jail term and 10 years ban from public office after serving the term.

The co-chairmen Prof. Jerry Gana and Chief Olu Falae said during debate on the proposal that such law was needed to further stem the tide of corruption, which its committee argued, has become an embarrassing national culture.

“Those convicted of corruption while in public office should not enjoy pardon nor be given the privilege of an elective or appointive positions for 10 years after the convict must have served his jail

term,” the committee said in the final draft of its recommendation to be forwarded to the plenary.

Accordingly, the committee said should the National Assembly or whatever means the convener of the conference – the federal government-uses to implement the recommendations of the various committees, particularly its own, the menace of corruption and impunity in the system will be drastically reduced.

In the same vein, the committee also recommended a Special Court for Corrupt Officials to

be established to exclusively try government officials, electoral officers and appointees whose itching fingers found its ways into the public tilt.

Dan Anyanwu, the chairman of Labour Party, whose sub-committee, was tasked with the responsibility of adducing modalities for the court, said complaints of congested cases involving several civil criminal matters as the excuse for long adjournment necessitated the call for such special court.

He said the special court will have a timeline like modern election

petition tribunals adding it will go a long way to in curbing the excesses and immunity of people who have access through their positions of our common patrimony.

“Tax evasion is a serious crime which countries like China attracts death sentence. In Nigeria it is highly treated as a non-serious issue. That accounts for why many corrupt persons acquire such luxury and nonregenerative assets all over the country because they know that they will never pay tax on them,” adding that culprits should also be prosecuted and barred from public offices.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

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Cover

Emergency rule: Borno Elders, Senators reject extension …Fear, hope, anxiety over foreign presence The extension of emergency rule and invitation of foreign military aid has sparked fears and hopes alike. News Editor, Abubakar Ibrahim looks at the elements in the drama especially the cost and benefit of the new approach to the Boko Haram crisis. Additonal reports by Umar Muhammad Puma, Ikechukwu Okaforadi, Abuja & Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri.

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igeria has climbed to the peak in an insurrection sparked by the Boko Haram sect since 2009 when they were routed by the military, killing the spiritual head, Sheikh Moham-

mad Yusuf.

From a ragtag group either milling among the population for cover, to daring bombers of military and police formations, the sect has metamorphosed into an efficient fighting force replete with all the necessary requirements of warfare- intelligence, logistics and firepower including armoured vehicles, trucks, AK47 rifles, Rocket Propelled Grenades, truck-mounted anti-aircraft guns,improvised explosive devices among others. Army engineers-style, the sect has recently blown up a bridge linking Nigeria with Chad.

Before 2009, the group did not aim to violently overthrow the government. Yusuf criticized northern Muslims for participating in what he saw as an illegitimate, non-Islamic state, and preached a doctrine of withdrawal.

But violent clashes between Christians and Muslims and harsh government treatment, including pervasive police brutality, encouraged the group’s radicalization. Boko Haram’s hundreds of followers, also called Yusuffiya, consist largely of impoverished Islamic students and clerics, as well as professionals, many of whom are unemployed.

In July 2009, Boko Haram members refused to follow a motorbike helmet law, leading to heavy-handed police tactics that set off an armed uprising in Bauchi and spread into Borno, Yobe, and Kano states. The incident was suppressed by the army and left more than 800 dead. It also led to the execution of Yusuf, as well as the deaths of his father-in-law, Baba Fugu and other sect members, which human rights advocates consider to be extrajudicial killings.

The crunch time seem to have come with the invitation of foreign governments including the United States, Britain, China, France and Israel to assist in the war against the terror group. This is coming after former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in a letter last year urged President Jonathan to adopt a carrot and stick approach in dealing with the underlying causes of the Boko Haram menace, as “conventional military actions based on standard phases of military operations alone will not permanently and effectively deal with the issue of Boko Haram”.

While two emergency declarations by President Goodluck Jonathan which began May last year lasted, attacks continued to escalate.

By 2013, some analysts began to see greater influence by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb in Boko Haram operations. Terrorist acts against civilians, like the murder of 65 students while they slept at the College of Agriculture at Gujba, Yobe state in September 2013, beheadings of truck drivers, and the killing of hundreds on the roads in the Northeast, raised doubts about the

Federal Government’s ability to control territory and amplified fears of protracted violence in the country. Violence returned to Abuja in April 2014 in the bombing of a bus station that killed nearly 100 people, followed by the abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls whom Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau threatens to sell in the market.

Besides the foreign help being sought, approval for the third round of emergency declaration has just scaled through in the National Assembly. President Jonathan on Tuesday asked the National Assembly to extend by six months the emergency rule in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe that has been in place since May last year. cy

Borno rejects extension of emergen-

Despite the crescendo of Boko Haram violence, residents of Borno state have kicked against the extension of emergency rule.

Invididuals and groups interviewed by our correspondent argued that the renewal of the emergency rule will not in any way improve the present security challenges confronting the state as it has failed to yield fruitful result in the past one year. he Borno Elders Forum noted that though troops deployed to the state for the counter-insurgency operations after state of emergency was imposed a year ago, contributed a lot, their successes were not unconnected with active support offered by the youth volunteers, popularly known as civilian JTF. Spokesman for the group, Dr. Bulama Mali Gubio, decried the extension saying, “yes, soldiers have done their best in the last one year but the successes they recorded was because of the enormous support they got from the democratic structure on ground, the unflinching co-

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President Goodluck Jonathan operation of our youth who are known as the civilian JTF. “The bravery of our people in villages who give credible information. As far as we are concerned, the military can do whatever they want to do without any state of emergency”.

According to Dr. Gubio, the forum will support every possible measures the Federal Government will adopt to restore peace and normalcy in Borno.

He noted that if the Federal Government is really serious in tackling the insurgency, it should rather deploy more troops and equip them with sophisticated arms as well as improve their welfare, instead of extending the emergency rule.

Some senators and House of Representative members from the state also opposed the emergency rule extension.

The Borno Elders Forum noted that though troops deployed to the state for the counterinsurgency operations after state of emergency was imposed a year ago, contributed a lot, their successes were not unconnected with active support offered by the youth volunteers, popularly known as civilian JTF.

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enator Ahmed Zanna said: “The state of emergency had been operated for 12 months now and will end on the 19th of this month. I think that should be the end. That is not to say that the military operation in the Northeast should cease. Instead, the federal government should deploy more military personnel and modern equipment to the affected states.”

“I vehemently oppose the extension. There is no need for it because even without an emergency they can deploy troops and operate and we have given them one good year and two chances and they refused to do anything.

There’s nothing emergency in the troubled areas in the last one year”, he further added.

On his part, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) said: We are not in support of extending it because it has not served the purpose for which it was declared one year ago…. More people are killed and displaced and the insurgents grew stronger. So, we begin to wonder if they are asking for the extension so that things will get worse.” “ Also commenting on the issue, members of Borno Youth Volunteers assisting security forces for the fight against insurgency, also known as Civilian JTF, called on President Goodluck Jonathan not to renew the state emergency, stressing that the most important thing for now is to provide latest fighting equipment for Nigerian troops. egal Adviser of the group, Barrister Jibrin Gunda and its spokesman, Bello Dambatta made the call after an emergency meeting in Maiduguri.

“The state of emergency just lapsed and as far as we are concerned, it should not be extended any longer. Troops on ground are doing their best but they don’t have the sophistication of the terrorists. The president should provide modern fighting equipment and surveillance

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PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

Cover Borno Elders, Senators reject extension

US President, Obama Contd from Page 7 facilities for the soldiers to do the right thing. We believe that even without emergency, troops can be deployed to any part of Borno and other states,” he said.

On why they need permission to hold arms, Dambatta said, “ Boko Haram insurgency is assuming a new dimension everyday. We used sticks and knives and worked closely with soldiers and fought the Boko Haram members out of Maiduguri. They are now killing civilians in the villages.

“The Borno state government had done its best in supporting us through training and payment of our allowances which runs into millions of naira. We have structures in all the 27 local government areas and our members are highly disciplined. We want arms so that we can take the fight to the insurgents in the bushes.

“We also need arms for our members to protect vulnerable civilians who are being attacked everyday. In the South-south, youths have been empowered to protect oil installations. We want a similar gesture to protect our people here,” he said. anbatta added that they are doing a lot in containing the Boko Haram insurgency but the federal government does not show any appreciation.

“We actively participated in the arrest of the latest Nyanya bombers. In fact, we are the ones that sent our members to Abuja and worked with the SSS in arresting the suspects. Unfortunately, our name was not mentioned in the whole thing.

The president had once called us heroes but has never granted any financial or logistic support to our members who are risking their lives to keep the country one. We want the federal government to assist us,” he said.

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Yobe kicks The Yobe State Government is also opposed to any extension of the state of emergency in the state because the last 12 months of emergency rule did not yield any commendable security improvement but more deaths and destruction by the insurgents.

The state government said rather than extending a measure that had failed in its first and second experimentations, the federal government should get the Nigerian military with modern tools and arms that could enable the ill-equipped soldiers to tackle the worsening insurgency.

Abdullahi Bego, the spokesperson to the Yobe State governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, said the emergency rule in Yobe witnessed the worst form of attacks from the insurgents in an unprecedented manner.

“For instance, over the six months of emergency rule and later over the second, we have seen some of the worst attacks by Boko Haram in Yobe State. From GSS Damaturu to GSS Mamudo to College of Agriculture Gujba and FGC Buni Yadi, more than 120 students were killed by insurgents,” Mr. Bego said.

Yobe said instead of extending a strategy that had continually failed to achieve result, the Jonathan’s administration should “evaluate its

French President, Hollande

Israeli PM, Netanyahu

Chinese PM, Li Keqiang

military strategy regularly, provide additional and superior weaponry to the security forces and use the endowments of advanced communications and satellite technology to be several steps ahead of the insurgents”.

“The state of emergency has been operated for 12 months now and will end on the 19th of this month. I think that should be the end. That is not to say that the military operations in the North East should cease.

“Instead, the federal government should deploy more military personnel and modern equipment to the affected states. What is Crucial, essential and imperative is not the state of emergency but the enablement of the military, especially those in the battle front to have the state of the art technology and weapons.

“They should be motivated so that we can have results. The government does not have to declare another state of emergency before they continue. They are already there. The obsolete arms and ammunition should be withdrawn from them and be replaced with modern ones.

“The National Assembly has always expressed willingness to support further funding for the military operation. The President of the Senate, David Mark, who spoke on our behalf last week, told President Goodluck Jonathan that the Senate was prepared to approve supplementary budget to further equip the military and boost the morale of the soldiers.

“Therefore, I am completely opposed to the extension of the state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe. But I support further funding for the military operations in the area.

“I feel very strongly that as a Senator representing Yobe North, one of the states under a State of Emergency, I feel very strongly that sufficient consultation has not been done. We know where the shoe pinches and we have made it categorically clear.

“Our people have made their minds known, our elders have made their minds known. Our state governors have made their minds known on behalf of the people that we don’t need an extension of the state of emergency.

“Speaking very patriotically and responsibly as a citizen and responsibly as a Senator, I believe that what we need is to ensure that we give our security forces the required enablement, give them more resources to enable them perfect their actions during operations, because there is no resources there”.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekwerenmadu (PDP/ Enugu) said:

“The senate met with the service chiefs, Inspector-General of Police and the Director General of Department of Security Service, and we are fully briefed on the operations of the state of emergency in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa over the last twelve months.

“Thereafter, when they had left, we analysed our conversation with them and as responsible and patriotic Nigerians, we are looking at it from a very diverse angle to ensure that the security in those States improved at the shortest possible time.

“And further to that, we’ve also agreed to do further consultations with all the necessary stakeholders to ensure that everybody would buy into whatever needs to be done to secure those states and to defeat insurgency in those states”.

Hope Uzodinma (PDP Imo West) said: “We deliberated and looked at the issues and we would continue by Tuesday. I am sure

by Tuesday we would get through with it, because between now and Tuesday the leadership of the senate would do more consultations”.

Smart Adeyemi (PDP/ Kogi West) said: “The senators have agreed to carry out further consultations with all stakeholders and get to the root of those issues which the senators have raised. The beauty of democracy is that people are representative from every part of the country.

“So, when you are taking a decision that is going to affect a particular area and they have their representatives, if those representatives have a different opinion. So, we have to take time and investigate what they have said so that by the time we come back we would speak from the point of knowledge.

“I must confess to you that when the service chiefs came and they spoke at length to us quite a number of senators changed their opinion. So many people shifted from one side of the divide to the other. Superior arguments were made for and superior arguments were made against.

“So as it is, many of the legislators have not really made up their mind as to whether they are going to support it or not. But what is important is the safety of lives and properties of Nigerians there”. rom the House of representatives however, Rep Muhammad Monguno (APC, Bornu) said he may not be averse to extension of the emergency rule in Borno state, but it is important for the federal government to adequately fund and motivate the military because, so far, the state of emergency has failed to yield the desired results.

“One year of emergency rule has failed woefully due to the ill-equipment of our military who are always left helpless to challenge any attack by Boko Haram. There was a time insurgents attacked a town and the Commander asked his men to launch a counter attack and they refused, saying that they would not be led to their early graves because they don’t have the necessary equipment to face the firepower of Boko Haram”, he said.

Rep Titsi Ganama (PDP Adamawa), said,

Other senators, Reps speak Dahiru Mustapher (PDP/ Sokoto State) said: “the majority position is basically that we are not going with the state of emergency. That is our categorical position because we are not convinced that it is only the issue of emergency rule that could make the security personnel to achieve success in the area.

“We believe a lot of things ought to be addressed in order to conquer the issue of insurgency. So, our own position is that we are not going to support extension of the emergency rule in the area.

“We are going to engage the three governors in the affected states; we want to know what went wrong to be able to come up with better ways to tackle the crisis. However, the government must work for the benefits of its citizens. We are saying no to emergency rule extension.

“The constitution requires two-thirds majority in terms of voting. Of course we are going to vote on the issue. If we can out number them during the voting fine, but of course, our position is that we are going to vote against it.

“Technically, Section 304 sub section 6, states the requirements of how the state of emergency should be declared and our own position is against it and obviously, we are going to stand by it.” e however, said the way out of the crisis would be made known after the committee set up by the Forum had submitted its report and conveyed the recommendations to the government.

He commended the efforts of the military in the fight against the insurgency and pledged support on whatever would be needed to ensure their success.

He also expressed support for the decision of foreign powers to assist the country to rescue the school girls abducted by the Boko Haram sect, but maintained that such support must be on the defined terms with the Nigerian government.

Ahmed Lawan (APC/ Yobe North) said:

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Analyst believe that by implication, the Americans, French, Chinese and Israelis will provide the satellite intelligence, surveillance and attack aircraft, training and logistics to the Nigerian armed forces at a huge cost to the Nigerian taxpayer.

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Cover Borno Elders, Senators reject extension Contd from Page 8 “If the emergency rule is not extended, what signal would we be sending to the International community who have come in to show solidarity with us in this trying time”?

Chairman, House Committee on Defence, Bashir Adamu (PDP, Jigawa), said his Committee has never failed to submit it reports after oversight functions.

“Defence budget since 2011 has never gone up to 50% implementation. A situation where less than N150 billion would be released out of over N300 billion of the budget would not help achieve anything for the nation” Rep Goni Bukar Lawal (APC,Yobe) “the emergency rule has only succeeded in breeding more terrorism in Yobe State”, he said, giving instances of the killing of students in a Unity school in Buni Yadi. “A teacher was explaining to the governor how the attack took place and how the military behaved, the Commander asked him to keep quiet or be labeled a Boko Haram member right in our presence, and I challenged him to do that”. e alleged that all the unprecedented destructions that took place in Yobe were all under the state of emergency. “Just yesterday, there was information that Boko Haram were coming to attack but the military refused to go there.

It was the civilian JTF who mobilised themselves to confront the Boko Haram and killed over 200 insurgents as well as seized and burnt over 70 motorbikes and two Hilux Jeeps. They refused to hand the captured ones over to the military due past experiences of them being released by JTF”.

Rep Emmanuel Jime (APC, Benue) said there are legal and constitutional provisions empowering the President to deploy the military in crisis situations without declaring a state of emergency.

He asked: “has a state solved any incidence of insurgency anywhere in the world”?

“The Americans have been fighting terrorism since 2001 as well as Mali. There’s a faulty approach that has been applied in this emergency rule. Is there an alternative to this, and I say yes. The Anti Terrorism Act is adequate enough to allow the President fight terrorism without coming to the National Assembly for approval for a state of emergency because its not necessary

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in this case” The Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila cited Section 218 of the constitution that empowers the President to deploy and determine the operational use of the armed forces in ways necessary.

“If by self admission, the President in his letter has said emergency rule has not abated the crisis and that casualty rates are on the increase, then what reasons should he advance to justify any extension”, he queried.

Rep Aminu Sulaiman (APC Kano), said there is the need to see whether the situation has improved during the period of the emergency rule or not. The President has come and defended his request, if the extension is to restore law and order, so be it, but if the situation is moving from bad to worse, then this is unacceptable”, he said.

Rep Aliyu Sani Madaki (APC Kano), said the lawmakers will do everything possible to resist the extension of the emergency. “What happened to the states in the last one year under emergency rule? Did the situation improve? I see no reason why the emergency rule would be extended”.

Gambo speaks Foemer Inspector- General of Police and current chairman, National Conference Committee on National Security, alhaji Gambo Jimeta, has condemned the proposal extension of the emergency rule in three north eastern states for another six months, describing it as “undesirable.”

Mr. Jimeta, who is a delegate of Adamawa State to the National Conference, said the state of emergency had outlived its usefulness and therefore no longer desirable.

“It is not desirable in any state in the world,” he said. “Why was Chief Awolowo’s Western government put under emergency, why did Obasanjo declare emergency in Plateau? These are circumstances that happened. In the case of the Western region I was alive and I knew what happened.

“There was a total breakdown of law and order; people were being burnt in their cars, houses and so on, but it was necessary for the Federal Government to step in and stop that and it did not last more than necessary.”

He wondered how long the states would be under emergency rule, insisting that it had not achieved the

Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau and his disciples

Soldiers on patrol in Baga objective for which it was imposed in the first place.

“In this case, we have been under emergency rule, for how long now?

One year in three states affected and there is no improvement. So, we have to now review the whole thing and reassess the whole thing. There is something more than just declaring emergency rule.

“If you declare an emergency rule in such disturbed states you should have enough resources to revamp the architecture of security in those states immediately and for a long time to come while you also bring the other states into consideration so that this thing doesn’t happen again.”

Foreign help: The fears, the hopes Though unanimous that the answer to the Boko Haram crisis lies with adequate mobilisation of the military with equipment and welfare, it is clear at this point that the Nigerian military is overwhelmed the sheer sophistication of the sect’s war machine. Hence the invitation of foreign governments with experience in anti-terrorist warfare. Of note are the multi-national force led by the US armed forces fighting in Afghanistan since 2001 and in Iraq in 2003. Corollary to the war are the disturbances

in Pakistan.

The U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq has cost taxpayers over $4 trillion, taking into account the medical care of wounded veterans and expensive repairs to a force depleted by more than a decade of fighting, a new study by a Harvard researcher stated.

Washington increased military benefits in late 2001 as the nation went to war, seeking to quickly bolster its talent pool and expand its ranks. Linda J. Bilmes, a public policy professor, wrote in the report that, “as a consequence of these wartime spending choices, the United States will face constraints in funding investments in personnel and diplomacy, research and development and new military initiatives” .

“The legacy of decisions taken during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars will dominate future federal budgets for decades to come.”

Despite this commitment, the Taliban has doggedly refused to be broken and are still active despite the drone strike and special forces operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan. his sums up the future of the Nigerian economy as more money will have to be spent probably on the long haul. Before now, the Jonathan administration has already sunk to $1.5 trillion on the Boko Haram crisis with no end in sight.

Analyst believe that by implication, the Americans, French, Chinese and Israelis will provide the satellite intelligence, surveillance and attack aircraft, training and logistics to the Nigerian armed forces at a huge cost to the Nigerian taxpayer.

With this, even this year’s budget would have to be reviewed to accommodate the new emergency at the detriment of other social services needed to reinforce social security.

With shortfall in oil revenue due to theft, the government might be forced to borrow externally or be tempted to withdraw certain public subsidies.

To Human rights lawyer, Barrister Femi Aborishade, the Federal Government should shelve the idea of seeking further help from United States of America and other European countries in defeating the Boko Haram insurgents .

According to Aborishade who spoke on Wednesday in Lagos, the presence of the West might be a security threat to Nigeria in the long

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run.

“We are worried over the helpless move by the government to allow foreign support to stop the Boko Haram because the consequences of United States military presence in any of the war torn countries do not recommend the presence of US soldiers here in Nigeria,” he argued.

The activist said the U.S. and other European Armed Forces should rather provide the required technical training, not only for the Nigerian soldiers but also for ordinary people involved in community defence operations, particularly in the North East.

He said “in Afghanistan, perhaps about 20,000 civilians have been killed by foreign troops. In Iraq, perhaps 140,000 civilians died in the period of the U.S. occupation. In total, more than half a million people may have died directly or indirectly from the conflict. ‘’ Aborishade urged the Federal Government to urgently declare amnesty programme for Boko Haram insurgents in exchange for the safe release of the Chibok students and an end to bloodshed by the group. ‘’Social security schemes should be developed so that no Nigerian, as a right, lives below poverty line. Cost-free education, cost-free health care, social or free housing, employment or realistic unemployment allowance, and so on, must be provided for the vulnerable classes of people in Nigeria”, adding the Northeast should be given priority.

“Commit the huge resources being used to fund state of emergency and which would be used to maintain the foreign security agents to address pervasive poverty,” he said. owever, hopes lie with the general commitment of the citizenry to nip the scourge after the worldwide outcry over the abduction of school girls in Chibok.

Barring any tactical moves by Nigeria’s new “friends” to sustain the threat for economic purposes, it is hoped that the commonality of purpose to end the crisis, stands to work out.

However, the Jonathan administration must be ready to accept the true reality through dialogue rather see it as a blackmail, a notion capable raising more fear and anxiety from the insurgency.

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News

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

Gen. Buhari inaugurates N7bn road in Zamfara A

former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), on Friday inaugurated a 75-kilometre road linking four local government areas in Zamfara.

The News Agency Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inauguration of the road was part

of activities marking the third year anniversary Gov. Abdulaziz Yari’s administration.

Buhari said the construction of the road would facilitate economic activities in the area.

He urged the people to support the All Progressives Congress

(APC), saying the party was poised to improve the wellbeing of Nigerians.

Earlier in his address, Gov.Yari had said the road was constructed at the cost of over N7 billion.

He said the road would enable farmers in the area to engage

in large scale farming and the opportunity to transport their produce to markets in urban areas.

Yari pledged that his administration would continue to provide social amenities to the people to enable them benefit from the dividends of democracy.

Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade (3rd-l) after a surveillance, on Thursday in Chibok .

Photo: NAN

Why Benue should vote out PDP in 2015 - APC

By Stanley Onyekwere

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue has accused the state government of mismanaging the fortunes of the states and plundering public funds, thereby mortgaging the future of the state.

For this reason, the APC is calling on the people of the state to ensure that the PDP government is voted out in the forthcoming 2015 elections.

According to statement issued in Abuja on Friday jointly signed by the Comrade Abba Yaro , Chairman and Onov Tyuulugh, Secretary of Benue APC, the state government has

floated a N13 billion bond without anything on the ground to show that this huge sum of money has been invested anywhere.

“By this reckless act, the poor people of Benue have been committed to a N1.82 billion interest on repayment every year for the next five years, totaling N9.1 bn,” the statement said, alleging also that “In addition to the statutory allocation, all other federal government assistance to Benue state like the flood relief fund and the sure-p funds have been stolen in broad daylight and cannot even be accounted for.”

According to the statement, the Benue state government has

announced its plan to cut the wages of civil servants by 25% to enable it pay the salaries of its primary school teachers, and that there is also a report that 34,000 civil servants in the state will soon be retrenched to enable the government pay teacher’s salaries.

“What the civil servants should be asking is; what has happened to the salaries of teachers which are sent to every state by the federal government on a monthly basis?” it said.

It added that “Benue state was invaded and a large portion of the state is still under occupation and the indigenes chased out of their

homes. Throughout this period, the state government has not provided rehabilitation centers for those displaced, nor was any relief forthcoming from the government.”

These and many other issues are what will determine the judgment of the Benue voter in the forthcoming 2015 election, the statement said.

“The good people of Benue whose children have not been attending primary school because the state government has not paid primary school teachers for the past seven months will again be asked to decide if the PDP should continue with its misrule in the next four years,” the APC statement said.

‘Nigeria needs salvaging’ says Al-makura From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

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overnor Umaru Tanko Almakura of Nasarawa state has said that considering the way things are being handled in the country, Nigeria needs salvaging by a party and group of people who he said have good ideologies and time tested values which are the embodiment of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

Governor Al-makura stated this yesterday in Lafia, on the occasion of the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected state executive of the APC. According to Al-makura, Nigeria is facing a great challenge, with the country having come this far, stressing that there is every need to salvage the country.

“A salvation that would come from a group of people with good philosophy, who have good ideologies, who respect certain time tested values. And that is what APC stands for”, he said.

He said with the inauguration of the state party executives, the APC has been fully democratized in Nasarawa, following the successful conduct of the ward and local government congresses.

Al-makura noted that with the inauguration of the state exco of the party, “the APC will hit the ground running in Nasarawa”, adding that from the array of personalities constituting the exco, it is not too difficult to see that most of them have held positions either in government or political parties.

He stated that because the APC is rooted in democracy, the party decided to conduct an election despite a lot of people who wanted to vie with the elected officials decided to step down in deference to their integrity and popularity.

The governor explained that the due process and diligence for each position was strictly adhered to as provided by the constitution of the party, with votes cast for each elective position, which he said is an indication that the APC is capable of giving its supporters a good direction in true democracy.

While urging all those who he said have gone astray when they joined other political parties to return to the path of APC, Almakura showed appreciation to the outgoing interim management committee of the party.

In a vote of thanks, newly elected state party chairman, Philip Shekoo, called on the people of the state to rally round the Governor and to assist him in his quest to take the state to the Promised Land.

Confab position on derivation provocative says rights group From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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he Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has described the decision of delegates at the ongoing National Conference to retain the 13 percent derivation formula for oil producing states as a betrayal of the trust reposed on the members, insisting the decision is provocative and counter-productive.

Media reports indicated that after two weeks of disagreement among the members of the Conference Committee on Devolution of Powers, the

members, with the exception of one delegate from the SouthSouth, have agreed that the current 13 percent derivation formula for oil-producing states should be retained.

It was reported that the committee had concluded that every matter regarding the reintroduction of onshoreoffshore oil dichotomy, increase or decrease in derivation principle and resource control was resolved in a manner that there was no victor, no vanquished.

But in a statement issued in Lagos, ERA/FoEN said: the decision of the Confab delegates

on the derivation formula smacks of insensitivity and denies the reality of the pain and misery which oil extraction has indelibly inflicted on the people of the Niger Delta and the environment.

ERA/FoEN Executive Director, Godwin Uyi Ojo said: “It is shocking that the confab delegates who are already grounded on the issues and nominated to the conference to advocate the righting of wrongs in the system have chosen instead to subscribe to this anomaly that negates the principles of fairness and social justice.

Ojo said that the retention of

the 13 percent derivation ignores the clamour for self-determination and calls for resource control in a true federalism, even as he added that “the decision makes one to wonder if the added value of a Confab will ever be realized when the hope of the voiceless is extinguished”.

The ERA/FoEN boss insisted that the communities suffering from oil impacts deserve nothing less than a significant increase in funds accruable to them under the derivation principle and a monitoring system put in place to ensure that the funds are transparently utilized in the

betterment of their lives and environment.

“We expect the members of the Confab to revisit this issue and make concrete recommendations on how to mitigate the misery that oil extraction has wrought on the environment and livelihoods of local communities. Such recommendations must address the cost of oil to the people. If this is not done then we can rightly infer that the National conference is truly a jamboree intended to distract Nigerians while impunity is perpetrated. It is not too late for them to reverse this absurdity,” Ojo insisted.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

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News

US despatches another Jega moves to tackle violence, drone in search of voter apathy Chibok schoolgirls

By Hameed Bello with Agency report

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he Pentagon is adding a second drone to a multinational mission to locate and retrieve more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped weeks ago by insurgent group Boko Haram, The Washington Times reported yesterday.

It said recent days saw Pentagon officials fly an unmanned Global Hawk surveillance drone, as well as a manned MC-12 turboprop aircraft, over Nigeria to collect intelligence for the mission.

Defense officials said Friday that they will pull the manned aircraft out of the sky next week for maintenance and replace it with another unarmed drone — either an additional Global Hawk or, possibly, an MQ-1 Predator.

One Pentagon official, who spoke about the mission on condition of anonymity, said that State Department, White House and defense officials have been communicating in classified emails and working groups about how to best provide assistance to Nigeria.

White House spokesman Jay

Carney said earlier this week that additional U.S. military advisers and FBI agents with expertise in safe recovery and negotiations were sent to Nigeria to assist with the recovery operation.

Those advisers will likely have a say in what type of drone gets added to the air mission, the Pentagon official said Friday.

“Now that we have personnel on the ground, they’re in the best position to advise up the chain of command what type of asset would be best to use,” the official said. “That’s why we send them there.”

L-R: Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Former Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mr Stephen Oronsaye and Vice President Namadi Sambo during the meeting of financial action task force committee, yesterday, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroyo

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

C

hairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega, has inaugurated an inter-agency committee to tackle the menace of voter apathy and political violence ahead of the 2015 general elections.

Speaking yesterday during an event to mark the inauguration of the committee, Jega said “although democracy has come to stay in Nigeria with fifteen uninterrupted years of practice, majority of Nigerians seem apathetic to elections, going by statistics available from voter turnout at elections over the period.

He added that “One of the major reasons for apathy and resultant low participation in elections can be attributed to the low level of awareness on electoral matters by citizens”.

He therefore said the committee was set up to mobilise the electorates for full and informed participation in the 2015 general election, so as to achieve the desired result.

While pointing out that the committee will also re-orientate politicians, their agents and supporters to play by the rules of the game, Jega condemned “the attitude of both electorate and political class.

“Elections are guided by rules and regulations which stakeholders are expected to comply with.

It is therefore necessary to promote positive attitudes and responses among the citizenry, encourage compliance with the regulations, as well as discourage apathy, violence and all forms of malpractices”, he pointed out.

The committee named ‘National Inter-Agency Advisory Committee on Voter Education and Publicity (NICVEP)’, would among other objectives, ensure proper coordination and monitoring of voter

Money Laundering: Ibori heads to Supreme court From Osaigbovo Iguobaro,Benin

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ormer Delta State governor, James Onanefe Ibori lawyers are set to appeal Thursday’s ruling of the Court of Appeal, Benin Division which

upturned an earlier judgement by the Federal High Court, Asaba the State Capital held in his favour.

Media Assistant to theaccuse, Tony Eluemunor, Ibori quoted Ibori in a statement as saying ``despite his travails, he has remained an unfailing believer

in the rule of law, especially the courts’’.

It described the decision of the Federal High Court in Asaba, which the Court of Appeal sitting in Benin has just struck down, as most politicized in Nigerian history with crass politicians not

hiding their interests.

The statement argued that Ibori, ``believes in the rule of law and freedom of the courts, yet, he has instructed his lawyers to take the next legal step by referring the matter to the apex court in the land’’.

Uniuyo VC escapes death as gunmen storm residence From Mike Etim, Uyo

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he Vice Chancellor of University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Professor Comfort Ekpo escaped death by whiskers when gunmen stormed her residence with intent to kill her.

The gunmen according to a press statement issued by the Registrar and Secretary to the council of the University, Mrs. Edak Umondak stated that the gunmen who were spotted by the fence of the Vice Chancellor’s residence in the Ewet Housing Estate Uyo had a gun duel with the policemen on duty attached to the residence and later zoomed off in their packed vehicle.

The incident, which according to the report took place at about 11:30pm on Wednesday, recorded no loss of life during the exchange of gunfire.

The cause of the attack could not be ascertained but Peoples Daily gathered that the life of the Vice Chancellor has been under threat since her appointment as the first female Vice Chancellor of the University.

A statement from the release, recalled that on June 12, 2013 certain disgruntled elements unleashed mayhem on the Town Campus of the University, during which many property went up in flames including the office of the Vice Chancellor which was

completely raised to the ground.

The release stated that the University had alerted security operatives on the ugly development for necessary action to forestall future occurrence. “It has also become very necessary to alert members of the public about the escalating violence against our amiable Vice Chancellor who is passionate about the entrenchment of quality education in the University”.

When contracted, the police Public Relations Officers Etim Dickson said the state command had been notified of the incident and that investigation has commenced in the matter.

However, no link has been

established with the speculation surrounding a widespread suspicion that the dreaded Boko haram was connected with the incident.

Report made available to Peoples Daily indicated that the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the University of Uyo, Lt. Col. Efik Rtd had confirmed that the institution was one of the targets of attack by the insurgents and warned students to be more security conscious as they resumed for the new semester.

The letter reads: “Intelligence report received at this Department indicates that the University has been earmarked as one of the major targets in the event of an attack in Akwa Ibom State”.

education nationwide and ensure mass participation of marginalised groups like women, albino, physically challenged, among others.

He charged the committee to enlighten the electorate on the specifics and mechanisms of the electoral process, in addition to informing them on their rights and responsibilities in the elections.

The committee is headed by INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of information and publicity, Chris Iyimoga.

Other government agencies who are members of the committee are: National Orientation Agency, Federal Ministry of Information, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Federal Ministry of Communication, Federal Ministry of Education, National Broadcasting Commission.

Nigerian Communication Commission, Nigerian Television Authority, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, News Agency of Nigeria, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Nigeria Labour Congress, Nigeria Union Journalists, and Federal Ministry of Youths Development are also members.

The scope of work for the committee include reviewing existing communication and education framework of the commission and advising the commission on areas of improvement, to proffer advice on effective strategies for public enlightenment and voter education, among others.

Responding after receiving terms of service from the commission’s chairman, chairman of the committee, Chris Iyimoga, said the committee was aware that it has its work cut out for it beginning with the distribution of Permanent Voters Card (PVC) phase 1 in ten states next week.

Borno sends 50 to India for agric course

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he Borno State Government will tomorrow send 50 citizens to India to undergo train-thetrainers course on Irrigation (Agric) equipment installation, usage and maintenance.

Governor Kashim Shettima the move was in line with his believe in the combination of military, political and economic approaches in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram.

According to him, units of irrigation equipment are currently being installed across the State by a U.S based Irrigation Company and the Jain Irrigation Company of India (which entered an MOU with Borno State for supply, installations and capacity building).

“The Government plans to use Borno’s versed land to create jobs through massive Agriculture with the sole aim of discouraging Boko Haram recruits who are driven by joblessness. Governor Kashim Shettima will be addressing the trainees on Saturday at a farm in Kuje, Abuja”, a press release issued by the governor’s media aide, Isa Umar Gusau stated.

Page 12

Photo Splash

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

Anti Corruption Network Group protesting against Collapse of buildings and Low quality cement in Nigeria, yesterday in Abuja.

L-R: Sen. Femi Kila; Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Vice President, corporate resources and media, Mrs Magaret Oguntala and NSE President, Mr Ademola Olorunfemi at the first quarterly news conference of the society, yesterday in Abuja.

L-R: Detachment Commander MI 35 helicopter, Air CDRE Remi Ekeh; commander, 75 strike group, Nigerian Air Force Yola, Air Cdre Emma Anebi and Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, during the visit of the Director to Yola and Maiduguri, on Thursday.

Photo: NAN

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Deputy Governor of Osun, MrsTtiti Laoye-Tomori (m), addressing a news conference in Osogbo on Thursday, with her is the commissioner for health, Mrs Temitope ilori (L) and chief of staff, Osun Government House, Mr Gboyega Oyetola. Photo: NAN

L-R: Special Adviser to Lagos state Governor on Housing, Mr Jimoh Ajao; commissioner for housing, Mr Bosun Jeje and Commissioner for Information and strategy, Mr Lateef Ibirogba, at a news conference by the commissioner for housing on the activities of the ministry, yesterday, in Lagos.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

News

Japan lauds NTI on Maths, Science Subjects From Muhammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

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apan International Cooperation Agency ( JAICA) yesterday lauded the role of National Teachers Institute in training Nigerian Teachers on Mathematics and Science Subjects across the country.

Japan said no doubt the institute has made them proud by sustaining the Strengthening Mathematics and Science Education (SMASE) training.

Speaking at the SMASE Cycle 3rd Cohort Training Closing Ceremony held in Kaduna, JAICA’s representative in Nigeria, Halima Ahmed said Japan would continue to support the SMASE projects in Nigeria.

She added that Mathematics and Science knowledge are the backbone of any country, saying Japan is technically advanced in the world because of Science.

“Japan today is advance in the world because of Science and Mathematics, so I see no reason why Nigeria cannot advance. As a Nigerian, I am proud to say NTI is doing a great job in training our teachers on Mathematics and Sciences,” she said.

According to her, when Japanese trainers left Nigeria at the end of their contracts in the country, they never expected NTI and Nigeria to sustain the programme but they were proved wrong.

In his remarks, NTI Director General, Associate Professor Aminu Ladan Sharehu represented by Director Examination and Research Services, Prince Sunday Kolawale said Japan has no doubt, set the foundation on SMASE in Nigeria.

He further tasked the participants to impart what they learnt to other teachers when they return to their various states.

It was gathered that five StatesEkiti, Osun, Enugu, Katsina and Ondo States participated in the Cycle 3rd training.

SMASE is a project started by Japan government in collaboration with Nigerian government to train teachers on Science and Mathematics subjects.

PAGE 13

FG records N14.9bn rise in non-mineral revenues .... shares N634.721bn with states, LGs Clem Khena-Ogbena, Abuja

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he Federal Government of Nigeria has recorded a significant increase in non- mineral revenue for the month of March.

From N94.368billion in March, the revenue rose to N109.270billion in April, thus boosting the monthly generated revenue.

The Accountant General of the Federation, Mr. Jonah Otunla, who disclosed this yesterday at the monthly Federation Account Allocation Com-

mittee (FAAC) meeting, held at the Federal Ministry of Finance headquarters in Abuja, also stated that “the total income generated for the month of April includes, N474.881billion from mineral revenue, N109.270billion non-mineral revenue, and N62.809billion Value Added Tax (VAT).”

According to him, the generated revenue for the month of March was shared among the threetiers of government as the revenue outside VAT was distributed in the following order, N249.060 billion for the Federal, N126.327billion for the States and

N97.392billion for the Local Governments, thus representing 52.68 percent, 26.72 percent and 20.60 percent, respectively.

From the total VAT of N62.809 billion, Otunla stated, the federal government got N9.421billion, while state governments received N31.405billion and Local government had 21.983billion.

He added that N533.746billion was transferred to the Excess Crude Account (ECD), bringing the ECD to $3.6billion, while N35.549billion transferred to SURE-P.

L-R: Deputy Director, public Affairs, DSS, Marylyn Ogar, Director General, National Orientation Agency, Mr.Mike Omeri and Police Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, during day Six media briefing on the update of security operations in Borno State , yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin ImoOwo

Police arrest school boss over alleged assault of 11 students

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

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he Edo State police command has arrested the Administrator of King of Kings Junior Secondary School , Edward Rotimi Olayebi over alleged assault of 11 female students of the school.

It was learnt that neighbours were said the have been suspicious of why some of the female students remained in school between five and six pm everyday, which prompted some of the parents to inter-

rogate the victims.

The alleged sexual escapades of the suspect, was revealed to Child Protection Network, a NGO which raised the alarm.

Parents and members of the network led by its Coordinator, Jennifer Ero and parents staged a protest to the school demanding for justice.

An attempt by the school authorities to ambush justice triggered the angry protests into the school causing pandemonium.

The Coordinator of NGO, Ero said they were informed about the suspect’s sexual activities with the students through their hotlines and investigation showed that six of the 11 students were sexually abused.

She said they were working towards ensuring that the suspect is charged to court.

Edo state Police command spokesman, DSP Friday Uwoh Noble confirmed the arrest and said investigations were still on.

Niger Delta Minister renews call for national harmony

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Minister of State and Supervising Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Darius Dickson Ishaku, has reemphasised the necessity for peaceful co-existence, tolerance and mutual respect for each other for national development.

The Minister said this in Warri, Delta State, during the Niger Delta Youth for Peace Summit, organized by the ministry, in collaboration with the Peace Ambassador Agency.

He urged the youths to embrace peace and dialogue in resolving issues, adding that it was only in an atmosphere of

peace that the youths and the country could realize their full potentials.

The minister, who was represented by his Special Assistant, Mr. Gbade Ale, also praised the choice of the theme for the summit “The Impact of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs in fostering Sustainable Peace in the Niger Delta Region” and said it was apt.

He said the ministry has made numerous achievements in the last six years after its creation, even as he recalled that the Niger Delta was crisis- ridden due to the activities of militant youths agitating for more development efforts from the Federal

Government.

“It is therefore pertinent to note that the timely intervention by the Federal Government with critical actions such as the Amnesty Programme and the creation of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs contributed in no small measure to bring the desired peace back to the Region”, the minister said.

He cautioned the participants that as an agent of peace, the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs is always ever ready to work hand in hand with organizations which share same view with it, adding that it was this

policy that informed their decision to identify with the Peace Ambassador Agency for the event.

He also said that such summits would create a good platform and conducive environment for peace, a necessary condition for sustainable development.

In her welcome address, Miss Ambassador for Peace, Niger Delta, Temitope Adeniji, said the peace summit was focused on promoting and sustaining global peace, and charged young people to put hands together and cooperate with the leaders to achieve peace objectives.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ORIGINAL LAND ALLOCATION PAPERS WITH REGISTRATION NO. 1899 LOCATED AT APO RESETTLEMENTS VILLAGE OF ABUJA MUNICIPAL AREA COUNCIL (AMAC) WAS DESTROYED BY RAIN FLOOD. BELONGING TO DR. TOBE NNAMANI OF SAINT PAUL SEMINARY GWAGWALADA. ALL EFFORT MADE TO TRACE THE MISSING DOCUMENT PROVED ABORTIVE. THE GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

Page 14

Crime Cycle

Stanley Onyekwere pmlcrimecycle@gmail.com 08138559513

Man in trouble for allegedly raping 14-year old girl A

Bogo Magistrates’ court in Gombe State, has remanded one Shuaibu Ahmadu, 25, in prison custody, for allegedly raping a 14-yearold girl.

The accused, facing a count charge, is from Didiyel Village in the Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Bako Shekari, told the court that the accused on April 14 at about 6 p.m. forcefully had sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl ( names withheld).

Shekari told the court that the accused and his victim were residents of the same address.

“You forcefully had sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl by inserting your penis in her private part without her consent in your room”, he said.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 282 of the Penal code.

Shekari appealed to the court that the case should be adjourned to allow him conclude his investigations.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Chief Magistrate, Hajiya Aisha-Nana Bappa, adjourned the case to May 28 to enable police complete its investigations.

She ordered that the accused should be remanded in prison custody until the adjourned date.

CJN Mariam Aloma Mukhtar

Court remands couple over homicide

A

Makudi Magistrates’ court, in Benue state remanded a couple, Benjamin Kange and his wife in prison custody for allegedly conspiring and killing one Jacob Unumbe.

The wife, Justina Kange, who is the second accused was joined in the case for allegedly causing the quarrel that led to the death of Unumbe.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the couple was charged with criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide, punishable under Sections 97 and 222 of the Penal Code Law of Benue State, 2004.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Gabriel Ebonyi, told the court that the case was transferred from the Divisional Police Headquarters, Gbajimba in Guma Local Government Area of Benue to the

Criminal Investigation Department, Makurdi through a letter.

According to the letter, the father of the deceased, one James Maseakpe of Akumba Village in KM 27, Gboko Road, Makurdi had reported the case at the Gbajimba Police Station on April 26, Ebonyi said that the father of the deceased told the police that Kange attacked his son at Abinsi in Guma Local Government over an alleged sexual intercourse with his wife.

He said that the complainant explained to the police that the deceased was allegedly sleeping with the second accused and he called the first accused on phone to ‘come and see something’.

“On getting there,Kange met the deceased sleeping with his wife and he reportedly picked

a stick and hit the deceased on his head,’’ he said The prosecutor, said that the father of the deceased told the police that his son fell down, became unconscious and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Apir, where he later died while receiving treatment.

Ebonyi said the couple was arrested during police investigation on the killing.

However, when the case came up for mention, the court could not take the pleas of the accused for lack of jurisdiction.

The prosecutor that said investigation into the case was ongoing and asked for another date.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. Dan Ogo, remanded the couple and adjourned the case until June 18, for further mention.

Car dealer docked over cheating

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43-year old car dealer, Akor Owoicha, yesterday appeared at a Federal Capital Terr FCT Chief Magistrates’ Court in Karu, charged with cheating one Babalola Ebere of N1.9 million.

Owoicha, of Esu Karu Road at Mararaba in Nasarawa state, was brought before Senior Magistrate Hadiza Shagari on a three-count charge of cheating and criminal intimidation.

The prosecutor, Insp. Andrew Aichenede, told the court that sometime in September 2012 Ebere gave the accused N1.9 million to buy for him a Sienna car of 2000 model.

He said the accused promised to deliver the car to Ebere after two weeks but failed.

Aichenede said when Ebere confronted the accused over his failure to deliver the car as agreed, Owoicha threatened to ``deal’’ with him (Ebere).

The prosecutor said the accused ``criminally’’ converted the money into his personal use and did not deliver the car or refund the complainant’s money.

He said the offence was punishable under sections 312, 322 and 397 of the Penal code respectively.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The magistrate then granted the accused bail in the sum of N250,000, with two sureties in like sum.

She said the sureties should be resident within the court’s jurisdiction.

Shagari added that one of the sureties must be a federal civil servant with verifiable address.

The judge then adjourned the case till June 25 for continuation of hearing.

Unemployed arraigned over Hawker jailed for breaking theft of roommate’s N100,000 into banking hall

A

n unemployed man, Musa Mohammed, who allegedly stole N100,000 saved by his roommate for his wedding ceremony, on Thursday appeared before an Oshodi Magistrates’ court, in Lagos.

Twenty-three yearold Mohammed, who resides at No. 3, Ilupeju Bye-pass, Ilupeju, Lagos, is facing a count charge.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Prosecutor, Cpl. Kehinde Olatunde, told the court that the accused stole the money from Mr. Ibrahim Musa – a commercial motorcyclist - on May 13 at their residence.

“The accused stole the money the complainant had been keeping for his marriage ceremony,” she submitted.

Olatunde said that Musa brought out the N100, 000 from his bag to add to N10, 000 when the accused entered the room.

“The accused asked him where he got the money, and the complainant told him that he had been saving the money since June, 2013 in preparation for his wedding.

“The complainant tied the money and put it back in a bag,” she said.

The prosecutor said that, the following day, when Musa wanted to add N2,000 to the money, he discovered that N100,000 was missing.

Olatunde said that the offence contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Section 285 prescribes a three-year jail term for thieves.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

The Magistrate, Mr Akeem Fashola, granted him bail in the sum of N50,000 with a surety in like sum, and adjourned the case till June 23 for hearing proper.

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n Abuja Senior Magistrates’ Court in Karu, has sentenced a hawker, Friday Nwogu, 22, to seven months imprisonment for breaking into a banking hall to steal money.

The convict pleaded guilty to the two-count charge of house breaking and theft.

Senior Magistrate Sharon Ishaya sentenced Nwogu without an option of fine.

Ishaya in her judgment said; “I have listened to the accused and he seems remorseful but he has to be punished to serve as deterrent to other potential offenders.

“The accused person told this court that he had nothing after losing his father four years ago and that he lived with his mother here in Abuja, who could hardly cater for their daily needs.

“Such reasons are not good enough. I hereby sentence you to one month imprisonment on the first count and an additional six months on

the second count charge.’’

The magistrate, however, said the terms would run concurrently.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp. Andrew Aichenede, told the court that the accused committed the offence on April 12, at the Nyanya Branch of United Bank for Africa’s banking hall.

Aichenede said that the bank’s security guard found the convict hiding in the ceiling soon after he noticed a break into the banking hall with the branch ATM strong room tempered with.

He said that the guard also found with the convict, a bag containing two intercom telephones, a rod, pliers, scissors and a screwdriver.

Aichenede said that the accused immediately confessed to the guard saying “I broke into the bank to steal but did not find any money; I then decided to steal these phones.”

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

Page 15

Confab

Why Special Court for corrupt officials necessary, Dr Abari The Committee on Politics and Governance has made stunning recommendations including removal of immunity clause from the constitution, unbundling of INEC, annulment of perpetual injunction and Special Court for trial of Corrupt officials. Dr. Garba Abari, a delegate from Yobe state and vocal member of the committee gave reasons for these far-reaching recommendations. He spoke with Patrick Andrew. Here are Excerpts…

W

hat have been the major decisions of your committee?

The has a very heavy responsibility basically because we are where we are today in this country largely on the account of lack of good governance. And if we are to fix this country and make it work like other countries, it is imperative that we begin to look at its politics. Fix the politics first and then bring about measures that will make good governance possible.

In summary, with development in the living standard of the people, development in every facets; respect for fundamental human rights and the supremacy of the rule of law. Unless you are able to get all of these you can never talk about good governance. It is in the light of this that this committee actually sat down to analyse the impediment to good governance one of which is lack of institutionalized rule of law which leads to impunity. This leads to leaders not been held accountable, leaders not being trust-bound in both their private and public conduct, and which generally rubbed off negatively on the society.

Would this be associated with the form of government in the country?

Yes and No. People are so passionate about why we are where we are.

Some have canvassed for a modified presidential system of government, some want a return to the parliamentary system- where ministers are also members of parliament, and which is more representative in the sense that once you are elected into the parliament you are a minister. Some have equally canvassed for a mixture of both the presidential and the parliamentary as obtainable in France. This committee feels that whatever system of government that we will adopt so long as it does not subject leaders to the supremacy of the constitution, so long as it breaches the rule of law and provided it makes leaders weak, institutions weak and limits the political space against greater citizenship participation in politics, then the problems we are trying to run away from will remain.

Specifically, which form or system of government is your committee considering for the country?

I would rather hold on this until the committee makes its final submission to the plenary, then the cat will be let out of the bag. At the moment, it will be presumptuous for me to reveal it because the committee is still working on it and we are trying to tidy up all the reports before it is

finally adopted for submission to the plenary.

What has your committee recommended to regulate corruption?

First and foremost, corruption in this country has been elevated to a national culture, unfortunately. And that is why our country is repeatedly mentioned in the print and electronic media across the world, all for the wrong reasons. The issue of corruption is not limited to public offices but even in private businesses. So it transcends the gamut of our social and economic and political life. You have a lot of corruption in the public as you have in the private sector. You have corruption horizontally and vertically in the society. n the public sector, the constitution has talked about immunity clause, which stopped governors and their deputies, presidents and the vice presidents, from being prosecuted for whatever offence while in office. Our committee recommends the abrogation of that constitutional provision so that elected and appointed officials can be made truly accountable. The moment a leader sees that there is a sword of Debacle swing over his heads he might have a rethink and tarry awhile before he allows his itching fingers into the national or state government treasury.

But beyond the removal of immunity, there are other things that the committee looked at, which I consider far-reaching. It is not enough just to remove the immunity clause because incidences abound where people who enjoyed the immunity while they were in office and cannot enjoy same outside of the office and who clearly have cases to answer but have not been brought before the court of law. And there are instances in which individuals have gone to court to get perpetual injunction against anybody or institutions from investigating and prosecuting them.

Of course, the removal of the immunity clause is something which has gone down well with the people, something Nigerians really appreciate and our committee is considering even going beyond that. We think the moment an established case of infraction is brought up against any government official, then such an occupant of an office must give way, must automatically face judicial processes. This is the novel recommendation of our committee.

But many will still it is inadequate in view of that there are always cases of injunctions, did your committee consider recommending something that

I

will halt incessant court injunctions in respect of criminal cases?

Yes, and most importantly, we have recommended an institution of a Special Court for Corruption. We hope the special court will be set up to specifically try corruption cases because we know that in this country the judicial processes are genuinely overwhelmed owing to paucity of judicial personnel. Secondly, the judicial process itself grinds very slowly because of the incompetence or otherwise of the judicial personnel, it also grinds slowly because of the avalanche of cases most of which in many instances are being manually addressed.

Again, there is a special kind of unwritten culture of trial of especially politically exposed persons as we have seen by the trials of politically exposed persons by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commissions (EFCC) many of which have run into several years but are yet to be determined. ow, for us it is very important that a special court be set up with exclusive mandate of trying only corrupt officials. All cases of political personnel ignite lot of political emotions, Nigerians become easily emotive because when you hear of the amount of money mentioned, is missing or has developed wings under the watch of an official, or even the impunity with which certain ostentatious display of ill-gotten wealth, a display of massive wealth bordering on insensitivity in a country with more than 60 percent of the population living below a dollar a day.

That insensitive display of illgotten wealth is also done in the face of massive unemployment, in fact, the highest in the world, with lowest

N

“

Dr. Garba Abari indices in human development in the world, yet you see around you wanton display of ill-gotten wealth, and ironically such people go about so freely in the streets as if nothing at all had happened. I think Nigerians will be happy that our committee has recommended the setting up of a special court to try corrupt officials.

Your committee also unbundled INEC, why was that important?

Absolutely so. You must have read the comments of INEC chairman some three days ago that the commission is overwhelmed. We reasoned that if INEC should concentrate on conducting elections only it will be more efficient than it is now.

We unbundled INEC, set up a Special Court for Corrupt Officials to unburden INEC from such responsibilities as electoral cases, party disputes etc. We believe even the conduct of elections, which INEC is not doing well, if we take away some of these cumbersome duties, we will begin to see a more efficient and competent INEC. You will also see a new INEC, a lighter INEC, a slimmer INEC and more focused INEC that can deliver on the mandate that it was set up in the first place.

Are you worried that your laudable recommendations may not be implemented going by the experiences of previous conferences? am not worried because already the NASS – the body constitutionally empowered to amend the constitution is working towards that direction- will not be averse to incor-

I

We think the moment an established case of infraction is brought up against any government official, then such an occupant of an office must give way, must automatically face judicial processes.

porate some of the recommendations that will be arrived at by the conference into the ongoing constitutional amendment processes. Some have even indicated that there will be the need to subject some of the recommendations to a referendum. Yes, but then that will bring about lot of procedural problems because you don’t go to a referendum with so many items.

But, whatever it is the president, the NASS, but the president in particular, who set up the body, should as quickly as possible do to get the NASS to incorporate all the recommendations which will enrich our wellbeing, deepened our democracy into the constitution.

What is your view on the efforts to secure the release of the abducted Chibok girls?

It is absolutely unfortunate that we have got to where we are today that our daughters are still in the hands of the insurgents largely on account of the way and manner security situations have been handled in the 12-13 years. A majority of Nigerians may have forgotten or do not seem to know that what we now know as Boko Haram did not start just two years ago. It started as far back as 2002 when they started as Yobe Talibans. But failure of intelligence management and gathering, inability to respond to some of these flash points by those who are supposed to do that has led to one thing and another leading to what we have got ourselves into. ut I am saddened that while all these are happening some people still don’t believe it is politicized, yes it could be politics but the Boko Haram issue is now a serious threat to national security and our existence as a nation. Those who do not feel threat do not know what we who live in Maiduguri, have families in Yobe, see fear in real life undergo.

I mean you don’t know if you will return in one to see your family or they you each day, as one drives you don’t whether the car behind you is driven by a suicide bomber, nor do the soldier on road block knows whether the next tricycle rider is carrying bomb, yet many seem to distance themselves from this sad daily occurrences for us in the North East.

So, whatever efforts is welcome and most importantly we would want the soldiers to be better equipped and motivated to combat the insurgency and restore normalcy to our homes.

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PAGE 16

Senate Gallery

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

‘Industrial harmony, key to national transformation’

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he Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has said the National Assembly will continue to take all necessary legislative steps to promote industrial harmony in Nigeria, saying it was an important ingredient in fast-tracking the country’s transformation agenda.

Ekweremadu gave the assurance in Abuja at the public presentation of the book “National Industrial Court of Nigeria: Law, Practice and Procedure”.

He said the desire to promote industrial harmony in the country informed the decision of the National Assembly to effect a Third Amendment to the 1999 constitution, to firmly make the National Industrial Court a superior court of record, exclusively vested with jurisdiction over all labour, employment and ancillary matters.

According to him, “We realised that for the Court to function appropriately and effectively, there was the need to confer it with constitutional status as a superior court of record and vest it with exclusive jurisdiction over labour and employment matters.

“The National Assembly believes that industrial harmony is an indispensable ingredient in our quest for national development.

We believe that a labourer deserves not only his or her wages, but also working conditions and environment that maximises his or her potentials for national transformation. And we also believe that employers of labour are also entitled to the services they pay for”.

He described the book authored by the Lead Consultant to the

Senate Committee on Constitution Review and a Professor of Law, Offornze Amucheazi and Paul Abba, as a “timely effort to fill the attendant knowledge gap regarding the adjudication of labour and employment matters in Nigeria under the new dispensation”.

The book reviewer, Maxell Gidado, described the book as a sound effort in simplifying labour

and employment adjudication under the 1999 Constitution as amended.

The event was attended by the President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Babatunde Adejumo; while the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha and the Governor of Anambra, Willie Obiano were represented.

Senate attacks NASDRA over inability to track Chibok girls

S

enate has condemned National Space, Development and Research Agency (NASDRA) over its silence on the abduction of over 200 girls in Sambisa forest in Borno State, saying much is expected from the agency.

However, the Director General of NASDRA, Saidu Mohammed said that the current satellite of the agency is not capable of tracking human beings, even as he requested for higher resolution satellite that can monitor movement.

Although, the Chairman,

Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Ajayi Borofice, confessed that what he saw on ground, efforts have been made but the agency can do more than that, even as he disagreed with the agency on procurement of high resolution satellite.

He said,” I disagree with you on acquisition of more satellite because the mood of the nation is not in acquisition of more satellite.

We need to justify the ones we have, I am not saying they are not important but you have to first

justify the current investment.

“I must confess from what I have seen some efforts have been made, I believe the agency can do more, much is expected from the agency.

“The satellite is not a video camera, it is a camera which has its limitation. We have not sufficiently educated the public on the capacity and limitation of the satellite, the idea is that we have a video camera”, he said.

Responding, NASDRA Director General explained that

the satellite lacks the capacity to see somebody working in the forest, adding that for that to be done; there is need for powerful satellite.

According to him, “I understand what Nigeria is going through right now but the satellite is not a spirit and is not meant to track migration. The machine cannot be used to monitor somebody migrating.

He submitted the operation of the agency can be improved through improved funding.

Mark condoles FCT Minister over mother’s death

S

enate President, David Mark, has condoled the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Bala Muhammed, over the death of his mother who died after a

protracted illness.

Mark in a condolence message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, expressed sadness at the news of the death of Hajia Jummare

Senate President, David Mark,

Mohammed, saying death is inevitable end of all human, while he urged the family to take heart.

He told the immediate family, government and people of Bauchi State that, “though, it is very

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu

painful to lose a loved one, but the joy is that Hajia Jummare lived an eventful life, adding that even though she died, her legacies lives on.

“We will surely miss her.

We cannot query the will of the Almighty God. His judgement is supreme”, the statement said.

The Senate President urged the children of the deceased to fill the vacuum created by the demise of late Hajia Jummare by being selfless and dedicated to humanity, which was the virtue of the late Hajia Jummare.

He prayed God to grant the deceased the eternal rest and the family the fortitude to bear the loss, saying “our prayers is for the repose of the soul of our beloved mother and for the Almighty God to continue to guide this family even at the demise of late Hajia Jummare”.

With Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Senate committee, FERMA gear for showdown

T

he Senate Committee on Public Accounts and the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) are gearing for showdown over the refusal of the FERMA Director General to appear before the Senate Committee to justify its financial transactions.

This imminent showdown manifested on Tuesday when Senate Committee on Public Accounts took a hard swoop on the Managing Director of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, Engr. Gabriel Amuchi, asking him to resign if he was not ready to account for his stewardship to Nigerians.

The Committee also threatened to deploy all legislative instruments provided by the Constitution to compel him to honour its invitation if he failed to appear on Tuesday next week for an earlier proposed public hearing on the activities of the agency.

Chairman of the Committee, Ahmed Lawan, who made the threat at the aborted public hearing the Committee formerly scheduled to hold with the agency on May 7, 2014 on issues arising from the AuditorGeneral’s report on FERMA for the year 2009, told the journalists that Amuchi had in the past failed to honour the Committee’s invitation to the hearing.

In an invitation letter dated 29th April, 20014 by the assistant Committee Clerk, Abbas Mohammed, the FERMA boss was asked to submit the following documents: record of financial control and operations; names and addresses of banks operated

by FERMA, approval to operate account with commercial bank(s); bank statements, deduction of taxes (VAT and WHT) and evidence of remittances; training/ seminars, workshop, conferences, etc undertaken with details of cost and beneficiaries.

Others include schedules of contracts awarded in the past five years, which should include: project title, project location; name of contractor, contract sum; date of award, amount paid to date; actual date of completion and audited accounts from 2005 to date, among others.

However, Senator Lawan became enraged at the Senate hearing room 4, venue of the proposed public hearing, when he discovered that, instead of the FERMA Managing Director appearing, it was the Director of Finance and Accounts, Taiwo Oladipo, who was delegated to represent the agency.

After expressing his displeasure, Lawan told Oladipo to convey to the MD, the resolve of the Committee to apply every legislative sanction against him if he failed to appear in person on Tuesday April 20, 2014.

Other members of the Committee, including the Deputy Majority Leader of the Senate, Senator Abdul Ningi clarified that the Committee was not out to witchhunt anybody, but to ensure that every public officer was accountable to Nigerians, who gave them their mandate to hold in trust for them.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

PAGE17

Profile

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi: Proverbial cat with nine lives?

From Mathew Irinoye, Lagos

I

t is doubtful if Nigeria has had a top government functionary, especially a serving governor of the country apex bank, who has criticized and exposed the inadequacy and corruption within the system the same way the suspended Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi did.

The suspended CBN governor has left no one in doubt that despite his aristocrat background, he has the nose to sniff and exposed irregularities within the system. This much he has vigorously pursued not minding walking into trouble waters and stepping on big toes and exposing the untouchables.

Sanusi hold the track record of exposing the corrupt attitude in government agencies and parastatals not minding the patronizing position he held while the party last. Since he became governor of the apex bank, Sanusi has engaged the power that be within the banking industry, beating them back to line in strict principle of enforcing the operational ethics of the industry. His action led to loss of investment portfolio by some of the hitherto leading players in the industry in a way that suggest the people will not quickly forget their loss after they were forced to bite the dust.

Typical of his say it all attitude, he accused the NNPC of trying to mislead Nigerians over the $20 billion, he allegedly claimed the corporation failed to remit to the Federal Government. Not only that he made the accusation, he went ahead to defend his claims before the Senate committee.

While defending his claims, Sanusi in the executive summary of his written memo presented to the Senate committee said: “I am therefore compelled to present to this committee detailed evidence that NNPC has in violation of the law and the constitution been diverting money from the Federation Account, and involving itself in activities that warrant full investigation for more serious violations of the law.”

He further accused NNPC of serious infractions in the handling of the kerosene subsidy.

He argued that “based on National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data, kerosene is not a subsidised product, and therefore the so-called subsidy is rent generated for the benefit of those in the kerosene business”.

Revealing that the Federation Account was made to lose $100 million every month to the subsidy racket, he urged the

committee to insist that NNPC provides evidence of presidential authorization to buy kerosene at N150 per litre and to sell same at N40 per liter, whereas the product sells at between N170 to N220 per liter in the open market.

On the NNPC’s claims of paying subsidy on behalf of government, he said the claims were not credible and indeed contradicted by the fact that the NNPC had consistently rendered returns to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) indicating that it made no deductions for subsidy.

He identified NNPC’s unverified claims for subsidy and unilateral deductions from the Federation Account as a major source of revenues from the system and urged the committee to order a thorough independent investigation into the activities of NNPC. He said $14 billion was remitted directly into the Federation Account out of the total figure in addition to $16 billion he said came from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

He also accused NNPC of claiming that some monies belong to its upstream subsidiary, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), and other companies such as Atlantic Energy, alleging that such companies shipped crude oil from the nation’s oil wells without remitting the money.

“May I say, Mr. Chairman, that some of those issues raised are subject to investigation. They have to do with whether NNPC is repatriating money due to the Federation Account or not and because NNPC had given a number of explanations for why money has not come.

“If NNPC, for instance, says we have sold $6 billion worth of crude belonging to NPDC, and if the CBN believes that part of

“

Sanusi Lamdo

that money should come to the Federation Account, it is related to this matter and it has been captured in our presentation.

“We are here because they are related to the question of whether NNPC is returning to the Federation Account all the amount that it is constitutionally and legally required to return.

“I have a 20-page presentation with 30 appendages but we have to first of all agree on what has been paid to the CBN. NNPC did a presentation. We had all agreed earlier that $14 billion out of the $67 billion they shipped came into the dollar account of the federation. That is agreed.

“We have looked at FIRS numbers and we have confirmed that $16 billion paid by international oil companies (IOCs) to the FIRS account was not paid by the NNPC but paid

While defending his claims, Sanusi in the executive summary of his written memo presented to the Senate committee said: “I am therefore compelled to present to this committee detailed evidence that NNPC has in violation of the law and the constitution been diverting money from the Federation Account, and involving itself in activities that warrant full investigation for more serious violations of the law

by IOCs. “It was the proceeds of crude lifted in the name of NNPC but sold on behalf of the IOCs. That $16 billion has been confirmed

by FIRS and has been accepted.

There is $1.6 billion that DPR (Department of Petroleum Resources) also received from the IOCs which was part of that crude and which CBN had accepted.

“We have provided evidence in the naira crude account out of the $28 billion domestic crude shipped by the NNPC. It had repatriated $16 billion. Out of the $67 billion that has accrued to the NNPC account, we have accounted for $47 billion.

“So out of the $67 billion that the NNPC shipped, $47 billion has been repatriated to the CBN. What we are talking about is the balance of the $20 billion and what explanations have been given.

“NNPC has said some of it does not belong to the Federation Account, and $6 billion belongs to NPDC. But we have held the position that some of the crude shipped by the NPDC is from the oil wells that belong to the federation.

“Oil wells that Shell sold and which NNPC took over and handed over to two Nigerian companies, Atlantic Energy and Seven Energy and transferred revenues should come into the Federation Account. I have given free legal opinions to the committee on the unconstitutionality and illegality of that transaction.

“Also, NNPC has explained that 80 per cent of that money that was not repatriated came

from kerosene and fuel subsidy and I have submitted to the committee written evidence of a presidential directive eliminating subsidy since 2009, so NNPC needs to provide its authority for buying kerosene at N150 and selling at N40 and inflicting that loss on the federation,” he said.

In his response, the committee chairman, Ahmed Maikarfi, dismissed Sanusi’s submission, saying there was nothing new in all he said.

He also remarked that despite his claim that kerosene subsidy had stopped since 2009, the National Assembly appropriates subsidy for the product every year.

He also asked Sanusi to wait for the ongoing reconciliation to be concluded before going any further, stating, “The bottom line is that the federation should not lose a cent, so the reconciliation must be concluded this week.”

Earlier, the Director General of Budget Office, Bright Okogu, and Peter Schlak, who represented the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), requested one extra week from the committee to enable them conclude the reconciliation process.

The committee acceded to the request for additional one week. Maikarfi warned them that the process must not exceed the extra week granted them and asked all the agencies to return for the hearing next Wednesday to present the output of the reconciliation process.

But the Group Managing Director (GDM) of NNPC, Mr. Andrew Yakubu, while answering questions from reporters on the fresh allegation of $20 billion, which remains unremitted, said he was surprised that CBN had failed to understand some “engineering issues”.

He also accused the CBN governor of taking upon himself the job of an auditor when in the real sense, he is a banker.

The Federal Government no doubt felt embarrassed by the expose from one of it top functionaries. It is not surprising therefore when the presidency suspended Sanusi from his seat and went ahead to name a successor not withstanding that the incumbent still has some months left to serve out it tenure.

As if the suspension was not enough punitive measure, the government in a move to silence Sanusi, discreetly instructed the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria to investigate the suspended governor. This no doubt spurred Sanusi to seek redress in court.

Contiuned on page 19

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

Travelogue

The tortuous and torturous road to Chibok

By Lillian Leposo, CNN

A

head of the rain-lashed vehicles, tree branches lay across the road. We’d encountered countless military, police and vigilante checkpoints but now we were in Boko Haram’s backyard, we worried if the checkpoints were being replaced by ambushes.

After the kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls from a school in northern Nigeria, the whole world’s attention was focused on one village Chibok -- but CNN was the first news organization to send a team to the scene of the atrocity.

Setting up interviews with those impacted by the mass abduction was quite a task, but once in place, the bigger challenge became “how do we safely get there.” I have covered conflict zones before and always focus on the stories we’ll hope to get, rather than the potential danger. That’s how I deal with the fear.

We were trying to find security escorts, but no one was willing to journey to Chibok, which is situated in Borno State -- one of the three states considered to be the heartland of Boko Haram.

The militant insurgent group has bombed schools, churches and mosques; kidnapped women and children; and assassinated politicians and religious leaders. It was unlikely they would welcome Western journalists, and those accompanying us, with open arms.

The journey from the relative safety of Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, to the remote countryside stalked by Boko Haram can take 8 to 10 hours, but logistics and security concerns meant that it took us four days.

We traveled in two cars -- 4x4s to handle the terrain.

Even before we reached the militant-plagued area, we suffered setbacks. In Bauchi State, a tire on the first car blew-out, causing it to lose control.

Now we were down one car. It was hours before we could find a resident willing to lend his rundown car to us and to travel to Chibok. Eventually this car broke down and had to be abandoned.

‘Why did I come?’

When we entered Borno State, we were hit by a violent storm.

We could see absolutely nothing as strong rains lashed our vehicles. Night had fallen, we were still far away from our destination of the state capital Maiduguri and our driver was unfamiliar with the road.

We couldn’t see to the side, behind or ahead. hile covering stories in other conflict zones, there have been instances when the danger was so apparent that I wondered - “Why did I come?” For this story, it was that night as we entered Borno State -- in the dark during a strong storm.

The situation was all the more eerie because the storm had brought down branches across the road and we wondered if we were being set up for an ambush.

Eventually, however, we did arrive in the relative safety of Maiduguri, the state’s capital, only to encounter another hurdle.

We had organized a police escort to accompany us for the final, most dangerous leg from Maiduguri south to Chibok. The road is notorious for ambushes and attacks by Boko Har-

W

am.

As we readied to journey along it on our third day, our police escort said they could not take us because that morning it had been the scene of a shootout between the militants -- who had come from raiding a village - and security forces. One of the officials had been shot in the neck.

Beyond the checkpoints By the time we left with a police escort the following day, it was about noon. ur route had all been tarmac until the town of Damboa, from where the road leads to Chibok.

From that point, there’s no tarmac whatsoever. Drivers are forced to swerve left and right to avoid the

O

potholes caused by the heat and it’s really rough terrain -- savannah.

Damboa also hosted the last security checkpoint we encountered.

Prior to that we had been forced to stop constantly. There would be a military checkpoint, a few minutes later a police checkpoint and then a few minutes later a vigilante checkpoint -- staffed by local men armed with machetes looking out for Boko Haram.

But on the road to the village now the focus of the whole world’s attention because of the atrocity that took place there -- there was nothing, not one checkpoint. e were driving through a vast area of open land, high grass and shrubs. And there was no homestead in sight.

Any checkpoint set up by the security

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forces would basically make them sitting ducks for the insurgents.

Our convoy was on its own.

Our police escorts were armed with AK-47 rifles and we had flak jackets on the seats beside us -- kept out of sight so as not to raise questions about our purpose -- but our main defense was to drive as fast as possible along the pitted road for the 45-minute journey.

A number of thoughts went through my mind; this was the road to Chibok; militants could storm us from anywhere on that road.

It was a very scary moment. And at the same time I kept thinking, “how is it possible that there is no single security check point towards this village? Not even one?”

Arriving in Chibok we found a spread-out village with a vibrant market with residents buying and selling food stuffs. The most popular stand, however, is the phone charging stand - because there is no power in the homes.

Overnight stay ur late departure meant we had arrived in Chibok around 3pm and the police said it was too dangerous to return along the same road so we had to sleep over in the village. That wasn’t part of the plan. Ever.

We were offered guest huts to stay in. But we declined as our presence would be so obvious -- and of course we didn’t want to be with the police because if there was an attack that would be where a shootout would be.

A very brave local family hosted us, providing us with mats to sleep outside. A village that has lost so much still found reserves of humanity to offer us hospitality.

During the day, Chibok looks like a normal village. But at night is when you see the fear and terror. The women, elderly and children go to sleep.

And the young men stay awake, doing patrols, keeping vigil.

CNN’s team joined them, and discovered that one thing was clear: Chibok residents have stopped waiting for the government, they are protecting their own.

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Photos: Nigerians protest over kidnapped girls

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

PAGE 19

Comments As Belgian investors storm Abuja...

By Rogers Edor Ochela

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o country is an island unto itself and as such, they are constantly seeking for or wooing foreign investment in order to boost their economies.

And Nigerian being part of the global community is not an exception.

Little wonder several of Nigerian public officials intensified efforts to attract foreign investors to the country with a view to fast-tracking the nation’s development.

The quest to attract foreign investment to the nation’s capital city of Abuja reverberated recently when the FCT Administration played host to Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Dirk Verheyen in Abuja. The visit was to discuss modalities for the impending visit of a 60-man Belgian trade mission to Nigeria between 4th and 6th of June, 2014.

The FCT Minister Sen. Bala Mohammed, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Engr. John Chukwu traced Nigeria’s relationship with Belgium to the time of scramble and partition of Africa, stressing that both countries must have strong bilateral ties.

According to the ambassador, out of the 60 Belgian companies that will be coming to Nigeria as part of the trade mission, 15 of them have interest in Abuja, especially in health, transportation and construction sectors of the economy.

Nigeria has had diplomatic and economic relations with Belgium, with the country establishing a diplomatic mission in Nigeria in 1970, and today, it has an embassy in Abuja and a consulate in Lagos. Trade between the two countries is imbalanced, with imports from

Greece to Nigeria exceeding exports. Greek-owned tankers have an important role in shipping Nigerian oil and natural gas, its main exports.

Belgian companies have invested US$5 billion in the Nigerian economy, with a small Greek business community in Lagos to boot.

Relationships between them is cordial little wonder, the former Greek Ambassador to Nigeria, Haris Dafaranos, stated that Greece would continue to explore new areas of cooperation and boost cultural, economic, scientific and technological ties with Nigeria. This was confirmed when, on 22 April 2009, Greek Deputy FM Petros Doukas and the then Nigerian Commerce and Industry Minister Charles Ugwu signed a bilateral agreement in the economic, scientific and technology sectors.

It is that relationship that is about to be further strengthened with the expected investment from the 15 companies in the nation’s capital city in health, transportation and construction sectors of the economy.

The expected benefits from the expertise of the Belgian investors will be coming to build on what the FCT Administration has achieved in those targeted areas of the economy. For instance, in the area of health, while universal health care is a comprehensive health insurance program that many countries have adopted and in which government plays a major role in regulating, Belgium offers both universal and private health care coverage. The health care system in Belgium is organized through private sickness funds.

According to the World Health Organization, Belgium spent 10.6 percent of its GDP on

health care in 2011. Like many countries, medical treatment in Belgium is divided into private or universal. You are given the benefit of choosing a physician or hospital at your preferred location.

The FCT administration has opened and equipped several clinics and healthcare facilities in the Area Councils and deployed additional doctors and other healthcare givers to the nooks and crannies of the FCT under the Mailafiya Project.

To ensure job satisfaction and efficiency, the administration has provided mouth-watering incentives, including logistics and manpower training both locally and overseas to ensure the healthcare givers did not abandon the rural areas in search of better opportunities in the city.

The result was that as at 2012, FCT was leading other states of the federation in the implementation of the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4,5,6 ahead of the 2015 target.

So, a strong synergy with the Belgian firms will take health delivery services in the territory to unprecedented heights.

It is equally important to emphasize that the Belgian construction companies will find the Land Swap policy of the FCTA helpful in quickening the rapid take-off of the new districts through provision of infrastructural facilities, such as road construction, provision of water, electricity and telephone ducts. The efforts of the Belgian firms will complement MoU the Administration had earlier signed with 13 private investment companies targeted at building as many new districts in FCT as possible with the .

Private sector expected to invest N300 billion to provide infrastructure in the new districts. The job opportunities already created by this initiative will be further buoyed with the coming of the Belgian firms.

In the area of transportation, the FCTA has made remarkable progress through provision of Light Rail from Kaduna to Abuja – Kaduna, which when completed in the first quarter of 2015 has the capacity to haul a total of 700,000 passengers daily, while plans for a mono– rail project have reached an advanced stage.

Similarly, 10-lane super multiple carriage highways- the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (Airport Road) Expressway; Zuba/ Kubwa/City Centre highway and the dualization of the NyanyaAbuja Expressway have attained 90% completion level.

Equally noteworthy is the completion and commissioning of major interchanges (overhead bridges) at AYA, Asokoro, Banex Junction-Jahi/Mabushi link, Karimo/Utako and Gwarinpa II – Kado/Life Camp Junction and construction of satellite Roads like Kuje-Gwagwalada road Expansion Project, the Gitata bypass, Karshi – Apo bypass, Sunrise – Guzape bypass the Gwagwalada-Dobi connection and the Bwari Township roads projects. Other projects on card include the nearly 1000 percent completed Gurara-Lower Usman Dam road that connects the FCT with Kaduna State at Jere.

It is these achievements that the Belgian firms will complement with their expertise, because transportation in Belgium has attained an advanced stage having been facilitated with well-developed road, air, rail and water

networks. The rail network has 2,950 km (1,830 mi) of electrified tracks.

There are 118,414 km (73,579 mi) of roads, among which there are 1,747 km (1,086 mi) of motorways, 13,892 km (8,632 mi) of main roads and 102,775 km (63,861 mi) of other paved roads. There is also a welldeveloped urban rail network in Brussels, Antwerp and Charleroi.

The ports of Antwerp and Bruges-Zeebrugge are two of the biggest seaports in Europe.

Brussels Airport is Belgium’s biggest airport.

The road network in Belgium is managed by regional authorities, meaning that a road section in Flanders is managed by the Flemish Government, a road section in Brussels by the Brussels government, while the one in Wallonia by the Walloon Government.

No doubt, investment opportunities abound in the nation’s capital city, and as expectations continue to mount about the prospects of investment from the 15 Belgian firms, the economy of the FCT is expected to experience massive turn around in the near future.

As a corollary, bursting the unemployment balloon through job creation by the Belgian firms will help in checkmating the rising rate of criminality in the nation’s capital city. From whichever angle it is viewed, the FCT Administration under Sen. Bala Mohammed with this commendable move has inexorably set Abuja on the path to accelerated development in all ramifications. This move deserves commendation of all and sundry.

Ochela, a public affairs analyst based in Abuja can be reached via edorochela@ yahoo.co.nz

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi: A cat with nine lives?

Contiuned from page 16

Delivering Judgement in the suit filed by Sanusi against the Federal Government and the FRCN, the Judge said the FRCN’s posturing shows that they are prejudiced.

The court thereby barred the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, FRCN, from investigating Lamido Sanusi, the suspended governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice John Tsoho said that although the FRCN is saddled with ensuring good governance in financial matters, their posturing shows that they are already prejudiced.

The judge countered the FRCN’s argument that their recommendation to the presidency was merely advisory.

He said it was obvious that they had already decided Mr. Sanusi’s fate, even before their investigation.

“The language of the briefing note (transmitted by the FRCN to the presidency) conveys a sense of the defendant desperately

goading the presidency to deal with the plaintiff,” Judge Tsoho said.

“The plaintiff submitting himself for investigation (by FRCN) is like the cockroach finding itself in the midst of fowls. Such a cockroach cannot be innocent,” he added.

Reacting to the cat and mouse game between te suspended CBN governor and the Federal Government, Lagos based Lawyer, Bamidele Aturu, said the purported suspension of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, by the President is the most egregious desecration of the rule of law and the principle of legality in Nigeria to date.

It is unsurpassed in its blatant illegality and immorality.

The decision is symptomatic of the desperation that has gripped the presidency and its allies in the wake of the troubling allegations made by the Governor of the Bank that public officials in the NNPC are looting the country blind in the name of subsidy payments. To the best of

my knowledge the allegation has not been coherently answered by the Corporation or by the Government.

As far as the law goes, the purported suspension of the Governor is unwarranted.

Section 11 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007 clearly lists the instances when the Governor or any of his Deputies can cease to remain in office.

For the avoidance of any doubt whatsoever, none of such instances include suspension by the President.

The only mention of the word ‘suspension’ is in section 11(1)(d) and that relates to the removal of the Governor when he or she is disqualified or suspended from practicing his or her profession in Nigeria. Of course, the illegal suspension of the Governor is not from a professional body and is not at all contemplated by the law.

Pastor Tunde Bakare, the Serving Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly and Convener of the Save Nigeria Group, recently threw his weight behind

the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, whose courage he praised as exemplary.

“Few men have the aristocratic dignity of a man who time and again, while in public office, raised his voice against profligacy and monetary imprudence especially among the legislators and sometimes among the executive,” Bakare said during his church sermon, stressing that no serving Nigerian government official has been as outspoken against misgovernace as Mr. Sanusi.

He pointed out, however, that the time that the CBN, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the PPPRA, the NNPC and other agencies provided conflicting figures as to actual subsidy payments to the Adhoc Committee on the management of fuel subsidy, may have been the opportune time to blow the whistle.

“Perhaps Sanusi Lamido Sanusi at the time did not have the facts he now has; perhaps,

cautious and tactical in his fight against the corrupt system, he was conscious of the sensitivity of his office especially as regards the need to preserve the stability of the economy; perhaps, he had waited for a more appropriate time; whatever the case, aitete m’ole, ole m’oloko,” he said, using a Yoruba proverb be interpreted to mean that “when the owner of the farm fails to apprehend the thief in time, the thief will apprehend the owner and label him the thief.”

Now that Sanusi has succeeded in his legal battle to stave off further witchunting from his former employer, all eyes are on the Federal government to write the wrongs in a case the country stakeholders are eagerly awaiting its outcome.

Also, it behooves on President Jonathan to prove that he is out to fight corruption by addressing the weighty allegation by the suspended CBN governor. Doing this may help the president to douse the flame of accusation that he is shielding some corrupt elements within the system.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

Page 20

Homes

Mirrors add appeal to the interiors

F

ramed mirrors are as necessary to your home décor as that new pair of shoes is to your wardrobe. Whether it’s your bathroom, living room, hall, or baby’s room a mirror adds spacious beauty to the room.

When you hang your mirror, make sure the reflection is one worth sharing. Let’s say you hang a mirror in your bathroom but the reflection is that of your toilet. Appealing? No! But let’s say it reflects the beautiful outdoors giving an illusion of another window. Appealing? Absolutely!

Bathroom Over the sink is always a popular place for a bathroom mirror. Putting your makeup on or shaving is a lot easier with a nice large mirror and a framed one adds a real touch to the décor!

If you have room, add an additional mirror that’s on a swivel arm. It’s great for that close up moments and you can also see the back of your head to take care of any bad hair days before they get rolling.

If your bathroom is really small and you want to make it appear bigger, hang a framed mirror over the bathtub. It will instantly make your room feel much better.

Master Bedroom If you have an open wall, buy a framed wall mirror. You’ll get the functionality you need and add to your wall decor. If you don’t have an available wall, then use the back of the door or the closet door. Not nearly as effective for the décor but at least you get the functionality you need.

After all you don’t want to leave the house with your shirt tail or slip hanging out.

Office A desk facing a wall isn’t good for the energy flow of the room but you can compensate by hanging a large mirror on the wall. And it will also make your room feel larger and you more comfortable because no one will be sneaking up behind you.

Foyer/Entrance There’s nothing like the touch of a large mirror at the entrance. And if your foyer is large enough place a small tea table with the mirror

above it. It not only looks great; it also gives you the chance to do that last minute check before you rush out the door. And the tables handy for dropping those necessaries like your keys.

Living Room If you have a fireplace in your living room then you’ve just got to add a mirror above it. It’s dramatic and it adds warmth to the room making it inviting and relaxing. It reflects the room activities.

If there is no fireplace then consider using a blank wall as a feature wall. Perhaps add a candle on each side. Now don’t just place the candles there, use them. The wonderful glow and the flicker of the candles in the mirror is so relaxing.

Child’s Room Children love to look at themselves so what better way than to put a mirror in their room.

And babys love to entertain themselves with their own reflection so hang a mirror on the wall near the crib or change table or place it in a mobile. Remember to adjust for your child’s eye level. It is functional and it will look great too especially if you add a bit of a child’s touch.

For baby’s room, choose a nursery mirror or continue your existing theme. For children’s room, let them choose. Kid’s all love having their favorite characters or themes. Let them have some fun.

Dining Room A mirror over your buffet is a beautiful touch.

If you have a small room, a mirror can also make your dining room feel much bigger. But make sure that it doesn’t reflect the dirty dishes at the sink.

Hallway Hallways are usually long and narrow so the illusion of spaciousness can be achieved by using mirrors especially if the light reflects correctly on the mirror.

Framed mirrors are a great way to add those finishing touches to your décor. And with so many choices available in the market, you’re certain to find the perfect one! dianshiart.com

e n i z a

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

d n e k e We

g a M ent

m Entertain

Fashion

ps Beauty Ti

od Kannywo

d

Hollywoo

PAGE 21

d Bollywoo

ENTERTAINMENT

Kid Artistto gets in to Guinness book of record

>>PG 34

ENTERTAINMENT ‘Living In bondage’ star, Ngozi Nwaneto makes stylish comeback to movie scene >>PG 37

Nafisa Abdullahi, a sparkling face on Kannywood

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

Page 22

Your Body, Image & U

Offload the garbbage inside of you & exhale

Man crying

Y

ou keep hearing people say-‘’life is what you make of it’’. I agree but the big issue here is -how do you live this life to make it cool? Look around you, so many ‘katakata... wahala..’ tormenting people here and there. Infact some people are totally confused on even how to go about living their lives so what becomes their lives in the real sense?

Where do I start...which one do I even tackle today? Anyway, I have opened a no-holdsbarred corner in my coulmn here—‘’HEATED RUBBLE’’ where those who are hurt in several areas of their lives can share with me and others and get relief. I will be collecting people’s emotional garbbage that torments them and dispose them where they can never.. ever see or feel them again. Does this idea makes you feel good?

Great! Getting emotional stuff off your mind and sharing it with someone who can make it go away sure makes life sweet.

If you understand psychology very well you will agree with me that the emotional part of every individual is a very powerful tool when it comes to making good life decisons and living life to the fullest.

You see men and women walking the streets, driving powerful machines, holding top jobs and even referred to as ‘celebrities’ but take a close look , they are rumbling and shaking in the inside. They only put up a brave face on the outside but totally sick in the inside and that explains why most of them do some crazy stuff at times, hook on drugs and even commit suicide. Uhhhh, do not cringe by reading the word-sucide..but

why should you? Are you hearing and seeing those you feel that have it all kill themselves either by drug overdose or something else huh? So what’s new or odd about sucide? Infact the more we talk about it the more we save our own people from slipping into that crazy zone.

You know, Africans can really copy lots of craps happening abroad. Why must I kill myself just to think I will be free from life problems? This is an act of

Worrying woman

cowadice if you ask me..I don’t know your own view on this.

Come to think of it, if you do not face challenges in life, what makes you human? As long as you live challenges must come your way, what matters is how you handle them and move on in life. You just cannot live every day without encountering some stuff that pushes you off balance and make you cry or even try to hit some people.

The good thing is, when these garbarges come your way, flush them out of your system? How? Fight back. Yes,fight back and save your life! . My point here is that, you must stand up for what you want in life to make your life blissful. Do not allow a jilted lover drag you backward. Grieve a little, groom your entire body image, go out to social events and meet new people. The fact that a girl dumped you does not mean you are useless. It could be a blessing to save you from future torture from her.

There are lots and lots of pretty girls ...hot ones out there.. recoup, take your time, and look for another person. Not so easy huh? C’mon guy, forget about all the cash you have spent on her... you Nigerian guys always count how much you spent on babes.

Let go of the cash dude and move on! What of her own time she gave you while the going

was good huh? Stop spreading lies about her so that other men cannot date her, you are simply making yourself look cheap and pathetic!!

Do not allow lack of job turn you into a dirty street walker at nights and allowing stinking –craw-craw infected bodies smooching you just for lousy Naira notes. Aaaaawwwchhh!!

Boy, i hate to think of what street girls pass through in their so called job. Job? What is job?

Prostitution? Get- the- hell- off –my- lane if you call this trash of activity ‘job’. You sleep with any man that can give you the money you want without minding if he is from the grave yard and you call this job? I have been coaching the youths in my Talent Camp on how to explore their talents and create jobs for themselves and they are doing great. Most of these youths are hungry to explore, hungry to make waves but they just do not know how to go about this. A lot of them also have so much talents, creativity in them that i marvel at the level of intelligence they have.

HEATED RUBBLE Corner!!

I am kicking off this corner today with a mail I got from a fan on FB. It goes- ‘’ How are you jacqui? I had a top job that i just lost few months back and my fiancee left me because am now jobless. We planned getting married but things got rough after i lost my job and she gave me back my ring. Please help me before i hurt myself’’. JoelAsaba.

Joel, told me other private things not in this mail when I spoke with him. Now if a woman left you in a critical situation like this, it is a ‘good’ sign for you.

It means that she never really

Man crying

With Jacqui Iwu bwreforms@gmail.com 08184825606 (sms only) loved you in the first place but was with you due to the goodies she was getting. If you are in the same shoes with Joel here, try to quench that love you have for such a woman and concenterate on getting another job first. Then look for a woman who can stand by you through thick &thin.

Infact it is now that you have no money that you will know a woman that loves you for good.

Are you hurt in the inside, rejected, jilted, shattered or simply confused about what career path to choose in life?

Bring-it-on to Jacqui and we will fix it together. Send in your mails and texts for our –‘’HEATED RUBBLE corner’’.

You can chose not to include your names (if shy). Hey, there is nothing hidden under the sun these days so do not think people will laugh at you when they read your story. Do these people also give you assistance and back you up to help you live a good life? So why bother what people think of you? Be bold! Express yourself and be happy!!

Jacqui IWU is a Body Image, Life& Career COACH A STRESS Management Expert &Conference Speaker Media Relations Personnel Blog: http://bluntjacqui. blogspot.com FB: http://facebook. com/beautifulwoman. column

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

Page 23

Feature

SMEs and prospects of growth The just concluded WASME or ICSME Conference in Yenogoa city, which actually kicked off on 30th April and ended 4th May, holds a lot of promises for both Bayelsa State and Nigeria generally. Clem Khena-Ogbena writes on the prospects for the country.

N

igeria, no doubt, was at it again attracting spectacular international attention, with the International Conference on Small and Medium Enterprises (ICSMEs) forum, currently held in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, 10 years after the first conference of its kind was organised in the country.

This will bolster the nation’s economy, stepping it up even into the already envisioned 20: 2020 agenda of the federal government, 10 years after the conference.

This also would particularly gladden the hearts of players in the SME sector, since its main target was growth and development of the sector. The conference was, somewhat, imperative, as the hope of Nigeria’s economic greatness and prosperity, and the reduction of poverty to its barest minimum and creating employment opportunities, especially in the non-oil sector, is firmly hinged on the development of SMEs. The ICSMEs Conference, under the auspices of World Association of Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (WASME), was appropriate and very timely, especially for the Bayelsans, whose eyes might just further be opened to the various alternatives to oil economy, which seems to have done them more harm than good. The consideration for alternative in the non-oil sector is in the overall interest of the country’s economy, rather than the parochial state interest of Bayelsa. The objective for the exercise was further strengthened by the fact that the oil wells are vulnerable and evanescent.

So, some day they will dry up.

The SME sector, which provides ample opportunities and access for both men and women to explore and exploit for steady economic growth, also provides opportunity to evolve a cluster of concepts, industrialisation, and participation in global trade, among others. The goal was to seek to effectively mitigate poverty, which is prevalent in Nigerian. That was the fulcrum upon which discussions, views, suggestions and resolutions at the conference, rotated.

The conference, which was attended by over 100 foreign participants from different countries, including Brazil, India, Romania, South-Africa, Egypt, among others, came with the medium and long

Gov. Seriake Dickson

term benefits of stemming rural-urban migration; ensuring balance development in the country; and ensuring dispersal of industries, apart from serving as a veritable platform for the participants, the business class, investors and other stakeholders to network and share useful ideas.

The host city, Yenegoa, witnessed unprecedented business activities, as about 10 hotels in the state were fully booked, while local people were busy selling goods and services to both foreign and local guests.

Strong views on the need to be far less dependent on oil and consciously and vigorously promote the non-oil sector of the Nigeria’s economy, were articulated. The current trend globally is that countries that are notably oil-dependent, are busy diversifying their economies, veering into areas, such as tourism and hospitality, agriculture, human capital, ICT, science and technology, among others , most of which are private sector-driven. Even the oil-rich Arab nations are not excluded from this development of emerging economic order. A good example is the Sultanate of Oman, which is heavily investing in and promoting tourism.

Isn’t it instructive enough when recently it was reportedly disclosed that the United States of America (USA) had cut its oil importation from Nigeria by about 90 percent?

Another joy was that the conference promoted bilateral relationship among participating countries, fostered economic growth, not only in Nigeria, but also in

Africa, in general.

Still in that part of the region, is the foresight, vision and wisdom being exhibited by the current administration of Delta State, transiting from oil-dependent to nonoil economy, with a strong campaign for investment in the real sector of the economy, in such areas as, agriculture and agro-allied sector as well as SME, a campaign the governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduagha, has carried beyond the shores of Nigeria, to attract foreign direct investments (FDI).

It was cheering, therefore, when the news that Nigeria was the preferred venue and country for the ICSME Conference was first broken to journalists, by Dr. Ebikule Eradire, the Senior Special Assistant (SA) to the Governor of Bayelsa State, Seraki Dickson. Eradire, who jointly addressed the media with the Acting Managing Director of

“

Acting MD, BoI, Waheed Olagunju

BoI, Mr. Waheed Olagunju, said, “It’s really a rare privilege and honour for Yenegoa city, Bayelsa State of Nigeria to host the world . WASME, as you may know, is the World Association of Small and Medium Enterprises. The organisation has been endorsed by the United Nations to promote and develop SMEs worldwide.

Every year, they have an annual conference, hosted in various parts of the world. In the last two years, Ghana in Africa hosted the 18th Edition; last year in Durbar, South Africa hosted the 19th Edition and it was in that event Yenegoa City, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, was approved to host the 20th Edition.”

Speaking earlier, the acting Managing Director, Bank of Industry (BOI), Mr. Waheed Olagunju said, “Here today we shall be discussing with you the 20th World International Conference on Small and

Strong views on the need to be far less dependent on oil and consciously and vigorously promote the non-oil sector of the Nigeria’s economy, were articulated. The current trend globally is that countries that are notably oil-dependent, are busy diversifying their economies, veering into areas, such as tourism and hospitality, agriculture, human capital, ICT, science and technology, among others , most of which are private sector-driven. Even the oilrich Arab nations are not excluded from this development of emerging economic order

Medium Enterprises to be hosted by the Government of Bayelsa State, at the end of the month. This is being done under the auspices of the World Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, otherwise known as WASME. They have their head office in India.

“The relationship between Bank of Industry and WASME came a very long way.

Incidentally, the 15th Edition of that conference took place in Abuja, at the International Conference Centre, and on that occasion, the BoI played a leading role in the organisation of the 15th Edition of WASME Conference in Nigeria. Perhaps, I am the only member of the team that organised that conference who is still within the system.”

Waheed observed that Nigeria drew a lot of inspiration and experience from Israel in the organisation of the ICSME conference in Abuja, 2004,stressing, “Well, 10 years after that event, Nigeria has been given the opportunity to host the conference again. It is good in many respects, because we are talking of stemming rural-urban migration, ensuring dispersal of industries, ensuring balanced development in the country.

“As we all know, the multiplier effects of investment in SMEs per unit of investment is much higher than investment in large enterprises. And one of the most outstanding benefits in SMEs development lies in their high employment generation potentials; most of the processes are no automated, and as such they are labourintensive. Locating them in local governments or state capitals go a long way in promoting development in those areas, as a country”.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

PAGE 24

Kiddies World

With Miriam

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

Humbe

ABCDE

HIS AND HERS CORNER

Hadejia town walls provide security against external invasion

H

adejia town walls and Gates was a large town with 5 town gates and excellent walls about 30ft (9. 14m) high, and 30ft (9. 14m) thick “ (Captain Philips 1909) Hadejia Town walls had a long history dating back to the pre-jihad period. The walls were built to provide security to the people, and to serve as fortification against external invasion. Though mostly in ruins now, with a great proportion having completely disappeared, the walls were intact up to the time of the colonial invasion in 1906.

The construction of the walls was done by direct labour using local building materials. Over the years, the walls have been taken subjected to several phases of development. Expansions and reinforcements were made to accommodate a growing population or to enhance security against attack by powerful enemies.

The walls were invariably complimented by gates whose history could be linked to that of the walls.

The gates provided the only entry points into the town.

They were made extremely strong, thus making it very difficult for an enemy force to break into the town through them. The gates were manned by gate-keepers or porters (sarakunan kofa) appointed by the Emir. These keepers

used to close the gates everyday from dusk to dawn, thus controlling the movement of people in and out of the town during these periods. Visitors or strangers were not allowed in unless with the express permission of the Emir.

It was reported that one Emir ordered the gates to be left open permanently, confident that no enemy force would dare attack the town.

The first town wall in Hadejia was believed to have been built during the pre-jihad period.

Though the exact date of its construction cannot be determined due to lack of proper records, its perimeter is marked by certain well-known local pits: Mai kilabo in the west, Atafi in the south, and Dallah in the East. It was said to be one mile in circumference, and had four gates. The second wall was built by Sarki Sambo in the early years of the Jihad. It was wider than the previous wall, with its perimeter approximately put at 2 miles 170 yards. It had 5 gates. The present wall, which was the third, was also built during Sambo’s reign. It was built at a time when Hadejia was at the centre of a bitter rivalry between Sokoto caliphate and Borno Empire. As such it was much stronger and wider than the previous walls.

Cartoon

Tom and Jerry

Scoobydoo and friends

Sleeping beauty

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

PAGE 25

Kiddies World

With Miriam

Humbe

ABCDE

MODEL OF THE WEEK

AFRICAN TALES

Friendship of the grasshopper and toad

Fatima Musa during the Cultural Day event of Dominion International School in Abuja

ACTIVITIES

G

rasshopper and Toad appeared to be good friends. People always saw them together.

Yet they had never dined at each other’s houses. One day Toad said to Grasshopper, “Dear friend, tomorrow come and dine at my house. My wife and I will prepare a special meal. We will eat it together.”

The next day Grasshopper arrived at Toad’s house. Before sitting down to eat, Toad washed his forelegs, and invited Grasshopper to do the same.

Grasshopper did so, and it made a loud noise.

“Friend Grasshopper, can’t you leave your chirping behind. I cannot eat with such a noise,” said Toad.

Grasshopper tried to eat without rubbing his forelegs together, but it was impossible. Each time he gave a chirp, Toad complained and asked him to be quiet. Grasshopper was angry and could not eat. Finally, he said to Toad: “I invite you to my house for dinner, tomorrow.”

The next day, Toad arrived at Grasshopper’s home. As soon as the meal was ready, Grasshopper washed his forelegs, and invited Toad to do the

same. Toad did so, and then hopped toward the food.

“You had better go back and wash again,” said Grasshopper. “All that hopping in the dirt has made your forelegs dirty again.”

Toad hopped back to the water jar, washed again, then hopped back to the table, and was ready to reach out for some food from one of the platters when Grasshopper stopped him: “Please dorit put your dirty paws into the food. Go and wash them again.”

Toad was furious. “You just don’t want me to eat with you!” he cried. “You know very well that I must use my paws and forelegs in hopping about.

I cannot help it if they get a bit dirty between the water jar and the table.”

Grasshopper responded, “You are the one who started it yesterday. You know I cannot rub my forelegs together without making a noise.”

From then on, they were no longer friends.

Moral: If you wish to have true friendship with someone, learn to accept each other’s faults, as well as each other’s good qualities.

CREATIVITY

Make a super easy kite that flies so high

W

hat child wouldn’t love to feel the tug of the wind on a string? Kites have been mentioned throughout history for over two thousand years! Their uses have been extremely varied. Did you know that kites have been used in battles (warriors judged the distance needed to travel by measuring the line), as a fishing technique (fishermen allowed the kites to appear as a bird over the water dropping a *bait* line in), for study of the weather (air currents, wind velocity, temperatures), and much more? Of course there was the famous experiment by Ben Franklin on electricity. Man’s desire to fly has also been touted by kites. Most of all they

are just plain fun!

Here is all you need to make your super easy kite (appropriate for flying in light winds): • 8 ½ x 11 sheet of paper (construction or copy/printer paper) • Tape (heavy masking tape recommended) • Stapler • Crayons, Markers, Glitter (things to decorate your kite) • 10 ft. Lightweight string or yarn • Toilet paper tube (or 1” x 3” piece of cardboard to wind string) • Scissors • Plastic bag(s) cut into spiral strips (optional for tail) Directions:

You can decorate your kite before or after creating it.

Fold paper in half as indicated by dotted line.

Next, fold paper down and back towards center and staple to center.

Fold down the opposite side also to center and staple as before.

Now place a piece of strong tape on the center of the kite, approximately 3 inches from the “top.” Cut a hole through the center.

Finally, tie on your string or yarn through the hole, winding the remaining length around your cardboard. Optional: Add on spiral ribbon or plastic streamers for colorful tails. You’re now ready to fly!

Have fun!

Using the right colours, shade the image below.

Describe your action and show your work to your teacher for correction.

Cheers!

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

People & Events

For Awujale @ 80, its moment of accolades Ijebu was last weekend a beehive when it hosted the creme de la creme of the society in celebrating the longest serving Monarch, Oba Sikiru Adetona who celebrated his eightieth birthday, Akilani Abdullah was there for Peoples Daily Weekend.

J

ust for one reason, politicians and top businessmen buried their difference to celebrate the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebu Kingdom, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.

The Ijebu Kingdom which comprises of six local council areas of Ogun state, accommodated people from far and wide at the Otunba Dipo Dina stadium in Ijebu-Ode to rejoice with his majesty, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, as the grand finale of the weeklong ceremony to mark Nigeria’s longest reigning monarch’s birthday. Oba Adetona who had reigned on the throne for more than 54 years, clocked 80 on Saturday 10 May. The Revered Awujale of Ijebu land practically mounted the throne the same time Nigeria attained political indepence from Britain. But, his formal coronation took place on 2 April 1960, though he had earlier been presented on 18 January 1960.

Residents of the community said the monarch reign has underscored some landmark achievement of adding value to the lives of citizens, by traditional institutions even with Nigeria being a republic not a monarchy.

Awujale who has witnessed almost all the political climate of Nigeria with the long spell of military rule, with its collapse and currently, he is still a very relevant personage in the present democratic experience since it started in 1999.

The event which parade best of Ijebu culture had in attendance the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; Alake of Egbaland, Oba Michael Aremu Gbadebo; Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle and Obi of Onitsha, traditional rulers from Hausa, Fulani and Igbo speaking kingdom.

Others who graced the occasion Governor of Bayelsa State, Honourable Seriake Dickson, who has a ma-

ternal root in Ijebu-Ode; Minister of Agriculture, Dr.Akinwunmi Adesina; Senator Adegbenga Kaka; Senator Gbenga Obadara; Deputy governor of Ogun State, Prince Segun Adesegun; Speaker Ogun State House of Assembly, Suraju Adekunmbi; Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo; Otunba Subomi Balogun, Olori Omooba of Ijebuland; Aremo Olusegun Osoba; Chief Razaq Okoya; Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora; Otunba Gbenga Daniel; Alhaji Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa; Chief Sonny Kuku; Chief Kuforiji Olubi; Tunde Lemo of CBN; Otunba Mike Adenuga Jnr., of Globacom, Oba Otudeko and other captains of industry and foreign diplomats.

Speaking at the event, President Goodluck Jonathan described the Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Dr. Sikiru Kayode Adetona as a big masquerade whose contribution to the country cannot be underrated.

The President, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Brigadier-Gen. John Arogbofa ( retd.) apologised for Jonathan’s absence, attributing it to the present challenges facing the country.

“I bring words of good tidings from Mr President, I know that Mr President promised to be here by himself today to celebrate your 80th birthday, but as you know, and we all know that the nation is facing some challenges today and these are challenges we are all worried about; challenges that concerns everybody and because of that it has not been possible for Mr President to come today because there are visitors from outside the country with whom he has to share some views on how this problem can be resolved. I want to plead with all of us that these are challenges that we are all faced with, they are challenges that all of us should and will gather together to resolve.

From Left: Left, Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Celebrant, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Oba of Lagos, Oba Reliwanu Akinolu, Obi of Onisha, Nnaemeka Achebe, Alake of Egba Land, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo and Olori omoba Ijebu Land, Otunba Subomi Balogun, at the 80th Birthday Party of the Awujale of Ijebuland Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona held at the Otunba Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State on Saturday 10th of May 2014 “Your royal majesty, Mr President has requested that I let you know that you are a big masquerade and he will come to visit you, but today, we, who are the small masquerade, we are here advancing for him to come. He sent me to let you know that he deeply appreciates all you have done for this land and indeed for Yorubaland and even for this nation since you assumed leadership and rulership in our land.

“You have contributed enormously to the development of government during your service as attested by your own son, who is the governor of the State. Peace has been in the land and he says, I should thank you and further request that what you have been doing, you continue to do,” Arogbofa said.

Also Ogun state governor Senator, Ibikunle Amosun who had named the first flyover in Ijebu after monarch, said that is the only way government can commend the unwavering contribution of Awujale to the Ogun state government.

Amosun who commended the monarch said Oba Adetona is a colossus who represent the best and the finest in the traditional institution.

From Left: Former Speaker, House of Reps, Aminu Bello Masari, former Head of state, Gen Muhammadu Buhari and other dignitaries at the event

“Kabiyesi is a one Oba that uses his wealth of experience to help government not to fight the government.

He his someone that represent all offices, He always respect all protocols.

“The Oba has nurture, and continually offer advices to help all the governors and the administrations of the state which can be confirmed from my predecessor because we couldn’t have been able to achieve all what we have achieved without his wealth of experience.” He said.

“The first flyover that we built in Ijebuland, we will name it Oba (Dr.) S K Adetona flyover. I want generations yet unborn, when the history of this State is being written, and when the history of Ijebu State is being told, I am sure the representative of Mr President is here and it will be passed across to him, your name will never be forgotten,” the governor said.

Amosun later urged the monarch to continue guiding the people and government of Ogun state and tell them how it is.

Leading delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP to the event, PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, who described the Awujale as a father, said he was not in Ijebu Ode as the Chairman of PDP, but as a son who has came to felicitate with his father. “Since I knew Kabiyesi, he is and still a respecter of law, who is an epitome of high humility”.

Leading delegates of the All Progressive Party APC, National Leader and former Head of State, General Muhammed Buhari, who arrived with Mallam Nasir El Rufai, Pastor Tunde Bakare and the former Speaker, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari to the party described the monarch as a colossus and an exemplary leader.

Also Former governor of Lagos state and APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu also described the Awujale, as the best monarch in Yorubaland, while extolling his doggedness and truthfulness.

Tinubu who recalled the political travails of Yoruba people during the military era and said even the Awujale

was targeted by the junta.

“Let me go back to the days of trial in the Yorubaland in 1992, 1993, 1994; it was easy for military Junta to kill you or send a local government to remove you. Yes! They did it. They did it to Sultan of Sokoto. They sent a local government to remove him, but you didn’t look at that intimidation, the authority in absolute, you stood with us.

“You are always saying the truth.

You looked at the military giants and authority in the face and you told them what they did was wrong. In the case of June 12 elections, the day of our meeting, I never dreamt I will be governor of Lagos, I was a Senator. We converged, you invited us to a meeting and the military surrounded the palace with soldiers and mighty guns.”

In his remark, the elated monarch thanked everybody who came from far and near to rejoice with him, promising that he will continue with all the good works.

Oba Adetona urged all the political leaders and captains of industries to imbibe tolerance in all their endeavours and try to get to the root of all criticism before reacting as that is the way we can advance in this country.

The Monarch said, all leaders should imbibe the culture for the interest of the nation saying that it is the only way we can develop as a country and move behind the challenges that have been eluding us as a country.

“This is the appeal I have to make to all the government, including the federal and the local government and all levels of government to be tolerance.

“To try to see the substance of any criticism and that is the only way we can advance in this country. If we do it these way, we would never remain the same people that we have been.

“Leaders must be upright, firm in decision making and always carry their people and subject along in everything they do. That is the only way any ruler or leader can succeed.,” he said.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

PAGE 27

Beauty

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

Page 28

TIPS

Compiled by Patrick Andrew

Give your skin the best nourishment Y

our skin needs nourishment.

That’s true and hardly debatable. But deciding on precisely what to eat to nourish and sustain the skin keeping it radiant and attractive has been a subject for academic debate.

However, many agree that one’s eating plan is essential for a healthy skin, fresher skin and a youthful look. Particularly for ladies, an attractive appearance is nonnegotiable. Healthy skin though is not the exclusive desire and preserve of the ladies only, older persons yearn for unblemished skin, beautiful look and commanding presence.

In respect of the latter, true, wealth, fame, authority and socio-economic status, may convey some form of it, but one’s beauty, physical presence gingered by an attractive physique, can hardly be ignored.

Therefore, the foods you consume every day play a significant role in the health of your skin as well as your overall health. That awareness though still does not the difficulty and indeed some say ordeal of choosing foods that are tasty and healthy at the same time.

Here are just a few

Yogurt

examples of foods that you can use comfortably to gain the desired healthy skin and ultimately the beauty that compels sustained interest.

Purple and blue fruits Purple and blue fruits are among the best foods to eat for a great skin. Blueberries, blackberries and plums are all rich in antioxidants, which combat free radical damage. If you don’t know, free radicals come from a poor diet or chemicals in the environment.

Purple and blue fruits can also help keep your skin looking younger longer.

Sunflower seeds Sunflower seeds are high in vitamin E, an important nutrient that helps protect your skin from the daily sun

Purple and blue fruits

damage. Sunflower seeds make a perfect, portable snack to eat on the go. You can also use these wonderful seeds in your oatmeal, salads, cereal, or trail mix. Just make sure you don’t add too much salt to your salads, salt isn’t good for your skin.

Flax seeds Flax seeds are rich in omega-3’s that play a critical role in controlling the appearance of age spots and fine lines. A study shows that consuming flax seeds every day helps relieve skin redness and irritation and helps make skin look fresh and soft.

Add some flax seeds to your oatmeal, smoothies or your favorite muffin recipe.

Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes

I was really happy to learn that sweet potatoes are good for skin. They are high in vitamins A and C, which are both essential for glowing and healthy skin. The thing is, vitamin C increases collagen production that keeps your skin supple and smooth, and vitamin A is a potent antioxidant that fights free radical damage and prevents skin cancer. I think it’s a great reason to add sweet potatoes to your eating plan.

Tomatoes When I did my research, I was surprised to find out that tomatoes are good for skin.

Many people say that eating tomatoes can cause acne. But tomatoes are an excellent source of antioxidants, namely

Sunflower seeds

Tomatoes

lycopene, which helps improve skin health as well as protects pigmentation. Add tomatoes to your salads or put some on a sandwich. When you cook tomatoes, you increase their lycopene content, so feel free to eat pizza sauce and marinara too.

Yogurt One of the best snacks that most of us like is yogurt. Did you know that it’s great for your skin? Yogurt contains protein that keeps your skin firm and that helps fight the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Stay away from fruity versions since they are packed with sugar. Opt instead for plain yogurt and add some fresh fruits to it to make it more delicious.

Compiled by Doyin Ojosipe

Fashion

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

Page 29

Save your joints… go for flats

F

lats are beautiful foot shoes and more convenient for any outing as long as you give it some class and style. They are options with no doubts or regrets for the bride on her day; with many advantages over the heels, the not–so- heel type bride has no fear. Flats gives more balance and confidence,considering the long hours of the feast; they also give more comfort and saves the bride the pain of a sprained or aching ankle

For the fun period, flats are more comfortable and convenient for a long and enjoyable dancing period of time without the fear of tripping off or ending up with a painful feet.

Flats do not tamper with the natural position of the foot or with the muscles which affects the knees and the backFlats could be worn by both old and the vibrant young fashionista as it’s just as beautiful as pumps when selected with style.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

PAGE 30

Pots & Pans

With Doyin Ojosipe

Banga soup (palm nut soup) It is called Ofe-akwu in Igbo language, Obe -eyin in Yoruba, Izuwoamedi in Urhobo, and Izuwoedi in Isoko languages respectively. The mouth watery soup which is a common delicacy in the south-south is not only an appetizer but has nutritional values that affect one’s health positively.

It is a soup that has no cholesterol but lowers the cholesterol level in the body system and it also contains powerful anti-oxidants which helps protects against cancer and heart disease. Banga soup has potassium, magnesium vitamins A, K, E, C; it is also very rich in protein.

Steps to banga soup Ingrdients: Fresh palm nuts Dried fish Stock fish Cray fish Meat Pepper Onion Afang or ugwu vegetable Atariko seed Salt and water.

Method: 1. Boil the palm nuts; 2. Pound until the nuts are separated from the chaff; 3. Pour in a bowl and add hot water, stir and sieve out the chaff to get the fresh palm oil 4. Boil the meat and stock fish adding onion, magi cube, salt, atariko seed,thyme and dried pepper, wash the dried fish with hot water to get rid of sand and possible worms 5. Wash and pound the afang(okazi) vegetables 6. boil the extracted palm oil until it begins to thicken, then add the boiled meat and stock fish(take caution while adding salt at this point) 7. Add the dried fish and crayfish and allow to boil for some minutes

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

PAGE 31

Relationship

Would you succumb on a first date?

By Doyin Ojosipe

W

ell, it’s your first date. That’s special.

First impression matters and in some cases set the tune for the relationship, subsequently.

Like the dawn predicting the day, first date for both sexes to some reasonable extend also means quite a lot. Your date sees you in a closer contact, is better able to access your personality, your perception, your romantic outlook and even your concept of life and its concomitant dispositions.

But first date is also a time of trial. It tests your grit feelings or loose demeanor.

That is where your integrity or lack of it in respect of morale: precepts and that inner rapprochement come to the fore.

So, will you give in to his or her demand for sex on the first date? Many say, it really doesn’t matter especially should the relationship has the prospect to blossom. And yet, not a few are caught up by the depressing changing times where such acts of moral turpitude are the signature tune of today’s unconscionable world.

No, it’s not about preachment, but a purely moral issue, something to do with our individual consciences and moral perception.

It may also borders on some integrity, moral savvy and social precepts as well as society’s leaning towards religion and spirituality. May be, just be, we can do less with religiosity because secularism allows for shift here and there.

Nevertheless, no pretense about this: we are all inclined to one faith or the other none of which allows free rein for moral turpitude.

Now, ponder over these comments and make your deductions.

There’s really no big deal having sex on the first date says a couple of youths, who when asked say indulging in the forbidden act is solely both partners’ decision either to engage or to wait. Some hinged their position on such conditions as ‘If the feelings cannot be controlled, it could be consummated early as agreed by the partners’ Notably, were some ladies whose views as divergent as were the colours of the lipsticks they wore. Before venturing into this let’s juggle a little with this thought. “The real game begins when a man approaches you, he has a plan.

And the main plan is to sleep with you, or to find out what it takes to sleep with you.” says Steve Harvey; the author of ‘Act like a lady, Think like a man’.

In this wise, ladies have got to be most careful on a date

with their catch. Moreover, it has been discovered that time and trends do not change men’s assumption that the easy cookie to get is actually the cheapest. To some, sex is not just sacred but only for the married and should not be

engaged in whether on a first date or last date. They said such act outside marriage would not only ruin the relationship but also cause much of mistrust, heartache and even prolong hatred between the partners.

Whatever the opinion of

that dude or lady, the truth remains that decent men would not stop assuming the easy cookies are cheap and ladies will not feeling used if at the end, things do not turn out the way they had wished.

Oluchi- I don’t think there should be any sex on the first date because if you are talking about dating, you are supposed to be together for a long while so and having everything done on the first

day; I don’t think there’s anything left except for the guy that just wants to play.

Sex on the first date is a no cause such guys just wants your cookies.

Adams Adedotun- In the African setting it is not acceptable but when you follow the global trend, its acceptable, yeah, there is

nothing wrong with that.

What is paramount is love, it’s based on the mindset, with love the relationship could still be sustained.

Elizabeth Sati- I don’t think sex on the first date is anything a serious person should want to consider because if a man truly loves you, the first date is not for him to think about sex at all but for him to know who you are and find out if he really wants you as a friend and to go out on another date. For a lady, except if you just went out with him because you want to have sex. A date is a word that that says ‘I want to get to know you better.

Adelekan Adesiun- Sex on first date? My take is it should not happen. It says a lot about self-control of the couple involved. There is no need putting blame on any of the gender over this issue as either could initiate the process. The first date should givethe couple that opportunity to relate; familiarize better and talk. Sex on first date

does happen but many live long after many years regretting it.Some feel used after the experience but whose fault? Sex is a very delicate matter so it has to be handled with utmost caution, respect and understanding. It’s just like entrusting a new vehicle to a learner on his driving class to embark on a long journey.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

PAGE 32

Fiction

Trapped in the final exams racket

D

o you know what it is to be as broke as a bankrupt broker, as penniless as a penny without a partner? Do you know what it is to be devoid of a single dime twenty-four hours before your examinations?

That was my condition that Sunday evening when temptation visited me in my miserable shack, which I miscalled a room. I had spent my last twenty naira on a loaf of bread and was wondering where I could get money for a cab to my uncle’s place in the next town. Uncle Chigere was the only one who gave a damn whether I lived or died since a ganja-crazed Okada sent my parents to the land of No return some nine months ago.

Temptation knocked on the door.

Once, twice.

“Come in,” I replied, studiously ignoring the invisible drummers pounding in my skull. The bread had been eaten at lunch time yesterday.

Italian perfume hit my nose as she entered. She wore an expensive pair of skin-tight black jeans that accentuated her curves and sent my starved imagination rumbling. The black transparent top she wore exposed her shoulders and uppers. Her eyes were hidden from the world by a fashionable pair of sunshades. The lipstick and nail polish she wore was a brilliant blood red.

I gulped.

“Hi, Ezeakwukwo.”

That nickname had virtually cancelled out my real name, Ezenwa, among my course mates and other members of the Department of Political Science at Agora State University.

Funnily, being called the king of the book did not make me swollen-headed, even though, now in the final semester of our third year, only a direct intervention could stop me from graduating with a first class – something which had not happened in the Department since Agora was established twenty-five years ago.

“Hi, Tina. What brings you to my palace?” My feeble attempts at humour did not hide my feelings. Though Tina was my course mate, I was not in the class of people she visited all dressed up like a high-street babe out for a wild night on Allen Avenue. My mind began to draw pictures I’d rather not describe on paper.

Tina smiled. She knew the effect she was having on me. This was a girl who knew men, manipulated men and gave men what they all cherished, despite the hypocrisy of quite a few. Unconfirmed rumours included the State governor, two army generals, and a former deputy speaker of the national House of Representatives in her list of bed warmers.

“Won’t you offer me a seat?”

“Sorry. Do sit down.”

Tina relaxed in one of the two old plastic chairs and crossed her legs with cat-like grace, erotic without being blatant. It took me every ounce of will to meet her deep eyes. The message in them was not the type for a hungry man.

“Ezeakwukwo,” she began in a low

“

Bells began to ring in my head. That could only mean one thing. Tina belonged to the group we tagged ‘non-academic students’ at Agora, the sort who were too caught up in other sides of life to have time for the rather drab and dreary business of studying.

voice, “I need your help and I’ll make it worth your while.” ells began to ring in my head. That could only mean one thing. Tina belonged to the group we tagged ‘non-academic students’ at Agora, the sort who were too caught up in other sides of life to have time for the rather drab and dreary business of studying.

Amazingly, most of the ‘nonacademic students’ got A’s and B’s in all their courses at the end of each semester.

They had their little ways, and woe betide anyone who belonged to the group who did not know these survival skills. But Tina was not one of them. The only daughter of a billionaire who had been repeatedly returned to the Senate by his constituency – don’t ask me how – since the last civilian comic opera, she was a mistress of the arts and sciences that comprised the package of survival skills at Agora.

B

“What is it?”

She replied calmly, “SAS 344. I don’t have any hope of passing it.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Don’t pretend to be naïve, Ezeakwukwo.” Her smile radiated affection. “You know Professor Eguero is a sadist. Those theories he mouths!

Maybe he thinks he’s still at Harvard!

This is Nigeria, and the Nigerian way is different.”

“Did you buy his book?” he shrugged. “More than that. I launched it for him with a cheque of five thousand dollars.” She threw up her hands in an unconscious move of infinite gracefulness. “You know what?

The crazy man returned the cheque in an envelope thanking me but regretting he could not accept. Na wa oh!”

I sighed silently. I knew what she was going to ask me. You don’t spend three years at Agora without knowing

S

about these things.

“So?” She stared into my eyes with a disconcerting directness.

“Strategic Studies 344 is on Thursday. I have an authentic copy of Professor Eguero’s question paper. Just answer the questions for me and you get whatever you want. Anything at all.” Her voice had a meaningful inflection. The girl was no fool. She knew that I had been infatuated with her since our freshman year. Don’t get me wrong: it had nothing to do with her money or glamour. Tina was an astonishing beauty. The sleek grace with which she alighted from her Japanese sports car would have put Omotola and Genevieve Nnaji to shame.

But I had sheathed my lust; Tina was a bomb, which would cause too much damage if it exploded on the head of any sucker. Especially, if the sucker owned only three pairs of second-hand jeans and could not cough out two thousand five hundred naira without assistance.

So I kept well out of her way. Only the gods knew how she had spotted my feelings. I could only imagine how she had gained access to Professor Eguero’s question paper without his knowledge.

These ‘non academic students’ could go to very unorthodox lengths in their bid to survive. ut only a madman or a child plays with fire, and I was neither.

How could I do this, something I had never approved of? Suppose it backfired? If I was not expelled my firstclass would definitely be thrown out of the window.

Tina smiled reassuringly. “Nothing will happen. Arrangements have been made. All you have to do is answer the questions.”

My stomach growled at that moment, reminding me of my

B

precarious situation.

“Who’s in charge of the arrangements?”

“You wouldn’t want to know.”

I frowned. “If I am going to stake my future for you then I’ve a right to know who controls the gambling table.”

There was no humour in her smile.

“Honestly you wouldn’t want to know, Ezeakwukwo.”

I shook my head. “Forget it, then.”

Tina saw that I was not kidding.

She did not hesitate. Quietly she spoke.

“Ricco.” nearly fell off my seat. Ricco was the Capone of the deadliest cult on campus! The Black Vultures.

God help you if the BVDs (as they called themselves) came after you. It was only a matter of time before you found yourself in a coffin. Nobody knew Ricco’s identity even in a small university like Agora. The BVDs were rumoured to be connected to some of the country’s heavyweights.

“Ricco?”

Tina’s eyes were reassuring. “No harm will befall you. You have no links with Ricco. He is just in charge of getting the exam and answer papers to the right places. Your job’s to answer the questions.”

And if I refuse? I asked myself. Fear struggled with hunger in my stomach.

There was no end to this racket if I accepted. I had always kept a low profile on campus, sufficiently chastened by my poor background. But my academic reputation preceded me. Besides this damned stuff was a complete negation of all my parents had pumped into my head for the last twenty-four years.

I

Sentinelnigeria.org

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

PAGE 33

Romance

He got her pregnant and ran off with her

O

ne Friday at a super market, I saw Bolu. I noticed there was another person next to him. When the person he was with turned around, my heart dropped; she was heavy with child. My guess was that she was already about six months gone. She had to be already pregnant while I was still married to Bolu. It was the same woman he brought along with him to court. So Bolu is now planning a new family, what about the one he left behind? I felt like screaming from all the rage inside of me. They saw me and just kept walking as if I was a stranger.

Bolu did not even give me a second glance.

I had finally had enough!

When I got home after the incident with mike, my mother rushed towards me crying. She was panting, and pacing around our living room as if there was fire on the mountain.

I kept asking her, “Mama, what’s wrong?” she was so shaken she could not even form words with her mouth. All I remembered her saying before I fainted was “Dare!”

When she managed to revive me, I instantly got up. With both hands on my head I asked her “What happened to Dare my son?” when she broke the news to me, I almost fainted again. She said his teacher called her that they rushed Dare to the hospital; it was a car accident. In my now spinning head, I was crying “No! No! No! No! This cannot be happening now.” I quickly grabbed my car keys and ran out the door.

As soon as I got to the hospital, I saw the doctor in the reception area.

He managed to calm me down, and told me that although Dare might have lost a lot of blood, they were able to save him. Immediately, my now wondering eyes drifted to the lady standing next to the doctor. I rushed to her side and grabbed a hold on the woman who I knew to be dare’s teacher. I started yelling, and raining curses on the poor lady. “What happened to my son?

What have you done! I am going to sue you, and your school!” I kept on ranting. The nurses there were telling me, “Madam calm down, just be glad your son is okay. There is no cause for all this.” Their effort at calming me down was worthless.

They did not understand that this just wasn’t about my son. This was the only way I have been able to finally let all my frustrations out, it just so happened that this lady was the victim. When my mom finally came to my side, she said Dare had woken up, and was asking to see me.

Then I came back to my senses, and let go of the lady.

After I settled next to where Dare was laying on the hospital bed, I asked him to tell me what happened. He said, “Mommy, I thought it was daddy that was outside the gate, so I ran out to tell him mummy keeps crying at night, so he can come back home.” he said to me crying, and in the process he got ran over by a car. I just sat there with no

words to say.

Few days after Dare was discharged from the hospital. I decided to call Bolu, to inform him of what had happened to his son. A lady picked up, I initially thought it was his new girl, and I was right. As soon as she heard my name, her voice changed. She said, “My husband is not home. Is there something we can help you with?” I thought to myself, “Under how many months, the babe is already claiming Bolu as “Husband”.” Then I said to her, “Well if you don’t mind, tell him his son almost died, and if that is not enough to knock him back to his senses, I don’t know what will.” he attacked, saying “What son?

The only child my Bolu has or will have, is the one I am planning on giving him.”

So I asked “Come oh, do you

S

“

know who you are talking to?”

She jumped on me like an angry lion, “And so? Who are you? Ehn tell me. Are you the first lady in Nigeria to get divorced? You won’t let me and my husband rest all because he managed to get you pregnant, and was then forced to stay because of the baby.”

She went on saying “Now the child we are talking about is no longer a baby, so what’s there to make him stay? Why can’t you just understand that? The guy has washed his hands from your matter; he’s tired!!” sat there with my mouth opened, and no words of response were coming out. She just kept on talking, and talking, and talking as if she knew everything about what was going on, and I was the one in the dark. Since Bolu’s new wife would

I

She jumped on me like an angry lion, “And so? Who are you? Ehn tell me. Are you the first lady in Nigeria to get divorced? You won’t let me and my husband rest all because he managed to get you pregnant, and was then forced to stay because of the baby.”

not let me speak to him, I decided to go to his office.

When I got there, his employees were whispering as soon as they saw me walk in. Some were saying, “Oga don leave her. Eya, what is she going to do now.” Some pitied me, and some laughed at my face. I guess the news that I was no longer their madam had gotten to them already.

When they finally agreed to let me see their Oga, I walked into his office with all the courage I had left in me.

The first thing he said was who allowed me in. I did not come here to argue with him but I think I am going to have to do just that! began, “Your son Dare, do you still remember him?” I asked, walking closer to where he was sitting. He just kept looking at me with his “And-so-what” face. I continued, not letting anything shake me. I had to do this for my son.

“He almost died!” I could not hold myself together anymore. I felt the hot tears that I have kept away for so long start to cascade down my face. “Bolu, our son!” I yelled at him, slamming my purse on his desk. I wanted him to remember something, so I held his face close to mine. He said to me, “What sort of insanity is this? Have you lost your mind?”

“Oh yes Bolu, I have lost it.” I said “I lost it the day you decided to walk out on us. The day you decided to walk out on our family! The day you decided to walk out on our love.

The day you decided to walk out on me! Me! Bolu!”

I carried on, “Our son who is

I

innocent in all this, is the one left to suffer; are you happy? I asked him.

He started warning me to lower my voice, that if I don’t calm down he would send me out.

“This is not the right place for all this. For Christ sake! My workers are all listening.” He said.

“Let them listen Bolu, let them hear me. Let them know the kind of person you really are.” “Your true colors are coming out now abi? But why now after all we shared!”

He raised his hand up, almost as if he was going to hit me. But as fast as he raised it up, he quickly dropped the hand. I could see he was boiling with anger, and I was ready for anything that would happen next. or the first time in months, Bolu looked at my face. The face he knew very well right from our teen days. I could see in his eyes that something was still there.

He looked at me as if his eyes were clearer now. It was the same look he gave me on the day we first met; it was the same look he gave me on our wedding day, but this time it was clouded with something else; pride.

“Maybe it would be best if I give you a call later.” He said to me, as he tried to hold my hands. I told him I had already tried that but his wife would not let me speak to him.

At the end of the day, I realized I just succeeded in making my wounds deeper.

F

Naijastories.com

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

PAGE 34

Nollywood

N

igerian actress, Angela Okorie was in a mess after she was accused of stealing $3,200 in South Africa from a guy named Prosper. She was also accused of sleeping with the same guy, after she posted a picture of herself and her husband. It was speculated that her marriage may be sitting on the edge of the knife due to the scandals.

Her husband, ChukwumaOrizu, said that their marriage is “intact”. He defended his wife, asserting that Angela is innocent and that he knows her better than anyone else.

G

lobalcomLimited has engaged the services of some Nigerian comic actors in its new campaign.

Information available confirms that the telecoms company has contracted Funky Mallam, John Okafor aka MrIbu, Sunday Omobolanle aka Pappy Luwe and Sammie Okposo for its ‘Glo Borrow Me Credit’ commercials.

Sources revealed that the deal is worth millions of Naira and it is a one-off thing for the acts, except Sammie Okposo, who is presently an ambassador of the glo brand.

C

hief Elizabeth NonyeMojekwu,has said that her sonBosco, while growing up, could dance to the sound of an airplane.

According to Mojekwu, noticed thetalent in her son at three months, but did not ascertain its magnitude.

She added that there was something special about him when it comes to dancing and singing. “Then, when an aeroplane passes, while in the sitting room relaxing, he (OzzyBosco) would start dancing to the sound of the airplane. If you dropped something on the floor, he would begin to follow the sound pattern of the object.

We noticed the ‘swag.’”

OzzyBosco has featured the likes of

Terry G, Lambogini, Olamide, Flavour Nabania, M.I, Tee Mac and Midnight Crew.

The wonder kid has won 16 awards so far, and recently, he was given a chieftancy title called ‘Omenawata Igbo.’

OzzyBosco, at seven, has done 128 properly recorded awesome stage performances; and this does not include all the minor entertainment events he has done for friends and schoolmates on their birthdays. As a result of this, the kid singer is on the verge of putting his name in the Guinness Book of World Records as a child who is a part-time entertainer, and has done 12 performances in two years and four months.

According him it is just a rumour that people want to tarnish his wife’s image, stressing that he is very sure that Angela didn’t do,what she was accused of.

He also stated that several people have been calling him, saying all sorts of things to him and that he told them that he knows his wife very well. He also pointed out that he knows that all they want is to break their marriage.

He maintained that his marriage is very much intact and that he can’t chase his wife away because of a mere rumour from people who don’t know her more than him.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

J

ay Z and Beyonce proved they were unfazed by the media firestorm surroundingSolange Knowles’ reported attack at the Met Gala after party last week by putting on a very public united front at the Brooklyn Nets game.

The power couple had prominent courtside seats at the NBA playoffs matchup between the Nets and the Miami Heat, where they were spotted laughing and smiling, and even exchanging a few words with Heat starLeBron James as he waited on the court for a Nets player to shoot free throws.

The outing came in the wake of video release, showing Beyonce’s younger sister physically attacking Jay Z in an elevator at the Standard Hotel in New York, following the Met Gala.

The surveillance video obtained by

Hollywood

TMZ showed the woman believed to be Solange entering the elevator and immediately confronting the man believed to be Jay Z when he strolled in behind her.

After a few seconds, Solange begins shoving Jay Z, and when she was restrained by another man, believed to be a bodyguard, she tried kicking the rapper.

The man believed to be Jay Z said something back at her, but did not attempt to retaliate physically. The woman believed to be Beyonce was standing next to Jay Z and did not get involved in the altercation.

According to eye witnesses, Beyonce and Solange left the event in one SUV, while Jay Z departed in another. Reps for Jay Z and Solange did not immediately respond to Billboard’s request for comment.

ABC fall schedule: ShondaRhimes rules Thursday, ‘Black-Ish’ gets ‘Modern family’

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PAGE 35

BC is tweaking its efforts to climb out of fourth place, and ShondaRhimes is a big part of it. The showrunner, who just inked a new overall deal, is getting three-drama block on Thursday night’s in the network’s most ambitious move of the fall 2014-15 seasons.

After three stellar seasons at 10 p.m., Scandal is moving to an hour earlier in an effort to launch new Rhimes’ drama ‘How to Get Away With Murder’.

That means that veteran Grey’s Anatomy, still one of ABC’s most dependable series after 10 seasons, is moving to the troubled 8 p.m. slot. ABC has not been able to launch a show there since the heydays of ‘Ugly Betty’.

Though ABC does have its share of problems, it’s mostly staying the course with this schedule.

New series are filling vacant slots, with few shifts, though Tuesday is getting a significant tweak in comedy’s move to 8 p.m. It’s a big gamble having half-hours open the night -- newcomers Selfie and Manhattan Love Story get that exceptional chal-

lenge -- but it makes sense for the sophomore run of Agents of SHIELD. ABC recently experimented with airing the solid-ish Marvel drama at 9 p.m. to good results.

That should give a big assist to ’Foreve’r. Aside from the previously mentioned Thursday hour, 10 p.m. on Tuesday has been ABC’s most difficult. And a drama lead-in makes much more sense the last three years of comedies.

“Our schedule reflects a judicious mix of boldness and stability,” said ABC Entertainment Group president Paul Lee, who just reupped with Disney. “ABC is finishing the season with momentum -- we now have building blocks on every night of the week, and we’re using them to launch our new series. This season we set out to develop passion projects from worldclass storytellers and showcase the faces and voices of America. Both plans unleashed a wave of creativity and we’re extremely excited about the new slate.”

ShondaRhimes inks new overall deal with ABC studios

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he prolific producer has inked a new four-year overall deal to remain with the studio through May 2018, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

Rhimes and producing partner Betsy Beers’ Shondaland banner is behind the networks two most valuable series veteran Grey’s Anatomy and red-hot drama Scandal. Both were renewed last week for their 11th and fourth seasons, respectively.

They will be joined by upcoming drama How to Get Away with Murder, written by Grey’s scribe Peter Nowalk with Rhimes and Beers on board to produce.

The drama, starring Viola Davis, ranks as one of the most highly anticipated new series for the 2014-15 seasons and was considered a front-runner for a series pickup throughout pilot season. This will mark the third time in Rhimes’ career that she has had three shows on ABC’s schedule. Her credits include Kate Walsh’s Private Practice and Hawaii-set medical drama Off the Map, from writer/ EP Jenna Bans.

Scandal, the fast-paced Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn starrer inspired by the life of fixer Judy Smith, achieved mega-hit status in its third season.

Regularly topping lead-in Grey’s Anatomy and averaging a 3.0 among adults 18-49, growing to a 4.6 when seven days of DVR viewing is added.

Among total viewers, Scandal’s 9 million weekly average grows to nearly 13 million when adding seven days of DVR for its third season, which was trimmed to 18 episodes to accommodate Emmy nominee Washington’s pregnancy.

PAGE 36

Kannywood

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

Ali Nuhu

Dan Ibro

Nafisa Abdullahi

Kannywood alleges Exclusion In FG’s Entertainment Intervention Funds From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

T

he Hausa Filmmakers Industry, (Kannywood) has alleged exclusion in the N3 billion federal government entertainment intervention funds.

A statement issued in Kano and jointly signed by the Chairman Arewa Film Makers Association (AFMAN), Malam Isma’il Na’abbah Afakallah and Hamisu Lamido iyantama, said the Hausa filmmakers having fulfilled all the requirements, were not included in the federal government intervention fund of Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) and Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS) for film production and also in the FG’s Project Act Nollywood.

The statement also said “Kannywod film industry which constituted about 33% of Nigeria’s film industry has been marginalized in the FG’s recent efforts to empower practitioners in the burgeoning film industry.”

It further added that as Nigerians the industry

demands its rightful 33% share of the intervention grants.

“We demand that we should be given our rightful quota of 33% of the N3billion FG’s intervention and also demands that if there is any, the names of Kannywood practitioners who have either been trained abroad or have received the DG’s grants be published in the national dailies.,” said the statement.

The statement also called on all stakeholders saddled with the responsibilities of assisting the industry in accessing these funds to rise up to the expectation and do what is expected of them.

“We categorically wish to call on the chairman, Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Sure-p and the Senate Committee on finance to know that the interest of their constituents (Arewa Film Makers) is at stake; as we are yet to benefit from FG’s intervention in the film industry. Even though many of us have successfully fulfilled the conditions for accessing such funds,” The statement concluded.

Sani Danja

Saratu Gidado

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

Page 37

Entertainment Flakes

Cannes: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Gwyneth Paltrow set for ‘Secret in their eyes’

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hiwetel Ejiofor and Gwyneth Paltrow are set to star in ‘The Secret in Their Eyes’ for director-writer Billy Ray and IM Global.

The long-gestating crime thriller, a remake of the Oscarwinning film ‘El Secreto De Sus Ojos’, was previously set up at Warner Bros. Stuart Ford’s IM Global has breathed new life into the movie by coming aboard to produce and finance, and will shop the project to foreign buyers the Cannes Film Market.

Mark Johnson is producing ‘Secret in Their Eyes’, a revenge tale about a former MI-5 agent Ray (Ejiofor) who is obsessed with an unsolved murder. He went to work for the FBI in Boston, but as he inched closer to solving the crime, he uncovered a shocking truth that will shed a terrifying new light on past events. Ray wrote the adapted screenplay.

“Billy has written a wonderfully intelligent, twisting screenplay and we’re lucky enough to have attached two

Ebuka ObiUchendu blasts ex-beauty queen

C

hukwuebuka Obi-Uchendu has slammed a former beauty queen in Nigeria. Ebuka, expressed his frustration at the way an undisclosed ex-beauty queen has found an intense love for plastic surgery.

“I almost feel like we need a national hashtag to help beg that our former beauty queen to stop nipping and tucking her face.” Ebuka, who got shot into limelight eight years ago at the ‘Big Brother Nigeria’ reality show posted on his twitter page.

world class acting talents at the top of their game. We’re confident of bringing further great cast onboard as we move towards production,” Ford said.

Added Johnson: “The thought of combining the originality of the original film with the talent of Billy Ray and the support off IM Global is irresistible.”

IM Global boasted one of this year’s strongest Cannes slate in terms of new projects. It will be selling Gravity screenwriter Jonas Cuaron’s thriller Forsaken, starring Gael Garcia Bernal; Atom Egoyan’sRemember, starring Christopher Plummer and Martin Landau; and EranCreevy’sAutobahn, starring Nicholas Hoult, Felicity Jones, Anthony Hopkins and Ben Kingsley.

The deals with Ejiofor and Paltrow were negotiated by Ford and Matt Jackson, IM Global’s president of production. They’ll serve as executive producers alongside Juan Jose Campanella, director of the original Argentinian film.

China Box Office: ‘The amazing Spider-Man 2’ dominates with $56m

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espite an awkward opening date designed to give local films an advantage, the Marvel sequel has made a muscular showing in the world’s second largest movie market.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 has captured the world’s second largest film market in its web, taking $46.45 million in its first full week in China for a local cumulative total of $56.38 million from 245,422 screenings and 7.4 million admissions.

Spider-Man’s profile was high in the country after Andrew Garfield, Jamie Foxx and Emma Stone visited Beijing to promote the movie last month, but its screening slot had been expected to work against it, as it was debuted after an unofficial blackout period on screening imported movies, used by Chinese regulators to give local films a better chance of success.

It also came out after a local holiday period, when schools were already back in session and people had returned to work.

But Spider knocked homegrown Chinese romantic comedy My Old Classmate into second place nonetheless.

Overseas sales have been kind to the Sony sequel. Last weekend the foreign total was $403 million, and the global haul was $550.9 million.

Directed by FrantGuo, top local contender My Old Classmate stars Zhou Dongyuand Lin Gengxinas university classmates who fall in love but then drift apart.

During the week it took $11.71 million for a total of $64.36 million, and it had 130,633 screenings and 2.19 million admissions in the week to May 11, according to data from research group Entgroup.

‘Living In bondage’ star, Ngozi Nwaneto makes stylish comeback to movie scene

P

layful and jovial Nollywood star, Chief (Mrs) NgoziNwaneto- Amarikwa, who played the mischievous role of Carol in ‘Living in bondage’ was among the many Nollywood stakeholders present at the movie premiere of ‘Mama Africa’ that took place recently in Lagos.

The Nigerian actress dazzled on the red carpet of the event in a floor length floral print velvet dress, styled with a golden purse with minimal makeup and red pout. She also flaunted a bead on her wrist which she said is significance to her title as the ‘onunaekwuruoha’ of Umueze –Amaimo and the ‘Ada Ikeduru’ of Imo State.

In a chat with Nigeriafilms.com, the outspoken Nollywood thespian, who still sounds very young at heart, described her fashion style saying, “I don’t like to expose my cleavages, I am a ‘Mama’, irrespective of that , from the onset I never liked it and even the bible condemns it totally.

“I wouldn’t want anyone to condemn me; nevertheless, I make my clothes based on how it suits me and my style”.

Ngozi, who is blessed with a 14years old child and a lovely husband, has shot for herself a new movie titled ‘Power of the Cross’ which is based on the Catholic faith which centres on both children and women.

When asked if it has been premiered yet, she replied “Not yet, and the reason is because it is a Catholic movie, and I need to take permission first from the Bishop”.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

Page 38

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L etters

Soldiers’ mutiny and the issues begging for solutions WRITE TO US

By Doyin Ojosipe

W

hen the Governor of Borno State, Governor Kashim Shettima declared that Boko Haram is better armed and motivated than the Nigerian Military, so many people did not take him seriously. In fact, the top military officials and presidency denied the claim saying “we state categorically that the Nigerian Military is one of the best equipped in Africa and that in 2014, the Federal Government made budgetary provision in excess of N1 trillion for the military and other security agencies, an amount which is about 22 per cent of our entire national budget for this year….” These were the words of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe on behalf of the presidency.

But over time, the intractable battle has proved the words of Governor Shettima as the military was not spared in the ferocious attacks by the Boko Haram insurgents who fearlessly engaged the Nigerian Military in a fight that claimed lives and properties, including another attack the insurgents launched on the Giwa barracks.

Seriously speaking, the authorities must look into the issues of motivation and morale of the soldiers to address all grievances that could be impediments to their loyalty.

There are also issues that need urgent attention, especially concerning the wellbeing of the rank and file who always go on that battle with all the

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 exposure to risk and danger.

Issues of military politics, the ‘small boys’ welfare and corruption and the claim that the Nigerian Military were not doing well enough must be looked into with a view to reposition the armed

“

forces for effective service delivery.

Conversely, Nigerians have not also been too grateful to the military, either, considering the fact that many of them have sacrificed their lives, many have been killed, many displaced, and many

Issues of military politics, the ‘small boys’ welfare and corruption and the claim that the Nigerian Military were not doing well enough must be looked into with a view to reposition the armed forces for effective service delivery.

lost their loved ones. I believe the military have been doing their best to defend the defenseless despite the challenging environment under which they operate. A part of the Nigerian populace has refused to see and share in the plight of these soldiers who have also become the insurgent’s target while being killed almost on daily basis too. Many wives of the soldiers have been made widows prematurely.

Now the reality has come to play as the news making headlines on soldiers’ mutiny in Borno flood the media. ‘The Small boys’ are obviously tired of being pushed in the Sambisa Forest without proper motivation and equipment to fight the dreaded gunmen. Let it be said here that the soldiers are also human; the sight of their dead friends did not only infuriate them, but the fact that they were less cared for, less motivated, yet on a no-going-back duty to defend the nation with their lives might have been the cause of their resistance.

Thank God this action has drawn the attention of many to these loopholes and the appeal to the Federal Government now is to look into the matter as quickly as possible, in order to stop offering up the Nigerian Army as sacrificial lambs on the altar of national service.

The issue of corruption in the military should not only be tackled but every one found guilty should be brought to book.

Ojosipe wrote in from Abuja

PAGE 39

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

Opinion

Nigerians right to be wary of U.S. intentions

By Tolu Ogunlesi

T

he Nigerian government is up against a wall. The inability to locate the more than 200 school girls abducted a month ago has embarrassed the government and forced President Goodluck Jonathan to appeal for foreign help as Nigeria’s five-year struggle with terrorist group Boko Haram escalates.

It does seem that Nigerians are caught in the difficult position of having to welcome the help and be deeply wary of it. On the one hand we know, from the evident helplessness of our government, that we’re at the point where we cannot make any progress without the skills and knowledge and technology that Western countries will bring to this battle.

On the other hand, there are questions (running the gamut of conspiracy theory to reasonable concern) about America’s motivations, and its track record.

“I have my reservations,” says Debo Bashorun, a retired Nigerian army major who served as press secretary to military president Ibrahim Babangida in the late 1980s, and is now a vocal critic of the Nigerian military. “[Now] this is a good time [for the Americans] to do what they’ve always wanted to do,” Bashorun says.

He’s referring to the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), run by the U.S. Department of Defense, and established by President George W. Bush in 2007. From early on African leaders opposed attempts to

site AFRICOM’s headquarters in Africa.

On his first official trip to Washington as president in December 2007, on the invitation of President Bush, Nigeria’s President Yar’Adua made comments that were interpreted back home to mean that Nigeria was acceding to America’s AFRICOMin-Africa push.

Outrage in Nigeria compelled the president to declare that he “did not agree that AFRICOM should be based in Africa.”

“What we discussed with [President] Bush is that if they have something to do for Africa that has to do with peace and security, they should contribute. I told him that we African countries have our own plan to establish a joint military command in every sub-region ...” he said.

Segun Adeniyi, Yar’Adua’s spokesperson, says those comments displeased America. “[By] openly repudiating the idea of AFRICOM, Nigeria’s relationship with the U.S. on Yar’Adua’s watch had started on a very bad note. It was a relationship that would remain at a less-than-inspiring note throughout his tenure,” Adeniyi writes in his book, “Power, Politics and Death,” an account of the Yar’Adua administration.

Nigerians are right to be wary of America’s military intentions, with the cautionary tales of countries like Iraq and Pakistan.

“This is a transactional relationship; there’s nothing strategic about it,” said Ehsan ul-Haq, retired Pakistani general and one-

time head of the country’s Intelligence Agency ISI, of U.S.-Pakistani military relations, at a reporting seminar for journalists which I attended in London in 2011.

He added that the cumulative value of U.S. military assistance to Pakistan ($20 billion at that time, he said) paled into insignificance compared to Pakistan’s losses from the war on terror --- which he put at not less than $68 billion.

Bashorun echoes those views. “America will not do it out of honest intentions,” he told me. “It’s a matter of giving you 10 naira and in the long run they will collect 50 naira,” he says.

But he is pragmatic enough to realize that at this point Nigeria has got little choice in the matter. “If we had done what we were supposed to have done, things wouldn’t have turned out like this,” he says.

Then again there’s the strong possibility that suggestions of the United States turning Nigeria into another Iraq or Pakistan are unfounded.

Anonymous Nigerian defense blogger, Beegeagle, points out that Nigeria has long enjoyed significant levels of cooperation with the United States, in terms of receiving donations of hardware and training.

“The difference in this latest American effort is that the U.S are going to collaborate with Nigeria in the field --- an undisguised first,” he wrote in an email message to me.

But even that field work, he says, will not involve “putting [American] soldiers on the

ground to fight alongside Nigerian soldiers.”

That will no doubt be comforting to many observers. But there’s obviously still a lot that needs to be clarified regarding the extent and mode of foreign help Nigeria will be getting. For now the solidarity mounts; at the last count America, Britain, China, Canada, France and Israel had already thrown in offers of assistance.

Nigerians will of course continue to be wary, and quick to bristle at any threats, real or imagined, to Nigeria’s sovereignty.

It doesn’t help that many Nigerians believe, on the strength of pessimistic American assessments of Nigeria’s fate, that its inclinations towards their country are sinister.

And Nigerians have been there before.

Shortly after Independence in October 1960, Nigeria’s Parliament formally approved the terms of a controversial “Anglo-Nigerian Defence Pact,” which the Nigerian public had come to believe would give the departing colonial power the right to set up military bases in Nigeria.

The protests that followed, led by student and labor groups, resulted in the speedy repeal of the agreement by the Federal Government barely a year-and-half later.

Tolu Ogunlesi , a Nigerian journalist who was awarded the Arts and Culture prize in the 2009 CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards contributed this piece on CNN

Taraba: Garba Umar’s un-accidental leadership

By Comrade Mohammed Auwal Jibrin,

T

he emergence of Garba Umar, UTC, as the Acting Governor and leader of the people of Taraba State is not by accident. Eeven his political opponents admit it is divine.

In Africa, historically, leaders outside monarchy are not chosen. They emerge.

Achievers are those who have weathered the storm, fought and emerged victorious in liberating their people.

Since the emergence of UTC, his supporters under various banners which include Uticiya Adalchi Forum and Utician Youth Forum among others have come together under the umbrella of UTCiya Amana Foundation as a formidable strong united support platform. They believe he has shown wisdom, strength and compassion in proper measures exemplified in the way he handled the recent crisis in some communities of southern part of the state despite the blackmail by some religious bodies within the state which attracted the attention of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) led

by Governor Jonah Jang leadership. Jang had condemned and falsified the allegation against the governor in its totality.

UTCIYA Amana Foundation led by Alh. Sa’adu Sintali Global and Comrade Junadu Yaweh last year made history, when a heroic welcome was organized for UTC to drum support for the continuation of his transformation agenda in Taraba state.

The forum has positioned its executive members from the state down to the ward to determine the new dimension of politics in the state, and to uphold the virtues that have made the emergence of the foundation a necessity.

The emergence of this foundation was actually warranted by the relevance

accorded to the giant stride of the founders who are mostly philanthropists and would never be forgotten. The argument or point being made by most Taraba people and other analysts about the political future of the state is within this new driving force of the UTCIYA Amana Foundation and its influence.

The combination of mistrust about what other contenders want to offer to the electorate in the next general election is seen as not as an obstacle on their journey so far, according to many of the foundation members. For Garba Umar to clinch the number one seat of power in the Taraba state government house, activities embarked upon by this group have become the cynosure of all eyes across the state, particularly in the places of worship, markets, parks, schools, government offices within the urban and rural areas.

And in 2014, Taraba state would clock 23 years since its creation. Already,

“

the narrators of history and assessors of current happenings have in their respective ways, begun to bring out the tremendous achievement of UTCIYA across the state which attracted the emotions of prominent politicians to be active in the promotion of the most suitable and best candidate for the state in 2015.

It is said that dreams do come true.

However, one must ask what audacity UTCIYA had to dream about Garba Umar who remains the best among others to lead his people since in the 14 years of our democracy in Taraba, no man has done this more expertly, consistently and with diligence than Garba Umar. The UTCIYA believes that Umar is no ordinary man. He was born with the foresight and visionary leadership never before seen. His desire for progress consumes him so much and gingers the foundation’s preparedness and willingness to sacrifice anything to see this dream come true. Unlike other

It is said that dreams do come true.

However, one must ask what audacity UTCIYA had to dream about Garba Umar who remains the best among others to lead his people since in the 14 years of our democracy in Taraba, no man has done this more expertly, consistently and with diligence than Garba Umar.

political groups, the forum’s actions seem to aggregate their activities with the word and performance of the man.

When he says “I will do it” his friends and associates know it is as good as done.

Such is the character that makes him the rallying point of men and women who are progressive.

In continuation of the efforts of UTCIYA Amana Foundation to canvass for support from the entire electorate to the most influential politician in the state, Garba Umar, they continue to stress the importance of vibrant advocacy via media, personal contact to individual and groups, youths and students, women organization, bureaucrats, business moguls, charity organizations and civil society within the urban and rural areas across the state.

They have also registered their sympathy to the victims of the crisis in the southern part of the state at the Jalingo Specialist Hospital with various offers as their assistance to aid the hardship faced by these victims.

It is not a big surprise when Taraba people realized that the foundation did not received a kobo from the acting governor since it existence but sources for it funding via subscription from members, donations from individuals and other concerned citizens of the state. This is the first of its kind in the history of the state for a political group to operate independently without seeking financial endorsement from the principal actor. Time shall tell on more of the yet to be implemented programmes designed by the UTCIYA..

Comrade Mohammed Auwal Jibrin, Vocational Education Department, 500 Level, Modibbo Adama University of Technology,Yola. auwalnans@yahoo.com

PAGE 40

Side Talk

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

By Jacinta David

This week on side talk, the latest development in the nation’s security sector made the spot light as usual. More so, the events topping the news in football, where people decry waste of funds by the government of the country, hosting the world’s cup made it necessary to write about the issue of poverty as it affects other continents of the world. Yet still, the new development in the power sector seems to suggest that the dividends of privatisation are still far from our reach. And while we trace the story about our number one in the land of recent abduction, the denial by his spokesman reminds one of what the dynamics of the profession can be.

Our states of emergency and the confusion of a nation

N

ow our first story as earlier stated, flows from the ongoing tussle between the various arms of the nation’s leadership for security reasons.

While the world watches with enthusiasm to see how we tackle our security challenges, our interest in personal issues sways our efforts to better the lot of the nation.

A case in point is the raging disagreement between sectors of the country, on the

extension story about the states of emergency, to borrow the words of one of the country’s female speakers , side talk wonders whether what we as a people prefer to be satisfied with is a state of anarchy, if we disapprove of a state of emergency, cause whether we agree or not, the facts on ground does not suggest that the states in question are in a state of peace, and order, but that of anarchy, if not in a state of emergency.

Outcry of poor amenities, even in the latin areas of A’s

O

ur next story is particularly picked for its economic significance to the state of the nation.

While in Africa we complain about a poor distribution of resources resulting in mass poverty across the nation, we see a country, in the Latin America protesting the inability of its nation to provide for it, while it spends a fortune to prepare for the world football tournament.

According to our source a large chunk of the country’s citizens came out protesting what they called the leaders

inability to focus resources on the provision of social amenities and a consequent use of the resources in the in the preparation of tournament.

The situation was so bad that teachers and other stake holders of the country’s economy took part in the walk to protest the up coming event.

Our source gathered that the main issue of concern is the fact that the people feel that too much money is wasted on an event that may not bare relative importance to the masses.

Talk about a matter of similar importance there.

And this new show of concern

A

nd this story was propelled by the very latest development that the leadership of this country is to pay a visit to the land bearing the abducted girls. The visit the story said is to indicate concern for the people and further reiterate government’s commitment towards bringing the abducted girls home.

While Nigerians write that the visit happened only after a whole month when the event occurred, side talk says the visit must have been propelled by the recent trends across the world to seek the return of the girls. Many wonder why it took this long to get the leadership of the nation to visit that land, while at side talk we hope that the visit means a change of attitude from the leadership of a man who has the capacity to visit and merry with friends, barely 24 hours after a blast,

but goes ahead to put off a security meeting to mourn one of his kind.

Indeed it was the hope of our people that this singular visit will propel greater commitment towards the plight of the people than on the plight of the leaders.

But while this news was in the spot light and on the lips of all who trail the news on line in the country, side talk was taken with an even greater surprise when the news about this intended visit was again refuted by my eminent colleague from the our indigenous white house.

The latest arrests and the rest of the story!

More so the arrest of some suspects in the recent tragedy of the nation’s capital, reiterates the need for other proactive measures, most of which may not be achieved without the voice of people like the pen

fighters of our land.

Surely, yours sincerely, thinks it is time for our pen fighters to put the pen down on the need to follow the matter to the latter. In the past, their has been one or two similar arrests, but what has been the outcome of those? while we applaud the security forces for taking this very stringent steps, we must as well reiterate the need to see to the end of the story, we must as a people ensure that the same set of people who want to stop the nation from experiencing the true dividend of democracy do not succeed.

That this culprits do not further make mockery of those they have caused so much pain.

The authorities in charge must know that our people are watching and the only root to ensuring true peace is to maintain true justice.

Privatisation; benefits or...?

O Gossip

ur last story emanates from the latest news that the increase in the cost of gas might lead to a corresponding increase in the cost of tariff for the people of our dear country, the issue forced a world of our people to wonder whether the time to reap the fruits

of the said privatisation was close or still in the distance.

We hope that while the stake holders look into the issue as reported, we will also see them working to help us benefit from the said privatisation

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

PAGE 41

Online Comments Terrorism, a world phenomenon, says Tukur OLUTOLA JOHNSON - jolutola@ fmf.org This old man should go and rest. He is one of the people giving Johnathan wrong advice. If his daughter were part of the kidnapped girls, he would not have made such provocative comment. Let him go and burry his head in shame.

Chibok girls: Shettima Nigeria needs she is saying is pure nonsense. collective prayers not rallies, protests, This Patience isn’t says Bafarawa V. Ahanmisi - ulofebi@yahoo.com This is exactly what is needed now.

I always imagine what impact the protesters think their action would have. If we hold persistent prayer vigils, there will be miracle.

INEC ready for 2015 elections – Jega Miles - tamunox@yahoo.com He said the same thing before the Anambra State election.

Boko Haram have bitten more than they can chew-Onyeka Onwenu Regina Tambuwal Reginatambuwal@gmail.com Is this not the Onyeka who disputed the kidnap of the girls when the First Lady was berating the parents and Principal ? Chai!

Olu - nikoroorire@yahoo.com Original sycophant, playing to the gallery as usual.

Chibok girls and CAN Danladee - danladee@yahoo.co.uk With journalists like you, there’s hope for the oneness of the North and Nigeria. Mr. Yawe, you’ve hit the nail on the head. Thanks.

Jonathan polarising the country along religious lines- Naja’atu Mohammed Jj - mmgaba@yahoo.com Please tell me, is this not the Naja’atu who was among the committee set up by the federal Government to negotiate with Boko Haram? If she is, then all that

patient at all

Odogwu_Aganaga - odogwuaganaga@ hotmail.com Does the immunity also cover wives of presidents, governors and their vice and deputies? I think somebody should institute a civil suit against her. I will be at the person’s disposal if my services are needed.

How not to chat Abdullah Musa - kigongabas@gmail. com Nigeria could be compared to the human body: there is the heart and limbs depending on it for nourishment.

Because the limbs are at loggerheads, the heart may be taken over by imbeciles, making it unable to serve the limbs, but none can do anything about it.

Immigration arrests 45 foreigners in Adamawa

Onyeka In fact, some are so good in blaming the president that they have forgotten to reckon with the complexities involved in the running government. They forgot that in the presidential system, Mr. President does not have unilateral powers to take any policy decision. He must have to consult other levels of powers before arriving at a meaningful conclusion.

No wonder the president wants a change of the constitution that would arrest the current Nigeria situation without offence by political office holders. Remember the president in his quest to rescue the abducted girls should not go contrary to the law of the country and of course this same people will be the first to call for his prosecution without minding the fact that he got the problem solved.

This is the only president that makes things happen in Nigeria yet some die-hard politicians and ethnic bigots continue to hate him. I think some of have capitalised on the Boko Haram menace to horn their hatred for the president. Let us believe in this devil we know and leave that Angel we have not seen.

At last: Yobo, Osaze make 30-man provisional World Cup squad

Kichinme - kichinme.toma@yahoo.com This is unexpected. They are some agents that will be useful to some persons. Don’t ask me who because they will be camped for use during and after the elections in 2015.

Olu -nikoroorire@yahoo.com I am sure Coach Stephen Keshi did not, on his own, decided to call up Joseph Yobo. The former skipper and Everton and Norwish defender is well past his usefulness for the Super Eagles. He can’t add any value to the Eagles. He is a spent force. He should be immediately substituted.

Jonathan, Tambuwal, Atiku, Others Mourn Oputa

Why I dropped Ideye from World Cup list-Keshi

Mr Abdin - abdullahiumar43@gmail. com You are absolutely right Atiku Abubakar, the life of Justice Oputa cannot be forgotten, may his soul rest in perfect peace, amen……

Debo adegbohumgbe - Debojosiah74@ yahoo.comy Osaze odemwingie repent! Well, I hope so. But repent or not repent, I don’t think Osaze is better than Ikechukwu Uche.

Osaze’s disciplinary issues are legendary.

Go back to 2008 Ghana Nations Cup to convince yourself. Besides, he has practically quarreled with all his coaches; both national and clubsides.

A presidential Committee is waste of time Real - osondudimkpa@gmail.com Some Nigerians have taken it upon themselves to blame the president for very problem including their matrimonial issues.

Nigeria sets stage for Agricultural revolution

Keshi eleconomista.es mckenziebetancourt@web.de Well, the points are well made and in fact appealing. I must say that I find the points very valid and I hope it will be accepted and implemented. I appreciate your writing this post plus the rest of the website is extremely good.

Godfatherism in Gombe politics (11) Gaskiya - alhassanmusaadamu@ yahoo.com This is one trend that has become too obvious since Gov Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo assume office. No, it can’t continue. That’s why so many have resolved that he must vacate Government House come 2015, Insha Allah.

Fashola faults US over Lagos terror alert Donnel Kingi - kayman101@hotmail. com Why will they (US) use official means for such information that as sensitive as that? It seems they prefer that war breaks out in Nigeria so that they can come here to sell their weapons.

God will expose them for what they really are. It is truly said that ” the devil have no free gift” that’s the US for you.

What they give to you, they collect ten times over. Hypocrites

Insurgency and the plight of El Kanemi Kingdom maduka-ego - Ojmatthew46@gmail. com I said it before that the president’s mind was polluted by the comments of some of our politicians who had promised to make the country ungovernable for him. But it seems he realized that God has been in his favour and has therefore not allows him to be frustrated. Of course, he needs to be accountable and will therefore has no excuse but be must work hard to disappoint his detractors.

He must prove them wrong and forge ahead to meet the desires of the majority of Nigerians who support him and truly want him to succeed. Mr. President kindly change tactics and approach to the insecurity problem. It’s not late yet.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

PAGE 42

News Extra

Simple steps to a stress-free career

By Ilya Pozin

D

o you feel like you’re always stressed on the job?

Unfortunately, you’re not alone. Some 83 percent of American workers say they often feel stressed at their jobs. If this isn’t bad enough, apparently our workplace lives are just getting more stressful. The same poll

by Harris Interactive for Everest College found only 73 percent of workers cited frequent stress just last year, meaning our stress levels have risen by 10 percent in just 12 months.

Unsurprisingly, work stress is bad for your health and for your productivity. Rushing around in a frenzy can actually infect your team with second-hand stress, according to DePaul University professor Robert S. Rubin. Plus, the more we rush, the less we’re able to focus on any one specific task.

“No one wants to be seen as the slowest moving object in the solar system. You have to keep up with the Joneses—literally,” Ben Jacobson, co-founder of Conifer Research, told The Wall Street Journal.

Whatever happened to workplace simplicity? It’s time to cut back on your stress by taking a few simple steps to declutter your work life. Here are a few ways to go back-to-basics and show your career stress the door: 1. Kick Your Email Addiction This might be hard to face, but it’s best to just tackle the truth directly: you have an addiction and it’s your inbox. So many workers spend much of their day just playing catch-up to their emails. You might be in the middle of work when you hear the siren beep of a new email zooming into your inbox, and suddenly your work is halted so you can take a look.

It’s time to detox from your inbox. Choose a few times during your day to check your email and stick to this schedule no matter what. For instance, you can check once in the morning, once around lunch, and a follow-up time an hour or two before clocking out.

By limiting the amount of time you spend lost in your inbox, you can tune out the noise and allow yourself to focus.

2. Steer Clear of Workplace Drama You came to your office to work and yet somehow your workplace has become more political than an episode of House of Cards.

Office politics hurts company morale, and 47 percent of workers feel office politicking also hurts productivity. Sadly, a study by by Robert Half International found 60 percent of workers felt like they had to play the game.

Don’t get caught up in stressful office politics. Let your work speak for itself and take yourself out of negative situations where gossip flows and hurt feelings flourish.

One of the best ways to simplify your work life is to steer clear of the drama.

6. Learn to Say No You might want to do everything and tackle every possible challenge, but sometimes the biggest challenge is finding the strength to say no. Taking on too much responsibility is the best way to end up burnt out and feeling frayed. Research by the University of California in San Francisco found people with difficulty saying no are more likely to experience stress. While unpleasant, sometimes the healthiest thing you can do is bow out gracefully and avoid overextending yourself.

3. Give Yourself a Break If you feel like you’ve hit a wall after lunch, know you’re not alone.

According to research, your body hits a sleepiness peak around 2 p.m.

Instead of taking a nap, which is still frowned upon in many workplaces, give yourself a little mental break. Take a few minutes to check in with friends on social media or take a walk outside to clear your head. Don’t stress if your attention is lagging -- instead, give yourself permission to let your mind wander.

4. Surround Yourself With Positivity t’s hard to feel stressed when you’re looking at a picture of a baby animal. This is certainly what researchers at Hiroshima University discovered when they found pleasant images such as tiny kittens make workers more productive.

To cut down on stress, surround your office space with positive images. Don’t leave your office or cubicle empty -- fill it with planets, posters, and pictures of loved ones. A positive work environment can work as a pick-me-up

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7. Take Note of Your Silver Linings t’s easy to let the little stresses on the job pile up and blot out the things you genuinely love about the job. Every day, take a few minutes from your schedule to jot down your workplace “silver linings.” Write down a project you’re excited about tackling, a nice thing a coworker did, or even a reminder of why you love your job. It’s easy to make a mountain out of a molehill, but don’t let the daily grind rid you of your career passion.

Stress doesn’t have to weigh down your career. To become happier and more productive, it’s time to simplify your working life.

I Pozin

when you get particularly stressed.

5. Communicate Regularly It’s easy to feel overwhelmed if you don’t think your voice is being heard by upper management. In fact, less than one-third of workers felt management would change practices based on suggestions and feedback provided by employ-

ees. You want to be respected at your company, and the best way is to make your voice heard. Cultivate communication networks with your coworkers, your team, and your boss. If your workload is overwhelming, don’t be afraid to say something and ask for practical solutions to cut down on your stress levels.

Pozin is founder of Open Me and Ciplex. Columnist for Inc, Forbes & LinkedIn

PAGE 43

Great Speeches

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

Churchill: “The Sinews of Peace” (1)

By Winston Churchill, on Fulton, Missouri, March 5, 1946

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am glad to come to Westminster College this afternoon, and am complimented that you should give me a degree. The name ‘Westminster’ is somehow familiar to me. I seem to have heard of it before. Indeed, it was at Westminster that I received a very large part of my education in politics, dialectic, rhetoric, and one or two other things.

In fact we have both been educated at the same, or similar, or, at any rate, kindred establishments.

It is also an honour, perhaps almost unique, for a private visitor to be introduced to an academic audience by the President of the United States. Amid his heavy burdens, duties, and responsibilities—unsought but not recoiled from— the President has travelled a thousand miles to dignify and magnify our meeting here to-day and to give me an opportunity of addressing this kindred nation, as well as my own countrymen across the ocean, and perhaps some other countries too. The President has told you that it is his wish, as I am sure it is yours, that I should have full liberty to give my true and faithful counsel in these anxious and baffling times. I shall certainly avail myself of this freedom, and feel the more right to do so because any private ambitions I may have cherished in my younger days have been satisfied beyond my wildest dreams. Let me, however, make it clear that I have no official mission or status of any kind, and that I speak only for myself. There is nothing here but what you see.

I can therefore allow my mind, with the experience of a lifetime, to play over the problems which beset us on the morrow of our absolute victory in arms, and to try to make sure with what strength I have that what has been gained with so much sacrifice and suffering shall be preserved for the future glory and safety of mankind.

The United States stands at this time at the pinnacle of world power. It is a solemn moment for the American Democracy. For with primacy in power is also joined an awe-inspiring accountability to the future. If you look around you, you must feel not only the sense of duty done but also you must feel anxiety lest you fall below the level of achievement. Opportunity is here now, clear and shining for both our countries. To reject it or ignore it or fritter it away will bring upon us all the long reproaches of the after-time. It is necessary that constancy of mind, persistency of purpose, and the grand simplicity of decision shall guide and rule the conduct of the English-speaking peoples in peace as they did in war. We must, and I believe we shall, prove ourselves equal to this severe requirement.

When American military men approach some serious situation they are wont to write at the head of their directive the words ‘over-all strategic concept’. There is wisdom in this, as it leads to clarity of thought. What then is the over-all strategic concept which we should inscribe to day? It is nothing less than the safety and welfare, the freedom and progress, of all the homes and families of all the men and women in all the lands. And here I speak particularly of the myriad cottage or apartment homes where the wage-earner strives amid the accidents and difficulties of life to guard his wife and children from privation and bring the family up in the fear of the Lord, or upon ethical conceptions which often play their potent part.

To give security to these countless homes, they must be shielded from the two giant marauders, war and tyranny.

We all know the frightful disturbances in which the ordinary family is plunged when the curse of war swoops down upon the bread-winner and those for whom he works and contrives. The awful ruin of Europe, with all its vanished glories, and of large parts of Asia glares us in the eyes. When the designs of wicked men or the aggressive urge of mighty States dissolve over large ar-

On March 5, 1946, in a speech before Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, the great English statesman and World War II (1939-1945) leader Winston Churchill intoned his famous warning: “From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the Continent.” He coined the phrase iron curtain, still used today, to refer to the tightly controlled border in Europe that separated Western democracies from the Eastern and Central states under the influence of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). To prevent future wars, Churchill called for the establishment of both a strong alliance between Western nations and a “good understanding” with the USSR. eas the frame of civilised society, humble folk are confronted with difficulties with which they cannot cope. For them all is distorted, all is broken, even ground to pulp.

When I stand here this quiet afternoon I shudder to visualise what is actually happening to millions now and what is going to happen in this period when famine stalks the earth. None can compute what has been called ‘the unestimated sum of human pain’. Our supreme task and duty is to guard the homes of the common people from the horrors and miseries of another war. We are all agreed on that. ur American military colleagues, after having proclaimed their ‘over-all strategic concept’ and computed available resources, always proceed to the next step—namely, the method. Here again there is widespread agreement. A world organisation has already been erected for the prime purpose of preventing war. UNO, the successor of the League of Nations, with the decisive addition of the United States and all that that means, is already at work. We must make sure that its work is fruitful, that it is a reality and not a sham, that it is a force for action, and not merely a frothing of words, that it is a true temple of peace in which the shields of many nations can some day be hung up, and not merely a cockpit in a Tower of Babel.

Before we cast away the solid assurances of national armaments for self-preservation we must be certain that our temple is built, not upon shifting sands or quagmires, but upon the rock. Anyone can see with his eyes open that our path will be difficult and also long, but if we persevere together as we did in the two world wars—though not, alas, in the interval between them—I cannot doubt that we shall achieve our common purpose in the end.

I have, however, a definite and practical proposal to make for action.

Courts and magistrates may be set up but they cannot function without sheriffs and constables. The United Nations Organisation must immediately begin to be equipped with an international armed force. In such a matter we can only go step by step, but we must begin now. I propose that each of the Powers and States should be invited to delegate a certain number of air squadrons to the service of the world organisation.

These squadrons would be trained and prepared in their own countries, but would move around in rotation from one country to another. They would wear the uniform of their own countries but with different badges. They would not be required to act against their own nation, but in other respects they would be directed by the world organisation. This might be started on a modest scale and would grow as confidence grew. I wished to see this done after the first world war, and I devoutly trust it may be done forthwith.

It would nevertheless be wrong and imprudent to entrust the secret knowledge or experience of the atomic bomb, which the United States, Great Britain, and Canada now share, to the world organisation, while it is still in its infancy.

It would be criminal madness to cast it adrift in this still agitated and un-united world. No one in any country has slept less well in their beds because this knowledge and the method and the raw materials to apply it, are at present largely retained in American hands. I do not believe we should all have slept so soundly had the positions been reversed and if

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some Communist or neo-Fascist State monopolised for the time being these dread agencies. The fear of them alone might easily have been used to enforce totalitarian systems upon the free democratic world, with consequences appalling to human imagination. God has willed that this shall not be and we have at least a breathing space to set our house in order before this peril has to be encountered: and even then, if no effort is spared, we should still possess so formidable a superiority as to impose effective deterrents upon its employment, or threat of employment, by others. Ultimately, when the essential brotherhood of man is truly embodied and expressed in a world organisation with all the necessary practical safeguards to make it effective, these powers would naturally be confided to that world organisation. ow I come to the second danger of these two marauders which threatens the cottage, the home, and the ordinary people—namely, tyranny. We cannot be blind to the fact that the liberties enjoyed by individual citizens throughout the British Empire are not valid in a considerable number of countries, some of which are very powerful. In these States control is enforced upon the common people by various kinds of all-embracing police governments. The power of the State is exercised without restraint, either by dictators or by compact oligarchies operating through a privileged party and a political police. It is not our duty at this time when difficulties are so numerous to interfere forcibly in the internal affairs of countries which we have not conquered in war. But we must never cease to proclaim in fearless tones the great principles of freedom and the rights of man which are the joint inheritance of the English-speaking world and which through Magna Carta, the Bill of Rights, the Habeas Corpus, trial by jury, and the English common law find their most famous expression in the American Declaration of Inde-

N

pendence.

All this means that the people of any country have the right, and should have the power by constitutional action, by free unfettered elections, with secret ballot, to choose or change the character or form of government under which they dwell; that freedom of speech and thought should reign; that courts of justice, independent of the executive, unbiased by any party, should administer laws which have received the broad assent of large majorities or are consecrated by time and custom.

Here are the title deeds of freedom which should lie in every cottage home.

Here is the message of the British and American peoples to mankind. Let us preach what we practise—let us practise what we preach. have now stated the two great dangers which menace the homes of the people: War and Tyranny. I have not yet spoken of poverty and privation which are in many cases the prevailing anxiety. But if the dangers of war and tyranny are removed, there is no doubt that science and co-operation can bring in the next few years to the world, certainly in the next few decades newly taught in the sharpening school of war, an expansion of material wellbeing beyond anything that has yet occurred in human experience. Now, at this sad and breathless moment, we are plunged in the hunger and distress which are the aftermath of our stupendous struggle; but this will pass and may pass quickly, and there is no reason except human folly or sub-human crime which should deny to all the nations the inauguration and enjoyment of an age of plenty. I have often used words which I learned fifty years ago from a great Irish-American orator, a friend of mine, Mr. Bourke Cockran, ‘There is enough for all. The earth is a generous mother; she will provide in plentiful abundance food for all her children if they will but cultivate her soil in justice and in peace.’ So far I feel that we are in full agreement.

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PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

PAGE 44

Archive

The ABC of Terrorism (I) I INTRODUCTION

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errorism, the deliberate creation and exploitation of fear for bringing about political change. All terrorist acts involve violence or—equally important—the threat of violence.

These violent acts are committed by nongovernmental groups or individuals—that is, by those who are neither part of nor officially serving in the military forces, law enforcement agencies, intelligence services, or other governmental agencies of an established nation-state.

Terrorists attempt not only to sow panic but also to undermine confidence in the government and political leadership of their target country. Terrorism is therefore designed to have psychological effects that reach far beyond its impact on the immediate victims or object of an attack. Terrorists mean to frighten and thereby intimidate a wider audience, such as a rival ethnic or religious group, an entire country and its political leadership, or the international community as a whole.

Terrorist groups generally have few members, limited firepower, and comparatively few organizational resources. For this reason they rely on dramatic, often spectacular, bloody and destructive acts of hit-and-run violence to attract attention to themselves and their cause. Through the publicity generated by their violence, terrorists seek to obtain the leverage, influence, and power they otherwise lack.

II WHAT IS TERRORISM? The word terrorism was first used in France to describe a new system of government adopted during the French Revolution (1789-1799). The regime de la terreur (Reign of Terror) was intended to promote democracy and popular rule by ridding the revolution of its enemies and thereby purifying it. However, the oppression and violent excesses of the terreur transformed it into a feared instrument of the state. From that time on, terrorism has had a decidedly negative connotation. The word, however, did not gain wider popularity until the late 19th century when it was adopted by a group of Russian revolutionaries to describe their violent struggle against

tsarist rule. Terrorism then assumed the more familiar antigovernment associations it has today.

A Terrorism as a Political Act Archivio/Effigie Terrorism is by nature political because it involves the acquisition and use of power for the purpose of forcing others to submit, or agree, to terrorist demands. A terrorist attack, by generating publicity and focusing attention on the organization behind the attack, is designed to create this power. It also fosters an environment of fear and intimidation that the terrorists can manipulate. As a result terrorism’s success is best measured by its ability to attract attention to the terrorists and their cause and by the psychological impact it exerts over a nation and its citizenry. It differs in this respect from conventional warfare, where success is measured by the amount of military assets destroyed, the amount of territory seized, and the number of enemy dead. errorists typically attempt to justify their use of violence by arguing that they have been excluded from, or frustrated by, the accepted processes of bringing about political change. They maintain that terrorism is the only option available to them, although their choice is a reluctant—even a regrettable—one. Whether someone agrees with this argument or not often depends on whether the person sympathizes with the terrorists’ cause or with the victims of the terrorist attack.

The aphorism “One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter” underscores how use of the label terrorism can be highly subjective depending upon one’s sympathies.

At the same time terrorist acts—including murder, kidnapping, bombing, and arson—have long been defined in both national and international law as crimes. Even in time of war, violence deliberately directed against innocent civilians is considered a crime. Similarly, violence that spreads beyond an acknowledged geographical theater of war to violate the territory of neutral or noncombatant states is also deemed a war crime.

B Government Definitions of Terrorism Legal statutes in most countries

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around the world regard terrorism as a crime. Yet there is considerable variation in how these laws define terrorism, even in countries whose laws derive from a common origin.

In the United Kingdom, for example, legislation titled Terrorist Act 2000 states that terrorism is “the use or threat of action . . . designed to influence the government or to intimidate the public or a section of the public . . . for the purpose of advancing a political, religious or ideological cause.” The legal system and code of law of the United Kingdom has influenced those of the United States, Canada, and Israel.

United States federal statute defines terrorism as “violent acts or acts dangerous to human life that . . . appear to be intended (i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; (ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or (iii) to affect the conduct of a government by assassination or kidnapping.” This definition appears in United States Code, Title 18, Section 2331 (18 USC 2331).

Canada’s Anti-terrorism Act (Bill C-36) designates “terrorist activity” as “an act or omission . . . that is committed in whole or in part for a political, religious or ideological purpose, objective or cause and in whole or in part with the intention of intimidating the public, or a segment of the public, with regard to its security, including its economic security, or compelling a person, a government or a domestic or an international organization to do or to refrain from doing any act, whether the person, government or organization is inside or outside Canada . . . .” sraeli law does not address terrorism specifically. But in the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance No. 33, it defines a terrorist organization as “a body of persons resorting in its activities to acts of violence calculated to cause death or injury to a person or to threats of such acts of violence.”

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III CAUSES OF TERRORISM Terrorism has occurred throughout history for a variety of reasons.

Its causes can be historical, cultural, political, social, psychological, economic, or religious—or any combination of these. Some countries have

Aldo Moro, Prisoner of the Red Brigades Aldo Moro was a leading figure in Italy’s Christian Democrat Party and former prime minister. In March 1978 he was kidnapped by the leftist terrorist group the Red Brigades, who demanded the release of Red Brigade members from prison in return for Moro. In May Moro’s bullet-riddled body was found in an abandoned car.

Archivio/Effigie proven to be particularly susceptible to terrorism at certain times, as Italy and West Germany were during the 1970s. Terrorist violence escalated precipitously in those two countries for a decade before declining equally dramatically. Other countries, such as Canada and The Netherlands, have proven to be more resistant, and have experienced only a few isolated terrorist incidents. n general, democratic countries have provided more fertile ground for terrorism because of the open nature of their societies. In such societies citizens have fundamental rights, civil liberties are legally protected, and government control and constant surveillance of its citizens and their activities is absent. By the same token, repressive societies, in which the government closely monitors citizens and restricts their speech and movement, have often provided more difficult environments for terrorists. But even police states have not been immune to terrorism, despite limiting civil liberties and forbidding free speech and rights of assembly. Examples include Russia under tsarist rule and the Communist-ruled Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, as well as the People’s Republic of China, Myanmar, and Laos.

In broad terms the causes that have commonly compelled people to engage in terrorism are grievances borne of political oppression, cultural domination, economic exploitation, ethnic discrimination, and religious persecution. Perceived inequities in the distribution of wealth and political power have led some terrorists to attempt to overthrow democratically elected governments. To achieve a fairer society, they would replace these governments with socialist or

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September 11 Attacks On September 11, 2001, a team of 19 hijackers on suicide missions carried out the deadliest terrorist attack in United States history, killing more than 3,000 people. This slide show, consisting of photographs and sound clips, documents the September 11 attacks and their aftermath. © Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

communist regimes. Left-wing terrorist groups of the 1960s and 1970s with such aims included Germany’s Baader-Meinhof Gang, Italy’s Red Brigades, and the Weather Underground (see Weathermen) in the United States. Other terrorists have sought to fulfill some mission that they believe to be divinely inspired or millennialist (related to the end of the world). (See Millennium). The Japanese religious cult Aum Shinrikyo, responsible for a nerve gas attack on the Tokyo subway in 1995 that killed 12 people, falls into this category. Still other terrorists have embraced comparatively more defined and comprehensible goals such as the re-establishment of a national homeland (for example, Basque separatists in Spain) or the unification of a divided nation (Irish nationalists in Northern Ireland). inally, some terrorists are motivated by very specific issues, such as opposition to legalized abortion or nuclear energy, or the championing of environmental concerns (see Environment) and animal rights. They hope to pressure both the public and its representatives in government to enact legislation directly reflecting their particular concern. Militant animal rights activists, for example, have used violence against scientists and laboratory technicians in their campaign to halt medical experimentation involving animals. Radical environmentalists have sabotaged logging operations and the construction of power grids to protest the spoiling of natural wilderness areas. Extremists who oppose legalized abortion in the United States have attacked clinics and murdered doctors and other employees in hopes of denying women the right to abortion.

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PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

Page 45

Digest

In vain, the antelope tries to escape death, but ends up in the jaws of the lion

By Simon Tomlinson

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soaring lion leaps from a ridge to catch a fleeing antelope in mid air.

The extraordinary take-down happened after a pair of lionesses surprised two blesboks running in their direction.

To escape, a frightened blesbok jumped several metres from the ridge only to be intercepted mid-flight by the hungry female.

The other blesbok was left to make a lucky getaway, while the captured animal was swiftly devoured by the fearsome predators.

Tour guide Joné Fick, 28, filmed the incredible moment just feet away from her tour bus.

The group had been watching the two lionesses perched on the ridge in the Shamwari Game Reserve in South Africa.

Joné said: ‘Suddenly the lionesses got up and ran full speed at the two blesbok, which were running up the hill towards them.

‘The blesbok decided to take the only option out which was jumping towards the road, falling four metres to the ground.

‘The second lioness made an amazing jump towards this blesbok and grabbed it mid-air only to slam with it on to the road right next to our vehicle.

‘I’ve never heard of such a sighting this was pure luck to be in the right place at the right time.’

Despite hitting the ground hard, the animals continued to fight before the two lionesses overcame the South African antelope.

Joné added: ‘In my six years of living and working in the bush, this is definitely my best sighting ever.

‘The lioness and blesbok fell so close on the ground next to us that I sure they would fall against the vehicle.

‘We were all mumbling words of disbelief and some people were just staring at the scene not able to say anything at all.’

After overpowering the blesbok, the lions dragged it back to the top of the ridge to enjoy a hard-won meal.

(Dailymail.com)

Predatory pounce: The extraordinary take-down happened after a pair of lionesses surprised two blesboks running in their direction

Front-row seat: Tour guide Joné Fick, 28, filmed the incredible moment just feet away from her tour bus

Dinner is served: One of the blesboks was left to make a lucky getaway, while the captured animal was swiftly devoured by the fearsome predators

Hunger games: After overpowering the blesbok, the lions dragged it back to the top of the ridge to enjoy a hard-won meal

Page 46

International

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

Kenya’s Nairobi hit by twin blasts in Gikomba market

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wo explosions have struck the Gikomba market area of the Kenyan capital Nairobi, killing at least 10 people and injuring scores, officials say.

It is not clear what caused the blasts but Kenya has been hit by a spate of attacks in recent years.

They have mostly been blamed on the al-Shabaab militant Islamist group from neighbouring Somalia.

Hundreds of British tourists have been evacuated from the coastal resort area of Mombasa amid warnings of an attack.

British tour companies have

suspended flights to Mombasa, Kenya’s second largest city.

High threat The Kenyan National Disaster Operation Centre said the first explosion occurred in a minibus, the second in the large open-air Gikomba market.

Police officials told the Reuters news agency they suspected the blast had been caused by an improvised explosive device.

Pictures from the scene showed clothing blown onto telephone wires above. Fire engines and the Red Cross were at the scene tending the injured.

Hospital sources told the BBC at least 70 people had been wounded.

President Kenyatta vowed to fight “evil” terrorism following the attacks.

“All of us around the world must be united to ensure that we are able to fight this particular terror,” he said at a news conference.

Earlier this week, authorities tightened security at bus stations, requiring all passengers to be screened before boarding. They also ordered all vehicles to have clear glass windows.

Yesterday’s bombings took place two days after the UK, France

Ukraine crisis: UN sounds alarm on human rights in east

A woman passes by the scene of the explosion

Indian election: Narendra T Modi hails ‘landmark’ win

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ncoming Indian PM Narendra Modi has hailed a “landmark” election victory by his BJP party.

Thanking supporters in his own constituency in his home state of Gujarat, Mr Modi said they had written a new chapter in the country’s history.

Votes counted so far suggest the BJP is on course for the most resounding victory by any party for 30 years, trouncing the outgoing Congress Party.

The controversial leader campaigned on promises to revive the economy.

However, many Indians still

have profound concerns over Mr Modi because of claims he did little to stop the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat, in which at least 1,000 people died, most of them Muslims - allegations he has always denied and over which he was never charged.

“In the 60-year history of Indian independence, I have never seen this in the Indian media, what you have done in our country,” Mr Modi said, as supporters shouted “Modi, Modi, Modi”.

The election result will be a crushing blow to the Congress party, which is led by the NehruGandhi family and has dominated Indian politics since independence.

Accepting defeat, Congress President Sonia Gandhi said: “We humbly respect the verdict of the people.”

Modi

Turkey mine disaster: Firm in charge denies negligence

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he operator of the Turkish mine that collapsed, killing at least 284 people, has denied any negligence.

Representatives from Soma Holding defended their response to the disaster, telling a news conference their priority had been to save lives.

They added that an unexplained build-up of heat in the mine appeared to have caused the collapse.

It was Turkey’s worst-ever mine disaster and has sparked angry protests against the government.

There are thought to be up to 18 workers still trapped inside the mine, according to Turkish ministers and Soma Holding. It is not clear if the men are still alive.

Another 363 escaped, while 122 are injured.

The disaster began when an explosion on Tuesday sent carbon monoxide gas into the mine’s tunnels while 787 miners were underground.

Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said that a fire was still burning inside the mine, but it was “declining”.

Anyone negligent about safety at the mine would be punished, he said, adding: “We won’t take any notice of their tears”.

‘We want answers’ Speaking to journalists, plant manager Akin Celik said: “We still do not know how the accident happened. There is no negligence of

and the US warned there was a high threat of attacks in Kenya.

Kenya had rebuked the countries for issuing their warnings, saying the tourism industry would be affected.

Correspondents say many Kenyans are expressing their frustration at the worsening insecurity.

The government recently round up all refugees of Somali origin in an attempt to rid the city of terror suspects they believe to be hiding among refugees.

The al-Qaeda-linked group al-Shabaab has launched a series of attacks against Kenyan targets in recent years, claiming to be retaliating for Kenya’s military involvement in Somalia since 2011.

Last September, at least 67 people were killed when al-Shabaab fighters seized the upmarket Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi for four days.

ours in this incident.”

“We want to find answers as well. We have never faced such conditions, such circumstances. We haven’t slept for three days because we’re first trying to save lives.”

Soma Holding executives said it was not clear what caused the explosion and collapse.

However, General Director Ramazan Dogru said reports that the fire began at a transformer were wrong.

“Overheating led to a collapse” at another part of the mine, he said, adding that this caused a fire which rapidly expanded. He said it was not clear why the overheating had occurred.

he UN has warned of an “alarming deterioration” in human rights in eastern Ukraine, where separatists are fighting security forces.

It also found “serious problems” of harassment and persecution of ethnic Tatars in Crimea, the mainly ethnic Russian region Moscow annexed in March.

Russia condemned the report, saying it ignored abuses by Ukraine’s government.

Meanwhile, a third-party initiative to restore law and order in one troubled city, Mariupol, seems to be succeeding.

Violence between separatists and pro-Ukrainian forces has left dozens dead in the east and south this month.

Separatists control towns in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, where they have been skirmishing with units of the Ukrainian security forces, sent in to reassert government control.

The revolt in the east gained momentum after Russia annexed Ukraine’s mainly ethnic Russian region of Crimea in March.

Moscow acted after the overthrow of Ukraine’s elected pro-Russian President, Viktor Yanukovych, during unrest in the capital Kiev in February, and his replacement with an interim government, backed by Ukrainian

nationalists. A new Ukrainian president is due to be elected on 25 May. In another development, former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt has accused EU officials of risking war with Russia by displaying “megalomania” in Ukraine.

Mr Schmidt, chancellor from 1974 to 1982, told German newspaper Bild: “The danger that the situation gets ever more tense, as it did in August 1914, is growing day by day.”

‘Tearing Ukraine apart’ The UN’s conclusions are contained in a 37-page report, its second monthly assessment of the situation.

UN human rights chief Navi Pillay said in Geneva: “Those with influence on the armed groups responsible for much of the violence in eastern Ukraine [must] do their utmost to rein in these men who seem bent on tearing the country apart.”

The UN’s report details growing lawlessness in eastern and southern Ukraine: Peaceful demonstrations, primarily by supporters of Ukraine’s unity, deteriorate into violence, protesters are attacked and beaten, and local police do nothing to prevent the violence and sometimes openly co-operate with the attackers.

A pro-Russian militant mans a checkpoint along with a police officer near Donetsk

PAGE 47

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

News Extra

Abuja suburb where majority of population defecate in open

By Eric Ojo, Abuja

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enjamin Ubiri comes away hardly ruffled talking about a striking irony of Abuja. Behind the allure of expansive roads and rising buildings that make the Nigerian capital Africa’s most expensive and one of the world’s fastest growing, he admits, several poor communities live without toilets.

“It’s bad, but not terrible,” Mr. Ubiri said of one of the city’s suburbs, Mpape. Yet, he adds quickly: “Human waste is a serious problem. Many of the houses are without toilets.”

Set around rocks and monoliths, Mpape, a sprawling quarry community of over 12,000 people just a distance from Nigeria’s presidential palace, is one of Abuja’s outskirt towns where residents struggle to find a space to build homes, much less toilets.

“Because of the rock, people can’t find space for houses not to talk of toilets,” Mr. Ubiri, a journalist who lives in the community, said.

So, for those without a toilet, the routine is simple: convert everything, from old sewage pipes to polythene bags to roads kerbs, to one. More than 60 per cent of the population living in the suburb are affected by that shortage, leaving a serious health challenge.

Consequently, deaths from diseases such as cholera, dysentery, diarrhea, typhoid, as well as malaria are very rife within the community. Sadly, women and children are the worst hit.

In April this year, there was a reported outbreak of cholera, which allegedly killed some residents.

Dr. Goji Sunday, Head, Health Department of the Bwari Area Council told journalists that his department was alerted about the disease by a Chief in the community and a medical team was quickly deployed there to handle the situation.

Dr. Sunday also confirmed that five patients of diarrhea and vomiting were discovered and taken to the health centre where they were promptly treated.

“We have mobilised our teams to the community, visited the chief and sensitised them on what to do and the need to maintain a higher personal hygiene. Structures are not properly planned, no good drainages, so you might have these factors that will encourage this outbreak of vomiting and diarrhea,” he further disclosed.

Poor sanitary condition resulting from absence of proper human waste management facilities has haunted residents of Mpape, a suburb naturally endowed with rocky hills, for years.

The low-cost settlement, a magnet for thousands of poor Nigerians and lowincome earners, has all the compliments of a typical ghetto. Most of the houses lack toilets, water, electricity and other basic social amenities that make life worth living.

Aside from the deplorable sanitary condition, most of the houses are make-shift structures cramped together with little space that can only leave foot paths for residents to navigate their way in and out of their homes. In addition, there are no asphalted roads, and guideposts for non-residents and visitors to enable them find their way around the community.

Despite the absence of key social amenities, the community plays host to major road construction and civil engineering firms, which depend on its quarry. Julius Berger, a leading

construction company in Nigeria, owns a quarry and a mini-estate for its junior and senior staff.

But of all the challenges, the rampant lack of toilet facilities appears the most critical health concern for the residents.

“Imagine a situation where human waste wrapped in polythene bags are thrown to the roadside and in every available space considered to be free while some people have resorted to making good use of the rocky hills and mountains surrounding their immediate vicinity by defecating in the open,” one resident, Charles Ogbogbo, said. r. Ogbogbo said such behaviour clearly portrays the level of helplessness and frustration in the community.

“Whatever will make a man or a woman throw all caution to wind and defecate on a place as visible as a hilltop without caring a hoot, must be really grave,” he said.

There are two residential areas in Mpape, the upscale, called Berger Quarry; and the slum, named Ajegunle, after the notorious slum of Lagos.

Ajegunle takes about 60 per cent of the residential area.

The common toilets in the area for those who manage to have, are pit toilets that have serious health implications.

In the Berger Quarry axis, things are relatively improved with contemporary room apartments and bungalows.

A cross session of residents who spoke with African Examiner, expressed their worries over the poor sanitary condition in the community, noting that most residents have haplesslly resorted to defecating in the open because there are no clean and save toilets to use in the respective homes.

Lending credence to this, Mr. Da-

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“Imagine a situation where human waste wrapped in polythene bags are thrown to the roadside and in every available space considered to be free while some people have resorted to making good use of the rocky hills and mountains surrounding their immediate vicinity by defecating in the open,” one resident, Charles Ogbogbo, said.

vid Onyedika, a resident who lives in Mpape with his family of 4, observed that some people climb to the hilltops surrounding the community to ease themselves whenever nature beckons on them because they are scared of contacting toilet diseases from what pass as toilets in their houses.

In Nigeria, the challenge is not unique to Mpape as other suburbs and states across the country also suffer similar fate. recent report released by Water Aid Nigeria, shows that seven in ten women in Nigeria have no access to a safe toilet, with 40 per cent defecating in the open, thereby threatening their health and exposing them to shame, fear and even violence.

“In most rural communities in this country, people defecate in the bushes and other isolated places when they are pressed but here in Mpape, they do it atop the hills here because the bushes are very far off. And they consider it a safer option than the ‘Shot Put’ option where shameless people defecate in polythene bags or old newspapers and throw it on the roadside and gutters,” Mr. Festus

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Ojokolo, another resident said.

Continuing, he said: “The act of defecating in the open has become almost a ritual here in Mpape. It has become a routine that some people indulge in at the wee hours of the morning and in the evening. At times they do it religiously as if it is a spiritual exercise.

“When you see people climbing to the hill tops in groups early in the morning here, a first-timer or a stranger, may probably be misled into thinking that they are climbing to keep fit but the reality is that they are going to answer nature’s call up there”. lso in his reaction, Engr. Wole Oludare, a public servant and Landlord in the community lamented that people are made to suffer all manners of indignities when government fails to provide the basic infrastructure and create an enabling environment for a better living condition and welfare of the citizenry.

Engr. Oludare noted that the few basic social amenities in Mpape were put in place by the people living in the community. “Whatever you see here, the buildings, the roads, electricity,

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water bore holes, were made possible by hard earned resources of residents.

Government has not done anything for us here,” he stressed.

The Abuja Environmental Protection Board, the body responsible for sanitation in Abuja, said the Board is poised and determined to address environmental sanitation challenges within the city centre.

A spokesperson however said Mpape is under the supervision of a local authority, Bwari council.

“Issues of waste disposal of any form in the city centre, is well taken care of. So it is not an issue at all. Abuja is very clean. 21 contractors are hired by government to do the cleaning. We are on top of it within the metropolis,” Sam Musa, the spokesperson, said.

But officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration argue that Mpape was not a residential location before it was swooped upon and taken over by some desperate Abuja residents in dire need of affordable accommodation.

They say the area was initially earmarked as farmlands for the indigenes but they later started selling it to folks who in no time erected buildings in all available spaces without valid documentation. ncensed by the sorry state of affairs in Mpape, the Development Department of Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) had once threatened to embark on a massive demolition of illegal structures in the area but it was defiantly resisted by the residents who later secured a court injunction and the intervention from the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke to halt the process.

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This piece is originally published by African Examiner online

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

PAGE 48

Business Feature

Dealers, builders groan over scarcity of cement in Kano From Edwin Olofu, Kano

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he sudden and rapid increase in price of cement, which also resulted to scarcity of cement products in Kano, has become a source of concern to commodity dealers, builders and construction workers in Kano State. The problem has brought cement commercial activities to a halt resulting in non availability of the product and hampering building activities.

Our correspondent who visited the main cement market in Kano, Railway cement market, observed that the scarcity of the commodity is adversely affecting the marketers more than its increase in price. “We would have wanted to have the commodity at whatever price than to be sitting idle at the market without the commodity to sell.” Said Alhaji Danladi Ibrahim the chairman of the cement traders association.

Our reporter observed that the stores where cements are kept have become empty, labourers and drivers were just sitting under the shade of trees as there were no products to load, offload or carry on the pickups.

Ibrahim, lamented their situation and attributed the increase in price of the cement by almost 15%, N220, to scarcity.

“The increase in price of cement is as a result of scarcity of the commodity at the market which was due to low production from the companies such as Dangote Cement company, Ashaka cement, etc. We used to receive a lot of supply from the production companies, but now hardly we receive one to three trailers of the cement which is very low to the population of Kano State and when we consider the demands, the supply is too low for us.” He said.

He went on, “Now the price of cement has increased by almost 15%, that is about N220 per bag, which was sold for N1,900 and now selling for N2200 this is a very sad development but we would have wanted to have the commodity at whatever price than to be sitting idle at the market without the commodity to sell. Go to our stores, you will see that they are all empty.” He lamented.

“Even our main dealers are now under supplied. The companies have reduced the rate of the production while the demands from the dealers has now become much higher.

Sometimes the cement is intercepted and bought on the road by another dealers before it reach here. What they do is that they add a sum of money, like N20 to each bag and pay the

money through bank. This is as a result of the high demand.” He said.

The chairman added that the problem is not only within his own domain, it is a prevalent issue bedevilling all cement markets nationwide.

“This problem is not only here, it is bedevilling all cement markets nationwide. Some of our customers who used to come from far place to buy cement here and later on stopped coming here because the markets have been opened close to them, have now come back to buy cement here. They have gone to many places but couldn’t get it. They couldn’t also get it here because we don’t have it. It is now that we have hardly got one trailer of cement and will buy it at a higher price because there is no cement in the market.”

On the effect of the scarcity of the cement on the labourers, the chairman pointed out that the trailer of the cement they had bought was because of the labourers in order to get something to fend for their families.

“These labourers are very important to us and we pity them in this trying times. This is the reason why we have decided to buy this trailer of cement for them to unload it and get paid in order to have something for their family.”

He called on the government and other major marketers of the

cement to look into the situation and provide possible and lasting solution to the problem, adding that the small scale marketers are suffering.

He also expressed optimism that the price would be reverted to its former rate of N1900 per bag.

Our reporter spoke to some labourers in the market who offload cement from the truck and others who carry it on their pickups to other places around the state in order to earn a living but were also affected by the current situation in the market.

Mallam Musa Muhammad, a labourer at the market, decried the situation, saying that “ We are labourers here. We just unload and load the commodity off trucks and on pickups, but this situation is wearisome.

But we pray to god to ease the situation.”

Haruna Isyaku, another labourer, said “We don’t know where the problem is. Our earning has decreased. We used to make reasonable amount of money before but now our earning is too low due to the scarcity of the cement and we don’t know the source of the problem.” He said.

Apart from the cement marketers, the problem has also affected builders who buy cement for their buildings and other purposes. Like the marketers, they spoke in the same tone with the marketers.

They decried scarcity of the

commodity more than the price.

Speaking, Salisu Bara’u, lamented the situation, saying that his wedding is close and wants to quickly complete building his house but the cement scarcity has halted the building.

“I really lament this situation.

My wedding is near to come and I am building my house but this problem has stopped the building. Apart from increase in price, the commodity has also been scarce. This is very sad.”

To sani Shafi’u, the development has taken him by surprised, saying that he didn’t know about the increase in price of the cement only to hear that it has skyrocketed to more than N2,000.

“I was not aware of the cement market situation only to hear that it is now N2150 per bag when I sent my younger brother to buy for my buildings.

After he went there, he couldn’t even get it as it has been scarce,” he said.

However, Dangote Cement, said it has not increased its unit cost of cement in the past five years notwithstanding the rising cost of production.

The Director, Sales and Marketing of the company, Mr. Ekanem E tim, explained that the price of cement in the company has been stable in spite of high production cost, which include power generation and other costs associated with

doing the business efficiently.

He said that aside from ensuring stable price, Dangote Cement is committed to maintaining a high standard.

To achieve this, the company embarks on regular training and retraining programmers for block makers in the country.

He said, “Cement ought to be cheap but the cost of production due to dearth of infrastructure is so huge. Consider even the cost of transportation.

Notwithstanding, the cost of moving our products to our customers is the lowest in Nigeria. In Dangote, we provide quality at a lower price.”

In the same vein, the Chairman, Cement Manufacturers Association, Mr. Joseph Makoju, said that their members have not increased cement price in the last four to five years, despite the huge amount the spent on production, diesel and transportation.

But cement manufacturers have blamed the high cost of cement in Nigeria despite the increase in its production to the inadequate supply of gas to manufacturers of the product.

This coming as the Federal Government has finally adopted the use of cement for the construction of roads across the country.

Gas supply to power plants and other industries has been a major challenge to the firms and the Federal Government for months now.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

PAGE 49

Entrepreneurship

How to rise up your content-marketing strategy

By Jon Rognerud

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ontent marketing can be a wolf in sheep’s clothing for small businesses. What may seem like the easiest discipline of all marketing strategies is actually one of the hardest, most time consuming and can be the most expensive.

As the founder of Pinetop Group, a content and video-marketing agency, I often get asked by small-business owners how to improve their content marketing strategies. While it isn’t easy, it does pay off.

For those looking to get their feet wet in video, here is a list of best practices, along with actionable steps.

Initially, focus on quantity.

Content marketing can be scary to start for any business and sometimes people are so concerned about quality, they don’t make videos live. Don’t be that person.

One of the first things to learn is how to hit the publish button regularly and confidently. There will always be an excuse not to publish content, but what good will that do for your brand? Push yourself to create meaningful and relevant content.

Tip #1. Create an editorial calendar. Your editorial calendar will outline all of the content pieces you’d like to publish during the month. Create titles, set dates for publishing and stick to the calendar.

Tip #2. Set a goal to publish one piece of content each day.

Content can be anything from updating your evergreen pages to creating a blog post.

Do not penny pinch. Only 32 percent of marketers say they are producing enough content, according to content-marketing software Kapost. The reason being is most companies that are new to content marketing quickly realize how time consuming and difficult it is to create quality content.

Far too often these same companies resort to outsourcing their content for pennies on the dollar. Do not expect to receive any results with $5 blog posts. (It is better to publish nothing than to publish low-quality content.)

Tip #3. Research and find reputable content-marketing agencies or writers who can produce content for your site. Partner with agencies who have a track record of success and who don’t outsource content to low-quality writers.

Tip #4. Create internal content guidelines. These guidelines should outline what is both acceptable and unacceptable when publishing content on your site.

Determine what you consider to be quality content, and stay true to those guidelines.

Have clear, defined goals. Save

time and wasted resources by writing down clear goals for your content marketing efforts. These goals should include some (if not all) of the following: Traffic increases Lead increases Conversion increases Revenue increases Bounce-rate reduction Tip #5. Set realistic timelines to accomplish each of your goals.

As mentioned earlier, most content marketing strategies take time to develop sustainable results.

Tip #6. Identify tactics that will help you accomplish your content-marketing goals. Remember to diversify your efforts by producing different types of content such as interviews, blog articles, slideshows, infographics and videos. now your audience. Content marketing can quickly become a hamster wheel for companies who don’t know their audiences. Eliminate guesswork by compiling demographic and psychographic information about your audience.

Tip #7. Dig into your site’s analytic data to compile useful information about your audience.

Compile lists of your most trafficked and socially engaged blog posts and essay to identify why they were so successful.

Tip #8. Check out your competitors’ blogs to get a glimpse into their audiences. Track who is commenting on their blogs and engaging on their social networks. That helps you to size up your competitor, know what people yearn for then use it to better prepare to meet their needs.

Tip #9. Place polls on your site asking your audience specific questions about their interests.

Aggregate and analyze the poll information to better understand your audience.

Don’t overestimate your skills. I get it, you see 12-year-olds creating blogs and building massive followings so you think creating and managing a blog is easy. Warning: bubble about to burst. Creating and managing a successful blog is not easy.

There are over 27,000,000 pieces of content shared and published each day on the internet. It takes a lot more than a fun quote or meme to get your blog seen by the right audience.

Tip #10. Recognize that successful content-marketing strategies require a significant amount of skill, time and resources.

Tip #11. Audit yourself often and ask these questions: What kind of content do I like to read? Why does certain content appeal to me? How can I produce similar content? What are others doing that I am not?

What innovations am I missing out on?

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Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, Chairman African Business Round Table

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eek out influential team members. It isn’t enough to hire just anyone to produce content for your site. Seek out the most influential people in your industry to create content for your brand.

Tip #12. Identify influential people within your industry with whom you can team up. These people should have large social followings and be published on major sites.

Tip #13. Reach out to your identified list of influencers and ask them to produce content for your site. Be prepared to pay a pretty penny for their content, but trust me, it’s worth it.

Tip #14. Finds ways to make your influencers happy. While money is a good start, try to give back by providing author bios on your site with back links.

Don’t be socially awkward.

Treat your social networks as a way to engage with your audience.

Content interactions are happen-

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ing more and more within the social networking realm. Use your social networks to discuss your content and interact with your community.

Tip #15. Define your purpose on each social network. For example your purpose on Twitter may be to share discounts, news and tips while your purpose on Facebook may be to post article and discuss content.

Tip #16. Do not limit yourself to Twitter and Facebook. Pinterest, Google + and Instagram all have empirical evidence as to why companies should be using their networks. Diversify your social networking efforts.

Tip #17. Be relevant on your social networks. Don’t use your networks to simply publish your articles are speak at your audience.

Use your networks as a vehicle to engage and start conversations.

You don’t have to be a one-person band. Did you know 16 percent of companies say it’s their policy

One of the first things to learn is how to hit the publish button regularly and confidently. There will always be an excuse not to publish content, but what good will that do for your brand? Push yourself to create meaningful and relevant content.

NOT to share third-party content? This doesn’t make too much sense, when 32 percent of marketers feel they don’t produce enough content. Be prepared to open the doors to contributors from across the web to help produce awesome pieces for your brand.

Tip #18. Create guest posting guidelines on your site. Allow other expert and authorities to publish content on your site in the form of guest posts.

Tip #19. Develop partnerships with complimentary brands or companies to help produce content for your site. These partnerships should be mutually beneficial so remember to also provide value. tick with it. There will be a time when you want to give up on your content-marketing strategy. Don’t. Content-marketing results take time and often take months of consistent hard work.

Tip #20. Audit your strategies to determine what is working and what is not working. Eliminate actions that are not producing results.

Tip #21. Consult with experts if you’ve realized you can’t manage your own content-marketing efforts.

Remember to use only the best.

Tip #22. Continue publishing quality, relevant content on a regular basis.

Content marketing is an incredible vehicle for companies to reach their customers, because it doesn’t feel like advertising. Follow these best practices and your company will be on its way to content-marketing success.

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Source: Yahoobusiness.com

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

PAGE 50

Healthy Living

How inadequate sleep can harm your life

• A lack of sleep can increase a person’s risk of serious health problems, scientists have claimed • Sleep expert accused the public of being ‘arrogant’ in ignoring the health benefits of getting a good night’s sleep • Blue light emitted from Smartphones and tablet computers interrupt the body’s ability to produce the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin • Eight hours’ sleep is considered the recommended amount of shut-eye • Top tips to get good sleep include a regular bedtime and blocking out light

By Ben Spencer and Lizzie Parry

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odern living has made us ‘supremely arrogant’ in the way we ignore the importance of sleep, leading scientists warn.

The demands of today’s 24-hour society mean many people push themselves too far, or ‘override the clock’, in the words of one expert.

Far too many of us bury our heads in the sand over the issue and ignore the health risks of neglecting our sleep, he added.

Lack of sleep puts the body clock out of sync and can cause severe health problems, such as cancer, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and obesity.

A project involving scientists from Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Manchester and Surrey universities concluded that the public and governments are failing to take the problem seriously.

The experts, who collaborated for the BBC’s Day of the Body Clock programme, found that on average, people get two hours’ less sleep a night than 60 years ago.

They warned that modern life – and particularly our attachment to computers and hand-held gadgets such as tablets and smartphones – means many are ‘living against’ their

natural body clocks, which are biologically geared to rest at night.

Professor Russell Foster, a neuroscientist at the University of Oxford, said: ‘We are the supremely arrogant species; we feel we can abandon four billion years of evolution and ignore the fact that we have evolved under a light-dark cycle.

‘What we do as a species, perhaps uniquely, is override the clock.

Long-term acting against the clock can lead to serious health problems.’ t is an issue that affects the whole of society, but is particularly acute among teenagers, he said.

Nearly all living things have an internal mechanism known as the circadian rhythm, or body clock, which synchronises bodily functions to the 24-hour pattern of the Earth’s rotation.

In humans and other mammals, it is regulated by the senses – most importantly the way the eye perceives light and dark and the way skin feels temperature changes.

The mechanism rules our daily rhythms, including our sleep and waking patterns and metabolism.

But the pressures of modern living mean we are now increasingly working against our clocks and risking long term health problems from

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metabolic disease.

Professor Charles Czeisler of Harvard University, said smartphones, tablets and computers had high levels of light at the blue end of the spectrum, which hits us ‘in the sweet spot’ for disrupting the human body clock.

‘Light is the most powerful synchroniser of your internal biological clock,’ he said.

‘Light exposure, especially short wavelength blue-ish light in the evening, will reset our circadian rhythms to a later hour, postponing the release of the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin and making it more difficult for us to get up in the morning.

‘It’s a big concern that we’re being exposed to much more light, sleeping less and, as a consequence, may suffer from many chronic diseases,’ Professor Czeisler said. eparate research published today in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface, suggests forcing the body to work overnight may also cause damage to the brain similar to Alzheimer’s disease.

US scientists at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, found that rats kept awake at night suffered disturbances in the electrical activity of neurons that are typically seen in

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Around eight hours sleep a night is recommended by sleep experts dementia. The authors believe the findings may also apply to humans.

Another study, in Sleep Medicine, found women who get less than six hours a night were 65 per cent more likely to have high total cholesterol and 71 per cent more likely to have raised levels of LDL – the so-called ‘bad’ cholesterol which clogs up arteries around the heart.

SLEEP DISRUPTION CAN INCREASE CHOLESTEROL LEVELS BY TWO-THIRDS Research has found too little sleep at night can increase cholesterol levels by nearly two-thirds.

The study, published in the journal Sleep Medicine, suggests sleep disruption - including lying in for too long - causes more damage to women than men.

Women getting six hours sleep or less were found to be 65 per cent more likely to have a raised cholesterol level.

And those lying in bed for 10 hours or more were 27 per cent more at risk. n contrast cholesterol levels in men seemed to hardly differ, no matter how long they spent sleeping.

Scientists say they are not sure why women seem to be more affected than men but stress the results may help shed light on why heart disease seems to be more prominent in those who do not get a full night’s rest.

Lack of sleep may not actually cause high cholesterol but simply be a marker for an unhealthy lifestyle.

Poor sleepers tend to eat more high-energy-density food and have lower vitamin intake.

Previous studies also show they tend to exercise less and may be more likely to smoke and drink alcohol.

In a report on their findings, the researchers said: ‘Self-reported short and long sleep durations were significantly associated with a poorer lipid (blood fat) profile in women, whereas these associations were not significant in men.’

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TOP TIPS FOR GETTING A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP - Keep your room dark

Light proof your bedroom, investing in curtains, blinds or an eye mask to try and prevent too much light getting in. Sleeping in darkness allows our bodies to produce melatonin, which forms an essential part of the sleeping cycle.

- Lie flat to avoid aches and pains Ensure your pillows allow your neck to stay flat. Poor posture when you sleep can lead to aches and pains and long-term back problems, which can cause you to miss out on sleep due to the pain.

- Get your temperature right Being too hot or too cold can disrupt a good night’s sleep.

The optimum temperature to guarantee an uninterrupted night is between 16 to 18C. - To nap or not to nap?

Studies are divided on the benefits of napping during the day. For many, grabbing a quick rest does not inhibit their ability to sleep at night.

But others have found a nap can make people feel more tired.

- Eat right to sleep tight What you eat can have an impact on how you sleep. You should aim to eat dinner at least a couple of hours before going to bed and avoid stimulants such as caffeine and sugar. Drinking alcohol can result in poor quality, disrupted sleep.

- Get active to boost your sleep Research has shown that those who are fit and healthy are much less likely to experience problems sleeping. It is not advisable to exercise too close to your bedtime, as your body temperature can take a few hours to drop back to a normal level.

- A clean home is more conducive to sleep ust and mould allergies can affect sleep as sufferers can find they get blocked sinuses at night. Ventilate your bedroom daily, change your sheets regularly and keep dust to a minimum.

- Get into a routine Going to bed at roughly the same time every night can help your body recognise when it is time for sleep. It is advisable to try and avoid sedatives, such as sleeping pills, as their effect tends to be short lived.

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( DailyMail)

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PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

Qualities of an effective church worker (I)

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epending on the size of a church, she has different departments where church members can work either as volunteers or paid staff. The church cannot be run by the pastor alone – he can only provide leadership and focus on the ministry of the Word and prayer like Peter said while emphasizing the need to appoint deacons. “Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:3-4 NKJV) These other areas of service in the church which help the pastor to discharge his primary responsibilities of prayer and the ministry of the word are often referred to as helps ministry.

The ministry of the apostle, prophet, evangelist and pastor and teacher (Eph 4:11) is regarded as the pulpit ministry, and they are also church workers. But the church workers in the context of this message are those in the helps ministry.

The church does not just need workers to help the pulpit ministry, she requires effective workers. A dictionary defines “effective” as “adequate to accomplish a purpose, producing the intended or expected result.” A similar dictionary definition of “effective” is “successful in producing a desired or intended result.” So the church needs workers with the capacity to produce a desired or intended result. Sometimes these workers will come forward themselves, and sometimes the pastor will have to invite them to work in specific areas in the church as divinely led like Jesus did when he invited the twelve disciples.

The pastor’s major responsibility The first thing a church leader should do before choosing his workers or stewards is to do what Jesus did, and that is to pray. To get rid of a worker,

especially a volunteer, after he has been appointed may sometimes be challenging. If not properly handled in some cases, it can create some problems particularly where the person involves gives himself over to the devil to influence others negatively.

It is therefore important to pray and not to be under the pressure of need to appoint just anybody.

Luke 6:12-16 says, “Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles: Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot; Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor.” (NKJV) After Jesus prayed, he chose twelve disciples and one of them was Judas Iscariot who betrayed him. Appointing a Judas may sometimes be unavoidable because it is possible that satan will enter into ‘one’ worker in future but a pastor can’t afford to have more Judases among his church workers than those sincerely committed to the vision.

Jesus said, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

(Luke 10:2 NKJV) Yes, there is a need for more labourers but like Jesus said we have to pray that God will send the right labourers. Because it is not everyone who comes forward to serve that is sent by God. It is not everyone who claims to be a church member that is there for the good of the church or working for her good. First, there are those who are agents of the devil – they are sent to harm the church. For instance, some join the ushering group so that they can be stealing from the

collections of the church!

Second are others who are opportunities for the devil. It is unlikely that Judas was an agent of the devil sent to the ministry of Jesus purposely to betray him. It is more likely that he was an opportunity for the devil to use.

John 12:6 says he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it. So when the devil was looking for someone to use to betray Jesus, Judas was an opportunity waiting to be used. John 13:27 says, “As soon as Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into him.” (NLT) After that, Judas went to meet the religious leaders, and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?”

(Matt 26:15 NKJV) The Bible says they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. “So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.” (Verse 16) Judas was an opportunity for the devil to use, and he used him. He wasn’t an enemy of Jesus per se. Jesus prayed about him before he chose him. He was among the disciples that Jesus sent out to preach the gospel giving them power to cast out evil spirit and heal the sick. “He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.” (Matt 10:1 KJV) Satan also bowed to Judas; he cast out devils too and healed the sick like the other disciples. “Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.’” (Luke 10:17 NKJV) But along the line, satan entered into him. He became a turncoat. That was why when he realized that Jesus was going to be crucified, he returned the money he had collected from Jesus’ real enemies which they rejected, and he went to commit suicide. If he had wanted to really get Jesus killed, it is unlikely that he would have gone to commit suicide.

(Matt 27:3-5) The real enemies of Jesus didn’t commit suicide because they felt

From the Pulpit green pastures

By Pastor T. O. Banso

cedarministryintl@yahoo.com GSM: 08033113523 fulfilled after getting rid of their enemy, Jesus. But I’m not saying that Judas is innocent. No, he is as guilty as others who had a hand in the shedding of the blood of the innocent, Jesus. Even Judas himself confessed, “I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood.” (Matt 27:4 ASV) Every steward, worker, disciple, follower must be careful not to make himself available for satan to use. Every leader must pray before selecting or appointing those to work with him but more importantly, he must continue to pray for them so that satan will not enter into them. Jesus told Peter, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” (Luke 22:31-32 NKJV) It was the prayer of Jesus that saved Peter after he had denied Jesus and though he returned to his fishing business thereafter, Jesus went after him and reinstated him. Jesus didn’t pray for Judas because the Son of man must be betrayed – that doesn’t absolve Judas of guilt. “The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” (Matt 26:24 NKJV) In appointing workers, a leader cannot afford to work by sight. Prophet Samuel almost missed it. He would have anointed the wrong persons as king in Jesse’s house. But God rejected the seven sons of Jesse in attendance.

(1 Sam 16:6-10) Eventually, all in attendance including Prophet Samuel

had to stand up waiting for David, the man after God’s heart who Samuel anointed king.

Church leaders need to pray against PUREs – Previously Undetected Recruiting Errors, especially major ones, which can affect the church – and especially regarding key positions. In addition to prayer, it is necessary to interview prospective workers, investigate their past, observe and test them etc.

I believe God has spoken to you. I urge you to be a doer of the Word. I’ll continue this message next week by the grace of God. TAKE ACTION! If you are not born again, kindly say this prayer now: “0 Lord God, I come unto you today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and resurrected the third day. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour and surrender my life to him today.

I invite Jesus into my heart today. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank you Jesus for saving me and making me a child of God” I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible believing, Bible teaching church in your area where you will be taught how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things becoming all God wants you to be. I’ll be glad to hear from you.

Praying for forgiveness and forgiving others Matthew 6:12,14,15

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orgiveness, pardon for sin, is the most essential, the most blessed, and the most difficult act that God ever did for man. It is the most essential because it keeps us from eternal suffering in hell and gives us joy in our present life with fellowship. It is the most blessed because it secures us a place in heaven, to live forever with God. It is the most difficult because it cost the Son of God His very life on the Cross to provide. Forgiveness of sin is man’s deepest need and God’s greatest gift. And the Lord has promised that if the sinner confesses and forsakes his sins and if by faith in the vicarious death of Christ he trusts in God for forgiveness, he will be forgiven and will be granted the

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privilege of sonship.

It is important for the sinner to pray: “For Thy name’s sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great” (Psalm 25:11).

Only those who come to God knowing their debts are so great that they cannot pay, relying only on the mercy of God and the merits of Christ will receive forgiveness. With humility and sorrow of heart for sinning against God, such a sinner turns to God for mercy and pardon.

Gratitude for being forgiven makes him to also forgive his fellowmen who have sinned against him.

1. PLEA AND PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS FROM GOD Matthew 6:12; Psalm 25:11; Luke 18:13,14; Psalm 51:1-13; Isaiah 1:16-18; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Exodus 34:8,9; Daniel 9:4-19.

By Pastor W.F Kumuyi “And forgive us our debts.”

“And forgive us our sins” (Luke 11:4). Sins are represented by the term, debts. These debts are sins (Luke 11:4), transgressions (1 John 3:4), trespasses (Ephesians 2:1).

Our sins are moral and spiritual debts to God. Sin makes men guilty before God. Sin brings men under judgement. But what is sin? (1) Sin is missing the mark of God’s

required standard. (2) Sin is transgression, stepping across the line – that is, stepping across the line drawn by God to demarcate what is right from what is wrong.

(3) Sin is lawlessness – the breaking of God’s law. God will judge all lawlessness. (4) Sin is slipping, sliding or falling – losing control and falling into degrading lifestyle. (5) Sin is debt and except God graciously

writes off the debts of sin we owe, no man can hope to pay off his debts of sin from birth.

This is why we plead and pray: “Forgive us our debts; forgive us our sins.” In praying like this, the sinner or the backslider prays for personal forgiveness.

Can the saint or the believer ever pray, saying, “Forgive us our sins”? When praying for national forgiveness, Moses, though he was freefromthesinofthenation,prayed, “O Lord, ... I pray Thee, ... pardon our iniquity and our sin ” (Exodus 34:9).

Daniel identified with his nation and prayed in the same way. Also, within the family circle, a child may ask the father’s forgiveness. Examples of believers’ debts for which we ask Him forgiveness in the New Testament are: Matthew 16:21-23; Mark 10:3545; Luke 9:49-56; John 13:6-11; Acts 22:17-22. Without committing sins that damn the soul, we can still pray: “Forgive us our debts.”

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Social Diary

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

Newly wed Mr. & Mrs. Olaniyi Ibrahim in traditional attire

Bola Tinubu and wife, Oluremi Tinubu at the birthday party Oba of Rilwanu Akiolu (C) and Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi at the 80th birthday party of the Ajuwale of Ijebu land; Oba Sikiru Adetona on May 10.

Rebecca Usendu recently tied the Nuptial knots to become Mrs Zebede

Ruth Ajakwe and MacDonald Chukwuyere Anodere, recently wedded at Port Harcourt

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

S p or T

Minister warns Keshi to shun sentiment in final 23-man list Page 54

Barcelona, Atletico Madrid set for hot final Page 55

Arsenal can handle FA cup pressure – Wenger Page 55

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Sports

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

Minister warns Keshi to shun sentiment in final 23-man list Stories by Albert Akota

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s the Super Eagles get set to resume camping ahead of this years’ FIFA World Cup holding in Brazil, Minister of Sports and Chairman National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr. Tammy Danagogo has warned Head Coach Stephen Keshi to ensure that the final selection of 23 players is done without bias or sentiments.

Dr Danagogo who spoke in Abuja through his Special assistant on Media, Mr Patrick Omorodion however expressed optimism that Keshi-led technical crew are capable of delivering the expectations of Nigerians for the World Cup. He equally charged the team’s handler to commence serious preparation for the assignment at hand to ensure that the players give their best at the World Cup. The sports minister also commended Super Eagles Chief Coach, Stephen Keshi for formally naming a 30-man provisional squad preparatory to the FIFA World Cup holding in Brazil in June.

He said “It is good that he has named a provisional squad

and I plead with Nigerians to give him the maximum cooperation in the discharge of his duties”, the Minister said adding that “what remains now is for the technical crew to begin serious preparation so that the players put in their best when the competition kicks off next month.”

“After the training sessions, I will advise Keshi and his team to ensure that the final 23 players to represent the country are picked without bias or sentiments. They must ensure that only the best players at all times are selected to represent the country,” Reiterating his earlier stance that the team should not limit their ambition to the Semi-final but aim to get to the final and possibly lift the cup, he assured the team of the support of the government from the preparation to the participation proper. “ I want to assure the Eagles that they will get the full support of Mr. President for their preparation and the campaign proper so that our target of going beyond the semi final and even winning the cup is achieved”, Dr. Danagogo said.

Stephen Keshi

all very good sides. I am really ready to give the whole of my best if i am chosen to play,” he said.

Meanwhile, Omeruo who just completed a season long loan deal with Championship side, Middlesbrough, said he hope to return to his home team to try to fight for a place in the star studded Chelsea team.

He also stressed that he is not against been loaned back to middlesbrough or to any other club saying that the decision lies solely in the hand of the club.

“I am still a Chelsea player and I am returning to the club and I hope to remain with them next season if the coach has plan for me. I am not planning to leave England as so many people have been speculating, and I am not even demanding for more money. Chelsea is my club and I have a contract with them,” he said.

Lionel Messi vs Eagles

Win Gold to be celebrated, minister tells AYC contingents The Minister of Sports and Chairman, National Sports Commission, Dr. Tammy Danagogo has urged the Nigeria’s contingents to the Africa Youth Championship taking place in Gaborone, Botswana this month to win gold in order to be celebrated.

This accomplishment, he said, will elevate them to the status of heroes and heroines, which inevitably will result to Mr. President and host of Nigerians celebrating them.

He made the charged when he paid an unscheduled visit to the training camps of the contingents to determine the level of their preparedness towards the event.

According to him “the President and all Nigerians are behind you, if you make gold, you will bring recognition to yourself and Mr. President will as well have a quality handshake with you in addition to other incentives”.

The teams visited include track cycling, taekwondo, judo, karate, volleyball and swimming. Others are wrestling, gymnastics, squash and football.

Messi can’t scare me —Omeruo

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he Super Eagles defender, Kenneth Omeruo has declared that he has no iota of fear about the prospect of marking Argentine wizard, Lionel Messi and the other arrays of attackers at their disposal when they meet during the world cup in Brazil this year.

Speaking in Abuja, the Chelsea FC defender noted that his job is to mark any attacker irrespective of who the person, declaring that Messi will not be an exemption.

He stressed that he is eagerly looking forward to the world cup especially the match against Argentina and he is so much looking forward to stopping the Argentine attackers from scoring against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

“I am not afraid of any team at all at the world cup; I only respect them because they are

Sports

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday- sunday May 17-18, 2014

Page 55

Barcelona, Atletico Madrid set for hot final

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a Liga is set for one of its most thrilling finishes when Barcelona host leaders Atletico Madrid in a winner-takes-all showdown at the Nou Camp on the final day of the campaign today.

Only twice in the history of Spain’s top flight has the title been decided with a direct head-to-head clash on the last day and when the calendar was set last year few would have expected Atletico to be competing with vastly wealthier rivals Barca for the championship at this stage.

Real Madrid, the world’s richest club by income ahead of Barca, were in contention until last weekend when they were beaten at Celta Vigo but it is the capital’s second club, who have about a quarter of the resources of the big two, who are close to pulling off a remarkable achievement.

Atletico have not been in contention in La Liga since they last won in 1996, tasting relegation at the start of this century, but are now in with a chance of claiming an historic La Liga and European double.

Whatever the outcome of Saturday’s game, thoughts will immediately turn to the following week’s Champions League final against Real in Lisbon, when Atletico will be looking to win their first continental crown and deny their glamorous neighbours a record-extending 10th.

After 37 matches in La Liga, Atletico are top on 89 points, with Barca on

86 and Real on 84.

If Barca, chasing a fifth title in six years, beat Atletico on Saturday they will be champions as they would have a better head-to-head record after the title rivals drew 0-0 at the Calderon in Madrid in January.

A draw would be enough for Atletico to become the first side other than Real and Barca to win La Liga since Valencia in 2004.

The last time the title was decided with a head-to-head clash was in 195051, when Atletico pipped Sevilla. The only other occasion was five years earlier when Sevilla edged Barca.

Atletico and Barca have already played each other five times this season in a series of closely-fought encounters where the Catalan club had the lion’s share of possession but were mostly thwarted by a mean defence.

Barca edged Atletico to clinch the season-opening Spanish Super Cup, when Neymar’s goal in a 1-1 draw at the Calderon in the first leg was enough to secure victory after the pair played out a 0-0 stalemate the Nou Camp in the return.

After holding Barca at the Calderon in January in La Liga, Atletico clung on for a 1-1 draw at the Nou Camp in last month’s Champions League quarterfinal, first leg and then won 1-0 in the return in Madrid.

Barca captain Xavi believes the key to Saturday’s game will be to score first and force Atletico to push forward.

Arsenal can handle FA cup pressure – Wenger

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rsenal manager Arsene Wenger has expressed confidence that the pressure of the club’s nine-year trophy drought will not derail his side in Saturday’s FA Cup final against Hull City.

“You don’t play with the history,” he said.

“You play with your quality and your desire to play well. It is an opportunity and we have to take a distance with time. We need to just turn up and play well.”

Arsenal last won a trophy in 2005, when they beat Manchester United on penalties in the 2005 FA Cup final.

They have since lost two League Cup finals,

Mascherano Diego Costa

in 2007 and 2011, and been beaten by Barcelona in the 2006 Champions League final.

“No matter what the result will be, this club and this is always most important can deal with the consequences of any game,” Wenger added.

“What is important is that we come out of the game and have the feeling that we gave absolutely our best, our total energy to play at our best, and then you always accept the consequences.

“No matter how much we talk about it, you can win and lose, but you want to come out of the game feeling you have done the maximum to win and that is what we want to achieve.”

FA Cup Final: Arsenal wary of Hull threat

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rsenal will need no reminder of the pitfalls in store for them at Wembley Stadium today where they will be favourites to beat Hull City in the FA Cup final and claim their first silverware for nine years.

Three years ago Arsene Wenger’s side were also expected to beat Birmingham City in the League Cup final but a late goal by Obafemi Martins after a calamitous defensive mix-up ruined the script and prolonged the fans’ suffering.

Since then manager Arsene Wenger’s long reign at the club has occasionally been questioned by even some of his most loyal disciples, with some advocating a change of direction.

Arsenal’s annual qualification for the Champions League, now standing at 17 seasons, continues to justify the club hierarchy’s faith in the wily Frenchman, although every year that passes without a trophy appears to add another wrinkle to Wenger’s face.

Gunners

Hull City and Arsenal

Wenger has been at pains to play down the significance of Saturday’s result, saying it will have no bearing on his ongoing contract discussion, but the 64-year-old is fooling no one as Arsenal bid for a record-equalling 11th FA Cup. Defeat by a Hull side appearing in their first FA Cup final would re-open the debate about his future.

Having finished the Premier League season with five consecutive victories and Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey back from injury, Arsenal will be buoyant as they prepare to face Steve Bruce’s Hull, but not complacent.

While Arsenal are preparing for their 18th FA Cup final, Hull’s previous best performance in the competition was a semifinal appearance in 1930 when they lost to Arsenal in a replay.

The Gunners went on to win their maiden FA Cup with a 2-0 victory over Huddersfield Town in the final.

BIG PUNCH “It is difficult, if not futile to attempt to find the fundamental cause of the bloodshed in the far North. The obvious task at hand is to end it.”

--Prof. Jacob Festus Ade Ajayi, former Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos.

Peoples Daily WEEKEND, SATURDAY — SUNDAY, MAY 17-18, 2014

WEFA, Boko Haram and Jonathan A

few days before the World Economic Forum on Africa (WEFA) was to begin in Abuja, the terrorist group, Boko Haram, launched a second deadly bomb attack within two weeks in Nyanya, an outlying district of the nation’s capital. The group also abducted well over two hundred girls from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

Following these two acts of terror, there was an escalation of the rhetoric in certain quarters that Nigeria is unsafe and as such WEFA should be cancelled. To his credit, President Goodluck Jonathan stood his ground and went ahead with the conference.

And, despite the attempt by some unpatriotic elements to create the impression that all hell has broken loose in Nigeria, “over 1,200 delegates,” as reported by the New Telegraph, “paid their way to participate at the three-day meetings, which brought together all key players in different sectors of global economy.”

In a Business/Economy feature titled ‘WEFA 2014: A success beyond measure’, which was published on Monday, May 12, 2014, the New Telegraph also reported that delegates came “From China to India, Britain, Germany, the United States of America, Brazil, South Africa and Kenya to mention but a few.”

According to the newspaper, besides Jonathan, “a group of 11 other African Heads of state and government” attended WEFA, as did Li Keqiang, Premier of the People’s Republic of China, former British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown and former Brazilian President, Lula Da Silva.

The importance of the presence of such eminent global personalities at WEFA cannot be overstated. Despite its insurgency against the Nigerian state, Boko Haram failed woefully in scaring away key decision-makers and potential investors from the country. Indeed, with the upswing of support for Nigeria through the#BringBackOurGirls movement across the globe, it is only a matter of time before the last is heard of the terrorist group.

Moreover, in spite of the terrorist attacks by Boko Haram and verbal attacks by detractors who are forever unwilling to admit that any progress is being made Advert: Business:

News: Lagos:

by the present government, the success of WEFA is a clear vote of confidence on the transformation being carried out by the Jonathan-led administration.

As Vanguardcolumnist Femi Aribisala commented recently, “The Nigerian government did not fool the world into having the WEF (World Economic Forum) in Abuja. It took place here because Nigeria is by all accounts an emerging frontier market in the world economy.”

The greatest proof of the world’s confidence in Nigeria’s emerging economy, as announced by Phillip Rosler, Managing Director of WEF, is the securing of $68billion worth of investment commitments for the whole of Africa at the Abuja WEFA event. s Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation, encompassing a re-emerging middle-class with a potential purchasing power that cannot be matched by any other country on the continent, it is only natural to expect that a reasonable chunk of those $68billion investments will be located in Nigeria. After all, logic dictates that investors plough their money into economies where there will be ample opportunities to reap worthwhile profits. And with the globally unmatched success rate enjoyed by foreign telecommunications companies that invested in Nigeria, the country has proven itself to be an economic market with bountiful rewards for investors.

Even without the breakdown of which country gets what out of the $68billion investment commitments, the New Telegraph further reported that WEFA was also the scene for the announcement of a “$20 million Preventable Child-Maternal Death partnership between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Federal Ministry of Health and GE Healthcare, one of the foremost global firms in healthcare technology.”

Furthermore, with “over $700 million to further drive and deepen immunization activities on the African continent by the African Union led by Paul Kagame of Rwanda as well as the development of a new Biomedical Equipment Technician Training

GUEST COLUMNIST Johnson Momodu

it will unlock the creative and entrepreneurial skills of millions of Nigerians.

Regarding Boko Haram’s recent desperate antics, Phillip Rosler, the Managing Director of WEF, made the case most eloquently when he said at the

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President Goodluck Jonathan

(BMET) project in Nigeria by the GE Foundation in collaboration with the Developing World Healthcare Technology Laboratory at Duke University and Engineering,” it is easy to see why the New Telegraph tagged WEFA “A success beyond measure.” t is evident from the success of WEFA that the global economic community clearly desire that Jonathan should continue with the transformation processes he has begun in the country. Within Nigeria itself,

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Chinese PM, Li Keqiang

even some erstwhile critics of the President, among them Femi Aribisala, have conceded that Jonathan “is by no means the worst president Nigeria has ever seen. As a matter of fact, he is one of the better ones.” n example that is worth mentioning here is the unbundling and privatisation of PHCN, one of Jonathan’s transformation processes, which has been lauded as one of the best policies ever initiated by government in the interest of all Nigerians since

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end of WEFA, “We will not allow the terrorists to dictate the African agenda.” And in the words of Aribisala, “Those who feel that by creating instability they will provide a catalyst for Jonathan’s defeat have simply hardened the case for retaining him in power.”

Aribisala also posited: “The issue is no longer about Jonathan. It is now about Nigeria.” The rest, it goes without saying, is up to Nigerian voters.

Momodu contributed this piece from Benin City.

As Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation, encompassing a re-emerging middle-class with a potential purchasing power that cannot be matched by any other country on the continent, it is only natural to expect that a reasonable chunk of those $68billion investments will be located in Nigeria.

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