Peoples Daily Newspaper, Friday, August 17, 2012

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

Vol. 9 No. 5

Friday, August 17, 2012

. . . putting the people first

Ramadan 29, 1433 AH

N150

STF bans Eid-el-Fitr prayer in Plateau We must pray, Muslims vow From Nurudeen Hussain, in Jos

M

uslims in Barkin Ladi and some other parts of troubled Plateau state have been banned from conducting the Eid-el-Fitr prayers at their normal prayer grounds and Mosques tomorrow.

The Military Special Task Force (STF) yesterday issued a directive ordering Muslims in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the state not to hold the public prayers at the traditional Jama,atu Nasril Islam prayer ground situated at Sabon Layi Kwok.

This is coming on the heels of an earlier directive by the Police barring Muslims from performing Eid-el-Fitr prayers in Mosques situated in Christian dominated areas for what was described as security reasons.

The STF also announced that it has recovered weapons and ammunition in the villages of Riyom and Barkin Ladi, where villagers were recently asked to vacate for military operations following series of attacks and reprisals which led to the death of hundreds recently.

However, in a swift reaction to the ban in Barkin Ladi, the Muslim community in the area has insisted that it will pray at the ground, alleging an orchestrated ploy by Contd on Page 2

Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos state chapter, embarked on a peaceful protest to Governor Babatunde Fashola’s office, yesterday over the harassment of some of its members in the state.

Photo: NAN

The way forward for Nigeria, by IBB From Iliya Garba, in Minna

F

ormer military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has debunked insinuations that he is not in support of President Goodluck Jonathan's administration saying: "We don't have any other country so we must support any

effort towards the unity of the country".

Babangida, who made the clarification during an interactive session with journalists at his residence in Minna, the Niger State capital, in commemoration of his 71st birthday yesterday said: “I have done what I ought to do by giving

the president my support”.

He said: “We should all try to live in peace with one another that is the best way we can move forward. The country has a lot of potentials so we must live in peace to transfer these virtues of ours to our future generation”.

The Former military president expressed dismay over

Fuel crisis: FG Panic in Mpape as FCDA demolishes accuses marketers of blackmail market, shanties >> PAGE 2

>> PAGE 3

negative media report against his person and his past administration, stressing that: “In the last 22 years since I left office, it is the same song either by the media or columnists such as he institutionalized corruption and so many other things”.

Babangida recalled that during his administration, he

fought corruption saying that he removed a governor over N300,000 but now we have governors being accused of swindling over N3 billion but they cannot be removed from office.

The former president pointed out that: “the survival of Nigeria lies on ordinary Nigerian’s view Contd on Page 2

Pay workers for Sallah, FG tells MDAs

Ramadan Timing for Abuja

>> PAGE 4

See other towns on Page 3

Magrib 6.47

Alfijr 5.11

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

CONTENTS News

2-11

Editorial

12

Op.Ed

13

Panic in Mpape as FCDA demolishes market, shanties

By Stanley Onyekwere

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-18

Business

19-20

Islam

26

Feature

27-28

Newsxtra

29-30

Impeachment: Between morality and nationalism, Page 37

International 32-34 Digest

36

Politics

37-40

Sports

41-47

Columnist

48

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

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

Phones for News: 070-37756364 09-8734478

T

here was palpable tension yesterday among residents of Mpape, a suburb of Maitama Extension in Abuja as many were taken aback by the news of invasion of the area by the Federal Capital Development Agency (FCDA) officials with bulldozers ahead of the August 31, deadline for planned demolition of settlements in the area.

Prior to the commotion, there were rumours that FCDA officials arrived the area at about 11 am for the exercise, two weeks ahead of the proposed deadline for the residents to vacate the area to pave way for the removal of the affected structures.

Following the development, commotion ensued among residents who were within and outside the area as they made frantic calls to verify the rumour.

With the ensuing confusion resulting in a gridlock on the road leading in and out the area, transporters took advantage of the situation by hiking their transport fares from N100 to N150.

When our reporter visited, it was discovered that FCDA officials invaded the area and demolished the new Mpape market opposite Ekobank along Berger Quarry Road junction, touching some residential structures adjacent to the market before leaving the area.

Some residents who witnessed the exercise told Peoples Daily that FCDA officials who were accompanied by heavily armed security personnel including soldiers, allowed traders in the market some time to savage what they could from their shops before leveling the structures.

Meanwhile, The Department of Development Control, in a swift reaction to the development, confirmed the incident and said it only cleared shanties in the make shift market, serving as hideout for hoodlums in the area contrary to

people's fear that the planned demolition has commenced.

According to the Deputy Director in charge of Monitoring and Enforcement TPL, Nathaniel Atebije, it is not yet the main demolition as no structure other than the said shanties was touched. ''This makeshift shops are full of shanties and criminal activities go on there. It is based on this that we're clearing the shanties'' said the Deputy Director.

The Department however maintained that the planned demolition will still go on and

advised owners and occupants of illegal structures in the area to vacate the place before then.

It would be recall that Mpape is among the 19 villages, of the capital city that have been ear marked for comprehensive demolition exercise by the FCDA. However, objecting to the proposed demolition, the residents had sought a court injunction to restrain the FCDA from embarking on the exercised before hearing in the substantive suit they collectively filed against the government over the threat.

L-R: Acting Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. Bala Dan-Shehu, Chairman, Cement Manufactuters Association of Nigeria (CMAN), Mr. Joseph Makoju, and Executive Secretary, Mr. James Salako, during the visit of the association to minister of works, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

Insecurity: STF stops Eid prayers in Plateau

Contd from Page 1 the state government and the Berom tribe to stop them from observing their prayers and deprive them of using their land for worship.

The STF, in its directive released by Lt Col. A. Baningo, restricting Muslims in Barkin Ladi from using the prayer ground stated; “In view of the prevailing security situation in the state, I am to further advice that you look for an alternative venue,” the directive said.

However, reacting to the ban, the Chairman of the area’s chapter of the Jama,atu Nasril Islam, Alhaji Adam Muhammad

accused the state government and Berom people of trying the capitalize on the prevailing security situation to deprive them of their prayer ground.

Stating that they will use the ground for prayers, Muhammad demanded that instead of imposing the ban, the STF should rather provide security for them during the prayers. He said stopping them from using the ground for prayers would be depriving them of their religious rights as peaceful citizens of the country.

With the directive, there is already apprehension in other volatile areas in the state as

residents fear attacks. This is especially with the recent warnings by security operatives of possible attacks in some other parts of the north during the Ramadan festivities.

Meanwhile, in announcing the recovery of weapons and ammunition in the villages of Riyom and Barkin Ladi, the STF Commander Major-Gen. Henry Ayoola, said that the outfit has since changed its pattern of operation since the peace operation began in the area.

“That operation moved us from what we call low intensity conflict to high intensity conflict,” he said, but did not give details of

the weapons”, he said during an intercative session with journalists in Jos yesterday.

Ayoola said that the details of its operation to flush the area of insurgents would be made public at the completion of the exercise which was still ongoing in one out of the five communities that were asked to vacate their homes.

The commander assured the people of the state that indiscipline would not be condoned from officers and men of the STF. He also appealed to the people to also obey and do what they were asked to do by soldiers, particularly at the check points.

The way forward for Nigeria, by IBB Contd from Page 1 of the fact that religion, tribal and social sentiments have bedevilled our society such that in a state if you have a Muslim governor, you must have a Christian deputy governor or if you have a governor from the city you must take a deputy governor from the village.”

On his political aspiration, he said “at this age I thank God, I cannot be moving about seeking for votes, please count me out”, adding that, “I will not God willing put myself as a candidate for

presidential election in 2015.”

Explaining the coining of stepping aside, Babangida said, it is military terminology for those that cannot comprehend instruction of left right as some people who shoot left instead of right, so I stepped aside for you people to move forward.

On the epithet evil genius, he said “I was asked a question by a team of editors from the Tell magazine who asked to know which of the numerous names I was being called is my favourite such as Maradona, deaf and so on then I said

to them I prefer ‘evil genius’ because of the contradiction.”

On the issue of Boko Haram, Former President described the call by the Boko Haram Islamic sect that President Jonathan should resign as the president of Nigeria as quite laughable.

He said despite the challenges it posed to the existence of the country, its activities will not lead to the breaking up of the nation and does not call for the resignation of the President.

“All of us, including Presidents Jonathan, Obasanjo, Buhari,

Shagari know that we are a developing country, others have gone through this challenge before, I don't believe we will go through another civil war”.

The former military president expressed optimism on the ability of the country to pull through the current challenge and urged Nigerians not to lose faith in the Nigeria project.

“The current crisis is not the first time we have gone through this circle, in-fact Nigeria has gone through a lot of crisis and I believe this is a passing phase”.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

PAGE 3

RAMADAN TIMING Day 29

L-R: Assistant Regional Security Officer, US Embassy, Mr. Thaddaeus Hoyt, Director, Media Information Support Team, US Embassy, Mr. Ian Edgerly, and Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, during the workshop on Capacity Building for Commands PPRO and staff of the PPRO Force Headquarters, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

Fuel crisis: FG accuses marketers of blackmail …Says it paid N42.66 bn to firms

By Abdulwahab Isa

F

ederal Government yesterday accused some oil marketers of orchestrating blackmail against it in their desperate attempt to get paid for import subsidy claims whose veracity is highly doubtful.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala said this in response to the current fuel scarcity triggered by the Association of Major oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) , Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria(IPMAN), Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association(DAPPMA) and Jetties and Petroleum Tank

Farms Owners of Nigeria(JEPTFON) who had served government a seven day strike notice over alleged reluctance to reimburse their subsidy claims.

Okonjo-Iweala said that 31 oil marketers with genuine had been paid a total sum of N42.66 billion between April and August this year by the oil subsidy verification committee headed by Access Bank plc Managing Director, Aig Imojkuede.

She said government remains committed to the transparent disbursement of fuel subsidy and open to dialogue with the oil marketers, but however said “ we are a nation and few people can’t hold the nation to

ransom”.

“We hope that in the discussion that would start in a short while, it will lead to situation of normalcy”, said.

Her words came against the backdrop of the current fuel scarcity which, began yesterday with a meeting between government and oil marketers in Abuja at the headquarters of ministry of finance.

The association said it had an outstanding subsidy claim of N200billion while it was paying a monthly interest charge of N3.7 billion on the bank facility at a minimum of 22 percent interest and therefore, vehemently opposed selective payment being used by ministry of finance.

Police send bomb detectors to schools, hostels From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

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he Oyo state Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Tambari Yabo, has disclosed that the organization has dispatched bomb detecting squads to various schools and other establishments where National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members are currently carrying out their primary assignments in that state as part

By Lambert Tyem

T

he Inspector General of Police, yesterday, threatened to sack Police Public Relations Officers (PPROs) across the country, because of underperformance and unacceptable standards in the discharge of their duties.

Speaking at a workshop for PPROs in Abuja, Abubakar noted with dismay that the PR department has the capacity to rebrand the image of the force but has failed woefully.

He told the PPROs from the

of the security measures for the youth corpers.

Tambari, who was recently promoted an Assistant Inspector General of Police unfolded this in Ibadan yesterday while playing host to the Oyo State NYSC Coordinator, Mr. Olanipekun Alao who paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

While insisting that the Federal Government attaches paramount importance to the security of lives

of corps members across the country, AIG Tambari stated that the duty of the police for the NYSC did not stop at fortifying the Orientation Camp but up to the corps members primary assignments and community development activities.

The police boss said, operatives of the police command have been despatched to schools where many corps members are posted, in addition to their hostels.

IGP threatens to sack PPROs

federal, zones and state commands to attend a capacity building workshop in conjunction with their work especially that of the United States Embassy to acquire the capacity to rebrand the image of the police.

“Let me use this opportunity to wake our own PROs from slumber.

Some of the commands are very docile in terms of reportage. I want to see a change. If you just have to be able to report the activities of your command very positively, you must be able to carry along

journalists who are our brothers.

You must establish contact. You cannot be a PRO and be hostile, inhuman and cannot be reached.

You are the servant of everybody.

You must not lose your temper while trying to manage crisis”, the IGP said.

“You cannot allow the police station to be maltreating and harassing citizens when they come to make complain. You have the responsibility to change the negative perception people have on the police,” he concluded.

Towns

Magrib

Alfijr

Aba Abakaliki Abeokuta Abuja Akure Argungu Ankpa Auchi Azare Bama Bauchi Benin Bichi Bida Birnin Gwari Birnin Kebbi Biu Calabar Damaturu Daura Dutse Enugu Funtua Gombe Gwoza Gumi Gusau Gwadabawa Hadejia Ibadan Ife Ilorin Jalingo Jere Jos Kabba Kafanchan Keffi/Nasarawa Kaduna Kano Katsina Kontagora Lafia Lagos Lokoja Maiduguri Makurdi Malumfashi Minna Port Harcourt Potiskum Ringim Shagamu Sokoto Warri Yola Zaria Cotonou - Benin Ndjamena - Chad Niamey - Niger Younde - Cameroun

6.43 6.41 7.00 6.47 6.51 7.02 6.43 6.48 5.39 6.25 6.38 6.50 6.47 6.52 6.50 7.04 6.27 6.38 6.32 6.47 6.45 6.43 6.51 6.34 6.25 6.59 6.52 7.00 6.41 6.58 6.57 6.58 6.30 6.46 5.41 6.51 6.44 6.41 6.48 6.46 6.51 6.55 6.43 6.59 6.48 6.27 6.41 6.51 6.51 6.43 6.35 6.46 6.58 7.00 6.49 6.26 6.48 7.02 6.30 7.13 6.24

5.13 5.13 5.30 5.11 5.22 5.14 5.11 5.18 4.54 4.41 5.00 5.23 5.02 5.16 5.12 5.17 4.42 5.14 4.47 4.59 4.59 5.14 5.07 4.54 4.43 5.14 5.07 5.12 4.54 5.27 5.24 5.23 5.04 5.08 5.03 5.18 5.06 5.06 5.08 5.01 5.03 5.17 5.06 5.30 5.15 4.42 5.08 5.03 5.13 5.19 4.50 5.01 5.28 5.12 5.23 5.26 5.06 5.35 4.45 5.23 5.02

RECOMMENDED DU’A FOR DAY 29 Pray an 2 Raka’at, after Nawafil. In every Raka’ah, after the recitation of Al-Faatihah, recite Suratul-Ikhlas 20 times each. After the Salaam recite 100 times: “Allaahumma Swalli ‘Alaa Muh’ammadin Wa Aali Muhammad”. Then say this DU’A: Allahumma ghasshinee feehi bir-rahmati war zhuqnee feehit-taufeeqa, wal ‘ismata wa tahhir qalbee min ghayaabihit-tuhmat yaa raheeman bi ‘ibaadil-mu’mineen.

Meaning: O Allah draw me near to Thy mercy, in this month, and enwrap me with it, keep me alive attached with guidance, having a clear conscience, cleanse my heart from the vulgarity of making false accusations, O He who treats the faithful servants mercifully.

Source: Mafatihul Jinan

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

PAGE 4

FG, stakeholders urged to establish aviation employers’ association From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

T

he Federal Government and aviation stakeholders have been urged to ensure that employers’ association for both domestic and foreign airlines including agencies of government are formed and registered as employers’ trade union in the sector in conformity with the practice in other sectors of the economy.

The advice formed part of the resolutions adopted by participants at the end of a 3-day workshop organised jointly by Radusi Consultant firm and the management of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) in Ota, Ogun state for union officials and middle management staff of the agency.

The resolutions were endorsed by representatives of the NAMA Branch of Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), NUATE and AUCPTRE and the Principal Consultant of Radusi firm, Alhaji Abdul-Razaq Saidu.

Robbery: SSS parades native doctor, youth leader, others From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

A

trado-medical practitioner based in Delta state, Thomas Ovie Omote popular known as ‘Yanky’ is among the eight suspects that were yesterday paraded by Edo State Security Service for robbery.

Thomas who was alleged to be involved in a car theft, claimed he bought the car, a 2005 Toyota Camry model for N140, 000 from a syndicate that specialised in snatching cars in Benin City.

He said he earlier facilitated the sales of a Hyundai sport utility vehicle, with registration Number Lagos: AAA605 AQ brought by the gang for N640, 000 because a member of the gang said he brought the jeep from London.

Thomas who claimed to be 32 years and a youth leader of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ward 2, Isoko North local government area of Delta state, said he was fished out of the ceiling where he hid when security came to arrest him.

Members of the car snatching gang included Okechukwu Okoro, Solomon Samuel, Steven Okafor, Kingsley Ababa and one Henry, still at large.

Vehicles queuing for fuel as scarcity persist, yesterday at the Central Area of Abuja.

Photo: NAN

Pay workers for Sallah, FG tells MDAs

By Abdulwahab Isa

B

arley two days ahead of Eid-el-Fitr celebration, the Federal Government yesterday tasked ministries, agencies and parastatals to expedite action in paying the salaries to public servants in.

The directive was conveyed by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister for Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala in Abuja.

She said the order came from President Goodluck Jonathan

…. releases N300bn third quarter capital projects who directed that salary be paid between yesterday and today to all Federal Government workers.

She also announced the release for the third quarter capital budget to the tune of N300billion, thus bringing total releases both first and second quarters to N704 billion. The release, she said has translated to 52 percent of the annual capital budget of N1.367 trillion.

The minister explained that the utilisation of the previous N404 billion earlier released now stood at 55.4 percent.

"We had earlier released N404 billion, with this additional N300billion, that brings us to N704 billion which is about 52 percent of the annual capital budget of N1.367 trillion. Note that what we have released before was N404 billion.

The last time we spoke to you, we said utilisation of that had gotten up to 56 percent. As at the end of July, utilisation of the previous N400 billion is now 55.4 percent" said the minister.

She said the gesture was borne out of commitment by President Goodluck Jonathan and cabinet members in making sure that finances are available for MDA s to execute their capital projects.

NHRC partners IFAN on the elderly Yuguda

By Morufat Ojulari

I

n a bid to contain the number of aged people becoming refugees and internally displaced persons in Nigeria as a result of neglect, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has partnered with International Federation on Ageing (IFAN), to proffer solutions to the malady.

This was the concern at a stakeholders meeting on the rights

of the elderly themed “Elderly as Emerging Refugees in Nigeria”, at the NHRC auditorium, Abuja.

The coordinator of IFAN, Ike Willlie Nwobu in his welcome note condemned the neglect of the aged in the country, saying their rights should not be trampled upon as evident in the scam that has rocked the pension agencies.

Special Adviser to the President on Gender Issues, Mrs. Asmau Abdulkadir, in her speech, noted that the aged need utmost

NOA boss urges women to influence children on peace

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

T

he Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, has charged mothers across the country to build a common front to champion a new crusade for peace and

security in the country.

Omeri, who gave this charge when he received the women wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN), on an advocacy visit for peace, added that the future of the country does not depend on the talented,

attention and care because they once contributed to the GDP of the country.

“They should be taken care of whether or not they worked for the government as evident in the 1999 constitution, section 16 and 17” she said.

The Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Prof. Bem Angwe, in his address, commended the collaboration with IFAN in tackling the problems faced by the aged.

intelligent or the highly connected, but to those who possess the value of integrity, tolerance and peace.

Responding, the acting chairperson of WOWICAN, Princess Leah Solomon, called for a more pragmatic approach by the government in tackling the issues of violence and corruption in the country, as WOWICAN was determined to collaborate with the NOA in its nationwide campaign for peace.

Eid-el-Fitri: IGP orders 24hrs security surveillance

By Lambert Tyem

T

he Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, yesterday ordered 24 hours security surveillance across the country especially in government, private and residential premises

in the period of the Eid-el-Fitr.

To ensure a peaceful and incident-free Sallah celebration, the IGP directed all zonal AIGs and state command commissioners of police to take adequate measures to ensure the provision of water-tight security across the country before, during

and after the celebration.

He directed CPs to ‘personally, ensure that all places of worship, recreation centres, resorts and other public places are adequately and effectively protected, to enable worshippers and the general public enjoy maximum fulfillment’.

assures IDPs of govt attention From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

B

auchi state governor, Malam Isa Yuguda, has assured Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) taking refuge in various camps across in the state of government’s attention in the provision of social amenities that will make life meaningful to them as long as they remain law abiding.

Yuguda gave the assurance while flagging off the distribution of assorted relief materials donated by Dangote Group to refugees in some of the camps in Toro local government area including Rijiyan Mallam and others.

The Governor who sympathized with the victims who fled to Bauchi from neighbouring states called on them to respect the traditions and cultures of their host communities for peaceful coexistence pointing out that it was because they found Bauchi state to be peaceful that was why they chose to take refuge there.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

PAGE 5

Dana crash: NAMA, pathologist to reappear before coroner From Francis Iwuchukwu, Lagos

T

he Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and pathologist, Professor John Obafunwa, are to make fresh appearance before the Lagos State Coroner making inquest into the Dana Air crash of June 3, 2012 at Iju-

Ishaga, Lagos, which killed over 153 passengers on board.

The coroner inquest led by Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe, explained yesterday, that the duo are being invited on Wednesday next week for reexamination.

Earlier, the Lagos State Traffic

Management Authuority (LASTMA) official, Adeoye Oluyemi, who gave evidence before the court, said at about 3:45 pm on the day of the incident, he was informed by a commercial motorcyclist that a plane had crashed into a residential buildings at Toyin area of Iju-Ishaga, Lagos.

Delta Judge regains freedom 11 days after abduction

By Dave Eniwomake, Asaba

A

fter spending 11 days with kidnappers who abducted him at OriaAbraka in Ethiope East local government area of Delta state, Justice Marcel Okoh, a judge of Delta state High Court has regained his freedom.

Justice Okoh who was appointed a judge few months ago was the former Director General, Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) in the state.

He was said to be on his way to Warri where he adjudicates matters before the hoodlums who had trailed his sports utility vehicle (SUV), swooped on him at Abraka.

All efforts by the police to track the kidnappers failed as they did not make their usual demands until the sixth day.

Investigation revealed that the hoodlums eventually opened a line of

communication and made a demand of a N40 million ransom, but it could not be ascertained whether the money was paid.

The state Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Charles Muka, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) who confirmed his release yesterday, lamented several failed efforts to rescue him in the past 10 days.

He said although his SUV was recovered the day he was kidnapped, he express grief that, "the armed gang preying on Deltans and Nigerians as a means of earning a living, has been evasive."

He said the judge's driver was swiftly arrested after "a revealing information reached the command on the persons of the hoodlums", stressing that "the command has put stringent measures in place to stem the tide."

Police, NURTW parley over security

By Lambert Tyem

T

R-L: Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, in handshake with President, Islamic Development Bank, Dr. Ahmed Mahmoud Ali, during the Vice-President's visit to the bank headquartes, yesterday in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Oyerinde: Court orders IGP to release suspect

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

A

Benin High Court has ordered the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, to release Rev. David Ugolor, a suspect detained by the police in connection with the alleged murder of Edo state governor's principal private

secretary, Mr. Oyerinde Olaitan.

He said that the applicant's continuous detention without trial was a clear violation of Section 37 (5) of the 1999 constitution.

Delivering her ruling, on the exparte motion sought by counsel to the applicant, Barr. Olayiwola Afolabi, the presiding judge, Justice Esther A. Edigin, expressed dismay

that the respondents (police and the Attorney-General of the Federation) have not responded to the motion on notice that was served on them.

"Since the applicant is not in Court, I cannot grant him bail, but rather order the respondents to release him forthwith; pending the determination of the substantive suit‌ if and against him."

New law document underway, says AGF

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

T

he Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) yesterday said a new set of Laws of the Federation will be out before the second quarter of next year.

He stated this when the governor of Ekiti state, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, led the Attorney-General

of Ekiti state, Dayo Akinlaja, and human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, to submit copies of the Laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria to him.

The minister commended Ekiti state for blazing the trail in the justice sector reform, and expressed the confidence that the governor would soon turn the state into a model state, considering the commendable strides he had made.

Speaking earlier, Governor Kayode Fayemi disclosed that the state was deeply committed to reforming the justice sector, adding that putting together a whole body of laws for the state was the beginning of what they had lined up for the reform.

He pledged the collaboration of the state with the Federal Government in the justice sector reform.

he police yesterday extended a hand of fellowship to the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) over the nation's security challenges on the roads and motor parks.

Addressing national and state executives of the union at the Louis Edet Police Headquarters in Abuja, Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar, directed NURTW to immediately arrange a meeting with state police, commissioners of their domain to fashion out areas of cooperation in the fight against crimes in the country.

The IGP expressed dissatisfaction with the behaviour and conduct of

Yoruba group in Plateau chide saboteurs of peace process

By Nurudeen Hussain, Jos

A

socio-cultural group known as the Yoruba Development and Progressive Initiative (YYDPI), in Plateau state, has described the actions of some kinsmen in the state, who are bent at thwarting the recent peace efforts embarked upon by some communities, the state and Federal Governments as

Court remands Fake NIA operative in police net From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

T

he 25-year-old man, Ibrahim Umar Aminu who was arrested Tuesday for impersonating as Nigeria Intelligence Agency operative, has been remanded in police custody on the orders of a magistrate.

The suspect was arraigned yesterday before Chief Magistrate Isah Mohammed of Court number

8, by the police prosecutor, Inspector Baba Sarki Husseini.

Hussein narrated how "the department of State Security Services arrested Aminu in possession of a fake identity card belonging to the Nigerian Bar Association, Gombe state chapter and a fake stamp of Providence Chambers, Dutse Jigawa state, and 83 passports belonging to many applicants

whom he claimed to be seeking jobs for".

"Investigation revealed that the suspect had collected the sum of N102,000 from Ibrahim Sa'adu Yusuf and N93,000 from Iliyasu Kukuma all of Yakubu Wanka Street in Bauchi state in order to secure jobs for them in the Department of State Security Services and National Intelligence Agency NIA contrary to section 324and

transport unions in the country adding that recent trends indicated that members of the union aid crimes in the country.

Abubakar also called on Nigerians to update their vehicle particulars in order to avoid embarrassment from security agencies as checks would soon be made.

Agreeing with the position of the IGP, NURTW national president, Usman Yasin, expressed readiness to collaborate with the police to fight crimes in motor parks and roads.

He appreciated the effort of the police in removing road blocks and appealed to state governments to also emulate the police by removing road blocks mounted by revenue officers.

363 of the penal code", the prosecutor added.

The defendant pleaded guilty to all the offences.

Inspector Hussaini then asked the court for adjournment to allow the police complete its investigation of the suspect.

Magistrate Mohammed adjourned the case to August 24 for judgement and remanded the suspect in police custody.

unfortunate.

The group in a press statement issued by its President Abdul-Rashed Ajao on Tuesday in Jos, said it "wishes to bring to the notice of government and the general public of an attempt by some mischievous and misled youths of Yoruba decent, resident in Jos to make frivolous claims/ appeal to the Federal Government on behalf of the Yorubas in Plateau state."

He said, the current effort by responsible elders of Jos North, Plateau state and Federal Government towards ensuring a permanent peace on the Plateau is well commended and appreciated by them, and "we hereby disclaim any group of persons that may be instigated by mischief makers to misrepresent our interest."

"These elements do not, have the mandate of either our organisation nor of the Yorubas on the Plateau."

PAGE 6

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

Jonathan’s aide implores critics to be constructive

By Albert Akota

T

he Senior Special Assistant to President on Student and Youth Affairs, Comrade Jude Imaguwe, has called on critics of President Jonathan to be constructive in their criticism to avoid overheating the polity.

Imaguwe who stated this when he paid a working visit to the executives of the youth wing

of the Christians Association of Nigeria in Abuja, appealed to the Nigerian youths to stop inciting against the government through the social media.

"Not that the government said there should not be criticism.

There is always an opposition, that is the beauty of democracy; but let there be strong enough ideological reason to make a constructive criticism", he said.

Okene killings: Police identify perpetrators From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

T

he Kogi state police command has said it has identified those behind the cruel murder of 20 worshipers at the Deeper Life Church in Okehi local government area of the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Katsina who told journalists in his office that 12 more suspects are also in the police net for various crimes in the state, noted that they are already assisting the police with useful information.

He added that the former chairmen of Okene and Okehi local government councils, Alhaji Yahaya Karaku and Abubakar

Suberu Adagu respectively, were among those who were arrested in connection with the recent violence in the area.

The police boss while affirming the determination of the police to get to the root of the matter, said an armed robbery kingpin, Abdulrazaq Adama (aka Risky), who has been terrorising the central area and other parts of the state was arrested in Akure, the Ondo state capital.

He warned that anyone indicted in the ongoing investigation, no matter how highly placed, would not be spared, even as he noted that the security agents were the only people empowered by law to carry arms.

Lagos flays 3rd worst city rating From Bimbo Ogunnaike, Lagos

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he Lagos state government, yesterday, reacted to recent survey conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit which ranked Lagos state as 138 out of 140 cities surveyed around the world to assess the best or worst living conditions.

The rating was a drop from the state's 137th position in the 2011 ranking.

Following closely after Lagos in the current ranking is Port Moresby, which took the 139th position, and Dhaka, Bangladesh in the 140th position, making it the worst city to live in the world.

The liveability report surveys 140 locations around the world to assess the best or worst living conditions and scores cities based on political and social stability, crime rates and access to quality healthcare.

It also measures the diversity and standard of cultural events and the natural environment, education (school and university), and the standard of infrastructure, including public transport.

But the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Mr. Lateef Raji, in a chat with newsmen at the State House, dismissed the rating saying the initiators of the survey were not

on ground in the state and therefore could not rate a city without taking several facts into consideration.

His words "Well, let us first look at it this way, who are this people rating? Economist Intelligence Unit? I don't have full information about what they said, but I will say that they were not on ground".

In the survey, Abidjan in Côte d'Ivoire placed 131st; Tehran, Iran came 132; Douala, Cameroon is the 133rd; Tripoli, Libya placed 134th; Karachi, Pakistan came 135th; Algiers, Algeria is 136th while Harare in Zimbabwe placed 137th in the category of the worst cities in the world.

Jang’s Chief of Staff to replace late Dantong From Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

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he Chief of Staff to Governor Jonah David Jang of Plateau state, Mr. Gyang Pwajok, yesterday tendered his resignation to contest the bye-election into the Plateau

Dutse Emir losses uncle From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

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he Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Nuhu Muhammad Sunusi, has lost his, uncle Alhaji Ahmad Tijjani.

Alhaji Tijjani a king maker and Wambai of Dutse, died in the early hours of yesterday at the age of 80, after a protracted illness.

North Senatorial zone to replace late Senator Gyang Dantong.

A statement from the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the governor, James Mannok, made available to newsmen, stated that the Plateau state governor, Jonah David Jang has accepted the resignation of his Chief of Staff.

He thanked Governor Jang for the opportunity to serve in the government and the rewarding tutelage he has gained in the course of serving the administration.

Governor Jang on his part appreciated the contributions of his former Chief of Staff and wished him success in the pursuit of his endeavours.

Nasarawa signs N2.1 bn contract for digitalisation of state owned media outfit From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

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he Nasarawa state government has signed a contract worth N2.1 bn for the digitalisation and upgrading of facilities at the state owned media outfit, Nasarawa Broadcasting Service (NBS), located in Lafia, the state capital, as well as its booster station in Keffi.

This was contained in a release signed by Danjuma Joseph, Chief Press Secretary to the state deputy governor, Dameshi Barau Luka, made available to newsmen in Lafia, yesterday.

The contract, awarded to Pinnacle Communications Nigeria Limited, a representative of an American firm, Harris Communications, is aimed at meeting up with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) dateline for all radio and television stations in the country to phase out analogue transmission, in compliance with the International

Broadcasting Commission standards.

Governor Almakura, who was represented by his deputy at the occasion, expressed optimism that the firm awarded the contract will fulfil the contractual agreement by delivering on a time frame, to justify the state government's huge spending in the information sector.

L-R: Minister of State for Education, Barister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, with Chief Representative, Japan International Cooperative Agency (JICA), Mr. Tetsuo Seke, during the envoy’s visit to the minister, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Minimum wage: Workers give Jang three days ultimatum From Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

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he Plateau state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Jibrin Bancir, yesterday, said the union has given the state government three days to address the differences in salary and arrears

of local government workers.

Bancir regretted the failure of the state government to implement the agreement entered with the labour union and commended the workers for observing the strike.

According to him, "we are only asking the Plateau state government to commence the

‘Bauchi contributions to NHF constant’ From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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he Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) Mr. Gimba Ya'u Kumo, has said that Bauchi state is one of the only three states in the federation that has been up and doing in paying its contributions to the National Housing Fund (NHF).

Kumo made the declaration in Bauchi at the commissioning of

the 288 housing units phase one of the Bauchi Unity Housing Estate developed by Terra Quest Development Company Limited at Kilometre 13, Jos-Bauchi Road.

According to him, "as at June 2012 Bauchi state government recorded cumulative NHF collections of N2.066, 212,873.92 out of which the FMBN has so far refunded N57, 674,084.72 to 2,573 beneficiaries qualified for refund

by retirement or incapability to continue contributions".

He said: "With this I want to proudly say FMBN has delivered excellently on its mandate in Bauchi state ,we have financed the constructions of 2,074 housing units in various estates located in the state, we still hope to finance more housing developments to supports the laudable programmes of Bauchi state".,

payment of N18,000.00 minimum wage to the local government workers because government promised to implement it when there is increase in subvention. The strike is crippling the economy of people at the grassroots level".

The National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) leader, Comrade Samson Mafuyai, expressed concern over the non implementation of new salary scale to the local government staff and their counterparts in primary schools in the state.

He said the Federal Government had signed the agreement that all workers in Nigeria would be paid at least the sum of N18,000.00 as minimum wage, yet some staff are still being paid N9,000.00, describing it as modern slavery which should be discouraged.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

FRSC partners NURTW on road safety management

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

W

orried by the increase in road crashes in the country as revealed by this year’s report, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), yesterday, partnered the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), to help reduce the spate of road accidents across the country.

Addressing the delegation at the FRSC’s headquarters in Abuja, led by its President, Alhaji Najeem Yasin, the Corps Marshal, Osita Chidoka, said road accidents in the country increased in the first half of 2012.

Chidoka explained that that the crashes have increased by 26 percent, while death has reduced by 6 percent compared to the first half of last year’s report.

He told the delegation that the increase in deaths on the roads was occasioned by negligence of road signs, and called on the authorities of the NURTW to sensitise their members on the need to be careful on the road while driving.

He added that 18-seater buses caused about 40 percent of road crashes in the country.

Earlier, the president of NURTW, said that issue of passengers manifests on all commercial vehicles but assured that the union will do its best to assist the FRSC in reducing and eradicating cases of road crashes in the country.

Agric gets attention in Kogi From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

K

ogi state government is to give priority attention to agriculture extension services and input supply to enhance small-scale farmers’ holdings in line with the Federal Government’s transformation policy in the sector.

The Commissioner for Agriculture in the state, Dr. Olufemi Bolarin, disclosed this yesterday in Lokoja while on inspection tour of FADAMA programmes and Agriculture Development Projects (ADP) in the state.

Bolarin said the aim was to enhance farmers’ productivity and reduce rural poverty; adding that the ministry in collaboration with its agencies and parastatals had resolved to reposition the state’s agricultural sector.

He hinted that the state would soon commence distribution of farming equipment, already imported from China, to farmers adding that government had initiated programmes for the transformation of the agriculture sector.

The commissioner added that the government was focused and committed to the transformation programme in the sector to make the state self-sustaining and an exporter of food and cash crops.

PAGE 7

Ramadan: Sultan asks Muslims to look out for new moon today T he Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), yesterday, asked Muslims as well as its various moon sighting committees to look out for the new moon of Shawwal today.

The directive is contained in a statement issued in Abuja and

signed by the Secretary-General of the Council, Dr. AbdulLateef Adegbite.

It said that the directive was in line with the practice of the prophet Muhammad as Ramadan will be 29 days on Friday.

“Prophet Muhammad (SAW) instructed the Muslims, saying: “Do

not fast unless you see the Crescent (of the month of Ramadan) and do not give up fasting till you see the Crescent (of the month of Shawwal).

“But if the sky is overcast, count thirty (30) days of Sha’aban or of Ramadan as the case may be” (Narrated by Abdullahi Bin Umar)’’, the statement stated.

Adegbite said in accordance “with this Prophetic Tradition, Friday Aug. 17, being the 29th day of Ramadan 1433AH, Members of the National and State Moon-Sighting Committees as well as other Nigerian Muslims should look for the new Crescent of Shawwal”.

(NAN)

...commends Jonathan over Jos crisis From Lawal Sadiq Sanusi, Sokoto

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L-R: Director, Vehicle Inspection Officer (VIO) Mr. Oladimeji Gbenga, Director, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Sanni Gwarzo and Delta State Nominee, Mr. Sunday Omamofo during the 12th National Productivity Day Celebration and Conferment of National Productivity Order of Merit Award, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo:Justin Imo-Owo

National Productivity Centre honours deserving enterpreneuers

By Umar Mohammed Puma

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s part of its 12th National Productivity Day celebration, the National Productivity Centre, yesterday, honored 20 Nigerians and 11 organisations with the Order of Merit (NPOM) award, for their outstanding performance in their various endeavours.

The chairman of the selection criteria award committee, Dr. Aidi Abbas, said the criteria used in choosing the awardees is based on their outstanding performance, expertise, credibility, among others, in their various public and private

organisations.

He added that in 2010, the centre sold 1,800 nomination forms through the heads of service of the 36 states of the Federation and Abuja, and 192 were returned of which 20 individual and 11 organisations were finally chosen for the awards.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, said productivity is vital to the survival of any nation that desires significant economic growth and development.

In his keynote address, President Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented by the secretary to the Government of the

Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, said henceforth, the 3rd week of August every year is to be marked as the National Productivity Day. He charged the awardees to be more focused in their endeavors for the benefits of the nation. He then congratulated the recipients of the award and charged them to do more for the development of the country.

Some of the awards receipients were Dr. Ezekiel Oyebola, Engr. CP, Sulaiman Abba, Dr. Nasir Sani Gwarzo among others; the organisations included UPS Group of Companies, Overland Airways Limited and Yammi Farms Nigeria Limited, among others.

he Sultan of Sokoto, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar the III has commended President Goodluck Jonathan’s peace initiatives to put an end to the lingering crises in Plateau state. “Muslims are happy with the steps taken by the President to resolve the agelong crises. We are happy at the strategy of inviting the two contending parties to Abuja separately.

The Sultan made the commendation on Wednesday while hosting a break- fast dinner with members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Sokoto State Council in his Palace. ‘’By taking this step, we must say the government was ‘worried by the renewed hostility among the warring communities in Plateau state and the attendant loss of human lives’’, the Sultan said.

The Federal Government recently commenced another fresh peace initiative to put an end to the age-long crisis. The Sultan also urged the communities to embrace the move and support the initiative with all sincerity so that peace will return to the state.

In his speech, Sokoto state council chairman of the NUJ, Alhaji Labaran Dundaye, commended the Sultan for being able to solve the problem of moon sighting or the different timing of Islam events in the country that do usher in Muslims festivities such as Eid-el -Fitr and Maulud which hitherto do vary between the northern and southern parts of Nigeria leading to two different days for the festivals.

Izala group tasks Muslims on constitution review From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

T

he chairman of Katsina state chapter of Jama’atu Izalatul Bid’a Wa’Ikamatus Sunna (JIBWIS), Sheikh Yakubu Musa Hassan, has tasked Muslims to participate actively in the constitution review exercise.

Sheikh Hassan who stated this

at the closing of this year’s Ramadan Tafsir at the Kandahar, Kofar-Kaura mosque in Katsina, urged Muslim groups to keenly monitor the review exercise.

“Muslim groups should monitor the constitution review exercise closely to make sure section 277 that relates to sharia’h is not removed” he stressed.

Similarly, Sheikh Hassan who

was represented at the closing session by Malam Mukhtar Uthman Jibia, called for dialogue between the Federal Government and the Boko Haram sect.

He lamented that the crisis was seriously affecting socioeconomic activities in the region, arguing that it was only justice that would bring about peace in the land.

According to him, Muslims must continue with the spirit of Ramadan even after the completion of the fasting period by shunning evil and immoral acts.

Sheikh Hassan called on Muslim youth to find ways of becoming self reliant without depending on government jobs by embracing farming and hand crafts.

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

Lagos NUJ storm Fashola’s office over assault on photojournalist From Bimbo Ogunnaike, Lagos

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embers of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos State Chapter, yesterday staged a peaceful protest to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola to register their anger over what they termed the continuous brutalisation and harassment of its members practicing in the state.

Journalists had stormed the Ladi Lawal Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja as early as 8am where the protest march began at about 10am.

The protest led by the Lagos State NUJ Chairman, Mr. Deji Elumoye and other officials of the Union,moved through Awolowo Road , making a short stop at the State House of Assembly before terminating at the State House, Ikeja.

The protesting journalists consisting mostly photojournalists, carried placards and big banners some of which bore the photographs of the LEADERSHIP Newspapers photojournalist, Mr. Ben Uwalaka and former photo editor of the Nigeria Compass, Mr. Tunde

Ogundeji, who were inflicted severe injuries by overzealous mortuary attendants at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and thugs purportedly from the Nigeria Railway Corporation respectively.

Singing solidarity songs, the protesting journalists arrived at the entrance to the State House, Ikeja at exactly 10:50am and demanded to meet the Governor who was said to have travelled on Lesser Hajj.

Worried by the 40 minutes delay under the intense sun, the journalists blocked both entrances

of the State House preventing cars from leaving and entering the office, just as they demanded for a representative of the governor to answer them.

The NUJ chairman said: “We want those who perpetrated the dastardly act to be brought to book, our team of six lawyers are working on that right now and they will ensure that on behalf of the Lagos NUJ, that both civil and criminal charges are pressed those who perpetrated that act”.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and

Strategy, Lateef Raji later received the journalists.

“The Lagos State government has said it before that the perpetrator of that heinous crime has been arrested. The Lagos State government has also provided free legal service through the Office of the Public Defender to the journalists concerned.

The government has also opted to foot the medical bill of the journalist, all these are not a way of covering up this issue, but it is a way of showing concern and in solidarity with you”, Raji said.

Neighbourhood Watch arrests 4 robbery suspects From Bimbo Ogunnaike, Lagos

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People shopping for Sallah on Disana road, yesterday in Bauchi.

Photo: NAN

4 women charged over alleged sale of donkey meat From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

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our women who were arraigned yesterday before the Ikpoba-Okha Area Customary Court sitting at Oregbeni, and charged with alleged case of possession and sale of prohibited donkey meat in the area.

President of the Court, Elizabeth Dele-Ogbeide who ruled on the no-case submission made by

Counsel to the accused persons, Osaretin George Izevbuwa, said there was enough evidence linking the women, Caro Idedia, Margaret Irorere, Ruth Ohagbon and Rose Odia, with the offence, saying the case required explanations from them, hence they have cases to answer.

The prosecuting counsel, Joseph Ebosereme, submitted that the prosecution had tied the women to the offence, saying their

counsel was unable to loose it.

He emphasized that the accused women were caught displaying and selling the noxious meat to unsuspecting members of the public at Oregbeni Market, Ikpoba Hill, Benin City, on February 4, 2010.

He said it is an offence punishable under section 134 of the Public Health Law cap 5, Vol II laws of the defunct Bendel state of Nigeria, 1976 as applicable in Edo state.

eighbourhood Watch, a grassroot security outfit under the Lagos State Ministry of Rural Development on Wednesday arrested four suspected robbers .

The names of the robbery suspects who specialise in using vehicle jacks as handguns to rob their unsuspecting victims are Jude Ogor, Charles Nwozuzu, Ifeanyi Onwukwe and Akonye Chidozie .

They were handed over to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Headquarters in Alausa along with a mini Volkwagen Golf saloon car, with registration number, BK 121 FKJ, which they used in taking away stolen goods as well as vandalised vehicle parts.

The robbers, according to Mr. Oguns Musbau, who led his team in the operation, have subjected residents of Ijanikin and Oto-Awori to fear, robbing them of money and other valuables.

PDP urges Muslims to sustain prayers after Ramadan From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa state has urged Muslims all over the country to use the Sallah period for sober reflection and the unity of the country.

In a Sallah message to the people of the state signed by the state secretary of the party, Adamu Onyaki, the party called on Muslims to also continue to pray

Zamfara LG distributes food, clothes to citizens From Salisu Zakari Maradun, Gusau

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eople of Bakura Town, the headquaters of Bakura local government area Zamfara State, are currently jubilating following the distribution of food items and textile materials to them as part of Ramadhan welfare by the local government council.

The textile materials went to

both men and women, in addition to N500 for each beneficiary for the tailor.

Bags of rice and sugar were also distributed to less privileged and destitute across the local government.

Chairman of the local government, Alhaji Bello Dan Kande Gamji, while making his remarks shortly after the exercise in Bakura, said that his council

would continue to cushion the lives of the people.

According to Dan Kande, the gesture, just as Ramadan ends, would also continue during the celebration of Eid-el-kabir coming up in the next few months.

He stated that as leaders of the people, with whose mandate they occupy their seats, they were dutybound to satisfy the electorate, even as he urged them to continue

The suspects were arrested at 2am at a mechanic workshop in Ajangbadi when they were in operation, adding that the outfit is glad to work in tandem with the police to flush criminals in the area who have been terrorizing them.

Oguns said his men mobilised to the robbery scene after the outfit had received distress calls from residents whose homes were visited by the robbers.

Education Supervisor in OtoAwori local council development area, Mr. Adeniyi Ashafa, who represented the Chairman of the council, Mr. Bolaji Roberts at the handing over of the men to the police said the suspects had also confessed to robbing some high profile residents of the area.

Ashafa said the suspects had robbed the Chairman of the council and other top political leaders in the area, adding that traditional rulers including Oloto of Oto-Oba Josiah Aina and Onijanikin of Ijanikin Oba Momodu Afolayan had also been victims.

to pray for leaders. Said he: “I’m calling on you to, as a matter of fact, to please pray for us and the government of the state to succeed in lifting the burden on our shoulders”.

Speaking further, Gamji urged the people to opportunities such as the Ramadan to extend hands of friendship and love among themselves and shun enmity.

for the unity of country even after the Ramadan period.

“As Nigeria is currently facing a trying moment, prayers remain the only alternative that can bring back the past glory”.

The statement urged governments at all levels to encourage peaceful co existence among the different ethnic and religious groups for peace and sustained development.

The statement added that “as we gradually come to the end of this year’s Ramadan and approach the Eid Fitr period, we pray that the celebration will be peaceful and fruitful”.

It further called on Nigerians to use the period to unite and love one another for the sake of peace in the country, while appealing to criminals to stop their acts , as “Nigeria belongs to all of us”.

The statement further called on supporters of PDP in the state to always shun any act that could lead to the break down of law and order.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

MONEY SENSE

PAGE 11

Principles of investing (V) Diversification It is an extremely important principle to any investor investors must allocate their wealth (investment capital) into several parts. Investors who fail to do this compound their risk by putting them all in one place.

Diversification is essential regardless of your age, income level, time frame, or personality.

Know the opportunity cost of an investment Before committing money to a certain investment, an investor needs to know the opportunity cost or the best alternative to the investment about to be made. And if the expected returns from the

alternative are better on a riskadjusted basis, then maybe the investor should consider putting money to work in the alternative investment opportunity instead.

Get an investment adviser Getting advice to invest and using an investment adviser are two different things. This is because the do-it-yourself may not work for everyone, giving the amount of work and skill required to make some investment decisions. Also, holding a full-time job and juggling to manage one's portfolio can be overwhelming.

(You can visit www.gtbasset.com to read or download a copy of the article).

Your Money Guide Credit and Debit cards, learn the basics:

How to ensure your grocery bill is effectively coordinated

By Muhammad Sada

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our grocery bill is your biggest weekly household expense, so keeping a lid on it will go far to stretch your dollar.

The average Nigerian family of four spends between N10 to N20 thousand per month on grocery bills, according to some recent surveys on cost of food. Here's how to manage your grocery bill: Get organised. Before you embark on your weekly grocery shopping you need to have everything planned. Shopping lists are crucial. Keep an inventory of what you need so you don't doubleup and *Keep a cheat sheet of prices. Besides your shopping list, be sure to keep track of prices.

Nobody can remember the price of everything, so jot down the prices of some key items. That way you'll know when you see a good deal. *Be size conscious. Bring a calculator if you have to, but most stores will also list the "unit pricing" for items that come in different sizes. Bigger package usually, but doesn't always, represent value.

Packaging is getting smaller, prices are going up. *Compare prices. Compare deals you get at your grocery store with other stores, like drug stores or home improvement stores, which may have cheaper prices on certain items that are also

Quote A daily routine built on good habits and disciplines separates the most successful among us from everyone else. The routine is exceptionally powerful - Darren Hardy: Publisher

available at the grocery store.

Maximize your coupon strategy. There are many tricks and creative ways to find and use coupons. *Look around. Check manufacturers' websites, the Sunday papers, stake out sites like coupons.com and grocerygame.com and ask at your local stores where to go for more coupon sources. *Combine. Stacking a store and factory coupon on a sale item can help boost your savings, but don't forget to seek out bargains, too. If a pound of mince is on sale because the best-buy date looms, bring it home and freeze it. Ask your local store if they accept coupons from competitors' stores. You may be pleasantly surprised by the answer. *Carry your card. If you pick up an item that requires a store card, don't forget to use yours or ask for one. Some grocery stores also allow you to digitally download coupons from the store's website.

Make sure to remember to scan your card at checkout.

Buy in bulk. If it makes sense for you, buying in bulk can save a lot of money in the long-run, but you might have to shell out more

up front to save per item. A little saving on lots of tinned products and other non-perishables like kitchen roll add up. *Get fresh. You may find products with better expiration dates if you rummage. This is all the more important when you're bulk-buying. *Special occasions. If you're shopping for a party or special occasion like Thanksgiving, this is the time to buy in bulk for highpriced items like steak, turkey, beer or wine.

What not to do. These shopping tips could save you spending more than you should. *Don't be so brand loyal.

What are you getting in return for sticking with your favorite brands? Familiarity? Higher prices? Try buying cheaper generics. *Don't buy bottled water. If you buy a water filter, it will be like the plastic bottled tap water you buy in the shop, except it will replenish itself daily as if by magic.

Similarly, watered down juice is a false economy. Buy the juice and water it down yourself. *Look for less expensive shops that can satisfy your needs with the least possible price.

A

generation ago, it wasn't all that unusual to be out for dinner with friends or at the register with a cart full of groceries and realize you didn't have enough cash to cover the bill. But today, you're likely to pull out a debit or credit card and not think anything of it.

Though the two types of cards may be used interchangeably, there are notable differences between them. Let's start with debit cards.

Debit cards are linked to your bank account so the money you spend is automatically deducted from your account. They provide

than you do with debit cards.

Credit cards basically allow you to use someone else's money (the card issuer's) to make a purchase while you pay the money back later. If you do so within the billing period generally, 15 to 45 days - you can avoid paying any interest on it.

The problem arises, of course, when you don't pay the balance in full and are charged interest as well. That can quickly add up. If it takes you two years to pay off a N500 balance, for example, and you're being charged 18 percent interest, you'll end up paying nearly N100 more in interest.

a convenient alternative to cash, especially if you do a lot of shopping online. Debit cards can also help you budget. Use your card to pay your bills and day-to-day expenses and your monthly statement will provide a good snapshot of how much you spend per month and where it's going.

There's another benefit as well: Unlike credit cards, your bank balance goes down with each debit card transaction, so you're less likely to overspend. (Many banks offer "overdraft protection" that allows you to exceed your balance. But you'll end up paying interest, and maybe extra fees, on the money you borrow from your overdraft account.)

With so many benefits to the debit card, why use a credit card at all? There are three main reasons: You can spend more than you have - or postpone paying, at least - and you typically get better rewards and better protection

If you use them responsibly though, credit cards can offer other advantages. They help build your credit, as long as you pay your bills on time. Some also offer rewards that you can use to get gifts, cash back or discounts for products, services and special events. They also provide more protection if someone steals your card or bank information.

Generally speaking, if you plan to use your card a lot, cashback programs may be the best bet. It's easy to get the refund either through a check or a credit on your account - and you can use that money for anything. Many large banks also offer debit cards with rewards, so it can be worth shopping around for them too.

For most people, using both a debit card and credit card makes sense. The key is not to spend more than you have with either. If you can do that, you'll be able to enjoy the benefits that each provide.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

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Eid-el-Fitr with a difference

ll things being equal, today will mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan, and the beginning (tomorrow) of Shawwal, the 10th month on the Islamic calendar.

The first of Shawwal is the Eid-el-Fitr or ‘Festival of Breaking Fast’, observed at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. It is an occasion for celebrations, marked by feasts and general merrymaking by both the old and the young. Indeed, the first three days of Shawwal are spent in celebrations. For the young in particular, it is an occasion for a fashion parade, when they strut in their new fineries. For them no Eid el Fitr is complete without donning brand new attires to impress one another and the ‘competition’.

Sadly, at a time when all Muslims will be gearing up for the celebration of the unique occasion that is the end of Ramadan, those in many towns in the northern part of the country, the 2012 Eid el Fitr is one they will be looking forward to with trepidation because of the serious security situation occasioned by the murderous campaign of terror unleashed by the Boko Haram sect. The signs are all very clear that the Sallah day celebrations in the North may never be the same again for a long time to come.

Already, in Kano state, the Kano Emirate Council has cancelled all traditional Sallah (Eid day) celebrations, in a sharp departure from a century old tradition that is marked in all emirates in Northern Nigeria.

Although the ill health of the Kano Emir, Alhaji Ado Bayero, was given as the reason for the cancellation of the long tradition, it is, however, widely suspected that the decision has as much or more do with the tense security

situation in the state than the ill health of the amiable octogenarian monarch. Only last week, security operatives discovered a cache of arms and ammunition hidden in Kano, which was alleged to be used for attacks in the ancient city during the Sallah celebrations.

And in Kaduna state, security has been beefed up at strategic locations in the capital, Kaduna, Zaria and Kafanchan, in the southern part of the state ahead of the Sallah day and subsequent celebrations.

Even without saying, Eid day

“

as we bid farewell to the holy month of Ramadan, let us welcome Eid el Fitr with a renewed attitude of gratitude and forgiveness in our hearts.

In particular, we should strive to inculcate the lessons of the month in ourselves and give peace a chance in our dear nation celebrations in Maiduguri in Borno state, Damaturu in Yobe state and, to some extent, Bauchi in Bauchi state, will never be the same in the foreseeable future, as these cities, along with Kano, appear to be the main theatres of the Boko Haram sect’s senseless but murderous insurgency, which has made both Muslims and Christians equal targets of murder.

Hardly a day goes by without members of the sect striking in one or some of the aforementioned towns.

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It is, indeed, sad that members of the Boko Haram sect, who link their dastardly activities to Islam, do not learn any of the lessons of the month of Ramadan, which is a period to be more God-fearing, learn piety, self-discipline and patience. It is also a time to be more charitable and generous. In addition, the month of Ramadan is a time to seek Allah’s forgiveness and to forgive each other. In essence, it is the month of prayers, charity, piety, and, above all, introspection and self-reassessment.

Of course, the harvest of security woes we are reaping is the function of the nauseating corruption that has held the nation in an expiating grip since the return of the current democratic dispensation about 13 years ago, with particular vengeance in the last couple of years. Therefore, as we bid farewell to the holy month of Ramadan, let us welcome Eid-el-Fitr with a renewed attitude of gratitude and forgiveness in our hearts. In particular, we should strive to inculcate the lessons of the month in ourselves and give peace a chance in our dear nation.

We want to use this opportunity to once again call on our leaders to change their ways of doing things and put the nation first and always in both their deeds and utterances.

And members of the Boko Haram sect, who are insisting that everyone must follow their creed, should go back to the Holy Quar’an Chapter 2, verse 256, where Allah (SWT) stated that ‘there is no compulsion in religion’.

Therefore, everyone is free to follow the religion he or she chooses without let or hindrance.

We wish all Muslims happy Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.

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PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

By Anthony A. Kila

T

ake a Nigerian and you have a survivor, take two Nigerians and you get two competing survivors, take three Nigerians and you get a series of contradictions. That in part is the story of Nigeria in the just concluded successful London Olympics. It is also in part the story of this Nigeria as a whole, this rich but poor country where things start great but end teeny, this land of many titles but little deeds, this nation full of places of worship but neither known as a haven nor for godliness.

Although Nigeria might not seem godly to many from afar, we can assure them that extraordinary things happen in this land that turns soldiers into militicians and together with politicians they play politricks rather than politics with a resolve to make the best and brightest be led and represented by the mediocre. All of these in a system where the simple is made complex and the obvious made mysterious. All of these in a system where the people, normally provident and ingenious in their private life, are in a perennial shock of the obvious when it comes to their public interest. It is all so fascinating for a scholar but sad

By Emmanuel Sarpong OwusuAnsah

I

f Professor Atta Mills had not slept the sleep of the ancestors, I wouldn't have known the extent of his "piety"'; these were the words of a young Ghanaian lady who recently engaged me in a philosophical conversation about life and death.

It is a well-documented fact, that the late former president Mills' government was vociferously criticized not only by opposition parties, but other groups and individuals. Paradoxically, the very people who persistently vilified him and his administration when he was alive, are now beatifying if not canonizing him outright. This has compelled a section of Ghanaians and foreign nationals to quite unfairly refer to the tears of known opposing groups and individuals as crocodile tears.

The breath of life is the most unique, powerful and precious entity in human existence; hence, the death of every human person, even notorious criminals, triggers some level of sad feelings in others. It is thus not uncommon for people to intuitively and interiorly mourn the death of their arch enemies, even though they may try to demonstrate the opposite outwardly.

It thus takes a person with a dead or hugely impaired conscience to genuinely rejoice over the loss of their democratically elected leader.

Saying only good things about the dead is not unusual; it is in fact a human norm, a universal etiquette and phenomenon. This human norm is as old as Methuselah. The famous Latin aphorism, 'De mortuis nil nisi bonum dicendum est (of the dead, let nothing but good be said; or speak no ill/evil of the dead), apparently coined in Greek by the philosopher, Chilon of Sparta, has been in existence since 600 BC. As a matter of fact, ancient Egyptians ensured that only good things were said about the dead, including

PAGE 13

Can we share in their glories? and painful for a citizen.

A cruel British friend and colleague casually called my attention to the fact that this might be the worst Olympics for Nigeria in the last quarter of a century. He was clearly rubbing it in, should I still be his friend? I have checked it is true: the last time we did not win a single medal was 1988 in Seoul. A look at the IOC records will make one think Nigeria's best days are behind. "I reject it", as they say in Nigerian parlance.

Sadly it is nothing new; this is not the first time we take one giant step forward and many backwards. Do you know our world cup story? Students of sports management should be made to use it as a core case study.

The Super Eagles entered the 1994 World Cup with a bang and after their first match they became everybody's darling of the tournament but since then it has been backward: The Nigerian national squad's trajectory in the global event has been from great to anonymous, to absent, to pathetic and then to annoying.

Whilst the Nigerian flag and country may have little Olympic

success to fly and cheer about, that is definitely not the case for the people of Nigeria. The individual Nigerian, once freed from the shackles of the Nigerian system, becomes the unbridled and enterprising survivor capable of competing and excelling amongst his and her peers across the world. Like their parents that tend the sick and teach the young in different parts of the world outside Nigeria based merely on personal merits and interest, many young Nigerians now have a lot to cheer about in the just concluded Olympics, they are of course doing so cladded in non Nigerian colours and they are doing so whilst the country Nigeria is going home dejected.

From day one of the games, I started making a list of these Nigerians and the list grew as the games continued. These brilliant stars shined thanks to their performance and I recognized them to thanks to their names. Regardless of their final results, it was a joy to hear people around me chant names like Margaret Adeoye, Danielle Alakija, Eniola Aluko,

Oluwadamilola Bakare, Peter Bakare, Ifeoma Dieke, Innocent Emeghara, Temi Fagbenle, Andre Iguodala, Ayodele Ikuesan, Christian Ohuruogu, Marilyn Okoro, Lawrence Okoye, Anyika Onuora, Ezinne Okparaebo, Abi Oyepitan and so on. I am sure they are many more whose name may not have given us the clue to readily recognize them. My personal star of London 2012 is 20 years old Liz Cambage born on the same day as my daughter Noemi Kila. Liz Cambage is commonwealth incarnate, born in England to Nigerian and Australian parents. Whatever happens in future, she will remain the first female player to complete a dunk in Olympic basketball. In the game against the USA, she racked 19 points in 20 minutes and made the USA coach call aside his team to say you must "stop her".

Conversations with others have revealed I was not the only one proud of these international stars and supporting their flags.

Nigerians spectators were rooting for athletes not flying Nigerian flags. Nigerians names

were present in almost every activity and almost any country you can think of. My favorite example comes from American based Nigerian Dr Ladi Adeniyi and his wife. They came to London for the games and they told me they were rooting for Fiji because of Danielle Alakija.

All fantastic for globalization, but a question must be asked locally: Can we share in their glories? Truth be told: As a country, we neither trained nor encouraged these champions. We did not invest in them. The team Nigeria managed was awful, let us be clear; not because we lack talents but because of poor vision, bad management and an irritating inability to get simple things right. Innocent Egbunike was called in as head coach of Team Nigeria 200 hundred days to the games.

We need to review our understanding of and commitment to sports. These are not just games they never have been, it is economy, nation building, image making.

oppressive Pharaohs.

The big questions however are: Why are bad things not spoken of the dead; is it out of respect for them?

Why do human beings usually emphasize the ills and/or alleged transgressions of others when they are alive, and stress their good and/ or supposed righteous deeds only after their deaths? The following is my personal position.

The practice of saying only good things about the dead can probably be explained from religious, social and natural perspectives.

Religious perspective: We all do know that religion has always formed part and parcel of human existence; and one thing which is consistent with the doctrines of all the major religions of the world is the belief in an afterlife, and the fact that only those who live good moral lives experience eternal bliss when they die. Even though most of these religions hold that the Divine (the object of worship) cannot be influenced by humans and nothing could be done by the living to influence how the dead is judged by the Divine, their members instinctively believe that by saying bad things about the dead, they will somehow be compelling the Divine to chastise them (the dead). The living thus says only good things about the dead so as to enhance, as it were, their chances of experiencing everlasting bliss.

In the Roman Catholic and other orthodox Christian churches, the

need for some believers to magnify the good deeds of the dead and sweep their transgressions under the carpet probably became popular at the time when belief in purgatory was very common and strong.

Prayers and masses were and are still offered for the departed in hopes of speeding their liberation in case they were/are residing in that harrowing place/state of purgation.

The feeling or intuitive belief of some of the laity is that, emphasizing the faults of the souls in purgatory could delay their exit to heaven.

Social perspective: It is socially inappropriate to speak anything negative about a deceased person.

When someone dies, the family, close friends and other loved ones are often confused and deeply hurt emotionally. They go through a variety of painful feelings and thus become vulnerable. To avoid inflicting further pain upon the family and loved ones, one prudently realizes the need to avoid mentioning the wrongdoings the deceased might have done on earth.

In practice however, the eulogy only seems to apply to the recently deceased; thus, people refrain from speaking badly about the dead only in the immediate aftermath of the passing. This means that very soon, historians, political and media analysts will start publishing critical reviews of the late former president's life and works. They will be coming up with voluminous literary works such as: The Rise and Fall of Mills,

the Headless Head; The Downfall of the Peacemaker who Never Experienced Peace; The Achievements and Failures of Uncle Atta, the 'Mortuary Man'; Mills: the Worst Leader Ghana Has Ever Had; Greedy Bastards and Brutuses, the Cause of Mills' Downfall; The Vision of the Visionless 'Visionary'; The Dying Jogger; etc.; etc.

Inborn viewpoint: Humankind, as it is generally believed, is responsible for their actions; and they are able to defend their actions on earth, and respond to false allegations to exonerate themselves only when they are alive. It therefore appears to me that humankind has the innate desire to give others the chance to justify their innocence or correct their wrongs so as to maintain or enhance their good reputation before death comes for them. This apparent inborn desire, perhaps sub-consciously induces humankind to highlight not the good deeds, but the misdemeanours or alleged misdemeanours of the living.

Nevertheless, every normal human person knows, that compliments or positive comments on a person's behaviour or their works are not only uplifting, but a huge source of encouragement and strength for them. On the other hand, negative comments or allegations whether true or false, are not only emotionally and psychologically hurtful, but also dispiriting and disheartening. This

underlines the need for every living person to receive not only negative but also positive comments from others in order to balance what I prefer to call, the complicated equation of life.

Some people argue that since the dead cannot feel any anguish or amusement about things that are said of them, it is better to sing the praises of the living and vilify the dead than vice versa; their philosophy is: about the dead, say nothing good, about the living, say nothing bad; but I tremendously disagree. If this were to be the case (i.e. positive things said about the living and negative things said about the dead), the death of many supposedly righteous people would scandalize and dampen the spirit of the many who saw them (the deceased) as role models when they were alive.

My philosophy is this: Commend me when I excite or impress you; reprimand me if you sincerely think I have faltered or erred; and do not praise me if you honestly believe that I have done no good. Do not let me expire before you start singing my praises as you are doing to Prof Mills; for, my ghosts, if ghosts exist, will not be at peace. After my death, tell others about what you know for a fact, were my strengths and weaknesses; they would learn wonderful lessons from both.

May the souls of the late former president, Professor Evans Atta Mills and my very good friend, Rev Fr Mathias Nwea Ackah, rest in superlatively perfect peace.

Anthony A. Kila wrote in from Cambridge, UK.

Of the dead speak no evil

“

The practice of saying only good things about the dead can probably be explained from religious, social and natural perspectives.

Emmanuel Sarpong OwusuAnsah (Black Power), an Investigative Journalist, a researcher and may be contacted via email : andypower2002@yahoo.it

PAGE 14

By Sanya Adejokun

T

o those who lost beloved ones in the ill-fated Dana air crash of June 3, 2012, all the rhetoric about Nigerian airspace being one of the safest in the world, about Nigeria having Category one status from the United States of America, about Nigeria witnessing one of the least airline accidents in the world means nothing.

To the parents of the Baptist High School, Abuja boy who was going to write qualifying test into Covenant University, Ota,who perished in the accident, it means little, all the playing to the gallery that the National Assembly, Lagos Coroner and aviation authorities have engaged in since that unfortunate incident.

To the rest of humanity, however, there is always the need to dig into the root of incidents and accidents to guide against future re-occurrence. In this light, it makes sense that enquiries are being made into the Dana crash.

Unfortunately, Nigeria and Nigerians have not really benefitted from past experiences.

Rather, such past enquiries were avenues for public officials to enrich themselves without taxpayers reaping any benefits.

Otherwise, by now, there should have been sanctions and remediation for air accidents in the past like Sosoliso, like ADC and others. But even if those entrusted with public offices are only self- seeking, there is always the need to do so without hurting the sensibilities of others as is being done by those in the aviation industry since the Dana accident in Lagos.

According to the United Nations, Lagos is a mega city with a population close to 20 million. It is a city largely unplanned. Of course, given the ineptitude and corruption that is prevalent in the country, this is not a surprise. Town planning officials in every part of the

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

The buck-passing on the DANA crash

country take bribe and allow was not supposed to fly out of Lagos adverse weather condition. buildings to spring without because of an engine fault. Incidentally, the manual was control. The resultant effects However, with the connivance of approved by NCAA. In a nutshell, the open hearing i n c l u d e by the Senate on absence of well the Dana crash laid out streets, revealed a lot blocked roads, about the collapsed Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text inefficiencies of buildings and messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written the aviation o t h e r s . contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 sector in Nigeria.

M a r k e t s , words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and Rather than look h o u s e s , a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed in-house and see factories, to: how to correct government the feficiencies, offices have officials have b e e n The Editor, resorted to buckcompletely Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, passing. Even razed because 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja.

Mr. Richard firefighters Email: let ters@peoplesdaily-online.com Branson of the were not able SMS: 07037756364 Virgin brand, to access said the greatest scenes of fire incidents. Precious lives have aviation officials, it was flown to mistake the group ever made was been lost because responders and Calabar. In Calabar, it again coming to Nigeria. He lamented rescuers were unable to get to developed fault but rather than that in the few years that Virgin sites. When these things happen, ground it or take it to Lagos Airline operated in Nigeria, they Nigerians lament, complain, without passengers, the plane was were fleeced by greedy aviation grumble and shout for a few also given the all clear sign by officials who daily demanded weeks and then life return to aviation officials to fly passengers bribe. He vowed that because of routine waiting for the next to Abuja enroute Lagos. the greed and inefficiency of accident to occur and the Unfortunately, it did not get to these officials, Virgin Group will lamentations start all over Lagos airport before it crash- never again venture into Nigeria. again. landed less than 10 minutes to This is sad.

Could NEMA be held And so, it came as a shock lading. when on August 8, 2012, one Mr. The result of inquiries into responsible for the massive deaths John Ekpe of the Federal Airports both the Sosoliso and ADC crashes from the Dana crash? In the first Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) told of 2005 and 2006 are yet to be place, NEMA is only a coordinator a Lagos Coroner that the released. While Nigerian aviation in cases of emergencies in the National Emergency officials continued to deceive country. If NEMA has only a Management Agency (NEMA) Nigerians that the reports were helicopter, will that be a fault of was to blame for the death of still being compiled, foreign the agency? It should be the fault those on the Dana airline that newswire services, invoking the of a system that refuses to execute crashed on June 3. NEMA, he Freedom of Information Act of the budget. Normally, the agency alleged did not train Nigerians United States, got the reports from should have helicopters located American aviation at least in each of the zones of the about how to behave in periods of the emergencies. So what will be the authorities. The report revealed country. As a journalist that has weaknesses enforcing covered disasters in the country function of National Orientation that by aviation over the years, I am familiar with Agency? It is agreed that regulations particular aircraft had always authorities were responsible for the the modus operandi. Interbeen problematic. It was reported crashes. One of the pilots had left agency rivalry is one of the banes that it was banished from the US the industry for farming for over of effective disaster control in the airspace because of recurring 10 years and within the period, country. In many instances, engine problems. In fact, a staff of had gunshot wound on the head. NEMA was seen as wanting to Yet, he was able to return to usurp the powers of some other the airline told Channels Television that the plane had an flying without hassle. It was also agencies. The open quarrel by discovered that airlines' NIMET over flood alert by engine failure.

In a telephone conversation, operational manual for pilots and NEMA a few years ago is an the lady alleged that the flight cockpit staff in Nigeria did not example.

I was in Jos recently where 0992, McDonnell Douglas (MD83) contain any information on

WRITE TO US

witnessed the open hostility displayed by the state government when NEMA officials visited in the aftermath of a communal crisis. On many occasions, NEMA has organized simulation exercises to get first responders prepared for emergencies. By the way, in cases of emergency, it is the security agencies that are supposed to cordon off the scene and ensure effective crowd control and not officials of NEMA. But in line with its mandate, the agency has developed various ways to prepare the public for emergencies.

One of these is the Grassroots Emergency Volunteers scheme, which is a programme conceived out of the desire to ensure greater participation of the grassroots in the management of disasters in their locations. The implementation involves training of the people in basic principles of disaster management and precautionary measures in curtailing spread of epidemics, natural and man-made emergencies.

There is also the NYSC Emergency Management Vanguard aimed at using NYSC members as vanguards for standardized proactive disaster management nationwide. In the consideration of NEMA, disaster response activities are not solely the work of experts and emergency responders from government disaster management organizations alone, local volunteers, organization, business concerns and citizens have active roles to play. The rationale is that disasters most often happen in local communities and so it becomes most imperative to train young men and women at the grass, roots to respond promptly before any national assistance comes.

SanyaAdejokun is National Coordinator of Journalists against Disaster

World Bank fuels corruption in Nigeria T

By Femi Falana

he World Bank has just issued a damning report which claims that 80% of Nigerian businesses offer government officials bribe to facilitate deals. While recognising that Nigeria remains the most attractive investment destination in Ă frica the report notes the high proclivity for bribery and corruption among Nigerian businesses. Although the report may be an understatement of the endemic corruption in Nigeria, the World Bank has failed to trace the root cause of the menace, hence its unpreparedness to suggest measures that can arrest the growing wave of corruption in the country.

No doubt, there was corruption in Nigeria up to the 1980s. But it was not so prevalent at the time because the State funded the welfare of the majority of the people, provided social services at

affordable costs and created jobs for the unemployed. Education was virtually free while health services were affordable. The Naira was higher than the United states dollar in the foreign exchange market.

Although it was a neo-colonial capitalist economy which enriched a few at the expense of the nation there were some safety nets for the masses. The Nigerian Government placed emphasis on the building of an egalitarian society in line with the extended family system of the African people.

However, the introduction of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) which was instigated by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) ruined the Nigerian economy completely and destroyed the morality of the society. With retrenchment of workers, abolition of marketing boards, commercialisation of social services, sale of the assets of the nation, trade liberalisation, currency devaluation and other

dangerous components of SAP mass poverty became the order of the day.

The middle class was wiped out while the manufacturing sector became extinct. In the process corruption became the directive principle of state policy under the Ibrahim Babangida junta. Successive regimes have since then consolidated on official corruption.

Apart from condemning corruption the World Bank and Western Governments including the Barrack Obama Administration have continued to insult the African people on the issue of corruption.

Stolen wealth from Nigeria and other thild world countries to the tune of over a trllion dollars is received and kept in the vaults of western banks in violation of the provisions of the United Nations' Convention Against Corruption. For instance, the British judge who jailed Chief James Ibori, ex-governor of Delta State made racist remarks as if Africans are congenitally corrupt.

But the British banks and mortgage

institutions which facilitated the pauperisation of the people of Delta state through money laundering and fraud by Chief Ibori were not sanctioned. Was the governor of Illinois, Mr Rod Blagojerich not jailed for selling Barrack Obama's senate seat in Chicago? Has the World Bank held the American Government vicariously responsible for the criminality of its officials?

With respect to corruption in Nigeria why has the World Bank not condemned foreign companies like Halliburton, Wilbros, Siemens, Julius Berger and others which have been indicted and penalized for perpetrating for large scale corruption in Nigeria? The NEITI has just disclosed that foreign oil companies have duped Nigeria to the tune of over $2 billion. Instead of assisting Nigeria to recover such huge fund the World Bank would prefer to package jumbo loans for the Federal Government with fraudulent conditionalities. Why

has the World Bank not supported the current Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina who is determined to arrest the reckless importation of food at billions of dollars per annum?

Let the World Bank stop writing hypocritical reports on corruption emanating from the neo liberal policies being sheepishly implemented by the Federal and state governments at its own behest. Let the Goodluck Jonathan Administration be told that no Government which operates an economy on the basis of market fundamentalism can curb corruption. This is the basis of the virtual collapse of the economy of Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain (the "PIGS") which has defied the prescriptions of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

Femi Falana is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

PAGE 15

Aviation road show: Attracting investors P

By Yakubu Dati

olitics and economics are global. Technology has made it possible for nearly every country to articipate in events in every part of the world as they occur.

Nigeria has not been left behind.

Regrettably for Nigeria, the explosion in information has not been accompanied by a similar increase in knowledge. Rather it has reduced Nigeria into a consumer nation, a mere market, and often times a dumping ground.

Nigeria is a key participant in the Aviation industry, more as a market than an investor's destination. We interact, but do not necessarily understand the sector. We come to the table without a defined interest, policy or work plan.

History shows that normally prudent, ordinary calculations can be overturned by extraordinary personalities. In the case of Princess Stella Oduah, the architect of Nigeria's emergence as Africa's aviation hub, the ancient argument whether circumstance or personality shapes events is settled in favor of the latter.

Circumstances she inherited, on her assumption to office, could not have been less favorable. It is common knowledge that most of the Nigerian airports and terminals were built in the 70s and for the past thirty years, no meaningful step was taken to shore up the infrastructure to be at par with international basics. Our national carrier, the once boisterous Nigerian airways was systematically reduced to cadavers, and the remains cremated.

The airports were glorified motor parks, check-in services were

purify our air. They charged arbitrary fares and made it practically impossible for indigenous carriers to compete on lucrative routes. They patronized our routes with dilapidated, spent-up aircrafts.

Even their crews were like a scene from the James Bond movies of the sixties.

Princess Stella Oduah inherited an institution on its knees. The call for the transformation of the aviation industry was deafening, and justifiable so! Armed with a marching order from President

testament.

She envisioned an industry that would not simply survive but prevail by excelling.

Superior intelligence, discipline, and ingenuity would substitute poor resources.

Princess Oduah summoned her team to a duty they had never previously perceived; first to clean up the Augean table, then to rebuild the industry and dedicate it to overcome the initial hostile business climate by superior performance.

Thereafter, it was hard work, planning and action.

Barely two months into her appointment, were eleven airports already undergoing remodelling in an unprecedented scale. The work was being done by young Nigerians who had no godfathers but plenty of plenty of expertise and guts. Most were Diaspora Nigerians who were convinced by the minister to contribute to the nation by embarking on these projects without initial deposit, with a guarantee that they will surely be paid. The quality of work was unmatched and the speed of work was extraordinary.

Having established the template, it was now time to usher in the Nigerian aviation sector into the international arena, as a viable industry. It was now time to announce the arrival of Nigeria into the international arena; a strategic move to situate the Nigerian aviation sector as an attractive destination for international funding and investments.

The stringent criticisms has shown that there's a deliberate plan to derail the process; there's a campaign to ensure that the minds of Nigerians is disabused from the ongoing projects, however we need to realise that this aviation industry if well harnessed has the singular capacity to increase business opportunities.

African countries like Egypt, Ethiopia and South Africa have benefited immensely from Aviation investment from well established Aviation financiers, engineering companies like Bombardier, Boeing and Cessna have extended their professional expertise to these countries. Much more can indeed be achieved with a greater rejuvenation from

concluded olympics which of the international athletes that performed up to expectation had only 2 years of preparation (counting from when GEJ assumed office in May 2010).

While not absolving totally because he had the power to stop our contingent from attending for lack of preparedness because the last one year could have been used to monitor that. I would like us to all accept that we as a nation failed. Who exactly where the athletes that went for the Olympics? my friend, Eugene Abel, is currently doing a survey to find out who exactly were all those athletes with ground breaking records at the last National Festival and whether any was on the Nation's contingent. The military in

their well known espirit de corps tradition took sports to the level it was because it was part of their lifestyle.

The infrastructural decay of the Sector is a culmination of years of neglect. I make bold to say that even the Sports Minister knew it was a waste of valuable time from the get go....If we want to be at par with others lets go back to basics and scout for 3, 4 year olds and begin to groom the Ajunwas, Ogunkoyas and the Onyali's of the future..lets stop the big men from taking municipal sports grounds and converting them to prime property for their living spaces. The Kanu Nwankwos and Okochas of this world where not stuck in front of TV sets playing PS3 for hours or in front of computer screens

surfing the net: they were outside daring the elements enjoying themselves in the dirt, developing their skills.

How many schools have sport fields these days. Most secondary schools have become like mausoleums without a strip of land to arouse the desire for sporting activities...The environment lacks the enabling factor to give us the results we yearn for.

We all have to think of ways we can change the fortunes of this sector because no matter how much funds are injected into it an absence of athletes (the lethargic children of today) we would have a recipe for future disasters. Let us catch them young and as my brother, AJ, said, maybe by

slow and inefficient, and the arrival/departure lounges were an eyesore. Leaking roof, suffocating counters and unkempt and broken conveniences added to passengers' nightmare. The facilities were decayed and in a state of utter dysfunction; a disgrace and embarrassment to our national pride and standing in the comity of nations.

Passengers avoided our local airlines like a plague. Foreign airlines tip-toed our climes to reap from our profitable routes; they flew in their food, water and even insecticides, as if to

Goodluck Jonathan to transform the industry and an uncommon conviction to turn things around, Princess Oduah went to the drawing board. In the words Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of Singapore, "every great achievement is a dream before it becomes reality." Though the challenges were great, to Oduah, they were not insurmountable.

Converting waste to wealth has been her way of life. Her spectacular achievements in the private sector where she built a thriving enterprise through dogged determination and a dint of hardwork is her

“

In the case of Princess Stella Oduah, the architect of Nigeria's emergence as Africa's aviation hub, the ancient argument whether circumstance or personality shapes events is settled in favor of the latter.

Circumstances she inherited, on her assumption to office, could not have been less

foreign investment.

The Minister of Aviation has indicated what Nigeria's aviation sector is out seeking for "actually looking for is contractor-financed investors who can finance the projects while the government provides the enabling environment; we are looking for investors that can have Joint Ventures with our local, indigenous companies where together, they can contractorfinance the various projects".

China's state-owned construction giant, China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd (CSCEC), has given its commitment to invest in the development of Nigeria's aviation sector, especially the construction of aerotropolises in the country's major airports. Its Overseas Operations Vice President, Yu Zhende who made the pledge at the headquarters of the corporation in Beijing, China during a visit by the delegation from the Aviation Ministry, said Nigeria is a major country in Africa hence the development of her aviation sector would establish the country as a major hub o n t h e A f r i c a n continent. This is only the beginning.

The Aviation road show embarked by the Ministry to attract foreign investment will reinvent Nigeria as the hub of Africa's aviation. It will situate Nigeria as the commercial entry point of international financing and foreign investments desperately needed to enable the nation play its leading role in Africa and b e y ond.

2024 our toddlers of today will be the Olympic champions. We should not expect a different outcome yet we do the same thing over and over again...Let us stop the finger sport of clicking and get out onto terra firma and like the Nike ad says "Just do it"...That reminds me Milo should really go back to basics and really become the future drink of champions; time there was when most CSR's where geared towards sports.

Rowe Park Yaba was the place of choice for Milo table tennis clinic and as a teen in the 80's i attended two.....Oh! My Nigeria.

Yakubu Dati resides in Abuja, FCT.

Confronting the challenge in sports

By Ohunene Scott-Ananaba

N

igerians will not wound person'. After receiving for the umpteenth time the viral broadcast on BB about the various medals won at the Olympics under different Leaders, I just about had it.

Making matters worse was when I stumbled on a good friend's post on how he would like to offer a scented sacrifice to Abacha's memory for the stellar performance of our athletes during his administration. All I could do is go hmmmmm.... Anyway it all doesn't come as a surprise not when we are in the season of "Who can insult GEJ the best". I however urge us to stop for a moment and think.

Look at reruns of the just

Ohunene Scott-Ananaba contributed this piece from Lagos and she is on facebook.

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

Lingering fuel scarcity: Commuters lament as transporters hike fares

By Josephine Ella and Adeola Tukuru

A

s the fuel scarcity enters day two, causing long queues in most of the filling stations within the city centre and the suburbs, commuters have decried the hike of transportation fare by commercial drivers.

A survey by our reporters revealed that some commercial drivers in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) have cashed on the scarcity to make quick money by increasing transportation fares by N30-N50.

In Kubwa for instance, where passengers are lamenting, commercial bus drivers have jacked up the fare from the area to Wuse from N150 to N200.

A resident of Kubwa, Mrs. Chinonso Ebuka lamented that the situation has started going out of hand, expressing fears that the increment may soon begin to take its toll on the cost of food stuffs in the market.

Ebuka, like other commuters, who spoke to our reporter, therefore, appealed to the Federal Government and other relevant agencies to intervene in order to revert the situation.

Another resident, Aoudu James, who spoke to our reporter in Kuje, condemned the scarcity of fuel and the attendant increase in transport fare, especially during the festive period.

He lamented that the cost of biking from Pasali junction in Kuje, down to secretariat junction have jumped from between N30,N40 to N70, due to the fuel crisis.

Within the city centre, it was also observed that fares were being hiked by some commercial driver.

From Life Camp junction to Wuse area used to be between N50N70 but it was a different ball game altogether yesterday, as commuters were forced to pay an addition fee of between N30-N50, amounting from a fare of N80N100 that was charged by most commercial bus drivers plying the area.

However, it was observed that a few other commercial drivers still maintained the old fares even in

the face of the scarcity.

Reacting to the fare hike, some commuter who spoke to our reporter condemned the act by commercial divers.

One of them, Godfrey Apkabio said: “It is unfortunate that our bus drivers are very greedy. They always look for slight opportunity to make dishonest money. There is no basis for them to increase transport fare, after all the filling stations did not increasing fuel price. I have made up my mind not to pay any extra money because it is cheating so I

will wait for the drivers that are collecting the normal price”.

Similarly, fares from Wuse to Utako Jabi areas among others were yesterday, increased by some commercial drivers.

When our reporter visits Jabi Motor Park at Utako, most of the passengers also complained of hike in transportation fares.

A traveller, who gave his name as Malam Isa and was about travelling to Katsina said: “I normally pay N1, 600 to Katsina but it has increase to N2,500 by bus and N3,000 by car”.

Farmers get tractors at N1.6m in Kuje

By Adeola Tukuru

F

armers cooperative societies in the 10 wards of Kuje Area Council have received 10 from the council’s administration at a subsidize rate of N1.6million.

While distributing the implement to the beneficiaries, the Chairman of the council, Hon. Danladi Etsu Zhin said that the project was in collaboration with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) administration.

Danladi explained that the original cost of each tractor goes for almost N7million but it was subsidized by the FCT administration by 50 per cent while the area council further subsidize it by 50 per cent, bringing the cost to N1.6million.

“Each farmer’s cooperative society is to pay N642, 500 at a start, while N1million will be paid instalmentaly. Close supervision will be done by the council through the Agric Department to ensure that the aims and objectives of this program is achieved”, he said.

Responding to the gesture, a member of the Rubochi Farmers Cooperative Society LTD, Alhaji Unana Musa commended the initiative.

“Before now most of the farmers could not afford to pay the former price of the tractor, valued at N7million. I am very happy with this initiative, these will assist other fellow farmers and it will also make our farming easier,” he said.

L-R: Adamu Aliyu and Isa Galadima, beneficiaries of Senator Phillip Aduda’s Sallah gifts receiving items from Aduda’s Special Assistant on Constituency Matters, Mahmuda Mohammed, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

FCT Scholarship Board urged to Eid-el-fitri: Kuje chair urges Christains, Muslims to celebrate together parley with newsmen, said that the Sallah of the area council and entire FCT it is time for Christmas, we should council

By Adeola Tukuru festival should be seen as a period of to celebrate the festival in true also join together to celebrate it. The s Muslims across the world sober reflection which should bring Islamic way, that will be justified most important thing is for us to be chairmen

A

prepare to celebrate the Eid-el- fitri, the Chairman of Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Hon. Danladi Zhin has called on Muslims and Christians in the council to unite to mark the festival.

Danladi, who made the call during an interview with

the two major religious bodies in the council and entire FCT together.

“I want to thank almighty Allah for the completion of the fasting by Muslims. It is our prayer that almighty Allah will accept our sacrifices and answer all our prayers. As we go into the Sallah celebration, I want to call on people

by almighty Allah and that everyone should be their brother’s keeper and tolerate one another,” he said.

Continuing, Zhin added: “When it comes to Sallah celebration, we should all join hands to celebrate together, both Muslims and Christians to celebrate it and when

united as one, even though one chose to serve his God in a different way”.

He appealed to all residents to be law abiding and that the cordial relationship, assuring that on its part, the council administration would continue to create the enabling environment for residents of area to live in harmony.

Black market booms as fuel scarcity persists

By Muhammad Nasir

T

hese are booming days for illegal fuel vendors, popularly referred to as ‘black marketers’ as their business is booming, following the fuel scarcity that has hit the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the last two days.

People’s Daily findings yesterday, revealed that while most filling stations in the territory were out of the product, black marketers, who obviously had the product were

selling four litre of petrol for as high as N1500.

Asked how they get their supplies, one of the fuel vendors opposite Total filling station by Julius Berger junction, who simply gave his name as Joseph, said: “I cannot tell you that. I cannot tell you the secret of our business. I don’t wish Nigeria bad, but if a thing like this does not happen, how will a jobless man like me eat?”

A bus driver, who also gave his name as Robert said that pump attendants in some petrol

stations were giving preference to black marketers at an undisclosed commission rather than selling to motorists.

According to a motorist, Salihu Mohammed, ”at Total filling station as at yesterday(Wednesday), we were told that they have about 45,000 liters of the product but they refused to sell to motorist, but they sell to black markers and some selected people. I have been in the queue from 5pm yesterday. I am appealing to Government to come to our

rescue”.

A taxi driver, Rilwanu Abdullahi, also complained that commercial drivers were denied access to fuel after spending hours on long queue.

“Most of the filling stations in Abuja are not selling fuel; however, Total filling stations in Berger have started selling this afternoon. Drivers from various companies, who registered with the filling station went inside and buy fuel while commercial motorists were denied access to buy the product,” he said.

By Usman Shuaibu

T

he Chairman of Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Peter Yohanna Ushefa has appealed to the FCT Scholarship Board to carry the chairmen of the six area councils along for the success of the scheme.

He also urged the management of the board to allocate 80 per cent of scholarships to the original inhabitants of the FCT to aid them in their academic pursuit.

Ushefa, who made the call while interacting with the authorities of the board in Bwari, expressed joy over the progress made by the FCT indigenes towards educational pursuit so far.

On her part, the Director of the FCT Scholarship Board noted that inadequate funding had been the challenge the board was facing.

She appealed to the council chairmen, non-governmental organisations and construction companies operating in Abuja to assist the board financially.

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

Confusion was the order of the day yesterday at Mpape District as the Department of Development Control of the Federal Capital Development Authority rolled out its bulldozers to the area. Residents scampered for safety as they made frantic efforts to salvage their belongings as pictured in these photographs above.

Photos: Justin Imo-Owo

BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

Email: amunuimam@yahoo.co.uk

PAGE 19

INSIDE - Pg 22 The 5 Biggest Banks In Nigeria

Mob: 08033644990

Airtel empowers Nigerians in its top management From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

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he Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Rajan Swaroop has restated Airtel’s commitment to Nigeria and Nigerians as evidenced by the strong Nigerian presence in the Executive Management of the company.

Swaroop, who was addressing a media roundtable in Lagos, explained that the fact that Nigerians have a dominant presence in the top management of Airtel Nigeria, a network acquired in 2010 by the Bharti Airtel Group, was indeed ample proof that it is “in Nigeria for the long haul”.

According to him, “We have fewer expatriates on our executive committee than any other telecommunications services provider operating in Nigeria, and we are indeed proud to be attracting topquality Nigerian human resources to Airtel”.

Notable among Airtel Nigeria’s leading management

staff are Chief Sales Officer, Inusa Bello; Chief Marketing Officer, Olu Akanmu; Director Regulatory & Government Affairs, Osondu Nwokoro;Director,Corporate Communications & CSR, Emeka Oparah; Director Human Resources, Jubril Saba and Director, Legal/Company Secretary, Ibirobo Adekola.

L-R: Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, Senior Special Adviser to the Minister, Ufo Eric-Atuanya, Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Engineer Andrew Yakubu, during a press conference to announce recent gains in the nation's gas-power aspirations, on Wednesday in Abuja.

JP Morgan to include Nigeria in its govt. bond index

N

igeria is to be included in JP Morgan’s Government Bond Index – Emerging Markets (GBI-EM) from October, in a move that might be bringing up to $1 billion into the nation’s debt markets, the bank announced on Wednesday.

Nigeria’s inclusion will become the second African constituent of the index after South Africa and the inclusion will be phased over three months, from October 1 to December 3, JP Morgan said.

With around $170 billion of assets under management benchmarked against the index and given that Nigeria is EXCHANGE RATES

CBN

16th August, 2012

CFA • £ RIYAL $

BUYING 0.2707 190.0944 242.9741 41.2767 154.8

SELLING 0.2907 191.3224 244.5437 41.5433 155.8

PARALLEL RATES • £ RIYAL $

BUYING 201 256 40 162

SELLING 203 258 42 163

expected to have a weight of 0.59 percent in the index by December 3, there could be over $1 billion flowing into its local bond market in the coming months, said Giulia Pellegrini, JP Morgan economist and strategist for Sub-Saharan Africa.

“This is a game-changer for the Nigerian bond market,” she said. “With yields currently north of 16 percent, offering a hefty premium to the current GBI-EM Index yield of 5.8 percent, that estimate may well be revised to the upside as investors are attracted by the possibility to capture higher

returns than in the other local markets in the index.”

Inclusion in the index would also support the efforts of the Nigerian government to deepen the bond market, Pellegrini added. The total domestic debt stock is currently around $38 billion, including federal government bonds (accounting for $23 billion), as well as state government and corporate bonds.

“It raises the visibility of the Nigerian bond market on the international scene, placing what has been so far deemed a “frontier” market a step closer to more mainstream investment

destinations,” she said.

Three Nigerian bonds, maturing in 2014, 2019 and 2022, will be eligible for the GBIEM as they are the most liquid, though the list may be subject to change depending on market conditions. Inclusion of more bonds in the index is possible in the future, Pellegrini said.

The move follows the announcement in April that South Africa would be included in Citi’s World Government Bond Index in October. Citi estimates that up to $7.5 billion could flow into the country’s bond market as a result. (Reuters)

Management Tip of the Day

C

Let employees tell their own stories about change

onventional approaches to change management urge leaders to set a vision and cascade it down the organisation. This may save time, but it misses an important point: When people make their own decisions, they are more dedicated to what follows.

The energy needed to drive change comes through a sense of ownership over the answer.

Instead of dictating how the organisation will evolve, take a high-involvement approach.

Describe the problem you are trying to solve and then

ask others how they would address it. During these discussions, roughly lay out your vision, but ask employees how they picture the change taking place. This takes time and effort of course.

But the payoff is huge.

Source: Harvard Business Review

Others are Adebayo Osinowo, Regional Operations Director, Lagos; Olufemi Oyewole, Regional Operations Director, North; Godfrey Efeurhobo, Regional Operations Director, South and Solanke Abimbola, Financial Controller among many others.

Swaroop expressed optimism that empowerment of Nigerians at both Executive Management and the rest of the staff would support the realisation of Airtel’s mission to entrench itself as “the most loved brand in the daily lives of Nigerians by 2015.”

Since the 2010 acquisition of the network, Airtel Nigeria has invested $1.2 billion (N192 billion) in the business and garnered increments in major indices. Within the period, Airtel Nigeria’s base grew 31 percent to over 20 million subscribers.

Traffic on the network grew 124 per cent also.

Airtel changed the paradigm for tariffs in Nigerian telecommunications with pocket-friendly pricing as well as numerous packages including the 2Good series, Big Family, Steady Steady, Club 10 and Quick Talk while it pioneered the physical data recharge card.

DMO issues N75bn in 2017, 2019, 2022 bonds

By Aminu Imam with agency report

T

he Debt Management Office (DMO) yesterday said it auctioned 75 billion naira ($477.43 million) worth of sovereign bonds with maturities in the range of 5 to 10 years at a regular auction on Wednesday,.

The debt office said it sold 25 billion naira of each note, which are reopenings of old debt.

The DMO issued the 5-year bond at a yield of 16.32 percent, higher than the 16.19 percent at last month’s auction. It issued the 7-year note at 16.14 percent, lower than the 16.59 percent previously, while the 10-year paper was issued at a yield of 15.90 percent, compared with 16.30 percent at the last auction.

The original coupon rates of 15.10 percent, 16 percent and 16.39 percent for the April 2017, June 2019 and January 2022 respectively will be maintained, the debt office said in a statement.

Total subscriptions stood at N249.11 billion, compared with N121.60 billion at the June auction. Bond dealers said the increased participation of offshore investors at the auction accounted for the surge in demand. (Reuters)

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS Orange Drugs

A

s part of its concept to produce locally the basic raw materials, Orange Drugs Limited is set to produce ‘soap noodles’ at its subsidiary –Orange Drugs Limited Onitsha Plant.

The production at Orange Drugs Limited Onitsha Plant which will be commissioned this month, is for the company’s internal consumption and sale to other companies in the same industry, within and outside Nigeria.

Industry watchers say the diversification has given Orange Drugs Limited a competitive edge in terms of cost advantage and consistency in quality of its basic raw material input.

Orange Drugs Limited is one of the three subsidiaries of Orange Group Limited, the other two are Orange Kalbe Limited and Orange West Africa Limited.

Grant of London

U

K’s leading brand of wristwatch “Grant of London” has finally berthed in Lagos, with its world class Experience Centre.

Confirming this, the Managing Director of Time-Tell Nigeria Ltd, Uju Abdulkadir, who is the sole distributor for the Wristwatch in West Africa said that “Knowing what fashion and style means to Nigerians, I know it was about time to introduce this classic brand to the large member of discerning and fashion conscious people in Nigeria”.

She stressed that Grant of London wrist watch brands are exclusive, prestigious, classy, stylish and trendy with ranges of Aeronautic, Nautical and fashionable wristwatches that could fit into all occasion for teens and adults and said the brand will align with the fashion consciousness and taste for wristwatches with the outside fashion world.

Brazillian firm

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ne of the leading business conglomerates in the Western hemisphere, Andrade Gutierrez (AG Group) of Brazil, has indicated interest in electricity generation, distribution and port development in the country.

AG Group President (Africa) Rodrigo Da Costa Fonseca disclosed this when a delegation from the conglomerate, led by the Nigerian Ambassador to Brazil, Vincent Okedion visited the Minister of Works, Mike Onolumemen in his office in Abuja.

He noted that there is a huge potential for power generation in Nigeria from different sources, especially hydro, adding that the firm would build and operate power generation and distribution facilities in the country.

Why we are increasing DStv subscription prices – MD, MultiChoice Nigeria Recently, MultiChoice announced a slight price increase across its bouquets and a further 10% discount for its DStv subscribers in Nigeria. The company however describe the upward review of the fees as a win-win for Nigerians; In this interview, MultiChoice Nigeria Managing Director, John Ugbe told Suleiman Idris the reason for the new tariff, which takes effect from September 1st amongst others.

Excerpts:

W

hy increase the S t v subscription price?

D

This is a price necessitated by escalating inputs costs to our business; these include satellite costs, channel costs, content as well as operational costs and the impact of the country’s inflation.

The last time we had a similar price increase was in April 2011; you will agree that these economic manifestation are imperatives to our decisions.

the 1st of September will reflect the existing price; so, if any subscriber pay for say 6 months before then, for example, a premium bouquet; for instance, you will be paying N10, 000 by 6 months, which is N60, 000 as against N66, 000 and so, it goes across.

What is the real value-added for subscribers to compensate for the price increase?

What about subscribers who have paid ahead of the new date?

The cost of acquiring new channels and investing in local content is very high and so is the cost of acquiring rights to international blockbusters.

Rights to sports content, especially, are also very difficult to come by but are inevitable because of the high sport followership in Nigeria.

For instance, we have invested more than $120 million, which is N20 billion in the last four years in local content and the local sport, making us the most consistent investor in the development of the entertainment industry on our country.

It is also on record that we remain the only pay TV operator with sustainable investment in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects such as our MultiChioce Resource Centre project among others.

Any payment made before

In view of the harsh economic

On the increase?

variations

in

O

n the maximum, the actual increase is 10% for premium, which is from the present N10, 000 to N11, 000, an increase of N1, 000. For the Compact Plus, we will have an increment of 6.6%, meaning we only added N500 to the present N7, 000.

Closely following, that is the DStv Family, again, with just 6% we only added N200 from the former N2, 800 and another N200 to the DStv Compact; this is only a 4% increase here from N4, 800. But the DStv Access remains untouched.

“

For instance, we have invested more than $120 million, which is N20 billion in the last four years in local content and the local sport, making us the most consistent investor in the development of the entertainment industry on our country.

Managing Director MultiChioce Nigeria, John Ugbe conditions, how do you expect Nigerians will cope with the new increase?

means that our premium bouquet is cheaper than that of South Africa.

We are going to introduce a 10% discount alongside the price increase for the benefit of our subscribers. The 10% is for any subscriber who pays the subscription before disconnection. For instance, say Mr. A pays the sum of N11, 000 for premium subscription before the 25th of September, he or she will only pay the sum of N9, 900 (at 10% discount) in October, provided the payment is made on or before the 24th. The subscriber will continue to pay the discounted amount in each succeeding month provided the monthly subscription is paid before disconnection.

Again, why the difference in bouquet in every country?

Why do Nigerians pay more for subscription than any other African country?

Subscription prices in Africa vary according to the cost of delivering the DStv service in each of these individual countries. The price differences are due to the fact that in each country prices need to accommodate different tax regimes and operational cost structures. But in terms of expensiveness, DStv is cheaper in Nigeria than in some other African countries. For instance, the premium bouquet in South Africa is R590 which is $73.

47 (R8. 03 Rands to a Dollar) while in Nigeria it is going to be N11, 00 which is $68. 75 (at N160 to $1) per month when the increment takes effects in September. This

The DStv bouquet, which is received by subscribers from two different satellites, is slightly different in each territory. This is due to the different satellite platforms having different capacity restrictions and are thus only able to accommodate some of the channels.

All the premium channels are on DStv Premium bouquets; however, specialised language channels and free-to-air channels specifics to each country are restricted to only countries in which they have rights or where they are relevant.

Why is DStv more expensive than other operators in Nigeria?

DStv offers a range of bouquets each with a unique selection of family entertainment options. All the bouquets are available at varying prices and we have one as cheap as N1, 500 and it contains over 40 channels, which is more than the premium bouquet of most competitors.

Our premium bouquet has over 100 channels and it remains the highest in the country. Also, there is a clear distinction between DTH pay TV services and DTT services, because the two are different and the technology deployed are different.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

PAGE 21

Frequently Asked Questions About Self-Assessment (2) 16 How do you encourage taxpayers file in their appropriate Jurisdiction?

If the taxpayer has previously filed in a wrong jurisdiction, the taxpayer’s file should be moved to the jurisdiction within which his address falls. Then the taxpayer should be advised accordingly.

17 What is the working relationship between Filing Debt Arrears Enforcement Unit (FDAEU) and the Returns Payment Processing Unit (RPPU)?

RPPU conducts arithmetic checks of a tax return, captures data and refers a list of noncompliant taxpayers to FDAEU for further actions including a visit to the taxpayer to find out why he failed to file and remind him of the consequences of late and non-filing.

18 When is a Tax Clearance Certificate issued to a taxpayer?

A Tax Clearance Certificate is issued only when tax liabilities including penalty and interest for the relevant assessment years are paid.

19 The focus of SelfAssessment appears to be on only CIT. Is VAT not part of the Self-Assessment Process?

Self-Assessment is a regime and covers all tax types 20 After the risk assessments of returns have been done, are all the returns then passed to the Audit Unit?

Yes, the Audit works on the result of the risk analysis to draw up its audit program for further action. In any case, RAU is a subunit of Audit.

21 Presently there are no Audit Units in some ITOs what will happen to the audit functions in these offices?

All offices are expected to have

Audit Units by the time SelfAssessment is fully implemented.

However, where there are no Audit Unit, the Regional Audit shall perform the audit.

22 What is the process for approving a request for instalment payment of tax?

Where a taxpayer intends to conclude instalment payments not later than due date of filing, the taxpayer is required to notify the tax office of his intention. However, where a taxpayer intends to conclude instalment payments beyond the due date of filing, he shall request for approval. In any of the cases, the taxpayer is expected to commence instalment payments before due date such that the final payment is made not later than due date.

due in a manner that the final instalment is paid not later than 2 months after due date.

23 What are the conditions for granting extension of time for filing returns? · Written application to be submitted before due date of filing returns and to show good cause for taxpayers inability to file by the due date. · If the Board is satisfied with the cause, it may grant approval under the following conditions; a) Upon sudden death of any Principal officer of the Company; and b) Where the Company experienced Natural disaster.

The approval to extend the time within which to file returns will not alter the time within which payment of tax is to be made.

T

24 The law allows two months grace from due date of filing, does this now mean the grace period is Eight months?

With respect to Companies Income Tax, a taxpayer is required to file tax returns and make payment of tax due not later than 6 months after the accounting year end. However, he has the option to make instalment payments of tax

25 What about the incentive for self-assessment filing, will taxpayers who file still enjoy this incentive?

The incentive for selfassessment filing that existed up to 2007 was abolished by Companies Income Tax (Amendment) Act 2007.

26 Considering the noncompliant culture of Nigerians, do you think that self assessment as a means to achieving voluntary compliance will work in Nigeria?

Put in another way; are we ripe for voluntary compliance? he self-assessment tax regime is concerned with the provision of proper enablement for taxpayers and enforcement actions that will ensure compliance.

27 My understanding is that the first instalment of tax payable should be paid on due date and the remaining maximum of five (5) instalments paid after due date but not later than November 30, 2011.

In accordance with the selfassessment regulations, instalment payments may commence before due date of filing provided the final payment is made not later than due date. In addition, the regulation only provided for three (3) instalments. Note that the Companies Income Tax Act does not say six (6) instalment payments must be granted.

28 When was the Taxpayers Service Policies, Processes and Programmes Department (TSPPPD) created and what is the purpose of creating the department at the

Headquarters when Taxpayers Service Unit already exists in all the Integrated Tax Offices?

assessment numbers may be used as documentary evidence in court?

T

O

29 Is it only the (Headquarters) TSPPPD that will carry out sensitization and education of taxpayers?

TSPPPD shall be responsible for policies and coordination of TPS activities. However, the TPS Units in the tax offices are to deliver the direct services to the taxpayers.

34 At what point does a Front Desk Officer at Taxpayers Service issue acknowledgement of receiving Returns?

The Front Desk officer reviews the content of the tax return and if satisfied that the required documents are attached to the tax returns, the form is duly completed and signed; an acknowledgment is then completed and issued to the taxpayer.

SPPPD was created in April, 2011. TSPPPD at the Headquarters is responsible for generating procedures for delivering uniform taxpayer service, formulating the annual operating plan and providing headquarters support to ensure taxpayer service is effectively carried out in order to target compliance gap.

30 How much time is required to check a return?

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hecking for arithmetic accuracy and completeness of the returns has replaced full desk examination of accounts and as such it is estimated that an average of thirty (30) minutes should normally be sufficient to deal with a case file. This will naturally also depend on the skill and experience of the officer.

31 Which Unit is responsible for data capture of tax returns?

The Returns Payment and Processing Unit (RPPU).

32 In the work flow described in the Handbook on Self-Assessment, Tax Returns are expected to move from the front desk of Taxpayers Service to the Central Registry; does this mean it is no longer necessary for the Tax Controller to endorse the returns before sending them to the Central Registry?

The Tax Controller (TC) needs not endorse the returns before sending them to the Central Registry, what is required is for front desk registry staff to forward a schedule of the returns and mails to TC and he may call for any of the files. This is to reduce the workload of the TC who is charged with the general administrative function of the office.

FIRS Headquaters in Abuja

33 When tax returns are submitted at the front desk and assessment numbers allocated at that point, who does the separation of the documents bearing in mind that

a

nce an assessment number is issued at the front desk to

tax return that has been submitted, it is documented under the name of the officer who issued the number. The documents are separated by CRU and despatched to the appropriate units.

35 What happens to a Tax Returns that is filed late, does this still qualify as a Self Assessment return?

I

t is still a Self-Assessment return as the taxpayer has the responsibility of computing the tax and filing the returns but he should be penalized for late filing beginning from the date the returns fell due.

36 In the Self Assessment System what documents would the Legal and Prosecution Department require to prosecute MDAs for failure to deduct or remit tax?

The Audit Report of unremitted funds.

37 What should be done

by RPPU while checking the arithmetic accuracy of a return and you encounter a taxpayer claiming a huge relief?

Simply capture the information as indicated during data capturing process. This claim will be verified during the audit process.

38 Why is it is necessary to invite the taxpayer when an error is observed in the arithmetic calculations and the subsequent raising of Government/support assessment?

This is to remove delays which usually characterize exchange of correspondences between the taxpayer and the Service in respect of re-assessment notices which will reduce objections.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

PAGE 22

The 5 biggest banks in Nigeria Nigeria's banking sector is back on the right road after the 2010 meltdown that saw the Nigerian Stock Exchange lose 66 percent of its capital in a bank-led crash. The sector, which had previously issued aggressive denials about the levels of bad debt in the system, now operates under a new regime of transparency thanks to new Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) rules.

The five largest banks in Africa's second-biggest economy dominate the its highly competitive banking industry. In 2011, these top five banks had a combined balance sheet (including contingents) of 12.9 trillion naira ($821 billion), indicating a strong 33 percent growth from the prior year. The growth was largely reflective of bonds received from the Asset Management Company of Nigeria AMCON) in exchange for non-performing loans. In addition, these five banks account for a sizeable portion of lending activities undertaken by the industry, though growth was modest at 10 percent.

First Bank

F

Zenith Bank Plc

I

ncorporated as Zenith International Bank Limited in May 1990 and headquartered in Lagos, the bank was licensed to carry on the business of banking the next month. The name was changed to Zenith Bank Plc in 2004 to reflect its status as a public limited liability company. The bank's shares were listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) that year following a highly

successful Initial Public Offering (IPO).

Nigerian institutions and individuals numbering over a million currently own the shares of the bank. The bank has 330 branches and 125 cash offices in Nigeria. The latest ranking of the Top 1,000 Global Banks by the influential Bankers Magazine placed Zenith as the largest bank in Nigeria and the seventh biggest in Africa. It has $2.398 billion of Tier-one capital.

irst Bank traces its ancestry back to the first major financial institution founded in Nigeria, hence its name. The current chairman is Prince Ajibola Afonja. The bank is the largest retail lender in the nation, while most banks gather funds from consumers and loan it out to large corporations and multinationals, First Bank has created a small market for some of its retail clients.

At the end of September 2011, the bank had assets totalling approximately $18.6 billion (N3 trillion). The bank's profit after tax for the nine months ending 30 September 2011 was approximately $270.2 million (N 43.2 billion).

The bank maintains a subsidiary in the United Kingdom, FBN Bank (UK), which has a branch in Paris, and also has representative offices in South Africa and China. It is Nigeria's second biggest bank with $2.36 billion (N 377.6 billion) of Tier-one capital.

U R

egistered in 1990 by Central Bank of Nigeria, GTB Plc was incorporated as a private limited liability company wholly owned by Nigerian individuals and institutions. The approval as a commercial bank followed the same year and operations were started in February 1991. It listed on the NSE in 1996, and became licensed as a universal bank in 2002.

In 2007 it became the first subSaharan bank and first Nigerian joint stock company, listed on the London Stock Exchange and Deutsche B枚rse. The IPO raised $750 million (N 120 billion). In the same year, they successfully placed Nigeria's first private Eurobond issue on the international capital markets.

GTB Plc is a partner of Morgan Stanley and BNP Paribas and has Tier-one capital of $1.478 billion.

W

ith the purchase of a 75 percent equity stake in Intercontinental Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc attained the fourth position in the Nigerian banking industry by total assets and contingents, with $1.05 billion (N 168 billion) of Tier-one capital. It has an asset base in excess of $12.6 billion (N2.02 trillion) as of February 2012.

The shareholders' equity in the bank is valued at approximately $2.33 billion (N 372.8 billion).

The purchase of Intercontinental goes alongside an international expansion drive, which has seen the bank gain subsidiaries in Burundi, C么te d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Tanzania, United Kingdom, and Zambia.

BA is a Nigerian financial services provider with subsidiaries in 20 subSaharan countries and representative offices in France, the United Kingdom and the United States. It offers universal banking services to more than 7 million customers across 750 branches.

Formed by the merger of the commercially focused UBA and the retail focused Standard Trust Bank in 2005, the Bank purports to have a clear ambition to be the dominant and leading financial services provider in Africa.

Listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 1970, UBA claims to be rapidly evolving into a panAfrican full service financial institution.

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

My name is Ramadan... I am here again! (V) Allah says: “Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also Clear (Signs) for guidance and Judgment (Between right and wrong). so every one of you who is present (at His home) during that month should spend it In fasting, but if anyone is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (Should be made up) by days later.

Allah intends every facility for you; He does not Want to put to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him In that He has guided you; and Perchance ye shall be grateful. When My servants ask Thee concerning me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when He calleth on Me: let them also, with a will, listen to My call, and believe In Me: that They may walk In the right way.”

I

n the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. All Praise is due to Allah! We praise Him and we seek help from Him. We ask forgiveness from Him. We repent to Him; and we seek refuge in Him from our evils and bad deeds. Anyone who is guided by Allah, is indeed guided; and anyone who has been left astray, will find no one to guide him. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah, the Only One without any partner; and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and final messenger to mankind. May the peace and blessing of Allah be upon His last and final Apostle, his Household, his companions and all his followers until the end of time.

After the Islamic salutation; Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa bara katuhu, my

brothers and sisters in Islam. of you whose time will be up, to Today I am filled with depression grant them His boundless and apprehension; depression forgiveness and mercy, and because of my time to leave is reside in His endless bliss!

Now, let me remind you what due in just few hours away, and apprehensive because some of you will not have the opportunity and the grace again to attend

By Husain Zakariyya next year's meeting with Yawale me, they will return to their +234-8052952900 (sms only) mother earth! islamexplained35@yahoo.com These two situations are beyond my we were able to perform, and jurisdiction or influence. I am hopefully achieved during my tenure for the last 29 days. I also a servant like all of you.

However, my last remember we were able to learn admonishing and counselling to to wake up everyday early in the those who will not attend next morning for both our night year's meeting, is for them to live prayers or "Tahajjud" and ramadanic beyond Ramadan. We breakfast, otherwise known as should strive to continue to "Suhur" in preparation for the strengthen our physical and day's fast. We were also able to mental powers which we built subjugate our animalistic during our fasting period, by instincts regarding excessive uncontrolled eating, taking a step further to making and it last throughout the year. In drinking and sexual interfact, it takes real commitment course, during the day time. Our to Allah to complete a day's fast tongues were also put under for His sake. To buttress this strict censorship of what we say, point, there is a Hadith that was our ears of what we hear and our narrated by Sufyaan ibn eyes of what we see. We were Abdallah (RD) who asked: “O very attentive concerning our Messenger of Allah (SAW), tell behaviours in open and close me something about Islam, environment.

Another thing which we which I would not ask anyone else besides you.” He (SAW) enthusiastically learnt and replied, “Say, ‘I believe in Allah’ want to keep beyond Ramadan and then be steadfast (upon was our prompt attendance of all the five daily prayers in that).” (Muslim) They should also try not to congregation. Our possessive shade away my spirit which instinct was also heavily they have imbibed and modified to conform with the assimilated during my ethics of generosity and relationship with them this kindness. We freely and happily Ramadan. I ask Allah, for those dole out gifts of all sorts to the

ISLAM EXPLAINED

masses and the indigents. We had a full test of their lots; hunger, thirsty and wants; hence our unconditional compliance with teachings of our beloved Prophet.

All obstacles and constraints were divinely removed by Allah in this month to allow free accessibility to the grace of Allah throughout.

Indolence and laziness were tamed. You as devotees are always in high spirit of attachment all the time to your Lord. Annoyance, impatience and hard feelings were nowhere to be felt amongst all of us. Excitedly, we were just behaving like angels on earth!

There was also the traditional Tafseer or exegesis of the Glorious Qur'an going on in almost all major mosques, spread throughout the day and early nights. I am in love with the special prayers that is observed only during the Ramadan; the taraweeh of ‘asham’ in Fulfulde!

Specifically, during the last ten days of Ramadan, Muslims seek and observe what is known as “Lailatul Qadr” or the “Night of Power.” Muslims worldwide spend their last ten days in sincere devotion to Allah, by withdrawing to the mosque to read and reflect on the Qur'an, exercise voluntary prayers, celebrate and glorify the names and attributes of Allah, in what is called ‘Ii’tikaf’, as well as offering special supplications or du’a. The chief reason would be to coincide with the night of Majesty in which Allah

distributes his graces, riches and favours. The Qur'an testifies: Ha-Mim. By the Book that makes things clear; We sent it down during a Blessed night: for we (ever) wish to warn (against evil). In the (Night) is made distinct every affair of Wisdom. By command, from Our Presence. for we (ever) send (revelations). As Mercy from Thy Lord: for He hears and knows (All things).

Now, that my time almost expiring in no time from now, I want remind you of what you are expected by the Sunnah to carry out as from today (Friday), into the early hours of first of shawaal, that is the Eidel-Fitr. I will give you also a quick break-down of the line of activities on that festive day.

1. Salatus subh in congression as has been the normal thing during the Ramadan.; it should continue.

2. Taking bath in readiness for the Eid prayers.

3. preparing the children for the Eid prayers, too.

4. Eat or drink anything before setting out for the prayer ground. Doing so also removes from you the feeling of fasting.

It is Sunnah to eat before setting out for the Eid prayers.

5.

Administration and distribution of the zakatul Fitr to the eligible before setting out for the prayers ground. It must be given on behalf of all Muslims, young and old, male and female, free and slave. Four mudds of the Prophet or measure of one sa'e for all family members.

However, with regard to a foetus, it is not obligatory to give it on his behalf according to the consensus of the Ulama'a.

6. Wearing the best cloth; new ones preferably, otherwise clean old ones. do not for forget to wear perfume also, but the males only.

7. Chanting the supplication of the Eid day: Allahu akbar!

Allahu akbar! la ilaha illallahu Allahu akbar wa lillahil Hamd!

These wordings should be repeated by all Muslims on that day, preferably to their hearing if the crowd is large.

8. It is recommended to change roads different from the one taken while going to prayers.

9. Pay visit to your parents, relatives and in-laws if you live with them in one town. Also visit your neighbours and friends.

Share with them foods and drinks. Remember that sallah day is not a free day which warrants transgressing the bounds of Allah in anyway.

Next week in sha Allah, though I will not be able to meet with you again until next year; Hijra 1434 or 2013, however, I will endeavour to send you a speed mail intimating you on how to continue with me in what remains of your life time, notwithstanding my superimposed schedules.

Barka da Sallah in advance!

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

PAGE 27

Ramadan fast as a tool for moral education

By Mujidat Oyewole

R

amadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is the month when Muslims all over the world undergo a 30-day fasting every year.

During the fast, Muslims are expected to strictly adhere to Islamic injunctions regarding holy living, giving alms to the poor, maintaining peace in their neighbourhoods and upholding high moral standards.

The Muslim faithful are also expected to use the Ramadan fast to modify their behavioural patterns and even though the fast it is a yearly religious obligation, the lessons learnt during the period are expected to be enduring.

In the light of this particular expectation, some Muslim clerics and worshippers say that the rising menace of moral decadence and insecurity in Nigeria can be effectively addressed via lessons acquired during the Ramadan fast.

Ramat Ismail, an Islamic student, insists that strict adherence to Islamic injunctions requires adequate education on the part of Muslims and their ability to discern what is appropriate in efforts to promote the safety and growth of the society.

Speaking at a Ramadan lecture in Abuja, Ismail says that education is fundamental to the people's understanding of the roles of religions and their impacts on society so as to ensure harmony and development.

She argues that unless in isolated cases where appropriate education is lacking, it is somewhat rare to see Muslims exhibiting untoward manners during the Ramadan fast.

Ismail insists that education involves the people's enlightenment on the values of the religion, what it preaches, its principles and the influence of parental upbringing. ``If a child is well brought up by his parents, such a child should be able to distinguish right from wrong; the child will not want to hurt others if he or she is well educated on the values and vices of the society. ``Even if the person is unemployed, the fact that he is educated will give him a hope of making it one day; and this will disallow him from being influenced or used as an agent of disunity in his community. ``But inadequate education, lack of love and poor parental upbringing have ruined the lives of many youths; these, in turn, have

Central Mosque in Abuja. been having myriad negative effects on the society,'' she said.

However, Dr Taofiq Abdulazeez, the Imam of the University of Abuja Mosque, says that Muslims should acquire both Islamic and Western education to enable them to contribute more meaningfully to the country's development.

He insists that Islam encourages Muslims to seek knowledge from any part of the world and use it to contribute positively to the development of their society. ``Islam views an uneducated society as one that may grow naturally but will not develop; a learned Muslim is the one who has gone to school and passed through it, while he or she has acquired a sound moral education. ``Therefore, a Muslim should strive for pragmatic personal development, so as to enable him or her to impact positively on the society,'' he says.

Abdulazeez describes Islamic education as allinclusive, as it encompasses the learner's background, school, mosque, community and personality.

He urges Muslims to imbibe

the teachings of the Holy Quran, while striving to be agents of positive change in whatever segment of the society they found themselves.

Prof. Abdulganniy Oladosu, the Chief Imam, University of Ilorin Mosque, says that apart from the fact that Ramadan fast is compulsory for all Muslims; there are other benefits that could accrue from the exercise.

He says that the fasting is prescribed for Muslims to attain Taqwa (fear of Allah), which is propelled by sound education and good moral values.

Sharing similar sentiments, Dr Aliu Akano, an Islamic scholar, emphasises that the Ramadan fast is aimed at

creating awareness of the blessings inherent in the holy month and its importance to the development of the nation ``Without education, however, we cannot empower ourselves or contribute to the development of this nation; that is why Allah has enjoined us to seek knowledge,'' he says.

Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf, the Imam of Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria Mosque in Abuja, says that the month of Ramadan is meant to demonstrate love, selfconsciousness, self-restraint and the fear of Allah. ``There are too many attributes of this month, but to crown it all, Ramadan is the only month that was mentioned in the Holy Quran by its name,'' he

“

He insists that Islam encourages Muslims to seek knowledge from any part of the world and use it to contribute positively to the development of their society.

says.

Yusuf claims that for Muslims to fully receive the blessings of Ramadan, they must intensify their worship and obedience to Allah, while praying for His blessings.

He, nonetheless, insists that no meaningful development can ever be attained without proper moral upbringing and education of the youth.

The government, religious groups and corporate organisations are apparently conscious of this fact, as they have been making concerted efforts to expand the youths' access to education to enable them to become useful citizens later in life.

One major effort to blend Islamic and Western education together is the Almajiri Education Programme of the Federal Government, which has constructed several Almajiri schools across the country.

All the same, observers insist that Muslims should always allow the virtues of the Ramadan fast to always reign in their lives in their day-to-day activities, even after the annual fasting period.

Source: NAN

PAGE 28

By Buki Ponle

Q

uestion: What do these world leaders, past and present, have in common: Namadi Sambo, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Mahatma Gandhi, Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as Aristotle and Julius Caesar?

Answer: They are all lefthanders.

There are others like them.

Personalities who are lefthanders include Lord Baden Powell, founder of the Scout Movement, British Kings George II, IV and VI, ex-British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, former U.S. President George Bush (Snr.), former South African President de Klerk and Joan of Arc, a French heroine.

There are fascinating things about lefthanders. For instance, they adjust more readily to seeing underwater; they excel particularly in tennis, baseball, swimming and fencing.

Besides, left-handers usually reach puberty, four to five months after right-handers Four of the original designers of the Macintosh computer were lefthanded; one in four Apollo astronauts were left-handed.

Left-handers are generally more intelligent, better looking, imaginative and multi-talented than right-handers, based on discussions among members of the Left-Handers Club, so says a research.

So you may be in good company if you are left-handed. Historical accounts indicate that left-handers have excelled as leaders, sportsmen, artists, musicians and in many other fields.

They can also be criminals such as Jack the Ripper, a serial killer, Black Panther and Boston Strangler, who are murderers.

Research shows that 13 percent of the global population of more than seven billion is left-handed, while lefthandedness can be hereditary.

Researchers have recently located a gene, which they believe ``makes it possible to have a lefthanded child''. So if you have that gene, at least one of your children may be left-handed and if you do not have it, you will only have righthanders.

However, the world can be skewed against the southpaws, as most products are made for the righthanded people. They smudge their writing and end up with ink on their hands.

Opening tins and peeling, cutting with scissors, opening doors, flushing toilets and using the computer's mouse can be a difficult activity unless left-handed persons learn to adjust!

If lefthanders are able to excel, why then is the left hand always assigned the dirty job? For instance, while growing up, the child is asked to clean up with the left or use the left hand to clean the refuse.

In some societies, waving is usually done with the right hand as using the left is considered derogatory or arrogant. You do not also give with the left hand or engage the right hand in a dirty job.

Even left-handedness has some spiritual connotations in some societies, as it is believed to be a sign of the devil. Some parents and teachers discourage southpaws by forcing them to change, using all tricks like tying objects in their hands, or spanking them.

August 13 of every year is designated International Lefthanders

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

Lefthanders: Coping with life in a right-handed world

President Obama

Vice President Namadi

Day by Lefthanders International. It was first observed on Aug. 13, 1976, to promote awareness of the inconveniences which left-handers face in a predominantly righthanded world.

It celebrates their uniqueness and difference. Many left-handed people are discriminated against and the day is set aside to end such discrimination.

A medical consultant, Dr Otumu Odianosen, insists that there is no health disadvantage for left-handed people, as they possess hemispheric dominance which stands them out.

According to scientific explanations, the brain is ``crosswired'' so that the left hemisphere controls the right side of the body and vice-versa, while hand dominance is connected with brain dominance on the opposite side.

The two halves of our brains cooperate by agreeing that one of them will be in charge. On many jobs, they take turns to be in charge, handing the responsibility back and forth between themselves every few seconds, minutes, or hours. This is called hemispheric dominance.

One can easily observe this by noticing which nostril is open. Most of the time, one nostril breathes freely while the other is partly constricted inside. They typically alternate every ninety minutes or so, as the

brain hemispheres switch dominance for this function.

If you pay careful attention to this process, you may discover that your state of mind and mood vary according to which side is breathing more freely.

Physiologically, this probably means the hemispheres are sharing responsibility equally instead of taking turns to be in charge. In other words, these techniques probably reduce hemispheric dominance with regard to the nasal passages.

Odianosen says that a larger percentage of lefthanders have same left hemispheric dominance. ``All right-handers have 100 per cent left hemispheric dominance, a larger per cent of lefthanders have same left hemispheric dominance, while only 10 to 20 per cent have right hemispheric dominance.

According to other health experts, left-handedness bestows a cognitive advantage on the people, as there is a genetic theory that suggests that left-handedness is controlled by a gene with two alleles, one dominant and the other recessive.

They say there exists a mass of gifted children among individuals who are left-handed and they are known through methods such as verbal reasoning tests.

In addition, studies have found

“

If you pay careful attention to this process, you may discover that your state of mind and mood vary according to which side is breathing more freely.

that males have a somewhat higher incidence of left-handedness than females.

A psychologist, Dr Adetoun Ajiboye, advises parents not to view a left-handed child as a taboo so as not to cause the child some physiological problems.

Mr Fasikun Jide, a social worker who is a lefthander, says that in some Yoruba societies, a lefthander can never aspire to become a king. ``This is because there are some rituals he will not be able to perform as a lefthander,'' he adds.

Another lefthander, Mr Aaron Udoh, however, insists that there is no marked difference between a lefthander and a right-hander. ``I find it embarrassing when people around me behave strangely when I use my left hand. ``When I was a child, my parents always beat off food from my left hand but I was never bothered. ``I also used my left hand to give elders things but I was corrected to use only the right hand for such purposes,'' he says, advising members of the society to accept lefthanders wholeheartedly.

Sharing similar sentiments, Mr Paul Oke, a civil servant, recalls that as a child, he was always chided by his parents and severely punished for using the left hand, as it violated the norms of the society.

He stresses that his parent believes that anyone who uses the left hand to eat or write is an abomination to the society.

Mr Gerald Okonkwo, a commercial driver in the FCT, says that he started using his left hand for all chores at a tender age, adding that he now uses his left hand for all assignments.

He says that he is more fulfilled as a lefthander because he could use the hand to do anything in a better way than most people who use the right hand.

``I always enjoy it when I work with my left hand since its usage has become part of me,'' he adds.

Okonkwo, however, concedes that the use of left hand is not acceptable in the Nigerian society, adding that it signifies a mark of disrespect in the culture. ``If a young man wants to receive a gift from an elder, he must not use the left hand, as this is a mark of disrespect to the elder. ``Although I use the left hand in doing most things, when it comes to receiving or giving a thing, I always opt to use the right hand,'' he says.

Okonkwo says that due to the cultural norms, he would also frown at anyone who uses the left hand to give or receive anything from him, admitting that it is a sign of disrespect that could taint the society's valuesystem.

Prof. Moses Mamman of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, says that a left-handed person ought to be admired, adding that they are not different from any right-handed individual. ``It is a cultural problem because people feel offended when left-handed persons give them things because the culture has trained us that way,'' he says.

Mr Chinedu Chukwuji, the General Manager, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), says that lefthanded people should be celebrated instead of attracting discrimination in the society because left-handedness is a unique quality.

According to him, people who use the left hand are believed to be intellectually sound.

Mr Bitrus Joshua, a football coach with the FCT Sports Council, says natural left footers were very expensive and difficult to get, adding that a football team would be incomplete without a left footer.

He said a left footer is crucial in a football team since ``the mid-field depends on him''.

Mr Ibikunle Onifade, an Abujabased businessman, says that the Yoruba culture believes that giving an elder something with the left hand is a sign of disrespect.

He also says that the Yoruba culture believes that left-handed persons are inferior to right-handed individuals. ``Culturally, using the left hand to do anything is considered to be a taboo or an abomination; the left hand is considered unholy and it is not meant to be used for anything good,'' he says.

Onifade insists that the use of the left hand for eating is seemingly indecent and unholy, adding that it is a social norm which all the people must uphold.

Analysts, nonetheless, stress that members of the society should realise that left-handedness is not a handicap or taboo.

They, therefore, advise that lefthanded children should not be discouraged from using the left hand, adding that forcing children to jettison their natural traits could spell doom for them later in life.

Source: NAN

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

PAGE 29

U.S. government spying on everyone using civilian security cameras, say Wikileaks

By Rick Dewsbury

A

nyone who takes a photograph at high-risk locations is logged as a suspected terrorist on a vast network of secret spy cameras linked to the U.S. Government, according to leaked emails.

People pointing cameras in New York are regarded as suspicious and the facial recognition images of them from the civilian CCTV are fed into a data centre run by U.S. firm Abraxas.

The system then connects with hundreds of other cameras in a bid to pinpoint potential terrorist activity, it is claimed.

Details of the system emerged from emails released by whistleblowing website Wikileaks. The issue has caused outrage among privacy campaigners amid fears that it could be abused.

It has disturbing echoes of the film, The Bourne Identity starring Matt Damon, in which CIA

officials use a network of spy cameras to track around the world someone they though they had assassinated.

According to the email released by Wikileaks, pictures of people's faces are encrypted and sent to a fortified data centre at a secret location.

The TrapWire system is linked to civilian CCTV cameras.

TrapWire is used by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in a bid to deter terrorist attacks - or catch those responsible once an incident has happened.

According to the company's own documents from 2007, TrapWire is 'a unique, predictive software system designed to detect patterns of per-attack surveillance.' This includes 'photographing, measuring and signaling'.

More than 500 cameras using the technology have been installed on the New York subway. There are estimated to be thousands

Terrorist target: TrapWire cameras are also in use at Ten Downing Street, home of the British Prime Minister, according to another email from the firm behind them (file picture)

Disturbing: Matt Damon in The Bourne Identity. CIA officials use a network of spy cameras to track his movements, just like TrapWire devices are said to be doing with suspected terrorists

more around various U.S. cities and in London at potential terrorist targets such as Downing Street.

The firm also operates in several other U.S. states, in Canada and in London. It is said to have cameras also placed at high rick targets in the UK, including Downing Street.

An email from an employee at Strator - a Texas-based intelligence firm linked to Trapwire - in 2010 said the cameras were focused on 'peroperational terrorist surveillance'.

It stated: 'This week, 500 surveillance cameras were activated on the NYC subway system to focus on peroperational terrorist surveillance.

The surveillance technology is also operational on high-value targets (HVTs) in DC, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and London and is called TrapWire.

'TrapWire is one of the most innovative tools developed since 9-11 to help mitigate terrorist threats. From a protective intelligence perspective, TrapWire does have the ability to share information on suspicious events or suspects between cities.'

In another email, Stratfor president Don Kuykendall wrote: 'Their clients include Scotland Yard, #10 Downing, the White House and many [business].

'Our consideration is introducing them to companies like Walmart, Dell and others.'

In a separate email, vice president Fred Burton wrote: 'Salesforce HQs in San Fran is interested in TrapWire after I briefed them on their wonderful capabilities'.

The emails have caused uproar among activists who believe that the use of the cameras is an infringement on people's freedom.

After the emails were released, WikiLeaks said it has been the victim of a sustained denial-ofservice attack which has left its website sluggish or inaccessible for more than a week.

In a statement released late Saturday the group said the

Surveillance: Five hundreds of the TrapWire cameras have been installed in the New York subway, according to an email from the firm released by Wikileaks

Spy network: CCTV cameras are linked to TrapWire, a U.S. system designed to catch terrorists assault intensified around the beginning of August and has since expanded to include attacks against affiliated sites.

Denial-of-service attacks work by overwhelming websites with requests for information.

WikiLeaks has said it's been flooded with 10 gigabits per second of bogus traffic from thousands of different Internet addresses.

Josh Corman, with online content delivery company Akamai, characterized that as 'a bit larger' than attacks commonly seen in the past few years.

WikiLeaks, which has angered officials in Washington with its spectacular releases of classified U.S. documents, remained inaccessible Sunday.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

PAGE 30

News of the World staff in court to face phone hacking charges

By Martin Robinson

F

ormer News of the World staff including David Cameron's former spindoctorAndyCoulsonarrivedat courttodaytofacephonehackingcharges.

Sixjournalistsplusprivateinvestigator GlennMulcaireappearedatWestminster Magistrates' Court this morning.

Former editor Mr Coulson is accused ofillegallyaccessingvoicemailsalongwith ex-managingeditorStuartKuttner,former news editor Greg Miskiw, former head of news Ian Edmondson, ex-chief reporter Neville Thurlbeck and former reporter James Weatherup.

MrMulcaire,whowasnotstaffonthe defunct paper, appeared alongside them.

They all face one general charge of alleged phone hacking between October 2000 and August 2006 that could affect as many as 600 victims including murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler, along with other specific accusations.

It took the court clerk 15 minutes to read out all the charges against them.

Coulson is charged with allegedly accessing the phone messages of murder victim Milly Dowler, former Labour ministers David Blunkett and Charles

Case: The seven men had to sit and listen for 15 minutes as the court clerk read out all the charges brought against them by the CPS

Co-defendants: Former News of the World editor, Andy Coulson, left, the paper's chief reporter Neville Thurlbeck, centre, and private detective Glenn Mulcaire, right, arriving separately at court yesterday Clarke, and George Best's son Calum.

Kuttner is accused in relation to Milly andMrBlunkett,andMiskiwfacescharges linkedtoDowler,Sven-GoranEriksson,Abi Titmuss and John Leslie, former union boss Andrew Gilchrist, Mr Blunkett, Delia Smith, Mr Clarke, Jude Law, Sadie Frost and Sienna Miller, and Wayne Rooney.

Edmondson faces charges in relation to Mr Blunkett, Mr Clarke, Law, Frost, Miller,formerMPMark Oaten, Rooney, Best, former Labour minister Tessa Jowell and her husband David Mills, Lord Prescott, Professor John Tulloch, Lord Frederick Windsor, and Sir Paul McCartney and Heather Mills.

Thurlbeck will face charges over Milly, Eriksson, Mr Blunkett, Mr Clarke, Hollywood stars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, Mr Oaten, Ms Jowell and Mr Mills.

Weatherup is accused in relation to Mr Blunkett, Mr Clarke, Law, Frost and Miller, Jolie and Pitt, Rooney, Lord Prescott and Sir Paul and Ms Mills.

Private investigator Glenn Mulcaire is charged over Milly Dowler, Mr Gilchrist, Smith and Mr Clarke.

Appearance: Former reporter James Weatherup and ex-managing editor Stuart Kuttner were among the seven in court yesterday Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Charges: Ian Edmondson, left, and Greg Miskiw, right, who helped run the news operation at the paper also walked into court to hear the charges

Court sketch: This image drawn inside Westminster Magistrates' shows Andy Coulson in the centre of the dock flanked by his former colleagues and Glenn Mulcaire yesterday morning

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

PAGE 31

Palestinian children ‘abused’ in Israeli jail (II) ANALYSIS

By Dalia Hatuqa

A

fter children sign a "confession", they are brought before an Israeli military court. Since 2009, an Israeli spokesperson said, children have faced juvenile military courts. Most often, that's the first time the minor will see their lawyer. The confession is generally the primary evidence against the child, say DCI officials. Other evidence will often consist of a statement by an interrogator, and sometimes a soldier.

Because so few are granted bail, children face a legal dilemma: they can ask the lawyer to challenge the system - and by doing so potentially wait, locked up, for four to six months - or plead guilty and get a two or three month prison sentence for a "first offence".

Pleading guilty "So, very rarely does anyone challenge the system," said DCI's Horton, as the quickest way to be released is to plead guilty. This goes some way to explain why, according to the military courts, the conviction rate for adults and children in 2010 was 99.74 per cent.

According to DCI, some fifty to sixty per cent of the time, children are taken to prisons inside Israel, making it difficult for parents to visit. "Some parents are denied permits on unspecified 'security grounds'. For the others, the bureaucracy can take up to two months to get a permit, which means if their children are sentenced to less time, they will not receive a visit," Horton said.

"However, some permits are processed in less than two months, and those children sentenced to more time will also generally receive visits."

The allegations of what seems to be a deliberate system of abuse appear to be corroborated by another report published by a group of British jurists. The UK government-backed delegation of nine lawyers, with human rights, crime and child welfare backgrounds, concluded that Israel's soldiers regularly breach the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the Fourth Geneva Convention, of which Israel is a signatory.

Their report, Children in Military Custody, attributed much of Israel's reluctance to treat Palestinian children in accordance with international norms to "a belief, which was advanced to us by a military prosecutor, that every Palestinian child is a 'potential terrorist'". The lawyers said this seemed to be "the starting point of a spiral of injustice, and one which only Israel, as the Occupying Power in the West

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Natanyahu

Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas

Bank, can reverse".

Israel's practice of holding children "for substantial periods in solitary confinement would, if it occurred, be capable of amounting to torture", the report concluded.

Of all the children represented by DCI, 12 per cent reported being held in solitary confinement for an average of 11 days.

The Israel Security Agency (ISA), also known as Shin Bet, denied that children were mistreated under the military court system, calling claims to the contrary "utterly baseless". The ISA also said that claims regarding the prevention of legal counsel were also completely groundless.

"No one questioned, including minors being questioned, is kept alone in a cell as a punitive measure or in order to obtain a confession," said the ISA in a statement when the Guardian first released a special report about the status of child detainees in Israel.

spokesperson, citing a case from September 2011, when an Israeli settler and his one-yearold son were killed after their car overturned as a result of stones hurled at them. "Two Palestinians from Halhul confessed to throwing the stone which caused the deaths of Asher and Yonatan. The stone was hurled from a driving car," the spokesperson said. The official said that children were also involved in grenade throwing, the use of explosives, shooting and assault The spokesperson also denied that the ISA used isolation as an interrogation technique or as punishment to exert confessions out of minors.

"There are certain cases in which an interrogee will be held alone for a few days at the most, in order to prevent information in his/her possession from leaking to other terrorist activists in the same detention

The ISA also said that it provides minors special protection because of their age and adheres to "international treaties of which the State of Israel is a signatory, and according to Israeli law, including the right to legal counsel and visits by the Red Cross".

Speaking to Al Jazeera, an Israeli spokesperson accused the DCI report of bias, and refuted the group's finding that the majority of children prosecuted were charged with throwing stones: "This was the basis for only 40 per cent of the indictments filed against minors in the West Bank ... the young age of offenders is not relevant to the gravity of the act: it has been proven beyond doubt that a stone thrown by a 15-year-old child can be no less fatal than a stone thrown by an adult."

Stone-throwing can prove deadly, stressed the

“

"No one questioned, including minors being questioned, is kept alone in a cell as a punitive measure or in order to obtain a confession," said the ISA in a statement when the Guardian first released a special report about the status of child detainees in Israel.

facility, which could compromise the interrogation of the suspect.

Note that even in these cases, the interrogee is not held in absolute confinement, but is entitled to meet with Red Cross representatives, medical staff etc."

Furthermore, the spokesperson rejected the idea that pleading guilty was the quickest way out of the system for a defendant, deeming the accusation "misleading, distorted, and premised upon incorrect information".

"Should a minor defendant choose to plead 'not guilty' and challenge the prosecutorial evidence by proceeding to a full trial and mounting a good-faith defence, military courts will, in the vast majority of the cases, conduct the hearings very efficiently, sometimes even in a few weeks."

Yet, since the DCI and UK reports came out, "there's no substantive change on the ground", Horton said. "The response by the military authorities has been to start talking about making some changes and amending the military orders. But when you look at the details, the changes are of little substance."

"In reality, what we are seeing is a de facto annexation of most of the West Bank; it's not a temporary military occupation," he concluded. "The military courts are an integral part of this process used to control the population."

Concluded Source Al Jazeera's

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

Could chocolate stave off dementia?

A

daily dose of chocolate could help keep dementia and Alzheimer's at bay, a study suggests.

Researchers found that consuming cocoa every day helped improve mild cognitive impairment - a condition involving memory loss which can progress to dementia or Alzheimer's - in elderly patients.

For the study, 90 people aged 70 or older diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment

were split into three groups of 30 and given either a high, medium or low dose of a cocoa drink daily.

The drink contained flavanols - chemicals associated with a decreased dementia risk which are found in a variety of foods, including cocoa products such as dark chocolate.

The participants' diet was restricted to eliminate other sources of flavanols, such as tea or red wine.

Beneficial? Researchers found that eating chocolate regularly could reduce the risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer's

Their cognitive function was examined using tests of factors including working memory and processing speed.

Researchers found those who drank the high and medium doses daily had significantly better cognitive scores by the end of the eight-week study in a number of categories, including working memory.

Those given the higher doses of the flavanol drink improved far more than those given the lowest dose, the study, published in the journal Hypertension, found.

Insulin resistance and blood pressure also decreased in those drinking high and medium doses of the flavanol drink.

Doctor Giovambattista Desideri of the University of L’Aquila in Italy, lead author of the study, said: “This study provides encouraging evidence that consuming cocoa flavanols, as a part of a calorie-controlled and nutritionally-balanced diet, could improve cognitive function.

“Larger studies are needed to validate the findings, figure out how long the positive effects will last and determine the levels of cocoa flavanols required for benefit.”

Dr Laura Phipps, of Alzheimer's Research UK, said: “Cocoa-based treatments for brain function would likely have patients queuing out the door, but this small study of flavanols is not yet conclusive.”

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Research: 90 people aged 70 or older diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment were split into three groups of 30 and given either a high, medium or low dose of a cocoa drink daily

“

This study provides encouraging evidence that consuming cocoa flavanols, as a part of a caloriecontrolled and nutritionally-balanced diet, could improve cognitive function

Yo-yo dieting is not bad for you and won't stop you losing weight

By Claire Bates

Y

o-yo dieting may be demoralising, but people trying to watch their weight will be relieved to hear that it won't stop them from shedding pounds in the long run.

Researchers had feared that people who shift the weight only to pile it on again could be damaging their health.

However, a study from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center has become the first to show yo-yo diets do not have a long-term effect on metabolism or the ability to lose weight later in life.

Lead researcher Dr Anne McTiernan said: “To our knowledge, no previous studies have examined the effect of prior weight cycling on the body composition, metabolic and hormonal changes induced by a comprehensive lifestyle intervention in freeliving women.”

She added: “A history of unsuccessful weight loss should not dissuade an individual from future attempts to shed pounds or diminish the role of a healthy diet and regular physical activity in successful weight management.”

The researchers randomly assigned 439 overweight-to-obese, sedentary women, ages 50 to 75, to one of four groups: reducedcalorie diet only, exercise only (mainly brisk walking), reduced-calorie diet plus exercise and a control group that received no

intervention.

At the end of the year long study, participants on the diet-only and diet-plusexercise groups lost an average of 10 per cent of their starting weight, which was the goal of the programme.

The analysis aimed to determine whether women with a history of moderate or severe weight fluctuations were at a disadvantage compared to non-weightcyclers when it came to losing weight.

Around a fifth of the women had a history of yo-yo dieting defined by losing and regaining more than 20 pounds on three or more occasions. A quarter reported losing 10 or more pounds on three or more occasions.

Severe yo-yo dieters were an average of nearly 20 pounds heavier at the start of the study by the end. However, there was no difference in the ability to lose weight or take part in the exercises between those who yoyo dieted and those who didn't.

Nor was there any significant difference from the non-cyclers in terms of the impact of diet or diet-plus-exercise on weight loss, percentage of body fat and lean muscle mass gained or lost.

Other physiological factors such as blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, and blood concentrations of hormones such as leptin (which helps make one feel full) and adiponectin (which helps regulate glucose levels) also did not differ significantly among

Finding it impossible to resist that donut? It's worth persevering with the diet as repeatedly gaining and losing weight will not ruin your chances long-term.

those whose weight fluctuated and those whose did not.

The findings are important as it could encourage overweight people to persevere with trying to slim down.

“We know there’s an association between obesity, sedentary behavior and increased

risk of certain cancers,” McTiernan said.

“The World Health Organisation estimates that a quarter to a third of cancers could be prevented with maintenance of normal weight and keeping a physically active lifestyle.”

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

PAGE 37

Impeachment: Between morality and nationalism ANALYSIS Tobias Lengnan Dapam

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embers of the House of Representatives might be cooling-off in their various constituencies, making consultations with their people on the next agenda and some pressing issues that need urgent legislative attention.

Nevertheless, they must stay glued to their television sets and newspapers to study and analyze the responses of the public and interest groups regarding their firm stand on impeachment threats against President Goodluck Jonathan in respect to the poor implementation of the 2012 budget.

Despite their tough stance on corruption, the lawmakers like the spider, are always caught in their own web of the same crime they try to fight. Paramount amongst this, and which usually makes most of them bury their heads and weigh their options, is the bribery scandal involving one of its vibrant member, Farouk Lawan, the Chairman of the subsidy probe with oil mogul Femi Otedola.

What actually made most of them wag, like dog with its tail in-between its legs, was that the Farouk scandal came to fore shortly after former President Olusegun Obasanjo called them thieves, forcing many of them to challenge and threatened to summoned him, but the exposition dimmed their enthusiasm.

Notwithstanding, as they tried to salvage some credibility, before embarking on recess, they unanimously threatened to impeach the president should he fail to implement the 2012 budget.

Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila representing Surulere Federal Constituency from Lagos state, while contributing to the debate on budget implementation, suggested that if the economy is not properly greased by September then the House may not have any option than to start impeachment process against the President.

Gbajabiamila in his argument stated that “the President had come to the floor of the House with a budget which he called transformation budget but it is a budget of abra cadabra and voodoo.” As the whole House received his declaration with loud ovation, Gbajabiamila continued: “The president is not doing anybody any favour as

President Goodluck Jonathan constituency projects are done all over the world.

“I have met the President, he is a fine man, I like him but I like my country more, because when the budget is not implemented, our constituents suffer and it leads to lack of infrastructure; so come September, if the budget is not 100 per cent implemented, we will start to throw articles of impeachment at the President” But before he could continue, Hon Nado Terembe representing Bayelsa, raised a point of Order that Order 9 Rule 61 is being violated. He said “Gbajabiamila’s contribution is not in alignment with the first motion or bill on the floor so impeaching the president is not relevant in this issue”.

Terembe was shouted down but the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal who presided, quickly intervened and sustained his point of order.

Members again gave Gbajabiamila a standing ovation.

The Speaker, however, asked Gbajabiamila to continue. The Minority Leader intervened saying: “Let me point out a superior Order which is Section 143 of the constitution. For avoidance of doubts the President may be removed in accordance with the law whenever he is found guilty in the performance of his duties.”

That seemed to be the last word of the members, which was like throwing the balloons in the air to look for direction pending when they will return from recess.

Expectedly, the Senate took over the gauntlet temporarily, calling on the coordinating minister of the economy, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, to explain her

Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal version of the debate. She appeared, and after her explanations, the Senate seemed conformable, if not verbally, then by demeanor.

The constituted authorities also left the issue to the court of public opinion, with several commentators dismissing the decision of the Lower House while others traded blame with the presidency.

The son of the late rights activist, Gani Fawehinmi, Mohammed Fawehinmi, has praised the House of Representatives for threatening to impeach the President over poor budget implementation and urged the Senate to take similar step. Fawehinmi, in a statement, accused the President of being docile and allegedly engaging in violation of constitutional provisions by failing to address the various challenges plaguing the country.

He also expressed disgust over a purported threat to the President by the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram. He contended that the development was occasioned by President Jonathan’s failure to act as his office required.

Mohammed argued that the President has, by failing to provide sufficient security for the people, create a conducive environment for economic rejuvenation and provide adequate social infrastructure, violated the First Oath of Allegiance contained in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.

However, Maverick politician, Senator Arthur Nzeribe,

slammed members of the National Assembly that they no longer command respect from Nigerians which will give them the moral courage to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan over poor implementation of the 2012 budget.

Senator Nzeribe who said he doubts if the lawmakers understood what it takes to impeach the President, however described as an effort in futility the proposed impeachment threat, adding that with the high level of corruption in the system, it will not be possible for any seriousminded legislature to successfully carry out an impeachment process, “wind don blow their yansh open,’’ he said.

He said, ‘’I doubt if they understand what they are doing.

Nobody respects the average lawmaker anymore in Nigeria.

With the kind of corruption in the system, I do not think the impeachment threat is real.

“I don’t think that the House has the right to summon the President, but there is nothing wrong with the President walking across the road and say ‘I have come to brief you’. You can’t continue to threaten to impeach the President all the time,’’ he said.

On its part, a group, under the aegis of Niger Delta Youth Parliament, condemned the controversy surrounding the implementation of the 2012 national budget.

National Coordinator of the NDYP, Mr. Imoh Okoko, said in Port Harcourt on Thursday that the threat of impeachment against the President could further heat up the polity. He said,

“The National Assembly and the executive should embrace dialogue and see how the budget can be fully implemented. This is not the time to engage in a controversy that could distract government from achieving its objectives,” Okoko added.

He further suggested that the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, should be sacked if she was the cause of the poor budget implementation.

In as much as the commentators argued reasonably, regardless of their stand on the issue, what seems to be a distraction from reasonable and intellectual discuss was the comment of a half-baked law University dropped-out and former militant leader, Asari Dokubo, who threatened to declare war if the President is impeached. Little wonder where the stand point of the war will be and why certain disgruntled enemies of peace are licensed to speak contempt with impunity.

“We are saying that nothing must happen to Jonathan because if anything happens to him, the world will know”, he said. Speaking on the Boko Haram insurgency, Mr Dokubo said “the arrogance of Boko Haram is unIslamic. The type of bomb they are using is small. If we begin to throw bombs, nobody will stay in Abuja. We don’t manufacture bomb but we will buy them and dynamites. I started armed struggle in the Niger Delta. It is because of Goodluck Jonathan that we kept quiet. But soon, we will not be able to guarantee our patience any more. If Ijaw people should retaliate, every household in the North will cry.

“It is the North that needs peace more than us. Everybody must impress it on them that they should sheathe their swords and drop their arrogance”, he declared.

Judging from the comments of the pro and anti-impeachment to the militant leader, the members must be having sleepless nights in trying to reconcile national interest and sectional interest. The events have revealed that even if Jonathan is found wanting, his kinsmen will interpret it as victimization.

Many observers believed that the issues in the country are beyond comprehension and needs careful scrutiny before it escalates into what the nation would not be capable of handling.

Therefore, the onus lies on the members of the Seventh Sssembly to take proper decision as it pleases the interpretation of the constitution, not minding whose ox is gored.

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

Gov Ahmed, Saraki dispel rumour of feud From Olanrewaju Lawal,Ilorin

A

head of 2015 general election, the Kwara state Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, has debunked insinuations in some quarters that he was having disagreement with his former boss, Senator Bukola Saraki and the doe was having sour relationship.

Ahmed, in a statement issued in Ilorin by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Dr. Muideen Akorede, entitled ‘Ahmed dispels rumoured feud with Saraki over 2015’ stated that “the relationship between him and Saraki, rather than wane, remains cordial and strong, based on their long association and a shared vision of a prosperous Kwara state”.

The Governor, who described the rumour as mere speculation and a figment of the opposition’s imagination, said he would continue to have mutual respect for the Senator.

“Ours is a unique partnership based on mutual respect, which grows stronger daily due to our long history and standing commitment to making Kwara a model for other states in terms of economic growth and prosperity for the people. We are like a tag-team in which we are pulling our strengths together in a determined effort to build a greater Kwara for the benefit of posterity.

“Senator Saraki is a man for whom I retain the highest regard and I am happy to state that the feeling is reciprocal”, Ahmed who was the longest serving former Commissioner

under Saraki described his administration as a government of continuity stressing that the situation in Kwara was unique due to the peaceful transition from the previous administration to the current one.

He added that his decision to up scale the laudable programs initiated by his predecessor was an eloquent testimony to the benefits of continuity.

On the 2015 election, Ahmed said it was still far away stressing that “I remain focused on

economically empowering Kwarans and growing the state’s economy through his administration’s robust shared prosperity program.”

Similarly, a Media Aide to Senator Bukola Saraki, Akintoba Fatugun in a statement on behalf of Senator Saraki said “the rumour of rift between Senator Saraki and Governor fatai Ahmend is a beer parlour and low level gossip that need not to be dignified with a response, its just a strategy of a sinking opposition in the state to stay

afloat and seen been relevant.

“The relationship between Senator Bukola Saraki and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed remains very cordial and no amount of sponsored and coordinated lies from the opposition can break the cordial relationship that exist between them.” He added that the opposition should develop another strategy ahead 2015 instead of sponsoring falsehood and lies that will lead them to nowhere.

L-R: Director General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Engineer Emeka Ezeh, Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Audu Umar, Minister of Works, Architect Mike Onolememen, and Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd), during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, on Wednesday at the State House, in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

Nasarawa PDP urges Muslims to sustain prayers after Ramadan From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa state has urged Muslims all over the country to use the Sallah period for sober reflection and unity of the country.

In a Sallah message to the people of the state signed by the

state secretary of the party, Adamu Onyaki, the party called on Muslims to also continue to pray for the unity of country even after the Ramadan period.

“As Nigeria is currently facing a trying moment, prayers remained the only alternative that can bring back the past glory”.

The statement urged governments at all levels to

encourage peaceful co existence among the different ethnic and religious groups for peace and sustained development.

The statement added that “as we gradually come to the end of this year’s Ramadan and approach the Eid Fitr period we pray that the celebration will be peaceful and fruitful”.

It further called on Nigerians

to use the period to unite and love one another for the sake of peace in the country while appealing to those involved in criminal activities to refrain from such, stressing that Nigeria belongs to all.

The statement further called on supporters of PDP in the state to always shun any act that could lead to the break down of law and order.

Lack of internal democracy bedevils the nation’s parties, says Na’abba From Bala Nasir, Kano

A

bsence of internal democracy within political parties in the country has been the basis of all the structural problems bedevilling the country, former Speaker of the House of Representative, Alhaji Gali Umar Na-Abba, has said.

The former Speaker who was this in a political programme of Pyramid Radio in Kano last recently stated that as long as this problem continues, the nation will not see true democracy being practiced in the county.

Gali Na’abba who said he will never contest in elections again

alleged that some few individuals have hijacked the parties that they won’t allow anybody to contest any post if he is not loyal to them.

He said during his tenure as Speaker he did all he could to see that laws that would minimize some of the executive excesses in the affairs of the country were made but he was unnecessarily accused of spearheading a stand-off with the then president.

Na’Abba also accused some of state governors of going in concert with former President Olusegun Obasanjo to manipulate democratic processes in the country and that the governors are still manipulating political processes in

their respective states with impunity.

He added that the result of such manipulations have now metamorphosed into serious security issues that the country is

now contending with.

He therefore urged Nigerians to stop the trend because it is only they that can stop the trend otherwise the country will continue to be wallowing in the mess.

Call for Okupe’s removal baseless, says PDP

By Lawrence Olaoye The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the call for the resignation of the Senior Special Assistance (public Affairs), to President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Doyin Okupe, by the opposition was baseless.

The party in a statement signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Binta Masi Garba, said that the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)’s allegation that the presidential aide was involved in unwholesome acts of execution of some projects in Benue and Imo states was not worth the hype.

The party stated “It is our considered opinion that issues of contracts are basically civil issues between contracting parties and certainly most contract documents contain clauses for dispute resolutions.

“Moreover, the EFCC through its spokesman has said that Dr Doyin Okupe is not currently under any criminal investigation by the Commission as claimed by the ACN. He has neither been charged nor indicted by any Court of Law, Panel, or Committee in the Country till date. The call by the ACN for Dr Okupe’s removal is therefore not only baseless, unwarranted but equally malicious.

Defending Okupe’s appointment by the President, the PDP said “We wish to make it abundantly clear that President Jonathan, under the Presidential System we currently operate is at liberty to appoint any deserving Nigerian to any position at anytime without recourse to anyone, least of all a self serving opposition group.

The President will therefore not be blackmailed into following a destructive agenda by a group that thrives on trumped up lies and misinformation.

“By the appointment of Dr. Okupe, the President has taken a right decision to engage members of the Public on salient issues of national importance and debates and also allow for a deepening of the channels of communication between the Presidency and the Citizenry. He must therefore be allowed to discharge his duties without undue distractions,” the PDP warned.

Kogi to give priority to youth empowerment, says Commissioner programmes as part of the initiative of Nigeria in Lokoja on Tuesday.

C

ommissioner for Youth and Sports in Kogi, Mr Puket Anthony, has said that the state government is to give priority to youth empowerment.

Anthony made the statement in an interview with the News Agency

He said that the ministry had concluded plans to introduce programmes that would make youths to be self-reliant.

The commissioner said that the government had since sponsored some youths to Port Harcourt for economic empowerment

to empower them.

He urged the youths to shun restiveness and other acts that could disrupt the fragile peace in the state.

According to the commissioner, there is no development that can be achieved in a society characterised by violence.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

PAGE 39

PRONACO faults NBA, Police C'ttee, others on state police From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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pokesperson of Pro-National Conference Organization, (PRONACO), Mr. Olawale Okunniyi has carpeted the outgoing President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Joseph Daudu and Dr. Junaid Mohammed, Chairman of Concerned Northerners on what he described as 'very embarrassing, reactionary and conspiratorial stance of both leaders on the Nigerian constitutional crisis.

Okunniyi, an expert in constitutionalism and Rights of the Indigenous peoples made this remarks yesterday in Lagos while reacting to the respective views of Daudu and Junaid on the rights of Ogoni, Bakassi, Bayelsa and Osun states and others to self determination and political autonomy as well as the report of Osanyade Police committee on the rejection of regional state police within

Nigerian federation.

His words "I expect Daudu, a former Chairman of the NBA as well as Junaid Mohammed, an experienced Northern politician to appreciate that the 1999 Constitution, which is the kernel of their argument is fundamentally flawed and faulty; as that constitution was suddenly introduced to the country as decree 24 of1999 by the Abdulsalami Abubarkar military junta at the swearing in of the present civilian dispensation on May, 29 1999 "The entire Nigerian people and electorate who participated in the 1999 elections were not allowed to know the provisions of the decree tagged 1999 constitution before that elections; for them to appreciate the legal deal or pact they were entering into under the new civilian rule; as no sane person or people endorses an agreement they have never seen or read but that was foisted in Nigeria.

I therefore wish to affirm in clear terms that nobody except the26 members of the Provisional Military Council at time knew the provisions of the constitution and the terms and structure of governance contained in it as legal governance guide for the country. Can such a document be so owned, respected and defended by the peoples of Nigeria as Daudu and Junaid are trying to impress?" Okunniyi queried Reacting to the report of Pius Osanyande Police Reform Committee on state police, the former governorship candidate in Ogun state said the committee is far removed from the reality of the present world, especially as

touching the current policing strategy and development around the globe by which countries like Britain, the United States, and Canada among others have the increased internal stability and security in their various diversity by adopting a decentralized police system but only retaining one common military command for the purpose of external aggression He said decentralized policing systems as well as rights to self determination or internal political autonomy are natural elements of any just federation as already recognized in internationally laws of United Nations, which are binding on Nigeria.

The PRONACO Scribe was however quick to add that as much as state police is desirable for the security and stability of the country, Nigeria must not put the cart before the horse as it may be abused and become counter-productive under the present 36 states warped artificial governance structure of the country. "The problem here is that except you first restructure the present political architecture of Nigeria into a peoples' democracy and just federation, state police under this dispensation may become a stillbirth and instrument of oppression because 'if the foundation is destroyed what can the righteous do'?"

Bauchi CPC furious over Yuguda's constant travels From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

T

he Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in Bauchi state has expressed its fury on Governor Isa Yuguda over his constant travels outside the country.

The Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the party in the state, Aliyu Saidu expressed the feelings of the party in a press conference held in Bauchi yesterday insisting that state funds are being used for such travels.

Saidu, flanked by prominent opposition figures including the former deputy governor of the state, Alhaji Garba Gadi, a one-time commissioner for Higher Education in the Yuguda's administration, Alhaji Bala Jibril, said the governor's action has caused serious setbacks to the progress of the state.

"He has been conducting government business in Abuja, including Executive Council meeting and the swearing-into office of top government functionaries "It is the norm, for Mallam Isa Yuguda to absent himself from Bauchi for a length of 50 days or longer. Yet, he will tell us cock and bull story of travelling to China, UK, Dubai, USA, etc for our common good. No Your Excellency. It is a lie.

You are running away from responsibility. Your trips are state

funded and are for the furtherance of your personal business creating private wealth for you."

The CPC was worried that while the governor was always out of the state, scores of people were murdered in extra judicial killings in the state while activities of Sarasuka , local thugs, have been on the increase.

He alleged that the governor was the one sponsoring the youths to engage in political violence against perceived enemies while his own immediate family members are in safe haven in Abuja leaving the youths to kill one another in the state.

The CPC Caretaker Chairman also accused the governor of none performance for close to six years of governing the state alleging that most of the road contracts, the international airport water supply among others for which huge sum of money had been mobilized to contractors have been abandoned.

The party warned against use of public fund on the governor's son upcoming wedding saying, "We are all witnesses to the time Malam Isa Yuguda took a wife from Katsina.

We know the wanton abuse of public fund that took place between AbujaKatsina-Bauchi. We must avoid taking public funds in the execution of the wedding‌In the midst of poverty induced in Bauchi party by bad governance."

L-R: Interior Minister, Comrade Abba Moro, Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadomen, and Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, after their meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

S/West PDP blasts ACN over call for Okupe's sack From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the SouthWest has described the call by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) for the sack of Dr. Doyin Okupe, Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan as irresponsible and hypocritical.

The PDP said "As we have maintained before, a party of fraudsters, certificate forgers, exconvicts, perjurers and money launderers like the ACN does not have the required moral standing

to talk on corruption or any crime in Nigeria."

The party Zonal Publicity Secretary, Kayode Babade, in a statement issued in Ibadan said "the ACN must first fumigate its own house to get rid of grossly corrupt and criminal minded elements in its fold before seeking to clean other peoples' house."

The PDP maintained that it was laughable that the ACN that kept silent over the trial of the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, who was accused of stealing over N7 billion belonging

Irepo-Olorunsogo constituency: Tribunal dismisses ACN's petition

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he National and State Assembly Election Tribunal sitting in Ibadan on Thursday dismissed the petition by the ACN alleging irregularities in the conduct of the election for Irepo/Oorelope/Olorunsogo Federal Constituency of Oyo State.

The tribunal's Chairman, Justice Baaki Augustine, who delivered the judgment, said that the petitioner lacked conclusive evidence to support its case.

Augustine added that the party did not adduce much evidence to prove that the run-off elections of Feb. 11 did not comply with the Electoral Act of 2010.

He held that the allegation that Mr Jimoh Adelowo, the PDP representative in the Federal House of Representatives, had no educational qualification to contest the election was unsubstantiated.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also reports that the

tribunal faulted the allegations of intimidation of voters by soldiers, cancellation of results as well as multiple allocation of votes.

Addressing newsmen after the ruling, ACN's counsel, Yakubu Fadare, expressed dissatisfaction with some aspects of the judgment.

He, however, added that it would be the decision of the petitioner to appeal the ruling.

But INEC's counsel, Kunle Faokunla, described the judgment

as a victory for the electoral body. `` We know that INEC conducted a free and fair election in that constituency,'' he said.

The counsel to the PDP and its flag bearer, Mr Waheed Olajide, commended the tribunal for conducting a thorough examination of the evidence before arriving at its decision.

NAN reports that the tribunal held its inaugural sitting on April 26.

to the House and is standing trial before a Federal High Court in Lagos for stealing and laundering N500 million, can be asking Mr President to sack Dr. Okupe over an unsubstantiated allegation of fraud.

The Statement reads "Today, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji is standing trial for alleged stealing and laundering of N500 million.

"Is the loudmouth in the ACN also unaware of the conviction of the House of Representatives Minority Leader, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila by the Sureme Court of Georgia, United States of America for defrauding his client of $25,000?

"What moral right does a party whose leader in the House of Representatives is an ex-convict have to call for the sack of anyone?

"Therefore, call for the sack of Dr. Okupe is irresponsible, hypocritical and nonsensical, and it has therefore become necessary that we once again tell this bunch of hypocrites in the ACN to stop assaulting the sensibilities of Nigerians by playing ostrich to criminal matters involving their party and making noise of less important matters affecting other parties," the South West PDP stated.

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PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012 With Tobias Lengnan Dapam 07036990957

‘The Expendables 2’ to be on cinemas today

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he Expendable 2, a most thrilling thriller is expected to be on public display today, although the movie was premiered yesterday in the United Kingdom (UK).

The movie which featured “the who is who” in the movie industry in the US is said to make a second appearance after the first part of the movie attracted viewers from around the world.

Like the first part of the movie, Sylvester Stallone will be back as intrepid

Expendables leader Barney Ross in front of the camera, but looks to hand over the directorial reins to someone else on the sequel.

Similarly, Ross’, fellow mercenaries – including Lee Christmas (Jason Statham), Yin Yang (Jet Li), Toll Road (Randy Couture), and Hale Caesar (Terry Crews) – are all expected to return as well.

Also, former ’80s and ’90s action stars including JeanClaude Van Damme aim to join the party in “The Expendables 2”, while both

Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger could potentially expand on their all-too-brief cameos from the first film and become either supporting or main characters in the follow-up.

However, the news that Stallone will let someone else call the shots on this sequel is more than welcome by those who recall the shoddy cinematography and uneven editing in the first Expendables. While the film still managed to be an overall entertaining ride for those in

the mood for high-octane violence, most would agree there’s plenty of room for improvement.

While other aging action stars could sign up for Expendables 2, names like

Steven Seagal and Chuck Norris have been bandied about a lot, although both turned down parts in the first.

Also, names like Keanu Reeves was said to be a fitting age to join the party.

Domestic violence: Zaaki Azzay’s wife leaves home with kids

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efore his dwindling career nose-dived, Zaaki Azzay is one of the few artistes in Nigeria who gained popularity both in the core North and South West axis.

Today, Zaaki, who has tried several albums after his maiden effort without one

hitting the room let alone road is said to have engaged in a show of shame, beating his wife, Hadiza silly.

According to a report filed

by Project Alert, an NGO that champions the course of women faced with this kind of challenge, Hadiza was allegedly

Zaaki Azzay

battered by her husband, Zaaki. Hadiza, as the report puts, ran out of her matrimonial home sought the help of the NGO. Project Alert housed Hadiza, but Zaaki reportedly trailed his wife there through the Police and MTN tracker.

The woman with her two kids, was said to have left the house when Zaaki allegedly turned Hadiza into a punching bag that he often trains with every day and night. The reason, as we were told, was because Zaaki accused her of being the brain behind his dwindling career. www.nigeriafilms.com reliably gathered that an organisation, Dorcas Generation Initiative, led by a woman of essence called Amara Blessing, who is saddled with the responsibility of helping women like, is making effort to raise money to rent a place for her to stay with her kids.

All efforts by Nigeriafilms.com to reach Zaaki to comment on this allegation was to no avail as he did not pick calls put through to him on his 0805 number, nor replied SMS sent to him.

Bobby Brown checks in to rehab for alcohol addiction

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rolific singer, Bobby Brown has checked into rehab and is currently undergoing psychological evaluation for alcohol addiction, TMZ reports.

Sources say the US singer and former New Edition band

Omotola gets twitter verification, 2nd actress after Genevieve

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exy Nollywood actress, Omotola Ekeinde Jalade has joined the league of Nigerian celebrities that have got their account on social

media, Twitter verified.

The beautiful mother of four and wife of a Nigerian pilot, Capt. Mathew Ekeinde has now got the ‘blue’ mark of Twitter attached to her twitter handle, @realomosexy, which shows the authenticity of her account on the site.

The Amnesty International ambassador has gradually become a global brand. And to differentiate her account from parody accounts on twitter, she it became necessary for her account to be verified by twitter.

She has joined Asa, D’Banj,

Osaze Odemwinge, Genevieve Nnaji, Oluchi, Nneka, Brymo, Jesse Jagz, Dencia and Ice Prince, who already have their twitter accounts verified. She also becomes the second Nollywood actress that has got her twitter account verified after ‘believed’ rival Genevieve.

member willingly walked into the treatment facility all by himself because ‘he realized he couldn’t do it on his own’.

The 43-yearold is being treated for alcohol abuse issues.

Brown has suffered from this abuse for many years.

In March 2012, he was arrested for drinking under the influence of alcohol.

‘He decided that he needed help and wants to make the best out of the rest of his life for his children’s sake’, a source told TMZ. The singer who lost his first wife Whitney Houston in February 2012 remarried his long-time fiancée Alicia Etheridge in June 2012

Chelsea Clinton may run for public office

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Omotola Ekeinde Jalade

he former first daughter has disclosed that she may consider following in her parents’ political footsteps and running for public office in the near future.

Chelsea Clinton made this known in an interview recently with Vogue.

The only daughter of former President Bill Clinton

and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reveals that it’s a definite possibility if it were something she felt “called to do.”

According to her, “Before my mom’s campaign, I would have said no,” but went on to say, “And now I don’t know.

But if there were to be a point where it was something I felt called to do and I didn’t think

there was someone who was sufficiently committed to building a healthier, more just, more equitable, more productive world? Then that would be a question I’d have to ask and answer”, she said.

The 32-year old has always steered away from politics and spent most of her career working in the corporate world.

Chelsea Clinton

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

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didas the official outfitters of the Super Eagles will be shipping in special shoes for the Liberia game.

According to a wire service this will be done in response to concerns expressed by the NFF scouts and Coach Keshi after his team had failed to master the

Igbokwe demands Ekeji’s resignation

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he Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Chief Patrick Ekeji, must immediately put in his resignation letter following the woeful performance of Team Nigeria that he midwifed and presented at the London Olympic Games where Nigeria failed to win a medal for first time since 1992.

The Secretary, South East Football Stakeholders Conference, Barrister Iyke Igbokwe, insisted on Ekeji’s resignation yesterday in Abuja while x-raying Team Nigeria’s abysmal performance at the just ended Games.

It would be recalled that the London Games experience was a repeat of the country’s dismal performances at the 1980 and 1988 Moscow (Russia) and Seoul (South Korea) Olympic Games plus the Barcelona debacle that was unique for alleged sex scandal reports.

Igbokwe said it was unbelievable that the NSC wasted about N2.3 billion just for the country to be present in London, and described the outing as a “national disgrace’.

He said Ekeji should not wait to be treated in the same as was Sani Lulu, a former chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation, who was impeached over the country’s failure to reach the second round of the 2010 World Cup held in South Africa.

“What is good for Sani Lulu, should also be good for the DG of the NSC, who went to London and came back without a medal. These athletes did not start their training inside the gutter, rather they started early from properly constructed facilities.

“This is the basis for sports development and our sports will continue to nosedive until we take the sports back to the schools where it belongs,’’ Igbokwe said.

PAGE 41

Special boots for Super Eagles Malawian synthetic field, which is similar to the one in Monrovia.

Ironically, it is the performance Keshi’s foreignbased professionals on the astro turf that is in question and not that of his local NPL stars, who

play day in day out on it in the domestic league and have seemingly mastered the artificial carpet.

Chairman of the technical committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF),

Chris Green also confirmed that the boots will be flown in from Germany. Further, he said that it will have special cleats designed to match the synthetic grass and allow for maximum playing effect.

This innovation is expected to improve the performance of the players and Keshi will be counting on it as well as any other added advantage against the Liberians known to be a thorn in the side of their West African cousins when it comes to head to head confrontations.

London Olympics fallout

SSA wants management board for NSC T

By Patrick Andrew

he National Sports Commission (NSC) as it is presently constituted is an anomaly that will continue to negate all approaches to the functional administration and development of sports in the country.

This was the assertion of the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Babatunde Fashola on Grassroots Sports, Wale Oladunjoye, who regretted that the NSC has remained a poor manager of personnel, athletes and facilities and has failed to generate vibrant sports policies for the proper management and growth of sports.

According to him, the existence of a Chairman of the NSC, presupposes that it ought to have a board of management in place to formulate policies and gives directive, and he further asserted that the lack of same has given room to certain bureaucrats to usurp functions meant for the board with the dire consequences in the form of policy and administrative

Blessing Okagbare, who disappointed when it mattered most

ineptitude.

“It is an anomaly to have a chairman, without a board. If there is no board, then the supervising minister should only have tenure as minister and not a chairman, as it is presently.

“The present arrangement (board composed of senior staff of the commission and the minister) is not working and it is not likely to produce results,’’ said Oladunjoye, whose ‘Talent Hunt’ initiative is the bedrock for the renewal of grassroots sports in Lagos State.

Peoples Daily Sports recalls that the Samuel Ogbemudia Committee Chief Patrick Ekeji, DG, NSC had made several recommendations including the setting of the National Sports Commission in place of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the composition of seven to 10-member board to serve as the engine room for the generation of policies and sourcing for funds outside the public coffer among several function.

Members of the board were to be drawn from the private sector while the director general of the commission was to serve as the secretary but without executive powers, such powers were to reside in the board.

However, whereas the setting up of the commission was accepted and a political appointee without a definite tenure appointed chairman of the commission, no board in the proper sense of the word as recommended by the committee was adopted.

Instead, the same element that were to carry out the policies of the same recommended 10-member board were constituted into a board meaning that the senior management staff of the commission constituted the quasi board.

According to Oladunjoye, this development has negated the spirit and intention of a board in the first place and therefore remains the bane of sports development and has equally manifested in the lack of shrewd administration of sports in the country.

Therefore, the SSA pleaded with the President Goodluck Jonathan, who only yesterday directed that a drastic re-organisation of sports in terms of personnel and structures, to as a matter of urgency constitute a genuine for the commission.

Depleted Sunshine Stars tackle ASO Chlef for encore today

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lmost a fortnight ago, Sunshine Stars registered their maiden win in the gruop stage of the CAF Champions League.

Their opponents then were Algeria’s flag bearers ASO Chlef and the venue was the Dipo Stadium in Akure.

Today in the reversed fixture, the Stars are guests of their Algerians and hope to sustain their current performance by stunning their hosts in front of their fans.

However, they are depleted because six regulars namely Ibrahim Ajani, James Moses, Dayo Ojo, Okomu James, Isaac Hele and Osas Idehen will miss the duel against ASO Chlef on account of injuries and suspension.

Nonetheless, Sunshine Stars, who got approval for the release of four of their players from the Super Eagles camp, are still optimistic they will get another result on the road as they aim to reach the knockout stage of the continent’s foremost club competition.

The Stars had stunned Etoile Du Sahel by holding them to a scoreless draw barely a fortnight after losing at home to defending Esperance. The loss to the defending champions had created tension as many doubted their ability to play in the big stage.

However, skipper Godfrey Oboabona, a Super Eagles’ rising star, is optimistic they will ground out a result from the game to confirm their semifinals berth. His optimitism was shared

by his Eagles’ teammate Moses Ocheje and Tamen Medrano who were equally full of hope that the match will yield positive result.

“We are ready for the game.

We are going into the game aim of getting three points so as to move forward,” said Oboabona.

They are second on the table with four points, five points adrift of leaders and defending champions Esperance of Tunisia.

ASO Chlef who are yet to record a win are equally looking forward to a good game and hope to turn the table against Sunshine Stars.

Defender Youcef Maamar said they hope to avenge the loss they suffered a fortnight ago.

“We must therefore turn the table against them in front of our fans so as to erase our last loss.

Team spirit is back and we also know we must work harder and think about better days,” the defender said.

Godfrey Oboabana, Skipper Sunshine Stars

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PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

Association holds tourney to Coach keep wrestlers fit for festival wants volleyball promoted in schools

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female volleyball coach, Mercy Yusuf, on Wednesday in Lagos said that there was need to promote the sport at the school level, to identify talents.

Yusuf, of the Federal College of Education (FCE), Zaria, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone that the sport would gain recognition if zonal competitions were organised for schools.

“Volleyball competitions should be organised at zonal levels to ensure that many schools participate in the event and you will be surprised that we have talents among these students.

“There should also be prize money involved because it will spur schools to take part and from there the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) can discover talents for future competitions,’’ she said.

Yusuf also appealed to the NVBF to help in the grading of coaches and referees, to ensure there was no friction when performing their duties.

“NVBF should assist more in the area of participating in international courses, to improve on the standards of the referees, coaches and the game generally.

“Officials of the NVBF should ensure there is discipline, gender equality and eschew personal interest in official matters,’’ said the coach, who was with the national team to the last All Africa Games.

Yusuf also urged schools to make sports a compulsory activity because it would engage their students positively.

“For me, charity begins at home; if sport is embraced from a young age, it will go a long way to develop our players because that is the basis for any development.

“The Federal Ministry of Education should check schools’ curriculum to ensure sports is part of it and that facilities that will allow sports to develop in such schools are provided.

“It should be made compulsory that for one to establish a school, there should be a field, even if it is not of world standard,’’ she said.

he second annual Lagos State Senior Inter-Club Wrestling Championship, which ended on Wednesday, is to keep the state’s athletes fit for the upcoming 18 th National Sports Festival in Lagos in November.

Coach Segun Iwalokun of the state wrestling association disclosed this at the closing ceremony of the three-day competition held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.

Iwalokun said that five clubs took part in the competition, which featured three events, namely: Greco Roman, Freestyle and Female Freestyle.

The clubs, he said, were Matriaka, Laofem, Angels, Noble 1 and Kirikiri.

He said that the first, second and third wrestlers in each of the three categories of the competition had already qualified for the Champion of Champions competition, scheduled for Sept. 15 in Lagos.

“The competition is yet another tournament to further prepare the state’s wrestlers for the festival,” the coach said.

According to him, Matriaka came tops at the first edition of the competition last May, adding that the club also came tops in the second edition.

“Most of the winners in the different categories of the competition are from the club,” the coach said.

He, however, added that the major aim of the competition was not about winning, but mainly to prepare the state wrestlers for the National Sports Festival in November.

“This competition is held in order to sharpen the skills of the athletes and keep them alert so that they could put up impressive performances at the festival,” he said.

Iwalokun assured that the association’s preparations for the festival would enable it to sweep all the gold medals at stake at the festival.

18th NSF: 25 Lagos cyclists for closed camping in Epe

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wenty-five Lagos State cyclists will from August 20 begin closed camping in Epe, in preparation for the 18th National Sports Festival in Nov. Lagos State is to host the festival from Nov. 27 to Dec. 9.

Joseph Izibili, the Technical Director of the state cycling association, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos that most of the cyclists were discovered at the last May State organised sports

festival tagged: “Ibile Games”.

The coach said that 17 cyclists would be selected from the camping scheduled to last about two weeks depending on available resources.

The coach said that the camping was planned and organised by the Lagos State Cycling Association, which he said was different from the training the state would still organise for the cyclists before the festival.

“Members of the

association were zealous in winning laurels at the festival and personally raised funds to start early preparation for the camping,” he said.

According to him, members of the association planned the camping because it realised that the cyclists needed more time to train together for them to excel at the biennial fiesta.

“Cycling is very strenuous than any other sports, so we need to start the closed camping early to aid our athletes’ preparations for the festival..

“We did not win any medal at the last festival in Port Harcourt in 2011; this time around, we will put in all our technical prowess to ensure we do well in Lagos,’’ he said.

Izibili expressed confidence that the cyclists that would be selected at the end of the closed camp would win medals at the festival.

He said that lack of competition was a major factor militating against the promotion of the sport and urged individuals and corporate organisations to sponsors championships in the game.

Tuvshinbayar Naidan, the Mongolian judoka who won silver in the just ended London Olympics

Lagos judokas for invitational championships in Benin Republic

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wenty judokas from Lagos state are to feature in an invitational championship scheduled for Aug. 26 to Aug. 28 in Benin Republic.

The Assistant Coach of the Lagos State Judo Association, Patrick Ifamoru, disclosed while speaking on efforts being made to prepare them for the forthcoming National Sports Festival.

According to him, the judokas are 10 males and females each, would compete in 14 weight categories at the competition.

The categories, he said were: -60, -66, -73, -81,-90,100, +100 and -48, for male and -52, -57, -63, -70, -78, +78kgs for female category.

According to him, the three-day championships would further prepare the state judokas for the 18thNational

Sports Festival, scheduled for Nov. 27 to Dec. 9 in Lagos.

“The championships will help our athletes to prepare well and win medals for the state at the festival.

“This is a long desired opportunity to further expose our athletes and now that we have the opportunity, I am indeed very happy,” he added.

He expressed confidence that his judokas would excel at the championships because of the level of preparation and the high standards imparted to them by the coaching crew.

“The judokas are in good form to compete in any international championships and the invitational championships would further expose them.

Ifamoru also praised the association and the state government for bankrolling the trip.

Handball federation plans foreign courses for officials, says Director The Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) on Wednesday said it planned to send some technical officials on International Handball Federation (IHF) refreshers course in Qatar later in the year.

The HFN Technical Director, Musa Hamza, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the programme was to update their knowledge of the sport.

“Some of our coaches and referees will be in Qatar before the end of this year for a comprehensive training programme basically to boost their awareness on the latest rules of handball,’’ he said.

He said the federation was passionate about developing youths as they were expected to represent the country in i n t e r n a t i o n a l competitions.

According to him, the officials are the ones that coach the young players and therefore should be up-to-date with i n t e r n a t i o n a l requirements which are applied in IHF organised championships.

“We are working toward having competent coaches and referees, who will be in-charge of our young players so that they can be brought up in the right direction.

“The coaches cannot give what they don’t have and we believe that exposing them to foreign courses will go a long way to bring out the best in them,’’ he said.

He declined to name the officials, who would be attending the programme, adding: “we have our records on their performances and contributions to athletes training programmes.’’

Yusuf Dauda, President, HFN

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

Transfer The season is over. Clubs are counting their blessing as well as losses and would like to make amends and even beef up their squads where noticeable lapses exist. And the transfer market is agog barely 24 hours after major European leagues dropped the curtain.

And so to keep abreast with latest rumours, we begin daily doses of movements within the market both for players and coaches like.

Everton eye £5m Liverpool star

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oyes is gauging what the reaction would be to his fellow Scot making the first Anfield-to-Goodison transfer since 1992 Liverpool will sell Charlie Adam for a knockdown £5million and Everton boss David Moyes is poised to make a sensational move for him.

Scotland midfielder Adam is being offered around behind the scenes because he will not be a starter under new Kop boss Brendan Rodgers, just a year after predecessor Kenny Dalglish bought him from Blackpool for £9m.

Moyes wanted his fellow Scot before he was priced out of his range and still rates the former Rangers schemer highly although he is looking into the potential pitfalls of buying Adam.

Charlie Adam

Saha joins Sunderland on one-year contract

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ouis Saha has signed for Sunderland on a one-year deal.

The 34-year-old former Fulham, Manchester United and Everton striker has been without a club since leaving Tottenham at the end of last season.

The Frenchman could make his Black Cats debut against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Saha joined Spurs on a short-term deal in January from Everton but his contract was not extended at the end of the campaign.

Louis Saha

Rovers reject Bunn offer

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lackburn Rovers have rejected a bid for goalkeeper Mark Bunn from Premier League Norwich City.

Rovers rejected a bid in the region of £500,000 for Bunn from the Canaries out of hand and do not expect either him or number one Paul Robinson to quit this summer.

Bunn will not be fit for Saturday’s big Championship kick off at Ipswich, and could be on the sidelines for another month having suffered a recurrence of a hip injury he has suffered from for most of the summer.

Robinson is the man of possession of the number one shirt for the start of the campaign but Rovers are keen to keep hold of Bunn to provide the necessary competition between the posts.

Lewandowski vows Dortmund stay

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orussia Dortmund forward Robert Lewandowski has ruled out a transfer away from the German champions this summer.

Lewandowski, 24 next week, currently has a contract through until 2014 with last season’s double winners.

The Poland international, who netted a hat trick against Bayern Munich in the DFB Pokal final in May,

contributed 22 goals and ten assists in Dortmund’s title-winning campaign and has aroused interest from Europe’s top clubs, with Bayern, Manchester United, Chelsea and Juventus among his reported suitors.

Dortmund has already informed the clubs interested in Lewandowski that he will remain at Westfalenstadion until the end of his contract.

PAGE 43

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rendan Rodgers is hoping to close a loan deal for Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin fromWest Brom.

Sahin, 23, is available on a season’s loan after struggling to establish himself at the Bernabeu.

He has made only 10

Reds sign Sahin on loan appearances for the Spanish champions since arriving from Borussia Dortmund a year ago, and has been told he can move elsewhere in search of first-team football.

Pereira deny Napoli, Inter Milan link

completing a loan move for Barcelona winger Christian Tello, 21, with Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre flying to Spain to finalise negotiations.

Bayern close in on Martinez

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lvaro Pereira has d e s c r i b e d speculation that he is a target for Napoli and Inter Milan as “just rumours” and insisted he is “focused on Porto”.

Pereira, 27, has been one of Porto’s most consistent players in recent seasons and has also produced some impressive displays at international level for Uruguay notably at the 2010 World Cup and 2011 Copa America and has been

The Turkey international has been encouraged to move to Merseyside by his Real team-mate Xabi Alonso, who spent five years at Liverpool.

Rodgers is also hopeful of

Alvaro Pereira linked with a move away from Estadio do Dragao.

Chelsea were rebuffed after making an approach for the wing-back last year, but Inter and Napoli have emerged as potential suitors this summer.

ayern Munich are moving closer to the signing of Athletic Bilbao’s Javi Martinez, although the Bavarians have denied rumours that the transfer is already done.

Martinez, 23, has been a Bayern target from the beginning of this transfer window, and the Spain international’s move to the Allianz Arena could break Bundesliga records.

Bayern have already splashed out •29.8 million on the likes of Mario Mandzukic (•12 million from Wolfsburg), Xerdan Shaqiri (•9 million from Basel) and Dante (•4.7 million from

Javi Martinez Monchengladbach) this summer in their bid to become German champions again after failing to win a trophy in the last two seasons.

Song can join Barcelona —Wenger Newcastle land Anita

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rsenal has privately indicated a willingness to sell Alex Song to Barcelona but the two clubs are yet to agree a fee.

Barca vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu was in London yesterday to hold formal talks over a deal to sign Song, despite Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger publicly insisting earlier this week that he would not countenance a sale.

The Gunners are thought to want around £18million for the Cameroon international but Barcelona is short of that valuation and

talks are continuing.

Wenger and Song have an adequate working relationship but sources close to the player claim it has become strained at times.

Alex Song

Goran move to Stoke City failed

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oran Popov’s loan move to Stoke City from Dynamo Kiev has collapsed after the Macedonian failed to receive international clearance.

Popov agreed a seasonlong loan with the Potters, but he revealed there have been problems obtaining a work permit.

The 27-year-old first came to the attention of

Stoke manager Tony Pulis when the Potters met Dynamo in last season’s Europa League competition.

Popov, who has accumulated 42 caps for his national team in eight years, has played all across Europe for teams including Red Star Belgrade, Egaleo and Heerenveen, before moving to Kiev in 2010.

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ewcastle United has announced the signing of Netherlands midfielder Vurnon Anita from Dutch champions Ajax.

Anita agreed a five-year contract with the English Premier League club after helping the Dutch giants win their second successive league title last season.

The 23-year-old, born on the island of Curacao, joined the Ajax youth academy in 1999 and made his firstteam debut in 2006.

Anita, who has three caps for the Netherlands, can also play as a full-back and Pardew is reported to have paid around £6.5 million ($10.2 million, •8.3 million) for his services.

Modric set for Real Madrid as Spurs seek replacements

R

eal Madrid is close to finalising their protracted move for Spurs midfielder Luka Modric after increasing their offer to £30m.

The 26-year-old is expected to hold talks with Real officials in the coming days after the La Liga side revived a deal that had previously stalled.

Spurs are lining up replacements with Porto’s Joao Moutinho but also Rennes midfielder Yann

M’Vila on the radar.

Modric’s departure may not be officially confirmed until Spurs are confident they have a deal in place for his replacement.

Garrido undergo medical at Norwich City

F

Javier Garrido

ormer Manchester City defender Javier Garrido is currently undergoing a medical at Norwich City.

The 27-year-old is hopeful of completing a season-long loan move from current club Lazio to Carrow Road with a view to a permanent deal.

Garrido spent three years in England with

City before moving to the Serie A side in 2010 for an undisclosed fee.

Garrido joined City in 2007 when Sven-Goran Eriksson was in charge, but found firstteam appearances limited.

The left-back was also part of Spain’s poor London 2012 campaign which saw them eliminated at the group stage.

Luka Modric

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

PICTORIAL

1

5

6

2

7 1/ Lionel Messi has insisted he respects Cristiano Ronaldo but doesn't compete with him, blamed the media for trying to instigate rivalry between them, and discussed his thirst for trophies with Barcelona and Argentina.

3

2/ Argentina and Brazil won in Germany and Sweden respectively, while Belgium, England and Switzerland also posted impressive victories on a night when the tenures of Didier Deschamps, Louis van Gaal and Fabio Capello began.

3/ Sir Alex Ferguson believes the signing of Robin van Persie will give him a strikeforce to compare with the prolific quartet who helped fire Manchester United to Champions League glory in 1999.

4/ Bayern Munich are moving closer to the signing of Athletic Bilbao's Javi Martinez, although the Bavarians have denied rumours that the transfer is already done.

5/ Australia international Cameron Shepherd is to take legal action against Northampton Saints for pulling out of a deal to sign him.

6/ Andy Murray returns from injury to book his place in the third round of the Cincinnati Open with a 6-2 6-4 win over Sam Querrey.

4

7/ Thomas Bjorn, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley are named as three European vice-captains for next month's Ryder Cup.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

PAGE 45

The full circle of the seven lean cows T he London 2012 Olympics Games for one thing has cleared the haze that had for several years hang over the Nigerian sports horizon. The verdict was as expected: gloomy. However, it attained dastardly level in discomfiture.

Before now though, the technocrats in the National Sports Commission (NSC) and its surrogates had with contempt lambasted any that dared to assert the bare facts namely that the Nigerian sports was terribly ill.

The London Olympics misadventure simply demystified the adumbrated miasma and as it's in moments like this forced the attention of the Federal Government to pretend to assuage public angst against its officers for smothering their joy by constituting committees and promising the sledge hammer on these self-acclaimed technocrats.

Sadly, these same elements would constitute the committee with the mandate to probe itself and recommend measures to redress the affliction. What hypocrisy!

Topical as this may be, it is hardly our concern here.

President Goodluck Jonathan has directed a purge of the system. One hopes it's no mere palliative simply to create the impression that something is being done.

But the concern is the Nigeria Premier League. Yes, it's been sickly for God knows

“

No, the rule of engagement is clear: failure to honour two matches without provable force majeure means automatic relegation. About four seasons ago, Sharks of Port Harcourt suffered this fate on the basis breach this rule of conduct.

how long now. Chief Oyuki Obaseki attempted to breathe life into it and nearly succeeded with his bated breath temporarily resuscitation.

Unfortunately, Obaseki became susceptible to human frailty and opted to impose his stooge in digression of due process. The abuse of the electoral process was too conspicuous even for the blind to notice. So, came another battle for the soul of what was already in comatose, and agitation, stress and discomfiture left further scar on it: Deadly scars at that.

The fellow that assumed the mantle through the instrumentality of the court neither possess the clout nor the character of Obaseki who had insisted on applying the rules somewhat objectively as to give the impression of authority and leadership.

Rather, the fellow delights in showcasing his bowl hat, laying claim to the office but lacking the vim to function to the dictate of the same office.

Allegations of abuses of rules of conduct have been rife.

Nembe FC got promoted in a

manner that's bereft of c r e d i b i l i t y.

Meetings are hardly held and where it's nothing c o n c r e t e e m e r g e s therefrom.

Tunji Babalola has severally opted to distance owoidoho_ng35@yahoo.com himself from the confusion and the has suffered fatal summersault lack of foresight in the majority by virtue of their position on the and the wounds inflicted on it of the decision supposedly made log.

Sadly, the leadership of the during the era of Obaseki has by the board of the NPL. rather fester than heal.

Take for instance the matter NPL has constituted a Sader still, the game, which of the 3-man committee to committee to investigate the passion is palpable and indeed investigate why Ocean Boys of remotest reason/s why they a religion of some sort, is Yenegoa failed to honour its failed to honour their matches. suffering so much abuse that matches both home and away. And you wonder whether the one wonders whether it's a What are the facts on ground? NPL board is blind and hard of divine curse that it would never Oceans Boys currently hearing since the complaint, thrive in Nigeria like in other rooted in the bottom of the NPL which constitutes reason for even less endowed lands. log and certain for relegation opting out of the league with It seems reasonable to decided to boycott the three matches remaining, had accept the Minister of Sports remaining matches of the been made loud and clear.

No, the rule of engagement Bolaji Abdullahi's summation of season. They want to save cost, the decay that is the Nigerian after all they stand relegated is clear: failure to honour two sports : a full circle of the seven whether they are able to win matches without provable force lean cows. the remaining matches or not. majeure means automatic No, the committee is In doing this, they duly informed relegation. About four seasons irrelevant. The case is the NPL secretariat that they ago, Sharks of Port Harcourt established even before the were withdrawing from the suffered this fate on the basis blind. Ocean Boys are relegated league. Of course, they aren't breach of this rule of conduct.

The NPL board in deciding to and for abandoning the league ignorant of the consequences: midstream must pay the due automatic relegation and fine. As bend and twist its rule has aptly fine. Period! for the former they already are demonstrated why the league

200 students participate in Junior Tennis Clinic/Tournament

M

ore than 200 students from various schools within the FCT are participating in the Junior Tennis Clinic and Tournament-cumtraining.

Rotimi Akindele, a national tennis coach, made this known yesterday adding that the training was being organised to select players that would represent the FCT in the 4th

edition of Setraco/Zenith Bank Plc. Junior Tennis Tournament, beginning on August 27.

He explained that the players would compete for honours in the male and female Under-10; Under12; Under-14; and Under-16 categories, respectively.

Akindele said 60 students had been selected from the more than 200 students registered for the

clinic after a few weeks of training stressing that 24 players would eventually be selected to compete with teams from other states.

The coach explained that eight players would represent the FCT in each category of the competition, which he said, would see Delta, Lagos, Rivers, Benue, Niger, Ekiti, and Kaduna states participating.

According to him, the tournament is organised and sponsored by Setraco Nig. Ltd in conjunction with Zenith Bank Plc.

USA 4x100m relay team

Fashola-inspired Adopt-A-Talent Sports Programme shortlists 200 athletes for camping programme, scheduled for the last

N

iran Adeniji, the consultant to the Lagos Stateorganised Adopt-A-Talent Sports Programme, has said that 200 U-18 athletes have been shortlisted to participate in the second edition of the annual camping.

Adeniji said in Lagos, that the camp would open in the last week of September. It is expected to last for 14 weeks with the 200 athletes including a female football team and a female basketball team each.

The consultant added that the others were male football and basketball players as well as boxers, table tennis and volleyball

players.

Adeniji said that arising from the success of the first edition of the programme, Gov. Babatunde Fashola approved the addition of four more games, gymnastics, judo, karate and swimming.

He said that the 200 athletes were screened in July at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Mayon Barracks, Yaba, and the University of Lagos recently renamed Moshood Abiola University.

“After thorough stages of screening exercises, including medical fitness, we arrived at this number of athletes to begin the

week in September,” he said.

He said that the camping was originally scheduled to start in July but was delayed because of repair works going on in most of the sports centres in the state.

Adenijisaid that because of the lack of a venue as a result of the ongoing rehabilitation of sports facilities, the state government was considering the use of Mayon Barracks for this year’s programme.

The Adopt-A-Talent Sports Programme, which combines sports with education, was Fashola’s brainchild to improve sports at the grassroots.

WATCH DOG By Patrick Andrew

“The first thing is to make sure that we get the kids busy during this holiday, summer break which is usually long and then most importantly to get our children ready for competitions.

“We in the executive arm of tennis believe that we have abundant talents in this country and the only way we can make them reach their full potential is to keep them busy and make sure we give them the right technique with training.’’

Akindele urged private organisations to sponsor sports competitions to help identify talented sportsmen and women that would represent the country at tournaments in the future.

Maria Oshakpemhe of Government Secondary School, Mabushi, Abuja, expressed joy for being selected to be among the participating students, saying it was better for her to keep fit rather than just staying at home.

She said: “I am participating because it’s fun and besides I am a tennis player; it will keep me physically fit during the holiday so that I will not be wandering about.’’

She urged other kids to participant, saying: “it’s an interesting camp for kids.’’

New world relay competition to start in 2014

A

new world relay competition that will be used to qualify teams for the world championships and Olympics will start in 2014, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) said in a statement on Friday.

The first editions of the two-day event, which will include the traditional 4x100 metres and 4x400m relays as well as 4x200m, 4x800m and 4x1500m races, will take place in Nassau, Bahamas in May 2014 and 2015.

The “IAAF World Relays” will carry approximately $1.4 million in prize money.

FIBA Wants 3On-3 basketball at 2016 Olympics

T

he International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has concluded arrangements to introduce an addition to the game at the next Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2016.

Accordingly, FIBA said it has been encouraged by the growing popularity of the game and wants to catch on by further injecting vibrancy into the game through a new competition.

In an attempt to expand basketball’s worldwide popularity, FIBA is making a significant push for 3-on-3 basketball, which is commonly played at parks, playgrounds and schoolyards across the country.

The group, which already sponsors a 3-on-3 world tour and world championship, is trying to establish a world rankings system that could help the game become an Olympic sport. Perhaps as soon as the 2016 Rio Games.

“Like volleyball has beach volleyball, swimming has synchronized swimming, we want three-on-three to be part of it,” FIBA Secretary-general Patrick Baumann told USA Today.

A global three-on-three structure could allow smaller countries to participate in the Olympics, and FIBA hopes that might lead to a trickle-down effect in countries that are not traditional basketball powerhouses.

Still, an expanded global reach for 3-on-3 basketball won’t make it easier to beat any team with LeBron James.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

PAGE 47

ACROSS

J O K ES

1 Appraise again (8) 5 Hairy primates (4)

NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT

9 Ignited (3,4,2)

Nigeria government recently announced to pay men with five children N1million monthly salary.

A man heard the news and said to his wife,” Eunice! I have a kid with my girlfriend, I am going to bring him so we add him to our four kids to make five.

When he came back, he saw only one of his kids remaining. He asked where the others were. His wife replied, “you are not the only one who heard the news! Their fathers had come for them.”

10 Part of the body with lashes and brow (3) 11 Astound (4) 13 Herring pickled in spiced vinegar (7) 16 Dash, flair (4) 18 Large exotic green-skinned fruit (6) 19 Game played on a court (6) 21 Desist (4) 23 Anti-like creature (7) 25 Mosque elder (4) 27 Scarcely any (3) 28 Star’s small walk-on part (5,4) 30 Brown songbird (4) 31 anticipated (8)

OBAMA INSTEAD OF GOODLUCK A young boy getting set to go to school for an examination had this conversation with his father.

Boy: Good morning daddy, I'm going to school to write my exams.

Father: Good morning my son, I wish you goodluck in your exams ( The boy angrily responded).

Boy: Daddy don't wish me goodluck please wish me Obama instead.

DOWN 1 Others (4)

Quick CrossWord (9) PHOTO OF THE DAY

2 right, fitting (3) 3 Copse (7) 4 rugged mountain range (6) 6 Lung complaint (9) 7 Hangdog (8) 8 Scupper (4) 12 First-rate (3-6) 14 Be___, have suspicions about (2,2) 15 showing malice (8) 17 Shoemaker’s tool (4) 20 embodiment (7)

Source: Online Nigeria Jokes

22 Spicy American cookery and music style (3-

FACT

3) 24 Imperial unit of length (4) 26 Metal joint (4) 29 ___ for, choose (3)

Yesterday’s answer

8. The human lungs contain approximately 2,400 kilometres (1,500 mi) of airways and 300 to 500 million hollow cavities, having a total surface area of about 70 square metres, roughly the same area as one side of a tennis court. Furthermore, if all of the capillaries that surround the lung cavities were unwound and laid end to end, they would extend for about 992 kilometres.

Also, your left lung is smaller than your right lung to make room for your heart.

9. Sneezes regularly exceed 100 mph, while coughs clock in at about 60 mph.

10. Your body gives off enough heat in 30 minutes to bring half a gallon of water to a boil.

11. Your body has enough iron in it to make a nail 3 inches long.

12. Earwax production is necessary for good ear health.

It protects the delicate inner ear from bacteria, fungus, dirt and even insects. It also cleans and lubricates the ear canal.

13. Everyone has a unique smell, except for identical twins, who smell the same.

Chinese farmer, Sun Jifa, whose arms were blown off in a freak explosion, has built himself bionic arms as he could not afford the pricey hospital ones.

Source: Metro.co.uk

14. Your teeth start growing 6 months before you are born.

This is why one out of every 2,000 newborn infants has a tooth when they are born 15. A baby's head is one-quarter of it's total length, but by the age of 25 will only be one-eighth of its total length. This is because people's heads grow at a much slower rate than the rest of their bodies.

16. Babies are born with 300 bones, but by adulthood the number is reduced to 206. Some of the bones, like skull bones, get fused into each other, bringing down the total number.

17. It is not possible to tickle yourself. This is because when you attempt to tickle yourself you are totally aware of the exact time and manner in which the tickling will occur, unlike when someone else tickles you.

Source: Weird facts

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

. . . putting the people first

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE If the GDP is real and the economy is truly growing at 6.7 percent, you will notice all the indices converging... For me, what they refer to is nothing but a mirage and illusion growth — Pr esident, NES enneth Shola President, NES,, Dr Dr.. K Kenneth Adeyemi on state of Nigerian economy

SPORTS The Budget Conundrum (II): LA TEST LATEST Unravelling the jargon Eagles new boys excite O Keshi

S

tephen Keshi has saluted the performance of the seven players he capped against Niger in a friendly on Wednesday.

Keshi gave Eagles debuts to Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars), Benjamin Francis (Heartland), Solomon Jabason (Akwa United), Sibi Gwar (Niger Tornadoes), Sanusi Sani (Gombe United), Umar Zango (Kano Pillars) and Philip Asuquo (Shooting Stars) in the goalless draw with Niger.

“I must say the entire team did well though we did not win the match, because of wasted opportunities, but those who impressed me the more are the players who have never played for the national team before and turned out very well against Niger in an away game,” Keshi remarked.

“That is why I wonder when some people say the Nigerian league lacks talents, there are lot of them hidden there waiting to be discovered but I must congratulate those who have so far proved themselves against a tough side like Niger.”

The Eagles made up of players from the Nigeria premier league received more accolades from their opponents, the Mena of Niger.

Skipper Moussa Maazou said Keshi’s team provided a good test for them ahead of next month’s AFCON qualifier against Guinea.

“Your team were very good and quicker on the ball and they have given us what to expect when we play Guinea in a Nations Cup qualifier in September,” said Maazou, who now features for Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia after stints in Belgium, France and Russia.

Frenchman Frederic Acosta, who was playing his last game as caretaker coach agreed that his side had their backs to the wall for the better part of the game, but noted that it had to be so because they were preparing for a qualifier and were playing against a very experienced side like Nigeria.

“It’s a good preparation match for us in Niger and we could not have had a better one.

Kudos to the Nigerians, they gave a lot to chew over and when we play Guinea in the Nations Cup qualifier, it will show”, he declared.

ADVERT: BUSINESS: NEWS: LAGOS:

0803 0805 0803 0805 0803

nce the budget is signed into law, it is published in the NASS journal as an Act, the Federal Government Official Gazette and published online on the website of the Budget Office of the Federation. The Executive Branch is then bound to comply with the law.

Legislative sanctions applicable to violation of the law may include impeachment.

Compliance with the appropriation law is what we actually call 'budget implementation’ in Nigeria. Our research on country comparatives confirmed that there is nowhere in the world where such a phrase is used – presumably, once a budget is passed, implementation ought to be a given. Countries we surveyed use ‘budget utilization’ to refer to situations when the budgeted amount is not spent in full for a variety of unexpected developments, but not “implementation”. Except in Nigeria, it seemed that one is disallowed from doing anything other than comply with the law by implementing it in letter and spirit!

In the Nigerian context, though, budget implementation is a vague term often used interchangeably with budget utilization, and refers to how much of the budget has been disbursed to the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government. Note again that disbursement does not mean the funds have been spent or the intended results attained.

However, in an ideal situation, disbursement should be a measurement of how the finances are spent and translated to visible projects in the country.

As noted in the last column, our entire budget process in Nigeria is vastly bureaucratic and opaque. It is also not anchored on any collective national vision, clear strategy and well thought-out programmes. It is an annual ritual for politicians and public servants to slice the fiscal pie into various expenditure sub-heads that often fail to improve the welfare of the rest of us. The process therefore involves various stages and terminology that are deliberately designed to confuse, obfuscate and create space for subsequent ‘flexible’ implementation of the budget. In the advanced and rapidlydeveloping economies, the budget process is highly transparent, devoid of gobbledygook and timely. Drafts, preparations and submissions between the legislature and executive are completed as and when due without any unwarranted overlap from one year to another, while being anchored on a coherent national development vision and strategy.

A typical example is the 2012 United States federal budget which was presented to Congress in February 2011 and enacted in November 2011, just a month into their fiscal year. The budget was signed into law almost immediately

311 689 606 327 454

7458 1765 3308 1969 0344

NASIR EL-R UF AI EL-RUF UFAI ON FRID AY FRIDA elrufai@aol.com

President Goodluck Jonathan without need for any ‘discussions’.

On the other hand, our 2012 federal budget was submitted to the National Assembly (NASS) in December 2011, barely a month before the commencement of the fiscal year in January. The 2012 Appropriation Bill was finally passed by NASS in March and it took a complete month for the President to sign it into law barely escaping a constitutional violation.

By that time, we were neck deep into the second quarter of the year, but the bureaucrats and politicians are happy. This is because, the recurrent budget which these days is nearly three-quarters of the entire budget was being drawn down and spent by them even before the bill was signed into law!

The budgetary system in Nigeria is therefore pervaded by lots of distortions and perverse incentives which begin from the conception to completion; corruption is involved in all stages before passing it into law. After the budget is signed into law, Expenditure Warrants are issued to all MDAs. Expenditure Warrants are instruments issued by the Minister of Finance authorizing the Accountant-General of the Federation to issue necessary mandate for the purpose of cashbacking monies to MDAs. The warrants are issued on a quarterly basis to MDAs purposely to execute the projects contained in the annual budget. This system allows for flexibility within the MDAs to determine their project priorities.

The warrant system also removes the restrictions that prohibit MDAs from initiating procurement process without funding in place.

The two downsides are that the fiscal flexibility of the warrant system

allows for reckless spending in many cases, and delays the commencement of procurement processes which can take months before contracts are awarded.

Meanwhile, the funds when available to MDAs remain in noninterest yielding bank accounts.

Where do AIEs come in? MDAs are mandated to spend within the allocation in the Appropriation Act. However, in cases where there are unforeseen expenditures which were not reflected in the budget preparation e.g. price escalations due to exchange rate fluctuations, MDAs apply to Budget Office of the Federation (BOF) through the Minister of Finance for utilization of funds for these projects. An Authority to Incur Expenditure (AIE) is then issued to the MDAs for advance release of appropriated funds or for additional funds as required. AIEs are also issued for projects that are not cash-backed but which need to be implemented.

AIEs constitute not just an authority to spend, but a public notice to outside parties like contractors and suppliers that the expenditure has the full backing of government.

There is the term ‘cash-backed’ or ‘cash-backing’ which sounds confusing. This refers to real monies that have been disbursed by the Ministry of Finance to the relevant MDAs. It means that the funds are available to the organizations to expend on capital projects appropriated in the budget.

Another contentious terminology is ‘virement’. This is the agreed movement of money from one budget heading, to which it has been allocated, to another budget heading. It is used for transferring funds from where they were originally allocated but not stridently required to where they could be spent more meaningfully, immediately.

Usually, the President makes his virement spending request known to the NASS and if approved, funds are accordingly redirected. While the current administration has consistently ignored this requirement and flouted the process, lack of thorough research before budgeting preparation and the ‘envelope’ system (explained below) have been identified from experience as the main causes of frequent virements.

The envelope system was introduced by the economic team of 2003 and worked by providing

each MDA with a maximum amount for its capital and recurrent needs for the coming fiscal year.

Our hope was that the system will force MDAs to make hard choices and trade-offs between investment and consumption, and lay down the basis for massive cuts in personnel and overhead budgets. It worked better then because we started with very low envelopes to MDAs, and gave greater priority to MDAs engaged in physical infrastructure and human development programs. That has changed for the worse unfortunately.

The envelope system is now anti-developmental because rather than have the sub-heads receiving funds on the basis of their needs or targets, the reverse is often the case.

Our budget analyses for 2011 and 2012 contained many examples of that. What is happening since 2010 is that certain indefensible amounts are assigned to favored MDAs and then the budget templates are filled to cover all the funds assigned. It is therefore hardly surprising that certain MDA projects are cashbacked but not implemented. They simply have no projects to execute – no project designs, no bidding documents, procurement processes commenced too late and so on!

Meanwhile, other less favored MDAs with ongoing projects have no funds to settle certified payments.

Sometimes, supplementary budgets are needed in the course of the fiscal year. This is an expenditure statement introduced to provide funds to the government to meet new, unexpected or additional expenses in a current fiscal year. In countries like the US, supplementary budgets are drawn to fund emergencies or major challenges in the economy because their budgets are usually carefully researched and considered before they become law. In Nigeria, because of our dependency on the fluctuations in oil prices, sometimes an unexpected rise in oil price presents an opportunity to pass a supplementary budget and introduce imaginary new projects or expand the scope of existing projects, for spending of whatever surplus funds earned. The introduction of the Excess Crude Account (ECA) in 2004 helped reduce that particular type of appetite, but the ECA has become so often raided these days by the government that it is almost irrelevant as a ‘rainy day” fund.

From the foregoing, some of the failures in budget implementation stem principally from the absence of a coherent national development vision and economic strategy to guide budget formulation and programs design. Furthermore, the Ministry of Finance’s multiple controls of the Treasury and, the Budget Office, while at the same time acting the de facto planning and monitoring agency of the government, has made a weakened National Planning Commission simply a spectator. It is pertinent that the vision and strategy be clearly articulated and debated by Nigerians, while MDA roles should be properly delineated so as to provide checks and balances in the system.

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos, Tel: +234-09-8734478. Cell: +234 803 606 3308. e-mail: contact@peoplesdaily-online.com; pmlnewsdesk@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141