Peoples Daily Newspaper, Saturday, February 18, 2012

VOL. 1 NO. 80 SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

RABIUL AWWAL 26 - 27, 1433 AH

How Kano plans to wed 1,000 couples

N150

I N S I D E

Supreme Court upholds Shettima, Yari’s elections

Pages 9, 10 & 11

— Page 3

Sokoto guber:

PDP plans to win by magic

Bokko Haram: Police declare Army Captain, 7 others wanted — Page 2

ODD WORLD

Zimbabwean son and mother want to get married — Page 7

Whitney Houston goes home in style — Pages 18 & 19

Wamakko

Yabo Mohammed

·Sultan sues for transparency ·30 candidates battle for seat WWW.PEOPLESDAILY-ONLINE.COM

Page 3

PAGE 2

Boko Haram: Police declares Army Captian, 7 others wanted, arrest two sect members

By Lambert Tyem

T

h e Police yesterday in Abuja declared one Army Captain, Bahago and Seven others wanted for allegedly belonging to the dreaded Boko Haram sect responsible for series of bomb blasts and other attacks that have claimed many lives in some northern parts of the country.

According to the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 7 Command Abuja, Atiku Y. Kafur, Capt. Bahago of Nigeria Army, Mallam Bashir, Mallam Adamu Maigini alias Bricklayer, Yunusa Katako, Mallam Yau Mdala, Bulama and Idris Bank have been placed on wanted list of the Police.

He also said the Police in his zone have arrested one Abdullahi Gouto a Chadian in Gbadu Village, Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State.

“He lives in Maiduguri with one Alhaji Bashir. He was dismissed from college with others for protesting against beauty contest in Chad. This made him join the Islamic group in Chad”, the AIG stated.

Kafur also disclosed that one Mallam Ayuba Hassan Kuchiko, a teacher in a non formal Islamic School Madala in Suleja, Niger state named Al-majirun wal Ansar with a population of between 30 and 40 students was also arrested in Madalla on 30th January 2012.

Also, the Zone Police Command boss noted that apart from the progress made so far in fighting the menace of the Boko Haram sect, the Police also arrested about 13 armed robbery and kidnap suspects, recovered about 8 AK47 rifles with their ammunitions and Mobile Police uniforms from criminals.

The Police however solicited the cooperation of all Nigerians by providing them information on the activities of criminals in their neighbourhood, stating that the Police is committed to the protection of lives and properties of Nigerians residing within the area of their jurisdiction.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 11 — SUNDAY 12, FEBRUARY, 2012

Car thieves invade Ogun governor’s office From Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, Abeokuta

F

o u r suspected car theives yesterday invaded the complex of Ogun state governor’s office, located in OkeMosan area of Abeokuta, in an operation which however turned sour for the bandits.

Peoples Daily Weekend reliably gathered that, one of the gang members was shot dead by the police while trying to escape, while three others escaped with bullet wounds, as police intensified further efforts to apprehend them as at the time of filing this report.

The robbers who arrived the complex at 9.45 am in a private Nissan Quest Car with registration number BK 944 RSH, were reported to have embarked on the stealing of cars, when luck ran against them as they attempted to enter a Toyota Camry car with registration number AKM 146AA. Our correspondent learnt that the bandits were in the process of using a master key to start the car when an alarm signal got to the owner inside his office, who suspecting danger peeped through the window and saw the robbers.

It was at this stage the car owner raised an alarm which attracted other workers. The

One of the robbers killed by the police message got to the police at the mechanical faults.

Our correspondent further entrance to the premises who hurriedly shut the gates while reports that, it was at this stage the robbers sensing danger that the men of the underworld hopped back into the car they resolved to abandon the car, but brought. the police gave them a hot chase The bandits in the course of and in the course of exchanging making frantic efforts to escape, gun shots one of the robbers was forcefully used their car to pull shot dead.

As at the time of filing this down the gate, but the policemen gave chase while the car of the report, the bush where the car runaway bandits developed thieves entered was set on fire by

Gunmen kill district head in Yobe From Hussaini Jirgi, Damaturu

U

nknown gunmen yesterday shot and killed the District Head of Gaidam Central Local Government Area of Yobe state, Alhaji Ba Mustaphe Malarabe.

Eyewitness said, four gunmen trailed the man to the front of his house and shot him at about 7.24 pm and escaped.

He said that the gunmen

shot the district head at a close range and sped off shooting in the air to scare people.

The Police Commissioner in the state, Alhaji Lawan Tanko, who confirmed the killing on phone said that the district head of Gaidam central was killed in the afternoon at his resident after Magrib prayer He said that Gaidam Local Government is one of the areas affected by the state of emergency declared by

President GoodLuck Jonathan adding that the police will introduce some security measures to catch the assailants as well as to check such attacks in the future.

The body of the district head was said to have been evacuated by the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the state. The attack took place few metres away from a police division and millitary check point in the area.

Gaidam tasks community leaders, LG chairmen on polio

G

overnor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe state has tasked community and religious leaders as well as chairmen of local government councils to increase the pace of mobilisation efforts to get parents to immunize their children against polio and other child killer diseases.

The Governor spoke yesterday on the occasion of the 2012 First Quarter Polio Awareness Day and the Flagging off of February 2012 National Immunization Days (NIDS) at the Government House Damaturu.

In particular, Gaidam has directed the council chairmen to

resuscitate Immunisation Task Force Committees and Ward and Village-Level Development Committees to ensure effective sensitization of people in their respective council areas.

Gaidam said the fight against polio and other child killer diseases must be a collective one to ensure a bright and secure future for children.

He said his administration gives the health sector the highest priority by providing drugs and equipment to hospitals and health centers and by enrolling pregnant women, children below five years and accident victims into a

programme of free medical treatment.

According to him N20 million is spent monthly for the provision of free drugs to the designated beneficiaries while a total of N480 million has been spent since the beginning of the free drugs programme.

Gaidam thanked the World Health Organisation, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, UNICEF, PRINN and other development partners for their support in the fight against polio and in the promotion of health, nutrition and poverty eradication in the State.

The increase in the logistics support follows a request by the State WHO representative Dr. Isa Adamu, who requested that the amount be increased because of the increase in the cost of hiring vehicles for the purpose of immunization activities.

Deputy Governor of Yobe state and supervising commissioner of health, Engr.

Abubakar Aliyu noted that four cases of polio were recorded last year, and warned that the tempo of the anti-polio campaign must be sustained to ensure that the State is free of the wild polio virus.

the police, as part of measures to smoke them out, while the entire vicinity was cordoned off by the security operatives.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun while reacting to the ugly development at the scene, gave kudos to the police for giving the bandits a good challenge, stressing that government would continue to make life unbearable for criminals

FG to assist coal-to-power projects in the country

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

V

ice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo has assured private investors wishing to invest in the Coal-toPower projects of the readiness of the Federal Government to assist them to ensure that the nation generates additional power.

The Vice President made this disclosure when the management and staff of the EtaZuma Group led by its chairman, Dr. Innocent O. Ezuma paid him a courtesy call in his office. The Vice President who noted the request of the group, assured them and other investors of the readiness of government to help them obtain Partial Risk Guarantee provided their proposals are viable, bankable and have passed through complete due diligence.

Sambo advised the group to package their proposals properly as credible international finance institutions had indicated interest in such projects and will be in the country soon.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 3

Sokoto guber:

PDP plans to win by magic *Sultan sues for transparency *30 candidates battle for seat Richard Ihediwa, Lawrence Olaoye Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

here is tension in Sokoto as 30 candidates are in fierce competition in the governorship election in the state.

Amidst a stiff contest from front line opposition All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said it will marshal out all its strategies including magic and miracle to ensure that it returned immediate past governor, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko to power.

In the face of intense tussle for power, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar III, has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the political parties to play by the rules and to ensure transparency in the process.

However, insisting that his party was poised to regain the plum job, the PDP Acting National Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, yesterday disclosed that the party has perfected plans to win

saying it will invoke its winning magic and miracle.

Opposition groups have been insisting that there are plans by the PDP to use its machinery and powerful structure supported by federal might to rig the poll.

Speaking when he played host to the delegation of the African National Congress (ANC), the ruling political party in South Africa, led by its chairperson, Ms. Baleka Mbete, Baraje said he was confident that the PDP would win in Sokoto state because the party had done its home-work and campaigned effectively in the state.

He said, “We will perform magic, miracles and win the Sokoto state governorship election.” Baraje equally solicited for partnership and cooperation with the ANC being the oldest political party in Africa.

He told the visiting ANC delegation that the PDP won the re-run elections in Kogi, Adawama, Bayelsa and was sure to win the governorship elections in Sokoto and Cross River states.

The PDP national chairman said the party was founded in order to push the military back into the barracks and ensure the

entrenchment of democracy in the country.

Though 30 political parties are fielding candidates in the election, the contest is largely between the PDP and the two main opposition parties which have since mounted very strong front against the ruling party.

Wamakko is currently up for a serious political battle with ANPP’s Yushau Ahmed who has the support of former Sokoto governor, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa and CPC’s Engr.

Abubakar Yabo who has the backing of former Head of state, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, who commads a lot of influence among the people at the grass root.

Ahead of today’s election, it was said that though the opposition failed in achieving a common front against the PDP, politicians in their camps have been making frantic efforts to break the ranks of the PDP so as to weaken the party’s grip on the political structures in the state.

Following apprehensions that there could be some frictions among rival parties during the process, security has since been beefed up in the state especially

in places considered as flash points by INEC. However, in his bid to ensure fair play the Sultan charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to ensure that peoples’ votes count in the governorship election coming up in Sokoto today.

Speaking when he received the Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, who visited him ahead of the election, also called on the political parties to cooperate with the Commission to conduct free, fair and peaceful governorship election in the state.

He assured the INEC Chairman of his continuous support and urged him not to be distracted by criticisms from those who do not wish the commission well.

Earlier, Prof. Jega had expressed appreciation to the Sultan for his support, encouragement and prayers, which he said have enabled him to successfully discharge his duties since his appointment.

He expressed satisfaction with the commission’s level of preparedness in the state, pledging his commitment to

free, fair and credible governorship election in Sokoto state.

Those contesting for the seat include: Hon. Bello Abubakar, Action Alliance (AA); Abubakar Aliyu, Accord; Alhaji Haldus Idris Goronyo (ACPN0; Alhaji Suleiman Aliyu (AD); Malami Shehu Abdullahi (ADC); Mohammadu Abdullahi (ALP); Yusha’u Mohammed Ahmed, (ANPP); Nasiru Aliyu (APGA); Inuwa Al-Yusuf Garba (APS); Hon. Umar Mohammed Farouk (ARP); Dahiru Bello Sokoto (BNPP); Engr. Abubakar Aliyu Yabo (CPC); Jamilu Adamu (CPP); Senator Garba Illah Gada (DPP); Abubakar Ahmed Balarabe (JP); and Mu’awuya A. Huseini, Labour.

Others are Ahmed Bello Ahmed (MPPP); Kabiru A. Muhammad (MRDD); Alhaji Hussaini Maidamma (NAP); Alhaji Nasiru Aliyu (ND); Alhaji Nasiru S. Larabawa (NMPP); Hashimu Abubakar (NNPP); Alhaji Ibrahim Babajo Ahmed (NSDP); Muhammad Ango Shagari (PDC); Aliyu Magatakarda Wammakko (PDP); Salamatu Isah Abdullahi (PPA); Ahmed Ahmed Jao (PPP); Umar Bello (RPN); Rabiu Umar, (SDMP); Abdul-Wahab Yahaya (UNPP)..

The election will take place in 3,035 Polling Units (PUs) across the twenty three local government areas in the state.

PDP bemoans Supreme Court Supreme Court upholds Shettima, Yari’s elections ruling on Borno petition

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

h e Peoples Democratic Party yesterday rued the dismissal of its petition challenging the victory of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP)’s Kashim Shettima.

The party in a statement made available to newsmen by the National Publicity Secretary, Professor Rufa’I Ahmed Alkali said the party petition before the apex court was based on verifiable irregularities at the April polls but was dismissed on technical grounds.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has received the Supreme Court judgment dismissing our petition in the governorship election in Borno State with deep sadness and utter disappointment.

“Our sadness stems from the fact that our well marshalled petition which was based on verifiable irregularities was dismissed on technical grounds.

We share in the disappointment of the people of Borno State whose

mandate was brazenly usurped in the 2011 elections. We however urge them to remain calm, law abiding and stay focused on the next election.

Alkali equally denied that the party applied for a consequential order on Kogi state governor at the Supreme Court.

The PDP spokesperson stated “Meanwhile, our attention has been drawn to reports in several media outlets purporting that the Supreme Court has declined the PDP application for a consequential Order on the Governorship of Kogi State.

“In order to clear all doubts emanating from the reports, we wish to make it abundantly clear that the Peoples Democratic Party is not a Party to any suit before the Supreme Court regarding the Kogi State Governorship election, neither have we sought any consequential order because there is no reason to do so.

“The situation in Kogi State is very clear and unambigous and we therefore do not require any interpretations or consequential

orders to validate the election and swearing in of Governor Idris Wada.

“Nigerians will recall that Governor Wada emerged from properly conducted primaries and took part in an election duly conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the 3rd of December 2011. By the time the Supreme Court ruled on the tenure of five Governors, Governor Wada was already issued a Certificate of return by INEC and was only awaiting his swearing-in.

“Governor Wada on the directive of INEC has been duly sworn in and has assumed his legitimate duties as Governor of Kogi State. We therefore have no reason to resort to any form of litigation to establish the facts. In the meantime, the Party shall investigate the circumstances involving the so-called suit with a view to unraveling those behind it. This is necessary, in order to call anyone involved to order if he or she is found to be a member of the PDP,” he said.

T

he Supreme Court yesterday upheld the victory of Borno state Governor Kashim Shettima and the Zamfara state counterpart Abdulaziz Yari in the April 26, 2011 governorship elections.

The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in Borno state and its governorship candidate, Governor Kashim Shettima had challenged the decision of the Court of Appeal that ordered a retrial of the governorship election petition tribunal by a new panel.

In a lead judgment delivered

by Justice Walter Onnoghen, the apex court held that for the lower court to have ordered a re-trial of the petition is an attempt to create a jurisdiction that never existed for the tribunal.

He said, "it is very worrisome that despite the decision of this court on the number of days which the Electoral Act had provided for tribunal to sit over election appeal which is 180 days, some of the justices of the lower courts are making an order for re-

trial.

"Where will the tribunal get the jurisdiction to sit again after the expiration of 180 days, it is therefore my view that the tribunal has no jurisdiction to retry the petition.

"I therefore find merit in this appeal and it is hereby allowed, the decision of the Court of Appeal is hereby set aside and the judgement of the election petition tribunal is hereby affirmed".

On the Zamfara appeal, the apex court also upheld the victory of the ANPP standard bearer, Governor Abdulaziz Yari.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had approached the apex court praying it to reverse the concurrent decision of the two lower courts.

Delivering the lead judgement, Justice Muntakar Commassie held that both the tribunal and the Court of Appeal have done sufficient justice to the petition and therefore aligned himself with it.

He said, "I have gone through the processes filed and heard the argument of counsel and I have to arrive at a conclusion that the appeal lacks merit".

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 5

T TOURISM OURISM

Ogbuniuke: The caves of the spirit

By Richard Ihediwa with agency reports

E

ver been to the Ogbunike caves.? Perhaps not. The cave, traditionally called Ogba cave by the natives and Ogbunike cave by tourists is no doubt, one of the greatest wonders of nature in this part of the world.

The cave is located in Ogbunike town in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra state. The town is few minutes drive from Onitsha, the commercial nerve center of Eastern Nigeria.

Hidden in the valley of Ikalakwum, behind St. Monica’s College, Ogbunike, off Enugu – Onitsha road, the cave which rests on the borders of Nkissa River attracts hundreds of visitors every month.

To access the cave, you need a guide as there are no sign posts to give directions to visitors. Though many people have visited the cave, not many had dared to get into the deep interior where the natives believe lives the dreaded “Ogba”, the all seeing spirit who lives in the darkness of the cave’s wombs.

Natives said the spirit has appeared to some people, though there are no records that any tourist had encountered it but some had got to very deep area of the cave.

To venture into the cave is a

tedious affair. Owing to certain religious traditions the visit to the cave is only allowed by bare foot. To descend into the cave proper, one has to remove his foot wears, strip to the under wears and must be accompanied by a guide or the Chief Priest.

Due to certain religious beliefs, there are numerous other rules for visitors. To avoid feigning ignorance and ensure compliance, a sign at the entrance reads "Ifite Youth Movement warning; no entry except by permission. Remove your shoes before entering into the cave.

Ladies menstrating banned. Receive receipt after payment. Herbalist or spiritual ceremony in the cave is banned. Deforestation of cave will be prosecuted. Defaulters will be prosecuted.”

The baffling issue about the cave is the startling shapes and arrangement of items and forms by nature itself in a way that one can argue, was done by humans.

When you start the descent through windy and curved cemented steps you gradually leave the world, the life and the light above into a sort of darkness, quietness and loneliness of the cave. At the entrance of the cave is the “Agu Ogba” or Ogba Lion; the stone form of a lion carved by nature appearing to be looking ferociously at you as you begin the descent into the tunnels.

As you descend, darkness envelopes you. The place is so dark that you can barely appreciate the beauty of nature below the surface.

The descent takes you to a wide tunnel which runs through the cave to the “Obi Ogba” or Ogba’s Palace which contains stone chairs and tables carefully arranged in their appropriate places by nature. What looked like partition of various dimensions can be seen along a wide expanse of place known as “Ilo Ogba” or Ogba Playground. These partitions serve various purposes, there is the giant water falls known as “Mbida Ogba”. The bank of Mbida Ogba or waterfalls is a swampy area and it is very difficult to walk in the quagmire. This is an area where visitors always avoided. At some point, clean drinkable water flows freely from the rock. The water is also believed to have spiritual healing powers.

The dark tunnels of the cave make visibility difficult, you have to grope your way through to a point where there is enough light. The source of the daylight at that point remains a mystery and this is the point where visitors to the cave usually rest.

The main cave consists of a massive structure with a big open chamber of about 5m high, 10m wide and 30m long at the entrance.

There are also network of chambers,

crawls and tunnels on two levels. The lower level is 100m long and drains an underground river. The upper level is twice as long and dry.

There are about ten tunnels in the cave, some wide, others very narrow, all leading to certain points.

Within the tunnels are big chambers and other tunnels of varying lengths, some of which are inter connected. One of such tunnel is inhabited by dangerous animals and reptiles, but such as boar constrictors, lions, bats, though these creatures are traditionally innocuous as there has not been any record of attacks.

Another tunnel leads to the judgement hall, where cases are settled by Ogba. Another tunnel stretches for about six kilometres and bursts at different locations in the town. An area where a tunnel bursts unto the surface is known as “Onu Ogba” or Ogba entrance. There is an Onu Ogba at a point beside the Ogbunike Town Hall and another at Adagbe Ifite where the Ogba shrine is located.

There are streams and body of water at various places. A stream flows out from one of the tunnels into a rapid flowing river (River Nkissa).

At the meeting point of the river and the stream one can feel the warm water from the caves and the cold river water.

Traditionally, the cave is a place

of refuge for the people of Ogbunike during wars. It also served as a place of worship for some indigenes especially before the popularity of Christianity in the area.

However, tradition in Ogbunike has it that there was a god called Ogba who lived inside the cave in the middle of a large rock. He was said to be all-seeing spirit who could detect crimes, especially, theft.

When someone was accused of some sort of crime, he could prove he was innocent by entering the cave. The guilty ones never returned alive.

Folklore has it that the cave and Ogba were discovered by a hunter called Ukwa, who, during one of his expeditions met the spirit face to face.

The story indicated that he was petrified when he encountered the weird looking figure of extraordinary size sitting some few metres away from him on an anthill The spirit was said to have told the hunter that he was the deity watching over the people of Ogbunike, to ensure their safety in times of war, and to protect them from evil.

He was said to have pointed towards the valley where the cave was situated as his “Obi”. He told the dumbfounded hunter to visit him again on Eke market day, but warned that on no account must he be accompanied by dogs. Dogs had since remained a taboo to the Ogba cave.

The hunter was said to have hurriedly ran back to the village where he broke the incredible news to the bewildered villagers.

However, days later some hunters from another town on hunting expedition went to the area with dogs which were struck dead by the spirit.

On the appointed Eke market day, the Ukwa and party was composed of some brave hunters including his brother, Ebunu from Adegbe village, Ifite went on the scheduled visit to Ogba set off in preparation for their rendezvous with the Ogba. According to the story, on reaching the cave entrance Ogba appeared before them and reproached the hunter for violating his instructions not to bring dogs to the cave; he told the party that they would never see him again physically unless consulted through an oracle. Instantly, he disappeared from their sight and nobody ever saw him again.

The Ogbunike cave has been captured by UNESCO as one of the nation’s greatest tourist destination and tourism.

Currently, the destination is in dire need of development which tourism experts believe is beyond the scope of the Anambra state government.

It is expected that the Federal Government should take up the development of the site so as not to allow this great nature’s masterpiece and wonder to rot away.

PAGE 6

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

12-year-old who pays his own school fees From Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, Abeokuta

A

t the time many of his contemporaries are enjoying good life without knowing what it takes to feed out of the sweat of one’s brow or what it takes to pay school fees, 12 years old Kehinde Akanbi, a primary 5 pupil of St. Mary’s Primary School, OkeEfon in Abeokuta, Ogun state Capital is already fending for himself and using his earnings to finance his education.

Soft spoken but resilient, Kehinde is already a thriving cobbler and has started managing his own business with eyes on getting good education and owning a big business when he grows up.

Kehinde’s little hands

compliment his parents to take care of the family of eight where he is the fifth child while the first born is in the university.

Their father is a Tailor, their mother is unemployed In view of the financial predicament of the family, the little boy appears to be the breadwinner who trudges the length and breadth of the ancient town with his wooden box, brush and polish with which he makes ends meet.

After the school hours little Kehinde would hit the road to seek for customers who want their shoes polished or repaired.

When our correspondent met him, he was not shy but proudly opened up to tell his story without a pinch of self pity.

He told Peoples Daily

Weekend that though he would prefer to rest after school, he has to hit the road so as to help the family from the business which he confessed, he makes up to N1,000 daily.

Speaking on why he ventured into the trade at his age, Kehinde said it was as a result of the poor financial status of his parents saying it was the only way he could be sure of getting education and supporting the family adding that he has been on the job for three years now.

“My father is a tailor, while my mother has no job, and I have to assist them to get my school fees. I started the shoe repair and polish work three years ago, we are eight in the family and I am the fifth child.

Our first born is in the

Kehinde Akanbi

University” Kehinde explained.

Kehinde who said his operational period was between 3.00pm to 7.00pm, hands over the proceeds to his parents to keep and eventually used for his education and other sundry demands. He however assured that the trade has not affected his academic performances negatively. As according to him he is still doing very well at school.

“I give my parents the money I make to keep for me and eventually use it to pay my school fees and meet other needs of the family. I still do very well in school. I have never failed in any of my exams. Also my parents are very good to me and they are taking care of all of us”, Kehinde said.

The young entrepreneur recalled that he started the trade with the sum of N100 with which he purchased his first shoe polish and brush noting that it has been a story of

adventure and hard work which he expressed optimism will lead to a flourishing future.

“I started with N100. I used that money to by shoe polish and a brush. I started polishing peoples shoes and they paid me. From there I started buying other things and started doing real cobbling work”, he said.

Kehinde expressed faith that he was going to make it in life. He wants to go to university like his elder brother as he believes that education is the key to success.

He plans to read theatre art in the University, saying he is sure he would excel as he has never failed any exam.

He however, appealed to well meaning Nigerians to come to his aid so that he can fulfill his dreams. He implored this reporter to ensure that hsi story was published so that Nigerians will assist him.

“

I give my parents the money I make to keep for me and eventually use it to pay my school fees and meet other needs of the family.

Kehinde Akanbi

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 7

Zimbabwean son and mother want to get married Augustine Aminu with agency report

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a y b e , the world is actually coming to an end. Even the Christian Bible recorded that in the latter days, evil shall increase and men shall be caught up with many abnormal preferences.

While homosexuality and lesbianism is now on the increase with practitioners pushing for legalisation of same sex marriage across the world, incest is fast taking the center stage with members of the same filial groups now demanding the right to marry.

Recently, lesbians and homosexuals in Nigerians threw caution to the winds and boldly came to the National Assembly, demand for the right to copulate with persons of same sex.

Though the National Assembly rejected the demand and even passed a law, outrightly banning the practice, it appears that the legislature should brace up against another abnormal sexual preferences by deviants.

Incest!

Presently, incest is on the increase and is gradually pushing for acceptance. In 2006, a German was sentenced to two and half years imprisonment for fathering four children with his sister.

Also in 2008 the world was startled when it was learnt that an Austrian, Josef Fritzl, locked up his own daughter Elizabeth for 24 year during which he continued to have sexual relationship with her resulting in the birth of seven children and one miscarriage.

Last year, a Birmingham Crown Court sentenced a 47year-old man and his daughter for having sexual relationship spanning over two years. Butler was jailed for 10 months and Yates, 26, was given a 26-week suspended term.

However, despite punishments, incest is now on the increase. In many countries in Europe, Asia and Africa, there have been whisperings of incestuous activities even among the highly placed persons in the society including royalties and political office holders. In Europe, it is fast becoming a common affair.

However, the perverse tendency is taking a new twist as incestuous persons are now asking for the legalisation of their affairs.

Recently a Zimbabwean woman and her son was reported to have fallen in love with each another and are now

Betty Mbereko

pushing to marry since the mom, Betty Mbereko from Mwenezi in Masvingo, is six months pregnant and expecting her son’s child.

According to reports posted on the Zimbabwe Mail, Mbereko (40), who was widowed 12 years ago, has been co-habiting with her first child, Farai Mbereko (23).

She confirms that she was six months pregnant and that she has decided it is better to “marry” her son because she does not want to marry her late husband’s young brothers, whom she says are coveting her.

Betty stunned a village court last week when she said the affair with her son had begun three years earlier.

She said after spending a lot of money sending Farai to school following the death of her husband, she felt she had a right to his money and no other woman was entitled to it.

“Look, I strove alone to send my son to school and no one helped me. Now you see that my son is working and you accuse me of doing something wrong.

“Let me enjoy the products of my sweat,” she told the village court.

Farai said he was more than prepared to marry his mother and would pay off the ilobola balance his father had left unpaid to his grandparents.

“I know my father died before he finished paying the bride price and I am prepared to pay it off,” he said.

“It is better to publicise what is happening because people should know that I am the one who made my mother pregnant. Otherwise they will accuse her of promiscuity.”

However, the locals have rejected the demand saying it was unthinkable and unacceptable. the local headman, Nathan Muputirwa said ordinarily, the mother and the son should have been killed for the abomination they had committed but for fear of the police.

“We cannot allow this to happen in our village, mashura chaiwo aya, (This is a bad omen indeed). In the past they would have to be killed but today we cannot do it because

we are afraid of the police”, he said. He however warned them to break off their marriage or

leave his village.

They incestuous pair were said to have left the village for an unknown destination.

Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association (ZINATHA) President, Gordon Chavunduka said he had also heard of many cases where mother and son were having private love affairs. "Mother and son love relations are there but many are doing it privately," said Chavunduka.

He added that it is taboo for society to accept those marriages but the situation is difficult to curb since modern people are no longer respecting their culture. "I only want to warn those who think they are wise enough to defy their cultural regulations that a lot of evil spells are following them," he said.

Reacting to the Zimbabwean incidence, some Nigerians blame the increase in sexual perversion on the erosion of family and religious values and are now demanding that the gates of the country must be fastened so as not to allow such practice to filter into the nation.

Commenting, a social psychologist, Mike Ode said such perversion could be caused by certain psychological weaknesses resulting to high level obsession for a family member.

He also linked such tendencies to demonic possession. He said while the former could be checked by counselling and rehabilitation, the later can only be handled through spiritual means.

President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe

PAGE 8

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

AMAZONS AMAZONS OF OF THE THE HOUSE HOUSE

Six most powerful female lawmakers in the House of Reps Despite the stiff competition for seats in the National Assembly, some female politicians have continued to scale through the hurdles in a male dominated area. In the House of Representatives, some female lawmakers rank among the very outspoken and fearless. Such include House Leader, Mulikat Akande, Khadijat Bukar Ibrahim, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, Nnenna Ukeje among others. Richard Ihediwa reports.

Nkiruka Onyejeocha (Abia PDP)

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Mulikat Akande (House Leader PDP Oyo)

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n e of the key female lawmakers to watch is 48 years old Hon. Mulikat Akande -Adeola, the current House Majority leader. Akande, representing Ogbomosho North/ South/ Orile of Oyo state in the House took the political circle by storm when she aspired to become the Speaker.

Adeola-Akande is known for her fearlessness. She is very outspoken and has the reputation for her independent mindlessness.

With the backing of the leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Presidency, Adeola-Akande would have won a feather for her political cap as she would have emerged the Speaker on zoning ground but for the insistence of some lawmakers that the House should be allowed to choose its leadership.

She is believed to have lost the contest to Tambuwal mainly because she was seen as a candidate of the party and the Presidency at the time the lawmakers were seeking to establish an independent House.

She understands the dynamics of the Nigerian politics being born and bred in Kaduna in the northern part of the country though she is of the Yoruba extraction of the South West.

Adeola-Akande as the Leader of the House has shown that she actually has a very good understanding of legislative practice. She is a lawmaker to watch and observers believe that she still has a bright future ahead of her.

female lawmaker to watch in the House is Hon. Nkiruka Onyejeocha representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia state in the House.

Onyejeocha, a two time member is currently the Chairman of House Committee on Aviation. This lawmaker is a not a novice in politics having held several government position including being the Chairman of the Umunnecochi Local Government Area of Abia state. Onyejeocha is also known for her fearlessness and outspokenness in the face of burning national issues.

Hon. Khadijat Buka Ibrahim (ANPP Yobe)

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n o t h e r very strong and influential female member of the House is the Chairman of the House Committee on Privatisation, Hon. Khadijat Buka Ibrahim, from Yobe state.

The lawmaker representing Damatur u/ Gujba/Gulani/ Tarmuwa Federal Constituency in the House is the wife of former Yobe governor and serving Senator Buka Abba Ibrahim.

Already, the lawmaker has carved a political niche for herself at the state and federal levels resulting in her election and re-election into the House where she had continued to hold sway as one of the most influential and outspoken female lawmakers. She is said to have good understanding and good grip of parliamentary procedures and politics having been in the House since 2007.

Khadijat Buka Ibrahim, who emerged chairman of the committee on privatisation in the last assembly also retained the plum position in the current House.

She has never been a bench warmer and has grown to become a force to reckon with in the House. Khadijat Buka Ibrahim is indeed a force to watch in the National Assembly.

Nnenna Ukeje (Abia PDP)

H

o n . Nnenna U k e j e representing Bende Federal Constituency of Abia state under the platform of the PDP is another female lawmaker to watch. Ukeje, a two time lawmaker is currently the Chairman of House Committee on Foreign Affairs. She is fearless and outspoken. Ukeje is politically upward looking and have very strong links at the state and federal levels.

Jumoke Okoya-Thomas (ACN Lagos)

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n o t h e r female to watch in the House is Hon. Jumoke OkoyaThomas representing Lagos Island on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). The three time lawmaker is currently the Chairman of House Committee on Due Process.

She was also Chairman of the Committee on Prisons in the last House. Okoya-Thomas is also a fearless lawmakers and is known to be involved in the championing of bills and motions that have direct bearings on the welfare of Nigerians. Currently, she is one of the most outspoken female lawmakers in the current legislature.

Abike Dabiri-Erewa (ACN Lagos)

H

o n .Abike Dabiri-Erewa representing Ikorodu Federaal Constituency of Lagos state on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), is no doubt one for the key female lawmakers to watch. Dabiri, a three time lawmaker, having been elected into the House since 2003 is currently the Chairman House Committee on Diaspora, a position she also held in the last House. She was also the Chairman of House committee on media, a position she utilised to effectively project the image of the House at the time.

A broadcast journalist, Abike Dabiri-Erewa is known for her fearlessness and outspokenness on national issues especially those bordering on issues of transparency and good governance.

She championed the enactment of a number of transparency and welfarist bills including the media practice bill, the freedom of information bill, the bill on the elimination of discrimination against persons with disability, the Nigeria Diaspora bill among others.

Dabiri-Erewa is a lawmaker to watch and it is believed that she will increase her tempo in the current House.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 9

COVER

Inside story

How Kano plans to wed 1,000 couples *Commences screening of candidates *Plans law to stop marriage break A popular match-maker in Kano in the 90s, known as Hajiya Gwoggo Mai Dalilin Aure, was acclaimed to have linked over 1m couples. Her match-making business transcended the Saudi Arabian kingdom, from where Northern men and women based in that country demanded to be linked up with unknown spouses for marriage. It was a role Gwaggo played with relish through pictures of interested parties. She was reportedly, nominated by an international NGO, ‘Youth Foundation for World Peace for her matchmaking prowess. That was then. Now, in Kano state, a much more sophisticated pattern of match-making, different from Gwaggo’s is in the offing. Bala Nasir, examines the story of match-making via forms, screening and other presentations to facilitate mass marriage of 1000 divorced women and widows.

A

popular match-maker in Kano in the 90s, known as Hajiya Gwoggo Mai Dalilin Aure, was acclaimed to have linked over 1m couples.

Her match-making business transcended the Saudi Arabian kingdom, from where Northern men and women based in that country demanded to be linked up with unknown spouses for marriage. It was a role Gwaggo played with relish through pictures of interested parties. She was reportedly, nominated by an international NGO, 'Youth Foundation for

Pages 10,11

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 10

COVER

Inside story of Kano marriage project Contd from Pg 9 World Peace for her matchmaking prowess. That was then.

Now, in Kano state, a much more sophisticated pattern of matchmaking, different from Gwaggo's is in the offing. Bala Nasir, examines the story of matchmaking via forms, screening and other presentations to facilitate mass marriage of 1000 divorced women and widows.

It has been posited that eligible bachelors are hard to find these days, the same way it is insinuated that women are in abundance and could be possessed at will. In Kano state, the issue is not lack of eligible bachelors or young women of marriageable age. Rather it is the worrisome issue of divorce which is on the increase. Reports indicate that there could be close to a million divorced women in the state. What is important however is that the state government under Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is taking a hard look at the problem of incessant divorce and attempts are being made to curb the social menace through the HISBAH, command. Ever since the state government indicated intention to marry off 1000 divorced women by facilitating and sponsoring it, there have been unprecedented turn out of women who have shown interest to be part of the project.

Before now, there has been outcry on the high rate of divorce in the ancient city.

However, the recent killing of hundreds of men during the bomb blast carried out by the Boko Haram, has compounded the problem as many more women became widows, making the number of women without husbands to soar.

Though the Kwankwaso administration had planned to

marry out 100 women out of the 1000 divorced women to kick start the project, the unprecedented number of women that have so far indicated interest to be married has now made government to consider starting off with 200 women at the initial stage.

Hajiya Altine Abdullahi has been in the forefront of advancing the cause of women divorcees and widows in Kano state which led to floating an NGO, known as 'Voice of Women Divorcees and Orphans Association of Nigeria' (VOWAN). Under its umbrella, divorced women in Kano have been clamouring for their rights for more than ten years. For instance, in 2009, it had a grand plan to stage a one-million man match against increasing spate of divorce but the security agencies in the state including the police, State Security Service received series of petitions from elders and religious leaders who expressed fear that the protest may snowball into a huge crisis if allowed to take place.

At a meeting of the association of divorced women held at the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs then, one million divorced women were drafted to go on the streets against the growing social menace bedeviling the commercial city of Kano. They were particular about the plight of teaming women sent packing from their matrimonial homes without recourse to laws binding the marriage institution and in accordance with Islam, the inability of the state House of Assembly to initiate laws against divorce rates as well as improving the lot of the women who were mostly abandoned with their children after the pronouncement of divorce by

their husbands.

Chairperson of divorced women in Kano, Hajiya Altine Abdullahi, herself a beneficiary of the planned marriage, told our correspondent in an interview that since the incumbent government has seen wisdom in their agitation, and is strategizing to find lasting solution to problems of marriage in the state, her organisation has no option than to tow its line because that was it had always wanted.

She disclosed that as a victim of divorce about 12 years ago, she decided to devote her life to fighting the cause of women who have suffered the same fate like her.

Hajiya Altine regretted that in the quest to help women face the challenges of divorce, she has been ridiculed by members of the society and even chided by the same women she was trying to protect from humiliation meted by men who threw them out of their homes for flimsy reasons.

Now that government and even the society have come to terms with the problems of divorce, Altine is elated that the voice of the women has been heard and very soon something would be done about their plight and to set the ball rolling, she, and all the nine members of the executive council of the VOWAN, have agreed to marry the men who choose to take them in as their wives.

Speaking further with our correspondent, the chairperson of VOWAN said the rampant cases of divorce in Kano made her and her other colleagues to stand up to launch a campaign against it all these years despite advances by men who showed intention to marry them. She stated.

According to Altine, "If we had agreed to marry the men

Hajiya Altine Abdullahi, centre, with some members of her association

Hajiya Altine Abdullahi

who approached us, we could have abandoned the cause and not reached this stage where government is now coming to take charge of the responsibility which originally was its own.

We feel fulfilled, and for this we have decided to participate in the mass marriage which the state government has planned to conduct in the state".

Towards this end, Altine and her colleagues are to apply like other divorced women and widows seeking to be hooked up during the 1000 marriage project as currently; she does not have any male friend or suitor.

Similarly, the other members of the executive of VOWAN do not know the men they would be entering into the marriage contract with. They however plan to show good example to the affected women believing that those who would seek their hands have been so ordained by God. "We have been leading by example so we expect the teaming divorced women and widows as the case may be, to follow suit and with government handling the matter we are optimistic that the marriage institution will find a new lease of life in Kano, especially as the Kwankwaso administration has accepted to consider proposal for incorporating such project in the prospective law on marriage coming up in the state.

On the fate of the organization, VOWAN, after the marrital rite, Hajiya Altine opined that when she founded it she did not know that it would achieve such success. As such she is optimistic that even if new people come on board God will continue to take charge of the affairs of divorced women and orphans in the society even as she planned that the former leaders of the group would continue to counsel VOWAN by way of monitoring its activities and putting it on track for the benefit of the womenfolk in the state.

However, the Kano state Ministry of Women Affairs has said it is a mere onlooker in the new initiative as it has not been consulted over the 1000 marriage proposal.

The Commissioner in charge of the ministry, Barrister Saratu Yaro Umar, through the Public Relations Officer of the ministry, Malam Fatihu Isa said that the ministry is not party to the 1000 marriage.

Some people who have applied to marry --At 72, I want to marry two wives A cross section of prospective applicants interviewed have expressed willingness to abide by all the criteria laid down by the HISBAH board as regards the mass marriage to be contracted in Kano.

For instance, 72 year old Alhaji Ali Dankawu Dorayi, said since he lost his two wives, one, five years ago and the other eight months ago, he had resolved not to marry again. But with the recent pronouncement by the government, he felt the need to marry two wives to replace his dead wives.

Alhaji Ali who has 18 children, thirteen of them females and five males, said 11 of his female children are married while the remaining two are about to get married. He said he has great respect for the marriage institution that is why he plans to marry again through the HISBAH. He prefers a woman of about 50 to 55 years of age and is ready to abide by the conditions.

---I and my daughters are divorced Also, Hajiya Amina told Peoples Daily Weekend that she collected one application form for herself and five for her children, all of them divorced by the husbands. Though she lost her husband ten years ago and her children whose names she refused to mention have been living with her after they were

Contd on Pg 11

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

COVER

Inside story of Kano marriage project Contd from Pg 10 also divorced by their respective husbands, they have all applied to take advantage of the mass marriage.

Aside from her children, Hajiya Amina who is an Islamic teacher has also picked forms for five other divorced women whom she teaches for them to be married to interested men in the society.

HISBAH Command Preparations are in top gear for the ceremony, says HISBAH Commander The Grand Commander of the state's HISBA Command, Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa said the number of women seeking marriage is overwhelming. Speaking with Peoples Daily weekend in Kano, Daurawa said many women have so far picked application forms and preparations are in top gear by the command for the marriage ceremony. Giving an insight into the project he said the women have to be categorized into respective classes before screening could be commenced for the mass marriage with a view to streamlining their individual priorities.

For instance, it has been discovered that five women who were earlier divorced by their husbands, that the process was not in accordance with the laid down principles of

Shariah law, they therefore, intervened and they made their husbands to take them back and they did. The four are now living with their respective husbands, he stated.

There are other four who left their matrimonial homes on grounds of impotence of their husbands and the HISBAH command took note of their grievances and is also going to do something about it.

There are three women who are HIV positive and have complained to the command to that effect. They said though they are HIV positive but they still want to get married and the command is taking the issue with all seriousness said Sheikh Daurawa.

"We are going to consult medical experts on the possibility of finding men who are also HIV positive to marry them".

He emphasized that for the men who have shown interest, they will be subjected to screening so as to find out if they had ever divorced their wives. Their neighbours, village heads and relatives would be sought to help with facts to guide the process.

Similarly, investigations would be conducted to know if women who had been divorced were at fault.

He said all these are geared towards ensuring a stable society and reducing rate of divorce in Kano as recent reports on the issue have been quite worrisome.

Daurawa observed that the marriage institution is sacred and should not be allowed to suffer desecration by people who toy with it at will. According to him, men marry and divorce at will without re-course to the principles enshrined in Islamic scriptures. That was the reason why the women clamouring for a change under the divorced women umbrella were asked to come forward with a view to incorporating them into the new initiative by the state government.

He confirmed that a law is being fashioned by the state government, which will put a stop to the desecration of the marriage institution in Kano and also protect women against evil men who would take advantage of their vulnerability to demean them.

Consequently, the state government is now consulting widely across the different strata of the society with a view to coming up with an acceptable legal frame work that will bring an end to the rampant divorce cases in the state.

On why the Ministry of Women Affairs, which apparently, has significant role to play in the mass marriage seemed excluded, Sheikh Daurawa said that the ministry is going to be involved fully in the process which is just in its incubation stage but when it comes to the delivery stage the ministry will be fully co-

opted.

Already, he said, the HISBA command is talking with the ministry on the issue and the two government functionaries will soon fashion out ways in which both will contribute in achieving the goals of the state government.

Poverty is the cause of increased divorce- Sociologist A sociologist and lecturer at the Kano State College of Arts and Science, Malam Ado Siro, has commended the HISBA initiative but posits that there is more than meets the eyes in the issue of increase in the rate of divorce in Kano state. According to Siro, the HISBAH has identified problems of miscreants or the anti social behaviours as products of broken homes.

He said, "I heard the HISBA Commander, Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa saying that female children from broken homes take to promiscuity and prostitution, while the males indulge in drug abuse and theft". But said a research he conducted on the same issue showed that most of the young people indulging in these live with both parents.

He however, noted that divorce connotes negativity and should be abhorred and it is good that government was doing something to stem the tide because rampant

divorce dents image of the state. In any case, the study he conducted showed that prevailing poverty in the society happens to be the major cause of rampant divorce which the ancient city has been contending with and cautioned, that while the state government and HISBAH initiative should be supported, a lot more needs to be done in the area of poverty eradication.

The lecturer recalled that when Nigeria got its independence, only 15 per cent of Nigerians were experiencing absolute poverty, but 50 years after independence, the reverse is now the case, that is, 85 per cent of Nigerians are now battling abject poverty.

Adding that, this problem among others are direct result of poverty which successive governments in the country have treated with kid's glove and now it is becoming a monster.

He suggested other ways which he thinks government should adopt in reducing rampant cases of divorce.

In his opinion, people especially young adults should enter into marriage contract with knowledge of what marriage is all about. Also, educating potential couples prior to tying the knot would give them an idea of what marriage is all about and not the way we see it these days where most of them go into marriage without any knowledge of what it is all about.

PAGE 12

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

Sokoto Guber: Wamakko and the stiff hurdle back to power

O

p p o s i t i o n parties in Sokoto state especially the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) are on challenging sides with 28 other candidates in a desperate bid to sweep the carpet off the feet of the immediate past governor and candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Aliyu Wamakko in the crucial election which holds today.

Wamakko’s biggest challenge is the combination of opposition mounted by the candidates of the CPC and ANPP who appears to have stretched out a very slippery walk way for the former governor.

Currently up for a serious political battle with ANPP’s Yushau Ahmed who has the support of former Sokoto governor, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa and CPC’s Engr.

Abubakar Yabo and as the trio face the verdict of the ballot box today it will be in Sokoto, the lull before the victory noise for one of the camps.

Bafarawa is said to be the sole financier of the ANPP and he has remained undaunted in his quest to bring an end to the PDP led administration in the state In fact, it was said that politicians in the opposition camp have been making frantic efforts and working hard to cause some divisions in the ranks of the ruling PDP so as to weaken the party’s grip on the political structures in the state.

However, as the people decide today, critics believe that the choice of those who bear the ballot papers would be influenced by a number of factors that determined the strength and weaknesses of each of the candidates.

Aliyu Wamakko (PDP) Immediate past governor of the state is believed by many to be the man to beat in the elections. Wamakko is having the support of the wider structure of the PDP in the state. Though he was removed by the Supreme Coourt ruling which axed him and four other governors who, it said overstayed their tenure, Wamakko is expected to lift a stronger banner as he still has a lot of supporters currently in the government structure in the state.

Wamakko is a strong politician and is not expected to leave anything to chance in the election. The former governor is a technocrat, who rose in the civil service to the position of Permanent Secretary. He was a deputy governor for seven years during the tenure of Bafarawa between 1999 and 2006. He was formerly in ANPP and defected to PDP few months before the 2007 election and

Today, citizens of Sokoto state issues their verdict at the governorship in the state. Will they return immediate past governor, Aliyu Wamakko back to power or would they dump him for another candidate? Muhammad Abdullah takes a look at the candidates that face Wamakko ahead of the announcement of the final results.

Gov. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko (PDP) won.

Wamakko stands a better chance of winning the governorship election than the two other candidates. This is based on the fact that he has massive followership in rural areas and enjoys massive support both in Sokoto metropolis and at the grassroots. Wamakko's welfare schemes have endeared him to the people at the grassroots. His administration had laid more emphasis on rural development especially the provision of potable water which reduced water borne diseases like gastro enteritis that used to ravage rural communities. As the results come in, many believe that barring last minute change of allegiance by the people, Wamakko is home and dry.

Wamakko’s chance over the other candidates has also been enhanced by the fact that the Acting Governor, Alhaji Lawali Zayyana is his close associate and had already put in modalities to ensure that his benefactor return for second term.

However, the PDP is currently battling to overcome the challenge of internal wrangling in the party before the election. The rivalry between the ‘old’ and ‘new’ PDP members in the state has become a source of worry to Wamakko. The ‘old’ PDP

Yusha'u Ahmed Mohammed (ANPP)

members, who are the founding members of the party since 1999, have been battling Wamakko in the past two years.

The battle even became apparent and stiffer before the December 2012 governorship primaries, especially when a faction in PDP petitioned the national headquarters to stop Wamakko from contesting in the primaries.

They alleged that Wamakko breached the agreement by not sharing power on equal basis between the old and new PDP and blamed him for carrying along only ‘new’ PDP members, especially those that moved with him from ANPP to PDP prior to the 2007 election.

The acrimony in the PDP had polarized the party into two camps, thereby leading to lack of cohesion within the party.

Thus, this internal wrangling is a threat to PDP's game plan of winning the election.

Yushau Muhammed Ahmed (ANPP) One of those that have determined to give Wamakko a stiff fight at the election is the ANPP candidate, Alhaji Yushau Muhammed Ahmed. One of the major strengths of this candidate is the political structure and influence of his political godfather, former governor, Bafarawa.

However, there are fears that the influence alone may not ruffle the PDP at the poll. In fact

Engr Abubakar Yabo (CPC)

some critics opine that the emphasis on Bafarawa may work against Ahmed at the election. Moreover, the party started mobilisation and campaigns late and some observers think this may also affect its chances.

Ahmed is an intelligent and well read technocrat and has promised to bring about the desired change in Sokoto and ensure positive transformation.

He has the financial resources to mobilize the foot soldiers in the state to do his bidding. He has a Higher National Diploma (HND) from Kaduna Polytechnic and worked in Union Bank before he went into private business.

Engr Abubakar Yabo (CPC) Apart from the ANPP candidate, another candidate to watch is that of the CPC, Engr.

Abubakar Aliyu Yabo. Yabo was the former Managing Director of Federal Housing Authority, Abuja from where he retired and decided to contest for the governorship election on the platform of CPC. He had never engaged actively in local politics but rather depend solely on the popularity of the CPC National Leader, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) in order to woo voters especially those at the grassroots.

Many see the CPC candidate as a joker and political neophyte, who lacked the

wherewithal and requisite political capital to challenge the PDP. Yabo has not been visible in the political scene and is hardly seen on campaign rallies, though, the party did not embark on a vigorous campaign in the state.

Observers fear that he might not summon the massive supporters to cause any serious challenge to Wamakko's second term bid.

Wamakko could easily sail to victory especially as the opposition parties have failed to unite and forge a common front in order to remove the PDP led administration in the state. Observers also believe that with the defection of chieftains of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) to the PDP, especially Umar Kwabo, the battle for Sokoto Government House may likely be smooth for Wamakko.

Moreover, the recent resolve by former sports minister, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman and Senator Abubakar Gada, who are members of the old PDP faction, to support Wamakko has boosted the chance of the former governor. Thus, with the recent development, many are of the opinion that Wamakko may have the upper hand at the end of the day.

However, in politics, they say it is not over until it is over and all the contenders are very much aware of this.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 13

We can talk to Boko Haram and they’ll listen to us, says Jonathan’s kinsman United States-based Nigerian journalist and motivational speaker, Mr. Tony Oyatedor is also the President/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Newstime International Company. In this interview with Adeola Tukuru, he opens up on the actual problems in the country saying his group can talk to the dreaded Boko Haram sect to sheathe their sword

Y

o u have been advocating to be given the chance to bring peace in Nigeria. What is the status of that agitation?

Two years ago, I recalled that I stated in an interview with this paper that we have twin problems in Nigeria and I told you that God has bestowed it on us to bring solution but nobody is listening to us.

Our first problem was the militancy issue and the second is the religious crisis. We have spoken publicly and privately; the Federal Government has refused to listen. I have told the nation severally that prevention is better than cure; if we prevent crisis today, then we avoid having to cure tomorrow; but what you see is that we have always taken up cure instead of prevention and that is our problem.

We have a situation where we have been investing in security for the past 50 years yet there is no result and they are putting in more and more funds. We have called on government at all levels to join forces with us to embark on a massive campaign for peace. Without peace there will never ever be any security in Nigeria. What I am speaking is the mind of God. There is no religion in this country that does not back what I am saying.

It appears that efforts to bring about peace had always failed so how will you go about it this time?

The sure way to achieve peace is to turn to God. God’s prescriptions are contained the three holy books; the Bible, the Quran and the Torah, these books teach us to love our neighbor as ourselves. Presently in this country, there is wickedness everywhere. Look around your neighborhood; everywhere; people no longer have compassion; nobody care about the other anymore. So it will only take men of God to teach the love and unless we do these teachings and go all over Nigeria, we will not achieve peace.

People don’t have the knowledge of the fear of God; that is why they are doing what they are doing. For example, the militancy in the Niger Delta, we opened up and allowed compassion and taught ourselves how to love one another and the militancy ended. The same thing can happen in the north and that is the only way to solve the Boko Haram problem there. The best way to propagate Islam is to repel evil with good and that is exactly what the Quran tells you; to repel evil with good. Each and every one of us is created of God and he does not allowed people to take the life of fellow human beings. So we should teach people these and they must come from genuine men and women of God like us who are willing to go to the rural areas, to go to the intellect and speak to them. We must all go back to God and fear God and take care of one another, and then there will be peace and security.

Mr. Tony Oyatedor

We have Christian and Muslim leaders who have been preaching peace and have been meeting the President concerning the security situation in the country. Are you saying that they are not genuine or that their effort will yield nothing?

I have said it before and I will still say it again that there are “men of God” and there are “men off God” and they know themselves. So we are not in the blame game or blame business and we are not pointing fingers. We know that God Almighty knows all of them. It will take somebody that have the love for God, the passion for God and humanity and love for Nigeria and not the love of money to achieve peace here. We have a situation in the country where these “men of God” are just there to seek government position and not for the love of the people. We need to travel round the nation to ensure them about the knowledge we are willing to teach, then there will be peace. This country is a blessed nation created by God. He gave oil, gas, and a lot of other resources for the benefit of the people not for one man or one locality or one state. They are for the use of everybody. It is when people have this understanding that everybody will say they have a stake in this country and people would build

rather than destroy.

So how can we get people to listen?

You will recall that in the Bible God chose Moses as his messenger and he led like a good shepherd. So unless the message is coming from the chosen one, it would be like empty words coming.

The message must align with the messenger then the people would listen.

People don’t listen because many of those bearing the message are not genuine.

Can you elaborate on this?

Genuine people do more of prevention than cure. You have a situation today, where nobody cares for people but immediately there is crisis like bomb blast you see government people running around. That is when the CBN will send N100 million to the poor people. Government people wait until people die before taking action.

The other time, it was when hundreds of people were slaughtered in the north that government sent N16 million and gave N13 million for burial, N2 million for medical expenses and N1 million for repair of churches and other property destroyed. If N1 million was given to people to propagate oneness and love of one another, we would have avoided the violence. So we are always doing medicine after death. That is why

people are not listening; there is hunger in the society and its breeds anger and it is only the mouth that will cure this hunger and bring down the anger not guns, not CCTV, not state of emergency.

Some people are saying that Christians and southerners should move from the north and others are saying that northerners should leave the south. That is uncalled for. The Kaduna state Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa is a Christian; the former head of state, General Yakubu Gowon is a Christian; the formal military President, General Ibrahim Babangida was married to a lady from Delta state Maryam Babangida; where will her children go?

The former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar is married to a Yoruba woman. I will implore Nigerians that it is better to be one than to be divided.

Anyone who truly loves Nigeria should pray for this country to be together as it is. The entire Nigeria landmark is not up to California. Since the late President Yar’adua brought amnesty to the Niger Delta, our prayer is that the present President Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan will bring peace to the North.

But we are dealing with faceless people; talking about the Boko Haram sect. How do we deal with such a situation?

You have a situation where by a Commander-in-Chief said that there are Boko Haram in the Presidency, National Assembly, the police and all that and you are saying that they are faceless.

The last time I checked, there was no faceless person working in the National Assembly or spirit working in the Presidency. So it is incumbent on the media to ask the President to point them out since he knows them. Initially, when the Niger Delta militants were agitating, they would wear masks, eventually we reached out to them and we resolved and brought them to the drawing table and we negotiated and everything was resolved. So if Yar’adua could bring peace to the Niger Delta, it is incumbent on a Niger Deltan to bring peace to the North and the entire country. So when you say faceless, I don’t agree. They have a spokesperson who gives out their intention to the press. Kabiru Sokoto is not a spirit.

The only way we can solve this problem is through peace. Newstime has the solution which is to preach peace. It is not enough to spend close to a trillion naira on security. That is not going to take us anywhere. Invest in the initiative Newstime is offering and see where this country will be; try just a little bit and see. We know what we have accomplished on our own to bring peace to a few people in the Plateau and few other places. We can talk to the Boko Haram people and they will listen to us because we will bring the genuine message of peace. So let them spend these millions and trillions to save lives and properties and not for burials.

PAGE 14

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

Wada’s 12 point agenda: Matters arising Sam Egwu, lokoja

N

ewly elected Governor Idris Wada of Kogi state had since the campaign and election days continued to harp on his determination to transform the state for higher social and economic productivity.

Soon after taking oath of office, the governor set the ball rolling for accelerated development of the state in his first 100 days in office by constituting a think-tank made up of 22 professionals from the state that have excelled in their various fields.

Also the governor set up a transition committee made up immediate past chairmen of Local Councils for all inclusive approach to implementation of foundational policies of his administration.

The 22 wise men led by renowned academician, Prof Francis Idachaba, from Kogi East also has Engr. Joseph Makoju former PHCN boss from Kogi Central as Vice Chairman as well as Alhaji Isah Kutepa, cocoordinator from Kogi west.

Analysts see the distribution of membership of the think tank as indicative of the governor’s commitment to carry all the sections of the state along in his government.

Their major assignment is to come out with a practical operable blueprint that would help the administration deliver on its mandate and campaign promises in the short and long runs.

During the inauguration of the think-tank group, the governor gave them a tall order aimed at fast tracking the development effort. The guide post was his insistence that Kogi as a state with abundant natural and human resources has no business being poor.

Already the panel has submitted its report and the governor is now the content ahead of action.

However, there are issues in the constitution of the

Transition Committee. The unfolding events in the last few days show that some quarters are not very happy with the line-up.

There are apprehensions from some quarters that the composition of this committee could distabilise the structure of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the local government level.

Those arguing along this line are of the opinion that some of those in the committee actually worked against the party during the election and might sabotage the efforts of the present administration. They insisted that the governor should have checked his record properly before constituting the transition committee.

They said for the party to achieve reasonable impact in the forthcoming local government election in the state, the executive should look into the transition members from Olamaboro, Idah, Igalamela, Ijumu, Adavi and Ofu local governments.

Already there are grumblings following allegations that those who actually worked for the party and ensured the victory of Wada in the December 3 governorship polls in those local government were sidelined while those who worked against the party are being given the platform to enjoy the juicy fall out of the election. There are allegations that some of those enjoying today acted “friend in

Gov. of Kogi state, Alhaji Idris Wada the day, enemy at night”.

Those kicking against the decision of the governor argue that in the interest of the party, even if the governor wanted to give recognition to those who worked against the PDP in the last election, it should not be at a time local government elections were around the corner. They argue that the strength of every political party lies with the grassroots and expressed fears that the decision

“

In all, the people of Kogi state are demanding for a progressive government that would reposition the state in such a way that the human and natural resources available in it would be effectively and maximally harnessed and utilized.

may cost the PDP some ballots.

Commenting on the issue, a PDP chieftain in the state, Mohammed Baba said the lopsidedness was “too glaring” especially in Olamaboro where those who facilitated the defeat of PDP's candidates now found themselves in the same team with those to champion the way forward for the governor.

According to him, “Imane and Adeh, which produced wining chart for Capt Wada and widely reported in national newspapers, have nobody in the committee, what is the justification.”

Mohammed also argued against the recycling of office holders saying the present administration must do away with such noting that nobody had a monopoly of ideas especially in a complex state such as Kogi.

Already some members of the state House of Assembly are said to be unhappy with the selection as some of them feel they should have been in the

panel. There are therefore fears that the legislature and the executive might be on a collision course if early precautions were not taken.

However, reacting to the perceived face off, the governor through his Special Adviser, Media and Strategy, Mr. Jacob Edi said there was no lost love between the governor and the lawmakers. He said the governor carried the House along in the selection process adding that the committee will last only for two weeks.

In all, the people of Kogi state are demanding for a progressive government that would reposition the state in such a way that the human and natural resources available in it would be effectively and maximally harnessed and utilized.

The people want Wada to remain focused even as he consults widely before taking major decisions. Wada indeed has an onerous task ahead and his people expect so much from him.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 15

Mark, Senate the duty of Day fire razedand Otukpo market From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

S

u n d a y 5th February 2012 was indeed a sad day for traders of Otukpo market as scores of shops went up in flames leaving in its wake bitter tale of destruction told with tears as goods worth millions of naira went with the raging flames.

Many of the affected traders have since been thrown into serious grief as they grope for help that might not come. Many of them had just restocked their shops. While many count their extreme loses, many others especially those who borrowed to stock their shops now have to start paying back loans for goods eaten by fire.

When the traders opened for business on that day, many of them were beaming with smiles, expecting to make huge sales during the day. Little did they know that the evil was lurking around and that their fortunes were to go up in flames at the end of the day.

If they had known, maybe they would have evacuated all their wares from the shops and serve the fire only the air to consume.

At about 5.00pm that fateful day, the devil struck. Shouts of “fire, fire, fire” rented the air causing panic amongst the traders who scampered for safety and struggled hard to get some of their goods out of their shops.

Amidst the pandemonium, residents assisted by fetching water to put out the fire as there was no functional fire service station in the area. That effort could not contain the raging flames as they rapaciously licked up every consumable on their trail.

Petrified and bemused, traders watched with pain as the evil flames ravaged their wares, which were the lifeline of

uncountable families.

Many of the affected traders broke into tears. The fire raged on moving from shop to shop eating up fortunes and life lines and rendering families poor within the twinkle of an eye.

At the end of the day, though the flames had breathed their lasts, impoverished traders are still having their heart aches and midnight tears and they continue to bemoan their losses.

Though it started just before nightfall, the cause of the inferno had remained a mystery.

Though some of the traders attributed it to some electrical fault, this is yet to be officially proven.

What else could have caused it? Critics undulates with reasons ranging from the said electrical fault to sabotage though there have been no proof to support both thinking.

Mr. John Okoh, the Chairman of Palm Oil Traders Association at the market blamed the spontaneous widespread of the fire to the closeness of shops in the market which made it difficult to put out the fire.

Okoh who noted that fire outbreaks in the market has become a recurring decimal, regretted that the local government has done little with the revenue collected from the market to improve the facilities.

He said the council must strive to broaden the thoroughfares in the market to make for easy vehicular and human traffic. According to him, the situation would have been different if the thoroughfares were wide enough.

Hajiya Hamidu Tejoulola, a Yoruba woman who sells Yoruba clothing and anointing oil wept bitterly as sympathizers tried hard to console her over her loses.

Amidst sobs, she told Peoples

Pictures of recent fire incident in the market

Daily Weekend that she lost goods worth over N2 million to the fire but quickly consoled herself by thanking God for being alive.

“All I have labored for many years is gone just one day. How and where do I start from?”

Hajiya Tejoulola lamented.

An equally embittered Chairman of Otukpo Local Government, Dr. Innocent Onu lamented over the fire outbreak but assured that the council was making efforts to establish a functional fire service for rapid response as well as improve on the narrow routes in the market for easy access.

When Peoples Daily Weekend visited the market, hundreds of traders were still seen moving their goods out of the market while others were still bemoaning their loss.

The Otukpo market had in the past witnessed several fire incidents, the worst occurring in

1999 and another fire incident in 2010. It is hoped that the authorities and those directly in charge of the management of the

market shall find a permanent solution to the problems so as to avert another disaster in the future.

Dr. Innocent Onu

Hamidu Tejuolola

Picture of previous fire incident in the market

Another picture of previous fire incident in the market

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

PEOPLES P PA P AGE GE A PA PEOPLES

‘I can perform better than FERMA’, says road repair volunteer *Recalls how Niger government officials hijacked a gift meant for him A’isha Biola Raji and Muhammad Sada

S

o f t spoken and amiable 46 years old Surajo Muhammad hails from Kano but he currently reside in Gwagwa in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. 22 years ago, Mohammed survived a motor accident occasioned by the poor state of the nation’s road. Since then, he has dedicated his life to filling pot holes on the road in a bid to ensure that other Nigerians would not suffer the same fate as he did.

Though he had been injured many times doing this self imposed task, in a country where volunteerism is scarce and seldom valued, Mohammed had remained undeterred even as he uses his bare hands to move sands and stones to fill deadly potholes without demanding money from motorists.

What is the driving force keeping Mohammed going?

What have been his challenges?

Muhammad told our reporters that he is motivated by his inner love for humans and would not want anybody to die on the high way because of potholes when he can save their lives by filling them up.

Mohammed, an auto mechanic and owner of six houses which he built before deciding to go into road maintenance volunteerism has about three able bodied men on his pay role helping in the effort.

Currently, his effort is very visible on roads in Abuja as well as roads in Niger state including in Minna, Komba, Lambata and Kaduna roads. According to him, he takes on bad roads he passed through while some motorists who know him sometimes give him hint about bad roads in other areas.

Mohammed told Peoples Daily Weekend that his work has been purely on humanitarian grounds adding that he was not sponsored by anybody neither does he solicit for help from motorists as it is the usual practice by others who fill potholes on highways.

However, he admits that sometimes good hearted motorists drop money for them but insisted that such was not his motivation for the work.

Mohammed maintained that he pays his labourers from the money he generated from other sources especially his income from his job as auto mechanic and from his landed property.

“It is only God that repays me because the token thrown by road users hardly satisfy our

Surajo Muhammad

daily meals and that of our families. The government doesn’t pay me a single kobo and has never given me any recognition in my efforts”, he said.

Giving insight into the nature if his work, Mohammed said he gets his materials including sand and stones from sites along the road.

“I get materials for my work from bush and sites with available natural gifts like sand and stones, at times I gather two to three tipper load worth of stones. I do this work along with the labourers I hire. People show their heartfelt appreciations especially those in the affected environments and always seek my help in places where the government refuses to repair and I always answer their calls”,

he said.

On how he gets his upkeep, Mohammed said that he is an auto mechanic and that specializes in the repair of any type of motor engine. He however said he had to make that work secondary so as to give his best to his passion to fill roads.

Stating that he is not a beggar, Mohammed said he also has a number of houses even in Abuja “I bought my own house and got married through this job .I started this work in 1992 and I bought a house at the rate of 3,500 naira when Abuja city was cool and cheap. In a space of one year in this work, I owned a house and now I think I have six to seven personal houses here in Akaraka.

Narrating how he got into the work, Mohammed said it

was after an accident in Abuja that nearly took his life.

“Destiny brought this job to my path. In 1992 road from here, (his residence in Gwagwa) to Life Camp and Berger was totally bad. I could recall that one day after repairing a car, a Peugeot car, while driving in the car, me and my friend hit a pot hole and had an accident that nearly claimed our lives. After that experience, we decided to start filling all the roads in that area. However, my friend has left the work. He is now well off; he has bought a car and is in business but I am still here doing the same thing since I am doing it to help humanity. I have capital to start something else but I prefer to continue as it is a great duty to God and humanity”, he said.

Stating that he had been severally wounded by cars in the course of his work, Mohammed said he is not deterred but will continue doing the job.

‘These scars you can see on my body are as a result of this work. My wife was seven months pregnant when I was hit by a car at Suleja. I spent six months in the hospital and after being discharged, I still continued with the work and I am still doing it and I give thanks to God that I am still alive and surviving and at least I lack nothing”, he said.

Responding to questions by the reporters on what encouragement he has been receiving from government especially at the local government level, Mohammed said no one has called to help except the Niger state governor but added that aides of the governor cornered the financial gift meant for him from the governor.

“No one has called to help me apart from Niger state. The Governor of Niger knows me very well and there was a time in 2010 when he ordered Suleja Local Government to give me the sum of N250,000; some shovels, wheelbarrows, and diggers but eventually, his subordinates gave me N60, 000 only. That was two years back but here in Abuja, no one has helped me at all”, he said.

Asked if he had made effort to get the remaining amount, he said all his efforts in that direction did not yield any dividend.

On whether he intends to stay longer in the work , Mohammed said; “it is only God that will determine whether I will remain in the work or not anyway, God’s will is the best”.

He told our reporters that if given the chance by government, he is willing to embark on large scale repair and maintenance of local roads and it will also afford him a chance to employ people thereby reducing unemployment rate.

On whether he wishes any of his children to follow in his footsteps, Mohammed said they were still in school though they help when they are around.

“My kids are relatively young, some in secondary and some in primary schools they are not yet strong but sometimes they become interested in their father’s profession and render a helping hand in minor things. I sometimes move along with them but presently they are all at school. It is only my younger brother that gives me a helping hand”, he said.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 17

Arts

Pop Star Whitney Houston goes home in style

Kiddies World

Relationship Healthy Living

A hearse bringing Whitney’s body home in New Jersey

How she will be buried...

Public Funeral

T

hough earlier this week, Whitney Houston’s family revealed that they would not be planning a public funeral for the icon, it turns out, the family has had a change of heart and will allow cameras to stream the event on television and the Internet so that devoted fans worldwide can eulogize the legend.

The service will begin at noon at the New Hope Baptist Church, the church where Houston sang as a child. Marvel L. Winans, a gospel singer and longtime friend of the family who officiated at Houston’s 1992 marriage to

Bobby Brown, will give the eulogy. Winans appeared on Anderson Cooper 360 last night to explain that the family didn’t plan a public event because they “didn’t want to have a parade.” He added, “We loved her when she was Nippy [her childhood nickname] in New Jersey. The world loves her because of her voice. But if Nippy could not sing, the Houston family would love her.”

Houston’s godmother, Aretha Franklin, and Stevie Wonder have been asked to perform at the service. Her Bodyguard co-star, Kevin Costner, and long-time record producer, Clive Davis, will speak at the funeral. Houston’s cousin Dionne Warwick is helping the family with arrangements

for the event. Chaka Khan, Diane Warren, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Darlene Love, and Ray J (the rapper whom Houston had been dating before she died) are confirmed to attend.

Forbes reports that Houston’s ex-husband, Bobby Brown, will also fly in for the ceremony with his nephew Kelsey, “whom Whitney raised like a son,” according to a friend of Brown’s.

It is expected that Houston will be buried in the Fair View Cemetery in Westfield, New Jersey, near her father, John Russell Houston Jr., who was laid to rest in 2003.

Contd. on page 18

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRAURY, 2012

PAGE 18

ENTERTAINMENT

The rise and fall of a superstar Tragic: Music legend Whitney Houston died at the age 48-years-old

Whitney’s father’s tomb stone, pop singer will be buried beside her father.

A star is born: Whitney, seen here in 1984, first became interested in music after frequently accompanying her mother Cissy when she performed in nightclubs

Fans mourn Whitney with wreathes.

How she died

H

Happy couple: Whitney Houston married Bobby Brown in the house back in 1992

ouston died in a Beverly Hills hotel room last Saturday on the eve of the music industry's Grammy Awards, and because of her drug battles, speculation arose that she might have died of a drug overdose.

An autopsy was completed on Sunday, and a final death report is pending completion of an official investigation and toxicology reports that may take weeks to finalise.

Los Angeles assistant chief coroner Ed Winter said prescription medication was found in Houston's room, but he declined to detail the names of the drugs or the amount found.

Dr Andrew Baker, President of the National Association of Medical Examiners who is not involved in the probe, told Reuters autopsies were good at establishing or ruling out death from causes like trauma, heart disease or aneurysm.

"The autopsy is going to rule out 95 percent of things," he said. "But when it comes to diagnosing any kind of poisoning or intoxication or overdose, it really does come down to lab tests."

As with the 2009 death of pop superstar Michael Jackson, Internet sales of Houston's songs surged after her death.

Proud parents: Whitney is seen here with her mother Cissy and late father John Russell Houston, Jr. in 1985

Life and Times of Whitney Houston

F

rom the middle of the Eighties to the late Nineties she was one of the world’s best-selling artists, wowing audiences with her powerful and effortless voice.

The showbiz world was rocked today with the tragic news that one of music’s biggest legends Whitney Houston is dead.

We look back at the life and times of the Grammy and EmmyAward winning artist whose life was tragically cut short at the age of 48.

Whitney Elizabeth Houston was born to a middle class family in Newark, New Jersey in 1963.

She was the third and youngest child of Army serviceman and entertainment executive John Russell Houston, Jr., who passed away in 2003, and gospel singer

Cissy Houston.

It was clear that natural talent in music ran through her family.

Her cousins Dionne Warwick and the late Dee Dee Warwick, and also her godmother Aretha Franklin all made a huge mark on the gospel and R&B scene.

Whitney first became interested in being in the music industry after frequently accompanying her mother Cissy who often performed in nightclubs.

Sometimes the teen would even take to the stage herself and perform.

Houston was offered her very first recording contract at the age of 14 by Michael Zanger, after she wowed him with her back-up singing on a record for his group, Michael Zanger band.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRAURY, 2012

PAGE 19

ENTERTAINMENT

Whitney Houston house up for sale after singer’s death.

Beauty: With her stunning good looks and incredible voice, Whitney was destined for stardom

Famous friends: Whitney was close friends with the late King of Pop Michael Jackson and sang back-up vocals on his older brother Jermaine Jackson’s album. Here they are seen in 1988 But she was forced to turn it down as her mother determined that she should instead finish school.

However, in the years that followed she lent her voice to albums

of both American soul, jazz, and blues singer Lou Rawls and Michael Jackson’s father Jermaine Jackson.

Naturally stunningly beautiful, Houston began dabbling

in modelling after being spotted by a fashion photographer whilst she was performing with her mother.

She went on to become the first ever woman of colour to appear in a fashion magazine after gracing the pages of Seventeen magazine in the early Eighties.

Subsequently she appeared in Glamour, Cosmopolitan and Young Miss magazines, and also in a TV advertisement for Canada Dry soft drink.

It was around that time when music mogul Clive Davis first heard Houston perform.

‘The time that I first saw her singing in her mother’s act in a club ... it was such a stunning impact,’ the American record producer told Good Morning America.

‘To hear this young girl breathe such fire into this song. I mean, it really sent the proverbial tingles up my spine.’

Houston made her album debut in 1985 with the self-titled record Whitney Houston.

It sold millions and spawned hit after hit including Saving All My Love for You, which won her her first Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal.

Other tracks such as How Will I Know, You Give Good Love and The Greatest Love of All also went on to become giant hits.

Another multi-platinum album, Whitney, came out in 1987 and included hits like Where Do Broken Hearts Go and I Wanna Dance With Somebody.

The New York Times wrote that Houston ‘possesses one of her generation’s most powerful gospeltrained voices, but she eschews many of the churchier mannerisms of her forerunners.

She uses ornamental gospel phrasing only sparingly, and instead of projecting an earthy, tearful vulnerability, communicates cool self-assurance and strength, building pop ballads to majestic, sustained peaks of intensity.’

Her decision not to follow the more soulful inflections of singers like Franklin drew criticism by some who saw her as playing down her black roots to go pop and reach

white audiences.

The criticism would become a constant refrain through much of her career. She was even booed during the Soul Train Awards in 1989.

‘Sometimes it gets down to that, you know?’ she told Katie Couric in 1996. ‘You’re not black enough for them. I don’t know. You’re not R&B enough. You’re very pop. The white audience has taken you away from them.’

Some saw her 1992 marriage to former New Edition member and soul crooner Bobby Brown as an attempt to refute those critics.

It seemed to be an odd union; she was seen as pop’s pure princess while he had a bad-boy image, and already had children of his own.

The couple went on to have a daughter, Bobbi Kristina, in 1993.

Over the years, he was arrested several times on charges ranging from DUI to failure to pay child support.

But Houston said their true personalities were not as far apart as people may have believed.

‘When you love, you love. I

and the Bodyguard soundtrack was named album of the year.

She returned to the big screen in 1995-96 with Waiting to Exhale and The Preacher’s Wife.

Both spawned soundtrack albums, and another hit studio album, My Love Is Your Love, in 1998, brought her a Grammy for best female R&B vocal for the cut It’s Not Right But It’s Okay.

But during these career and personal highs, Houston began using drugs.

In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2010, she said by the time The Preacher’s Wife was released, ‘(doing drugs) was an everyday thing. ... I would do my work, but after I did my work, for a whole year or two, it was every day. ... I wasn’t happy by that point in time. I was losing myself.’

In the interview, Houston blamed her rocky marriage to Brown, which included a charge of domestic abuse against Brown in 1993. They divorced in 2007.

Houston would go to rehab twice before she would declare herself drug-free to Winfrey in

Fans trying to catch a glimpse when Whitney’s body was being moved from the hospital. mean, do you stop loving somebody because you have different images? You know, Bobby and I basically come from the same place,’ she told Rolling Stone in 1993.

‘You see somebody, and you deal with their image, that’s their image.

It’s part of them, it’s not the whole picture. I am not always in a sequined gown. I am nobody’s angel. I can get down and dirty. I can get raunchy.’

It would take several years, however, for the public to see that side of Houston.

Her moving 1991 rendition of The Star Spangled Banner at the Super Bowl, amid the first Gulf War, set a new standard and once again reaffirmed her as America’s sweetheart. In 1992, she became a star in the acting world with The Bodyguard.

Despite mixed reviews, the story of a singer guarded by a former Secret Service agent, played by Kevin Costner was an international success.

It also gave her perhaps her most memorable hit: a searing, stunning rendition of Dolly Parton’s I Will Always Love You, which sat atop the charts for weeks.

It was Grammy’s Record Of The Year and Best Female Pop Vocal,

2010.

But in the interim, there were missed concert dates, a stop at an airport due to drugs, and public meltdowns.

She was so startlingly thin during a 2001 Michael Jackson tribute concert that rumors spread she had died the next day.

Her crude behavior and jittery appearance on Brown’s reality show, Being Bobby Brown, was an example of her sad decline.

Houston staged what seemed to be a successful comeback with the 2009 album I Look To You. The album debuted on the top of the charts, and would eventually go platinum.

Things soon fell apart. A concert to promote the album on Good Morning America went awry as Houston’s voice sounded ragged and off-key. She blamed an interview with Winfrey for straining her voice. A world tour launched overseas, however, only confirmed suspicions that Houston had lost her treasured gift, as she failed to hit notes and left many fans unimpressed; some walked out. Canceled concert dates raised speculation that she may have been abusing drugs, but she denied those claims and said she was in great shape, blaming illness for cancellations.

PAGE 20

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 17 — SUNDAY 18, FEBRUARY, 2012

PEOPLES TECH

Preparing for cashless economy *What to know about ATMs machine, always make sure there is nobody loitering around suspiciously, if there is, use another ATM machine. If you feel someone is standing too close to you while you type in your PIN number - even a friend, ask them to step back, and always make sure you try and hide as best you can the number you are entering. Never let anyone see your PIN. Put your other hand around the keypad when you enter your number, and don't enter your number if anyone is standing too close.

It will be disastrous if your PIN gets to the wrong hand. Use your body to cover the transaction tray from people.

Always check the ATM machine carefully before you use it. If there is anything about the ATM machine which seems a little strange don't use it, use another. This includes carefully checking the slot where you insert the card, and making sure there are no hidden cameras anywhere.

One ATM scam going around the world at the moment is where people add what is known as a skimmer to the front of the ATM machine where you insert the card, they then stay nearby

and the details you enter into the machine are electronically transmitted to them, at the same time, a wireless camera is disguised to look like a leaflet holder and is mounted in a position to view your ATM PIN number. Once the process is complete they simply need to make a card with the information they gained and they can then use it at any ATM machine just as you would.

Another is where people put a clear plastic sleeve into the card slot. Unsuspecting users then insert their card but the machine is unable to read the strip (because of the sleeve) and so the machine keeps asking the user to renter the password, after a while the user gives up thinking the machine has swallowed the card. What has actually happened is the ATM card is inside the sleeve and someone has managed to see the number you entered, from there they simply remove the card from the sleeve and use your account! The way to avoid this happening to you is to run your finger along the slot, if you feel any prongs or bumps don't use that machine.

Further tips

W

ith the introduction of new monetary and banking policies tending towards a cashless society in the country, Nigerians would find themselves making more use of the Automated Teller Machines (ATM) than in the past.

Before long, ATMs will be the major source of withdrawing cash, payments of bills and transfer of money.

However, the system comes with its own challenges ranging from poor network, to system failures as well as fraud. Many of those who use ATMs complain

of the failure of the machines to dispense cash even after debiting ones account for withdrawal than never happened.

Recovery of such funds from the banks continues to prove more herculean than earning the equivalent leading many customers to abandon such funds.

Though using ATM smart cards to get cash is largely efficient and fast, users should always be very wary when using them to avoid unwanted problems.

There are things to look out for when using your cards to

ensure you do not become a victim: Be careful how you give your PIN number on phone Never ever give out your security number on the phone, unless you are 100 percent certain who you are talking to.

If someone calls you and claims to be from your bank or credit card company, ring them back on their general number (not the number the caller gives you) to make sure they really are who they say they are before you give out any details.

Be security conscious When using an ATM

If you are still unsure how to use ATM, go inside the bank or ask an employee or ask someone you trust to help you the first time.

If your card is lost or stolen, call your bank as soon as possible to tell them it is lost and obtain a replacement.

Always remember to take your card back from the machine. Do this as soon as it pops out. If it remains in the slot for more than 30 seconds after the transaction has been completed, the machine will suck it back up to prevent it from being stolen. If the ATM you are using isn't at your bank, it's unlikely that they will return the card to you - you will have to get your bank to issue a new one.

If your card gets sucked in as soon as you insert it, examine the slot very closely: some burglars insert a plastic sleeve that prevents the card from being read, and when you go inside the bank, they will quickly pull it and withdraw as much money as they can.

Some ATMs have a slot where you insert and pull the card rather than just inserting it. If this is the case, examine it very closely to make sure it's all part of the ATM; otherwise, it might be a card cloning device!

PAGE 21

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

7 signs of sleep apnea

NATURE’S CORNER

Losing weight naturally with coconut water

The sleep disorder can easily go unnoticed. Here's what to watch for

S

l e e p i n g is anything but restful. For people with sleep apnea in fact, it poses serious health risks for a lot of people.

People with untreated sleep apnea are still tired even after a full night's rest. Sleep apnea causes repeated pauses in breathing throughout the night. The pauses, which can happen 100 or more times per hour, occur when your airway is blocked (often by the tongue) or too narrow to allow normal breathing.

While men are more likely to be diagnosed with sleep apnea, the rates for women increase after menopause when hormonal changes affect muscle tone, making the airway more likely to collapse during sleep In addition to disrupting your sleep, undiagnosed sleep apnea has been linked to high blood pressure, stroke, memory problems and diabetes.

Watch for these seven signs you may have sleep apnea: 1. Your partner complains about loud or chronic snoring A spouse is often the first person to know something is wrong, according to Michael Twery, Ph.D., director of the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research in the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's Division of Lung Disease at the National Institutes of Health.

"Snoring is a milder form of airway obstruction; the sound comes from the tissue vibrating as air passes over [a narrowed airway]," he explains. "If you're snoring loudly, chronically and keeping your partner awake, it could be a sign of sleep apnea and you should talk to your doctor."

2. You gasp for air In sleep apnea, it's common for pauses in breathing to be followed by gasping, choking or snorting.

"When the oxygen in your blood falls during breathing pauses, it signals your brain to wake up very briefly and draw a breath," notes Clete Kushida, M.D. Ph.D., medical director of the Stanford Sleep Medicine Center. "Frantically trying to draw a breath can make you start gasping, snorting or choking to try to get air."

In severe cases, you may experience frenzied gasps for air every 15 to 30 seconds throughout the night. If your partner notices difficulty breathing during your sleep, or if your breathing is stopping altogether, "you may want to discuss your symptoms with a physician," says Twery.

3. You're exhausted all day Despite the fact that fragmented nighttime sleep leads to chronic fatigue, daytime sleepiness is one of the most ignored signs of sleep apnea. "There are likely people out there who have had untreated sleep apnea for so long that they have gotten used to being sleep deprived," says Edward Grandi, executive director of the American Sleep Apnea Association.

Excessive daytime sleepiness is a frequently ignored sign of the condition, Grandi adds, so if you're spending seven to nine hours in bed per night and still feel sleepy during the day, it could be a sign of sleep apnea.

4. You have high blood pressure Sleep apnea is linked to hypertension. According to Grandi, your body goes into "fight or flight" mode when you stop breathing and

it causes your blood pressure to spike. "This happens over and over throughout the night," he says.

"Eventually, your blood pressure doesn't dip anymore; it stays elevated, putting you at risk for cardiovascular disease."

5. You go to the bathroom often during the night Frequent nighttime urination, called nocturia, affects nearly 65 percent of adults between the ages of 55 and 84, according to a poll by the National Sleep Foundation. While nocturia could be linked to aging, it's also a classic sign of sleep apnea (the fight or flight response triggers a feeling of fullness in the bladder, according to Twery). The possibility of sleep apnea should be considered if you routinely wake up to use the bathroom during the night.

6. You wake up with a headache Sleep apnea sufferers may complain of morning headaches. The reason: frequent pauses in breathing during the night decrease the oxygen levels in the brain, causing pain. A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine suggests that headaches were more frequent and lasted longer as sleep apnea became more severe.

7. You're overweight or obese Up to 67 percent of people diagnosed with sleep apnea are overweight (with a BMI over 25), according to Kushida. As your weight increases, the fat pads that surround your airway also get larger, narrowing the opening and making it more difficult to breathe.

"Losing weight most likely won't make the condition go away but it can improve it," says Kushida.

HEALTH TIPS

Honey is more effective for cough

J

ust one spoonful can help quiet a nighttime cough better than over-thecounter cough syrups or suppressants.

That's what a Pennsylvania study of more than 100 children found. Study author Ian Paul, M.D., says honey can also help reduce coughs in older adults suffering from a cold.

Honey coats and soothes an irritated throat to help calm repeated coughing. "It is generally safe and can be used repeatedly as needed," Paul says.

He recommends two teaspoons per dose, but advises older adults to make sure their cough is

because of a cold and not a more serious condition that may not respond to honey.

Also, honey does have a high sugar content, "which may be inappropriate for older adults with diabetes."

Note: Because certain home remedies can interact with prescription medications, check with your doctor before trying something new.

C

oconut water has a wealth of natural ingredients that help to control blood sugar levels and help to not only lose but manage your weight. Weight control is essential in the fight to control blood sugar whether you are a diabetic or you are a potential diabetic. One cup of coconut milk has about 550 calories, whereas one cup of coconut water has only 46 calories.

One cup of coconut water contains no fat and consists mostly of natural sugars and minerals.

Coconut water is very rich in magnesium and potassium, as well as being very high in fibre. Coconut water helps to increase the metabolic rate of the body, which means that the body is processing things faster.

Hydration and weight loss Coconut water is very hydrating because its electrolyte content is similar to that of human plasma. According to HealthMad, during World War II, doctors used coconut water intravenously, when regular IV fluid was unavailable, because it's so compatible with the human body.

Staying hydrated helps with weight loss because it makes you feel fuller longer, this can lead to eating fewer calories. It also helps to flush out toxins, to make your body function more effectively, which may cut down on sugar cravings.

Weight loss with coconut water However, it is not the same with coconut water. Natural weight loss can indeed be achieved with coconut water and there are reasons for the same.

1.

The first and primary reason is, that water in itself is an important key to good health and maintaining and attaining ideal body weight. Water helps in keeping the metabolism rate of the body to its optimal level. It keeps the body hydrated. Research has proven that coconut water is next to water in its natural form. Hence, the same benefits as water can also be achieved through coconut water.

2.

Coconut water for health is recommended by a number of

doctors, as it is a less concentrated form of the healthy coconut. Lemon juice can be added to the coconut water to make it even healthier.

Since both coconut water and lemon are alkalizing, it is beneficial for the body in a number of ways, such as it helps in digestion, controls blood sugar levels and perks up metabolism.

3. Coconut Water has a lot of vitamin C. Vitamin C is a natural anti-oxidant: this explains why my skin looks better when I drink coconut water! So vitamin C is essential to weight loss and to that extent, coconut water can help with your weight loss goals.

4. It is recommended to drink coconut water to lose weight, as it is not high in sugars, as soda and most juices are. You may want to read on calories in coconut water.

5.

People, who believe in lowfat diets, believe that coconut oil is not healthy, but the recent research points to the fact that coconut oil is, in fact, healthy fat. We often forget that people have eaten coconut oil and yet have not suffered from any of the side effects, such as obesity, which has become an epidemic now.

That coconut oil is actually a natural, high quality fat, which is very healthy, is finally agreed upon.

6. Coconut water is high in protein, which is a natural appetite suppressant. Coconut water is suitable for high protein diets.

7 . If a person finds it difficult to lose weight due to problem with thyroid issues, coconut water helps in promoting healthy thyroid function, which in turn helps in weight loss.

8. Coconut water contains more potassium than a banana, almost 300 mg per cup. Potassium is an electrolyte that helps you convert food into energy and build muscle. Muscle burns more calories at rest than fat, and this may help you achieve your weight loss goals.

Coconut water has many benefits it is viewed by many as the water of life containing everything necessary to lead a healthy life. It is something that can help you to level your blood sugar, keep it under control and lose weight.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 23 With Aunty A'isha rajia39ishabiola@yahoo.com 08082071393.

Sights and sounds

We w ant v olunteer s want volunteer olunteers

Y

ou’ve seen people in need on the news after a communal clash, flooding or other disasters.

Perhaps you’ve walked past homeless people who are living on the streets. Or maybe you’ve been to an animal shelter and wished

great way to cope with your feelings.

Volunteering also lets you see your own life in new ways.

Sometimes it’s easy to worry about stuff like grades or get annoyed because you don’t have the most expensive sneakers or the newest

A child helping another to carry fire wood you could give every pet a home.

So what can you do to help people (or animals) who need it?

The answer is, volunteer!

Volunteering means spending some of your free time helping others, you may volunteer to help other people, such as the families who lost their homes after communal clashes or due to the present security challenge we are facing in Nigeria.

You can also volunteer to protect animals, the environment, or any other cause that you care about.

Help yourself by helping others Volunteering helps others, but it can also help you, too. If you’re upset about something that’s happened like a flooding or other disaster, doing something about it can be a

computer game. Volunteering lets you spend some time focusing on others for a while.

Lots of people and kids find that they really enjoy volunteering.

Volunteer experiences often put you in a different environment and expose you to people and situations that you wouldn’t have come across in your regular life. For instance, you might learn that just on the edges of your town are some kids who really need hamattan clothes.

It feels good to be able to meet a need like that. You’ll know that, thanks to you, some kids have warm coats, hats, mittens, and boots. So whether it’s hamattan clothes, food for the hungry, or homes for unwanted pets, doing volunteer work means one very important thing: You make a difference in the world.

So start today!

Stranded children after the 2011 Japan earthquake

SHOR T ST OR Y SHORT STOR ORY

A

t the edge of a forest, stood a big tree. Its branches spread out majestically and so did its roots. It shielded people from the sun under its shady leaves, and provided shelter to countless birds and other small creatures. It buzzed with activity all the time.

At the foot of the tree grew a little plant. The plant was willowy and delicate, and tended to keel over at the touch of the slightest breeze.

One day, the two neighbors were having a little chat.

“Well, little one,” said the tree to the plant, “Why do you not plant your feet deeply in the ground, and raise your head boldly in the air as I do?”

“I see no need to do so,” whispered the plant with a smile. “Actually, I think I may be safer this way.”

“Safer?” sneered the tree.

“Are you suggesting that you’re safer than I am? Do you know how deep my roots are buried, how thick and strong my trunk is? Even if two men hold hands they would not be able to surround my trunk. Who

the trees off their roots and almost completely destroyed the forest. It

could possibly pluck me by the roots or bow my head to the ground?”

And the tree turned away from the plant in a great huff.

But the tree was to regret its words very soon. One evening a great hurricane arose in the region. It hurled

uprooted the neem tree and hurled it away with great force.

When the storm had passed, the villagers living nearby surveyed the d a m a g e .

Mighty trees that had once a l m o s t touched the sky, were now reduced to stumps or worse.

But there was one exception the little plant. The plant had been tossed and turned under the fury of the hurricane, and bent completely. But when the hurricane ended, it sighed and stood upright again.

No trace remained of its mighty neighbour though.

AMAZING!

BEN 10! The story behind the actions alien device called the Omnitrix (later the Ultimatrix) attached to his wrist that allows him to turn into alien creatures. In April 2008, Ben 10 (the original television series) was succeeded by Ben 10: Alien Force, which itself was succeeded in April 2010 by Ben 10: Ultimate Alien. The theme song for the first series was written by Andy Sturmer and sung by Moxy. The theme songs for both of the sequel series were instrumental.

Reruns of previously aired episodes are currently being aired on Cartoon Network and its fellow television channel, Boomerang.

B

en 10 is an acclaimed American media franchise created by “Man of Action” (a group consisting of Duncan Rouleau,

Joe Casey, Joe Kelly, and Steven T. Seagle), and produced by Cartoon Network Studios. The story is about a boy who acquires a watch-like

Ben 10

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 22

MODEL OF THE WEEK AFRICAN TALES

Don't pay bad for bad (II)

O

h, this kola-nut tree is my god, and I ask it every morning to help me get a baby soon,’ Dola explained calmly, pointing a finger at the tree and jar.

When Babi noticed that the animals of the village had eaten nearly all the leaves of the tree, she went back to her room. She took the top part of her large water pot, the bottom of which had broken away. She gave it to Dola, and she told her to shield her kola-nut tree with it so that the animals wouldn’t be able to eat its leaves again.

Dola took the large pot from her and thanked her fervently.

Then she shielded her tree with it, and as from that morning the animals were unable to eat the leaves of the tree. And so it was growing steadily in the centre of the large pot.

A few years later, the tree yielded the first kola-nuts. The first kola-nuts that the tree yielded were of the best quality in the village, and because the nuts were the best quality, the kola-nut buyers hastily bought all the nuts, paying a considerable amount of money.

Similarly, when the tree yielded the second and third kola-nuts, the buyers bought them with large amounts of money as before.

In selling the kola-nuts, Dola became a wealthy woman within a short period. Having

seen this, Babi became jealous of Dola’s wealth.

Jealously, Babi demanded back the water pot: ‘Dola, will you please return my large water pot to me this morning?’

Dola was greatly shocked, she asked, what! A broken water pot without a bottom?

‘Yes, my broken water pot.

I want to take it back this morning,’ Babi replied with a jealous voice.

‘Well, the water pot cannot be returned to you at this time unless I break it into pieces before it can come from around my kola-nut tree,’ Dola replied with a dead voice.

‘You must not break it or split the head of my water pot before you return it to me!’ Babi shouted angrily.

‘I say it cannot be taken away from the tree without breaking it or cutting the tree down,’ Dola explained angrily.

Babi boomed on Dola: ‘Yes, you may cut your tree down if you wish to do so. But all I want from you is my water pot!’

Dola reminded Babi with a calm voice, ‘Please, Babi, I remind you now that both of us started our friendship when we were children. Because of that, don’t try to take your water pot back at his time.’

‘Yes, of course, I don’t forget at any time that we are friends. But at all costs, I want the water pot now,’ Babi insisted with a great noise.

That revealed to Dola at last that Babi simply wanted to destroy her kola-nut tree so that she might not get the nuts from it to sell any more. She went to the chief of the village.

She begged him to help her persuade Babi not to take the head of her water pot back.

KIDDIES MENU

Chicken salad and greens with mummy’s left overs.

Here’s a great way to use leftover chicken from last night’s dinner. No leftovers? Ask mummy to buy chicken from the nearest cold room. Either way, get a grownup’s help with the chopping and cutting.

Preparation time: 5-10 minutes What you need: Mixing bowl Knife for chopping Bowls for serving ½ cup plain, nonfat yogurt ¼ cup low-fat mayonnaise ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon black pepper 1 large carrot, finely chopped onion, finely chopped grapes, cut in half leftover roasted chicken, chopped into pieces lettuce, coarsely chopped What to do: 1. In a large bowl, combine yogurt, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, carrot, onion, grapes, and chicken.

2. Mix gently until everything is well coated in dressing.

3. Divide lettuce between four bowls.

4. Top each bowl with some chicken salad. That’s it!

Serve cold.

Remilekun Olofin

is a student of Dominion International School, Jabi Abuja. She loves singing, dancing and acting too. She will like to see a Nigeria where children are well provided for. She wants to be a care giver in future.

JOB FOR THE WEEK Name and paint the picture below with different colour pencils of your choice.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 24

2Face finally proposes to Baby Mama, Annie Macaulay

2Face hugging Annie after proposing to her. onfirmed information from a reliable industry source has it that top Nigerian artiste, Inocent Idibia, who is well known as 2Face, has finally proposed to his industry’s first love, Annie Macaulay.

According to the source, who was a witness of the development, the Idoma born artiste asked his baby mama, Annie if she would marry him.

Speaking through a phone call, the source said, “I can authoritatively tell you that Tu Baba, as 2Face is also C

called, has proposed to Annie.

He proposed to her at club 10 on the lovers’ day, which is on February 14, 2012.

It was said that Annie could not believe her ears when 2Face asked her to marry him.

It was also confirmed that Annie broke down in tears, apparently surprised at 2Face’s request.

Annie Macaulay is the baby mama of 2Face. Their relationship produced as a daughter, Isabella, who is three years old. Annie who was all smiles flaunted her engagement ring.

Tim Godfrey released by kidnappers

C

onfirmed reports have it that gospel artiste, Tim Godfrey, who was earlier reported to have been kidnapped last night, has been released.

According to a message, the Agidigba crooner is said to be hale and hearty.

While speaking on the incident, Sabina of Naija FM, who is a very close friend of the artiste, confirmed the release of Tim Godfrey.

She said that Tim reported his kidnap in a police station in Ajah this morning, after he was released by the kidnappers. She confirmed that the artiste is presently receiving treatment at an unnamed hospital in Ajah.

Efforts to get through to Tim Godfrey proved abortive as at the time of filing this report, as he was said to be receiving treatment.

PAGE 25

KANNYWOOD/NOLLYWOOD Richard Mofe Damiijo In Trouble! W Wunmi Obe confesses, T ‘it ain’t hip to be fat op Nollywood icon and actor, Richard Mofe Damiijo, who is presently a Commissioner in Delta State, is currently in trouble.

The star actor, who recently survived a ghastly car accident in Delta State in December 2011, has become a victim of the new rave of fraudulent act by impostors of Nigeria celebrities.

RMD, as he is fondly called, is battling hard to unravel an impostor who is swindling unsuspecting fans of the actor through social networking sites; twiiter and facebook.

Just as his fellow actor, Mike Ezuruonye in the penultimate week, an impostor with RMD’s fake twiiter handle; @RichardMofeD as against the original, @RMofeDamijo.

The Asaba-born actor quickly told his fans that he would never ask for anything or favour or assistance from anybody.

He tweeted, “RichardMofeD is a fake.

I am certain he is the same thief who used the RMD name and brand to swindle people on Facebook.”

Earlier in the day, RMD tweeted, “whoever who you are, if you do not want God’s anger to be on your life, stop pretending to be me.” He then tweeted that the only contact he has with Facebook is his

ith the way Wunmi Obe of the popular star couple, T.W.O, manages herself on and off the stage it’s difficult to imagine she bothers about being a plus-size.

The Deja Vu lead songstress and better half of Tunde Obe has however admitted that ‘It ain’t hip to be fat.’

The singer recently took to her facebook page to narrate a story of how a production team approached her to star in a Television programme and feature in a magazine that celebrates people that is on the ‘big side’.

Obe, 43, was upset.

‘If there’s one thing that REALLY irritates me, it’s when some failed dieters come up with a TV prog or mag glorifying plus sized people (whilst they secretly chew on celery sticks and lettuce before bingeing on KFC & Blue Bunny), and then call on me to feature and tell people why it’s hip to be fat. IT AINT!! So if anyone’s lookin’ 2 me to help validate their failure to stick to a diet and make them feel good about courtin’ an early grave, good luck ELSEWHERE! Cause I’m too busy tryina stick to mine!*Jeez‘, she wrote.

‘So, o ye plus-sized people, try stick to your diet so as not to dig an early grave’, she advices.

Richard Mofe Damijo

RMD Appreciation Club, anything from this is fake.

Nigerian celebrities have

H Wunmi

T.W.O’s last album ‘T.W.O Legit’ was in released in 2010.

We’re told Wunmi Obe and her husband who rode to national

by Mescon Industries limited.

Chinda, who’s also the face of the ongoing Rivers State cultural fiesta, tagged CarniRiv 2011, happily confirmed the deal, but blatantly refused to disclose the amount involved.

“Yes, I’m the new face of Vita500 energy drink; we recently concluded all contractual agreements with both parties being very happy with the deal. I’m not denying the fact that I was handsomely paid, but the amount is what I cannot disclose, it’s personal. My job for them as an ambassador is to basically use my face and goodwill to help promote the brand in Nigeria and other West African countries. This involves a lot of traveling and strategic public appearances”, she disclosed.

The top actress who recently returned from Atlanta Georgia, US, where she shot a new film and equally participated in the annual new media Nollywood programme, which was hosted by the Georgia Institute of Technology.

On her plans for 2012, Chinda added: “Now that I’m back, the next thing on my agenda is to conclude work on my soap, Catwalq, which I intend releasing early 2012. It is a soap that will change the face of programming on TV when it finally hits the airwaves. I have a lot to do and unveil in 2012 and my fans should be ready to see more of me, because I will be thrilling them nonstop.”

W

Monalisa

N

King of madness

fame with their segments on the rested Charly Boy show, are working to return to TV with their own variety show.

Monalisa Chinda signs N30m endorsement deal!

become very concerned on how some people swindle unsuspecting fans in different ways.

Nollywood actors John Okafor (Mr. Ibu), Charles Inojie, and Charles Awurum abandon acting for teaching

hen a super pro ducer meets a su per director and they join forces with super actors, the result is clear: The funniest comedy of all time!

Monday 20th of February 2012, a one-of-the-kind comedy movie King of madness will be released into the Nigerian market.

The movie produced by Chidi Chijioke and directed

by Amayo Uzo Philips is promised to be the most hilarious comedy film to ever come out of Nollywood.

The flick is about four illiterate friends who decided to open up an extra moral class, because what they do at the moment was not paying them much. They met with a native doctor, who told them that with the help of charm they will be educated.

John Okafor is the maths teacher, Charles Inojie the economics teacher, Charles Awurum teaches English.

Casts are: John Okafor, Charles Inojie, Charles Awurum, Bianca Bernards, Uchenna Nnanna, and more.

o doubt multi million Naira endorsement deals are currently flying left, right and centre in Nollywood with most of the stars involved smiling heavily to the banks with mouth watering offers.

Star actress and Glo ambassador, Monalisa Chinda recently landed a juicy endorsement deal as the face of Vita500, a new energy drink from South Korea that recently stormed Nigeria and all West African countries.

We gathered that sexy Chinda was paid a whopping N30 million, for her pretty and popular face to be associated with the wave making drink currently being marketed and distributed in the whole of West Africa

Ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo’s grandson turns rapper

Actress Tina Amuziam made SA to Delta state governor

T

he actress who came into lime light with her role in Glamour girls part 2 many years ago and kind of quit acting a few years ago to pursue her evangelical ministry after becoming a born again, has now joined politics.

She’s now a special adviser to Governor Emanuel Uduaghan’s led Government.

Tina

is stage name is Babsss while his real name is Babajide Obasanjo. The 18 year old just returned from London to study in a private university in Nigeria.

Babsss is currently in the studio recording for a mix tape that is to

drop in the middle of this year and it is said that he is currently recording a remix of Davido’s Damiduro ...and instead of omo baba olowo, it will be tagged ‘omo baba Obasanjo’. The remix drops on the 1st day of March 2012.

90 Ninth Day movie premieres in Abuja

T

he long awaited award winning movie ’90 Ninth Day’ premiered in all Silverbird cinemas on February 10, 2012.

A statement by the Producer/ Director, Paul Tavershima Apel said, “the movie bagged 5 nominations at the last Best of Hollywood Awards and achieved a more spectacular feat by clinching the prize for the Due Process Category at the 2011 Home Vida Awards in Abuja. It features veteran actors like Bimbo Akintola and Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey, alongside one of the winners of the Unity Bank reality show Orduen Apel amongst others.”

90 Ninth Day tells the captivating and exciting story of Engineer Jack (Paul Apel) who was awarded a Power Plant Contract by the Government.

This began a chain of treacherous and tragic events for him and his family. Susan (Bimbo Akintola) who lost out of the bid embarks on a blind revenge. In the dangerous triangle is one of Jack’s friends, Col. Ben (Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey) whose obsession of becoming an Army General turns him into a psychopath but for honour, Jack’s family hangs in the balance. It all plays out in the 90 Ninth Day. Lindaikejiblogspot.com

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

HOLLYWOOD

Whitney's funeral will take place on today in the New Jersey church where she first sang as a child

W

h i t n e y Houston's funeral will take place on Saturday in the New Jersey church where she first sang as a child.

The owner of the Whigham Funeral Home in Newark, said on Tuesday that the funeral would be at the New Hope Baptist Church.

Whitney Houston's body arrived in her home state of New Jersey on Monday night, amid reports that her doctors will face questions over how she obtained drugs found in her hotel room.

Houston, 48, rose from singing in a church choir to become one of the best-selling and most admired performers of her generation.

She won six Grammys and more than 400 other awards in a 25-year career that also saw her star in such blockbuster films as "The Bodyguard." She was best known for her 1992 hit single "I Will Always Love You." But Houston's success was eclipsed later in life by problems with drinking and drugs. Houston died in a Beverly Hills hotel room

Houston

Saturday on the eve of the music industry's Grammy Awards, and because of her drug battles, speculation arose that she might have died of a drug overdose.

An autopsy was completed on Sunday, and a final death report is pending completion of an official investigation and toxicology reports that may take weeks to finalise.

Los Angeles assistant chief coroner Ed Winter said prescription medication was found in Houston's room, but he declined to detail the names of the drugs or the amount found.

Dr Andrew Baker, president of the National Association of Medical Examiners who is not involved in the probe, told Reuters autopsies were good at establishing or ruling out death from causes like trauma, heart disease or aneurysm.

"The autopsy is going to rule out 95 percent of things," he said. "But when it comes to diagnosing any kind of poisoning or intoxication or overdose, it really does come down to lab tests."

Houston's daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, 18, was in Los Angeles when her mother died.

Houston had been in Los Angeles for the Grammys and planned to attend an annual pre-award party hosted by record producer Clive Davis on the night she died.

Houston's death prompted a parade of music industry stars to express adoration for her and her rise to the top of the music world.

Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney and his wife, Nancy Shevell, on Monday visited a makeshift memorial outside the Beverly Hilton hotel where Houston died, placing yellow roses alongside the numerous other bouquets.

As with the 2009 death of pop superstar Michael Jackson, Internet sales of Houston's songs surged after her death.

On Monday, her album "Whitney Houston - The Greatest Hits" was the top seller in the music category on Amazon.com, and "I Will Always Love You," was the No 1 download at iTunes, just ahead of Grammy winner Adele's "Rolling in the Deep."

BOLLYWOOD

Amitabh Bachchan is in pain!

A

mitabh Bachchan underwent successful back-to-back surgeries for bilateral inguinal hernia on Saturday. All was well till Monday when he suddenly experienced a severe pain. The actor will have to remain in the hospital for longer than expected.

Big B, despite being in acute pain, took to Twitter, "OK .. ! NOT SUCH AN EXCITING DAY ! Acute pain throughout, but bearing up, still

in hospital and delay now in release," Big B wrote.

"The frailties of the human body, and the will to resist pain, are unparalleled... Whoever made us the way humans are made us well," the superstar added.

Sr Bachchan immediately was flooded with encouraging messages from his extended twitter family (TwFmXt).

"Grateful yet again for the wonderful encouraging words of consolation from the TwFmXt . You never fail in your respect and love. !" the superstar wrote.

Ek Mein Aur Ek Tu at the Box Office!!

T Bachchan

h e first day collection of Imran-Kareena's Ek Mein Aur Ek Tu was alarmingly low, at Rs.5.25 crore only. However, the film picked up on the second and third day.

Saturday saw a business of

Rs. 7.5 crore, with majority of the response coming from multiplexes.

Sunday's collection rose to Rs. 8.25 crore.

So, the film made a total business of Rs. 21 crore (approx) in its first weekend.

This is a good figure.

It is expected that the film would have had a good collection as at 14th February, being Valentine's day.

The coming Friday would see the release of Ek Deewana Tha, starring Prateik Babbar and Amy Jackson.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 27

HOMES

Preparing for the rains

Rainstorm wreaked havoc in Lagos recently

T

he rainy season brings pleasant weather especially with the depletion of the ozone layer but it can also cause a series of problems if your home is not ready to handle that weather.

Use the checklist below to make sure that you won't have to worry about the problems when the rain hits your home. Reports say rains have set in, in some places so get prepared to handle the situation in the coming months.

1. Check leaks in roofs and walls Check your roof and floors to see if there is any leakage and fix it before the rain starts. You can apply waterproof coating after initial repairs are done to fill up the cracks in floor. Replace loose or missing tiles to prevent roof leaks. Any debris which blocks the mouth of rain water pipes should be cleaned occasionally for smooth flow of rain water from the roof. The undersides of the roofs should be checked for any water condensation. Also repair leakage in foundation walls to

avoid any loss of the contents of the house.

2. Install ventilators to remove dampness Install ventilators in high humid areas of the house to avoid dampness which causes harm to the health of inhabitants and contents of the house too. Make sure there is enough crossventilation and that fresh air comes to the house before the rain starts.

3.

Check electrical fittings Check outside electrical switches if they are exposed to rains. Cover them immediately to stop penetration of rainwater and fix water seepage in electrical room and in generator room to avoid electric shock. Any damaged electrical cords should be replaced without any delay.

If you feel uncomfortable while making additions or changes in electrical supply, consult a professional or electrician.

4.

Destroy termite infestation Termite infestation is a major problem where water leakage or high humidity exists. As the rain

water creates moisture, check all damp places to find out termite invasion in the house.

You may need to seek professional help to destroy termites completely.

5. Clean carpets and rugs regularly Carpets get damp and create musty smell during rainy season. They are vacuumed regularly with carpet cleaners to remove dirt and moisture.

The rugs should be rolled up and wrapped in polythene sheets during rainy season to protect

them from water and insect infestation.

6. Protect wooden flooring from moisture Rainwater spoils the shape and quality of wood articles in the house. Check all wooden items and wood floors if they are properly waxed (polished) to protect them from moisture since the moisture content in hardwood floors tends to make them warp.

7.

Protect wooden cupboards, desk drawers The moisture of rainwater can reach your cupboards and

“

Any debris which blocks the mouth of rain water pipes should be cleaned occasionally for smooth flow of rain water from the roof.

drawers and destroy the inside.

To protect clothes and other valuable things, put camphor balls in your closet. Alternately you can place Neem tree leaves in cupboards since it also protects clothes and furniture from silver fish, a common problem during rainy season. You can sprinkle a few cloves among clothes to keep insects at bay.

8. Clean rain gutters Ensure rain gutters are clean to protect foundations, basements and roof from water damage before the beginning of rainy season. If the gutters are not clear of leaves and any debris, drain outlets will be blocked and rainy water will overflow them and eventually spread on roads or pathways.

9. Do regular house cleaning Regular house cleaning can protect your home from moisture content in the air. Air conditioners and dehumidifiers are good options to reduce humidity levels inside your home. Expose upholstery and rugs to sunlight to protect them from moisture.

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18— SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

Latest trends in kitchen sink designs

Protect yourself from diseases by eating healthy

C

urrent range of kitchen sink designs have already evolved in order to fit every house owner's needs.

However, when looking for your perfect kitchen sink, you will have to bear in mind its functionality and your overall kitchen decor. Also remember that you must choose a sink that is right for your family, budget and kitchen space.

The stainless steel remains the most popular sink materials due to its increased resistance and elegance - stainless steel sinks are also easy to install and clean and they come in a quite wide range of prices. On the downside is the fact that a stainless steel sink can scold, dent or scratch easily unless you learn how to take proper care of it. Once you decide that a stainless steel sink is what you are looking for, you should check its gauge - the lower the gauge, the thicker the stainless steel sink.

Stainless sink It is a solid surface material and comes in a wide range of colours, styles and prices and you will be able to find the sink that

Pots & Pans

With Hajiya Ramatu Usman Dorayi

wide range of colours and styles.

Other interesting options for your kitchen sink would include fire clay, heavy granite and quarts resin composite materials. Each of these is likely to look quite exotic in your kitchen space. They are cost effective as well. Durable, yet lightweight, all these three types of materials are already available in various designs that can match your kitchen decor.

The vessel sink or the basin sink This is among the most popular sink styles in our contemporary kitchen designs. This type of kitchen sink was designed to be slightly recessed from the kitchen counter top and placed right above this counter top instead of being installed bellow this kitchen appliance. Due to this highly efficient recessed nature, the vessel kitchen sink will be largely visible thus becoming a genuine and major design statement.

The farmhouse sink or the apron sink -This belongs to the contemporary trends as well.

This sink was named so because of the fact that it is designed to imitate the deep look, rectangular and visible front that is quite common in rural or vintage houses. A farmhouse sink can be either placed right on the top of the kitchen counter top or it can be mounted.

Usually, a farmhouse sink is made from white or enamel porcelain but it can also be manufactured from natural stone, fire clay, copper, stainless steel or wood.

Entertainment sinks or auxiliary sinks These are used in order to provide extra additional workplace, thus making the difference when it comes to the kitchen work flow. If your kitchen is a rather crowded place, you can go for a trough sink, because a square sink or a conventional rectangular one cannot offer you the space you need.

Trough sinks They were developed mainly for accommodating three to four faucets and drains so that you can use this appliance if your kitchen is a really crowded and large space.

can match your kitchen counter top. Even such a solid surface sink isn't likely to be totally scratch-proof; but you can expect it to resist many scratches. Other additional benefits will include increased resistance to stains and heat.

Solid surface sink Porcelain is another material that is commonly used for the kitchen sinks. But a porcelain sink isn't likely to be as stain resistant or durable as other materials used for kitchen sinks.

Enamel sinks Enamel sinks are among the most cost effective options you have when looking for a kitchen sink. However, an enamel sink is less durable than other options you can consider when looking for the right kitchen sink. Also, it will need careful and regular maintenance in order to maintain all its original features.

Soap stone sink Soapstone is another recent development when it comes to kitchen sink materials. This material is really easy to look after and it is also available in a

PAGE 29

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

WOMANHOOD

The ordeal of the market woman

By Miriam Humbe

M

a r k e t women! They are everywhere, making their living through buying and selling, especially in the open market.

Many of them also engage in far distance travel, sometimes on very dehumanizing means to buy or sell all for the sake of the family which many of them have the onus of raising alone.

The life of a market woman, without doubt, is a tedious routine. Since most of the times she cannot afford a house help, she wakes up earlier than anyone else in her household to prepare for the day beginning with cleaning and cooking. If she is one with children of school age she will be responsible for preparing them for school.

As she takes care of her family's needs, her mind keeps wandering back to her wares in the store out there in the market.

She must get there early enough to make the first sales for the day as customers begin to troop in for their daily consumable needs, in order to stay in tune with the competition.

As the goods, which may vary from fresh vegetables to fish and other cooking ingredients begin to dwindle due to the sales, the market woman shuttles between her store and the point from where she gets her supplies. More often than not, she does these chores all by herself in order to ensure she is not short changed by third parties.

These are only a few of the items on the itinerary of these women who are contributing day in and day out to the economic development of the nation albeit in the most unappreciable way.

When the evening comes to mark the end of yet another day, she has to hurry home to get dinner ready for her household. This is exclusive of her responsibility of giving her children a night bath and sending them to bed, especially if they are very young and she must do all these without a helping hand.

Later she would also take care of the husband, which adds to her fatigue even as she gets only a little sleep before the next day breaks.

Mrs. Anna Sebastian appears to have her fair share of this fate. Having worked in a Law Firm, Akinnola Chambers in Lagos as a typist, she went into petty trading in 2006 when she relocated to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja in 2006 with her husband who works as a civil servant. At the moment, she sells her wares which comprise of foodstuffs at the Phase 2 Site 1 market in Kubwa.

She said her daily routine starts as early as five o'clock in the morning, "when I wake up in the morning, I get the children ready for school then prepare what they will eat and then take them to school before leaving for the market for my business and when I get back home in the night, I prepare dinner for the whole family" she said.

Anna, who confessed that the ordeal is stressful and tiring said she gets the strength and courage to move on from God. "As women; it is our duty to take care of the family no matter the situation in

Mrs. Anna Sebastian

which you find yourself because you cannot leave everything to the man to do. It is very stressful but I get the strength to go on from God", she said.

She said she was determined to work hard despite the conditions so as to help her husband cope with the task of raising the family in the face of harsh economic environment.

"It is a sad situation for children to see their mates from other families doing well when their own parents cannot take care of them. The children you have brought into this world will not be happy so you have to keep trying despite the odds in order to help the family move forward.

The business I am doing may not be enough to take care of the family's needs but I use it to support what my husband gives me for the upkeep of the family.

When I add up what I am making from

here, we are able to have sufficiency at home" Anna explained as reasons for her doggedness and determination to continue.

Seeing the very tight schedule of the market woman who is always pushing forward and never giving up, one wonders if there are ever times when she gets stressed up to the extent that she feels she can't go on any longer. At such times, what does she do? Anna said, "even if I feel weak, I always muster my strength to work no matter what because whether we like it or not, children of these days prefer to run to their mothers for their needs than go to their fathers.

"This makes the responsibility of taking care of the children rest on the shoulders of the woman. Once you have, as a mother, you give them but when you don't have, that is when you go to their

“

Seeing the very tight schedule of the market woman who is always pushing forward and never giving up, one wonders if there are ever times when she gets stressed up to the extent that she feels she can't go on any longer.

father and plead on their behalf. So no matter how tough it gets, I try to get up and keep moving. We are the ones who bring children into this world and when they misbehave, it is the mother who is blamed for that so women must keep striving whether their husbands appreciate their efforts or not, they should not be deterred for the sake of the children", she said Is there any break time for her? Anna said she rests on Sundays and because the business is her own, whenever she feels like taking a break, she suits herself. "I chose to do this business because it gives me time to take care of my four children because if you are working in the office, you cannot just wake up and take a break to rest without taking permission. I prefer to do this one than office work" she said.

Saying that women should desist from sitting at home in the name of house wives, Anna said women should be up and doing especially for the sake of their children.

"My advice for women is that they should not be sitting at home and calling themselves house wives because that will not help them and children of these days, if their parents cannot help them, they will be forced to join bad gangs while struggling to fend for themselves and some of them may die on the way. So it is necessary for women to work in order to support the family and the society at large. Even if your husband does not seem to appreciate your efforts, for the sake of your children, keep on doing it," Anna said firmly.

PAGE 30

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

From the Archives Nigeria Nigeria Army yesterday and today

Do you have old pictures for memories?

Send them to peoplesdailyweekend@yahoo.com

Nigerian colonal soldier mount guard of honour

Nigerian soldiers pose in this photography taken in the early colonal days.

Nigeria Army today

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 31

LIFE

NYSC: The way I saw it

On top of a mountain

By Udoh Chidozie Ernest

B

e i n g called up for national service as a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is what almost all Nigerian graduates dream of.

I was thus very happy when I saw my name among the list of those mobilized for national service. This is because, in Nigeria if you have not worn your NYSC khaki, you will either be seen as fake student or as someone who got admission but never graduated. It is a stamp of honour that every Nigerian youth yearn for though it comes with a lot of challenges and adventures.

My service year as a corps member was an interesting one, though it has lots of memories that won’t be forgotten in a hurry.

I was first deployed to Yobe state where I was posted to Potiskum Local Government Area. After three weeks in the state orientation camp, I was later redeployed to Abuja after the post election crisis as the area was laced with threats to life, considering the fact that many of the corp members worked as election officials in the general election.

It became a welcome relief for me to go to Abuja. At least I will be safe. On coming to Abuja, I met a city more different from Yobe

state; I got a new place of primary assignment in a media house but I was immediately faced by the harsh economic reality of the capital city especially in the area of transportation.

Despite my meager finances I had to spend N500 daily for transportation to my place of primary assignment. I was managing and trying all I could to make sure I did not die of hunger, while at the same time, I was duty bound to report to work on a daily basis.

My ordeal was occasioned by the failure of the NYSC to pay me because according to officials, it takes three months for them to start paying people redeployed to FCT. Most times, I had to trek miles to reduce the transport fare, so as to have some money left for my feeding. Things were worsened with the hike in the cost of fuel as I had to pay more to get moving.

Anticipating a hard time when I heard President Goodluck Jonathan and his economic management team mute the idea, I prayed that they would change their position. But I was stunned and perplexed when the 2012 appropriation budget was presented to the National Assembly and no provision was made for subsidy. Later, I took solace in the fact that they said

they have not removed it rather they were still consulting.

Challenges facing Abuja corps members In Potiskium, Yobe state from where I redeployed to Abuja, with the same federal allowance of N19, 800, I spent just N60 to and from my place of primary assignment daily, but here in Abuja, I spent not less than N500 daily all on the same N19,800.

My ordeal with NYSC staff and officials was one that each day as a corps member, gave me a lot of concern. The nonchalant attitude of the staff was one that kept me wondering if actually the ever barking Servicom was functional.

On the many occasions that I went to the NYSC offices, I never left happy. Most times, before you get to meet the particular staff in charge of your zone or the person to attend to your problem at a particular time, you have to either wait for a whole day and that was not a guarantee that you will see him or her. Most times you have to continue coming for days if not weeks before you will meet the person or be attended to.

Most times, some NYSC staff come to work around 11 am, and close around 1 pm, and at the end of every month they are being paid. This, I observed was the same in other government institutions.

Little wonder everybody is

looking for federal job and this I believe, is the reason why the Federal Government cannot own a refinery or any functional conglomerate.

Rejection of corps members The way corps members are treated is one thing I won’t forget.

In Abuja, corps members are being rejected as if the service was a personal thing or as if it was optional.

Recently, the Federal Government announced that corps members would no longer be posted to private organisations.

It said corps members will now be posted to four key areas which are education, infrastructure, health and agriculture.

The question is, how possible will that be? Since it is even the government ministries that reject corps members and reserve the spaces for their family members and friends. Some of them go to the extent of sending letters to NYSC informing them not to post corps members to them. Some post some bills at the NYSC orientation camp and at all NYSC zonal offices, which reads, “Corps members should not be posted to our ministry.”

Some of them even go as far as giving their security men copies of rejection letters, so that once you come, the security man will inscribe your name on the already made rejection letter and issue it to you at the gate and turn you back.

This is a security agent that might not even have SSCE, but he now commands a graduate around just because the corps member was obeying the clarion call.

How corps members are exploited Largely, corps members are exploited as many of them are owed allowances for months. This has occasioned instances where some of them may have to borrow money to travel back to their

Obeying the clarion call

respective states. Despite several complains, the NYSC authority has paid deaf ears to these problems.

My take However, I think the problem with the scheme is the management. Though I know the aim of the scheme has not fully been defeated, I think there is need for a total overhaul in the scheme.

For those calling for NYSC to be scrapped, I will advise they have a rethink because I know that the scheme has really helped a lot of people.

For me, it was NYSC that took me to the northern part of Nigeria for the first time where I was able to see them and their way of life, and was able to compare their culture with mine in the south east. I saw the similarities and differences. It also corrected my psyche about what people made me believe about the northerners.

I learnt a lot of things that I never thought I could learn in one year and I also got to meet people I have long been hearing their names from afar.

For me, I will advocate that the scheme should be restructured in such a way that the confidence which the people have lost in the scheme will be restored especially in the area of the safety of serving corps members.

National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), a scheme established after the Nigerian civil war by the then Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, was created with the aim of reconstructing, reconciling and rebuilding the country through decree No.24 of 22nd May 1973.

The decree stated that the NYSC is being established with a view to the proper encouragement and development of common ties among the youths of Nigeria and the promotion of national unity.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 32

FASHION

Aisha Babangida — Like mother like daughter, in style

S

ome wears tend to contrast sharply with the skin colour of those who wear them giving them a rather drab and uncomplimentary outlook and finish.

This is however, not the case with the first lady of Zamfara state and daughter of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) Aisha Babangida.

In flowing red silky gown with black belt and veil and accessories to match, the bright eyed daughter of former First Lady and fashion icon, Late Maryam Babangida looks particularly stunning as she steps

on the red carpet. Black beautiful and eloquent, Aisha takes after her late glamorous mother, Maraym Babangida as she makes fashion statements with anything she wears.

Check her out in a damask head gear with lace blouse and traditional beads, the daughter of the Minna politician is stunning indeed, and a sight to behold any day.

Mahmud Shinkafi can attest to this.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 33

B BUSINESS USINESS

A ship bringing cargo to Lagos Port recently

Japanese coy to invest N100m in vehicle recycling in Nigeria

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

A

team of Japanese experts have fianalised plans to establish a N100 million vehicle recycling plant in Nigeria.

The investors would be recycling abandoned vehicles to produce other sets of finished vehicles.

This much was confirmed recently during a courtesy call to the Minister of state for Trade and Investment, Dr Samuel Ortom by a Nigerian partner in Japanese investor team, Mr. John Gbassa who is the head coach of Kaiho Sangyo Co. Nigeria Ltd.

Gbassa added that the initiative had worked in other countries and brings about a cleaner environment.

He also informed the minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Dauda Kigbu that the company had operated in the background for some time but now deemed it fit to start on fully and make abandoned vehicles useful to the Nigerian economy.

He said the recycling system is done in collaboration with a Japanese company which was facilitated by the former United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) Country Representative to Nigeria, Mr.

Masayoshi Matsushita.

According to Gbassa, “the pioneer project is a viable one that can be conveniently integrated into the waste to wealth initiative currently making waves around the world, lead to cleanliness of the environment, create jobs and generate wealth for the country.

Again, it will lead to transfer of technology as well as renewal of the already existing cordial bilateral relations between the two countries.”

Responding, Kigbu assured the delegation of the commitment of the ministry in the initiative which he said was the best for the country’s automobile industry at this time.

Obasanjo receives kudos for reforms in aviation sector

D

i r e c t o r General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr Harold Demuren, has lauded former President Olusegun Obasanjo for initiating the ongoing reforms in the nation’s aviation sector.

He spoke at the launch of a book entitled: “Nigeria Civil Aviation: Decade of Security, Safety and Passenger Comfort Development”, written by Oba Femi Ogunleye.

Demuren attributed the transformation of the sector to Obasanjo’s visionary leadership.

“Obasanjo challenged NCAA management to ensure that it meets up with the International

Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards and get the US Federal Airport Authority (FAA) Category one status on aviation safety,” Demuren recalled.

He said that Obasanjo also signed into law the various bills that empowered the NCAA to regulate the activities of airlines in line with international standards.

The director general further said that the Obasanjo administration approved N19.5 billion for infrastructure development and implemented the training of staff in the aviation sector.

PAGE 34

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

SMEs empowerment easiest way to create employment —SON From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

T

he Director-General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr Joseph Ikem Odumodu, has said that empowering small and medium enterprises is one of the easiest ways to create employment in the country.

Odumodu made this statement in Lagos yesterday at the one-day capacity building programme for operators in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises sub-sector, organised

by SON. He told participants at the programme that his organisation decided to collaborate with Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) in

appreciation of the important role that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play in any economy.

Odumodu said a similar collaboration would be extended to other professional membership associations in the economy, to help build their capacity, improve their quality and packaging, thus attract more patronage.

He said globalization has also brought about the collapse of tariff walls and protectionist policies, thereby exposing local entrepreneurs to stiff competition, making it imperative for small firms to improve capacity and become competitive in order to remain relevant in the scheme of

things.

“If firms in this sector are to contribute their quota to the economic development of the nation, then of course, they have to be active players in the production and distribution of goods; it means that their outputs must be of quality as to meet the demands of the Nigerian consumers, export and also compete effectively with goods from other countries”.

Odumodu said there are well over 10 million MSMEs in Nigeria most of which have the genuine intention to manufacture quality products but lack the capacity to do so.

He said his idea is to identify 2,500 MSMEs and work very closely with them to certify them

towards ISO 9001 (quality management systems) and ISO 22000 (food safety management system) at no cost.

“Today’s event is therefore one step towards achieving this desirability, and we are hoping to begin to see better, sustainable and quality products in our system after the trainings.

We want you to begin to see the necessity in doing laboratory analysis for your products and to work towards better packaging”.

According to him, their investigation has shown that many SMEs currently spend double in the course of production because of the faulty production process, adding that the organization’s desire is for

Nigerian SMEs to produce more, sell more, earn more and employ more.

President of NASME, Alhaji Garba Ibrahim who commended the SON for the initiative added that his members have actually participated in workshops organized by SON in such locations as Kano, Owerri and Lagos before now, underscoring the fact that the growth of SMEs constitutes the cornerstone for economic development.

He listed poor infrastructure, limited access to credit, low level of technological base, multiple taxation, and policy in constituency as part of the challenges confronting Nigerian SMEs.

33rd Kaduna International Trade Fair postponed

By Aminu Imam

T

L-R: Professor Ken Ife, Ann Michael Ukpong, Assistant General Manager, Nigeria Ports Authority, Mr. David Adejuwon, Director, Trade, Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment and Ambassador David Macrae, Head of The European Union to Nigeria during the Strategic, Stakeholders Consultative Forum on Trade Facilitation in Nigeria, at the Shippers Council conference room, Apapa, Lagos

PIB: ANEEJ President calls for unity of purpose

P

resident Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) Mr David Ugolor, , has stressed the need to avoid conflicts of interest in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) before the National Assembly.

Ugolor, who spoke on Thursday in Abuja at a workshop organised by ANEEJ and African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (ACLSD), urged civil society groups to speak with one voice.

He said the meeting was an opportunity to strategise on how to follow up with

numerous committees set up by the minister of Petroleum Resources, in a bid to reform the petroleum sector.

“Let me mention that recent developments in the country, as regards the oil subsidy management has exposed the irregularity and huge corruption that has charaterised Nigeria’s petroleum industry for years.

“The truth must be told that Nigeria has been operating a subsidy regime, which analysts believe is unsustainable and characterised by fraudulent manipulation by few marketers.”

Ugolor expressed regret that

subsidy rose from N240 billion in 2006 to N1.3 trillion by October 2011.

He said the trend compelled President Goodluck Jonathan to remove the fuel subsidy in January.

Ugolor said the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, should not control all the committees set up by the ministry. “ The minister should not be a judge in her own case, “rather the committees and task force should be controlled by the president.”

Mr Isah Aremu, the Deputy President of NLC, noted that

the union, many times in the past, was proscribed by government due to its opposition to subsidy removal.

He said it was regrettable that since many years of existence, NNPC had not grown like Mobil, Shell, among others.

Aremu said that NLC’s interest in the PIB was to ensure that Nigerians took control of the oil sector.

Mr Peter Esele, President of Trade Union Congress, regretted that in spite of huge revenues from the oil sector, Nigerians had not benefitted substantially from the sector because of corruption.

(NAN)

he Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA), organisers of the annual Kaduna International Trade Fair, Africa’s Most Famous Fair, have shifted the 33rd edition of its Fair earlier scheduled to hold from 24th February to 4th March 2012 by some weeks.

According to a press statement issued by the Chamber, signed by KADCCIMA Director-General, Usman G. Saulawa, “KADCCIMA have after listening to concerns expressed by exhibitors, sponsors and in consultation with other major stakeholders, members of the society and in consultation with others on the unfortunate incidences that took place in the state, have decided to shift the 33rd edition of its Fair earlier scheduled to hold from 24th February to 4th March 2012 by some weeks.”

KADCCIMA said the decision became necessary to allow normalcy to return in the state and environs and said a new date for the Fair will be communicated to exhibitors and the general public soon.

The Chamber regretted any inconvenience the change of date might have caused the team exhibitors, visitors, sponsors and the general public.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

BUSINESS EXTRA

PAGE 35

Who is to blame for lack of coins in the system?

T

he rate at which the higher currency denominations of N1,000, N500 and N200 currency notes have flooded the system and almost drowning lower denominations like N50, N20, N10 and N5 notes gives cause for concern.

The country’s financial system is highly cash based.

Because the major medium of exchange is cash, so many negative things are happening to various transactions in the financial system. One of these is the issue of uneven distribution of the lower currency denominations of N50 to the N5 notes.

Since about 85 per cent of the nation’s daily transactions are done in cash, it is becoming a daily hassle for most ordinary Nigerians to access lower currency denominations, so much so that the issue of one getting ‘ordinary change’ in lower denomination of naira notes has become a daily nightmare for most; Indeed, the question is: Are Nigerian commercial banks issuing currency denominations of N50 notes and below, talkless of coins?

This probably accounts for the high prevalence of the N200 notes and higher denominations that Nigerians have become over-dependent on them for most of their simple cash transactions.

The CBN started operation by replacing the West African Central Bank (WACB) pound with the Nigerian pound in 1960, after which the Naira and kobo were introduced in 1973.

There were other currency reforms in 1976, 1984 and 1991, when the two and five kobo coins were phased out, 50 kobo and N1 note were coined; and the N50 note was introduced.

The N100, N200 and N500 notes were introduced in December 1999, November 2000 and 2001 respectively.

There was another currency reform in February 2007, when the CBN redesigned the N5, N10, N20 and N50 notes, 50 kobo coin and N1.

It is noteworthy that in the 90s series of Nigerian coins were reportedly amassed and used for moulding ear-rings and other ornaments, which resulted in the value of the coin currency to begin to wane in the economy.

The CBN says the cost of printing denominations like N5 and N10 are even more than the amount of the single currency note itself. Lamenting the current high cost of printing the naira, Professor Chukwuma

The disappearance of lower currency notes, particularly coins from Nigeria's financial system prompts Aminu Imam to ponder on who is to be blamed for the lack of right currency denominations needed in this country.

CBN Gov. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

Soludo, CBN’s former Governor was quoted, in 2005, to have pointed out that it costs about N10 to print one N10 note, and the same amount to print one N20 note.

He said the apex bank will, in 2006, open discussions on the denominations the country needs and will also strike an appropriate balance between coins and paper currency, and the right kind of currency notes, especially in collaboration with the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC or The Mint), which it had then acquired from the Federal Government.

“We all know that a lot of high currency notes are in circulation; we are doing everything possible to re-issue lower denominations”, he stated, noting that the major constraints have been the inability of the apex bank to meet the demand. “The way we have it today, it is simply very expensive to print, and little wonder then we are not able to meet half the demand for lower currency notes but we are working on it”, he affirmed.

Informed sources who spoke to Peoples Daily Weekend disclosed that given Soludo’s promises that with the

combination of taking over the mint and realising a world-class mint, it was envisaged that the CBN will meet between 70 and 100 per cent of the nation’s currency needs.

Five years since the CBN deadline to stop printing all naira notes abroad, Nigeria is still spending billions of naira to import minted naira notes. A source at the NSPMC, which is a subsidiary of the CBN, who spoke to our correspondent, but preferred anonymity said the Mint only prints small denominations of N5 to N50, while the bigger currency denominations are imported from abroad.

When Soludo, at that time, led the CBN board on a visit to the then President Olusegun Obasanjo to present to him a sample of the N1,000 note, he had said “by the end of December 2006 all currencies and coins circulated in Nigeria will and must be produced by the Mint, including the N1000 notes”.

The CBN had further promised that other currencies would also bear more modern features, which the new note has, just like the dollar and Euro, when the CBN embarks on currency restructuring.

During a meeting with

journalists, Soludo had expressed regret over the disappearance of coins from the Nigerian payment system- a development, he said, that made every commodity to be priced in multiples of N5 note. Thus, when the coins were reintroduced, Nigerians were not taken unaware. The only regret which Nigerians have about the coins is that, contrary to the governor’s assurances about the coins’ power to bring down prices of goods and services, they have not only disappeared from circulation, but inflationary trends have also caught up with the re-designed notes The NSPMC in its website also said that it prints over 28 million banknotes per week for CBN, saying that “We have invested in the largest technologies required for currency printing. Quality is meticulously controlled throughout every stage of production, and our banknotes are among the world’s most secure”.

But in an interview he granted early last year, the NSPMC MD had said “the company boasts of a new currency production line that will boost capacity, while all series of bank notes, except the N1,000 denomination, are currently being produced in our

Lagos and Abuja plants. By June 2008, the company will be well positioned to produce the N1,000 note locally”. Peoples Daily Weekend however gathered that up until late last year, the production line was still producing only lower denominations.

That was then. Half a decade down the line, nothing positive seems to have changed, and what Nigerians are witnessing remains a history of limited choices and broken promises. It has become almost a crime now in Nigeria to walk into a restaurant or supermarket, or board a commercial vehicle and not hold your own change. After buying stuff and trying to pay, the first thing you hear is something like, “Please, do you have N30 so that I can give you N100 because I don’t have change.” Or the regular rude barking: “ Hold your change o!”.

Since when did it become a customer’s duty to hold his or her change? And since when did customers (s) have to pay the price for not having that said change?

Most businesses only require cash facilities for petty-cash purposes which are not frequently a significant amount.

For retailers and others dealing directly with the public, there is often the need to pay in substantial amounts of cash in different denominations of notes and coins. It should be noted that smaller banks, community banks, cooperative societies, call centres and the post office are substantial users of cash in the forms of notes and coins.

With electronic banking system yet to becoming common, cash is still the king of transaction in the country, and therefore the availability of lower denominations is a task for the CBN The amount of the huge loss to the country arising from aborted transactions due to lack of appropriate ‘change’ can best be imagined. Even the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) dotting the country’s landscape for now dispense minimum of N500 currency note.

Most people, especially the affluent of the society, may see this as a small issue as they are wont to leave their change rather than face the hassle of, “No change o.” But for the rest of most Nigerians, who are left to bear the brunt of endless frustrations, and sometimes degenerating into quarrels and even exchanging blows.

It has therefore become imperative that the CBN should come to their rescue so that real change can be effected.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

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Lamido: Pioneeringwealth a state tofund relevance Re: Sovereign

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lhaji Sule Lamido of Jigawa will interest patriots and democrats in Nigeria today. Not because he is a politician very much akin to Sir Ahmadu Bello, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, or any other leader of Northern Nigeria of great repute, but because he is in a class of his own: a politician in every sense of the word. True, many have considered him a lot of things recently and in the past, but one thing is clear: he is a party loyalist (not an apologist), a true leader (not a lipservice-man), a progressive (not a stagnant politician, like many we have strewn all over the country), and not a carry-come-carry-go leader. He has got a mind of his own, one that beats only for the people of his state. No matter what anyone says, Sule Lamido has made a name for himself, not as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but as a seasoned strategist, one who always delivers. He did that as minister of foreign affairs.

The story is not different in Jigawa State. In as much as many do not agree with his style, he has a contagious candour which invites all to scrutinise, go along with him up to a point and take note of a number of things.

When he came into prominence first as foreign minister, he did not just enjoy the privileges of his office, he put it to good use buy being a voice for the plight of African states and their endless fight against corruption. In 2001, during the handover of the leadership of the G77 to Iran, he highlighted the role Nigeria played in the furtherance of the goals of the group, and drew

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

Email: letters@peoplesdaily-online.com attention of the British government to the plight of trafficked Nigerians who try to cross into Europe via the Mediterranean and Sahara. He was that loud and blunt.

Since his victory at the polls in April 2007, he has tirelessly worked to make Jigawa State one every northerner will desire to visit and be part of, one different from that which was plundered by his predecessor, Alhaji Saminu Turaki. True, he has not been lax in his mode of governance, as the casual observer may notice on visiting the state, but inherent in this nononsense stance is his utility and promise.

When he assumed office in 2007, he invested N2bn in the next six months on education, using the money to rebuild schools and provide basic teaching materials. The state also invested N450m for training teachers teaching core courses in junior secondary schools. In December 2011, as part of efforts to facilitate monitoring and inspection of educational activities across the state, his government purchased and distributed 11 vehicles to nine zonal education offices at the cost of over N71m.This is beside plans to get the increasing number of almajirai, who had

turned the streets of the state into their perpetual abode, off the streets. He did not stop there: In December 2009, Lamido announced a plan by which beggars would be given a basic monthly payment to stay off the streets.

He initiated major construction programs, led by the Dutse Capital Development Authority and the Jigawa State Housing Authority. In September 2009 Lamido offered to provide free plots of land and basic infrastructure to investors in the tourism and hospitality business in Jigawa State.

Pipe borne water is a challenge all over the world, and during his campaign he promised the people pure drinking water, and few months after that, pipe-borne water in Jigawa State became a reality.

This is one area that has baffled many: if a state governor can ably provide pure water for its populace, then nothing is impossible.

Agriculture, the life-line of every right-thinking state has metamorphosed from a fledgling sector to a flourishing venture, such that 1.6 million of the 2.4

million hectares of cultivable land have been put to good use. The greater part of the cultivable FADAMA land lies within the Hadeja River Valley, which runs through seven local government areas, namely-Ringim, Taura, Miga, Jahun, Kaugama, Malam Madori, Auyo, Hadeja and Guri, and to stem further warrings between farmers and pastoralists, the state ministry of agriculture has been directed to fashion out modalities for solving the problem, by creating a farmers/pastoralists committee in each of the 27 local government areas.

The health sector has not been left dormant: the flag-off of the Haifuwa Lafia (Safe Motherhood) strategy of combating maternal and child mortality, the completion of the ultramodern Rasheed Shekoni Specialist Hospital in Dutse and the policy of free medical care for all pregnant women and children under the age of five, are a landmark. What the state government now has to battle with is the polio scourge, which if well tackled will be another plus.

The road networks in the state speak with a voice of their own: they were well executed and are a pride to the people, as the amount of time spent moving from place to place has been greatly reduced.

All these achievements are not to please the people, but to live up to the call to serve, and satisfy the inner conscience.

Sule Katsina wrote from Flat 95 block 2 Maitama Sule Street, Asokoro, Abuja. alhajisulekatsina@yahoo.com

Rising employees’ pension frauds

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esides making nonsense of their lofty objectives in respect of the concerned pensioners, this grave societal malaise which is pension plan scam or fraud is thus a cankerworm that has eaten deep into the nation’s social fabric, thereby attracting Nigeria a rotten image in the comity of treasured nations in recent times. Besides the reported cases of misrepresentation of genuine pensioners with ghost pensioners, including the latest allegation by the

defunct Nigeria Airways’ retirees in their petition, titled: “Re: Unlawful Removal Of Our Clients’ Names From The List Of Nigeria Airways And Fraudulent Diversion Of Their Pension And Other Benefits To Payment Of Ghost Retirees”, submitted to Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the disturbing issue of maltreatment being meted out to several genuine pensioners who are predominantly senior citizens, over the payment of their accrued pension as a survival wage is a recurring decimal

in the system.

Taking this bold step in blocking any identifiable loopholes in the porous remuneration arrangement at this level of governance can well enhance the government’s vision of e-governance, which is now global practice in other economies. Pension scam offenders must be duly prosecuted, and if found guilty, should be jailed accordingly. Probity and accountability in civil and public service ought to be the hallmark of a truly transforming nation as Nigeria. All

stakeholders in pension management and administration should realise that the issue of pension is never a trivial one to be handled haphazardly.

Pensioners, who principally are already advanced in age, must not be made to suffer and die unduly while expecting their often mismanaged pensions endlessly.

Gbenga Kayode, gbengakayode@wordkraftmedia. com, a media and communication professional, wrote from Lagos .

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 37

We’ll no Public opinion and subsidy reversal S/Court reinstates longer

sacked Kwara Chief Judge Sunday Ejike Benjamin

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h e Supreme Court on Friday reinstated the Chief Judge of Kwara State, Justice Raliat EleluHabeeb, barely three years after she was relieved of her official duties.

Elelu-Habeeb was removed by the immediate past Governor Bukola Saraki in May 2009 for alleged corruption and misconduct. The panel of the apex court Justices comprising of seven members in a unanimous judgment noted

that the then Governor, Bukola Saraki and “the House of Assembly cannot remove the CJ from office without recourse to and input or participation of the National Judicial Council (NJC).

Justice Mahmud Mohammed who delivered the judgment affirmed the decision of the Federal High Court, Ilorin, Kwara state, which granted all the reliefs sought by EleluHabeeb. The apex court set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal, Ilorin, which said the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

Justice Mohammed held that since the case involved the interpretation of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Federal High Court has jurisdiction.

The apex court noted that by the provisions of Section 271(1) of the 1999 Constitution the Governor of a state has been vested with the power to appoint the Chief Judge of his own State, but that power is not absolute.

Justice Mohammed said, “that is to say for the purpose of emphasis, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

1999, does not give the Governor of Kwara State acting in conjunction with the House of Assembly of Kwara State absolute power to remove the Chief Judge of the state from his/ her office or appointment before the age of retirement without the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC).

Other members of the panel are Justices; Walter Onnoghen, Christopher Chukwumah-Eneh, Muhammad MuntakaCoomassie, Olufunmilola Adekeye, Mary Peter-Odili and Olukayode Ariwoola.

Robbers attack shopping Man, 51, docked for mall in Katsina cheating From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

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are devil armed robbers riding on a motorcycle, on Wednesday evening, attacked a popular shopping mall in Dutsin-ma town in Katsina state and seized huge sums of money from the owner of the shop before fleeing.

An eyewitness told our correspondent that the robbers who were two in number invaded the shopping mall owned by one Alhaji Ashiru Dutsin-ma at around 8:30 pm where they fired shots to scare away customers and passersby.

The source noted that the robbers were believed to be on the trail of the shop owner who

was believed to be in possession of money as he was billed to travel to Kano on Tuesday to make purchases of goods for his shop.

The robbers who operated for about 30 minutes without any challenge, according to sources caused the people around to scamper to safety as rumour began to fly in the town that it was a Boko Haram attack.

When contacted the Katsina police command spokesman, ASP Abubakar Muhammad, confirmed the incident to newsmen and said the police recovered spent bullet shells from the scene of the robbery and have commenced investigation.

By Stanley Onyekwere 50-year-old man, Richman Chris Udoh of Patrice Lumba Street, Asokoro, Abuja, has been arraigned before an Abuja Chief Magistrates’ Court, on a charge of breach of trust and cheating contrary to Sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code respectively.

Police prosecutor, Inspector Philips Akogwu told the court that the police was informed that the accused had on October 17, 2011 collected the sum of N350,000 from his victim( name not given), as payment for a year rent of a self contain apartment located in Asokoro, which he claimed to be the rightful owner of . According to the prosecutor, shortly after the

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victim packed into the apartment in question, the rightful owner of the house surfaced and ejected the victim. Attempts to get the accused to refund back the money paid to him was not successful as he refused to do so. Akogwu said during Police investigation into the matter, it was discovered that Udoh had equally collected a total sum of over N1.1 million from four other unsuspecting persons on the same property at different times prior to the one in question.

However, after the charge was read to the understanding of the accused, he denied having committed any of the offences against him and applied for his bail, which the court refused to grant.

The Chief Magistrate, Okeagu Azubuike, therefore adjourned the case to March 15, for continuation of hearing.

S/Court to deliver judgment on Imo, Delta guber appeals March 2 Sunday Ejike Benjamin

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he Supreme Court yesterday fixed March 2, 2012 to deliver judgment in an appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenging the declaration of Owelle Rochas Okorocha as the winner of the supplementary governorship election conducted in Imo state

on May 6, 2011.

Similarly, the apex court adjourned till March 2, 2012 for judgment in the appeal filed before it by Great Ogboru seeking to overturn the January 6, 2011 governorship re-run election in Delta state.

In the case of Imo state governorship poll appeal, the panel of the apex court presided over by Justice Walter

1,300 corps members pass out in Adamawa From Blessing Tunoh, Yola

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,300 corps members who served in Adamawa state passed out on Thursday after a successful service year while 13 others will either repeat or face extension of their service year as penalty for various offences.

Speaking at the passing-out ceremony of the Batch ‘A’ corps members, the Adamawa state Coordinator of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC),

Alhaji Shittu Sulaiman Morai, also revealed that at least 10 corps members received commendation letters for their excellent performance in community development service (CDS).

The coordinator said the corps members who had their tenure extended due to non-compliance with NYSC statutes have themselves to blame and praised the patience and commitment of the successful corps members to nation building.

Onnoghen set the judgment date (March 2, 2012) after all the parties in the appeal argued and adopted their written briefs.

Before the adjournment, counsel to PDP (appellant), Chief Wole Olanipekun, informed the court that in their original notice of appeal, they had 12 grounds of appeal and that they have included additional five grounds of appeal totaling 17 grounds.

He submitted that the candidate of the appellant, Chief Ikedi Ohakim scored over 4, 800 votes and that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), claimed that the margin was too narrow.

Meanwhile, INEC’s counsel Dr. Alex Izinyon, told the court that INEC's position was that the election in the areas that was later rejected was inconclusive, "no score, no result" and submitted that the argument that the election was concluded and later cancelled cannot stand.

It would be recalled that Justice Tijani Abdulahi who led four other justices of the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja had in a unanimous decision held that the PDP appeal lacked merit and was therefore dismissed.

The Court subsequently in January this year upheld the election of Okorocha of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

tolerate indolence in police force —VP Sambo

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

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ice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo yesterday warned that the Federal Government would no longer accept a weak and unproductive police force.

Speaking while inaugurating the Presidential Committee on Police Re-Organisation at the State House, Abuja yesterday, Sambo lamented the current state of the Nigeria Police Force and the loss of confidence by the Nigerian public on the Force.

The Presidential Committee under the chairmanship of Mr. Parry Osayande was inaugurated by Sambo on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan.

He therefore charged the Police to brace up to the “ever increasing tactics and antics of criminals in our society” adding that “a time has come where the whole Force should be reexamined and re-organised for efficiency and effectiveness.”

Sambo recalled that the Presidential Committee was set up to “primarily redress the rot in the Nigeria Police Force and reposition it to face the challenges of democratic society through the timely prevention and detection of crimes in all its ramifications.”

He tasked the members of the committee to bring their experiences to bear as they set out to discharge the national duty.

Responding on behalf of members of the committee, the Chairman, Mr. Parry Osayande, lamented that there was no time in the nation’s history that the Nigeria Police Force had suffered the kind of indignity as it is currently being witnessed. He maintained that recent events in the country had shown that the Police had failed woefully in discharging its duties.

Other members of the Committee are Mr. Casmir T. Akagbosu (AIG rtd); Mr. Bashir A. Albasu (AIG rtd); Maj. Gen. S N. Chikwe (rtd); Prof. S. D. Mukoro; Dr. Fabian Ajogwu (SAN); Hajiya Aisha Larai Tukur; Alhaji Abdullahi Yola and Engr. Esther G. Garba whos is the Secretary.

…As Kebbi NYSC issues certs to 1,176 corps members silently From Ahmed Idris, Brinin Kebbi

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o l l o w i n g the palpable insecurity in some parts of the country, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), in the Kebbi state joined

its counterparts all over the country to issue out certificates to the Batch ‘A’ corps member without the usual passing out parade ceremony.

Briefing newsmen in his office, the Kebbi state

coordinator of the scheme, Alhaji Ja’afaru Babba Ibrahim, explained that 1,176 corps members received their passing out certificates while five repeated the service year

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

Kogi: Tribunal to re-try national/state assembly petitions From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

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three-member National and State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal Panel III was inaugurated on Friday in Kogi to retry three petitions earlier dismissed by the first tribunal.

Justice Abiodun Adebara, Chairman of the panel said at the inaugural sitting that following the dismissal of the petitions by the tribunal, the

petitioners had proceeded to the Appeal Court to challenge the judgments.

“The Court of Appeal in its judgment allowed the appeal of the respective petitioners. The result is an order for trial denovo of the petitions for same to be heard on merit. This led to the constitution of the present tribunal.”

Adebara stated that the “Instant Tribunal” constituted in line with section 285(1) of the

1999 constitution was specifically for the re-trial and hearing on the merit of the two National Assembly and one State assembly petitions.

He called on counsels appearing before the tribunal to be committed and up and doing saying, “The tribunal will not entertain unnecessary delays as all petitions will be treated with utmost urgency and dispatch.”

Adebara pledged that as

judicial officers on oath, he and his members, Justice Christine Dapub and Justice Mojeed Ishola would administer justice without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.

Malam M.T. Musa, Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Lokoja branch in his welcome address, expressed confidence in the tribunal panel and charged counsel to exhibit due diligence and decorum.

Post-election riots: Kaduna spends N200m on displaced persons From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

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he Kaduna State E m e r g e n c y Management Agency (SEMA), said it does not have the mandate to compensate victims of the post-presidential election riots in April 2011 but that the government spent a total N200 million to provide relief materials to the internally displaced persons.

Announcing the formal

closure of the 35 camps across the state where the displaced persons took refuge during the riots, SEMA Executive Secretary, Ishaku Dogo Makama, who briefed the press yesterday, noted that the state government, working with international relief agencies such as the Red Cross, provided funds and logistics to relieve the displaced persons.

According to him, “the committee on the management

of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) does not have the mandate or authority to compensate victims arising out of the said crisis.

“These camps were not meant to be permanent. Rather they were temporary relief camps which ought to be vacated after relief and succour has been dispensed to the victims of the said crisis for which the state government expended about N200 million in providing such

care.

“Among the steps taken in fulfillment of the mandate of providing relief and succour was assistance to single persons with the sum of N15,000, married men and widows with N20,000 and N25,000 respectively, depending on their family size…”

Makama regretted however that some of the displaced persons have refused to vacate the Hajj transit camp at Mando.

Elites, stumbling block to polio eradication, says FCT PHCDB

By Josephine Ella

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h e Executive Secretary of the Abuja Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed said yesterday that the elites in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are stumbling block to total eradication of the polio virus in the FCT. Mohammed stated this

while addressing journalists, shortly after flag-off of the 2012 immunisation plus days in the FCT, which commences today and terminates on Tuesday.

‘Our elites in the FCT are our challenge. They lock their gates and also have dogs and when you get there they will not make their children available to you to immunise them. Our concern is the elite”.

He urged parents to within these four days, endeavour to make their children available for immunisation, even if the child was immunised before.

Mohammed said there are new polio types coming up around the world, hence, consistent immunisation become pertinent.

The director harped on the need for traditional and religious

leaders to be involved in the campaign against polio, insisting that there was no religion that forbade immunisation.

In an address, Minister of the FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, who flagged off the programme, said that even though the FCT had achieved 86 per cent coverage for routine immunisation, there was need to do more.

Lagos seals off fake malt Gaidam boosts Yobe producing company transport system From Bimbo Ogunnaike, Lagos

The Lagos state government on Thursday, sealed off a fake malt producing company located at 29, Aina Street, off Olatunji street, Ogudu, Ojota, and arrested one Olaghere Gregory as a suspect.

According to Dr. Taofeek Folami, Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, who led a team of officials from the Ministry of Environment and Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency to the site, over 356 barrels of malt extract was confiscated at the premises of

the company.

Folami further disclosed that upon investigation, the arrested suspect led the team to the seal off of another company located at Ikeja, where several bottles intended to be used for the product were discovered. A machine used for changing the expiry date was also recovered.

He therefore advised Lagosians to be sensitive and conscious about curious business activities in their environment as the government’s monitoring team cannot be everywhere at the same time.

with 85 buses

By Abdulwahab Isa

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o b e state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam has awarded N722, 500,000 million contract for the procurement of 85 units of Toyota Hiace Mid-Roof 16seater buses.

The contract was awarded to GAAT Investment Limited at a unit cost of N8.5 million with five buses each to the 17 local government areas of the state.

A statement issued by the Adviser on Press Affairs and Information to the governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, Abdullahi Bego confirmed the purchase of the buses.

Governor Gaidam has directed the caretaker committee chairmen of the local government councils to ensure appropriate use of the buses as means of making transportation easier for the people and for revenue generation.

The petitions returned for retrial include EPT/KG/NAHOR/ 6&7/2011 filed by ANPP and Abdul Ihiabe (Positive) against return of Tom Zakari of PDP and four others.

Others are EPT/KG/NAHOR/ 2/2011 by Sam Adejoh Okedi of ANPP against INEC, Ismail Hussain and three others and EPT/KG/SHA/7/2011 filed by Alex Akoje of CPC against return of Christopher Atule of PDP and three others.

G6 summit revived due to Boko Haram threat, says FCT minister

By Josephine Ella

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w o years after the G6 Security Summit, a forum of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) neighbouring states was suspended, the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed yesterday, said that the states were compelled to revive the forum, which was held last in 2009 in view of the prevailing security challenges bedevilling some parts of the country.

The G6 comprises of neighbouring states to the FCT such as Nassarawa, Kogi, Niger, Kaduna and Benue states and was launched in 2007 by the then FCT Minister, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar to address security challenges in those states and the FCT. At the opening ceremony of the revived G6 summit held in Transcorp Hilton Hotel, the minister noted that the summit would provide an avenue for the chief executives of the G6 states and their security chiefs to interact, collaborate and share information on how best to address the simmering security situations in their domains.

“We have called for this summit because we felt challenged, we need to come together, harmonise our approach and utilise the scarce resources we have on ground so that we can enhance the security of the citizenry in the zone”, he said In his contribution, Governor of Niger state, Dr. Babangida Muazu Aliyu lamented the break the summit has suffered but expressed optimism that the summit would help provide solution to the prevailing security challenges in the affected states.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 39

How Rotary Club started artificial limb factory in Jos From Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

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o t a r y International is known for its commitment towards not only the development of the human resources in the society but also for its sacrifice towards the alleviation of the sufferings of the poor and the less privileged especially the physically challenged persons in the society.

Recently, the organisation, took it upon itself to bring succour to the teeming physically challenged persons in Jos, Plateau state capital.

Its outfit in the State, the Rotary International District 9125 also known as Naraguta Rotary club recently took it upon itself from revenue derived from levies from its members to embark on the massive gesture which saw it giving out artificial legs, wheel chairs and other mobility aids to the physically challenged ones.

Those who benefited were mostly victims of polio, bomb blasts and road accidents especially those who had their limbs amputated.

To achieve its objectives of touching lives, the Naraguta Rotary club evolve the option of taxing its members as well as organising fund risings events.

Funds from these sources have been used to establish a multi million naira factory for the manufacturing of artificial legs, hands and wheel chairs for the physically challenged persons.

The new initiative started when the club discovered the abilities in one of the polio survivors, Mr. Ayuba Gufwn who was a beneficary of the Rotary wheel chair in the past. The club discovered that Gufwn can make wheel chairs and the plans to expand his scope germinated. With the support of the club Gufwn

started making standard wheel chairs with the help of some machines provided by the club.

However after a while and with Gufwn business, the club realised that it was cheaper to produce the wheel chairs in the country instead of importing them from overseas. It was at this point that the club decided to set-up a multi million naira factory manufacturing the wheel chairs and other mobility aids.

Currently, the factory has received various kinds of assistance from the club to boost its capacity even as it now has about 20 workers assisting Gufwn.

To achieve the objective, the Rotary club has hired an expert from the United States to teach Gufwn on the techniques of mobility aid engineering especially on the manufacturing of artificial legs and wheel chairs.

Currently, production has picked up and beneficiaries are beaming with smiles. Usually to access the aids, the Jos University Hospital and other hospitals write to the club on behalf of the victims.

Some beneficiaries are also recommended by members of the club sometimes directly or through relations of members of the club.

Artificial legs and hands or wheel chairs are aids in high demand.

Commenting on his works, Gufwn said for now he is using localy sourced materials to make the artificial legs but noted that there are plans to introduce foreign components. He said he has already supplied the club with 27 artificial legs for the physically challenged persons who indicated interest directly or through the various hospitals in the state that wrote to them on behalf of the beneficaries.

He also noted that the manufacturing of the wheel chairs locally has reduced the huge

Members of Rotary Club distributing desks to schools

Some artificial legs produced by Rotary Club spending by the club and other agencies to import the equipments as well eliminating the disappointment of late delievery of the wheel chairs.

Giving an insight into why Rotary club decided to champion the gesture, Gufwn said the club is investing heavily due to its commitment to alleviate the suffering of the physically challenged persons. He said the club also detest street begging by such person and decided to give them a new lease of life.

However, the District Assistant Governor of the club, Mike Nwanoshiri said in the past the club ususally import about 600 wheelchairs at the cost of $21m US dollars each adding that with the

emergence of the local manufacturing initiative, the cost has seriously reduced.

On the manufacturing of artifical legs and hands, Nwanoshiri said the club is still operating at the level of sampling the products from the factory. He said about 27 persons within and outside Plateau state have recieved artificial limbs from the factory adding that none of them had complained about them.

According to him, the club is seriously working on how to expand the factory as well as to see the possibilities of commencing the usage of foreign materials to enhance quality. He assured that the club would also employ the services of some foreign experts who would come and join Gufwn in order to perfect the production of the artificial legs and hands.

However, reacting to fears by some persons that only persons from a particular religion would be favoured in the distribution of the aids, the District Governor, Engr.

Lawrance Okwor and President, Dr. Ugo Ihkrai explained that the club is not a religious body and as such would not allow religious sentiments in its activities.

The two officials advised the intending beneficiaries not to entertain any fear as every body would benefit regardless of religious differences.

According to them, the aids are meant for any person with mobility disability particularly those who are still going to school and those who are learning a trade but warned against using either the legs or the wheel chairs for begging on the streets.

“We discourage begging and

that is why before we give out the wheel chairs, the beneficaries are asked to write undertakings that they we will not use the wheel cahirs for begging and if we see anybody using our wheel chair for begging we will collect the chair from the person”, the President stated.

Apart from the mobility aids, the club had also invested in the provision of learning aids to schools in the state. In fact, Okwor and Ihkrai said they were in the state to keep the dream of the club alive by presenting desks to about four schools. While two schools were picked from Christain domainated areas, another two were picked from the Muslim domainated areas.

They noted with dismay the fallen stardard of education in the state and the country as a whole due to lack of conducive learning environment saying the funding of education cannot be left to government alone. It is against this backdrop, they said that the club decided to invest heavily in school by way of providing desks, books and other learning materials to schools.

The schools that benefited from the club’s kind juncture include; Government Secondary School (GSS) Laranto, Katarko, Government Model Primary School Tudu Wada and Ansar-UdDeen Primary School Kashim Ibrahim street, West of Mines, all in Jos. While the efforts of Rotary Club is appreciated, other well meaning corporate organsisations are encouraged to borrow a leaf and share especially in the overall task to improve on the standard of living in the country.

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

PR OFILE PROFILE

Maikasuwa: The new Ciroman Keffi

Maikasuwa's acumen as a public commentator is also manifested in his literary powers. He has written several works like- The impact of local Government Reforms on the chieftaincy Institution of the Keffi emirate; The Nature and problems of local Government Administration in the Federal Capital Territory and challenges of Effective Service Delivery by the Administrative machinery of the Federal legislature.

His believe in the declaration of the former American President Jimmy Carter, that, "the welfare of the people is the economic equivalent of war. If that "war" requires collective suffering before the going gets good, a

By Sam Uwodi

E

nglish playwright, William Shakespeare in his 1602 classic Twelveth Night, said, "some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them". It is rare indeed to find individuals whose life stories capture more than one of the foregoing circumstances and even rarer to find those whose lives are interwoven with all three.

Beyond this, that a man is born with silver spoon as the saying goes, is no guarantee that life will feed him from the same spoon. Many have been known to waste benevolence, so that retaining a heritage of honour, dignity and prestige comes to a man through personal responsibility and sheer hard work, in effectively utilizing the opportunities that life brings his way.

This dictum comes true today in the life of Alhaji Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa, the seventh indigenous clerk to the National Assembly as he adds another feather to his cap, being turbaned as the Ciroman Keffi (the crown prince) of the Keffi emirate , Nasarawa State.

Maikasuwa's lifetime is a manifestation of the innate traits of his progenitor Abdu Zanga, the founder of the Keffi Emirate who was a foremost Islamic scholar and accomplished warrior from Katsina, of the Dangawa stock of the Yan Yamaki Fulani, under whom the Kafi Emirate (called Keffi by the British) extended to present day Abuja.

Maikasuwa's aversion to injustice and human suffering can also be compared with those of his ancestor, Magaji Dan Yamusa, whose resistance to British imperialism in the early 20th century is unequalled in the annals of local history. So it is that the modern Keffi emirate is on the verge of a new dawn of glory and prosperity with Maikasuwa as the new Ciroman Keffi.

Since he took over the mantle of leadership as the clerk to the National Assembly, his administrative style reflects the views of the former US president, Thomas Jefferson, who said, "I have never been so well pleased, as when I could shift power from my own, on the shoulders of others; nor have I ever been able to conceive how any rational being could propose happiness to himself from the exercise of power over others".

Born with blue blood on the 4th of March, 1958 to Abubakar and Fatima Maikasuwa of the Keffi royalty, he had his years of socialization built on the concrete foundations of sound Islamic and Western education. At the age of six he enrolled at the Abdu Zanga

Alhaji Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa Primary School, Keffi from where he got his first school leaving certificate (FSLC) in 1970.

The young Salisu Maikasuwa very successfully and without any delays acquired his West African School Certificate in 1975, having entered into the government secondary School Kuru in the current Plateau State in 1971. In earnest pursuit of knowledge, he enrolled into the school of Basic studies, Zaria, earned the school's basic studies certificate and promptly gained admission into the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, acquiring his first Degree in the social sciences in 1980.

His princely quest for excellence would not let him take a break, hence not long after his National Youth Service programme, he was back at the university of Jos in pursuit of masters Degree in Public Administration and policy Analysis which he earned in 1983. The next phase of life for Maikasuwa began with a focus on building a career and reputation in the civil service. He took up a job with the Federal Capital Development Authority as a senior administrative officer. He was to further enlarge his scope of service and enrich his experience in public service through a posting that took him to the presidency, as the acting assistant director in the personnel management development at the National Guards Headquarters.

He later served as chief personnel officer in the public accounts committee, acting assistant director

in the public accounts committee, acting assistant director (administration and special assistance to the Director-General/ clerk of the National Assembly), assistant director administration and special assistant to the clerk, National Assembly, deputy director administration and special assistant to the clerk, National Assembly.

His transfer to the National Assembly service was to further give him a firmer foothold and broaden his base as a qualitative public servant and astute administrator.

He came to the National Assembly as deputy director (administration) effectively on the 28th June, 2005.

He climbed steadily through the ranks to occupy the highest office in the bureaucracy of the nation's central legislature through the department of library, research and computer services, as acting director personnel management, and clerk House of representatives.

government owes itself the duty to stand up and champion the offensive", made him to take some definite steps to improve on the welfare of the staff of the National Assembly since he took over as the clerk to the law making organization.

Since August 2010 when he took over the mantle of leadership as the head of the National Assembly bureaucracy, Maikasuwa has taking very bold steps to reposition the management wing of the legislature to ensure higher efficiency and overall productivity. This is especially in the area of service delivery by management of the assembly.

To achieve this, he initiated several trainings and capacity building programmes for staff members of national and state legislatures to boost operational competence. One of such initiatives is the capacity building workshop organized for the sergeant -at-arms

“

Since August 2010 when he took over the mantle of leadership as the head of the National Assembly bureaucracy, Maikasuwa has taking very bold steps to reposition the management wing of the legislature to ensure higher efficiency and overall productivity.

of the National Assembly and the 36 states Houses of assembly in Abuja sometimes ago. The workshop among other things was aimed at developing strategies and to ensure adequate security in the legislature across the nation. Security of life and property form the foundation for general social and economic well being of any society. The security of the legislature is also very fundamental to the overall national stability and development owing to the strategic role of the legislature in government which attracts high volume of visits from the public.

In addition to this, Maikasuwa over this period has succeeded in guaranteeing the stability of the national Assembly bureaucracy through several welfare programmes initiated to carter for the well being of staff members.

Because, for the legislature to be able to determine, direct and control the direction and pace of the executive, it must, itself, have sufficient strength, institutional memory and deep understanding of the dynamics and objectives of government plans and objectives.

And to achieve this strength, the staff must be rallied towards the objectives of the legislature. Over this period, Maikasuwa has been able to improve the physical, mental and intellectual inputs of the generality of the staff and members of the National Assembly through foreign and in-house trainings. Also, the capacity development of every cadre of staff and the legislative aides has been thoroughly enhanced.

He has been able to put forward regular recommendations on staff for promotion to the National Assembly service commission and he has also brought out a workable scheme of service for the legislative service in collaboration with national Assembly service commission. His leadership has also come up with upto-date salary administration and emolument for the staff and the legislative aides, and organized special training of selected confidential secretaries for conversion to official reporters.

Under his leadership in Nass, staff training and manpower development has been very successful with various performance enhancement programmes approved and implemented every quarter. And as a result of encouragement given to the generality of National Assembly staff by the management through parttime programmes, conversion of staff from one cadre to another has been prominent under his leadership.

Apart from this, Maikasuwa has put high premium on staff welfare through soft loan programme on house hold items and facilitation of staff housing welfare through the head of service and private developers.

This has given great succor to members of staff.

Also utility services in the National Assembly Complex have been given optimum attention for the proper functioning of the various arms of the legislature. He has promoted peace between and within the staff and management and political aides.

Today's coronation as Ciroman Keffi may appear as the crowning glory of the times and life of Maikasuwa. But, it might well be the beginning of greater things ahead.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 41

FROM THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY House of Reps

Senate

NASS Resolutions: Taking Senate and the quest for the bull by the horns reformed pension scheme

By Lawrence Olaoye The National Assembly, as the legislative arm of government, is saddled with the responsibilities of representation and oversight over the activities of the two other arms of government, the Executive and Judiciary.

Apart from making laws, about 80 percent of the legislative responsibilities of the lawmakers are done through resolutions derivable from motions moved and deliberated upon by the legislators. Sadly, however, resolutions arrived at after rigorous deliberations at the National Assembly do not carry the force of law. Because of this shortcoming, most resolutions passed, no matter how lofty, are mostly not being implemented by the Executive.

Resolutions arriving from ground-breaking investigative hearings aimed at improving the polity are always being treated as advisory and therefore not binding on the Executive for implementation. Regrettably too, the legislature has no power to compel the Executive to implement these resolutions making the exercise a mere legislative ego trip in futility.

For instance, resolutions emanating from the investigative hearing into the corrupt practices in Nigeria Customs Services and the Oil and Gas sector, amongst others, in the Sixth Assembly were left in the shelves gathering dusts. Although some of the recommendations in the reports were unofficially adopted, credits were never given to the National Assembly which raised the observations. The time used in carrying out investigations through public hearings where government officials are made to appear before the

committees and the public funds used to prosecute same therefore amount to waste.

It is to guide against this development that the House of Representatives sought to make a law mandating the Executive to implement resolutions of the House. In other words, if the recommendation of the House for the amendment of the constitution to that effect sails through, resolutions would now carry the force of law mandatory for the Executive to implement.

House Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, who introduced the Bill argued that it was out of place for the National Assembly to continue to churn out resolutions without corresponding implementation by the Executive. He noted that since 80 per cent of the work of the House was based on resolutions, there was a need to include it in the constitution of the country.

It will be necessary to include resolutions passed by the House in the constitution to give it a bite.’’ he said.

Gbajabiamila pointed out that there had been flagrant disobedience of several resolutions passed by the House.

He said that in spite of the presence of Legislative desks in government offices, resolutions of the National Assembly were not been obeyed.

Meanwhile, the Bill has attracted criticisms from political theorists who believed that according legislative resolutions the force of law could make the Legislature overtly powerful. This is more so when most resolutions passed by the lawmakers are idealistic and sometimes without bearing on the political reality on ground.

It is noteworthy that most of the resolutions passed by the National Assembly are based on the information made

“

Meanwhile, the Bill has attracted criticisms from political theorists who believed that according legislative resolutions the force of law could make the Legislature overtly powerful.

available to the lawmakers.

The Executive, which has the advantage of weighing the pros and cons of legislative resolutions, may be in possession of superior arguments.

Therefore making them carry the force of law would be tantamount to making a monster of the first arm of government with the capacity to intimidate and harass the other arms of government. It is nevertheless suggested that the House should exercise caution so as not to be seen as over reaching itself.

Another section of the constitution that attracted the scalpel knives of the House include the amendment of section 315 of the 1999 constitution as amended. The Deputy Minority Leader, Leo Ogor (PDP Delta) who sponsored the bill for an Act to amend the Constitution sought to expunge the provisions because, according to him, it is inconsistent with the tenets of democracy.

Members who overwhelmingly supported the bill argued that Section 315 of the constitution which confers power to make laws on the President and the Governors was inconsistent with democratic norms and the principle of separation of powers.

The contentious section (315 sub-sections 1, 2, 3 and 4) allows the President and the State Governors to make modifications “in the text of any existing law as the appropriate authority considers necessary or expedient to bring that law into conformity with the provisions of this Constitution.

Ogor argued that the institutions saddled traditionally with the responsibilities of lawmaking in the country are the National Assembly and the Houses of Assembly at the federal and states levels respectively.

Deputy Minority Leader, Samson Osagie said of the amendment “The Constitution should not vest powers in the President and Governors to amend, alter or modify laws without recourse to the National Assembly. We can already see what is happening between Governors and the various Houses of Assembly presently.

What would happen is that Governors would become monarchs in their states.”

By Richard Ihediwa

Following its resolution to sanitise the pension scheme, the Senate late last year empowered a joint committee on Establishment and Public Service and State and Local Government Administration to conduct a comprehensive probe into the remote and immediate cause of the problem in the administration of the pension scheme in the country.

Senate’s position followed several complains of nonpayment of gratuities and pensions due retired workers resulting to untold hardship for the senior citizens.

There were allegations of underhand dealings by government officials in the administration of pension even as there were facts that some states and local governments had refused to comply with the new pension scheme approved by the Federal Government.

In order to unravel the problems inherent in the scheme, the joint committee led by Senator Aloysius Etok who is Chairman of Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service embarked on a wide range investigative hearing in the six geo-political zones.

Several startling revelations of underhand dealings and crass incompetence have been coming up since the committee started the sitting last week and the committee is already compiling notes on the drastic steps to be taken to address the matter.

Of note are the revelations on Monday in Markurdi, Benue state capital where the committee engaged pensioners, government officials and other stakeholders in the North Central Zone.

The panel was shocked when it learnt from the Benue state Head of Service Mr. Mike Iordye that the arrears of gratuity and pensions owed pensioners in the state has hit a staggering N8billion.

Iordye, revealed that the Benue state government was yet to comply with the new contributory pension scheme and blamed the development on the failure of the state House of Assembly to pass the

bill providing for the scheme into law. He confessed that no pensioner in the state has been paid gratuity but that they have been receiving pensions.

That was not all. The panel was later to learn that over N20 billion Nigeria Police pension fund that was declared missing has been traced to the First Bank of Nigeria. A Superintendent of Police, Peter Elaigwu who dropped the bomb shell urged the Senate to ensure that the manager of the bank was imprisoned.

Members of the Senator Aloysuis Etok led committee frowned at the revelations insisting that such was unacceptable.

However, reacting to the Benue revelation, former governor of the state and member of the Senate panel, Senator George Akume said the state government can pay the money if it summons the political will to do so saying such is evident in the springing up of new buildings belonging to "one family" in the state.

“We have houses being constructed all over the place in Makurdi all belonging to one man. The state has enough money to pay the pensioners if it so desires, ”he said.

Apparently irked by the revelations, the Chairman of the Joint committee summoned the Benue State Head of Service (HOS), the Permanent Secretary in Charge of Establishment and the Chief Accountant of the state to appear before the committee in Abuja to clear grey areas in their presentations. He said the

“

officials are to furnish the committee with further information including the total number of pensioners in the state and practical payment plans by the state.

However, in other to clear the rot on the system, the Senate has perfected a template for a comprehensive review of laws governing pension administration at all levels of government in the country.

The move will provide for the centralisation of all pension administration schemes among the three tiers of governments as well as the creation of a central biometric data base for all pensioners across the country.

Explaining, Senator Etok said the Senate is also considering merging the old and new pension systems so as to have a common system under a strict unified regulatory framework.

According to him, "I think what the government must do as a matter of urgency is to do a kind of once and for all comprehensive biometric verification and then have a complete list of all the pensioners whether they are related to federal share of the pension, the states and the local governments.

Government should have been to insist on knowing the true figure of pensioners in the country and what exact sum of monthly expenditure on pensioners", he said.

The position of the Senate is highly commendable and stakeholders are optimistic that the upper chamber will match words with action and sanitise the system.

Several startling revelations of underhand dealings and crass incompetence have been coming up since the committee started the sitting last week and the committee is already compiling notes on the drastic steps to be taken to address the matter.

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

FR FROM FROM OM THE THE VILLA VILLA

Another broken promise?

A

s at 4pm on Friday 20th of January, 2012, a few of my civil servant friends confirmed to me that they had not received bank alerts for the payment of their salaries for that month contrary to the earlier promise by President Goodluck Jonathan in the heat of the last petroleum subsidy crisis that civil servants would be paid that day. Of course, if the promise had been kept, it would have given hope that salaries would be coming earlier than it used to be. That of course would have been a real ‘fresh air.’

But while the salary was not paid even after some weeks and while Nigerians, who are critical of the present administration were busy accusing it of being notorious for breaking promises, another subsidy removal pledge was broken during the past week. This time, it was the pledge made by the President, as part of ways of meeting the demands of the pro-subsidy protesters, that government would cut cost, prune down agencies and parastatals especially the ones with overlapping functions. And we have a good number of them in place right now whose overhead cost is a pain in the neck of i n f r a s t r u c t u r a l development.

But alas! After this week’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting which was held on Wednesday at the State House, Abuja, Minister of Information, Labaran Maku told correspondents that they had agreed to implement a national policy on productivity which by implication would cause the establishment of a National Council on Productivity, “to guide its day-to-day implementation using a multi-sectoral approach.”

Another agency, another duplication, another broken pledge.

Maku however explained that the policy was meant to enhance national productivity and that various segments of the national polity including the private sector and labour groups were all involved in the process.

"It encapsulates the vision to transform Nigeria through culture of productivity; to enhance capacity of Nigerians in productivity,"

he stated.

Giving further insight into the policy, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu, who noted the decline in national productivity over the past years, said the vision of the policy was to transform Nigeria into a productive nation through hard work and efficient management of resources.

That’s not all, the policy will also bring about the commemoration of a national annual public holiday to be called, “National Productivity Day.’ This, Maku said was meant to draw attention and awareness to national productivity.

This, we dare say, is another sign of misplacement of priorities on the part of government. This is because it is coming on the heels of complaints in some quarters that the country already has too many public holidays within a calendar year, which encourage laziness on the part of workers and bring about avoidable economic losses.

Recall that we already have May Day as a public holiday and many other ones ranging from the necessary to the not-so- important. How people in government do their own thinking is what most analysts are struggling to understand.

At the briefing, the minister also justified government’s bid to borrow $8 billion from international financial institutions.

“The funds will be put to good use, particularly towards enhancing the economy, boosting productivity and raising the confidence of international investors in the country,” Maku assured.

Still on issues relating to the last fuel subsidy crisis, the Governor of Jigawa state, Sule Lamido was a guest of the President on Tuesday. And when approached by State House correspondents to comment on national issues, Lamido in his characteristic bluntness brought down government’s so-called palliative measures which were instituted after last month’s partial withdrawal of fuel subsidy. He said the measures only underscored the failure of government to meet some basic responsibilities to the people.

Rather than instituting ‘token’ palliatives he said, what was needed was the strengthening of national institutions to create a feeling of self worth in citizens who should be prepared to pay for the services they enjoyed.

According to him, “to be honest, when you talk about palliatives, it sounds as if you are trying to support the weak, you are trying to patronise the weak and it induces a feeling of perpetual subordination. I don’t like it that way.”

He continued: “It should be in a clearer and more philosophical way.

The function of government is to serve the people. When you are talking about palliatives, it means there is something you have not been doing. If you are doing the thing in the last 20 or 25 years, there should be nothing called palliatives.

While advocating what he called a “sovereign benchmark” for a common ground by Nigerians, he rubbished the talks about convening a Sovereign National Conference (SNC), noting that all those who advocated it were the same

“

THRILLER FROM THE VILLA

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem kingatoldtrafford@gmail.com 08098639161 people who went abroad to run down the country.

“We have been talking for the last 30 years. The same talkers are same people who undermined the country.

They go out, they abuse us, they say we are crooks, we are rogues, we are not transparent, and there is no due process. So, there is a difference between rhetoric and political talks and the actuality of the Nigerian crisis which is consuming you and me,” he opined.

Still on fuel subsidyrelated issues, President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday at the State House banquet Hall, launched the Public Works and Women/ Youth Employment (PW/ WYE)) programme with the mandate of generating 370,000 jobs across the country in 2012.

The President said that the PW/WYE, a component of SURE was designed to create immediate employment opportunities for women and youths in labour intensive public works.

The project, which is expected to generate 50,000 skilled jobs and 320,000 unskilled job opportunities is to be implemented in partnership with the states, local governments and the private sector.

Later that day, the President inaugurated the Christopher Kolade-led board of the Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE) with the mandate of ensuring effective and timely implementation of projects to be funded from subsidy savings.

This, we dare say, is another sign of misplacement of priorities on the part of government. This is because it is coming on the heels of complaints in some quarters that the country already has too many public holidays within a calendar year, which encourage laziness on the part of workers and bring about avoidable economic losses.

Still on Monday, President Goodluck Jonathan while meeting with a United States of America trade delegation, led by Mr. William Fitzgerald, at the State House, said his administration had the political will to support investors in Nigeria, and create an enabling environment for investment.

He said: “I am pleased you are interested in the power sector, and assure you that government has the political will to support all investors in Nigeria.”

President Jonathan said already, efforts to make business easier in the country had led to the reduction of the time required to clear goods at Nigerian ports from two months to seven days, adding that a target of 48 hours would be attained soon.

On Wednesday night, President Jonathan met with southern leaders led by Chief Edwin Clark and Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi and the agitation for a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) was top on the agenda.

While the leaders tried to convince him to accept to convene the SNC, the President explained that the Justice Belgore Committee was set up in recognition of the demands by Nigerians for a constitutional amendment, to bring up all those issues which have been agreed upon at previous national conferences, for presentation as bills to the National Assembly, and subsequent passage into law, while a larger body will meet on issues that are still controversial for a national consensus.

Also, during the week, President Goodluck Jonathan stepped down as the chairman of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and President Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire was as at Friday afternoon, expected to succeed him.

Jonathan while speaking at the 40th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS in Abuja on Thursday, urged West African leaders to forge a stronger bond among themselves and take advantage of the region’s size to advance its interest in international affairs.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

Avoiding life without meaning

R

e a l life is focusing on the purpose for which God has created you. It is not about the number of houses you built, chains of degree you obtained, money you acquired etc. If the record of your life is being read and there is little or no mention about what you did as regards the assignment given you by God, you have missed it.

You will not miss it in Jesus' name.

Life remains a misery when one has not discovered and is not fulfilling the purpose of God for his life. And salvation is the first step towards discovery of destiny.

In the Bible, we read about Methuselah. He had a father, Enoch who at the age of 65years decided to walk with God and did so for 300 years. At the age of 365years, he had a supernatural translation. He was no more.

(Gen 5:21-24) Unfortunately, his son, Methuselah lived for 969 years, and nothing substantial was said about this man who lived the longest years on earth. The only thing said about him was that he gave birth to sons and daughters.

Life is more than bearing children!

It is true that after God created man in his image on the sixth day, He blessed man and said, "Be fruitful, and multiply‌" (Gen 1:28 ASV) And that's what some hold on to as the chief purpose of human beings on earth. But that is not true. Procreation is not what gives meaning to our lives. There is more to life than being a mother or a father though procreation is part of the mandate of God for human beings on earth. If all we are

living for is procreation, then we are not better than animals. Why did I say this? Because animals also have God's mandate to be fruitful and multiply! The same mandate God gave man. Gen 1:22 says, "And God blessed them, saying, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.'" (NKJV) That was what God said after creating great sea creatures, every sort of fish and every kind of bird in verse 21.

After the flood, God repeated this blessing that the animals should be fruitful and multiply on the earth. God told Noah, "Bring out with you every living thing of all flesh that is with you: birds and cattle and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, so that they may abound on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth." (Gen 8:17 NKJV) If God's purpose for us here on earth is only to bear children, then we are not better than the fish, birds and other animals.

There is certainly more to life than bearing children. But that's what many think life is all about and thereby miss living a meaningful life.

Some Israelites' Judges and their lives The Book of Judges focuses on the people God called to judge the nation of Israel but what is emphasized about some of them leaves one wondering whether their tenures were eventful at all.

Rather than providing details about how they judged the people of Israel, the Bible gives us details about what is not related to their assignment as judges.

In Judges 10, the Bible tells

us about Jair, a Gileadite, who judged Israel for twenty-two years without any single thing other than that he had thirty sons rode around on thirty donkeys, and owned thirty towns in the land of Gilead. (Judg 10:3-5) What I understand from this passage is that the only significant achievement of this judge was that he had thirty sons who flaunted around the wealth of their father, driving what would be state-of-the-art cars in our contemporary world, yet he was in power for twenty-two years. Nothing was said about how he judged the people.

Jair was not the only one.

Ibzan was also a judge in Israel.

However, the only record for him in the Bible was that he had 60 children -30 males and 30 females. He sent his 30 daughters abroad and married 30 wives for his 30 sons. Nothing was said concerning the assignment God gave him to judge Israel. (Judg 12:8-10) With sixty children, I don't know how much impact he would have been able to make in the divine assignment given him to judge Israel. I would have loved to read how he was able to cope with sixty children and judging Israel!

But the Bible is silent about his activities as judge.

Elon was also a judge in Israel. Nothing is said about him either good or bad except that he led Israel for 10 years. In fact, only two sentences are devoted to this man who judged for 10 years. "Ibzan judged Israel for seven years. When he died, he was buried at Bethlehem." (Judg 12:9-10 NLT) I seriously don't know what type of life he lived. The Bible gave his tenure a black out.

PAGE 43

GREEN PASTURES

By Pastor T.O. Banso cedarministryintl@yahoo.com GSM: 08033113523 Abdon, an Ephramite, judged Israel for eight years. Nothing was said concerning the assignment God gave him except what his 40 sons and 30 grandsons did. Abdon's 40 sons and 30 grandsons rode on seventy donkeys - the exotic cars of that time. It was good he got his sons and grandsons exotic cars (donkeys) but what about God's assignment for Abdon.

(Judg 12:13-15) Your decision You must not major in the minor or minor in the major.

Horses, exotic cars, chains of degrees and honours, heaps of material possessions, five star houses etc. become vanity when destiny is not discovered, pursued and fulfilled. This is the true definition of life without meaning - a life that is not lived for the purpose that it is meant for. A life full of things but devoid of pursuit and fulfillment of purpose is vanity. In Ps 4:2, God asks the sons of men, "(How long) will ye love vanity, and seek after falsehood?" (ASV) The New King James Version renders the word vanity as worthlessness. "How long will you love worthlessness and seek falsehood?"

Your valuables don't determine your true value. Paul said, "But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus - the work of telling others the Good News about God's wonderful kindness and love." (Acts 20:24 NLT) Your life is worth

nothing unless you live it to fulfill the purpose for which God created you. It does not mean that you must become a pastor (though God expects everyone to be born again and win souls).

God's purpose for individuals varies from one person to the other. So discover your own and devote your entire life to fulfill it.

Prayerfully discover what God has called you to do and fulfill it.

That is the only way to live a meaningful life. Whatever God has called you into make a full proof of it.

TAKE ACTION! If you are not born again, kindly say this prayer now: "0 Lord God, I come unto you today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and resurrected the third day. I confess Jesus as my Savior and my Lord and surrender my life to him today. I invite Jesus into my heart today. By this prayer, I know I am saved.

Thank you Jesus for saving me and making me a child of God" I congratulate you if you have said that prayer sincerely. You are now a child of God. Join a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching church in your area where you will be taught how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. May the Lord make you a Cedar Christian.

May you grow into Christ in all things, becoming all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you.

A Maths professor is called to preach! (2) A

Man With a Great Heart For God! He is not tall, and does not have a larger-than-life character.

He does not dominate, nor has he accrued power to himself.

He walks slowly, is relaxed, and has a gentle sense of humour with a warm smile and a twinkle in his eyes. He dresses simply, eats simply... and... could have assumed titles to himself. As the Deeper Christian Life Ministry developed - most people enjoy the trappings and regalia of status which followers gladly give. But he calls his followers brothers and sisters, and treats them as colleagues.

W.F. Kumuyi was born in 1941 into an Anglican home. It was a very strict Christian home, he

told Isaacson, "We would get up in the morning, read the Bible, sing hymns, and go to church regularly. When I went to secondary school I lost interest in the church because our principal taught us atheism. But after a while I thought again and started going to various churches in town. Eventually, in 1963, a group of singers and preachers from a Gospel church got permission to come to the school.

I understood the Gospel message, and was born again on April 5th, 1964. I read John Wesley, Charles Finney, Spurgeon, and lots of other books. I got involved with the Scripture Union, and I grew."

From Professor to Preacher!

He gained a first-class degree

Pastor W. F. Kumuyi in Mathematics at the University of Ibadan; then went back to Mayflower School to teach. After

five years he went to the University of Lagos to do a Postgraduate Certificate in Education and became a lecturer there in 1973; and that was when he started a small Deeper Life Bible Study group.

In speaking to a group of Pastors under his leadership as General Superintendent, W. F. Kumuyi said: "Our emphasis should be on the practical side of going out. If the Lord comes, let him meet us working for him.

Now every time I preach I try to mention evangelism. I have told all the Lagos District Coordinators and Zonal Leaders to spend half their time on evangelism and only half their time on their members. There will always be problems in the church: don't let them take up all

your time".

Concluding his book, Isaacson writes, "And, of course, Deeper Life are self-governing. Kumuyi is the founder & General Superintendent, and he carries a tremendous weight in pastoring the Gbagada (Lagos) church alone, quite apart from the (now thousands) of other congregations across Nigeria and the rest of the world. He is a remarkable leader, one of God's people for this generation.

Kumuyi has received a great deal from God, but he is adept at passing along what he receives.

My feeling is that what God has given his people through Kumuyi will be kept and developed long after Kumuyi is gone. This has been God's work, and to Him be the glory."

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

Boko Haram scare: Police, judges abandon stations, courts in Kano From Edwin Olofu, Kano

T

h e r e was this story of a thief that was caught red-handed somewhere within the old city of Kano. His captors were so happy that this particular thief that had been terrorizing residents in the area had been caught at long last.

As usual, the thief was dragged to a nearby police post.

On getting to the police post, it became palpable that the armed policemen on duty became jittery. Some almost took to their heels, while the brave became agile, ready for action.

Somehow, one of the policemen summoned the courage and asked what the matter was. As soon as one of the youths informed the policemen that they had caught a notorious thief, the policeman roared back in anger saying: “Is that why you are bringing this man here when we have a serious problem at hand? Look, take this man away and give him the beating of his life so that he would never steal anybody’s property again.”

The youths thereafter, took the thief to the Mai –unguwa (ward head) to decide on what to do with him. Not satisfied with the conduct of the police, the youths simply bowed their heads in disappointment. They were not happy that the policemen were abdicating their responsibility to punish the thief.

A scenario like this is now commonplace in virtually all police establishments in the Kano metropolis. Since the attack on some of the Nigeria Police formations in Kano state recently by members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect, it has been observed that what is of utmost importance to the police is first and foremost how to preserve their lives.

As a result, police stations that used to be busy like the market place, especially within the metropolis have been deserted by the public.

Majority of the police stations are like grave yards isolated with very few officers around them mounting sentries with barricades surrounding their buildings while most of the policemen now wear mufti in a bid to beat the insurgents to their tricks.

Rather than receive complainants, they have succeeded in scaring them away.

These days, members of the public are no longer welcome due to the fear of the unknown.

Series of bomb blasts have disrupted social and economic lives in Kano Peoples Daily Weekend check showed that the police are no longer comfortable with the presence of civilians that are unidentifiable.

Some residents of Kano who commented on the issue accused the police of denying them access to the police station, while some are not willing to go close to the police or any security formations.

Peoples Daily Weekend also observed that the courts are equally empty because judges have abandoned their duty posts for the fear of Boko Haram.

A visit to the No Man’s Land court complex in the Kano metropolis which houses almost ten court rooms is an indication that all is not well. The very busy court is empty and also isolated.

Some police prosecutors who did not want to be mentioned expressed disappointment over the situation which is now adversely affecting their work lamenting that they don’t know when it will come to an end.

“You see the situation is bad.

You can see for yourself, there

is no judge here; this busy place is not like we used to know. I think some of my colleagues are not helping matters because they send complainants back when they attempt to report cases that is the problem,” he lamented.

It was the same story at the magistrate court in Gidan Murtala where the premises were seen empty when Peoples Daily Weekend called. Some of the messengers said since the attack, the place has been deserted.

Isiaku Garba, a resident of Naibawa area said a business partner owed him some money and he wanted to lodge a complaint in one of the police divisional headquarters, but to his surprise he was chased away by one of the officers before he got close to the main building of the station. According to him, the officer asked him to go and find a way of resolving his problem.

“When I approached the station, a police shouted on me that I stop, I was trying to explain to him that I wanted to report my business partner who

failed to pay me my money but he said I should go and meet the man to resolve our dispute I was disappointed and I left.” Garba stated.

Commenting on the issue, Barrister Ishaku Garba a legal practitioner in Kano decried the level at which the dispensation of justice has suffered a setback in the state due to the problem.

According to him, “the dispensation of justice has been halted if not temporarily stopped in view of the fact that complainants cannot approach the police because all roads leading to police stations have been blocked. Police prosecutors cannot go to court to prosecute cases because they don’t want to be identified.

“Even in the high courts and magistrate courts alike, the policemen attached to the judges and magistrates have been withdrawn for the fear of their lives. One of my colleagues went to lodge a complaint on behalf of his client and he was sent back from the gate. That is what is happening. I have several criminal cases that have been adjourned Sine-die

(indefinitely).”

Garba lamented.

However, the Kano state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Musa Magaji Majiya debunked all the insinuations saying the crime rate has reduced in the state due to heavy security presence.

“We used to have over 8,000 police men in the state but because of this crisis over ten units of mobile police men and a number of military men have been deployed to this place. That is why the crime rate has reduced and you don’t have reported cases of robbery and other violent crimes. I want use this opportunity to call on the general public to continue to report cases to the Police. They should not be scared, they should go and identify themselves properly and the police are ready and willing to attend to them anytime.”

In the meantime, Kano residents are fervently praying that normalcy will return to the state, which remains the political and economic nerve center of northern Nigeria.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 45

Massive clear-out hit Black Stars

T

op Ghana players will be dropped from the Black Stars in the fall-out from Ghana’s 2012 Africa Cup of Nations campaign, a top official has hinted.

Jordan Anagbla, the vice president of the Ghana Football Association, says the federation will weed out some players after the Black Stars finished fourth in the tournament.

Several reasons have been given for Ghana’s failure to win the title with some claiming that some top players were unruly during the tournament.

Anagbla says disciplined captain John Mensah will be excluded from the massive clearout to hit the Black Stars in the coming days.

“We would clean the house very well. It is over for some of them,” Jordan Anagbla said.

“Any coach that will come, I will recommend John Mensah to him. He is the perfect gentleman.”

The Ghana FA will address a press conference on Wednesday announce the decision on whether coach Goran Stevanovic would be allowed to stay in charge.

The Black Stars’ next assignment will be against Chile on 29 February in the United States. They will start their 2014 World Cup qualifiers in June in a group that also includes African champions Zambia and Sudan.

Asamoah Gyan and team mates may face sack for poor performance

Zambia reward Renard with new deal Stories by Albert Akota

Z

ambia has handed Frenchman Herve Renard a new three-year deal following his sensational 2012 Africa Cup of Nations success in Gabon.

Zambia Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili said in a media national team photo session held at the Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka, that the financial details of the new contract had yet to be worked out.

“We had a fruitful meeting with the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) and I want to announce that very soon we are signing a three-year contract with Herve Renard that will go up to August, 2014,” Kamwbili said.

“We will ensure that we give him a lucrative deal so that he is not swelled by other countries that are after him.”

Senegal is believed to be one of the countries keen on hiring Renard.

He was tempted away to Angola soon after he qualified Chipolopolo to the last eight of the 2010 Nations Cup in that country.

The oil-rich Angolans paid him six

times what he was on in Zambia.

Renard’s current contract runs up to November 2012 after returning to the post in November 2011 following the dismissal of his successor Dario Bonetti.

The Frenchman’s new deal means Renard is set to lead

Zambia’s Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Renard guided Zambia to their first-ever Nations Cup triumph on

February 12 in Libreville, Gabon.

Zambia beat Cote d’Ivoire 8-7 on post-match penalties after finishing scoreless in extra time.

Gombe fans assault Kwara United officials

T

he Secretary of Kwara United, Abubakar She, was assaulted by irate fans of Nigeria Premier League (NPL) club, Gombe United during Thursday’s 02 loss to the Afonja Warriors at the Pantami Stadium, Gombe.

The fans of the Desert Scorpions reacted badly following their 0-2 loss to Kwara United which represented the club’s third defeat in their last three games.

Segun Alebiosu’s well-taken brace after 53 and 90 minutes gave Kwara United an unlikely victory that took them up to third position on the table.

Brazilian great in SA Page 46

The victory of United was however soured by the unruly conduct of pocket of fans believed to be loyal to the home side.

“They (fans of Gombe United) assaulted our secretary and made away with his mobile phone.

“They threatened to beat us (other officials of Kwara United) up and I had to part with some money to save the situation,” welfare officer of Kwara United,” Tunde Ogunlana said.

Ogunlana then took time to praise the Kwara United players for a ‘great display’ against the former league leaders.

Rivaldo

Herve Renard

CAF Champions League kick-off today Dolphins FC begin their quest for Confederatin of African Football (CAF) Champions League glory when they travel to Equatorial Guinea to play CD Elá Nguema today...

Page 46

PAGE 46

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

Nations Cup: Zambia plans countrywide trophy tour

By Albert Akota

T

he Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has planned a nationwide trophy tour for the newly-crowned African champions.

According to officials at the Football House, FAZ plans to hire an open top double-decker bus from South Africa for the road show.

“Christopher Katongo is still around in the country for another two weeks and he will be part of the planned tour,” the official said.

The official said the trophy tour itinerary has yet to be announced.

The team, which returned from Gabon to a heroes’ welcome, have already been rewarded with cash gifts, while coach Herve Renard has been proposed a new three-year deal.

In the meantime, Swiss club BSC Young Boys have given Zambia striker Emmanuel Mayuka a week off.

Young Boys reported on their website that they were expecting Mayuka back from Zambia next week.

Mayuka was an integral part of the Africa Cup of Nations-winning team to in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

He scored three goals for Zambia that saw him also win the top scorer award.

The Zambian team were keen on winning the trophy to honour their players who lost their lives in a plane crash in Gabon

CAF Champions League kick-off today

D

olphins FC begin their quest for Confederatin of African Football (CAF) Champions League glory when they travel to Equatorial Guinea to play CD Elá Nguema today.

The preliminary round of Africa’s top club competition gets under way across the continent this weekend with some massive names in African football in action.

South African champions Pirates have targeted continental success as they seek to emulate the Class of 1995 in winning Africa’s top prize. They host Angolan champions Recreativo Libolo in the first leg of their tie on Saturday and as the current holders of all four domestic trophies, will be confident of victory.

Club owner Irvin Khoza has made it clear that a good run in the competition is a must with South African clubs having in previous put minimal importance on competing on the continent.

Egyptian side Zamalek travel to Tanzania’s Young Africans for their first leg, a tough away day for a side who has been inactive for the past few weeks after the horror of the Port Said tragedy meant they Egyptian League has been postponed indefinitely.

Ghana, Berekum Chelsea travel to Liberia’s LISCR, while Nigeria’s Dolphins are at CD Elá Nguema from Equatorial Guinea.

Kenya’s Tusker host APR from Rwanda in what should be a fascinating battle, while Cote d’Ivoire’s Africa Sports are at Gabonese side Missile.

Zambian side Power Dynamos will be hoping to keep the feelgood factor in that country going following their 2012 Africa Cup of Nations wins when they travel to Japan Actuel’s in Madagascar.

Zimbabwe’s FC Platinum will expect to get passed Swaziland’s Green Mamba, as will Mozambique’s Liga Muçulmana against Lesotho’s Mafunzo.

Dophins Players

Brazilian great in SA

B

razil’s former World Footballer of the year Rivaldo is in South Africa – training for a new season of football despite his 40th birthday fast approaching in April.

Rivaldo has been in pre-season training camp with Angolan club Kabuscorp, with whom he signed a one-year contract last month.

The 39-year-old Brazilian World Cup winner, whose bowlegged running style and elegant passing skills made him a favourite at Barcelona and AC Milan, and his teammates have been training in Tshwane at the University of Pretoria facilities.

Kabuscorp, who were runnersup in the Angola league last season, are coached by Viktor Bondarenko, ex-boss of Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, Moroka Swallows and Umtata Bush Bucks.

They have been playing matches against other Angolan sides who are also in the capital for pre-season training.

Bondarenko has often brought his clubs to Mzansi for pre-season warm-ups.

Rivaldo was World Footballer of the Year and European Footballer of the Year in 1999, a World Cup winner in 2002 and the Champions League in 2003.

Kabuscorp return to Angola in the next week and have lined up a friendly against visiting Portugal club Vitoria Setubal in Luanda on February 28.

The new season in Angola starts in March.

Rivaldo

Malawi coach closely watches flames stars

M

alawi coach Kinnah Phiri has warned his South African based players he will be monitoring their form in the first two rounds of Absa Premiership matches after the recent mid-season break before deciding on whether to call them up for the African Nations Cup qualifier against Chad at the end of the month. Phiri watched action on Wednesday when the league restarted and will again be flicking through his television channels this weekend before making up his mind.

Striker Chiukepo Msowoya, loaned out to Platinum Stars by Orlando Pirates; midfielder Robert Ngambi, who is also at Stars; the Santos duo of Peter Mponda and Tawonga Chimodzi; Moses Chavula of AmaZulu and Davie Banda of Black Leopards are the players from the Premier Soccer League being considered. The six players Chavula was the only who had a full 90 minutes

of action in midweek. He competed for AmaZulu in their home defeat at the hands of Absa Premiership leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

Chimodzi played for 51 minutes before being taken off in Santos’ defeat at Moroka Swallows while Ngambi appeared as a substitute for Stars in their 2-3 loss at Ajax Cape Town Msowoya (on the bench), Mponda and Banda (not selected) did not play Already out of the international is Leopards centre back Henry Nyirenda, who is out for six weeks with a leg injury.

Phiri said he would pick his final squad on Monday. Malawi travel to Ndjamena for the match on February 29, which is a first round, first leg encounter in the 2013 qualifiers.

Malawi drew at Chad in October in the 2012 qualifying, dramatically conceding a goal in stoppage time at the end of the game that cost them a place at the tournament in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 47

Another Valencia test for Barca

By Albert Akota

B

arcelona’s questionable form in La Liga will be put to the test again when they host Valencia at the Camp Nou tomorrow night.

The two sides recently met in the two-legged Copa del Rey semifinal tie with thefirst match at the Mestalla ending in a 1-1 draw, while Barca bounced back to win 2-0 at home.

However, the Catalans’ last three matches have ended in a 0-0 draw against Villarreal, a narrow 2-1 win over Real Sociedad and a 3-2 loss against Osasuna.

With Real Madrid playing a day earlier, Pep Guardiola could be 13 points behind their bitter rivals by the time they take the field against Valencia.

The stakes are also high for Los Che as they have only won once in their last five matches, but they remain in third place, eight points behind Barcelona and also eight points ahead of fourth-placed Levante.

Their recent 4-0 win over Sporting Gijon should be a timely boost ahead of this clash following their three consecutive draws against Osasuna, Racing Santander

and Atletico Madrid.

While Barcelona recorded a 3-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen in their UEFA Champions League clash on Tuesday, Valencia have the tough task of traveling to England to face Stoke City in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night.

Unai Emery was able to select a strong 20-man squad for the trip to Stoke but whether all of them will be available for Sunday remains to be seen.

For the Catalans, midfielder Xavi Hernandez is poised to make his return on Sunday after missing the last three matches due to a calf muscle strain.

Sunday’s clash will also mark Lionel Messi’s 200th league appearance for Barcelona, making him the youngest player to achieve this at 24 years and 240 days, and the Argentine will want to mark this occasion with a great performance.

The first round fixture at the Mestalla ended in a 2-2 draw with the Valencia goals coming through an own-goal from Eric Abidal and a good strike from Pablo Hernandez, while Barca replied through Pedro and Cesc Fabregas.

Drogba defends Villas-Boas

D

idier Drogba in defence of Andre Villas-Boas as the manager issued a warning his discontented Chelsea players.

Drogba’s contract expires in the summer and, with no agreement yet reached; talk is gathering pace that he could be on his way in the summer.

CAF Champions League Preliminary Round Fixtures: ASFA Yennenga vs ASO Chlef AS Vita Club vs Athlético Olympic DFC8 vs Les Astres Young Africans vs Zamalek Missile vs Africa Sports Ports Authority vs Horoya AC Foullah Edifice vs JSM Béjaïa AFAD Djékanou vs Diables Noirs Tusker vs APR Coin Nord vs Ethiopian Coffee ASGNN vs Tonnerre Orlando Pirates vs Recreativo do Libolo URA vs Lesotho Correctional Services Mafunzo vs Liga Muçulmana Brikama United vs US Ouakam CD Elá Nguema vs Dolphins LISCR vs Berekum Chelsea Green Mamba vs FC Platinum Japan Actuel’s vs Power Dynamos

Villas-Boas admitted during his press conference on Thursday that he had lost the backing of some of his squad but indicated that underperforming players may follow Nicolas Anelka and Alex out of the club in the summer.

Drogba, who has been accused of undermining managers at Chelsea in the past, insists he has every respect for Villas-Boas and that the players must take responsibility for the team’s

struggles.

Training is good - it is not that different from what we were doing the previous season.

He’s ambitious; he wants to win, to succeed, and to be successful in the Premier League.

“Talking in generally, not about Andre, a manager is the manager and he knows he’s responsible for the wins and the defeats so he will be the one to be blamed first, but sometimes it’s more complicated than that.”

On his c o n t r a c t negotiations, he said: “We are still talking about it. Everybody knows I love the club, e v e r y o n e knows I want to stay so we are discussing it and let’s see what comes out of the discussions. “ I ’ m optimistic it can happen but at the same time if it d o e s n ’ t happen that’s life. But you will never change the respect and the love we c r e a t e d together. My heart is blue.”

Balotelli, Toure ‘racially abused’

M

anchester City striker Mario Balotelli has said he was subjected to racist abuse during the Europa League win at Porto on Thursday, while his club has informed the UEFA matchday delegate of their intention to complain.

Although manager Roberto Mancini did not hear the abuse, Balotelli has told a club official he heard abusive chanting during the game at the Estadio do Drago, which City won 2-1.

Reports circulated during the match that Balotelli and Yaya Toure were subjected to monkey noises. But when asked about it, Mancini said: ‘’I didn’t hear this because I was concentrating on the game. I don’t know if (it happened) to Mario and Yaya.’’

Sergio Aguero came off the bench to score the winner six minutes from time after an Alvaro Pereira own goal had cancelled out a Silvestre Varela strike.

Mancini said: ‘’I think it was a good result because it is difficult to win here. I think we won this game because we played very well and didn’t give more chances to score to them. I think the guys were fantastic.’’ Mancini was generally pleased with the performance of Balotelli, who had been playing his first game since serving a fourmatch domestic suspension for stamping on Tottenham’s Scott Parker. The City boss had spoken before the game of the importance of Balotelli remaining focused on the game ahead of a crucial period for the team.

WEEKEND FIXTURES CAF Confederation Cup Ferroviaro vs. Gor Mahia Kiyovu Fc vs. Simba Dragon Fc vs. Etoile Filante Union Sportive vs. FC Kallon Mangasport vs. St. Goerge SA Red Arrows vs. Royal Leopards Renaissance vs. Sahel SC Sewe Sport vs. US Haut Nka Gamtel vs. Casamance AC Leopards vs. AS Tempets Nania FC vs. FS Sequence Lydia Academi vs. Atletico Sem Mansaba vs. Invincible XI Gunners vs. Tana Jamur vs. Hwange Sunday Black Leopards vs. Motor Action French Ligue 1 Ac Ajaccio vs. Brest Caen vs. Evian TG Dijon vs. Nice Lorient vs. Lille AS Nancy vs. Toulouse Sochaux vs. Auxerre Marseille vs. Valenciennes Sunday Bordeaux vs. Lyon St. Etienne vs. Rennes RSG vs. Montpellier German Bundesliga Bayer Leverkusen vs.

Augsburg Hamburg vs. Werder Bremen Hertha Berlin vs. Borussia Dortmund FC Kaiserslautern vs. Borussia M’gladbach Nurnberg vs. Cologne SC Freiburg vs. Bayern Munich Sunday Schalke 04 vs. Wolfsburg Hannover 96 vs. VfB Stuttgart Italy Serie A Juventus vs. Catania Sunday Lecce vs. Siena Novara vs. Atalanta Genoa vs. Chievo Cesena vs. AC Milan Roma vs. Parma Unidese vs. Cagliari Palermo vs. Lazio Spanish Primera Liga Getafe vs. Espanyol Real Madrid vs. Racing Santander Sevilla vs. Osasuna Sunday Granada vs. Real Sociedad Athletic Bilbao vs. Malaga Sporting Gijon vs. Aletico Madrid The FA Cup Chelsea vs. Birmingham Norwich vs. Leicester Everton vs. Blackpool Millwall vs. Bolton Sunderland vs. Arsenal Mallorca vs. Villarreal Levante vs. Rayo Vallecano Barcelona vs. Valencia Sunday Crawley Town vs. Stoke Stevenage vs. Tottenham Liverpool vs. Brighton Nigeria Premier League KwaraUtd FC vs Akwa Utd FC Wikki Tourists FC vs ABS FC Kano Pillars FC vs Lobi Stars FC 3SC vs Ocean Boys FC R/Stars FC vs Sharks FC Sunday Rangers Int. FC vs Heartland FC Enyimba Int’l FC vs Warri Wolves FC Dolphins FC vs Jigawa Golden Stars FC Kaduna Utd FC vs Niger Tornadoes FC GombeUtd FC vs Sunshine Stars FC

BIG PUNCH Where such conditions prevail in which the machinery of state and resources of the state remain firmly in the control of a few people to the detriment of the people you can not have a government that is accountable, transparent, clean, efficient.

SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, FEBRUARY, 2012

Nigeria: What is at stake?

T

here is no doubt that Nigeria is facing security challenge of gargantuan proportion.

But what is in doubt is whether the nature and ramifications of the challenge is fully appreciated by those who are primarily responsible to provide the remedy. The security challenge is of two types. Type one is dramatic, bloody and destructive and yields instant effects, spreading fear and terror far and wide. This has been with us for quite some time, from various groups and militia, in different parts of the country, at different times. Nigeria's response to each of them has varied, depending on government in power, location of the challenge and those involved. At times indifference has been the typical government response, even though what takes place is ethnic cleansing or genocide.

At other times, response appears tough at first, but later develops into dialogue, amnesty and lavish patronage. At other times the nation degenerates into hysteria and delusion. This is the situation today.

Nigeria has, in the last fifty years or so, invested so much of its human and material resources to build what it believes to be a defense force to guarantee its territorial integrity, and a security system to keep internal peace. Therefore the citizen do have a right to expect that their armed forces and security systems should be able to find a solution that is both wise and effective to whatever security challenge which may besets the nation. More critical is the fact that Nigeria's vast and versatile reservoir of knowledge and wisdom is available to be tapped in moments of crisis, and at all time.

Instead, what is happening is rather a hasty, utterly embarrassing and indefensible recourse to outside powers to intervene in a crisis they cannot comprehend and cannot, on the long run, resolve. After decades of living as a free nation Nigeria appears suddenly to be embracing a slave mentality, no longer believing in its own ability to solve its own problems, no longer confident in its being a nation sovereign in its own right, no longer trusting in the efficacy of its own institutions, but rather relying on some masters to come to the rescue.

The tragic irony of the situation is that while it is being called upon to come and save Nigeria from 'global terrorism', America is running helter-skelter to extricate

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WEEKEND

itself from its ten year war on terror.

Stanley Kober writes in the Guardian [guardian.co.uk, Thursday 20 August 2009 20.00 BST] explaining the predicament of a delusional super power.

'Something has changed in American society. With defense spending increasing to fight wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, George Bush did not even propose a way to pay for the war. The country just

with

Ibraheem Sulaiman sa427420@gmail.com

Nigerians ...facing security challenges

quietly accumulated debt. A political judgment was made: the American people were told to go shopping. The war would not touch the general public. Only an honored few would bear the burden. The US did not take war seriously, but was not alone in underestimating the costs and complications of war. But as the fighting has intensified and their casualties have mounted, public support for the Afghanistan mission has sagged. "No one will say this publicly, but the true fact is that we are all talking about our exit strategy from Afghanistan," a senior European diplomat revealed during last April's Nato summit.

"We are getting out. It may take a couple of years, but we are all looking to get out."

Recently American Vice President Joe Biden made this astonishing announcement to the world: "Look, the Taliban per se is not our enemy. That's critical.

There is not a single statement that the President has ever made in any of our policy assertions that the Taliban is our enemy, because it threatens U.S. interests.' Not surprisingly a disgusted Washington Times editorial calls Biden's pronouncement a rhetorical dance, a strange US conceit. 'United

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States,' it states angrily, 'is engaged in a war that is not to be called a war, against an enemy that is not an enemy per se, in pursuit of something it refuses to call victory.'

America is now frantically and desperately seeking for peace with the Taliban. 'There have been contacts between the US government and the Taliban,' President Hamid Karzai told the Wall Street Journal on February 16, 2012, 'there have been contacts between the Afghan government and the Taliban, and there have been contacts that have been made, all of us together, including the Taliban.' Not only that, Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and a host of influential Muslim scholars are now being involved in the effort to persuade the Taliban to accept peace, and help America save its battered face.

For those in Nigeria who think America can save them we ask: does Nigeria have five trillion dollars and ten years to spend? Can Nigeria afford economic bankruptcy, and a humiliating defeat to cap it all?

Instead of engaging in a futile mission Nigeria should take the advise of Stanley Kober. He says: 'When the cold war ended, the US concluded that its power was overwhelming.

The appearance of relatively easy victories in the first Gulf war and in the Balkans reinforced that conviction. But those triumphs now seem the exception, rather than the rule. Americans thought all their enemies in the future would crumble the way enemies in the 1990s did. They were wrong. And yet the US continues to make promises. And people will believe in them. And if they get in trouble, they will wonder why the US does not help them. It is time to be honest - with Americans, and those that depend on their promises.' Besides, the records are there to show that America has never won any war decisively and conclusively.

Type two security challenge is in fact more insidious and therefore far more worthy of attention. It is the fact that Nigeria has become well and truly an oligarchy, where the bulk of the resources and polical power are concentrated in a few hands. Knowledgeable people have consistently warned that if the present level of inequality and endemic poverty persist and are not addressed urgently and honestly never again will Nigeria enjoy security. The security threat plaguing many nations in the Middle East, Europe and spreading

over to US and across to Africa and other regions is due mainly to the division of society into two, absolute rich and absolute poor. In Europe in particular the will of the people, has been usurped by the banks which now determine the destiny of the nations. The travails of Greece unfolds Referring specifically to the plight of Italy, Stephen Foley observes that: By replacing the scandal-surfing Silvio Berlusconi, Italy has dislodged the undislodgeable. By imposing rule by unelected technocrats, it has suspended the normal rules of democracy, and maybe democracy itself. And by putting a senior adviser at Goldman Sachs in charge of a Western nation, it has taken to new heights the political power of an investment bank that you might have thought was prohibitively politically toxic.'

Moreover, the big banks have become so close to government in the US for example and have have in fact bought over the political elite to the extent that the US 'was effectively an oligarchy.' In Europe what prevails, thanks to the triumph of banks over the destiny of nations, is 'a shared world-view among the policy elite and the bankers, a shared set of goals and mutual reinforcement of illusions.'

The predominant purpose of the banks and the big corporations is to create such a deep exchange of people and ideas and money that it is impossible to tell the difference between the public interest and private interest.

Where such conditions prevail in which the machinery of state and resources of the state remain firmly in the control of a few people to the detriment of the people you can not have a government that is accountable, transparent, clean, efficient. And as Nobel laureate Paul Krugman, who thinks that America is now an oligarchy whose democracy is being threatened by extreme inequality, states, [International Herald Tribune 3/10/11]: 'Extreme concentration of income is incompatible with real democracy.

Can anyone seriously deny that our political system is being warped by the influence of big money, and that the warping is getting worse as the wealth of a few grows ever larger?

But the truth is that the whole nature of our society is at stake.'

And that precisely is where the ultimate danger to Nigeria lies, the whole nature of the Nigerian nation, beset by extreme inequality, is at stake.

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