Peoples Daily Newspaper, Monday 18, March, 2013

www.peoplesdailyng.com

Vol. 10 No. 56

Monday, March 18, 2013

. . . putting the people first

Again, FG grounds Dana Air

Lagos, Abuja among 4 expensive cities in Africa - Study

>> PAGE 2

>> PAGE 22

Jimadal Ula 7, 1434 AH

N150

Alams pardon breach of UN convention — CPC >> PAGE 40

Amaechi, Uduaghan rebel against Akpabio

By Lawrence Olaoye

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fforts by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to reconcile aggrieved members of the party in the South-south region yesterday suffered a setback when the governors of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi and his Delta state counterpart, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, staged a walk out on the Civic Centre in Port Harcourt, venue of the Town Hall meeting while the Akwa Ibom state governor, Barrister Godswill Akpabio, was addressing the mammoth crowd.

The walk-out may not be unconnected to the cold war between governors Amaechi and Akpabio over their political rivalry since the creation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors' Forum being chaired by the Akwa-Ibom state governor.

Trouble started when the Delta state governor, in his address, urged the party's National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, to prevail on other PDP members not to dwell solely on infrastructural developments alone in their states while the people whom they are supposed to govern wallow in wants and depravity.

He said the governors should Contd on Page 2

PD INDEX 15th March, 2013

CBN RATES $ £ EURO CFA RIYAL

BUYING 154.75 234.50 201.78 0.2878 41.26

SELLING 155.75 236.02 203.08 0.3078 41.52

PARALLEL RATES EURO £ RIYAL $

BUYING 208 254.50 42 157

SELLING 210 257.50 43 158

R-L: Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, paying a condolence visit on Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, over the death of his elder brother, Alhaji Umar Idris (Dangaladiman Zazzau and District Head of Rigasa), yesterday at his Palace, in Zaria.

Photo: NAN

PDP wins FCT polls

Party desperate to cling to power - ACN

By Adeola Tukuru, Ikechukwu Okaforadi and Stanley Onyekwere

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he ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the weekend won all but one of the Area Councils polls

held in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).Kuje, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Abaji, Bwari and Kwali areas of the FCT were swept by PDP, leaving only Gwagwalada Area council to the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

In the election which PDP contested with twelve opposition parties, including ANPP, ACN, CPC, UPP, among others, reports of low turnout of voters were widespread, in addition to late arrival of electoral materials, particularly in the satellite towns.

Peoples Daily gathered that in Abaji Area Council, the PDP won the chairmanship seat with a total vote of to 8,933 and six councillorships seats, while the ACN came close second with a total of 8101 votesand three councillorship seats.

In Kuje, the Returning Officer of the FCT Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Sunday Ejaro, announced that Ishaku Shaban of the PDP won the Kuje Area Council with 16,800 Contd on Page 2

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

CONTENTS

Again, FG grounds Dana Air PDP wins

News

From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

2-10

Editorial

12

Op.Ed

13

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-18

Business

19-22

S/Exchange S/Report Law

23 24-25 26

Education 27-28 Health

29-30

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he lingering misunderstanding between the federal government and the management of Dana airline resurfaced again on Saturday as the federal authority temporarily suspended the flight operations of the domestic carrier, citing safety concerns over one of Dana's flights into Abuja from Lagos on Saturday.

The current impasse is coming on the heel of the sack of Dr. Harold Demuren who had, despite opposition from the members of the aviation committees of the National Assembly returned the Air Operating Certificate of the airline after it had been revoked following the crash of its MD 83 Macdonald aircraft in Lagos on June 3rd last year.

The airline has since then not experienced muh peace, as concerns were raised over its air worthiness. This is even as some members of the National Assembly committees alleged

that engineers in the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) under the former DG, Dr.Demuren were not typerated on the crashed Dana aircraft, which incidentally made up the entire fleet of the airline.

The crashed aircraft which plunged into Iju-Ishaga, a suburb of Lagos and border community with Ogun state, killed 153 occupants and about 10 ground victims, is still enmeshed in controversies over insurance payment to victim families' months after the disastrous incident.

A source close to the acting Director General of the NCAA who refused to be named, said in an SMS to our correspondent: "There is a development, I just gathered from the acting DG, Mr. Joyce Nkemakolam to the effect that Dana operations is temporarily suspended over safety concern in respect of one of its flights yesterday (Saturday) in Abuja."

Also, spokesperson of the airline, Tony Usidamen, in an email said: "We regret to announce the temporary suspension of our flight operations following a directive from the Ministry of Aviation through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Saturday, 16th March, 2013; No specific reason was given for the action."

Usidamen said "A meeting is, however, scheduled between the management of Dana Air, the Ministry of Aviation and the NCAA on Monday 18th March and we will update you as we get more information."

"We thank you for your patience and understanding, and we look forward to having the pleasure of welcoming you on board again shortly." He said.

Spokesperson to the Aviation Minister, Mr Joe Obi in an SMS simply said the ministry has no revoke the license of the airline.

Asked to issue a statement, Obi said " no statement but Dana license not revoked."

Tambuwal commends Dankwambo over N2.7bn international conference centre From David Hassan, Gombe

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Judiciary: Time to clean the Augean stable, Page 4

Int’l

31-34

Strange World 35 Digest

36

Politics

37-40

Sports

41-45

Leisure

47

Columnist

48

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

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

Phones for News: 070-37756364 09-8734478

peaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, at the weekend laid the foundation stone for the building of a N2.7 billion International Conference Centre in Gombe.

He commended the Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo administration in the state for translating into reality the manifestoes of the Peoples Democratic (PDP) government.

Tambuwal further described the administration of the state government as transparent.

Speaking earlier, Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo stated that the building of the International Conference Centre which would be a world-class centre in every sense of the word would bring immense benefits to the state and attract the global community for seminars, workshops and conferences.

He said the 1,500 capacity centre will have state-of-the-art ICT facilities, galleries, mini halls,

administrative offices, restaurant, and tea room, out-door seating facilities among other facilities.

According to him, "our genuine desire and commitment towards the provision of socio-economic facilities of this magnitude is to enhance the development of commercial activities and transform the state into a cosmopolitan hub, thereby creating opportunities for our people to effectively interact with

other Nigerians and the international community."

In his welcome speech, the state Commissioner for Housing and Transport, Mr. Robinson Zebulun Wasa, said the centre when completed, would be second in the country after the International Conference Centre in Abuja adding that the administration had taken many steps to meet the aspirations and yearnings of the ordinary people of the state.

Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo

Amaechi, Uduaghan rebel against Akpabio Contd from Page 1 take the welfare of the people more seriously as they may refuse to vote the party if adequate care is not taken of their hunger. His statement was overwhelmingly applauded.

But when it was Akpabio's turn to address the people, he said "My brother Delta state governor said you are hungry; are you hungry?"

The crowd responded by chorusing 'yes.' Akpabio therefore announced the donation of N1 million each for all the six PDP state chairmen in the South-south region.

Immediately after this

announcement, the Delta and Rivers state governors walked out of the centre even when Akpabio was yet to conclude his address.

Akpabio also thanked the leadership of the party for finding the region worthy enough to be able to produce the nation's President, the Nigeria Governors' Forum Chairman, the party's Board of Trustees Chairman and the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum.

The PDP National Chairman in his remarks urged the party members in the region to embrace peace and assured the members that

the purpose of the reconciliatory tour was to ensure fairness and equity in the activities of the party.

Tukur stressed that PDP remains the only national party which fields candidates in all elective positions in the country. He said there are bound to be disagreements in every human organization but stressed that the ones in the party are not beyond resolution.

He assured that there would be level playing field in the party just as he charged the party's leadership at the zonal level to conclude the reconciliatory process in the region.

FCT polls

Contd from Page 1

votes, while Abdulahi Sabo of ANPP came a distant second with a total of 5,994 votes.

Isaac Kaura of ACN polled a total of 58 votes, while Eke Uche of APGA got 38 votes, Baba Usman of CPC got 285, DantalaLanbata of PPA 37, and Mohammed Umar of SDNP got only 7.

In Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), the Returning Officer of INEC, Dr. Yusuf Zoaka, who announced the results, said the PDP candidate, Micah Jibah, polled 16,841 votes out of a total of 30,840 vote cast.

CPC's AlhajiAdamuAbdulahi came farsecond with 7,055, while ACN's AlhajiTankoYamawo and ANPP's Chukwuemeka Peter got 2,527 and 1,208 votes respectively.

In Bwari area council, the PDP incumbent Chairman, Peter Yohanna, polled 9,881 votes to get returned in election for the Bwari Area Council, while Musa Dikko of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) scored 8,051 votes to come second.

Peoples Daily gathered that PDP won in Bhazhim, Usafa, Kudur, Iguwa, Kawu and Shere wards respectively, while CPC won in UsmanKubwa, Bwari Central and Duste wards.

The Returning Officer, Yaksat Bulus, said PDP lead in seven wards of the council, while CPC lead in three wards for the chairmanship and councillorship election in Bwari Area Council.

However, in Gwagwalada, the Returning Officer,Clement Chup, announced that AbubakarJibrin of ANPP has won the chairmanship election, polling a total of 11,596 votes, to beat Adamu Mustapha of PDP, who scored 11,502 votes.

He also disclosed that a total of 27,547 votes were cast, while 1,615 votes were rejected, leaving 25,932 as valid votes.

PDP also won the chairmanship seat and nine councillorship seats in Kwali Area Council, while the ANPP won only one councillorship seat.

Speaking to journalists after the election, the Chairman of AMAC, Micah Jiba, commended the FCT INEC for conducting free, fair and credible election in Abuja.

"I really appreciate the effort of INEC in ensuring free, fair and transparent elections in the justconcluded FCT area council elections. As an independent body, it has done a wonderful job. It has been performing and improving since the return to democracy in 1999," he said.

Also speaking on the conduct of the election, the Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Danladi Etsu Zhin, lauded INEC officials and security agencies for conducting a peaceful election, adding that so far, he has not received any negative reports.

He also commended the residents of Kuje for turning out en masse, to exercise their civic duty, assuring the voters that their votes will count in the election.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

PAGE 3

Fresh financial scam rocks Veterinary Council

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

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Bishop Diocese of Kubwa, Rt. Reverend Rufus Babalola (right), leading the clergy during a thanksgiving service to mark the 1st Diocesan Synod of the diocese, yesterday at the Methodist Cathedral of Grace in Kubwa, Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Member-elect accuses Tambuwal of bias From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for House of Representatives from Anambra East/West Federal Constituency and former President of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS),Comrade Tony Nwoye, has accused the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, of refusing to swear him in after the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC had issued him a certificate of return.

Nwoye, in a statement in Lagos at the weekend said he was declared the winner of the House

of Representatives election held on 26th April, 2011 but instead of being issued a certificate of return as required by law, one Ameke Chriscato was issued the certificate in June 2011 despite the fact that the person in question never participated in the election.

According to a document dated 13th July, 2012, Nwoye secured an order of mandamus mandating INEC to recognize him as the candidate of the election and issue him a certificate in obedience to Supreme Court judgment of 9/ 6/2012 that Ameke Christaco, John Ameke and others never participated in the said election

in Anambra State.

INEC, while complying with Supreme Court's directive, issued Nwoye certificate of return on 16th July 2012 and accordingly, withdrew the same earlier issued to Ameke Chriscato.

Nwoye then proceeded to the National Assembly, did his appropriate documentation with the office of the Clerk and was scheduled to be sworn-in on several occasions but since then, the leadership of the House has refused to do the proper thing.

Tambuwal was later advised in a letter dated 12th September 2012, to swear-in Tony Nwoye, the advice which the Speaker reportedly jettisoned having

purportedly persuaded Legal Service Director to change his opinion on the ground that Christaco Ameke had a motion for stay of execution pending at the Court of Appeal, Enugu state.

The motion for execution was then discharged accordingly, the Appeal Court sitting in Enugu on 27/02/ 2013, struck out the said motion for stay of execution for lack of prosecution.

Hon Tony Nwoye wrote to Mr Speaker and Clerk of the National Assembly in a letter dated 27th February, to swear him in because the only reason the National Assembly refused to swear him in has been cleared," the document said.

head of Monday's trial of former Registrar and Director of Finance and Accounts at the Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) before an Abuja High Court on an amended 36 counts charge of criminal breach of trust of N195.38 million, fresh allegations of financial misappropriation have resurfaced at the Council.

A whistle blower, Mr. Emmanuel Ebirim, who blew the lid on serial financial scams by the former Registrar of the Council, Dr. Daniel GarbaMaddo, and former Director of Finance and Accounts, Dr. Hilary Ibe, has raised fresh allegations against the Council's Registrar, Dr. Markus Avong, of retaining some of the fraudulent practices of the former executives of the Council.

Ebirim, a social crusader had, in a letter through his lawyer, Mr. M. AOfioshi, demanded for information from the Council relating to the list of the names of employers employed by the Council alongside their emolument and allowances for 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively.

The former executives led by Dr. Maddo were alleged to have inflated the list of employees at the council from 23 to 75 with fictitious names and employment details provided to enable payment of salaries and allowances.

Ebirim also requested for the total budgetary release made by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to Veterinary Council for 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively pursuant to section 5(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2011.

This request was however declined by the Registrar who in his reply to the demand, indicated that the information being sought by the whistle blower was part of the evidence placed before the Abuja court where the former executives are standing trial and that releasing the information to the whistle blower will likely jeopardize their trial.

CNPP urges probe over alleged link between PDP, "APC"

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he Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) has called on the Inspector General of Police to investigate urgently the alleged linkage between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Peoples Congress, describing it as a matter of urgent national importance.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Osita Okechukwu, CNPP said such an investigation will save the internal cohesion of the electoral commission, Nigeria's fledgling democracy

and Nigeria itself, according to an online news portal yesterday "The division in the country at the moment has created enough fault lines for us to contain, therefore all hands must be on the deck to avert the looming danger inherent in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC's) dilemma in registration of either All Progressives Congress {APC} or African Peoples Congress that goes with the same acronym," it said.

It stressed that the internal

cohesion of INEC should be guided jealously for the efficient and effective conduct of transparent, free and fair 2015 general elections as two major political parties-the PDP and APC--will contest for the soul of the country for the first time since the 1999 general elections.

Noting that promoters of the All Progressives Congress have severally pointed accusing fingers in the direction of the PDP as the promoters of African Peoples Congress, CNPP said the police investigation should be

conducted right away, as the electoral commission has yet to register either of them, but also to assist the commission to avoid the illegal registration of a political party which is being promoted by another.

Further noting that the PDP has dissociated itself from the African Peoples Congress, CNPP drew attention to the allegation of the All Progressives Congress that the sponsor of the registration exercise, Mr Ikenga Ugochinyere, the acting chairman of African Peoples

Congress, Chief Michael O. Ikeagwuonu and a host of others involved in the matter are bona fide members of the PDP. "In sum, as we approach 2015 general elections, the accusation and counter accusation by the All Progressives Congress {APC} and the Peoples Democratic Party {PDP} are not healthy to the internal cohesion of INEC; accordingly the police and indeed other security agencies should step-in and save INEC and our democracy," CNPP urged.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

Judiciary: Time to cleanse the Augean stable

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o many Nigerians and even outsiders keeping tab on the unsavoury conduct of some judicial officers, the dismissal of Justice Charles Archibong of the Federal High Court, Lagos by President Goodluck Jonathan could not have come too soon.

Before the Presidential axe descended on Justice Archibong two weeks ago, the National Judicial Council (NJC) had a week earlier recommended his compulsory retirement along with that of Justice Thomas D. Naron of the High Court of Justice, Plateau state, on account of corruption “pursuant to the ‘findings’ by the Council on the following complaints levelled against them.”

The NJC had also set up a panel to investigate Justice Abubakar Talba of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), apparently for his infamous ruling that granted Yakubu Yusuf a N750, 000 fine after he had pleaded guilty to stealing over N3 billion of the police pension fund.

In announcing Archibong’s compulsory retirement with immediate effect, AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mohammed Adoke had noted that the President’s action was meant to serve as a signal that the war against corruption would be more effective if the country’s judiciary was also purged of corrupt elements.

According to the Attorney General, “this is to inform you that President Goodluck Jonathan is in receipt of a recommendation from the National Judicial Council recommending the compulsory retirement of Justice Charles Archibong and Mr. President has approved that it should take immediate effect.

“It is Mr. President’s belief that once we are able to cleanse the judiciary of corruption, then our fight against corruption in its entirety will take a firm root and will be on its way to success.”

In lauding the NJC’s decision to wield the big stick against corrupt officers, Abuja-based Society for Rule of Law in Nigeria (SRLN) had urged for stiffer sanction against judges found guilty of unethical conduct, believing that; “mere compulsory retirement cannot restore the confidence of Nigerians in the judiciary.”

According to the National

Once upon a time the refrain about the judiciary used to be that it was the last hope of the common man. However, the unsavory acts of commission and omission of some judicial officers in recent times have placed a question mark on the judiciary’s capacity to adjucate justly and fairly, without fear or favour. Indeed, it is even insinuated in some quarters that, on these shores, the judiciary is the least hope for the common man, as justice appears to be for the highest bidder, writes Abdu Labaran Malumfashi.

Justice Maryam Aloma Mukhtar Chief Justice of Nigeria Coordinator of SRLN, Comrade Chima Ubeku, in addition to recommending the judges’ retirement, the NJC must go the whole hog by making them face trial.

“If Nigerians must begin to respect the judiciary, all these cash-n-carry judges must be sent to jail. It shouldn’t just be mere retirement because they could have envisaged the premature retirement and corruptly acquired enough fund to last them throughout their lifetime.

“For instance, we have heard of people offering judges what they call their ‘retirement benefit’ should anything go awry in their deal.

If a judge had taken say N500

million to pervert the course of justice and all the NJC does to sanction him is to retire him, won’t the judge feel happy that he was able to make what he could not have made even if he works for 50 years?

“Therefore, while we commend the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mariam Aloma Muktah for her efforts to sanitise the judiciary, we urge that judges who are found to have contravened their oath of office should be made to face trial instead of mere suspension or retirement,” Comrade Ubeku had said in a press statement.

Coming fast on the heels of the dismissal of Justice Archibong, the Legal Practitioners

Privileges Committee (LPPC) announced the sanction of Chief Ajibola Aribisala, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) by stripping him of the title and the privileges attached to it.

A statement signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and Secretary of the LPPC, Mr. Sunday Olorundahunsi said that, “The LPPC at its meeting held today the 26th day of February 2013, considered the petition by Fidelity Bank against the person of Chief Ajibola A. Aribisala, SAN together with his response to same and after due consideration of the said response has decided in its wisdom to suspend him (i.e. Chief Ajibola A. Aribisala) from the use of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and all other privileges attached to that rank pending the outcome of the court case and impeding investigation by the Sub- Committee set up by the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee.”

Aribisala is the second ranking lawyer to be so sanctioned by the LPPC after former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr. Michael Aondoakaa.

There are so many petitions and allegations of sharp practices against ranking members of the bench.

In one case, a ranking judge in the High Court allegedly demanded for $150,000 but could only get $100,000 from a petitioner. After delivering judgement in favour of the opponent, who allegedly was able to come up with $150,000, the judge had the ‘decency’ to return the $100,000 to the petitioner.

And only last week, ten Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) National Assembly lawmakers from Katsina state sent a petition to the National Judicial Council (NJC) against Justice Gladys Olotu of a Federal High Court in Abuja, accusing the judge of misconduct and overruling the Supreme Court. The petition

reads in part, “The said application in respect of Yandoma & 9 Ors. v. INEC & 14 Ors however met with brick wall as counsels were informed by the registry that Justice Gladys Olotu has refused to release the judgment/ruling.

“Counsel consequently caused reminders to be delivered to the Registry of the Federal High Court, Abuja, but up till now both the judgments and rulings have not been delivered to the counsel.

“The National Assembly leadership was informed by plaintiffs that Justice Olotu told them that there was no appeal or application for injunction/stay of execution of her judgment despite being aware that these processes were not only filed by our counsel but were served on all the parties concerned. This caused the National Assembly to write to the Federal High Court Registry whose response confirmed that the statement attributed to the said judgment was unfounded.

“We were further taken aback in the afternoon of February 19, 2013 when some of the plaintiffs and their supporters met some of us and boasted that they had perfected with the judge ways to dismiss our application and frustrate our appeal. “We would have ignored this but for the fact that we subsequently learnt that the said application for injunction pending appeal and stay of execution of her judgment came up for hearing on February 19, 2013 without our knowledge not that of our counsel. It is however shocking that the plaintiffs above were not only informed of the application coming up for hearing on the said February 19, 2013 but were all present in court.

“We and our counsel only got to know of these facts when one of the respondents’ counsel who coincidentally came to court for another business called them after the court had adjourned the application to February 21, 2013. We subsequently were served the hearing notice.

“This is not only an aberration but an embarrassment to the Judiciary and the entire legal profession. The antecedent of Justice Olotu enumerated above is a clear show of bias and display of professional misconduct and gross abuse of office.”

PAGE 6

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

Aero workers resume as Labour Minister intervenes

. . . Cargo agents threaten showdown with Bi-Courtney From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

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rising from a negotiation at the instance of the Ministry of Labour, aggrieved workers of embattled Aero Contractors are expected to resume work today following a truce brokered by the Minister of Labour in Lagos at the weekend.

It was gathered that the Minister dispatched one of the deputy controllers of Labour from the Lagos office to mediate between the workers and management of the airline over labour related issues.

Peoples Daily gathered that Aero Contractors workers were locked out by management of the airline following failed welfare negotiations.

However, Labour unions were enjoined to continue with their negotiations drive with the management since a 21 day ultimatum has been renewed further for the management to respond to their demands.

In a letter dated 13th March 2013, addressed to the acting managing director of Aerocontractors and signed by the two secretaries of National Union of Air Transport Employees NUATE and Air Transport Services Senior Staff Associations of Nigeria ATSSSAN, Comrades Abdul Kareem Motajo and Olayinka Abioye, advised management of the airline to imbibe the culture of embracing social dialogue instead of arbitrary approach.

The Unions accused the airline of over the petition against them to the Airport Police Command of what they termed, ‘damaging lies and innuendoes that can not be substantiated’.

Meanwhile trouble is brewing between members of the Domestic Airport Cargo Agents Association DACAA and management of Bi Courtney Aviation Service operators of MM2 following the imposition of N150,000 flat levy on all cargo agents operating at the MM2.

The agents condemned the action of Bi Courtney accusing top management staff of insincerity towards them describing the levy as uncalled for and irresponsible as both the major cargo operators and small

ones will be made to pay the same levy.

They noted that operations started crumbling when the running of cargo was concessioned to Greater Washington to manage the collection of cargo fees, fingering one of the management staff as the brain behind the present moves.

According to them, the domestic cargo agents at MM2 generates N12M monthly for Bi Courtney.

When contacted, the public Relations Officer for Bi Courtney, Mr Steve Ajulo said the cargo department has been concessioned to Greater Washington Limited to handle.

Former Afribank Staff (Now Mainstreet Bank) protesting over non payment of their benefits at trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) office, at the weekend, at Idi-Oro, in Lagos.

Photo: NAN

Power: Minister to adopt local content strategy

By Etuka Sunday

M

inister of Power, Prof.

Chinedu Nebo at the weekend said that the petroleum sector local content initiative would be replicated in the power sector to ensure an indigenous participation in the transformation of the sector.

A statement issued by the Deputy Director/Head of Press, Timothy Oyedeji quoted the Minister to have made the disclosure in Abuja during his maiden meeting with the principal officials of the power sector, which he tasked the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) to produce highly skilled power sector professionals, as Nigeria is not prepared to import needed manpower overseas.

The Minister said that thousands of Nigerians would be needed urgently in the power sector revolution that is about to take place therefore NAPTIN would be required to equip these Nigerians with necessary skills needed to drive the energy sector in line with international best practices.

Nebo said that the break down often experienced in power was due to archaic maintenance culture therefore revealed that the modern approach is through preventive maintenance which is anticipatory of major problems before they arise.

He therefore directed distribution companies to establish a public complaints desk under their jurisdiction to be headed by a well respected officer, who will ensure that every complain is addressed promptly, adding “a toll free telephone line should be dedicated to Public Complaint, while a web-site will be created in his office where the public could lodge complaint of peculiar electricity problem in their areas.”

Gunmen kill two in Plateau, as Jang charges STF to fish out bad eggs From Musa Pam, Jos

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wo people were confirmed killed in the early hours of Sunday, in Wase local government area of Plateau state by yet to be identified gunmen.

Confirming the killing during a telephone conversation with Peoples Daily, spokesman of the Task Force in the state, Capt.

Salisu Mustapha, said the deceased who were travelling on a motorcycle along the Wase Kagarko area, when they were shot at and killed.

According to eyewitness account, the two victims who were identified as Tarok men were allegedly killed by aggrieved Fulani people who were protesting over nothing had been

done to identify and punish those who killed Fulani men in January.

However, in a telephone interview yesterday, Assistant Secretary of Miyetti-Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN), Abdullahi Abubakar, Wase LGA told peoples daily disassociated the Fulanis from having a hand in the incident.

Instead, Abubakar said: “the two Tarok men, we suspect, were killed by their own people following a misunderstanding during a Tarok Day celebration among the Tarok people.”

Also Peoples Daily learnt from a different source that the Tarok Day celebration in question took place in Langtang while the killing of the two occurred behind

Wase Rock as the two were returning from Langtang on their way to Kadarko.

However, Mustapha who disclosed that the gunmen most probably laid an ambush on the victims, shot them to death, and escaped, would neither identify the dead nor the attackers but hinted that two people had been arrested in connection with the incident and that investigation was still on.

Meanwhile, Governor Jonah David Jang of Plateau State has directed the Special Task Force in charge of internal security in Jos and environs to double efforts and fish out assassins who are taking advantage of crisis in the state to maim lives.

Jang described the isolated

attacks in the state as assassination cause by enemies of the state adding that the security agencies must step up efforts to bring the perpetrators to book.

The Governor made the called through his Commissioner of Health, Fom Dakwak, yesterday in Barkin-Ladi Local Government area of the state during a free medical outreach organised by the STF as part of peace building measures in crisis riding Council Areas.

According to him “ the STF and other security agencies must do everything possible to identify and arrest people that are now involve in isolating assassination and attacks because as far as we are concern in Plateau State

Peace has returned but among us there those who are still perpetrating isolated assassination and isolated attacks.

Speaking earlier, the Commander, Special Task Force, Gen. Henry Ayoola said the command will no longer employ the use of weapons and maximum force in sustaining the hard end peace in the state as other peace building measures have been adopted.

Gen. Ayoola said the free medical care is geared towards healing the physical and traumatic wounds sustained at the cause of the crisis and to bring the warring groups together on the needs to embrace and forgive one another.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

PAGE 7

NUJ awards: Sambo, Tambuwal, Runsewe set agenda for journalists

By A’isha Raji ice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Otunba Segun Runsewe, at the weekend charged journalists on the need to adhere to the laws guiding the practice of journalism.

The occasion was the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) 2012 Awards in Abuja.

In an address at the ceremony, Sambo who was represented by his Special Adviser on Media, Umar Sani, commended the NUJ for instituting the awards noting that it would ginger performance and improve excellence among

V

journalists.

The Vice President said that the Federal Government was set to partner with the NUJ for the development of the journalism profession in the country and advised the union’s leadership to always sensitise its members on the dangers of sensational reporting which Sambo said was capable of threatening the peace of the country.

On his part, Tambuwal also commended the NUJ and called for sustainability of the awards.

He also commended the media for their role in projecting the image of the country and urged journalists to take advantage of the Freedom of Information law and follow the process of verifying information as contained in the law before going to press.

Runsewe, who presented the award to the tourism reporter of the year, promised to sponsor Ogunsina to Dubai, United Arab Emirates to attend a tourism conference next month.

Speaking earlier in a welcome address, NUJ National President, Mallam Muhammed Garba, said the award which was in honour of the Late Ladi Lawal was to reward excellence and professionalism among professionals.

The high point of the event was the presentation of a book in honour of the late Lawal, titled “The Complete Journalist.”

Three correspondents of LEADERSHIP won six, out of about 22 awards presented in different categories.

Other award winners were

Emeka Anuforo of the Guardian Newspaper who won the awards for Energy and science and technology reporter of the year respectively, while Chinedum Emeama, Johnson Okonlawon and Arhene Paul Osasunwen all of National Mirror Newspaper won the awards for health reporter of the year in the print category, business reporter of the year and diplomatic/foreign reporter of the year respectively.

Nkoli Omhoudu of Africa Independent television (AIT) won the award for environment reporter of the year in the broadcast category and Okorocha Chukwuma won the same award in the print category.

Isaac Abraham of New

UN Commission appoints Jonathan co-Chair

By Maryam Garba Hassan

I

L-R: Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, condoling with the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, over the death of his elder brother, Alhaji Umaru Idris, yesterday at the emir's palace, in Zaria.

Reps move to block revenue leakages, non-remittance

By Umar Muhammad Puma

T

he House of Representatives has initiated moves to block revenue leakages as well as non-remittances by government corporations, departments and agencies.

Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Abdulmumin Jibril (PDP Kano state), told reporters at the weekend that draft amendment bills to Acts establishing the affected bodies were ready to be presented before the larger House soon, while efforts were also on to repeal and re-enact the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007, especially to give the Fiscal Responsibility Commission power of enforcement.

According to him, “the biggest challenge to us as a committee is the NNPC. It has never remitted a dime to the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation.”

Rather than defend allegations of non-remittance of revenue, he said NNPC was engaging in accusing the Committee of being out to embarrass it, pursuing a hidden agenda and that the

committee investigation was inconclusive before it made its report public.

According to him, the Committee’s efforts has begun to yield positive results as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had remitted N80 billion of the N95 billion it withheld and the Nigerian Ports Authority had paid over N20 billion of its withheld revenue, vowing that NNPC and all other agencies must pay.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has debunked the misconception that members were seeking blanket immunity that would keep them above the law, but that what the constitutional amendment Bills were rather asking for was “just speech immunity to guarantee members’ freedom of expression on the floor and in committee sittings.”

Spokesman of the House, Mr Zakari Mohammed alongside sponsors of the two controversial Bills, Ali Ahmed and Ralph Igbokwe, at a media chat at the weekend explained that members were rather driven by the passion to strengthen democratic

institutions, saying it was unfortunate that the proposed amendment was so much misunderstood by Nigerians.

According to Mohammed, seven Malawians lawmakers were currently facing trial for treasonable felony over what they said on the floor of the parliament.

“What we are saying is we don’t have to wait until such happen in Nigeria before we take action,” he said.

The lawmakers argued that provisions of the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act of 1953, were apart from its age inadequate, and that the speech immunity being sought would only be within the legislative house premises.

On safeguards against abuse of such immunity if obtained by members, Igbokwe said standing rules of the House already made provisions against the use of offensive words on the floor. “The immunity is only on spoken words in the parliament. Our rules which are also recognized by the Constitution already censored the use of offensive language during debates,” he stated.

Nigeria Newspaper won the award for parliamentary reporter of the year; Ifekoya Kikelomo of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) won the award for education reporter of the year in the broadcast category, Solomon Adebayo also of the FRCN won the Raymond Dokpesi award for health reporter of the year, Chris Richards won the inspector general of police, MD Abubakar award for crime reporter of the year while Zandas Okeke of Hot FM won the award for broadcast reporter of the year.

The biggest award of the night went to Solomon Adebayo of the FRCN who won the Ladi Lawal award for journalist of the year 2012.

n recognition of the administration’s commitment to the development of women and children in Nigeria and Africa, the United Nation’s Commission on Life-Saving Commodities for Women and Children has appointed President Goodluck Jonathan its Co-Chair.

The Commission which was launched this month is expected to ensure that women and children have adequate medical care to protect them from preventable diseases which may lead to death.

Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina, announced Jonathan’s appointment while declaring open a national workshop on Reduction of Maternal and Infant Mortality, organized by the National Centre for Women Development in collaboration with the office of the Special Assistant to the President on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), in Abuja.

The Minister noted that the

President has expressed his commitment to saving lives by increasing access to affordable and effective healthcare delivery.

She noted that her ministry and other agencies have scaled up their programmes and advocacy to reduce maternal and infant mortality.

According to her, “for instance, my ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Health implemented the Emergency Ambulance Scheme which facilitated the delivery of 116 ambulances and special supplies to hospitals across the country.”

She noted that Nigeria is making progress in reducing infant and under-five mortality rates but regretted that the pace still remains too slow to achieve the Millennium Development Goals targeted at reducing child mortality to a third by 2015.

Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, Dr. Precious Gbeneol, stressed on the need to accelerate the pace of reducing the rate of maternal mortality in the country so that Nigeria can have commendable results by the target year 2015.

Lawyers berate NJC over Justice Archibong’s sack

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

A

cross section of lawyers in Abuja have condemned the National Judicial Council (NJC) over the recent sack of Justice Charles Archibong of a Lagos High Court for alleged judicial misconduct.

Speaking to journalists, one of the lawyers, Mr. Ugochukwu Osuagwu, said the action of the NJC was illegal and ultra vires since the affected judge was not given fair hearing.

According to Osuagwu, the dismissed judge travelled to the United States of America (USA) on an official duty on the approval of the Chief Justice of Nigeria the day the NJC panel sat to hear the matter.

He said while abroad, Justice Archibong was purportedly “arraigned and tried” in absentia while he was not given any fair

hearing.

According to another lawyer, Sylvia Okonkwo, while Justice Charles Archibong might have petitioned the presidency over his dismissal, it is obvious that he was denied fair hearing which is against the rule of law principle.

She said the NJC panel ought to have invited Archibong to appear before as, according to her, the right to fair hearing is immutable, adding that, “if a judge can be sacked by just a wave of hand, it is a display of impunity.”

Another lawyer, Jude Ifesemen, condemned the action of the NJC, saying for Archibong to be sacked, due process should be followed and accused the body of putting the cart before the horse.

It would be recalled that that President Goodluck Jonathan sacked Justice Charles Archibong following the recommendation of the NJC.

PAGE 8

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

www.kn.gov.ng/new/

T

89th KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

he Kano State Executive Council Sitting was held, as usual, on Wednesday 13th March, 2013 (1st Jumada Auwal, 1434Ah) and was presided over by Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. Thirty two (32) Memoranda were submitted by eight (8) MDAs for deliberation by the Council among which nineteen (19) were approved for execution with twelve (12) of them having financial implications totalling the sum of Two Billion, One Hundred and Eighty Million, One Hundred and Six Thousand, Six Hundred and Forty Eight Naira, Ninety Eight Kobo (N2,180,106,648.98) while the remaining thirteen (13) were on policy issues. Thus: OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE 1.

GOVERNMENT The Office of the Secretary to the State Government submitted ten (10) memoranda on behalf of other MDAs for deliberation by the Council of which six (6) were approved for execution. a.

Request for funds to facilitate the execution of the 8th Batch of the Lafiya Jari Empowerment Program for 200 potential beneficiaries selected from the 44 Local Government Council Areas:The Lafiya Jari Empowerment Program is among the laudable legacies of the present administration of which the positive impact is glaring concerning the delivery of qualitative Healthcare services especially in drug dispensation, administration and ultimate consumption.

The program trains the beneficiaries on the business of selling medicine and its general handling for which seven (7) batches have successfully been conducted. In fact, over 1400 youths were trained and funded to open and operate patent medicine stores in the rural and urban areas thereby bringing genuine drugs closer to the people.

Immediate past government had allowed rural and urban centers at the mercy of illegal and fake drug peddlers, who have turned the State youths into drug addicts. The State is being seen and counted as the main center of drug abuse.

This explains the position of the State Government against drug peddlers that dispense drugs in the Sabon Gari Market. Under the present arrangement, while the peddlers are making millions of Naira at the expense of the people, more and more of our youths are becoming drug abusers because of its availability and dispensation by unqualified individuals. Government will not shy away from its responsibility to sanitize the drug business in the State. This Government is placing a high value on health and will do everything within its powers to ensure that quality healthcare is not only available but also affordable. The State Government is bent on curtailing the indiscriminate peddling and dispensing of drugs in the State.

The stand of the Government on illegal dispensing of drugs by individuals in the Sabon Gari market and other outlets explains the reason behind the introduction of this laudable program. This program, therefore, is not only empowering youths to be self-employed but it will curtail the dispensing of drugs by unqualified people. Thus, this memorandum is another request from the Office of the Special Adviser on Sanitation/Immunization (Coordinator Lafiya Jari) for the release of the sum of N48, 350,252.00 by the Council, to enable the conduct of the 8th batch of Lafiya Jari Empowerment Program for 200 beneficiaries selected from the 44 LGCAs in the State. Details were presented on the expenditure as proposed to cover five items; viz: i.

Screening Exercise N367, 500.00 ii.

Printing of Handouts N280, 000.00 iii.

Engaging 20 Facilitators for 15 days N42, 673,000.00 iv.

Training Materials/Stationeries N269, 000.00 v.

Announcements/Jingles N4, 760,752.00 Total N48, 350,252.00 Council approved the release of the requested sum of N48,350,252.00 to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for onward payment to the Office of the Special Adviser on Sanitation/ Immunization (Coordinator Lafiya Jari) to enable the conduct of the 8th batch training of 200 beneficiaries selected from the 44 LGCAs for the Lafiya Jari Empowerment Program. b.

Request for funds for disbursement as take-off capital for the 99 graduated students of the Kano Hospitality and Tourism Institute:The Kano Hospitality and Tourism Institute is among the 21 Skills acquisition/development Institutions established by the present administration as part of the strategic approach of confronting the menace of youths unemployment in the State. Amongst the institutions are Kano Informatics Institute, Fisheries Institute, Poultry Institute, Sports Institute, Security Institute, etc. The establishment of these institutions is associated with this administration's belief that idle youths within the society represent a waste, a loss of goods and services, and in the end, a loss of real income, which may lead to crises and crimes.

Government is quite aware of the economic value of training the unemployed youths to be self-employed. Lack of income or the possibility of not having one in the future, threaten the stability of the family as an economic and social unit. In fact, the society as a whole may have to suffer the consequences.

Since, their establishment these institutions have trained and graduated hundreds of students and all of them were provided with funds and equipment to start their own businesses. The Hospitality and Tourism Institute had graduated Ninety nine (99) beneficiaries, who are now awaiting the release of funds to set up their private businesses.

This memorandum is a request for the release of the sum of N13, 500,000.00 on behalf of Kano Hospitality and Tourism Institute, to enable the setting up of the stated fifty three (53) Hospitality and Tourism related enterprises for the benefit of the 99 graduates, which draws credence from Government's desire to ensure the massive employment of our youths.

Council approved the release of the requested sum of N13,500,000.00 to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for onward payment to the Kano Hospitality and Tourism Institute to enable the setting of the stated 53 Hospitality and Tourism related enterprises for the benefit of its 99 graduating Students. e.

Presentation on Kano Agricultural Trade Development Center (KATRACEN) Nigeria Limited:Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Agriculture (SSAA) officially introduced Kano Agricultural Trade Development Center through the contents of this memorandum submitted by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for deliberation by the Council.

The Company was introduced as a newly registered privately owned limited liability Company. KATRACEN is a private sectordriven approach to the erstwhile Commodity Boards that effectively served farmers in the past. The company is established to support and

ENGR. RABI`U MUSA KWANKWASO Executive Governor, Kano State

mobilize "Focus Group" from each of the 44 LGCAs in the State.

Significance of KATRACEN to the State is multi-dimensional. Thus; •Partnership in the States ongoing commodity basic processing project •Partnership with the State in the development of Cassava, Sesame seed, Moringa (Zogale) and gum Arabic value chains.

•Partnership with the State for the establishment of Commodity Support Center.

•Partnership with the State to accelerate technical and business preparations for Export Production Village (EPV) projects take-off.

•Partnership with the State in "Chefane Vegetables" retail stands project.

•Partnership with the State in promotion of Agricultural Trade exchanges between Niger Republic and Kano Communities.

•Partnership with the State in any agricultural development programs that require Private Sector Company involvement for better and sustainable outcomes.

Specifically, the main partnership "Focus Groups" were presented as follows; i.

All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) Kano, General Commodities (Sesame, Cassava, Gum Arabic and Cluster bean). ii.

Kano Co-operative Federation (KCF) Kano, General Commodities (Sesame, Cassava, Gum Arabic and Cluster bean). iii.

Smallholder Farmers Association (SFA) Kano, General Commodities (Sesame, Cassava, Gum Arabic and Cluster bean). iv.

Fadama Users Association (FUA) Kano, Vegetables Domestic Market Promotion (DMP). v.

Miyetti Allah Kano, Meat and Leather Projects. vi.

Kamala Agricultural Processing and Marketing Co-op. Kano Commodity Basic Processing Project. vii. Kano Moringa Development Association (KAMODA), Zogale Industrial Plantation Development Project. viii. Women in Agriculture Kano, Food and Agriculture Projects.

Council deliberated on the submission and agreed to collaborate with any private initiative that is beneficial to the State and its citizenry. f.

Presentation on Letter of Appreciation submitted by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to Governor Engr.

Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE:The National Orientation Agency (NOA) submitted a Letter of Appreciation for the allocation of an 18-seater Toyota Hiace Bus to Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE, through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government. The Agency through this letter informed the Council that the vehicle was delivered and will be put to use. Therefore, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) reassured Council/ the Governor of its commitment to continue to partner with the Government in the areas of public enlightenment, civil education, mobilization, value reorientation and campaign on the need for people to eschew violence for peaceful co-existence as envisioned.

The presentation was appreciated by the Council.

OFFICE OF THE HEAD OF CIVIL SERVICE 2.

Two (2) memoranda were submitted for deliberation by the Council from the Office of the Head of Civil Service. One (1) of them was deliberated upon and appreciated as presented. Thus; Presentation on the Circular released on the Implementation of Tenure System for Permanent Secretaries and Directors in the Civil Service:Council recalled its approval for tenure system for Permanent Secretaries and Directors in order to reinvigorate the system for efficiency and effectiveness as implement by the Federal Government under President Obasanjo. This memorandum informed the Council of the release of the circular on the issue for the consumption of the general public. The aim of such a circular was to educate the public and sensitize the service. Thus, the release of the circular on the Implementation of Tenure system of Permanent Secretaries and Directors on Tuesday 26th February, 2013 was in compliance with the contents of an Executive Council Extract as well as the provisions of the Kano State Pension and Gratuity (Amendment) Law 2013. This memorandum presented relevant appendices for Council Member's perusal.

Council acknowledged the presentation in good faith.

MINISTRY OF WORKS, HOUSING AND TRANSPORT 3.

Of the four (4) memoranda submitted by the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport, two (2) were approved for execution by the Council as follows;

a.

Presentation on confirmation of Receipt of 344,339 Liters of Diesel by Street Light Committee for the Months of November-December, 2012 and Request for Funds to Enable Payment to the Supplier:The citizenry is witnessing the transformation of the metropolitan Kano from a traditional settlement into a modern center. In fact, since the inception of this administration, the State is taking a new shape in infrastructural developments, with the construction of the first flyover, the construction of major roads along Zaria road, Gwarzo road, Hadejia road and Sheikh Jafar road. Almost all major streets are installed with functional street and traffic lights now. Kano is now alive at night as at day to quote the saying of the wise. However, due to the failure of the national grid to supply uninterrupted electricity to the State the streetlights must have to utilize generators. This explains the content of this memorandum requesting the payment of the sum of N75, 752,580.00 to the company that supplied the fuel for the generating of electricity from the generators.

The Ministry of Work, Housing and Transport requested for the release of the sum of N75, 754,580.00 to enable the payment of 344,339 Liters of Diesel directly supplied to the Committee on Street and Traffic Lights for the period 1st November to December, 2012.

Council considered and approved the release of the requested sum of N75, 754,580.00 by the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to facilitate payment for the 344,339 Liters of Diesel directly supplied to the Committee on Street and Traffic Lights for the period of 1st November to 31st December, 2012. b.

Request for funds to facilitate the construction and installation of Automated Gate (NO.9) by Wudil Road Carriage Way beside Government House:The attention of the Council was drawn to developmental works currently being executed within and around the Government House.

The need to construct and install an automated gate (NO.9) arose in the course of work being executed. The project is to cost an assessed sum of N28, 335,896.98.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the sum of N28,335,896.98 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to enable the construction and installation of automated gate (NO.9)

by Wudil Road Carriage Way beside Government House, Kano. This project will add to the security and at the same time beautify the surrounding of the Government House to look more like a seat of government.

OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR/HON. 4.

COMMISSIONER MINISTRY FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS (CHAIRMAN ADMISSION DRIVE COMMITTEE) a.

Purchase and distribution of JAMB forms to qualified candidates.

The laudable policy/tradition of the State Government on the annual purchase and distribution of JAMB forms to prospective Kano State Indigenous applicants for admission into tertiary Institutions was clearly cited to Council by the contents of this memorandum.

Council was alerted and notified that in the past the JAMB forms were purchased and distributed to the candidates without any screening or training, which resulted in most of such sponsored candidates failing the pre-requisite JAMB Examinations and not gaining the envisaged admission into tertiary Institutions. This defeated the purpose for which Government purchased and distributed the forms. This was not the case during the first (1st) tenure of Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE when the "Admission Drive" was introduced.

That time, a Committee was set up with the Deputy Governor as Chairman with a mandate to screen, prepare, train and register sponsored candidates for JAMB. Successes were recorded as a result of the performance of the redemption activities of the "Admission Drive" Committee.

Therefore the Office of the Deputy Governor/Hon. Commissioner for Local Governments (Chairman Committee on Admission Drive) submitted to Council the need to re-introduce the activities of the Admission Drive Committee. Council was notified of the following: •That Government has already purchased 1650 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) forms for distribution to successful candidates to be trained.

•350 Direct Entry forms will be purchased and distributed to successful candidates when JAMB starts selling the forms.

•A Sub-Committee has already screened the candidates to be registered for the training on JAMB Examinations.

•Seven (7) Centers for the training are scheduled as follows; Rumfa College, GSS Dala, GSS Wudil, GTC Bagauda, GSS Gwarzo, GSS Dambatta and GGC Dala for Girls.

•15 Subjects will be taught to the applicants for 20 days on Saturdays and Sundays from 9th February to 21st April, 2013.

•That the total cost implication for the screening and training exercise is N6,993,400.00.

This made the Office of the Deputy Governor/Hon. Commissioner for Local Governments (Chairman Admission Drive Committee) to request for the release of the sum of N6, 993,400.00 by the Council to enable the execution of the screening and training exercise for the sponsored JAMB candidates.

Approval was granted by the Council for the release of the sum of N6,000,000.00 in view of the relevance of the request. This administration since inception has been sponsoring its qualified youths to undertake courses within and outside the country. Of recent 501 students were sponsored to study postgraduate courses overseas, 100 were sent to Crescent University, 100 were sponsored to be trained as pilots in Jordan, 100 were selected to study medicine and another 100 to read pharmacy overseas. This program in relation to others implemented by this administration has cost the Government over N5 billion to execute.

Thus, purchasing and distribution of JAMB forms to qualified indigenous youths are part of this Government support program.

MINISTER OF PLANNING AND BUDGET 5. a.

Presentation on the need to commence preparation for the Development of Medium Sector Strategy (MTSS):Contents of this memorandum presented a concise meaning/ description of what the Medium Sector Strategy (MTSS) is to the Council as being an evidence-based explanation/description of how a Sector, Ministry or MDA goes about achieving outcomes, goals and targets over the medium term period of usually three (3) Years. This is

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013 done through a co-ordinated deployment of inputs and activities in most effective and efficient manner.

Importantly, the MTSS is derived from the overall State Development Plan (KSDP), which has just been completed making it possible to go ahead with the logical step of MTSS preparation at the respective MDA levels. The MTSS reduces the long term KSDP down to 3-Year Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). It also leads to the strengthening of the annual budgeting process at MDA levels. Being a rolling plan, the MTSS is flexible and rolled on each year to ensure that focus is maintained on achieving the long term goals enshrined in the KSDP. Council was reminded of the Government's adoption of fourteen (14) socioeconomic Sectors for effective Governance and service delivery. Among these, only two (2) sectors (i.e. Education and Health) currently have their MTSS, which are being reviewed annually.

Essentially, the Ministry of Planning and Budget informed Council of the fact that the DFID, working under SPARC and GEMS 3 has pledged to support another round of the MTSS exercise in four (4) more priority sectors which include; •Commerce and Manufacturing •Agriculture •Infrastructure •Environment.

Council was requested to approve for the Ministry of Planning and Budget to continue to lead/coordinate in preparation of the Medium Term Sector Strategy (MTSS) across the sectors.

Council appreciated the presentation and approved as requested.

MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES 6. a.

Request for funds to facilitate the procurement of 3000 Metric Tons of Aluminum Sulphate (Alum):Contents of this memorandum maintained that it is among the priority resolutions of the present administration to provide not only the required quantity of water but also that of safe/clean potable water for domestic, industrial, agricultural (irrigation) and other economic activities.

This makes the procurement of alum a routine activity of the Ministry of Water Resources along with other water treatment Chemicals for the purpose of providing sustained qualitative life for all residents in Kano State.

Council was notified, by the contents of this memorandum, that an allocation of N600 Million was made in the 2013 appropriation by the Government for the procurement of 6,000 Metric Tons of alum to meet the consumption requirements of Urban Water Treatment Plants and Semi-Urban Water Supply Schemes.

As such, the Ministry of Water Resources requested for the release of the sum of N282, 000,000.00 by the Council to enable the procurement of 3,000 Metric Tons of Alum for use in the Urban Water Treatment Plants and Regional Water Supply Schemes.

Approval was granted by the Council for the release of the requested sum of N282,000,000.00 to the Ministry of Water Resources to enable the procurement of 3,000 Metric Tons of Aluminum Sulphate (Alum) for use as stated since the purpose is in line with Cardinal resolutions of the present administration under the capable Leadership of Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL 7.

RESOURCES Three (3) memoranda were submitted for deliberation by the Council from the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources. All were approved for execution. Thus: a.

Request for funds to enable the Take-off of the first (1st) Batch of training in respect of the Kano Fisheries Institute, Bagauda:Complying with directives issued regarding an earlier submitted memorandum on the proposal to commence training at the Fisheries Institute, Bagauda via State Executive Council Extract Ref NO SSCA/ CA/EX/12/1/104, the Ministry of Agricultural and Natural Resources forwarded a new submission on the procurement of bedding, furnishing and the release of funds for the running of the Institution.

Essentially, the requirements were divided into two (2). Thus; i.

Category "A" - provision of kitchen utensil, beddings, and furnishing of the institute to be provided through Contract Awards. ii.

Category "B" - release of overheads for the dayto-day running of the institute.

Category "A" comprises 26 items such as beddings, kitchen utensils and furnishing of hostels and offices at the aggregate sum of N17, 570,506.00 while Category "B" comprises nine (9) items at the aggregate sum of N6, 044,500.00. The two projects are estimated to cost the State the sum of N23, 615,066.00.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources requested for the release of the sum of N23, 615,066.00 by the Council to enable the take-off of the first (1st) batch of training at the Kano Fisheries Institute, Bagauda which was subsequently approved. b.

Presentation on Information Memorandum (IM) on Commercial Agriculture Development Project (CADP):Complying with directives issued by the Council at its sitting held on 6th March, 2013 to the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources to liaise with the State Community Reorientation Council (CRC) in the formation of the Community Interest Groups (CIG) under the Commercial Agriculture Development Project; KNARDA-SCADO submitted the following for consideration by the Council through the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources: i.

The first meeting was held on 12th March, 2013 and was well attended by the State CRC and Chairmen/Secretaries of the CRCs from the 44 LGCAs in the State. The meeting was held under the Chairmanship of the Honorable Commissioner Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources during which the followings were discussed; •Information about the project: Value Chains and Segments supported by the project; procedures for the formation of Community Interest Groups (CIGs); how to access project grant and other vital project information.

•Mapping of the Local Governments based on Strength in terms of the value chains and activities. This will guide and facilitate formation of the groups so that the CIGs are formed in the Wards based on existing value chain activities. The mapping format was distributed to the participants a copy of which was presented to the Council for perusal. A format of the form to be filled for the formation of the CIGs was also presented and discussed. The form will be filled by the groups and submitted to LGCA CRCs for verification. Then the filled and verified forms will be submitted to the State CRC for endorsement before being submitted to the CADP for further processing.

Specifically, CADP expects to receive an average of 3 CIGs per ward to make a total of 1,452 from 484 wards in the State (i.e.

3x484=1,452). These groups are expected to be formed within a week pending the second meeting.

In any case, the formed groups are expected to be mobilized by the CRC to register with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Co-operatives and Tourism. The cost of registration is broken down as follows: i.

Number of expected CIGs = 3 x 484 = 1,452 ii.

Registration cost per group = N15, 000.00 iii.

Total cost of registration = 1,452 x N15, 000.00 = N21, 780,000.00 Further, Council was informed that; •The second phase of the meeting will discuss registration of the groups and preparation for the formation of new CADA from the LGCAs after which the State CADA will be formed.

•The 3rd phase of the meeting will be to strategize for the development of business plans for the formed CIGs for presentation to the Executive Council before being forwarded to the National Office and the World

PAGE 9 Bank for "No Objection" to implement.

Humbly, the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources requested Council's approval for a waiver of the entire cost of registration for the CIGs. Council approved the formation of the CIGs according to the details presented and approved the payment of the sum of N21,780,000.00 for the registration of the 1,452 groups to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Co-operatives and Tourism. c.

Presentation on update on collaboration between the State and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) on Red Goat Conservation and Multiplication:The Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources intimated Council, through the contents of this memorandum, of the collaboration between Kano State and NEPC on Red Goat multiplication and distribution of grower's goats to deserving women in the State.

Notably, the NEPC has conducted renovation of goat holding facility, renovation of borehole with water reticulation and the provision of drinkers and feeders at Dambatta Natural Service Center. Now six hundred (600) goats are ready for distribution through the Community Reorientation Council to prevent early slaughter. A sharing formula of 80%: 20% (Kano: NEPC) was suggested to the Council in this presentation (i.e. 480 goats to the State: 120 goats to NEPC).

Council acknowledged and appreciated the presentation and approved for the distribution of the 480 goats to be benefitted by women across the three (3) Senatorial Districts.

8.

MINISTRY OF LAND AND PHYSICAL PLANNING Four (4) memoranda were submitted for deliberation by the Council from the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning. All were approved for execution as follows; a.

Request for additional funds for routine Road Maintenance Works:Maintenance of Public Utilities is among the priority resolutions of the present administration. Roads are among such utilities for which the Government has never relented to provide for from its inception to date.

Reflectively, the present administration approved for the release of the sum of N103, 507,867.04 via Executive Council Extracts NOS. SSCA/CA/EX/7/1/22 dated 13th October, 2011; SSCA/CA/EX/7/1/89 dated 1st June, 2012 meant for the repair of some selected roads inherited from the previous regime in order to reverse their neglect.

Notably, twenty (20) roads were selected under phase one of the ongoing road rehabilitation projects on which work is either completed or in progress. Thus; Phase I SN

Road Name

% Completion

i.

Emir's Palace Road

ii.

Kofar Ruwa Road

Remark completed

100

Completed

55

In Progress

iii.

Bompai Road

85

In Progress

iv.

Ahmadu Bello Way

90

In Progress

v.

Sabo Bakin Zuwo Road

60

In Progress

vi.

Sokoto Road

50

In Progress

vii.

Bello Kano Terrace

40

In Progress

viii.

Race Course Road

60

In Progress

ix.

Obasanjo Road

50

In Progress

x.

F C E Road

60

In Progress

xi.

Dan Hausa Road

50

In Progress

xii.

Commissioner Road

xiii. xiv.

100

Completed

Murtala Muhammad Way

90

In Progress

Airport Road

55

In Progress

xv.

Lagos Street

70

In Progress

xvi.

Kwairanga Road

90

In Progress

xvii. Magajin Rumfa Road

75

In progress

xviii. Dr. Bala Muhammad Road

35

In progress

xix.

Katsina Road

60

In Progress

xx.

First Bank Round/About

75

In progress

So, the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning requested for the release of the sum of N100, 000,000.00 to enable continuation of the maintenance work currently in progress on eighteen (18) of the selected twenty (20) roads for the phase I of the road maintenance projects.

Council approved the release of the sum of N50,000,000.00 to the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to enable KNUPDA continue with the routine road maintenance work through direct labour. This is only in addition to the approvals granted for the revalidation of several road construction project contracts, expansion of some roads, etc. especially the following; i.

Zaria Road ii.

Hadejia Road iii.

Independence Road iv.

Western/Southern By-Pass v.

Sheikh Ja'afar Road vi.

Silver Jubilee Flyover b.

Request for funds to facilitate the provision of Basic Infrastructure at the Northern and Southern By-Pass ReSettlement Layout:The Ministry of Land and Physical Planning professionally referred Council, through the contents of this memorandum, to the fact that the provision of basic infrastructure in any development area is a policy of the Government. This was not abided with by the previous administration when acquiring the land/site for the Western By-Pass resettlement layouts, which led the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to conclude relevant documentation of the compensation allocation for the farm owners at the site.

KNUPDA has now prepared an in-house BEME to that effect, which suggested the need for N1,916,693,478.24 as assessed cost for the provision of 35.9KM long road network of 30M and 20M wide and 78KM long road network of 15M laterite access roads covering the two sides of the phase I of the Western By-Pass resettlement layout project.

Details on the scope of work were also presented.

Nevertheless, twenty eight (28) contractors bid for the project with the best coming from one of them to the tune of N1,600,930,086.88 which was negotiated down to N1, 500,000,000.00.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the sum of N1,470,000,000.00 to the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to enable the provision of access roads as basic infrastructure for the resettlement layouts at the Western By-Pass project area. c.

Request for funds to enable the payment of balance of compensation approved in respect of Kwanar Dawaki International Cattle Market:Contents of this memorandum reminded Council of its approval for the relocation of the Kwanar Dawaki International Cattle Market to another place in the vicinity of its current site.

A total of 8.2 hectares were assessed for compensation of land and economic trees. Council approved the payment of the reviewed compensation for the site to the tune of N12, 384,200.00 as follows; •Land value at N800, 000.00/ha = N6, 312,400.00 •Economic trees = N6, 071,800.00 Total = N12, 384,200.00 However, only the sum of N9, 100,170.00 had been released in May, 2011 to the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning leaving a balance of N3, 282,270.00 yet to be paid.

So, the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning requested for the release of the sum of N3, 282,270.00 to enable payment for the balance of compensation for a site acquired for the relocation of the Kwanar Dawaki International Market.

Council approved the release of the sum of N3,000,000.00 to the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to complete payment of compensation for the site acquired for the relocation of the Kwanar Dawaki International Market. d.

Request for funds to facilitate acquiring and payment of compensation for extension site (phase 2) of Amana City:This administration has initiated and awarded contracts for the establishment of three new cities of Kwankwasiyya, Bandirawo and Amana. These cities are now realities and are the first to be executed by any State Government in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Beside, Abuja, no major urban sector project has been executed by any public or private concern that can match what the present administration is implementing now. These cities are meant to provide decent and responsive accommodations to the citizenry at affordable price. Through these cities, the old Kano metropolis will be decongested thereby transforming the State into one of the most developed and modern centers in the nation. It was in recognition of this, the Governor received numerous awards from NGOs all over the world for his vision on urban and rural transformation.

In executing these cities, compensation for land and economic trees had to be paid to owners amounting to over N3 billion in addition to other infrastructural facilities required to make the sites available for the projects. The Ministry of Land and Physical Planning reminded Council, through the contents of this memorandum, of its approval for the release of the sum of N528, 546,464.00 for the payment of compensation for the acquisition of the first (1st) phase of the Amana City at its sitting of Wednesday 23rd May, 2012.

Presently, it has been determined that the City requires extension in order to accommodate more people. The proposal is to extend the City to Zaria Road on the West and Fari/Gurjiya Road on the east.

In this regard, the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning requested for the release of the sum of N183, 313,284.00 by the Council to enable payment of compensation for the acquired extension site (phase 2) of the Amana City as follows; •Land value N59, 354,384.00 •Economic trees N19, 367,500.00 •Structures N104, 591,400.00 Total N183, 313,284.00 Approval was granted by the Council for the release of the requested sum of N183, 313,284.00 to the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to enable payment of compensation for a site acquired for the extension of the Amana City (Phase 2).

UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES OF THE 89 EXCO SITTING

1.

Official Visit of the Governor to United Arab Emirates Council acknowledged the recent official visit of the Governor and his entourage to the United Arab Emirates where they met and discussed with several investment groups. Such groups were the Al Faisal Investment Group, which indicated interest in the establishment of light rail (Metro) within Kano Metropolis, Sky Line University College on the establishment of a private University and Skipper Electrical Group on Hydro electricity generation plant at Challawa and Tiga Dam. 2.

Presentation of Rural Watch Award Council expressed gratitude on the Award presented to the Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE as the best performing Governor in the Country for the year 2012 for his massive rural and community development programs and projects across the State.

3.

Congratulatory Message to Kano Pillars Football Club Council expressed happiness for the success achieved by the Kano Pillars Football Club by winning the first opening match of 2013-2014 National Premiere League Competition against Wikki Tourist FC of Bauchi on Saturday 9th of March, 2013.

4.

Condolence Message Council extended condolence message to the bereaved families of Alh. Bala and Muhammad Salisu shot to death by unknown gunmen.

Similarly, Council sympathized with the injured State Primary School Teachers attacked by unknown gunmen at Hausawa Quarters, Kumbotso Local Government.

5.

Graduation of 600 Women from Poultry Institute, Tukwui Council acknowledged the fact that the graduation of the 6th batch of 600 Women Trainees from the Poultry Institute Tukwui is scheduled to hold on the 16th of March 2013. Council expressed its Good will message to the graduates.

6.

Project Inspection Visits by Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE Council acknowledged the recent visits by the Governor to some Mega Project sites on March 12, 2013 starting with Murtala Muhammad Way (Daula) Road Rehabilitation, Gezawa Hospital under general renovation and Minjibir Dam. 7.

Transformation of Magwan Water Restaurant to First Lady Girls Secondary School Council approved the proposition of transforming/conversion of Magwan Water Restaurant to First Lady Girls Secondary School. This hotel has been abandoned for the last 40 years and all effort to attract private investors has not yielded serious results. This administration will not like to see such an investment wasted and, therefore, decided to utilize the site for something more beneficial to the State by converting it into a school.

USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS ON ANY EMERGENCY The public may easily Contact KAROTA for: Breakdown of Vehicle(s), Traffic Congestion, Accidents, Illegal/ Wrong Parking through the following numbers - 08091626747. Similarly, the State Police Command could be contacted on - 08032419754, 08123821575. In addition, the State Fire Service can also be contacted on - 07051246833, 08191778888.

For update on the activities of Kano State Government visit us at www.kano.gov.ng/new Signed: Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youth, Sports & Culture, Kano State

PAGE 10

Kwankwaso inaugurates water management committees From Edwin Olofu, Kano

K

ano state government has set up water management committees for its regional water supply schemes.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony at the Government House at the weekend, Kwankwaso explained that the committees were designed to involve various stakeholders in water supply, effective collection of contributions from local governments for routine maintenance and harnessing professional advice from members in water supply.

According to him, the committees will monitor activities in water supply and sensitize communities in their domain for effective use of water and revenue enhancement, explaining that each scheme has a committee made of up 10 members.

Kwankwaso listed some of their terms of reference to include, ensure security of water supply facilities, and ensure smooth operation and maintenance of water schemes and effective management and repairs of facilities.

He said that the committees would also proffer effective advice for short, medium and long term plans, monitoring of water supply activities and proper liaison with the state Water Board, for better services.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

Emirates, Turkish airlines to operate from Kano From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

C

entral Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, says the ongoing upgrade of the nation's airports will contribute significantly in the growth of the nation's economy as well as return the agriculture potentials of the various regions.

Sanusi who spoke at the weekend in Kano during the commissioning of the remodelled international terminal at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, noted further that Federal Government's plan to build dry and perishable cargo terminal in Kano would give farmers a direct link to both domestic and international markets where they will be able to maximize earnings for their produce.

According to Sanusi, "for me, as an economist and as the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria; that (dry and perishable cargo terminal) is the

...remodelled airport set to boost agricultural potentials, says Sanusi most important and visionary step that the Aviation Minister has taken.

"Kano is an agricultural state. It used to contribute 60 per cent of the total revenue of the northern region.

"The only way agriculture is going to come back is for farmers to be linked to the markets.

"I will give you a simple example; I have had the benefit of looking through some tomato survey, feasibility study.

"There was somebody who I consulted and he said to me, do you know that tomato actually costs more in Lagos and Port Harcourt than in London.

"In other words, if a farmer can produce tomatoes in Kadawa and put them on a plane every morning in Kano to get to Lagos or Port Harcourt, he should earn more than you will get it in the supermarket in the UK. "Many people have asked me, how come the Central Bank of

Nigeria seems to be always constantly supporting aviation.

"The reason is that Central Bank of Nigeria supports public servants that are doing something. And the advantage of doing something is that people can like you or not like you; they may agree with you or not agree with you; they cannot take away from you what you have achieved.

"There is no one that can go to Kano airport or Kaduna airport or Enugu airport or Port Harcourt airport or Lagos airport and claim that things are not happening.

"And frankly that is what we need from public officers...build the roads, build the airports, build the bridges, build the infrastructure, build the schools, do what you should do and let the population take over."

Sanusi described the planned cargo terminals as great opportunity for opening up entire population and linking them up to

R-L: Executive Director, child protection peer learning initiative, Hajiya Ashraf Tukur, presenting a trophy to the best student in this year's spelling bee competition in Adamawa, Hadiza Musa of Elkanemi College, at the weekend in Yola.

Hon. A'ishatu Binani donate hospital equipment to constituency From Umar Dankano, Yola

A

member of the House of Representatives from Yola North/Yola South and Girei Federal Constituency of Adamawa state, Hon. A'ishatu Binani, has donated medical equipment worth N9.4 million to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) and Jimeta Specialist Hospital both located in Yola.

Speaking at the presentation of the materials in Yola at the weekend, Binani explained that the gesture was in fulfillment of her campaign promises to the electorate.

According to her, "during our campaigns, we promised to do our best towards improving the living conditions of the people and I have just commissioned a 17-bed health care centre in Luru village of Girei local government area and now we are here to present 20 units of new incubators to the two major hospitals within our federal constituency."

She said that the donation would go a long way in complementing efforts of the state government in improving health care delivery in the state and the entire north east.

As she put it, "these incubators, like the health centre earlier commissioned, are provided from my personal resources and not from constituency projects that are funded by government.

"I pray that the hospitals and personnel charged with handling these incubators will find them useful and carefully maintain them for the benefit of our people."

the markets, adding that the idea of dry and perishable cargo terminal recognises that airports are part of the economic development of a nation.

"I will like to congratulate the Minister for having that vision. This is something that I am sure the people of Kano will welcome and would like to see actualised as quickly as possible."

Sanusi noted that the Federal Government has approved Emirates and Turkish Airlines to operate from the Kano airport, "we will continue to work with you and we are sure you will continue to encourage other airlines to come back.

"As the airlines come back, as agriculture recovers, as the economy recovers we will see more international airlines come to the city," he said.

Photo: NAN

Gowon backs pardon for Alamieyeseigha From Umar Dankano, Yola

F

ormer Head of State and the Coordinator of Nigeria Prays, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, says the controversial state pardon which President Goodluck Jonathan granted DSP Alamieyeseigha is designed to rehabilitate the former Bayelsa state Governor.

Describing the wave of criticisms trailing the pardon as

"unpleasant," Gowon noted that Alameiseigha has completed his jail term as a punishment for his offence and urged Nigerians not to read political undertones to the pardon.

Gowon who is also a beneficiary of an earlier presidential pardon however told reporters in Yola at the weekend that he rejected the word "pardon" as applied to him explaining that it gave an

indication that he was actually involved in the alleged coup plot preferred against him.

In the case of Alameiseigha, Gowon said that the former Governor, "served his jail term, paid up the monies he was said to have stolen while in the corridors of power in Bayelsa state, so, the pardon is meant to rehabilitate him."

Gowon also expressed support for the current efforts by the

Federal Government to exploit dialogue in resolving the lingering insurgent activities in parts of the country.

However, according to Gowon, government should continue to use the military to curtail the insurgency, "until a lasting resolution is attained."

Gowon said that he had since devoted his time for fervent prayers in order for peace to prevail throughout the country.

PAGE 11

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

Car wash: So simple, yet so promising business

H

ow Car wash is one business which can be easily set up if detailed feasibility study is carefully carried out. Such study does not require the service of an expert to be successful. It is a business that can be handled from one person depending on how big you plan to start.

The business is not limited to a particular class of the society. It can be started by the youths, graduates, unemployed, businessmen, women, investors etc. it is so viable that anybody that set it up would never dream of changing his line of business.

As easy as the business seems, there are some important tips that had to be strictly adhered to, to stay afloat and become successful, please stick to these steps; 1. Finance - the first thing that should be uppermost in the mind of anyone going into a car washing business is rising of capital. You need finance to get necessary tools to work with.

From rough estimation, it is a business you need nothing less than two hundred thousand naira only to commence operation.

2. View others - one area that pushes some people out of business is lack of needed expertise in such business

before delving into it. To succeed in this business, please visit at least three to five other outfits (in same line of business) and see how it is set up generally.

Ask helpful questions, get facts and figures on how to bill and treat customers so they would always come back. Be confident and very observant you never leave anything out during your tour of these places (if possible go with a writing pad and a pen).

3. Location - deciding on a particular spot to cite the business is another step that requires careful consideration.

Don’t locate the business out of sentiment as this might push you out of business. Get a place where there are lots of vehicular movements. You won’t last long in this business if you settle for a remote spot or an area out of town not known with lots of traffic.

4. Approval - after deciding on your location, the next step is to get needed approval from authorities where the business falls. Don’t ever commence business without getting this approval as there are necessary things that ought to be in place due to the nature of the business. The authorities must confirm such area has good drainage and

gutter so that dirty water won’t flood the road.

5. Borehole /well - water is the livewire of any carwash business. Take every effort to sink a borehole (this is a small machine sunk to the ground with the ability to produce water where there is none).

Another alternative is by digging a well. Make sure the well is treated on a regular basis to give clean water suitable for vehicles.

6. Overhead tanks - the tanks would be strategically placed to store water for any period when there is none

Sample car wash

available. A small thank will do in this instance to save cost.

As time goes on, you can then go for the bigger ones.

7. Power - you can generate light by getting a small generator, which is about ten to fifteen thousand naira. You need it to power the borehole to produce water as at when due.

You also need power to illuminate your surroundings when it is getting dark.

8 Detergents - Go for detergents that are vehicle friendly (you must have learnt this in course of viewing other car wash outlets). From experience, some detergents might be too harsh on paint of vehicle.

9. Buckets - Towels, brushes: other materials needed include hand brushes (used in washing vehicles), towels to mop dry and buckets to mix detergents. All these are very easy to get in any neighborhood.

To cap it all, you need lots of humility and self restraint when dealing with customers.

Some of your customers might have gone through some tortuous moment in traffic; they are ready to flare up at the slightest provocation.

Treat your customers well and you will have constant supply of cash.

Have you ever thought of a Wrist watch business?

It’s another secret goldmine waiting to be tapped

W

rist watch business is a golden business. Anyone who goes into it and master the strategy can never be poor again. Out of every ten Nigerians you see on the street, eight is putting on wrist watch, while the remaining two may be considering buying one soon. But the question you have failed to ask yourself is: Where are most Nigerian getting those wrist watches that they wear? Who is supplying them, and how much are they getting it for? If you can get answers to these questions, then you will realise how lucrative the business of wrist watches is.

Categories of wrist watches There are about three to four categories of wrist watches, these categories look very much alike, and in most cases only an insider would spot the difference. We have: The Fake, The Fair, The Semi Originals, and The Originals. Can you spot the differences if you see them? I really don’t think so, even me with my years of experience in wrist watches sometimes finds it very hard to differentiate the fake from the originals or semioriginals, except from their prices

or the places they are.

The ordinary ones (fake) cost N200 for the leather type and N250 to N350 for the chain type at wholesale price. The fair one (semi original) cost between N450 to N1,100 for the leather type, and N1,200 to N3,000 for the chain types at wholesale price (on average some are higher or lower than the mentioned prices) while The original wrist watches (the original brands) are very expensive, ranging from affordable to unaffordable.

What happens is that those wearing the fake or semi originals tends to have a kind of sense of belonging since it bears the same brand name like the originals, that is major reason why those guys who sells them make lots of sales

Quote The entrepreneur always searches for change, responds to it, and exploits it as an opportunity. - Peter F. Drucker

Rolex wrist watch

since everyone want to belong and look nice.

It is on the semi original wrist watches that the sellers make plenty gain because, those ones look more closely like the originals and they last pretty longer than the fake, they last so long that the buyers tend to conclude that they actually bought the original wrist watch. Because of that, the wrist watches sellers can confidently give a guarantee on them and sell them for high price. i.e.: a semi original Raymond Well that cost N1,200 could be sold for N4,000 and Luis Armono of N1,100 can go for N5,000 (I’m not saying you should be exorbitant with your pricing, just giving idea of what is currently obtainable) now, you can see the profit potential.

Guidelines to wrist watch business 1. Look for a busy place - You can get a nice decent place in a market, at the shopping mall or buy the bus stops. Not a shop, just a clean open place where you can situate your show case (show glass as they use to call it) under an umbrella or anything like that.

You can negotiate with shop owners to allow you to stay in from of their shop while you pay them some monthly dues.

Make sure you negotiate a place where you will be keeping your show case at the end of every business day to avoid it being destroyed before the next day.

2. Build a show case - This can be done by a carpenter if you want to use the wooden types decorated with white formica, that make it looks very attractive. The Carpenter will charge between N10, 000 to N15, 000 depending on the size you want. Get a nice one done for you, it’s part of your branding.

You can go for aluminum type which cost higher (if you can afford it) that one look very nice too and wrist watches use to look nice inside it. The aluminum type cost about twenty thousand and above.

3. Proceed to market to buy your watches - If you want to deal with the semi originals, you should budget nothing less than N100,

000 to fill your show case to a reasonable extent. You can mix it with the ordinary ones for those who may not afford the semi originals. Buy some fanciful wrist watch cases for those who may want to present it as gifts to someone.

S o u r c e : Www.wealthresult.com

Biz Tip: Two kinds of People exist in business, know where you belong

T

here are really only two kinds of people: expanders and containers. Learning to separate them quickly into the right category will save you a lot of time. ‘Expanders’ like to push the envelope, take risks, make new friends, and test how far they can go!

They also like to spend your money. ‘Containers’ like to keep things in order and stay on top of the details.

They keep you from losing your money. If you match the right person to the right position that takes advantage of their natural talents you’ll build a powerful team of workers with all the strength needed to build a huge business.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

Kenya's post-election blues F

ive years ago, when Kenyans went to the polls, voting went well but along the line during the tallying of the result, a handpicked ally of the then incumbent president, Moi Kibaki, who was a candidate in the polls, went on air to announce the result, declaring him the winner.

Then, hell was let loose. The Orange Coalition led by the veteran Raila Odinga, along with his then running mate, William Ruto, who were widely expected to win, cried foul. Their supporters went berserk and 11, 300 persons lost their lives in the ensuing violence. When the rage died down, the Ghanaian-born former United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, was drafted to oversee a political reconciliation among the key actors.

The outcome was an inclusive government, with the new post of prime minister going to Odinga.

For five years, in spite of mutual suspicion and sometimes open acrimony, the power sharing arrangement held. One of the government's key achievements was the approval of a new constitution after a popular referendum. The constitution diluted the overwhelming powers of the central authority and created other regional tiers of government. Nairobi could no longer call all the shots.

The March 4, this year, election was held under the new constitution.

Political alignments took place before the polls. Odinga's former running mate, William Ruto, from the third largest ethnic group in Kenya, the Kalenjens, pitted his tent with former arch enemy, Uhuru Kenyatta, son of

Kenya's independence president, Jomo Kenyatta from the country's largest ethnic group, the Kikuyu, to form the Jubilee Alliance. Odinga, son of the country's socialist first vice president, Jamarogi Oginga Odinga, teamed up with other parties to form his Coalition for Reform and Democracy (CORD).

Both Uhuru Kenyatta and William Puto whose Jubilee Alliance campaigned on the slogan "we've got the numbers" banked on votes from the majority Kalenjens. Odinga is a Luo,

“

Thankfully, the timeframe for election litigation is only 14 days, ending well even before the winner is sworn in, a process we recommend Nigeria where election litigation continues long after the purported winner has taken office from the second largest ethnic group, where the Obamas hail from. The Kenyatta and Puto ticket, derogatively called the "alliance of the accused," by opponents for their alleged role in the post-election violence of 2007 following indictment by the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC), eventually chalked up a slim victory but big enough to avoid a run-off. They won only 50.7 per cent of the votes, narrowly crossing the threshold of 50 percent.

Observers say that open Western

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preference for Odinga and even America's more explicit warning that a victory for the ICC indictees would have consequences, drove many nationalists and independent minded Kenyans to cast their lot with the Jubilee Alliance. However, a key element of the 2013 post-elections is the absence of violence, even though there were earlier fears because of the high stakes in the polls. Odinga, who is 68, was most likely in his last presidential contest, having tried severally in the past, but nearly coming close to winning in 2007 and 2013. He promised to challenge the election result at the Supreme Court and called on his supporters to remain calm while he explored the legal angle to upturn the election result which his party said lacked integrity.

We fully support Odinga's option of exploring the legal process to seek redress and urge him to go the whole hog but to accept the outcome with grace. Thankfully, the timeframe for election litigation is only 14 days, ending well before the winner is sworn in, a process we recommend for Nigeria where election litigation continues long after the purported winner has taken office. This allows the incumbent the advantage of using appropriate government machinery and public finance to beat off his opponent's legal challenge.

The victorious Jubilee Alliance of Kenyatta and Ruto has been saying the right thing since their slim victory, about being leaders of all Kenyans irrespective of their party affiliations, but the question is, will they walk their talk? We urge them to do so.

OUR PEOPLE

OUR VISION

CHAIRMAN MALAM WADA MAIDA, OON, FNGE DIRECTOR/ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF RUFA’I IBRAHIM ACTING EDITOR, DAILY HAMEED M. BELLO

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ALI M. ALI

HEAD, ADVERT/MARKETING HUSSAINI ABDULRAHMAN, CNA

ACTING EDITOR, WEEKEND JAMILA NUHU MUSA

MANAGER, ADMINISTRATION HASSAN HAMMANYAJI

HEAD, LAGOS BUREAU ADESOJI OYINLOLA

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

PAGE 13

Pardongate: Jonathan isn't clueless, after all

By Kikiowo Ileowo

I

f someone had told me I would be writing this piece just a month after I decided to cut President Jonathan some slack, I would have dismissed it as a big joke. My focus in recent times has been on analyzing state budgets, most recently that of Ogun state, which is, at best, a comedy of some sort. My conclusion on Governor Ibikunle Amosun for now is that he might end up being an even worse governor than his predecessor, the legendary and alleged master thief Mr. Gbenga Daniel.

But lest I stroll off the point, let us return to President Jonathan's administration. In the past few months I have come to pity this 'Doctor' from Otuoke.

At the risk of being labelled a PDP apologist, I disagreed with twitivists and other opinion writers, asking them to cut our president some slack. The art of criticism had hit an all time low; we had people who simply joined the bandwagon, because criticizing the government was the in-thing in town. We had people practically calling President Jonathan names like fool, idiot, crazy, crook, stupid, clueless, dull, illiterate and worst of all corrupt.

I decided to cut President Jonathan some slack because I erroneously believed he wasn't prepared for the leadership position he plunged himself into.

Reason being, he had always been satisfied with second position or assistant leader right from secondary school to the presidency, he was always in a position of assisting until something unfortunate happened to the leader. With his actions this past week alone, it is

now clear that President Jonathan was prepared for the presidency, he was prepared to murder sleep and sleep he has murdered. How could he explain the granting of presidential pardon to his mentor, godfather and political benefactor, Alamieyeseigha (who jumped bail in December 2005 and bolted to Nigeria from the U.K. after he allegedly disguised as a woman to deceive U.K. border officials)?

Bayelsa state, created on October 1, 1996, is a very small state with eiht local governments and a population of 1.99m people. It is endowed with natural resources and adjudged potentially the richest state in Nigeria. Bayelsa has some of the nation's largest crude oil and gas deposits which make it earn a lot from the Federation Account, but as rich as the state is its citizens wallow in poverty. There is no fully functional health facility in the state (remember that President Jonathan's brother had to be flown to the State House Clinic in Abuja for treatment before he passed on), transportation is a joke and education is virtually nonexistent save for the federal government established Niger Delta University.

Bayelsa has no trade or commerce worthy of note as the little subsistent farms have been destroyed by oil spillage and the fishes rendered inedible by polluted waters, thus making the Bayelsa State Government the highest employer of Labour in the state.

It may interest you to know that only one major road runs through the entire state, yet Mr. President's guide and tutor looted the state dry. In my opinion, my

president hates his state of origin.

I see no other reason why he would grant a presidential pardon to that lunatic (yes, it takes a lunatic to loot at that alarming rate knowing the amount of poverty and suffering his people are entangled in).

Contrary to what twitivist, politicians and ferocious writers conjure about the President, Dr. Jonathan is not clueless. In fact he has got lots of clues, vicious clues. Though one cannot trace an intelligent intervention, programme or policy he has thought of himself in critical sectors of our economy, he has come up with brilliant ideas for taking Nigeria backwards.

President Jonathan was prepared for the presidency, so prepared that he doesn't have to think twice before unleashing his unpardonable ideas on Nigerians.

This latest of his gaffes is worth condemning by every reasonable person on earth.

Several CSOs, politicians, professionals, and international agencies like Transparency International (TI), among others,

have condemned it. The only reasonable course of action left for President Jonathan is to reverse the pardon with immediate effect like he back tracked on the renaming of Unilag and the removal of the fuel subsidy. It is clear to all that Nigeria's President Jonathan is not fighting corruption. His wife clowns around with millions of Naira in cash, dolling it out to every Tomi, Dada and Akande.

His friends and close confidants are convicted felons, criminals, ex-militants and folks who allegedly enriched themselves corruptly. Examples abound in Bode George, who he nominated as an executive in his party, also appointing his wife - Roli George the chairman of the board of National Population Commission (NPC). Anthony Anenih, Asari Dokubo, Government Tompolo, Doyin Okupe, Alameyeisigha, Femi Otedola and several others are those the president who is supposed to be fighting corruption dines and rolls with.

The United States has come out to strongly condemn pardon for Alam; it is up to the President to do

“

With his actions this past week alone, it is now clear that President Jonathan was prepared for the presidency, he was prepared to murder sleep and sleep he has murdered. How could he explain the granting of presidential pardon to his mentor, godfather and political benefactor, Alamieyeseigha (who jumped bail in December 2005 and bolted to Nigeria from the U.K. after he allegedly disguised as a woman to deceive U.K. border officials)?

what is expected. The US had in a statement through their Nigerian embassy twitter account, @USEmbassyAbuja, said "We see this as a setback in the fight against corruption." State Department official has also said the American government is not taking the matter lightly and might apply sanctions. Speaking at the U.S. Department of State's daily press briefing in Washington D.C. late Friday 15th March, 2013 Spokesperson Victoria Nuland said "the development in Nigeria might jeopardize the governance projects America is executing in Nigeria."

Mr. Jonathan knows all that he is doing, he knows his chances of returning to power in 2015 are one in a hundred, and so he his perpetuating all these immoral acts he had carefully planned out before ascending the 'throne'.

It is my hope that president Jonathan will reason with majority of Nigerians and the international community to reverse this latest gaffe, carefully serve his 'mandate' and vacate the seat by 2015. Enough of this international embarrassment called government in Nigeria.

Here is a piece of advice for Mr. President if he is looking for people to pardon. He should go to the prisons, ask for Bayelsan residents who were convicted for stealing less than N10,000 due to hunger and unemployment during the tenure Mr. Alameyeisigha and pardon them. It is then and only then posterity can give him the benefit of doubt.

And if you still have hope in the presidency of Dr. Goodluck Azikwe Ebele Jonathan, you are of all men most miserable.

Kikiowo Ileowo is @ileowo4ever on twitter.

Case for greater women participation in politics

By Edwin Ekene Uhara

G

one are the days when female education only ended in the kitchen! In the?past, sending girls to school in some countries was viewed and treated as?taboo. But, when awareness began to increase, such idea is now fast?becoming obsolete. Also, the dual responsibilities of educated women to?both their husbands' families and their parents' have equally helped in?changing the negative perception associated with female education.

Now?that women are making great inroads in to the world of politics, and other?decision making bodies, experience around the world has shown that, what a?man can do, a woman can also do!??

At the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing in September 1995,?below were some of the entire declarations made at the conference; "We?reaffirm our commitment to the equal rights and inherent human dignity of?women and men and other purposes and principles enshrined in the charter of?the United Nations, to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other?international human rights instruments, in particular the Convention on

the?Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention?on the Rights of Child, as well as the Declaration on the Elimination of?Violence Against Women and the Declaration on the Rights to Development." "We?are convinced that, women's empowerment and their full participation on the?basis of equality in all spheres of society, including participation in the?decision-making process and access to power, are fundamental for the?achievement of equality, development and peace."

It is this crave for equality that gave rise to the notion of "affirmative action", a term first used in the United States of America in Executive Order 10925 and was?subsequently signed by former President John F. Kennedy on March 6, 1961.?The purpose of the affirmative action was to include factors like race,?color, religion, gender, sexual orientation and national or regional issues?in to consideration so as to benefit the underrepresented segments of the?society in areas like employment, education, business, politics etc.

This?principle made the European Union Commission to approve a plan for women to?constitute 40 percent of nonexecutive directorships in large

listed?companies in Europe by the year 2020, last year.??However, like other areas of international conventions and engagements?which Nigeria has been playing the leading role in Africa, the most?populous black nation in the world is among the few nations that are above?their peers in the continent in the area of bringing and supporting women?to positions of authority.

Apart from the fact that Nigeria is yet to join?the League of Nations that have allowed women to be presidents, which only?Liberia and Malawi have done in Africa, Nigeria has given women greater?voices in appointive and elective positions.

Though it is not yet enough,?but appreciable successes have been recorded.

Similarly, out of the 193 members of the United Nations, 16 countries are?currently headed by women as either presidents or prime ministers or a?chancellor. A woman is also the president of Kosovo, which is yet to gain?complete recognition at the UN. Among all the women leaders, apart from?President Joyce Banda of Malawi who succeeded Late President Bingu Wa?Mutharika who died in office as president, the rest were duly elected.?Though some were initially appointed before they were fully elected?through the

ballot.?

At the multi-lateral level, women have equally gained unprecedented access?and opportunity to head some organizations! For example, the Managing?Director of the International Monetary Fund, IMF, Christine Lagarde, is a?woman. The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court ICC, Fatou?Bensouda is a woman. The Director General of World Health Organization WHO, Dr. Margaret Chan, is a woman. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay is a woman.

The European Union Foreign Policy?Chief, Catherine Ashton is a woman, and the Chairperson of African Union?Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma is a woman. Women are making?headway indeed!

Nonetheless, I must state that, for every woman president in Argentina, there is a woman still struggling to be elected state governor in Nigeria,?let alone president!

When the former President of Chile, who is now the?United Nations Under-SecretaryGeneral for Gender Equality and the?Empowerment of Women, MS. Michelle Bachelet, visited Africa in early January?this year, she applauded the efforts of women in the continent, and

she?equally called for robust and effective policies that will ensure full?women participation in the political and economic decisionmaking bodies?across the board.?? For more women to emerge as presidents and prime ministers, they should?learn from the success story of the likes of Dilma Rousseff of Brazil,?Halle Thorning-Schmadt of Denmark, Julia Gillard of Australia, Christina?Fernandez de Kirchner of Argentina, Angela Merkel of Germany, Park Geunhye?of South Korea, Yingluck Shinawatra of Thailand, Johanna Sigurdardottir of?Iceland, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia, Laura Chinchila of Costa Rica,?Kamla PersadBissessor of Trinidad and Tobago, Shiekh Hasina Wajed of?Bangladesh, Dalia Grybarskaite of Lithuania, Iveta Radicova of Slovakia,?Portia Simpson Miller of Jamaica, Joyce Banda of Malawi and Atifete Jahjaga?of Kosovo.

Women should also build a broad based appeal and stop relying on?their feminine strength alone. This is the only way more women can be?elected presidents and prime ministers, especially in developing countries.????

Comrade Edwin Ekene Uhara is reachable on edwinuhara@rocketmail.com

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

PAGE 14

Where the law is no respecter of persons

By Anthony Akinola

I

t could not have happened in Nigeria! I mean a former minister and prominent member of a political party in a current coalition government could not have been sent to jail for merely lying. But it did happen in Great Britain. Mr. Chris Huhne, a former Energy and Climate Change Secretary and his estranged wife, Vicky Pryce, were each sentenced to eight months imprisonment for "perverting the course of justice"!

The facts of the case would have made a Nigerian, accustomed to the culture of impunity in the land, wonder why the British justice system was making such a "fuss" about a rather "inconsequential"offence!

For it was for lying about a traffic offence - something we encounter with monotonous regularity in our land - that glittering careers have come crashing down.

However, the law is the law in Great Britain. The offence committed by Chris Huhne and Vicky Pryce may have been 10 years ago but the full weight of the law still caught up with them. Their speeding offence would merely have resulted in a

you, Vicky points Pryce, decided to deduction and a set out on the driving ban for dual mission of six months. The Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text ruining Chris reason they are Huhne while now inmates is messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written protecting your because they contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 own position. lied and denied words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and Once charged their offence a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed you, Vicky and swapped to: Pryce, pursued liability in your false order to protect defence of their careers.

The Editor, marital This extract Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, coercion. from Mr Justice 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja.

Finally, you Sweeney's Email: opinion@peoplesdaily-online.com have both been judgment sums SMS: 07037756364 brought to up the story: justice for your Vicky Pryce joint offence. and Chris Any element of tragedy is your Vicky Pryce, in particular, of Huhne in the spring of 2003 own fault …" you had been married for nearly taking on all the driving duties.

Call it the price of vengeance!

Thus it was that acting 20 years. You had between you There should be a limit to which together out of the combination five children. You each had a a former partner would want to stellar career. But you also had a of a shared ambition as to the avenge the breakdown of a further success of Chris Huhne's problem. For the fourth time in relationship, oblivious to the political career and the desire not just over a year you, Chris feelings of children. Many can be to suffer inconvenience, you Huhne, had been caught selfish when they are angry and decided not to tell the truth but speeding. You were, at that Vicky Pryce is one example of a instead to pervert the course of time, involved in a contest to woman who sought vengeance justice. No doubt you thought gain the Liberal Democrat without consideration for her you would get away with it for nomination for the Eastleigh own children. Had she pondered some eight years. At some point constituency and I have no what she had set out to do, she you, Chris Huhne, began an doubt that both of you were would have known its affair. In November 2010, concerned that the loss of your motivated by a desire for revenge implications - she would not licence might damage your have been a prisoner today for image. You were both concerned and with little consideration for perverting the course of justice. the position of your wider family as to the inconvenience to you,

WRITE TO US

The lesson here cannot be overstated.

Another lesson demands a new approach to the upbringing of children. Ours is a nation of pathetic liars. Somewhere else, someone could explain that the reason he or she was absent from work was because they had too much to drink the previous night. The typical Nigerian must conjure up a lie. It could be that their father or mother, who had died 10 or 20 years ago, was admitted to hospital! I know of someone whose family resides in the southern part of our country but would opportunistically blame his plight on the Boko Haram insurgency! We are not helped by our so-called leaders: they lie about their dates of birth, certificate and even agreements they have reached among themselves! Their lies which we should have collectively challenged and condemned are accomodated or endorsed on grounds of ethnic, religious or partisan solidarity.

Lie telling is the norm in our society. The"Big Man" in Nigeria can commit murder in the full glare of the television and still get away with it.

Anthony Akinola is reachable on anthonyakinola@yahoo.co.uk

Okah: Judicial and political blunders by trial judge

By Sabella Ogbobode Abidde

O

n January 21, 2013, the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg, found Okah guilty of 13 charges related to terrorism. We'll get to that and other matters; but for now, it is pertinent to point out a few anomalies. Within hours of the bombing (10/01/2010), President Jonathan exonerated the suspected group, and promised to make public the names of the persons and the group responsible for the attacks.

Almost 30 months after the dastardly acts, the President has yet to tell the nation and the global community who and or what group was/is to be held accountable. Nonetheless, Okah, the alleged leader of one of the factions that constitute the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), was arrested in South Africa.

Okah's trial leads us to the second anomaly: why was he tried in South Africa, not Nigeria where the alleged crimes occurred? Or is the Nigerian Judiciary incapable and illequipped to handle such a highprofile trial? An accused, if fleeing arrest, can be arrested anywhere in the world. But such persons are generally extradited to the country where the crime allegedly took place. Under this universality, therefore, Okah should have been returned to Nigeria immediately after his arrest in Johannesburg.

The failure of the Nigeria government to ask for Okah and South African government to voluntarily return him to Nigeria leads us to the third contradiction. What were the legal/political reasons advanced by both countries for not doing what was supposed to be done?

And which country benefits the

most by such an "arrangement"?

As of today, no one has suggested or alleged that South African citizens were killed or wounded by the blasts, or that its national security was threatened. Since the South African government does not have a dog in the fight, what accounts for the posture she has so far taken: what's in it for the South Africans at both the private and public level?

From the moment he was arrested in South Africa, Okah steadfastly maintained his innocence - alleging that he was being targeted because of his refusal to incriminate "Northern personalities" in the bombings; and also because of his refusal to render extrajudicial help to President Jonathan during and after elections. There are two other reasons insiders - insiders who are members of the Ijaw ethnic group to which Jonathan and Okah belong -- have proffered for his arrest: (1) his refusal to share in the loot that was offered to militants; and (2) his refusal to subordinate the collective aspirations of oilproducing communities to

Jonathan's calculations.

From what we know, if Okah had agreed to play ball, and agreed to caviar and champagne moments, there wouldn't have been any trumped-up charges.

Unfortunately, that is the situation in which he finds himself. But that notwithstanding, the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg should have been very thorough, very professional, and impartial in its handling of the case.

While it is true that the judge does not have insider knowledge of the politics of the Niger Delta crisis, he should have controlled those things that were within his powers. And because he did not, could not, or refused to control the controllable, he condoned and promoted grave injustices in his handling of the case and in the verdict he eventually rendered.

In addition, it appeared as though the judge could not manage his courtroom. And because of these elementary errors, he found an innocent man guilty. This verdict must not stand! As to "Why is the

“

While it is true that the judge does not have insider knowledge of the politics of the Niger Delta crisis, he should have controlled those things that were within his powers. And because he did not, could not, or refused to control the controllable, he condoned and promoted grave injustices in his handling of the case and in the verdict he eventually rendered

accused being tried in a South African court," the judge ruled that "South Africa is a member of the United Nations and therefore committed to executing its obligations in terms of international instruments dealing with terrorism and related activities." This is indeed true. But the fact is that MEND The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta - has never been adjudged a terrorist organization either by the Nigerian government, the UN, the EU, or the United States.

Therefore, South Africa is NOT bound by any international treaty or convention on this particular matter.

The treaties and conventions the judge referred to include The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons (1973); The International Convention Against the Taking of Hostages (1979); The International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings (1997); and The Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism, adopted by the African Unity, at Algiers on 14 July 1999.

It should be noted that when the Nigerian government presented the amnesty matter to Okah, he refused to sign the formal form. And he made it clear - very clear - that his release was to be unconditional.

The Yar'adua/Jonathan government agreed to this. Those in doubt should ask the president, his private lawyer, or the Attorney General of the Federation.

Why did the judge rule that Okah must rely on the magnanimity of the complainant, in this case, the Nigerian government (in order to get his witness from Nigeria)?

The official transcript quoted Judge Claassen as saying, "Mr. Maunatlala wanted the court to hear evidence in Nigeria. I wish to place on record that both myself and Mr. Abrahams assisted Mr. Maunatlala as far as possible in investigating the feasibility of such an order. The amount of obstacles in granting such a letter of request in terms of the particular act, however, indicated that the problems are almost insurmountable."

Insurmountable? How? Why? The judge further said: "It would also appear that there is a lack of cooperation from the side of the Nigerian government in assisting this court in following that route. There is nothing that I can do about that." Nothing?

How can a judge who is entrusted with the issue of justice and fairness and with the civil and human rights of another human being be this helpless?

Now, if indeed there was really nothing he could have done to further the course of justice, why continue with the prosecution of Okah when he clearly did not have access to witnesses? Why continue when, it was clear that the Nigerian government was not cooperating and had no intention of doing so?

In spite of this and other hindrances to fairness and justice, the Judge, in his reasoning, blamed Okah for the wrong perpetrated by the Nigerian government.

Recognizing the shenanigans of the Nigerian government, shouldn't the court have thrown out the case? After all, those accused before the court of law have the right to summon hostile and friendly witnesses! To do otherwise is to perpetuate injustice.

Sabella Ogbobode Abidde is reachable on www.facebook.com

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

PAGE 15

Reasons why the world admires Chavez

By Wumi Akintide

T

he man finally died at 58 after battling an incurable Cancer for a few years. If there is life after death as many have argued and as I strongly believe and if the man is able to resurrect in spirit and witness all the adulation and the love showered on him by the great majority of his own people, he would predictably view his untimely exit as the best thing that could have happened to him even if he had lived a hundred years. With "Commandante" Chavez what you see is what you get. He could care less about what his critics thought about him. He refused to let his enemies define him and he did it with the persistence of a demon.

I admire and respect him for that even in death. The litmus test for a productive life is not how long a human being lives but what a difference or contribution the individual has made to make this world a better place for his fellow countrymen thru his adherence to what he strongly believes. Obafemi Awolowo the best President Nigeria never had, and arguably one of the greatest statesmen the African continent has produced said it best when he eloquently told Justice Sowemimo after his conviction at his famous treasonable felony trial in Nigeria that "it is not life that matters, but the courage each and every one of us brings to it" Viewed from that prism alone,

By SOC Okenwa

E

arlier this month Kenyans went to the polls to elect their president and other officials in a democracy that is said to be "on trial". After few days of suspense-filled delay in proclaiming the victor and the vanquished the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) released the official results which gave marginal victory to Uhuru Kenyatta with his arch-rival, the Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, coming second. Narrowly avoiding a run-off he garnered 50.07% of the vote beating Odinga who polled 43.31% of the total votes cast. Uhuru is the son of Kenya's legendary first President Jomo Kenyatta.

While Raila Odinga has refused to acknowledge defeat claiming that the poll was "massively rigged" the Supreme Court in Nairobi remains the final judicial arbiter constitutionally mandated to adjudicate on the matter of this kind. Odinga has signalled his readiness to challenge the results announced by the IEBC in the apex court to test their veracity in conformity with the electoral standards and acts (In fact he has done so some hours ago). Raila is the son of the late Oginga Odinga, the first VicePresident of independent Kenya.

So you have got two worthy sons of great men of yore doing battle for political superiority and acceptance to serve. Just like their sons they were bitter political rivals but with the interest of Kenya at heart!

As the son of Kenya's founding father, Uhuru has got the name, the wealth and the burden that comes with this heritage. At 51 he is fulfilling a presidential destiny, one bestowed by paternal political activism and

President Chavez.was not only a "sui generis" among his peers, he was a courageous leader in his own right and a political genius.

I was expecting the CNN as the world's most watched television network to give more air time to his death and funeral and to give praise where praise is due. The CNN woefully failed to do that for obvious reasons but thank God BBC the mother of all TV stations around the world did a far better job regardless of what might be their home Government's views of the man and his contributions to Venezuela in particular I will be the first to admit that Hugo Chavez was far from perfect. He had his human weaknesses just like every human being. He came to power by leading a revolt against the powerful Establishment in his country. He was arrested, detained, victimized, and could possibly have been convicted and put away for treason but like Jerry Rawlings of Ghana, the man was not only lucky but he was clearly cut out for greatness.

He was released out of prison to run for President and he won. He could easily have led a coup but he chose to rise to power thru the ballot box. And for 14 good years he led the country as the unapologetic champion of the poor and the oppressed in his country.

Many in the West have wrongly accused and faulted him of using his nation's oil as a political tool. He evidently

stepped on so many toes in so doing both within and outside his country. I think he did the right thing given the peculiar circumstance of his country. A good leader must play to his strength and not his weaknesses.

Hugo Chavez did just that and rightly so. Venezuela's greatest asset was her huge reservoir of oil which is ranked higher than Saudi Arabia's. It was the greatest bargaining chip Venezuela could have leveraged to launch herself into one of the most prosperous nations in South America. Hugo Chavez that, and he wisely took full advantage of that as leader of the country. It would have been foolish or cowardly of Hugo Chavez not to use the oil as a weapon for the economic transformation and development of his country. If America can use her scientific and technological power to intimidate and dominate the world so can Hugo Chavez.

The man was resilient, resolute and determined in his belief and he carried out his plan at redistributing the wealth of his oil-rich country to benefit the poor and the middle class in Venezuela in pretty much the same way like Barack Obama is advocating today in America that the richest 1 per cent of American multi-millionaires should also pay their own dues to guarantee a level playing field for all Americans. Hugo Chavez might have been a little bit ruthless in doing what he did but he did it within the powers

granted him by the Venezuela Constitution. It was arguably the only way he could have done it given the peculiar situation of his own country and people at the time he came to power.

America or the industrialized nations are certainly asking for too much by expecting third world countries and their leaders to always dance to their tune by leaving their economy to the whim and caprices of institutions like the World Bank and the IMF whose primary goal is to first and foremost serve the best interest of the developed nations while paying lip service to helping the developing nations. Many of those developed countries forget how long it took them to reach their current level of sophistication as democratic countries.

America in particular ought to be remanded of a point in her History when their founding fathers or the immigrants coming to the new continent from many parts of Europe pretty much behaved like many of the third world leaders they are criticizing today. The first generation of Americans had to overpower and suppress the red Indians, the original owners of the land to take over the country and simply damn the consequence. History has recorded how long it took America to emancipate the black slaves and how long it took to grant the slaves and even American women the right to vote. Close to 250 years after

Kenya(tta): Not yet Uhuru! personally nursed over time.

Fondly called "Njamba" (hero in his Kikuyu language) by his supporters the president-elect is about the richest Kenyan, a family fortune that Forbes magazine estimates to be in billions of dollars.

The president-elect is due to stand trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague for crimes allegedly committed in the 2007-8 national pandemonium in which over a thousand people died. But one wonders why the ICC should wait until an accused gets elected as President (with the immunity that high office guarantees) before doing justice to the case for which he stands accused. If that does not amount to the mockery of international justice system then one wonders what is.

Kenyatta's trial has been tentatively fixed for July when he must have assumed office as President with the attendant constitutional and legal consequences. Pray, how do you try a sittingpPresident of a sovereign country?

The charges stemmed from allegations that he had helped orchestrate the bloody violence that erupted after the 2007 election; the crimes against humanity for which he must continue to stand trial, are heavy and serious indeed with huge consequences for both Kenya and the international community. Before the Kenyan general elections the Western powers (US, UK, France, Germany etc) had warned Kenyans of the 'consequences' of electing a potential 'war criminal' as president but they ignored

such warnings.

Though Uhuru Kenyatta has not been found guilty yet for any crime it is suspected that he played a significant role in the killings that took place during the violence after the presidential poll was doctored to favour the out-going president Mwai Kibaki whom he had vociferously backed. Odinga had alleged then that he had won the election outright and that he was denied victory by the Kibaki forces -something similar to June 12 in Nigeria in 1993 when the late President Moshood Abiola triumphed over Bashir Tofa only for Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and the late Gen. Sani Abacha to scandalously annul the panNigerian mandate setting Nigeria ablaze in the process.

The Kenyan president-elect has few things in common with the late MKO Abiola. Whilst Uhuru is the son of a great politician Abiola was born poor but hit 'gold' through the dint of hardwork. While Uhuru is rich (having been born with a silver spoon) Abiola was a self-made billionaire whose wealth was

'hammered' out of 'stone' through sweat and perseverance and 'felt' by many people through philantrophy and benevolence.

Whilst Uhuru would surely exercise his mandate Abiola was disallowed criminally by military fiat from assuming the mandate freely given.

Just days before the presidential poll reports online indicated that Raila Odinga had sent emissaries to Calabar, Cross River State, to consult with the late Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS) leader Olumba Olumba Obu. Perhaps the visiting Kenyans must have seen the son, Bassey alias Roland the "king-of-kings", who must have told the delegation that his late father, "the comforter", was 'resting'! That lie had been sustained over the years, for more than a decade since "the spiritual leader of the universe" kicked the bucket and was secretely buried at midnight in his Biakpan ancestral home without any formal funeral ceremony. Having audaciously claimed to be "God" it is inconceivable that that "God"

“

Unlike Nigeria where no transparent presidential election has ever been conducted since the return of democracy in 1999, Kenya did organise something similar to a free and fair poll even though some technical glitches were reported here and there

American Independence, those rights are still being threatened, suppressed or denied as we speak and despite their claim to being catalysts for Democracy. So those who fault and criticize Hugo Chavez and other third world leaders for their autocratic conduct should really think again if they remember their own history and their evolution.

The world ought to view Hugo Chavez in pretty much the same way it now views Nelson Mandela who was for many years blackmailed in South Africa as the enemy of the Apartheid Regime and a terrorist rather than a freedom fighter. Where were all these lovers of Democracy when Nelson Mandela was allowed to languish in jail for 27 years? He could easily have died in prison.

The Apartheid regime did all they could to break him down, but he remained steadfast and defiant to the very end till he was able to lead South Africa to the promised land by the special grace of God. Mandela and his ANC had done it with the moral and financial support of countries like Nigeria, Cuba, Libya and their leaders like Murtala Mohammed, Fidel Castro and Moammar Ghadafi to mention a few. America and much of the developed world never tried to put pressure on the Apartheid Regime until it became clear that victory was within reach.

Wumi Akintide is on www.facebook.conm would ever die given celestial immortality and infallibility.

What made Odinga think that a dead god could be of help in an electoral contest in far away Nairobi beats one's imagination.

Why not, instead, go to TB Joshua's Synagogue in Lagos for some electoral miracle similar to the one obtained there by the late Ghanaian President John Atta-Mills? But despite the official visit to the Calabar 'shrine' located at Ambo Street, Odinga still lost the election to his bitter rival Uhuru! The truth is that the Kenyatta son appealed more to the masses and used his huge resources to embark on a winning campaign which paid off. The lesson here is that we must always put our trust (only) in the living God and not in any creature masquerading blasphemously as one.

Unlike Nigeria where no transparent presidential election has ever been conducted since the return of democracy in 1999 Kenya did organise something similar to a free and fair poll even though some technical glitches were reported here and there. Like Gen. Muhammadu Buhari who has "lost" three presidential polls, Odinga is challenging the outcome in the Supreme Court and he has promised to abide by a decision reached by the apex court -unlike in Nigeria where electoral disputes are often 'arranged', sold and bought at the tribunals and even the supreme court!

While we congratulate Uhuru Kenyatta for his marginal victory in his country (with attention fixed on the eventual outcome of the Raila challenge) we must remind him, in the spirit of pan-Africanism, that it is not yet Uhuru!

SOC Okenwa is reachable on soco_abj_2006_rci@hotmail.fr

PAGE 16

Abuja light rail to convey 2 million passengers daily , says Minister

By Adeola Tukuru

T

he Abuja Light Rail will, when completed and put into use, convey about two million passengers in and around the Federal Capital Territory on daily basis, the Minister of FCT,Senator Bala Mohammed has said.

He reiterated that the Abuja Light Rail project is on course and that the Federal Government is doing every thing possible to deliver it to the residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by 2014.

In his words: “The importance of rail transportation cannot be over-emphasized as the project is billed to handle about two million passengers daily”.

According to him, “Each of the rail stations in the on-going Abuja Light Rail project is designed to be a business centre comprising shopping malls, offices and other land uses”.

Bala remarked that when the Light Rail becomes operational its activities will generate thousands of employment and several thousand will also be engaged in auxiliary businesses.

The Minister noted that their visit has come at an auspicious time as the Administration of President Goodluck Jonathan is singularly focused on aggressively attracting Direct Foreign Investment to Nigeria as well as reversing the malaise of collapsing infrastructure, which has dogged our country for decades.

“His Administration’s Transformation Agenda seeks to place Nigeria among the 20 leading global economies by the year 2020,” he added.

Senator Mohammed informed the visitors that the FCT Administration has come up with a Land Swap policy where investors are expected to provide basic infrastructure in exchange for land to reduce the infrastructure deficit in the Federal Capital Territory and therefore urged them to help invite investors from US to come and participate in the new policy.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

FCT polls : Mpape, Mabushi residents link voter apathy to demolition

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

F

ollowing poor turnout during Saturday’s in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) election and other polling units, some residents have attributed the poor turnout to the demolition which took place in the area recently, and another sledge hammer hanging in the air.

Mpape has 3,433 registered voters but only 198 were accredited for the election, while that of Mabushi was recorded at 1,286 registered voters with the few people at the poll not up to one third of the registered voters.

…as NSCDC calls for synergy The residents expressed their displeasure to news men who were in company of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) patrolling round the various pulling units to ensure compliance and peaceful conduct of the poll.

A resident of Mpape, Amos Bala, said that the demolition of the area has sent some people parking, adding that most people in the area are no longer comfortable to participate in the electoral process.

“Most of the people here feel they have no reason to vote.

They believe that the constituted authorities are only representing their own interest other than that of the people that voted them. Also, the rumour making the rounds that thye area will soon be demolished has discouraged people from participating in the poll”.

Similarly, Abu Adamu of Mabushi said that people are not interested in the poll because they are daily being sacked out of their houses, adding that the people of the area preferred to be in their houses to await their fate than engage in fruitless

Two young men taking a nap on a road, yesterday at Dobi village, in Abuja.

election that does not add to their condition of living.

Meanwhile, the Commandant General, NSCDC, Dr. Ade Abolurin, urged the various security agencies to collaborate and work together as a team to ensure free and fair poll. He added that about 5000 men of the corps have been deployed for the election.

While on patrol, the NSCDC Commandant in charge of FCT, Alhaji Aminu Kofarsoro, urged the people to work together and report anyone fomenting trouble to the security men on ground.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Julius Berger donates multi-billion Naira pavilion to FCTA

J

ulius Berger Nigeria Plc has handed over a multibillion Naira “Nigeria at 50’’ pavilion to the FCT Administration as part of its corporate social responsibility to the country.

The Executive Director, Administration, of the company, Mr Zubair Bayi, who performed the hand-over in Abuja, said the structure would provide numerous assistance in terms of services and facilities to the country.

Bayi said the donation was as a result of the pledge made by the company in early 2010 when Nigeria celebrated the 50th

Anniversary as an independent nation.

“The pledge to design, construct and donate this exhibition pavilion was made by the company when Nigerians were gearing to celebrate Anniversary as the 50th independent nation,’’ he said.

According to him, the anniversary by historical coincidence marks the 40th year of Julius Berger in Nigeria.

“In accordance with our company’s corporate social responsibility, we offered to provide numerous assistance in terms of services and facilities to the country

and the Presidential Committee on Nigeria at 50 Anniversaries,’’ Bayi said.

He added that the structure, with a net floor area of 1,037 square metres, was built in line with the Julius Berger Plc’s tradition of high standards of quality, safety and excellence.

He said the structure could be used for cultural displays, cultural exchanges by diplomatic and other foreign communities residing in Nigeria, seminars, workshop and receptions, among others.

Sen. Bala Mohammed, the FCT Minister, represented by Mr Adamu

Isma’il, the Executive Secretary, FCDA, commended the company for redeeming the pledge it made three years ago.

Mohammed said the pavilion, which was dedicated to serve as a centre for creation of cultural awareness, civic education and international exchange, would also boost the tourism potentials of Abuja.

He urged all embassies and missions in Abuja to take up exhibition stands in the pavilion as well as adopt squares in the out-door space to plant trees to represent their various countries.

“The pavilion, which will display

Nigeria’s arts and culture as well as those of the international community in the FCT, is being located on the Peace Park,’’ Mohammed said.

Ms Olajumoke Akinjide, the Minister of State of the FCT, also said the administration would put adequate measures in place to realise the purpose for which the centre was established.

Represented by Mr Adeniyi Olagunju, her Special Assistant, Youth and Culture, Akinjide urged international organisations to partner with the FCT in building a mega city. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

PAGE 17

Business woman, 34, in court for alleged assault

Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council, Hon. Micah Jiba, casting his vote at Dutse Garki Polling Centre, during the FCT Area Council Election, on Saturday in Abuja.

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business woman, Edith Ogbvon of Angwan Gwari in Karshi, Abuja, was arraigned before a Karu Upper Area Court in the FCT for alleged criminal force and assault.

The Police Prosecutor, Mr Stephen Omoga, told the court that one Mr Charles Omeru of Angwan Gwari, Karshi, Abuja, reported the case at the Karshi Police Station on March 12.

Omoga said that the accused met Omeru and told him she was going to beat his wife, Blessing on the said date.

“After Ogbvon beat Omeru’s wife, she also spat on her face and slapped Omeru when he tried to enquire what had happened’’ Omoga said.

He said that Ogbvon also hit Omeru’s mouth with her head and tore his cloth, valued at N1, 200, de-robing him in the processas.

Omoga said that the offences contravened sections 265 and 266 of the Penal Code.

The Judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, granted the accused bail in the sum of N30,000 with a reliable surety who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

Kagarko adjourned the case to April 30,2013 for hearing. (NAN)

Photo: Justin ImoOwo

INSIDE FCT COURTS

2 persons in court for alleged criminal Phone theft intimidation, cruelty to an animal lands man, 19 in court

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he police have arraigned one Wale Ojo, a 19-year old man of no fixed address, before a Karu Upper Area Court in the FCT for alleged theft.

The police prosecutor, Mr Silas Nanpan, told the court that one Usman Ibrahim of Tipper Park, Nyanya, reported the matter at the Nyanya Police Station on March 12.

He said that Ibrahim went to have a bath at the Nyanya River on March 11.

“He removed his clothes with a cell phone valued N2, 300, but he left the battery of the phone to charge at a business centre in Nyanya.

“After taking his bath, he discovered that his cell phone was stolen from his clothes.

“On the said date, Ojo went to where the battery was charging to claim it and he was arrested.’’

Nanpan said that the offence contravened Section 287 of the Penal Code.

The section states that whoever commits theft shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years or be fined or both.

Ojo pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The presiding judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, granted the accused bail in the sum of N10, 000 with a reliable surety who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

He adjourned the case to May 13, 2013 for hearing. (NAN)

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wo persons, Bilkisu Kabir, and Eric Odor, on Thursday appeared before a Karu Upper Area Court, Abuja, charged with joint act, criminal intimidation, mischief and cruelty to animal.

The accused both reside at No. 46B, Constitution Avenue, Gaduwa Estate, Abuja.

Police prosecutor Mohammmed Garba told the court that Prince Faboro of No. 40B, Constitutional Avenue, Gaduwa Estate, lodged a complaint at the Apo Police Station on March 9.

Garba said the accused threatened to kill the

complainant and his three security guards on the said date.

“The duo also damaged the wires on Fagboro’s gate and the security locks of the gate’’ the prosecutor said.

Garba also told the court that the accused maltreated Faboro’s dog and poisoned it leading to it death.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened the provisions of sections 79, 207, 397 and 327 of the Penal Code.

Section 79 stipulates that when a criminal act is done by several persons in furtherance of the common intention of all, each of such persons is liable for that act in the same manner as

if it were done by him alone.

Section 207 states that whoever cruelly beats or otherwise willfully ill-treats any tamed or domestic or wild animal shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or be fined or both.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the offences leveled against them.

The presiding judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50,000 each, with a reliable surety who must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

He adjourned the case to April 16 for hearing. (NAN)

Civil servant, 43, docked for alleged criminal breach of trust, cheating

O

ne Jibrim Bakari, Civil servant ,43, and resident of 76C, Apo Resettlement Area, Abuja, was charged before a Karu Upper Area Court in the FCT for alleged criminal breach of trust and cheating.

The Police Prosecutor, Insp.

Albert Okara, told the court that one Ajiya Mana of Apapa, Lagos, had petitioned the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command on the matter on Feb. 20, 2012.

Okara said that Bakari met the complainant and claimed to be a car dealer.

The prosecutor said that the complainant gave Bakari

N3.03 million to purchase a Toyota Camry 2008 model car and a Toyota Hilux Jeep in July, 2011.

“Only for Bakari to abscond to an unknown destination, all effort made to trace him proved abortive until he was arrested by the police on Feb. 21,” Okara stated.

He said that the offences contravened sections 312 and 320 of the Penal Code.

Section 312 stipulates that whoever commits criminal breach of trust shall be punished with imprisonment that may extend to seven years or be fined or both.

Section 322 states that whoever cheats shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years or be fined or both.

Bakari, however, denied the allegations.

The Judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, granted the accused person bail in the sum of N3.1 million with a reliable surety who must be a civil servant.

Kagarko said that the civil servant must be on grade level eight or above and must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

The case was adjourned to April 22, 2013 for hearing.

(NAN)

Bricklayer in court for alleged criminal breach of trust, cheating

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bricklayer, Sorochi Ashiegbu, on Thursday appeared before a Karu Upper Area Court in the FCT for alleged criminal breach of trust and cheating.

Ashiegbu resides at Kwakwashe Area of Suleja in Niger.

The Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Bulus Samuel, told the court that one Mrs Veronica Ohuka of Utako Bethel Insurance Company, Abuja, petitioned the FCT Commissioner of Police, on April 11, 2012 on the matter.

Samuel said that the complainant entrusted her Toyota Camry car to the accused on agreement that he would be remitting two thousand naira to her daily.

“Ashiegbu sold the said car without the consent of Ohuka and converted the money realised from the sale to his personal use,” Samuel said.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened sections 312 and 320 of the Penal Code.

Section 312 stipulates that whoever commits criminal breach of trust shall be punished with imprisonment that may extend to seven years or be fined or both.

Section 322 states that whoever cheats shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years or be fined or both.

Ashiegbu however, denied the offences.

In his ruling, the Judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, granted the accused person bail in the sum of N300,000 with a reliable surety who must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

Kagarko adjourned the case to April 22, 2013 for hearing. (NAN)

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

BUSINESS

PAGE 19

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

Email: aminuimam@yahoo.co.uk

Mob: 08033644990

INSIDE

- Pg 20

Wema Bank to raise N35bn for expansion

Power: Minister to adopt local content strategy

By Etuka Sunday

M

inister of Power, Prof.

Chinedu Nebo at the weekend said that the petroleum sector local content initiative would be replicated in the power sector to ensure an indigenous participation in the transformation of the sector.

A statement issued by the Deputy Director/Head of Press, Timothy Oyedeji quoted the Minister to have made the disclosure in Abuja during his maiden meeting with the principal officials of the power sector, during which he tasked the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) to produce highly skilled power

sector professionals, as Nigeria is not prepared to import needed manpower overseas.

The Minister said that thousands of Nigerians would be needed urgently in the power sector revolution that is about to take place therefore NAPTIN would be required to equip these Nigerians with necessary skills needed to drive the energy sector in line with international best practices.

Nebo said that the break down often experienced in power was due to archaic maintenance culture noting that the modern approach is through preventive maintenance which is anticipatory of major problems before they arise.

He therefore directed Distribution Companies to establish a Public Complaints Desk under their jurisdiction to be headed by a well respected officer, who will ensure that every complain is addressed promptly.

He directed the setting up of a toll free telephone line to ease functioning of Public Complaint, while a web-site will be created in his office where the public could lodge complaint of peculiar electricity problem in their areas.

As regards, the welfare of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) workforce, Professor Nebo

reiterated the Government’s unwavering commitment in discharging its entire obligation.

“The government’s commitment to the generation of 40,000MW by 2020 is resolute as it would make Nigeria become a medium power by 2020". “The National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) is in the process of delivery 10 new plants.

State Governments are building plants, and the first indigenous Independent Power Project (IPP) is scheduled for commissioning next month”.

Also speaking, the Minister of

State for power, Hajia Zainab Ibrahim Kuchi acknowledged the uncommon competencies of the professionals in the sector and urged them to take ownership of the privatization process as what is required now to revamp the sector is team play.

Similarly, Dr. Sam Amadi, Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) identified three key ingredients critical to the power sector reform agenda, which include increased transparency, reduced cost and increase revenue collection machineries.

Dangote appoints TATA consultant for N304bn fertilizer plant

By Aminu Imam

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etermined to ensure its ongoing $1.9 billion (N 304 billion) fertilizer plant in Edo state is of world-class standard, the Dangote Group has appointed TATA Consulting Engineering as its management consultants for the project.

The appointment of TATA came after the Pan-African Conglomerate signed the contract for the construction of the largest Fertilizer plant in Africa with Saipem. President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote while speaking on the partnership deal said his company was poised to putting a place a global standard fertilizer plant which will help revolutionize agriculture in the country and Africa as a whole, adding that this informed his choice of renowned partners in the construction of the plant.

According to him the plant with a production capacity of 2,200 metric tons per day (MTPD) of Ammonia and 7,700 MTPD of granulated Urea (two 3,850 MTPD-capacity trains), will be the largest fertilizer plant in Nigeria, Africa. “Our ultimate goal is to build a world-class plant that meets the highest global standards”, Dangote noted.

Said he; “We trust TATA Consulting Engineers with this project as we believe they have capabilities to handle such a large scale project with multiple dimensions ,Our ultimate goal is to build a world-class plant that meets the highest global standards.”

He explained that TATA Consulting Engineers Limited, an integrated engineering solutions consultant will assist the Dangote Group with review engineering, construction management, quality management, health and safety management and the entire gamut of project management services.TATA Consulting Engineers, Dangote said, has a

track record of delivering complex projects working seamlessly with several entities, stating that the teams from the Dangote Group and TATA Consulting Engineers would work together to complete the project on schedule.

In his remark, the Managing Director of TATA Consulting Engineers Limited, Mr J P Haran expressed delight at the partnership deal between his company and the Dangote Group pointing out that the contractual agreement would offer his organization an opportunity to provide the world class services that TATA is known for globally.

He described Dangote Group as one of the most diversified groups in Africa and known for its business excellence and quality products. “TATA Consulting Engineers’ association with the Dangote Group is a long-standing one with several expansion projects, cement plants and power plants commissioned in the past.

“Our relationship with the Dangote Group is built on a strong foundation of mutual trust and we will ensure that we meet the Dangote Group’s expectations in delivery excellence and on time project completion”, Mr Haran said.

The Dangote Group based in Lagos, Nigeria is one of the most diversified and fully integrated conglomerates in Africa with an annual group turnover in excess of N450 billion (US$3 billion).

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Kebbi State Ministry of Finance, Malam Usman Bello, and Kebbi State Accountant General, Alhaji Mohammed Dangingari, during the Federal Account Allocation Committee meeting, recently in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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harmaceutical products exported from India to Nigeria stood at $307 million as at March 31, 2012.

Making this known to newsmen during the Indian Pharma exhibition cum BuyerSeller meeting in Lagos, Mahsesh Sachdev, Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria said that Indian medicines remain largest source of medicines into Nigeria, supplying over a third of the market.

While the surge is not surprising given the trust and faith that Nigerian consumers repose in the quality and efficacy of Indian medicines, Sachdev revealed that Indian exports of pharmaceutical products have gone up by 35

India’s pharmaceutical exports to Nigeria hit $307m in 2012 percent and 37 percent annually in the last two years.

According to Sachdev, “There are more than 30 Indian pharmaceutical companies located in Lagos alone and engaged in manufacturing and/ or importing medicines, Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) and fine chemicals to Nigeria worth $307 million in the year ending March 31 2012. With the industry growing at 13 percent annually, the turnover is expected to grow five-fold by 2020.

Lending his view, the Director-General, NAFDAC,

Management Tip of the Day

B

Eliminate jargon from your next presentation

uzzwords, insider concepts, and industry lingo have no place in your presentation. Each field has its own lexicon that’s familiar to experts but foreign to everyone else.

Unless you’re speaking to a group of people who are steeped

in the material, you’re better off avoiding highly technical or industry-specific language.

Consider whether your presentation passes the “grandmother test”: If your grandmother wouldn’t understand what you’re talking about, rework your

message.

Use words that will resonate with the people you want to support and influence you. If they can’t follow your ideas, they won’t adopt them.

Source: Harvard Business Review

Mr.Paul Orhii said that the agency is working at ensuring that Nigerians have access to quality and affordable medical products.

According to the DG, “NAFDAC has put in place measures to fast track registration process so as to ensure that quality and tested products are available in the Nigerian markets. With eregistration process, products could be registered with the agency anywhere in the world while the process is completed with 90 days having fulfilled all the requirements.

“The two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in Pharmaceutical Sector in March 2011.They have intensified collaboration to prevent anti-counterfeiting of Indian pharmaceuticals.”

A cursory look at Indian pharmaceuticals reveal that finished dosage forms contribution is on the increase which indicates increased recognition of India’s pharmaceuticals world over.

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS Reddington Hospital

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fter four years of continuous service improvement since it entered the programme in July 2008, Reddington Hospital has been accredited

by COHSASA (Council for Hospital Services Accreditation of Southern Africa).

The Reddington Hospital, by this achievement, becomes the first independent hospital in Nigeria to be so accredited

by COHSASA COHSASA is an international accreditation organisation certified by global regulating accreditation body, ISQua (International Society for Quality in Healthcare) and is the only healthcare accreditation organisation in Sub-Saharan Africa.Etisalat,

Total

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nited Arab Emirates’ (UAE) telecommunications company, Etisalat Nigeria has entered into strategic alliance with Total Nigeria Plc with a view to expanding its retail network in order to bring its unique products and services closer to its teeming subscribers.

The telecoms company, weekend unveiled its state-ofthe-art Mini Experience Centres at Total Nigeria’s Sura Service Station on Lagos Island.

The Mini Experience Centre which is one of 45 launched by the telecoms company is the result of a partnership agreement between Etisalat Nigeria and Total Nigeria Plc.

Tech firm, Indra

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ndra, a consultancy and technology multinational, has disclosed the completion of the implementation of its voice communications system in 13 Nigerian airports aimed at improving air traffic management and safety in the country.The multinational has implemented its SDC-2000 Rev. 2.0 voice communications system in different Nigerian airports.

The system is based on VoIP technology and complies with the latest European standards (Eurocae), which are currently being implemented in other countries of the remaining continents, the company said in a statement released on Thursday.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

Naira weakens against dollar despite CBN’s intervention of $180m Stories by Abdulwahab Isa

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espite efforts by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to stabilise the foreign exchange, the nation’s currency, the Naira on Friday weakened the third day against the US dollar, losing 39 kobo at inter-bank market.

The Naira on Monday and Tuesday weakened against the US dollar losing 40 kobo and 24 kobo, respectively, at inter-bank market. Data from Financial Markets Dealers Association indicated that naira closed at N158.95/$ as against N158.56/ $ on Tuesday.

The CBN on Thursday offered

and sold $180 million at its biweekly Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS) to 18 successful deposit money banks (DMBs) at the rate of N155.75/$. On Monday, it also offered the same amount to 20 banks at the same WDAS and at the same rate.

Analysts attributed the depreciation of the naira to

increasing demand by importers.

“It was the dynamics between supply and demand”, the analyst said.

Meanwhile, the local currency on Friday remained stable at the bureau de change and parallel markets closing at N158.5000/$, and N159.0000/ $, respectively.

Lagos chamber urges CBN to ease Monetary Policy Rate

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he Lagos state Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ease the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), to stimulate economic growth and job creation.

The President of the chamber, r. Goodie Ibru made the appeal in a statement at the weekend in Lagos.He said that the bank should focus on easing the monetary policy rate in the next meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee billed to hold from March 18 to 19.

“Monetary Policy Rate has remained unchanged nine consecutive times since October 2011.As the Monetary Policy

Committee prepares for its next meeting, we hereby outline the need for easing the rate, as sustained monetary tightening negatively impacts the private sector.

“As at March 16, the country’s external reserves stood at 48.17 billion dollars.

This level of reserve is enough to cover over 11 months of imports, above the critical level of three months.The reserves should support stable exchange rate in short-to medium term.

“Favourable oil price, improved foreign capital inflows and lower demand from oil marketers have all contributed to the accreditation

Inflation rates from Feb, 2012 to Jan, 2013 Max = 12.9 %, Min = 9 % for period in display.

Current Inflation rate = 9% Source:CBN

of the reserve position. Monetary easing at this time is therefore desirable,” he said.

Ibru said the headline inflation rate, now a single digit, was also an appropriate condition for the cessation of the tightening cycle of the policy.Ibru stated that the next focus of the committee should be to ensure a modest beginning of monetary easing since the

inflation rate was at a single digit.

According to him, the policy easing would boost the real sector growth and stimulate the economy.“We expect to see the Liquidity Ratio and the Cash Reserve Requirements adjusted appropriately, to create the conditions that would stimulate growth, boost economic activities and create jobs.”(NAN)

Wema Bank to raise N35bn for expansion From NgoziOnyeakusi, Lagos

W

ema Bank Plc is raising N35 billion ($219 million) to fund expansion from a regional to a national bank, said Kemi Aina, spokeswoman for the bank a the weekend.

“We are already raising the money through a private placement that commenced last year and hope to conclude the exercise by April,” she said. “The money is needed to approach the central bank for a national banking licence”.

The Central Bank of Nigeria introduced modified licensing rules as part of reforms after a debt crisis in 2009 brought the industry to the verge of collapse. Lenders in Nigeria are either licensed as holding companies operating local and international units or as national and regional banks.

Wema Bank became a regional lender in 2011, complying with the central bank’s capital requirement

Earnings Report for Banks Source:Pro-share Nigeria

of 10 billion naira and operating in six to 12 of the country’s 36 states.

A minimum capital of 25 billion naira is required for a national bank.

CBN begins N150,000 cheque withdrawal limit nationwide

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he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will from June 1, 2013 implement a policy that places N150,000 limit on all overthe-counter cheque withdrawals in commercial banks, microfinance banks and primary mortgage institutions (PMIs) nationwide.

In a circular to all stakeholders, CBN Director, Banking and Payment System, Dipo Fatokun said the policy is in recognition of the success recorded in Lagos.

Besides, he said the need to extend such success to other states within the federation nessecisated the new regime.

He said the Lagos success story has also contributed to the reduction of fraud on cheques and aided the National Financial Inclusion (NFI) Strategy.

“All banks are therefore directed to ensure that implementation of N150,000 limit on third party cheques that could be cashed over the counter nationwide , with effect from June 1, 2013,” he said.

Also, the CBN Director, directed banks to stop charging their customers payments for third party cheque below N150,000 cashed over the counter.

“All banks are hereby directed to stop charging their customers for third party cheques of up to N150,000 cashed over the counter,” he said.

He explained that the policy is in recognition of the CBN role in the development of an efficient payment and settlement system that is well modernized.

PAGE 21

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

NSE index down 0.77%, as CCNN, Prestige Insurance top gainers’ chart Stories from Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

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ransactions on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), closed on Friday in a downward note with most blue chip stock dominating the losers’ table.

Market capitalisation depreciated by 0.77per cent or N82 billion from N10,626 trillion Thursday to N10,544 trillion today, while 15 stocks

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igerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has unveiled plans to revamp its second-tier market to an Alternative Securities Market (ASM), to enable Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that are emerging to participate and access finance from the Nigerian Capital Market.

The Head, ASM, NSE, Franklin Nwaubani told journalists that the Exchange has put structures in place to ensure that these companies sustain growth and would eventually list on the stock market..

He said the platform would help these companies to formalise business operations, increase visibility and integrity as well as

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estle Nigeria Plc has assured that it would create more value for its shareholders.

Addressing stockbrokers recently in Lagos, the Managing Director, Martin Woolnough explained that the company was committed to invest in areas that would help promote business activities in Nigeria, adding that the company has invested N100 billion in Nigeria, between the years 2005 to 2012.

He added that N5.4 billion Ultra Modern distribution centre would enhance the company’s profitability and increase its shareholders’ value.He said the project would further strengthen Nigerian role as the largest manufacturing operation of Nestle in the West and Central African region.

According to him, the company recorded gross earnings of N116 billion in its 2012 result, from N98 billion posted in 2011, which represents 19 per cent, increase when compared to the previous year’s performance.The

advanced, 38 declined.

The All-share index (ASI) declined by 0.77 per cent from 33,207.02 Thursday to 32,950.08 today, while turnover of 429,651,364 million shares worth N4.6 billion exchanged hands in 5,456 deals.

Fidson Plc led the gainers table with a gain of N0.15kobo to close at N1.68obo per share, next was CCNN plc gained

N1.00kobo to close at N12.99kobo per share and Prestiage Insurance plc gained N0.06kobo to close at N0.83kobo per share.

On the flip side, Access Bank led the chart by shedding N0.99 kobo to close at N10.20 kobo per share, followed by UBA Plc that shed N0.56 per share to close at N8.29 kobo per share and Sterling Bank plc shed N0.14 kobo per share to close at

N2.60 kobo per share.

A review of the equity price movements indicated that 36 equities gained while 44 equities recorded price declines and one hundred and 117 equities remained constant When compared with the preceding week, 38 equities gained while 46 equities recorded price declines and one hundred and 113 equities remained constant.

NSE to establish ASM to attract SMEs’ participation in capital market become vibrant enough to create wealth, re-distribute wealth and re-allocate wealth.

“We are revamping what we used to know as Second-tier market . We are re-christening it the alternative securities market and we are using the avenue to bring in SMEs that are emerging and showing good growth potentials to access finance from the capital market.

“We have put structures in place to ensure that these hope comes to operation that these

companies would eventually grow and become big companies that can list on the Exchange with other bluechip companies”, he stated.

The Managing Director, Partnership Investment Company, Victor Ogiemwonyi, explained that the Exchange is doing everything within its powers to attract more local participation and IPOs to the market, saying:”We are interested in local participation because they are the key drivers

of the market. The prospects are too good and confidence is definitely returning in the market. We are doing everything to encourage local participation and some of the things worried in the past are being reformed.

“Many people are eager to issue securities, even some companies are here who want to be sure that there is a level of confidence and participation that would ensure that when they bring IPOs in the market, it would be successful”, Ogiemwonyi said

Nestle assures shareholders of improved returns increase in revenue may however be attributed to the company’s investment in business expansion.

He said the result reflects a continued progress with the company’s strategy to strengthen route to market by shifting focus to cities across the country for its product distribution with increased focus on retail sales driven model to improve coverage.He added that it would also continue to maintain the high level of corporate governance that exist in the company and post impressive results in its financials.

“In Nestle, we focused on making a plan and delivering a plan. We would continue to work hard to deliver what we promised, even at a reduced cost. Sometimes, it means reducing cost and tightening our belt in a proper way, not in a silly way in order to still retain value to shareholders because we are vey strong at all levels”, he said.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Oscar Onyema explained that the

company is one of the few listed companies that is included in NSE Pan African index.Onyema, who commended the high level of corporate governance that exists

in the company, added that the company was the first, out of the 128 listed companies to submit its financials for the year ended December 2012.

Investors stake N20.9bn on FGN bonds in five days

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he Over-the–Counter (OTC) market for FGN bonds, last week recorded a turnover of 1.928 billion shares worth N20.990 billion in 28,832 deals in contrast to a total of 2.280 billion shares valued at N24.633 billion, exchanged in 28,170 deals in the preceding week.

Specifically, 2,536 units of FGN bonds valued at N3.096 million traded during the week in 26 deals in contrast to 1,887 units valued at N2.314 million traded in 20 deals in the preceding week.

Also, 1,000 units of Lagos State

Fixed Rate Redeemable Bond valued at N1, 000,000 was traded in one deal. There were no transactions in the Corporate Bonds/Debentures sector.

On the activity chart, the financial services sector accounted for 1.510 billion shares valued at N13.532 billion traded in 17,688 deals.846 units of NewGold Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) valued at N2.035 million was traded in seven deals last week, compared with a total of 2,681 units valued at N6.562 transacted in eight deals in the preceding week.

INVESTORS NEWS BITS

Market Makers

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igerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has announced the addition of four new stocks to the market making programme. The new additions are: Portland Paints & Products Nigeria Plc; ABC Transport Plc; Glaxo SmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc and Stanbic IBTC Holdings.

The new additions bring the number of stocks that have been rolled out by the initiative to 52.

The inclusion of the stocks from Industrial Goods; Services; Healthcare and Financial Service sectors becomes effective on Thursday, March 14, 2013.

Vitafoam

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itafoam Nigeria Plc will soon disburse N245.7 million as dividend to its shareholders.With the approval from shareholder recently, the company is expected to pay 30 kobo per share for the financial year ended September 30, 2012.

The company posted a turnover of N14.1 billion, up from N13.9 billion recorded in 2011, while the company’s profit after tax however declined from N673.02 million to N546.7 million during the year under review.

NSE

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lans have been unveiled by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) revamp its second-tier market to an Alternative Securities Market (ASM).

The NSE says it is meant to enable Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that are emerging to participate and access finance from the Nigerian capital market.

The Head, ASM, NSE, Franklin Nwaubani told journalists that the Exchange has put structures in place to ensure that these companies sustain growth and would eventually list on the stock market.

Bank loans to grow 30 percent in 2013 S&P

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Source:Pro-share Nigeria

surge in lending is likely to boost the earnings of Nigeria’s banks this year though loans are eating into capital reserves and are too concentrated in the oil sector, credit rating agency Standard and Poor’s (S&P) said on Friday.

Nigeria’s banking sector earnings bounced back in 2012 from write downs of bad assets accumulated during a 2009 financial crisis that nearly sank nine of them. Lenders fixed their balance sheets by selling bad loans to a state-owned “bad bank”.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

PAGE 22

Company to produce moringa in tablets, capsules

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he Nigerian Medicinal Plant Development Company (NMPDC) plans to produce capsules and tablets for consumption from the `Moringa Oleifera', says the Managing Director, Mrs. Zainab Shariff.

Shariff made this known while Fielding questions from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja recently.

She said that the health benefits of the plant would be maximised, if well processed and promoted, adding that it would also boost the country's economy. `Moringa Oleifera', commonly known as ``miracle plant or zogale'' in the north, has been identified as one of the best

immune boosting plants that has the potential to improve nutrition.

It is a natural antioxidant, which also has the potential to boost food security and foster rural development.

The NMPDC, under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, has the mandate to process, produce and promote the commercialisation of medicinal plants, through value addition.

Shariff said that some of the plants could be exported as raw materials, semi raw materials for development of new drugs or as finished products for the benefit of mankind ``We are going to have moringa tablets and

moringa capsules. If we are able to process our materials, get the necessary support from investors, it is a gold mine.'

She said the plant, which has multiple uses, is therapeutic in food, medicine and also used for cosmetic products.

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) under the aegis of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has commended the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Engr. Andrew Yakubu, on the great work he is doing in rehabilitating

Transportation: FG urged to invest in mass transit system

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he Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (NIAF) on Friday advised the Federal Government to promote a shift from individualised transport mode to mass transit in the country.

The Urban Transport Coordinator for the organisation, Mr Kayode Khalidson gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Khalidson observed that Nigeria’s rapid urbanisation had increased to transport activities, resulting to an increase in petroleum dependence, congestion, air pollution, and traffic fatalities.

“The sector‘s over reliance on a single fossil resource (petroleum) is responsible for at least 25 per cent of the world’s energyrelated Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. ‘’ Khalidson explained that as economies grows, especially in the developing world, the demand for personal vehicles also rises, which in turn would continue to put pressure on the environment as emission levels rise.

“The use of mass transit buses is declining in industrialised nations but increasing in developing countries.

“But we know that decentralisation of congested urban areas has

created a new demand for transport services not easily served by public transport.’’

He said that the way out of the problem was to increase the efficiency of the fuel energy by improving train efficiency and recapturing energy losses.

“We must reduce emission of non-Carbondioxide Green House Gas (GHGs) from vehicles exhaust and promote transport mode shift from personal, individualised transport to mass transit.’’

Khalidson, however, advised the Federal Government to put all hands on deck to make this shift happen as it is environmentally friendly to do so. (NAN)

Lagos, Abuja among top 4 most expensive cities in Africa – EIU

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agos and Abuja have been listed among the top four cities in Africa with high cost of living, according to an index released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) on 25 African cities.

The key results of cost of living per city by the EIU reveal that Abuja is the second most expensive city with total expenditure score of 107.4, next to Luanda, Angola, with a score of 131.8, while Lagos comes fourth with 100.8 total expenditure, as Addis Ababa, Ethioia came last with a score of 60.8.

A breakdown of the index shows that Abuja emerged number 12 out of 25 cities, in terms of consumption of alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics, scoring 78.3, while Lagos scored 63.8 to emerge number 21 of the

cities that consume same.

Meanwhile, Khartoum in Sudan comes top on the list of cities with highest consumption of alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics, scoring 121.3. On the other hand, Douala in Cameroon ranked last of the 25 cities sampled with 46.9 consumption rate.

In terms of transport, Lagos and Abuja emerged 15 and 22 out of the 25 cities, scoring 107.5 and 91.7, respectively. Top in the list is Abidjan with 172.0 score spent on transportation, while Alexandra in Egypt came last with a score of 71.7.According to the EIU, per capita expenditure is higher in each of the sampled cities, as the index indicates that citizens in cities spend 94.4 percent more, per capita, than their

counterparts in the countryside.

“Africa is urbanising fast and cities are attracting more and more migrants. As a result, we are witnessing the emergence of “super cities”- each bringing considerable opportunities.

The demographic profile of these cities can be much different than the national level picture,” the EIU notes in the survey.

Africa’s growth is becoming more diverse as a result, companies are more interested than ever in expanding into Africa, it says further.A recent survey conducted by The Economist Group of 217 global companies based in 45 countries reveals that expansion in Africa is a priority for two thirds of them within the next decade. (Bloomberg)

“A ‘moringa’ tree provides shade as well as reduces the emission of carbon monoxide in the environment.'

She said promoting the plant would not only give health benefits to the people but would also provide job opportunities and create

wealth for farmers.

“People will cultivate more of these plants in the rural areas, particularly women farmers because aside eating it, they will also sell it.'

She listed the products produced by the company to include ‘moringa’ tea and

`artemisia' tea for early malaria treatment and ‘moringa’ powder The Managing Director gave an assurance that the company would ensure that the products retained their quality.

She promised that the company would procure a trade mark for its products to ensure that they were counterfeited.(NAN)

Petroleum Tanker Drivers union lauds NNPC on pipeline rehabilitation the nation’s pipelines.

In a statement at the by Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim of the Public Affairs Division of NNPC, the Union expressed satisfaction with Engr. Yakubu said, for the feet he has achieved so far and hope it would not only be sustained, but be improved upon and extended to other states like Aba- Makurdi - Yola line, the Ibadan – Ilorin line, and that of Warri– Kaduna –Jos – Gombe – Maiduguri that are having similar problems.

Speaking, the National Chairman of the Union, Dr. Timothy Ogbu, said the union cherishes the cordial relationship between it and NNPC and promised to ensure that the harmonious relationship is sustained for the good of all Nigerians.

On his part, Engr.

Andrew Yakubu, thanked the union leaders for recognizing the effort of his management in aggressively addressing the downstream infrastructure challenge, adding that the commendation was for him and the Corporation a call to do more.

Yakubu stated that the rehabilitation of the pipelines and depots is only a part of the mandate given to him by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, which includes the rehabilitation of the refineries for optimum capacity utilization.

“We can’t achieve optimum capacity utilization in the refineries without having the pipelines and depots in good shape for effective product

evacuation and distribution, that is why we are fixing them, so that by the time we complete the rehabilitation of the refineries we won’t have any problem with distribution and storage,” he said.

The GMD added that the Corporation was deploying the Horizontal Directional Drilling Technology at all the trouble spots where pipeline sabotage and products theft are rife across the country, adding that the process has already been flagged off at Arepo.

He thanked the tanker drivers for their support in moving over 1,000 trucks of petroleum product across the country daily at that critical period last year when the System 2B Pipeline was down.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

PAGE 24

Arms “armada”: Many bothered by proliferation

PAGE 25

Checking global arms proliferation ATT will fail to live up to its promise.

“We must focus on the issues that will make a real difference when we come to implement this treaty and I urge you to speak with a passionate and united voice in New York,” he advised.

DrAgnekethomCyriaque, Head, Small Arms Division, ECOWAS, said that the diverse interests of countries was a major challenge.

“This is very complex, because we have the economic interest, political interest, humanitarian aspect which we are putting

Arms “armada”: Many bothered by proliferation

By Temitope Ponle

T

he United Nations Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons adopted by member states in 2001 provides the framework to check the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.

The UN Register of Conventional Arms also requires countries to regularly report their arms imports and exports to confirm that weapons are only used in conformity with the UN Charter.

According to the UN, the register is an important tool that gives practical significance to transparency in armaments. The register did not cover all arms.

According to the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), global trade in conventional weapons, ranging from warships and battle tanks to fighter jets and machine guns, remains poorly regulated.

The UNODA notes that no internationally agreed standards exist to ensure that arms are transferred responsibly.

In 2006, government all over the world embarked on a preparatory process to negotiate an all-inclusive legally binding instrument, to establish common standard for international trade in conventional arms.

This paved the way for the United Nations Conference on Arms Trade

Treaty (ATT) that was held in July 2012 at the UN Headquarters in New York.

The UNODA said after the four-week intensive negotiations, the conference could not reach an agreement.

The UN General Assembly, therefore decided to convene another conference slated to hold from March 18 to March 28, 2013 in New York, to conclude the work begun in July 2012.

ECOWAS in February, held its preparatory meeting on ATT in collaboration with the international community.

United Kingdom Deputy High Commissioner Giles

Arms, arms, everywhere...

Lever, restated the poor regulation of conventional arms.

“Virtually all trade in goods is regulated, but no globally agreed standards exist for international arms trade.

“The illicit trade in small arms and light weapons occur in all parts of the globe, but it is concentrated in areas afflicted by armed conflict, violence and organised crime, where the demand for illicit weapons is often highest.

“You the ECOWAS member states, civil society organisations and citizens are all too familiar with this.

“You have felt the bloody human cost of the

misuse of weapons transferred to government forces, or the diversion of arms to organised criminals, terrorists and other illegally armed groups,’’ he remarked.

The Deputy High Commissioner recalled the efforts of the UK in December 2006, to introduce the initial resolution for UN member states to agree on a global ATT. Lever urged stakeholders at the meeting to remain resolute to ensure the feat is achieved.

“We all want a strong text but we also know that without the support of the major arms exporters, the

on the table.

“This is why maybe after two years of preparatory committees — we had four preparatory committees in New York and four consecutive weeks of negotiations — we failed because the interests are very divergent and strong.

“The main problem is ammunition but some are saying ammunition should not be included in the treaty.

“All we are saying is let us put the highest standard of regulating the transfer of conventional arms and some people are trying to bring it to the minimum.

“Manufacturing countries are talking about profits, we are thinking about humanitarian consequences and what guns are doing to us in Africa and to get a convergence of these interests is always a challenge.”

He added that the nonmanufacturing and developing countries were mindful of the adverse effects the poor regulation of conventional arms had on their citizens.

OXFAM, an

international relief and development organisation, said since 2003, the organisation had been tracking countries positions on arms control.

OXFAM’s Policy Adviser, Arms Control and D e v e l o p m e n t , DeepayanBasu Ray commended the position of ECOWAS countries.

“We have been tracking state positions particularly ECOWAS positions since the conference started. “ ECOWAS positions have consistently been some of

the most progressive, forward thinking positions in the ATT process and that is reflected in part by the ECOWAS Small Arms Protocol which again is one of the templates for the kind of model regulations that can actually work around the world.

“A number of countries have said very explicitly that they will not water down this treaty to the point that it becomes ineffective just to gain consensus. “ It is really important

that all the negotiating countries remain resolute so that when the text goes to the General Assembly for consideration, there is something worth voting for. “ There is no point in voting for something that is really weak,” he said.

MrAbiodunAdejola, Nigerian envoy at the United Nations, said expectations were high about the possible outcome of the March conference.

“I know that we have a lot of challenges but we will

“

Manufacturing countries are talking about profits, we are thinking about humanitarian consequences and what guns are doing to us in Africa and to get a convergence of these interests is always a challenge “They are talking of benefits that the trade brings, but we are saying these tools are killing our people and destabilising our region.

“I would say 90 per cent of states in July agreed to that, but there are still some key arms producers who are against this vision, so we are going to negotiate for this again.”

Cyriaque reaffirmed the resolve of ECOWAS to ensure a robust ATT. “ ECOWAS is saying that it cannot be part of an agreement that is not controlling ammunition,” he stated.

Mr Jones Applerh, Executive Secretary, Ghana National Commission on Small Arms also reiterated the need for a “balanced treaty”.

Suspects paraded by Lagos state Police Command, recently in Lagos, with the sizeable arms seized from them

try our best in the conference to get results,’’ the envoy assured.

Observers say as the meeting deliberates on March 18, one thing must be central in the minds of participants – the need to protect humanity at all cost, through curbing arms proliferation. as such arms have found their way in wrong and criminal hands, at a great consequence.

Control, they say, should not be compromised.

Source: NAN

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013 08028402920 sbejike@gmail.com

Much ado about alleged certificate forgery against Senator Akume

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

“

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he trial of former Benue state governor and a serving Senator representing Benue North-West Senatorial District of Benue State, George Akume, due to begin in two days' time before a Federal High Court in Abuja has being an issue of concern among supporters of the Senator and those accusing him of falsifying his academic qualification.

To people who believed the former governor, who also served as a Permanent Secretary in the state, Akume cannot forge his academic certificate and that somebody somewhere is trying to smear his name.

Others are of the views that the court should be allowed to decide the case one way or the other.Shortly after the case filed about a month ago by Barrister Amobi Nzelu, became a public knowledge, Akume described the allegation against him as callous and an abuse of court process.

He also described the allegation as outright falsehood and said he read the report of the suit, "concocted by one Philip Agbese and purportedly filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja as reported in the newspapers with disbelief".

Agbese, had through his counsel dragged Akume before the court, alleging forgery of his West African School Certificate (WASC) and degree certificate from University of Ibadan and prayed the court to nullify his election into the Senate, saying he lacked the qualification to seek election into the upper chamber.

Akume, through his media aide, Mrs. Beckie Orpin, said the onus of proof lies with Agbese and also expressed his readiness to meet the plaintiff in court.

"This allegation is laughable; but I weep for our country Nigeria because of the brazen manner citizens are allowed to abuse the laws of our land with impunity.

This allegation is a classical case of a smear campaign on a thorough breed and it is capable of casting doubt in the minds of well-meaning citizens and may have the possibility of denting the reputation the distinguished Senator has built over time. I

"This allegation is laughable; but I weep for our country Nigeria because of the brazen manner citizens are allowed to abuse the laws of our land with impunity. This allegation is a classical case of a smear campaign on a thorough breed and it is capable of casting doubt in the minds of well-meaning citizens and may have the possibility of denting the reputation the distinguished Senator has built over time. I therefore set out to clear the air as follows.

Sen. George Akume therefore set out to clear the air as follows.

"The distinguished senator has an unquenchable taste for knowledge and in spite of his modest background his parents enrolled him in L.G.E.D Wanune at a tender age. He thereafter gained entrance into the then Government Secondary School, Otobi now Federal Government College Otobi as one of the pioneer students and graduated with aggregate 21 in 1971.

"These records are still there in the school as well as with the examination authorities for any doubting Thomas who cares to check. It is this excellent showing that propelled him to pursue a higher certificate (HSC) at St. Louis College Jos in the then Plateau State.

"That he gained admission

into the Premier University of Ibadan (Jos Campus) and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1978 and a Master of Science in Industrial Labour Relations from the same school in 1986 is not in doubt. His mandatory one year national assignment took him to Advanced Teachers College, Akwanga and he has a discharge certificate" the statement said.

The question on the lips of many is who is Agbese? Could there be some heavy weights sponsoring the campaign against the former governor? Agbese, before now has been a major actor in the civil society from the days of late President Umaru Musa Yar'adua. He was among those who believed then, that Jonathan must be sworn-in as the President.

Agbese told newsmen that the

brain behind this particular struggle was the conscience of the Nigerian people whom, he said have been deceived for too long that motivated him to file the action.The state governor, Chief Gabriel Suswam, who also reacted to the allegation against his predeccfessor, described it as most unfortunate and noted that the issue of petition and pull down syndrome have become a common norm among the people of the state, adding that he was once indicted on the same issue but cleared by the court.

He said, "Anybody can verify from any of the schools he attended to find out whether he has forged any of his certificates.

It is fortunate that I did not attend my schools in Toronto, all the schools I attended are here in Makurdi and Nigeria."

Akume has been under fire since the allegation was made.

The Youth wing of the All Progressives Congress (APC), newly formed political party recently stormed the National

Assembly, calling for his resignation as the Senate Majority Leader.

Leader of the youths, Comrade DanelsiMomoh, who addressed a large crowd of youths, at the National Assembly Complex with a letter addressed to Akume and copied the Senate President David Mark, National Leaders of ACP, General Muhammadu, Bola Ahmed Tinubuand ACP Senators, said there is the need for Akumeto resign as the voice of the minority to enable him clear himself of the allegation preferred against him.

The plaintiff, Phillip Agbese, in his suit, prayed the court to declare that Akume did not possess the certificate number SCO 39633 allegedly issued to him

by Government Secondary School, Oturkpo, Benue State, in 1971.

Agbese also wants the court to declare that the result allegedly issued to Akume by WAEC did not belong to him and that he did not obtain any degree from the University of Ibadan (UI) or any recognized university in Nigeria.

Fresh financial scam rocks Veterinary Council

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

A

head of Monday's trial of former Registrar and Director of Finance and Accounts at the Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) before an Abuja High Court on an amended 36 counts charge of criminal breach of trust of N195.38 million, fresh allegations of financial misappropriation have resurfaced at the Council.

A whistle blower, Mr.

Emmanuel Ebirim, who blew the lid on serial financial scams by the former Registrar of the Council, Dr. Daniel GarbaMaddo and former Director of Finance and Accounts, Dr. Hilary Ibe has raised fresh allegations against the Council's Registrar, Dr. Markus Avong, of retaining some of the fraudulent practices of the former executives of the Council.

Ebirim, a social crusader had, in a letter through his lawyer, Mr. M. AOfioshi, demanded for information from

the Council relating to the list of the names of employers employed by the Council alongside their emolument and allowances for 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively.

The former executives led by Dr. Maddo were alleged to have inflated the list of employees at the council from a mere 23 to 75 with fictitious names and employment details provided to enable payment of salaries and allowances thereby embezzling huge funds from the Council.

Ebirim also requested for the

total budgetary release made by the federal ministry of Agriculture to Veterinary Council for 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively pursuant to section 5(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2011.

This request was however declined by the Registrar, Dr. Markus, who in his reply to the demand, indicated that the information being sought by the whistle blower were part of the evidence placed before the Abuja court where the former executives are standing trial and

that releasing the information to the whistle blower will likely jeopardize their trial.

This response irked Mr. Ebirim who has threatened to drag the Registrar and the President of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, Prof G. A. T Ogundipe to court to compel the council to release the information he demanded for, accused the Council of retaining the criminally bloated personnel list produced by the previous executives to further fleece the federal government.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

Japan declares commitment to invest in Nigeria’s schools E

By Maryam Garba Hassan

fforts of the Nigerian government to improve technical and vocational education in the country, received international boost as the Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA, is committed to investing in the Federal Government's programme to infuse vocational training into the nation's basic education sub-sector.

A statement signed by Special Assistant to the Minister of State for Education Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, said the Director General, Human Resource Development of JICA, Ms. Nuboko Kayashima disclosed this during a meeting with the Minister of State for Education, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike at the JICA headquarters in Tokyo at the weekend.

She said that the Japanese government is satisfied with the progress the country has made in enhancing access to basic education for the less privileged adding that officials of the Federal Ministry of Education and JICA will work out critical areas of developing the nation's vocational and technical education to boost the economy of the country.

Kayashima noted that JICA has made important achievements in Nigeria because the present administration created an enabling environment for the investments of JICA to grow across the country.

"In Nigeria, JICA has made important achievements because the Federal Government has cooperated with us. We are interested in the new drive towards functional vocational and technical education and we are willing to collaborate with your government", she said.

In his presentation at the meeting, Minister of State for Education, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, noted that the Federal Government seeks collaboration with JICA in the area of equipping the schools for the out-of-school children to be constructed by the Federal Government in the South-South and South-East zones.

The minister stated that the

schools are meant to fully equip the out-of-school children with functional technical and vocational skills to live independently, even when they cannot further their education.

He noted that the Jonathan administration was deliberately tackling the out-ofschool children challenge across the country to foster national economic development.

"We urge JICA to invest in

the provision of equipment for the new schools for out-of-school children in the South-South and South east regions of our country. We are grateful to JICA for constructing blocks of classrooms in different parts of Nigeria, but we urge that you scale up he interventions in new areas", Wike stated.

He added that collaborations with JICA and Korea International Cooperation Agency, KOICA, have been

beneficial to the nation's educational development.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr MacJohn Nwaobiala, noted that the collaboration between Nigeria and JICA will help the government in achieving its policy goal of using vocational and technical education to empower Nigerian children to be trained in the new schools for out-of-school children.

JICA and the Federal

Ministry of Education agreed at the meeting to set up a highpowered team to work out key areas that JICA will intervene in the new schools for out of school children.

In his remarks, Director, Africa Division of JICA, Mr. Mitsunori Saito stated that more funding for education by the Federal Government is an encouragement to JICA to commit itself further to the nation's basic education.

L-R: Director-General, Human Development Department, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Ms Nobuko Kayashima, Minister of State for Education, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, Director, Africa Division of JICA, Mr. Mitsunori Saito, during a bilateral meeting to strengthen basic education in Nigeria, at the weekend in JICA headquarters, Japan.

AUN voted best Development University in Africa

By Maryam Garba Hassan

A

frican Development magazine has chosen American University of Nigeria (AUN) as the "Best University in Development in Africa" and will honor her at its second annual African Development Awards for Excellence on March 30, 2013, in Accra, Ghana.

A statement issued at the weekend in Yola, Adamawa state, by Abubakar Abba Tahir, Assistant Vice-President Public Relations and Communications of the school, stated that the award is designed to honor deserving Africans at home and

in the diaspora.

According to the statement, the magazine's Editor-in-chief, Ayo Ilesanmi, said, "AUN has demonstrated in great measure the understanding of issues that are critical to foster and nurture community development, with programs like the Adamawa Peace Initiative (former APC) and the waste-to-wealth program."

"All of us at AUN are very proud to receive this award," said AUN President Margee Ensign. "Our goal is to connect theory and practice in order to ensure that our students know how to solve problems. All AUN students are required to work on

one of our 10 development projects.

"The AUN Sustainability Initiative is one of them. The goal is to spur local economic development by providing hands-on training for local people while at the same time protecting and enhancing the natural environment, thus preserving it for future generations.

"In Fall 2012, AUN, in partnership with Benue Valley Farms, launched the School of Agricultural Entrepreneurship program. This path-breaking program provides free secondary education to teenagers as they learn how to

farm in ways that will preserve the environment using modern technology.

"Without peace no nation can attain meaningful development. Thus, AUN is a major sponsor of the Adamawa Peace Initiative (former APC) that was established to foster peace and harmony in the region", Ensign said.

It further said that the award would be received on behalf of AUN by Associate Professor Ago Quaye and Vice President of AUN Schools and Educational Programming, Krista McKee. AUN Professor Leonard Shilgba will be a guest speaker.

Howard University set to collaborate with education ministry

By Christiana Popoola

A

delegation from the Howard University in Washington, USA, led by the Vice-Chancellor Dr. Anthony K. Watoti, has solicited with the Ministry of Educationto collaborate with it in the area of

capacity building of health workers in the country.

The delegates, who paid a courtesy visit to the minister Prof.

Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa'i, in her office, said Howard University which has extensive training development packages with African nations in the area of

capacity building is willing to extend the same opportunity to Nigeria.

He said the school was also interested in international rotation of students especially in areas of primary health care services and training of health workers for primary health.

In her response, the Minister of Education said that the Ministry welcomes the collaboration with the University since it will help the country to meet its education target, and aid access and quality.

According to the minister, the training will also aid health

workers and uplift the profession.

She said the door of the ministry is open and ready for such collaborations that will aid and improve health and education sectors and advised the team to seek audience with the National Universities Commission (NUC).

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

AUN is the only University in Nigeria that secures jobs for its students –SGA President How would you describe the election that brought your government into office?

It was a tough and tight election because there were many contestants who are also good and possess leadership qualities. The election really exposed me to a lot of things. It was really an eye opener for me and I learnt a lot.

As the first female SAG President of AUN, what can you say helped you in achieving that feat?

I can say the advantage I had over most of the contestants is that I am the most exposed and experienced among all of us.

Another advantage I had was my track record of involving with Students Government Association (SGA) and a lot of activities on campus. During my campaign, I raised the issue of the need to build a good relationship between the school authority and the students which was not so before. I believe that having a good relationship between us and the school management will bring a lot of positive changes in the institution and afford us the opportunity to achieve a lot and forge ahead. Election is all about getting the right points and presenting them well during one's campaign and manifestation.

It is believed that one of your government's major achievement since your election 9 months ago was the improvement of the quality of meals offered students in the school. Can you expatiate on this?

Yes, that is right.If you call that an achievement in our government, then I claim it. You know feeding is a very tricky

FARIDAH IBRAHIM is a 400 Level student of Economics at the American University of Nigeria, (AUN) Yola, and the first female President of the institution's Students Government Association (SGA). In this interview with MARYAM GARBA HASSAN, she talks about the election that brought her into office, the projects executed by her union in the school; and the institution's various community initiatives, among others.

Faridah Ibrahim

thing and quality matters. We found out that some students were not happy with the quality of food we were offered in the school even though the previous SAG tried to address the problemwhich was difficult because we were not in touch with the cooks. So, when we were elected, we ensured that that problem was addressed and today

we are all happy with the quality of meals we are being offered at out cafeteria.

How would you describe your experience in AUN? It is a memorable and exciting opportunity. Here I have learnt how to reach out to the local communities within the state and render them my service.

AUN does a lot of community

projects to empower the local people, educate them and give them a sense of belonging and ensure s that every students is involve in one of the numerous projects. I am happy to be part of the history of this great University.

What are those projects your government executed and in what way did they positively affect the lives of the students?

We have small projects in different departments.Under the academic project we have the Learning Support Centre which deals with students' learning problems We also have Copy Centre Reforms and Club Council, under it there is club allocations, club leadership training and Club logistics.

There is the Constitution Review Committee which is currently working on reviewing of the Constitution.

There is the Internal Affairs and Planning, where we organise Students Associations Retreats and Students Government Associations office Hours and Internal Operational Management. The finance project handles budget review, allocation disbursement and financial report.

Part of the Special Projects we have is the Town Hall with President Magee Ensign, at the town hall, students talk one -onone with the University's President and tell her their problems anddiscuss the way

forward. It also gives those of us who have good ideas to share them with others. This project is called Ideas Lab. There is also Sports and Recreation under which the University for the first time will be organizing Olympics for the athletes in the institution during the SGA week in April.

What are your plans for the school before the expiration of your 1 year in 2 months?

We are rounding up our projects in 2 months' time. There is no point for us to embark on new projects because we don't know if the next government that will come in will be able to sustain them but I can tell you that in our 10 months in government, we have achieved so much and we wish we can do more.

What is your take on the annual career fair organised by the school?

This year's career fair is the third one the university is organising and it is a good idea because it avail us the opportunity to reach out to potential employees, interact with them and give them our CVs. It is coming at the best time as the country is experiencing high number of unemployed graduates.

It also prepares us for the challenges in the labor market by equipping us with the necessary techniques to be self-reliance in the event where one cannot secure an employment immediately after graduation. I can say AUN is the only University that secures jobs for her graduating students and space for Industrial Attachment for other students.

Govt counseled over problems of education in Bauchi

By Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

B

auchi state government has been counseled to as a matter of urgency look into the problems bedeviling the education sector in Tafawa Balewa council area of the state, especially as regard non-reporting to duty of Sayawa education staff at the local government secretariat.

According to the Council Education Secretary, Alhaji Dauda Ibrahim Wur, the attitude of Sayawa staff to work particularly with the education

authority of the local government leaves much to be desired, saying the posture has greatly hampered performance in the sector.

It was learnt that Sayawa staff with the local education authority of the local government council have not been reporting to duty since the relocation of the council headquarters from Tafawa Balewa to Bununu evenas their monthly salaries are remitted into their respective banks.

Wur also told reporters at Bununu, new headquarters of the area council, that Sayawas who

formed majority of teachers in primary and junior secondary schools in the area have ever since the relocation took to their side in teaching as non-Sayawa teachers similarly follow suit.

"You cannot force a Sayawa teacher to teach in non-Sayawa school or area and with the crisis following the relocation of the local government headquarters, both sides took to their parts", Wur said, lamenting that the attitude could not augur well for the development of education in the area.

The council’s Education Secretary further appealed to the state government to seriously look into the issue.

He also urged the School-Based Management Committees in the local government area to continue giving support to the education sector,especially the payment of token to unemployed auxiliarystaff in some schools that lack adequate teaching staff.

Wur commended the state government for its continued support to the education sector especially in the provision of school

furniture as well as curricula and extra curricula activities, stressing the need for all stakeholders to join hands with the government to uplift the standard of education in the state.

An official of the local government who spoke on condition of anonymity revealed that during the just concluded staff verification, the State Head of Service, Mr. Abdon Dalla Gin directed for the conduct of the exercise on Sayawa staff in their places of abode as against the council secretariat

Educationist recommends 'shadows of existence' for schools, others

By Zainab Yahaya Kandi

T

he seminal new book, SHADOWS OF EXISTENCE, whose public presentation was held recently, has been recommended for schools, training institutes, and others as a manual "worthy of using as a teaching, instructional, and

learning aid".

The recommandation was given by an educationist and proprietor of Uwa Computer Technology, Abuja, Dr. Jerry Uwane, who said the book written by Rev. Fr. Lawrence Soja Anyembugu, is good for schools, training institutes, teaching, instructional and learning aid.

According to Uwanithe critically acclaimed new book was, "on account of its being such a treasure trove of knowledge, insights, moral, and wisdom,"worthy of due consideration by schools and other institutions of learning.

He noted that the new book glitters with so much intelligence, insights, wit, and

wisdom adding that "although this book is relatively small in size, it is a rare gem in terms of its contents. This shows the level of hard work and painstaking research done by the author."

On why he feels that schools and other educational institutes should adopt the book as an instructional material, the renowned educationist said

that: "You would agree with me that schools are not only about gathering run-of the-mill knowledge only. Rather, moral, discipline, and the likes need to be instilled in students as well, and this is where SHADOWS OF EXISTENCE is invaluable. In fact, the author, Anyambugu, deserves commendation for this seminal work."

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

PAGE 29

What factors predispose women to lung cancer?

By OkeogheneOghenekaro

M

rs Christy Efemena, 59, a mother of four children, had never smoked a cigarette in her life, just as Mrs Joyce Adefila, 47, a mother of five had never done.

Ironically, they were both victims of lung cancer and unfortunately, they were not able to survive the disease in spite of series of treatments, including chemotherapy, at home and abroad.

Such cases tend to elicit some thought-provoking questions as to why non-smokers die of lung cancer in spite of the fact that smoking is adjudged to be one of the major causes of the disease.

However, Dr Abdulrasaq Oyesegun, an oncologist at the National Hospital, Abuja, said that there are other causes of the disease apart from smoking.

The consultant, nonetheless, conceded that despite the fact that there are other predisposing factors to lung cancer; tobacco smoking still remains the major predisposing factor.

Corroborating Oyesegun's viewpoint, an online medical journal, Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance, stated that 71 per cent of lung cancer deaths worldwide are caused by tobacco smoking.

It, however, noted that among women, 20 per cent of those who are afflicted with lung cancer have never smoked, reiterating that tobacco use is the leading risk factor for lung disease, killing 1.5 million women each year.

Sharing similar sentiments, Dr Angela Morris, the Technical Grants Officer, Tobacco Control International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease in UK, said that smoking is the biggest factor behind lung diseases, cancer inclusive.

She argued that the number of women smokers in low and middleincome countries is increasing, adding that the marketing strategies of the tobacco industry are aggressively targeting countries where women are, perhaps, less-informed.

“So, we need to protect women from picking up the habit of smoking and help them to quit if they are hooked. We should also strive to protect them from secondhand smoke,” she said.

Morris says that these days, the problem now relates to women smokers and those who are passive smokers, and those exposed to second-hand tobacco smoke.

“Twenty years ago, people were not aware that even being in an environment of cigarette smoke

Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu was quite harmful.

“But now, we know that someone can contract lung cancer via inhalation of second-hand tobacco smoke.

“This is also growing in low and middle-income countries as a direct result of breathing in other people's smoke,” she observed.

The arguments citing tobacco as the main cause of lung cancer disease notwithstanding, experts are of the view that other factors could predispose women to lung cancer.

For instance, Oyesegun insisted that another predisposing factor to lung cancer in women is the environment in which they live.

“People tend to inhale fumes which contain carbon monoxide, especially in the urban areas where everywhere is clustered together unlike the rural areas where there is enough space.

“Also, studies have shown that people's exposure to asbestos and tobacco smoke could increase their chances of contracting lung cancer. That is why people are refraining from using asbestos these days for their roofing,” he said.

Oyesegun, however, noted that lung cancer could also be hereditary, saying: “Many people inherit genes that may cause lung cancer, especially if it is in the family line.

“So when such a person has these genes inherent in them and they are exposed to other predisposing factors such as tobacco, they can have lung cancer.”

Moreover, Dr Chen-Yuan Chiang, the Director, Department of Lung Health, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease in Taiwan, said passive exposure to tobacco smoke

“

So, we need to protect women from picking up the habit of smoking and help them to quit if they are hooked. We should also strive to protect them from second-hand smoke

Minister of State for Health, Dr Muhammad Pate and indoor air pollution could also cause lung cancer in women.

He said that an estimated two million deaths are caused by indoor air pollution, adding that majority of the victims are women since they do the cooking and other domestic chores.

He stresses that that the overall five-year chance of survival for patients diagnosed with lung cancer calls for pragmatic efforts aimed at its prevention.

Nevertheless, Chiang insisted that the most important strategy in lung cancer prevention efforts involves tobacco control, while the reduction of indoor air pollution might also be helpful.

Still on air pollution, Dr Kingsley Osagie, a physician with the National Hospital, Abuja, said that about 79,000 preventable deaths occur in Nigeria every year due to prolonged exposure to firewood smoke.

“More than 70 per cent of Nigerians still live in the rural areas and more than 90 per cent of this group of citizens still depends on firewood as a source of fuel for cooking meals and heating their homes.

“So, prolonged exposure to firewood smoke is more noticeable in the rural areas,” he said.

Osagie claims that firewood smoke has a lot of harmful substances, adding that experts have identified more than 30 harmful substances in such smoke.

He said that prolonged exposure to smoke could affect the people's respiratory organs,

provoking diseases such as chronic obstructive airway diseases, asthma and lung cancer.

He insisted that if firewood or kerosene stoves must be used, they should be used in the open air and not indoors.

All the same, Osagie says that alternative means of cooking such as gas should be made more available and affordable.

He also supported Chiang's sentiments, saying that preventive measures should be initiated and aggressively implemented, especially in the area of tobacco control.

In line with such recommendations, the National Assembly passed the National Tobacco Control Bill in 2011, empowering the government to regulate the sale and marketing of tobacco, according to World Health Organisation's directive.

Supporting the bill's passage, Dr Muhammad Pate, the Minister of State for Health, then said: “Tobacco control will save the lives of the youth and adults of this country in the years to come.

“If we are able to get a tobacco control law that is effective in regulating the sale, marketing and access to tobacco, thousands of lives would be saved.”

All in all, experts said that the public will be protected against lung cancer and other lung diseases if pragmatic efforts are made to reduce the people's exposure to tobacco smoke and indoor air pollution.

Source: NAN

PAGE 30

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

Experts challenge states to provide life saving drugs for women and children Stories by A'ishaBiolaRaji

E

xperts have called on policy makers especially at the state level to rise up to challenges of maternal and child mortality with the provision of lifesaving drugs; Chlorhexidine and Misoprostol for both mother and child.

This call was made recently at a round table meeting with Health Editors/correspondents, organized by USAID and Tship (Advancing Health in Bauchi and Sokoto held in Abuja.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Nosa Orobaton, Chief of Party of USAID/Tship and John Snow Research Institute, said there is need for other states to take lesson

from Sokoto state which has single handedly provided Misoprostol, for preventing postpartum hemorrhage (bleeding after child birth) in women and Chlorhexidine, for preventing cord infectionin babies.

It would be recalled that, Governor Aliyu MagatakardaWammako on the 8th of March 2013 launched the procurement of the two commodities.

Speaking further, Dr. Nosa said there is need for state government to continually set aside fund for procuring the two drugs which will go a long way in bringing an end to maternal and child mortality.

"We praise the governor of

Sokoto state for sounding the drum of leadership. Misoprostol tablets could prevent 1000 mothers from dying yearly inSokoto state alone," he said.

Presenting the importance of the two drugs to newsmen, Dr. Ibrahim KaboAlhassan, Snr. Maternal and Neonatal Health Advisor, USAID/Tship, described the drugs as preventive measures every woman should have access to.

"Most women deliver on their own in Northwest states where maternal and child mortality is highest, about 50 per cent women die after delivery. "With simple instructions, these numerous deaths can be averted. "Anybody, including the mother can administer Misoprostol to prevent bleeding and Chlorhexidine for preventing cord infection," he called.

In his speech, the minister of state for health, Dr. Ali Mohammed Pate who was represented byhis Subsidy Reinvestment Program Advisor (SURE-P), Mrs. UgoUkoli invited other state governments to emulate Sokoto state in order to support Saving One Million Lives initiative of President Jonathan.

"A government has responsibility of guaranteeing health for women and children," he concluded.

HIV 'cure' may be possible for some patients diagnosed within 10 weeks of infection

By Emma Innes

A

'functional cure' for HIV/ AIDS can be achieved for some patients diagnosed early, according to new research.

Treating people with HIV rapidly after they have become infected with the virus that causes AIDS may be enough to achieve a 'functional cure' in a small proportion of patients, according to the research.

However, the treatment is only effective in about one in ten people diagnosed early, and most people who are infected with HIV do not learn of their infection until the virus has fully taken hold.

Scientists in France followed 14 patients who were treated within ten weeks of becoming infected with the virus.

They received treatment for three years before stopping the medication.

The scientists found that even when the patients had been off therapy for more than seven years, they still showed no signs of the virus bouncing back.

Normally the virus rebounds if

treatment is stopped.

The research, published in the journal PLoS Pathogens, follows news earlier this month about a baby girl in Mississippi, U.S., being effectively cured of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) after receiving very early treatment.

Christine Rouzioux, a professor at Necker Hospital and University Paris Descartes, and a member of the initial team who identified HIV 30 years ago, said the new results showed the number of infected cells circulating in the blood of these patients, known as 'post-treatment controllers', kept falling even without treatment.

'Early treatment in these patients may have limited the establishment of viral reservoirs, the extent of viral mutations, and preserved immune responses. A combination of those may contribute to control infection in post-treatment controllers,' she said.

'The shrinking of viral reservoirs ... closely matches the definition of "functional" cure,' she added.

NAFDAC introduces small business funding desk

A

s part of its efforts to promote productive interaction with stakeholders and in line with President Goodluck Jonathan's transformation agenda, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has introduced 'small business support desk' to encourage small scale businesses in various parts of the country.

Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, made this known at a stakeholders' forum organized

by NAFDAC in Uyo, AkwaIbom State. He said that the idea is to stimulate industrialization and alleviate poverty in the country.

In a statement signed byAbubakarJimoh, Ag. Director, Special Duties, Dr. Orhii noted that the small scale business support will create an opportunity to liaise with the industry. "We have our rules and regulations in NAFDAC but we want to hear from you, to exchange views, to know areas to correct you," he said.

The aim of the Small Business Support Desk is to create a platform to liaise with small businesses to foster greater understanding of NAFDAC procedures and also to serve as an

enquiry point for clients on regulatory issues.

The desk also aims to improve access to information on product registration, to provide timely feedback to stakeholders and sectoral groups and to clarify NAFDAC's laws and regulations to already regulated industry.

Dr. Orhii also stated that NAFDAC had come up with ERegistration where business owners can register their products with the Agency within the confines of their offices. He added that the Agency has reduced the period of registration of products to 90days provided clients submit the requisite documents promptly, assuring small business operators of the Agency's readiness to support the registration of their products to meet acceptable standards.

The NAFDAC Director-General also decried the indiscriminate use and wrong application of agrochemicals and pesticides on farm produce and said the Agency is working to clean up the chemical market. The Agency has also organized series of workshops and awareness campaigns to educate people on the appropriate use of these chemicals.

Middle: Director General NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii addressing stakeholders during the ‘Small Business Support Desk’ forum organized by the Agency in Uyo, AkwaIbom State...recently.

He is flanked by representative of NDLEA State Commander, Mr. Alfred Adewunmi (L) and the State Coordinator, SON, Mr. Don Pedro.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

PAGE 31

Raising the purchasing power of the poor, turned the wheel of our economy – Former Brazilian President ANALYSIS

W

hat are the issues that could be referred as LULA legacies both at home and abroad?

I believe the great legacy of my mandates was to grant the poor people of my country the feeling that they were part of the Government for the first time. That happened because the Government's definitions were towards the needs of the poor: we have withdrawn an estimated number of 29 million people from absolute misery; and have raised 40 million of Brazilians to middle class.

Now, during the Government of President Dilma Rousseff, we shall celebrate the eradication of misery, which has practically finished in ten years of progressive Government.

Today it is residual. The other legacy was to bring the benefits of democracy to this population that had only legal rights but was alienated from the political process. Probably the great news in the Brazilian process of social inclusion is that the social initiatives, the unions and the representatives from many sectors that never had direct access to power started to participate in the Governmental decisions on public policies by means of municipal, state and federal councils. They were consulted and heard in Governmental decisions that directly dealt with their interests. In the foreign level, I believe that the legacy of this Brazilian decade was to assume an independent foreign policy and to retake the Brazilian ties with Africa and Latin America. We have done this, without reducing the relations nor creating antagonisms with our traditional partners in North America and in Europe.

Brazil was before your administration, plagued with growth without development, leaving a huge gap between economic performance and the people's actual social Condition, a situation that is replete in most of Africa now.

What were the Lula magic in delivering impressive growth and improving the social condition of the vulnerable sector of society.

There was no magic: what we have reached in Brazil in the last decade, in terms of economic growth and social justice was the result of a lot of work.

Firstly we have considered that fiscal responsibility was very important in any effective process of Brazilian economic stabilization. We understood that the Government needed to better spend its resources,

In this exclusive online interview with the People's Daily special correspondent, Charles Onunaiju, facilitated by the embassy of the Federative Republic of Brazil in Abuja, the former Brazilian leader, Mr Inacio de Lula revealed how the workers, the poor and other lower classes who were initially considered a burden on the economy were strategically mainstreamed by his administration to facilitate the country's economic recovery and sustainable and inclusive development. Former president Lula's profound revelation is a great eye opener to the wild geese chase of neo-liberal economic management prevalent in most of Africa where a tiny entrepreneual or even a rentier class is taken as the key driver to economic recovery and foreign investment in itself is lionised as the only route to any meaningful economic reconstruction. Excerpts

Mr Inacio de Lula especially in a period of scarcity as we have been in the beginning of my Government.

At the same time we have put in practice a strong policy of income distribution by means of "Bolsa Familia", the income transfer program that gave the first movement to this policy and after was reinforced through an aggressive policy of credit for the lower income classes, by means of actual raises of the minimum wage which had a growth of 74% during the last decade - and, simultaneously, by actual salary raises of workers in the public and private sectors. The

increases of the purchasing power of the lower classes and the investment of the public sector in infrastructure works, great job providers, have stimulated the growth in this last decade. Finally, the poor, who have always been treated as a problem of this country, became the solution for the problem in this moment of our history. It was the rise in the purchasing power of the poorthat turned the wheel of the economy.

Under Lula , Brazil considerably improved her co-operation with Africa,

“

There was no magic: what we have reached in Brazil in the last decade, in terms of economic growth and social justice was the result of a lot of work.

what are the concrete issues of co-operation apart from high Diplomatic visibility.

First it was the widening of the trade with Africa, where Nigeria is our leading commercial partner. With Nigeria only our trade has grown from US$ 4 billion in 2004 to US$ 9 billion last year.

The commercial flows with Africa have changed from US$ 9 to US$ 26 billion in the same period. Nevertheless, more importantly than that, Brazil's views towards Africa have changed. My country has given priority to the relations with the continent: in my two mandates, for instance, I have visited 33 African countries and 19 Embassies were created. The positive attitude of the Brazilian Government towards Africa has also led Brazilian businessmen to look to African countries with other eyes. The continent has started been seen as a region with great future potential and as a target for investments.

Brazil, on its turn, has shown that it may stimulate investment for Africa and be a technological partner in agriculture, in energy, and in the development of alternatives that may lead to the self-

sufficiency of African countries in fuel.

Africa and South America are now engaged in institutional co-operation through the frame work o, Africa- South America Summit ASA, yet the volume of economic exchange remain modest compared to Africa and China or the rest of Asia. How can the economic co-operation be accelerated?

I think that one cannot establish a bloc of two continents and expect that the results will show up on the following day. Sometimes it takes several years just to build the understanding of how two continents with still very poor emerging countries begin to find out the opportunities that may result from this union and take advantage of the similarities between these countries. We still need time, a lot of talk and much understanding in order to know which our true possibilities are in terms of trade, exchange and cooperation. It is important to stress the need of dialogue between government and business missions of the two countries to increase trade.

PAGE 32

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

South Sudan pulls first troops from border with Sudan S

outh Sudan began pulling its army out of a buffer zone with its old civil war foe Sudan on Sunday and thousands of troops streamed out of this border garrison town.

The creation of a demilitarized buffer zone is seen as a crucial first step in resuming landlocked South

Sudan's oil exports through Sudan, which Juba shut off in January last year during a row with Khartoum over fees.

On Thursday, South Sudan's petroleum minister said the oil firms had been given orders to resume production, which he estimated would take two to three

weeks.

Two columns of infantry carrying guns, mortars, rocketpropelled grenade launchers, chairs, buckets, radios, chickens and ammunition marched out of the town, a cluster of straw huts in the dusty earth by Lake Jau. South Sudan broke away from

President Omar Al bashir, Thabo Mbeki with SalvaKiirMayardit of South Sudan.

Sudan in July 2011 but the two remained mired in disputes over the border, oil, debt and accusations of support for rebels in one another's territory.

After months of tangled African Union-brokered talks, the two agreed this month to a time frame to carry out deals signed in September to set up a demilitarized border zone and restart southern oil exports through Sudan.

On Sunday, the commander of the South Sudanese army's (SPLA) 4th division, KoangChol, addressed thousands of troops in Jau, a garrison town South Sudan took from Sudanese troops last year.

"We are implementing the orders of our government to withdraw our forces 10 kilometers south," he said.

Tanks and pickup trucks mounted with machine guns accompanied the troops. Philip Aguer, the SPLA's spokesman, said 3,000 soldiers pulled out, and the rest would leave on Monday.

A few score soldiers remained behind after the main group left.

Broken bicycles, playing cards and blackened teapots lay scattered on the ground.

The withdrawal of South Sudan's troops from the border area has worried locals who fear that they will now lack protection.

Somalia frees rape row journalist

S

omalia's Supreme Court has freed a journalist imprisoned for interviewing a woman who alleged she had been raped by security forces.

AbdiazizAbdinur Ibrahim, 27, and his interviewee were jailed in February after being convicted of offending state institutions.

In early March the woman was freed on appeal, but the journalist, who did not report the story, was held in jail.

The Supreme court said on Sunday that charges against him had been dropped.

Leaving court, the journalist said: "I'm very happy that I got my freedom back, I thank those who worked in this process that helped my

release including my lawyers."

The case prompted an outcry from human rights groups and journalists, who said it was politically motivated. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was "deeply disappointed".

Both the woman and the journalist were originally given oneyear jail terms.

The woman had reported the alleged rape at a police station in Mogadishu and prosecutors alleged she and others had been paid by Abdinur to lie.

She was convicted after the judge cited disputed medical evidence saying she had not been raped.

The journalist, who was detained in January, was accused by police of

AbdiazizAbdinur Ibrahim

collecting material for an al-Jazeera media report on rape in camps for displaced people.

He had been working for Somali

radio stations and international media but had not been involved in the story in question, the network said.

Zimbabwe police raid Tsvangirai's office, arrest five

Z

imbabwe police arrested five people in a raid on the office of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai on Sunday, a move that could spark concern about a return to political intimidation ahead of an election expected later this year.

Zimbabweans voted on Saturday in a referendum expected to endorse a new constitution to trim presidential powers and pave the way for an election to decide whether Robert Mugabe extends his three-decade rule.

As both the 89-year-old Mugabe and his rival Tsvangirai have endorsed the new constitution, it was not immediately clear why police had raided Tsvangirai's communications office.

"They arrested the principal

director of research and development and three others. They also arrested

their lawyer," said an official from Tsvangirai's office.

Zimbabwe's Prime Minister and President of the Movement for Democratic change (MDC) Morgan Tsvangirai (L).

The official confirmed the lawyer arrested was Beatrice Mtetwa, a top human rights attorney who has previously represented Tsvangirai and has accused police of using heavyhanded tactics against Mugabe's opponents.

Police spokeswoman Charity Charamba could not confirm the raid but said she would address reporters later.

Tsvangirai and Mugabe have been in a power sharing agreement following a violent and disputed vote in 2008. While marked by low turnout, Saturday's vote was notably free from violence.

Results from the polls were still being verified at provincial centers.

Officials have up to five days to announce the outcome.

Kenya's Odinga challenges election result

R

aila Odinga, Kenya's defeated presidential contender, has filed a challenge to his election defeat.

As the incumbent prime minister submitted the petition in the capital Nairobi on Saturday, police fired teargas to disperse his supporters who had gathered in front of the Supreme Court where the decision will be made.

Lawyers for Odinga called their petition a "legitimate legal process" that ensures the will of the people is respected.

Odinga refuses to accept the slim first-round win by his opponent Uhuru Kenyatta, alleging collusion between the president-elect and the electoral commission.

Al Jazeera's NazanineMoshiri, reporting from Nairobi, said the Supreme Court has two weeks to decide to uphold the decision of Kenyatta as president or to have a runoff.

"Odinga regrets that five years ago, when he felt the election was stolen from him, there was no process for him to identify those responsible for election crimes," she said.

Meanwhile, a public prayer service to pray for a peaceful outcome to the disputed election result on Sunday has been canceled. Police revoked the public gathering license for the Uhuru Park event slated to be attended by Kenyatta and William Ruto, his deputy.

At least one person was wounded on Saturday as police quickly cleared the crowd from the front of the court building.

Some of the supporters wore Tshirts marked with slogans "I support the petition" and "Democracy on trial", an echo of Odinga's statement that his petition would be a test of democracy in Kenya.

"We are dealing with criminals who should not be in State House but in prison," Odinga said earlier this week of his opponents.

Police hurled tear gas at the crowd, who pulled back before surging forward to within 50 metres of the Supreme Court's gates.

Describing the situation outside the court as calm after the petition was filed, Al Jazeera's Moshiri said: "The feeling outside the court among Odinga's supporters is not violent.

Odinga has been telling his supporters to wait for the results of the court decision - they can voice their opinions in the streets but it should not turn into a situation like 2007."

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

Asia and Middle East

X

i Jinping, China's new president, has said that he will try to usher in a "great renaissance", in his first speech as head of state of the world's most populous country.

Xi called for "arduous efforts for the continued realisation of the Chinese dream", in a speech on

West Bank hunger striker 'exiled' to Gaza

PAGE 33

New China leader to usher in ‘renaissance’ Sunday to delegates at the National People's Congress (NPC) parliament meeting in Beijing.

Calls for such a revival in the world's second-largest economy have been a motif of Xi's speeches

since he took the top post in China's ruling Communist Party in November.

He has close ties to China's expanding military - the navy took delivery of its first aircraft carrier

last year - and called for the armed forces to strengthen their ability to "win battles".

Beijing is embroiled in a territorial row with Japan over islands in the East China Sea, and

Nepal police break up antigovernment rally

P

A

Palestinian prisoner on long-term hunger strike has inked a deal with Israel which will see him freed to exile in Gaza for 10 years, a prisoners' rights group has said.

"Palestinian prisoner AymanSharawna, who has been on hunger strike since mid-July, has reached a deal with the Israeli side under which he will be released to Gaza and exiled there for 10 years," Qadura Fares, head of the Ramallah-based Prisoners' Club, told AFP news agency on Sunday.

A spokeswoman for the Israel Prisons Service confirmed the deal, saying Sharawna would be released on Sunday.

"He will be released in a few hours," she said.

Sharawna is a 36-year-old prisoner who has been intermittently refusing food for more than seven months.

He was arrested in 2002 and sentenced to 38 years behind bars, but released in October 2011 under terms of a prisoner swap deal.

But he was rearrested three months later and charged with violating the terms of his release, although the evidence against him was kept secret.

On February 28, JaafarEzzeddine and Tariq Qaadan, ended their threemonth hunger strike after refusing food for three months, pending a hearing on their case. Both have been held without trial since November.

The fourth hunger striker is SamerIssawi, a security prisoner who is currently being held at Kaplan hospital near Tel Aviv after intermittently refusing food for eight months.

Like Sharawna, Issawi was freed under the 2011 swap deal but rearrested last year on charges of violating terms of his release.

Last week, Israeli medics raised the alarm over his state of health, informing the Prisoners' Club that he had suffered cardiac failure and was at risk of dying after he stopped taking liquids.

with neighbouring nations over claims to the South China Sea. Xi's 25-minute address stressed continuity with previous Chinese leaders, thanking outgoing president Hu Jintao, who stood and bowed as China completed the oncein-a-decade transition of its top leaders.

Xi also touched on corruption, which infuriates the public and he has called a threat to the party's grip on power, and urged delegates to "oppose hedonism and flamboyant lifestyles".

China's new President, Xi Jinping

Demonstrators in Hebron protested in solidarity with hunger-striking prisoners incarcerated in Israel [EPA]

Police use batons on protesters to holt their advancement.

olice in Nepal's capital have hit protesters with batons to break up a demonstration against the appointment of the country's chief judge as the head of an interim government.

Hundreds of opposition supporters gathered in Kathmandu on Saturday and burned an effigy of Supreme Court Chief Justice KhilrajRegmi, who was sworn in on Thursday as the head of government, tasked with holding elections in three months.

Police in riot gear used batons to beat the protesters, who threw stones at the officers.

At least six policemen and several protesters were injured, the Associated Press reported.

The country's four most prominent political parties agreed earlier in the week to make the judge the head of government.

The smaller opposition parties oppose the appointment, saying the new government should have representation from all parties.

The protest on Saturday was organised by the Baidya faction of the divided Maoist Party.

Members of the the faction have been protesting outside the Presidential Palace since Regmi was sworn in as prime minister on March 14.

Regmi was sworn in by President Ram BaranYadav as the head of an interim government with a mandate to hold elections

by June 21.

North Korea tells South to leave islands

A

North Korean propaganda website has warned of strikes against Southern islands and advised residents to leave.

The Uriminzokkiri website, linked to the regime, mentioned targets including Yeonpyeongisland, which was attacked by Northern forces in 2010.

Pyongyang has made a series of threats since its last nuclear test in February prompted the UN to tighten sanctions.

The US said on Friday it would refocus missile defences to its west coast to counter the North's threats.

Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said 14 more batteries would be placed in Alaska by 2017, adding to 30 already in place along the coast.

'War games' On 12 February the North tested a nuclear device, which is believed to be its third such test.

The UN Security Council condemned the move and tightened sanctions on the regime.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

PAGE 34

Europe and Americas Cyprus parliament delays debate on EU bailout

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he Cyprus government has postponed an emergency session of parliament to discuss a levy on bank savings imposed to partially fund an international bailout needed to stave off bankruptcy.

State television said that Sunday's parliamentary debate was postponed to "ensure MPs were fully aware of the situation and were better informed".

All meetings were postponed until Monday, the Cyprus News Agency reported. Earlier, Cypriot President NicosAnastasiades postponed an informal meeting of legislators called for Sunday morning.

The privately run Sigma TV said that Anastasiades was struggling to secure even a simple majority for the necessary legislation in parliament, in which his rightwing DISY party holds just 20 of the 56 seats.

Several parties in the 56-member chamber, where no party has an absolute majority, were meeting on Sunday morning to formulate positions over the bank levy. Three parties have already said they will not back the plan.

The eurozone wants savers to pay up to 10 percent levy on bank deposits under terms for an international bailout to avoid bankruptcy.

The move, which would pave the way for a $13bn bailout, has sparked anger among savers who would be hard hit by the plans.

Ministers are in a race to thrash out draft legislation ratifying the bailout and push it through parliament before banks reopen on Tuesday after a long holiday weekend, including a pre-Easter carnival on Sunday marred by the news.

It would be the first eurozone bailout in which private depositors would be forced to help foot the bill.

The debt rescue package, agreed with the eurozone and the International Monetary Fund early on Saturday after around 10 hours of talks in Brussels, is significantly less than the 17bn euros Cyprus had initially sought.

Cypriots emptied cashpoints after news emerged of bailout terms which broke previous eurozone taboo on protecting depositors in its efforts to address the regional debt crisis.

The tax on deposits in Cyprus, which accounts for only 0.2 percent of the eurozone's economy, is expected to raise up to 6bn euros as a condition for the bailout, mainly needed to recapitalise banks.

Those affected will include rich Russians with deposits in Cyprus and Europeans who have retired to the island as well as the Cypriots themselves.

The size of foreign deposits in Cyprus - estimated at 37 percent of the total - was one reason the eurozone agreed to the tax on savings, to take effect on Tuesday.

Cyprus stopped electronic transfers over the weekend.

Venezuela’s Maduro urges Obama to halt “plot” against rival

V

enezuela's acting president urged U.S. leader Barack Obama to stop what he called a plot by the Pentagon and the Central Intelligence Agency to kill his opposition rival and trigger a coup before an April 14 election.

Nicolas Maduro said the plan was to blame his opponent's murder on the OPEC nation's government and to "fill Venezuelans with hate" as they prepare to go to vote following the death of socialist leader Hugo Chavez.

Maduro first mentioned a plot against his rival, Henrique Capriles, last week, blaming it on former Bush administration officials Roger Noriega and Otto Reich. Both rejected the allegations as untrue, outrageous and defamatory.

"I call on President Obama - Roger Noriega, Otto Reich, officials at the Pentagon and at the CIA are behind a plan to assassinate the right-wing presidential candidate to create chaos," Maduro said in a TV interview broadcast on Sunday.

Maduro, who is Chavez's preferred successor, said the purpose of the plot was to set off a coup and that his information came from "a very good source."

During his 14 years in power, the charismatic but divisive Chavez, who died March 5 after a twoyear battle Acting President Maduro(L) talks on a TV show. with cancer, often denounced U.S. plots against him and his "revolution." Critics dismissed those claims as a smokescreen to keep voters focused on a sense of "imperialist" threat.

In kicking off the opposition's campaign in the provinces on Saturday, Capriles said Maduro would be to blame if anything happened to him.

Capriles, a 40-year-old centrist state governor who cites Brazil as his economic model for Venezuela, accuses Maduro of using his boss's death as a mawkish campaign tool ahead of the April 14 vote.

Top French lawyer Olivier found dead

O

ne of France's best-known criminal lawyers, Olivier Metzner, has been found dead.

His body was found floating

off his private island in Brittany.

A note was found at his home and an investigation has been opened, with police

Mr Metzner had a string of well-known clients.

treating the case as suicide.

He made his name in a series of high-profile cases, defending the rogue trader Jerome Kerviel, former Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, and Vivendi chief Jean-Marie Messier.

Mr Metzner was one of a handful of star lawyers in France, who between them have dominated the great court cases of the last two decades, says the BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris.

He successfully defended former Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, when he was accused of a conspiracy to defame President Nicolas Sarkozy, but his client Jerome Kerviel - who caused billions of euros in losses at the bank

SocieteGenerale was convicted.

Other clients included the businessman and former head of Vivendi Jean-Marie Messier, who was convicted of fraud, and Continental Airlines, which was eventually cleared of criminal liability in causing the crash of a Concorde in Paris in 2000.

Rarely seen out of court without a large cigar, Mr Metzner was renowned for his intricate understanding of the most complex cases, and multinational corporations regular sought his services, our Paris correspondent says.

If not quite a household name in France, he was an emblematic figure on the world of criminal justice, he says.

Russian lawmaker not reassured by U.S. missile defence plan

A

change in the United States plans for an anti-missile shield in Europe will not prompt Russia to drop its opposition to the system, a senior lawmaker allied to President Vladimir Putin said on yesterday.

U.S. Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Friday the Pentagon would add 14 new anti-missile interceptors in Alaska, among others, after North Korea had threatened a preemptive nuclear strike against the United States.

To free up funds for that, U.S. officials said they were forgoing development of a new interceptor that would have been deployed in central eastern Europe and has been a focus of Russia's concern that the shield would weaken its nuclear deterrent.

But Alexei Pushkov, head of the foreign committee in the Russian parliament's lower house, the State Duma, said the change would not dispel Moscow's concerns about the

missile shield the United States and NATO are developing in Europe.

"It would be premature to say that something has fundamentally changed," said Pushkov, who is also member of the ruling United Russia party's parliamentary faction.

"The United States is readjusting the missile defence system due to financial and technology issues -issues not related to the Russian position," he told Reuters.

A Russian diplomatic source said Moscow was looking into Hagel's announcement and would comment in coming days.

Cold War-era foes Moscow and Washington have long been at loggerheads over the shield in Europe and President Barack Obama's decision in 2009 to scale down plans of the Bush administration only offered a shortlived respite.

Washington has said the missile defence system in Europe, that was due to be completed in four phases

Alexei Pushkov, Chairman of the Russian State Duma Committee on International Affairs. by early 2020s and include interceptors in Poland and Romania, is meant to counter a potential threat from Iran and poses no risk to Russia.

But Moscow has said the system

would eventually enable the West to shoot down some Russian intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), threatening Russia's security.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

PAGE 35

Smart billboard produces 100 liters of drinking water a day out of thin air R

esearchers in Peru have teamed up with an ad agency to provide a viable solution to the problem of potable water shortage in Lima, the world's secondlargest city in the world. Their creation is a s simple as it is ingenious - a billboard that turns air humidity into drinking water.

Located northern edge of the Atacama, the driest desert in the world, the city of Lima and its surrounding villages get around 0.51 inches of precipitation per year. For a long time, the capital city has relied on drainage from the Andes mountains and runoff from melted glaciers for its potable water needs, but due to climate change, the water supply from both sources is on the decline. Out of the 8.5 million people living in Lima, 1.2 million lack running water completely and have to either draw water from wells, which is known to be polluted, or rely on unregulated privatecompany water trucks, which charge u to 20 time the normal price of tap water. Aware of this dire problem, Lima's University of Engineering and Technology started looking for a way to solve the problem and, at the same time, draw the attention of applicants for 2013. Inspired by the fact that the city's average air humidity is about 83%, due to its location along the Southern Pacific Ocean, UTEC partnered with advertising agency Mayo

By Spooky on March 14th, 2013 Category: Funny

I

f you've always dreamed of smelling like a walking corpse, you're in luck, because weird-perfume maker Demeter has recently launched Zombie for Him/ Her, a new line of putrid fragrances for both men and women.

Say the Zombie Apocalypse happens tomorrow and you find yourself all alone in a world full of brain eating undead.

What's your best bet of staying alive when all odds are stacked against you? A Zombie Emergency Defense Station might work for a little while, but what if you didn't have to hide in fear and wait for that inevitable moment when you run out of bullets and supplies? What if you could just blend among the walking dead without them even noticing the presence of your warm body? That's where the Zombie for Him and Her perfumes can come in handy. Apparently the men's fragrance is formulated with the scent of

Boy sips his billboard-water DraftFCB to create an eyecatching billboard that produces water out of thin air.

The world's first billboard that generates water from air humidity consists of five primary devices that make up a reverse osmosis system. It captures the humid air, runs it through an air filter into the condenser, to create water, which then passes through a

carbon filter into one a central holding tank. All passers-by have to do is turn on the faucet at the base of the billboard and they'll be rewarded with cool drinking water. According to the promotional video released by Mayo, this ingenious device is capable of producing up to 100 liters of potable water a day, and in the three months since it was

installed, it has already supplied Lima's inhabitants with 9,450 liters. Apart from the basic function of delivering drinking water in a harsh environment, the unique billboard designed to also inspire young Peruvians to study engineering at UTEC. "We wanted future students to see how engineers can also solve social needs in daily

basis kinds of situations," said Alejandro Aponte, creative director at Mayo DraftFCB.For now, there's just one of these billboards installed at kilometer marker 89.5, on the PanAmerican Highway, but imagine what dozens of them would mean for the people of Lima. Imagine how invaluable solutions like these are in so many troubled places around the world.

Something smells rotten - zombie perfume for that perfect undead fragrance

dried leaves, mushrooms, mildew, moss, and earth and will have you smelling like a decomposing body as soon as you spray it on. The ladies' zombie perfume is a lighter version of the above "with a touch of Dregs from the bottom of the wine barrel for that feminine touch." Since they're only going to be available through April 30, you might want to stock up on zombie perfumes for the impending doom.

But smelling like a corpse isn't as cheap as you might think. A 1 oz bottle of zombie cologne will set you back $20, while a 4 oz bottle costs $39.50.

Sure, it's not cheap, but remeber, it can save your life.

And if putrid isn't your fragrance of choice, you're bound to find something you like in Demeter's library of unusual aromas. You can find anything from laundromat cologne, to simple dirt and even Hello Kitty perfume. I wonder what that smells like.

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

A lack of sleep really does make you fat only the calories needed to maintain their weight.

Then they were split into two groups for five days - one allowed only five hours sleep a night, and the other nine hours.

In both groups participants were offered larger meals and had access to snack options throughout the day ranging from fruit and yogurt to ice cream and crisps.

After the five-day period, the groups switched.

On average, the participants who slept for up to five hours a night burned five per cent more energy than those who slept up to nine hours a night, but they consumed six per cent more calories.

Those getting less sleep also tended to eat smaller breakfasts but binge on after-dinner snacks.

In fact, the total amount of calories consumed in evening snacks was larger than the calories that made up any individual meal.

The current findings add to the growing body of evidence showing that overeating at night may contribute to weight gain.

Professor Wright said: 'When people are sleep-restricted our findings show they eat during their biological night-time when

By Emma Innes

N

ot getting enough sleep doesn't just make you tired. It also makes you fat, according to scientists.

In a study, participants who slept for five hours each night gained two pounds in weight over a week because they snacked more.

They consumed more calories in the form of afterdinner snacks than in any other meal.

But when they shifted to adequate sleep patterns they reduced their consumption of fat and carbohydrate and shed the pounds.

The findings are alarming with millions of Britons - about one in three adults - regularly sleeping less than five hours each night.

During periods of insufficient rest the volunteers ate a small breakfast but consumed an increased number of calories in the form of snacks that were rich in carbohydrates, protein and fibre.

However, when they shifted to adequate sleep patterns the group reduced their consumption of fats and carbohydrates - and shed the pounds.

Professor Ken Wright, of Colorado Boulder University, said: 'I don't think extra sleep by itself is going to lead to weight loss.

'Problems with weight gain and obesity are much more complex than that. But I think it could help.

'If we can incorporate healthy sleep into weight-loss and weight-maintenance programmes our findings suggest it may assist people to obtain a healthier weight.'

However, he said that further research is needed to test the hypothesis.

A previous study discovered a lack of sleep can drastically slow the metabolism down which causes the body to use less energy

internal physiology is not designed to be taking in food.'

The researchers also found men and women responded differently to having access to unrestricted food.

Men gained some weight even with adequate sleep when they could eat as much as they wanted while women simply maintained their weight when they had adequate sleep regardless of how much food was available.

But both men and women gained weight when they were only allowed to sleep for up to five hours.

Professor Wright is now working on a new study to better determine the implications of when - not only what - people are eating.

Previous research has linked sleep deprivation with weight gain and also shown how disrupted sleep interferes with levels of stress and hunger-related hormones during waking hours.

A number of studies have observed people who sleep five hours or less are more prone to weight gain and weightrelated diseases such as type-2 diabetes.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

A lack of sleep makes people pile on the pounds because of increased snacking for simple tasks like breathing and eating.

A lack of sleep is thought to encourage weight gain by boosting hunger, but also by slowing the rate at which calories are burned.

In the latest paper, which is published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers showed that while staying awake longer requires more energy, the amount of food participants ate more than offset the extra calories burned.

Professor Wright said: 'Just getting less sleep by itself is not going to lead to weight gain. But when people get insufficient sleep it leads them to eat more than they actually need.'

His researchers monitored 16 young, lean and healthy adults who lived for two weeks at the University of Colorado Hospital's 'sleep suite'.

During the first three days the volunteers were allowed to sleep for nine hours a night and eat meals controlled to provide

During periods of insufficient rest the volunteers ate a small breakfast but consumed an increased number of calories in the form of snacks

Alzheimer's blood test could give early diagnosis

I

t works by looking for a combination of "markers" in the blood which are different in healthy people and those with the disease.

Delegates at the Alzheimer's Research UK Conference heard that the University of Nottingham is now developing a quick and easy test to do in clinics.

It could mean much earlier diagnosis and better treatments, they said.

The test uses some proteins that have been strongly linked with Alzheimer's disease, such as amyloid and APOE. But through careful analysis of blood from people with the disease, as well as those with early-stage memory problems, the researchers detected some other markers that were suggestive of the disease.

Most notably, some proteins related to inflammation seem to have been added to increase the power of the test.

Promising Prof Kevin Morgan from the University of Nottingham said

they still had to validate the test and it could be a decade before it was used in patients.

But he added that the combination of markers they had found was looking very promising.

British researchers have developed a test to detect Alzheimer's disease in its earliest stages.

"Our findings are exciting because they show that it is technically possible to distinguish between healthy people and those with Alzheimer's using a blood test.

"As blood tests are a fast and easy way of aiding diagnosis, we are really encouraged by these findings and the potential they hold for the future."

He said there were several ways the test could benefit patients, including giving people a definitive diagnosis, which was not always possible at the moment.

It could also direct future therapies to make sure patients were getting the most appropriate treatment, he explained.

Screening Potentially, it could be a "cheap and easy pre-screen" test which enabled Alzheimer's to be picked up before symptoms appeared, he said.

"The way we see it working is you can test people and it will tell them if they have the all-clear, or if they are medium- or high-risk.

"If they are medium-risk, they can be monitored closely and high-risk patients can be referred to a specialist for more in-depth testing."

Dr Eric Karran, director of Research at Alzheimer's Research UK, said: "Giving people with dementia an accurate diagnosis is not always easy, and so building up our armoury of diagnostic techniques is vital.

"While there is still some way to go before a test like this could become available, the results are promising.

"When used alongside other diagnostic techniques, a blood test like this could be a real help."

Source: BBCNews.com

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2012

PAGE 37

FCT polls: Incumbents retain seats as voters shun election

By IkechukwuOkaforadi, Stanley Onyekwere, AdeolaTukur,

T

he last weekend election for the Federal Capital Territory was conducted amidst very low turnout of voters, particularly in the Abuja Municipal Area Council, in spite of which the incumbent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates won with wide margin across the Area Councils.

Out of the six chairmanship positions for FCT, PDP candidates won five, while ANPP candidate won only in Gwagwalada Area Council. In addition, a total of thirteen political parties, including PDP, ACN, ANPP, CPC, UPP, among others fielded candidates for the chairmanship and councelorship elections.

According to Resident Electoral Commissioner, Godwin Kawanga, who announced the result, All Nigerias Peoples Party (ANPP) candidate for Gwagwalada Area Council, AbubakarJibril, managed to retain his seat, as there was a manifest slim difference with his PDP runner up.

PDP incumbents for AMAC and Bwari, Micah Jiba and Peter Yohana respectively, were reelected, while IshakuShaban and Joseph Shazin emerged victorious in the Kuje and Kwali Area Councils.

Out of the 12 wards in AMAC, PDP candidates won 11, losing one to opposition.

However, at the Wuse Zone Two Ward, there were controversy over the sudden disappearance of 16,000 ballot papers, which Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) party agents strongly opposed.

Investigations by our reporter revealed that there was supposed to be 74000 ballot papers for ward, but when the papers were counted by party agents, only 60,000 were in the in envelope.

Apparently, this disappearance and late distribution of the electoral materials to corps members, which was still taking place as at 10:25 AM, attracted the Independent National Electoral Commissioner (INEC)’s National Commissioner, NuruYakubu, who came to personally distribute the materials to forestall any malpractices.

However, while distributing the materials, the opposition party agents raised alarm over the missing ballot papers, seeking explanation from the

A man casting his vote, during the 2013 FCT Area Council Election, on Saturday at Karu, in Abuja.

Electoral Officer charged with the duty to distribute the materials.

In his reaction, the INEC’s National Commissioner queried the Electoral Officer to give explanation on how the 16,000 ballot papers got missing, but he could not, saying it is not his fault.

More efforts were made by Peoples Daily to uncover what happened to the ballot papers, but the Electoral Officer and the National Commissioner refused to talk, saying the moment was not conducive to grant interview to journalists.

In Karu, there were more turnout of voter than what obtained in Abuja city cwnter, though a Community leader in Karu, Ibrahim Tukur, lamented the turnout, saying it is lower than what used to be.

Speaking to Peoples Daily, Tukur blamed the turnout on the inability of INEC to sensitise the electorates, adding that the conduct so far in the area was very peaceful and orderly.

When Peoples Daily visited Bawa Primary School, Nyanya, the polling units 16 and 15 were deserted by voters. Only the security operatives, party agents, and NYSC members were seen, who also complained of very low turnout of voters.

As at 12: PM, only 13 voters

were registered at these polling units, while at Federal Housing Nyanya, more voters queued up for accreditation. The INEC official in this polling unit was negotiation with the party agents on whether to adjust the time to allow more voters accredited.

Some other polling stations in Nyanya, including Hidayah Nursery and primary school, near Central mosque, AngwanHousawa in Karu village, turnout was little impressive.

Also, voters were seen gathered at polling stations in GidanMangoro, along Karshi road and LEA primary school, Jikowyi before and during the election proper.

Speaking to Peoples Daily, a

Presiding Officer at one of the polling units in Jikowyi, Thomas Anzar, said late arrival of materials was responsible for delay in accreditation of registered voters during the polls.

In the Jabi Secondary school, the electoral materials were still coming in as at 10: AM, as against 8 AM, which INEC promised. The corps member who spoke to our reporters blamed the delay on late distribution of the electoral materials at Jabi Life Camp.

There were pockets of cases where voters could not see their names on the voters register, despite being registered in those centres. In the Jabi village, the disappearance of ANPP councilorship candidate from the

“

The election which was scheduled to commence by 12 pm did not begin, until about 1pm at many designated polling centres in AMAC, due to late arrival of voting materials

Photo: Mahmud Isa voters registers almost resulted in fight, as the ANPP supporters claimed it is part of the collaboration between INEC and PDP to disenfranchise voters to perpetuate their tenure.

Generally, the election which was scheduled to commence by 12 pm did not begin, until about 1pm at many designated polling centres in AMAC, due to late arrival of voting materials.

INEC had fixed accreditation for the elections at 8 AM, to terminate at 12 PM, while voting proper was to commence from 12PM and ends at 4PM. Meanwhile, the strict compliance to this rule in some polling units forced many voters not to vote in the election.

Meanwhile, joint security personnel from the military, police, civil defence, immigration and State Security Service were virtually at every polling unit as at 7:AM. The domestic observers who spoke to our reporters in Karu, said that from all indications, the level of consciousness in the election was lower than that of 2011 general elections; hence the widespread voter apathy recorded.

They called on INEC and political parties to do more in area of creating awareness for future elections.

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2012

APC: INEC in party registration scandal

By IkechukwuOkaforadi

A

L-R: INEC Commissioner, Dr. Chris Iyimoga, representative of INEC Chairman, Mrs. Thelma Iremiren, other commissioners, Dame Glady's Nwafor, and Colonel Mike Hamanga, during INEC stakeholders forum, recently in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

Adamawa PDP rejects Lamido’s committee From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

A

damawa state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s Executive Council, under the leadership of Chief Joel Madaki yesterday passed a vote of no confidence on the Lamido Presidential Committee commissioned to look into the crisis rocking the party’s Adamawa chapter.

The Lamido committee was set up by President Goodluck Jonathan to reconcile the two factions in Adamawa PDP following the sack of the executive committee loyal to Governor MurtalaNyako and the conduct of fresh congresses that produced Chief Madaki as the state chairman.

It was gathered that the Lamido committee is about to submit its report to the President where they recommended that the Madaki executive committee be disbanded because they had no case without inviting the faction to make their own

presentation.

In a protest letter to President Jonathan dated 12 March, 2013, a copy of which was made available to newsmen, the Madaki faction said they looked forward with great expectation when Mr. President set up the Lamido committee and prepared a memorandum for submission.

Part of the protest letter which was signed by PDP leaders in the state including Prof.

JibrilAminu, Ambassador WilberorceJuta, General Haladu Hananiya, Ambassador Dan Suleiman, Senator Jonathan Zwingina, Senator Grace Bent, Senator Paul Wampana, Dr. Umar Ardo and others read: “However, after formally requesting for a meeting to present our case to the committee, which was duly acknowledged, we were surprised to learn that the committee had rounded up its assignment and is about to submit its report.

“We are convinced that taking the presentation from Governor Nyako and his supporters alone will not offer the committee a balanced position on the crisis”.

While stressing that the Kugama faction loyal to Governor Nyako was discredited by INEC based on the fact that it was not elected but selected by the governor, they emphasized that it is wrong to reinstate the Kugama faction while ignoring the Madaki faction approved by the regulatory authority.

“It is in this regard that we wish to dissociate ourselves from any report submitted by the SuleLamido committee because we did not receive fair hearing and as a result the committee report is bound to be bised.”

In another letter of protest to Governor SuleLamido, which was also signed by the state Chairman, Joel Madaki, state secretary, Barrister Tahir Shehu and other PDP stalwarts,

they reminded the Jigawa state governor that his committee was formed with a view to hear both sides and come out with a lasting solution which it failed to do.

“To our greatest dismay after the SuleLamido committee, even though have acknowledged our request to be heard, deliberately denied us audience.

With this development we felt it is necessary to register our protest against the committee for taking one sided stand.

“By this act we the undersigned believe that we cannot get justice from the committee and as such, we completely loss confidence on the committee.

“We therefore urge all concerned in our great party to disregard the findings of the committee and give no effect to whatever suggestion, advise or recommendation it may give since it is one sided and indeed against the principles of fair hearing, equity and good conscience.”

Lawmaker condemns Senator Yerima’s arrest by Police in Kaduna

By Umar Mohammed Puma

A

member of the House of Representative, Sani Umar Dangaladima (ANPP) representing BirninMagaji/KauraNamoda Federal Constituency of Zamfara state has condemned in strong terms the recent arrest of former Governor of Zamfara state, Senator Ahmed SaniYerima by the Kaduna State Police Commissioner, saying it

was a script orchestrated by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to intimidate the Senate Deputy Minority Whip.

Speaking to our correspondent in Abuja, the lawmaker said the police yielded to instructions of those at the corridors of power in order to intimidate the Senator, by arresting him for interrogation over comments that were mere expression of interest and concern.

“If somebody says in Hausa that, if INEC refuse to register our new political party we would put pressure on them to do so because (APC) have met all the criteria of a political party by the constitution” what wrong has he done?”, he queried.

He explained that if truly we are practicing freedom of speech and expression what wrong did the senate deputy minority whip, did that would have constituted a breech of peace or

Ignite crisis among the people that leads to his arrest.

Dangaladima said that the Kaduna state Commissioner of Police, Mr. OlufemiAdenaike had earlier said he acted based on calls he received from concerned citizens, which tells you that it was ill-conceived. He also said it is quite unfortunate that the police, who are meant to be friends of the people are teeming up with politicians to do dirty jobs in the society.

s the drama over the alleged plot by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Presidency to scuttle the potentials of the newly formed All Progressive Congress (APC) in the 2015 general elections, a political organisation, People and Passion Consult, yesterday revealed how the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) used forged registration form known as form PA 1, to perpetrate the fraudulent registration of African Peoples Congress (APC).

Presenting the original form PA 1 and the forged version, with which the alleged fake APC was registered, the co-ordinator of the group, SalihuLukeman, explained that the sample of the original form which they got from their contact in INEC has very remarkable differences with the alleged fake APC registration form they got from INEC official.

He observed that while the fake form PA 1 is not writable and glossy, the form with which the fake APC was registered is a mere paper, produced in local computer business centre.

Speaking further, he observed that the alleged fake APC applied for registration on the 1st of March and got registered on the 15th of March, which is far shorter than what it takes INEC to investigate a group of people seeking registration as a party before being granted the request.

He also observed that the registration form was signed by the people seeking for registration on the 12th of March, while INEC claims to had received the form on the 1st of March.

Also contributing, Barr.

MammudAminu, said that there is never a time when INEC accepts registration of a party through a consultant, wondering why INEC suddenly changed the preceedence in the case of the controversial African Peoples Congress.

Mammud, who questioned why INEC accepted for a consultant to register the alleged fake APC, recalled that in the case of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in 2003, INEC refused the use of a consultant to register the party, insisting that it is only the party Chairmen and National Secretary that has the powers to approach INEC for registration of a group as a party.

On this basis, he claimed that both the Presidency and the PDP are behind the plot, which he pointed out as one of the moves to destabilise the success of the All Progressives Congress in 2015.

Meanwhile, he raised doubts over the ability of the current chairman of INEC, AttahiruJega, to cleans the commission of sharp practises, recalling that there was high hope and expectations on Jega when he was newly appointed.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2012

Senate berates Border Communities Agency

By IkechukwuOkaforadi

S

enate has expressed vote of no confidence on the Border Communities Agency, saying it has failed to achieve the purpose for which it was established, which is to put policies in place to ensble the indigenes of those communities have a benefit of democracy dividends from the government.

On this basis, the bill which seeks to bring succour to Nigerians living in the border communities yesterday passed second reading in the Senate.

In lead debate, Olufemi Lanlehin, who sponsored the Bill, expressed dissatisfaction with state of Nigeria borders, blaming the problem on lack of institutional checks and balances and defective legal framework.

Lanlehin, who lamented that Nigerians living in border communities have been shortchanged by the Federal government, added that they are always begging for motorable roads, hospitals, schools and portable drinking water.

He said that for government to fight terrorism effectively and combat human trafficking, there is need for the government to pay more attention to Border Development Communities Agency.

According to him, “the condition of the Nigerian borders communities has not improved, neither has the presence of the border Communities Development Agency been felt in any life impacting way since it was established”.

He pointed out that since it was established, it has been a tale of missed opportunities and broken promises, largely due to poor funding of the agency, lack of strong institutional checks and balances and defective legal framework.

He therefore said that the new Bill is meant to redress this situation and bring dividends of democracy to people in the border communities.

In addition, other senators in their contributions on the Bill, agreed that there is need for the government to pay much attention to border communities across the country in order to prevent the activities of terrorists and human trafficking rampant in the country.

In his closing remarks, Senate President, David Mark, stated that Border Communities Development agency has failed to meet up with the task it was saddled with, adding that the amendment would find a lasting solution to borders problem in the country.

The bill was sent to Senate Committee on Judiciary and legal matter and committee on states and local governments for further legislative works.

PAGE 39

APGA defies INEC, to hold convention in Enugu

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

A

gainst the insistence by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that it would only identify with APGA leadership which emerged through a credibly conducted congress, the Interim National Chairman of the party, Maxi Okwu, has said that the convention must hold, whether INEC comes or not.

Briefing journalists yesterday, Okwu said that the interim leadership of the party has already communicated to INEC on the proposed convention, adding that he cannot guarantee if the commission will come or not.

He also pointed out that after the congress scheduled for 8th of next month, the crisis in the party will be laid to rest, expressing hope that since the party was formed in Enugu, the crisis ravaging the party will also be resolved in Enugu.

He disclosed that Victor Umeh was not supposed to be the chairman of the party when ChekwasOkorie was removed, if not for a rough show against Okorie by the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) them.

Okwu explained that ordinarily, if the chairman of a party is removed, one person among the Deputy Vice Chairmen will take over, arguing that in the case of

Umeh, he leapfrogged from the post of treasurer of the party to become the chairman, pointing out that it is never done anywhere.

In addition, he recalled that Umeh was the treasurer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra state before he joined APGA, wondering why he should be holding the party to ransom.

However, he discredited the claims by Umeh that Governor Peter Obi of Anambra state is at the center-point of the APGA crisis, explaining that if the governor had wanted to leave the party, he had ample opportunity to leave after his first term.

He emphasised that

governor Obi remains the face of the party, having single handedly maintained the party’s structures across the country for over seven years.

He noted that any relationship between the governor and President Goodluck Jonathan is purely administrative, rather than for party politics as being speculated by Umeh and his groups.

Meanwhile, he disclosed that before June, the local government election, which has become a controversial issue in Anambra state, will be conducted, pointing out that there is a reasonable security improvement in the state now, unlike what use to be.

L-R: Gombe State Deputy Governor, Mr. Tha'anda Rubainu, Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and Gombe state Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, during the unveiling of the construction site of the International Conference Centre, at the weekend in Gombe.

ACN, real threat to democracy, says PDP

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday declared that the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) remains the most potent threat to the nation’s democracy.

The party in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh stated “Our attention has been drawn to inciting and

unpatriotic statements by the ACN, seeking as usual, to heat up the polity and put Nigerians at loggerheads with one another, all in the desperate lust for power for selfish reasons.

“In fact, the ACN has shown that it is the real threat to Nigerian democracy and they are unyielding in their plot to truncate the system with propaganda, lies and media

deceit because they have been rejected by Nigerians.

“Nigerians have since realized their evil desires and have continued to answer them with overwhelming support for the PDP in elections, the recent being the FCT elections where PDP won five out of the six area councils with the ACN getting none.

“ACN spokesman, Lai Mohammed should be bold enough to tell Nigerians the

relationship between his party and the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu. We await his kind explanation in this regard.

“Let the ACN continue chasing shadows with their incompetent approach to politics including making mountains of a mere name registration, while we continue to win the hearts and minds of the voting public. Nigerians are not fools,” PDP stated.

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2012

Alamieyeseigha’s pardon criminal – CPC

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has described the decision of President Goodluck Jonathan, to grant state pardon to the former Governor of Bayelsa state, Depriye Alamieyeseigha, as criminal, saying it contravenes the United Nations Convention of 2003, to which Nigeria is signatory state.

CPC said the United Nations Convention against corruption, which was passed through United Nations General Assembly resolution of 58/4 of 31 October, forbids the state parties, which Nigeria is signatory to, from taking actions which will in any way encourage corruption.

In a statement issued yesterday by the National

Publicity Secretary of the party, Rotimi Fashakin, CPC said that it is sheer irresponsibility to grant state pardon to a person, who disguised himself and jumped bail in the United Kingdom.

CPC recalled that Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, during his tenure as Governor of Bayelsa, was arrested in UK for laundering $3.2million in cash and Bank accounts, adding that he was subsequently impeached by 17 out of the 24 members of the state assembly, before he was finally arraigned and convicted by the Abuja High Court.

In its argument, CPC said that the feeling of outrage among Nigerians both at home and the Diaspora, on the pardon granted to Mr Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and Shettima

Bulama, was understandable.

It explained that the reason this was that these two Nigerians were convicted for obscene corruptive tendencies and ‘nauseous rapacity’, adding that Shettima Bulama was apprehended for embezzling the funds of his employers, which was Bank of the North.

While acknowledging that the President’s decision hinges on the Provisions of Section 175 (1-3) of the Nigerian Constitution, CPC pointed out that subsection 3 expressly states that the President, acting in accordance with the advice of the Council of state, can only exercise this powers in relation to persons concerned with offences against the army, naval or airforce law or convicted or sentenced by a court-martial.

It observed that in the case of Alameiyesegha and Bulama, the

case was stealing of public funds, and has nothing to do with the cases outlined in the section 3, which is disobedience to the armed forces.

According to CPC statement, “This evil phenomenon is found in all countries—big and small, rich and poor—but it is in the developing world that its effects are most destructive.”

Speaking further, CPC lamented that in the entire saga, the President exhibited utmost impunity, through his aides, Doyin Okupe, who said publicly that the Presidency owes nobody any apology over the decision.

The hubris of that assertion is seen in the inebriation with power that is often linked with holders of executive authority in Nigeria.

The Nigerian state, as a State Party, is a signatory to the United Nations Convention against

Corruption enacted through the General Assembly resolution: 58/ 4 of 31 October 2003. Moreover, CPC added that emphasised that as reasons for this legal instrument, the UN Secretary General stated inter-alia that: “Corruption is an insidious plague that has a wide range of corrosive effects on societies.

It undermines democracy and the rule of law.”

In added that, according to the UN Secretary General, the penalties of this kind of decision is that it leads to violations of human rights, distorts markets, erodes the quality of life and allows organized crime, terrorism and other threats to human security to flourish.

“This evil phenomenon is found in all countries—big and small, rich and poor—but it is in the developing world that its effects are most destructive.”

UPP congratulates winners of FCT area councils polls

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

L-R: Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Zakari Mohammed , Chairman, House Committee on Justice, Hon. Ali Ahmed, Deputy Chairman , House Committee on FCT , Hon . NnanaI Gbokwe, and Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Victor Ogene, during the House weekly briefing, at the weekend, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

he United Progressive Party has commended the winners of the FCT elections, saying that the turnout is very poor to use the election as a yardstick measure the popularity of the contestants.

In a statement issued by the National chairman of the party, Chekwa Okorie, UPP said that it is generally accepted by all including Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the turn out of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council’s Election is very poor.

He said the low turnout is enough to mar the credibility if the election, emphasising that it was so poor that the election itself lacks legitimacy.

“The situation in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) portrays this assertion very clearly. The number of registered voters in AMAC is approximately 477,000. The total votes cast in the election including valid and non valid votes were approximately 15% of registered voters.” he said.

FCT LG poll: Nigerians have rejected the opposition, says PDP

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday described its victory over the opposition in the recently concluded local government polls in four of the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory as a confirmation of the party’s acceptability by the people in spite of the much orchestrated merger by the opposition parties.

The PDP had in a landslide victory won in five out of the six area councils of the FCT, a development the leadership said was an indication that the

people have rejected the opposition in spite of their alliance.

It said that the victory shows that the opposition merely exist on the pages of newspapers and do not command true followership among the people.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh in a statement yesterday said the woeful failure of the opposition in the FCT, which population is made up of Nigerians from all the geo-political zones in the country, is a demonstration of the fate that will befall them in 2015.

The party said the victory in the elections which were largely acknowledged to be free and fair showed that the PDP is still very popular among Nigerians including those at the grassroots in spite of the unnecessary harassment and attacks against its image by the opposition elements.

“The sweeping victory of the PDP in the last Saturday’s FCT area council elections has clearly shown that the Nigerians are solidly behind the ruling party and are not fooled by the deceits and lies of the opposition and their much orchestrated merger.

“That we won in five out of the six area councils is a clear testimony that Nigerians have truly accepted the PDP and a demonstration of the fate that will befall the opposition in 2015”, the statement said.

The party said those behind the opposition parties can now see that they are merely chasing shadows as the FCT elections and others held recently have shown that Nigerians know that they have nothing to offer but desperately seek power for selfish reasons.

It recalled its sweeping victory in the Kano State House of Assembly bye-elections in

February where it won over 80 percent of the votes in the two councils where the elections were held.

The leadership of the PDP commended the National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur for providing the leadership that have continued to engender trust in the party leading to its electoral victories.

It also commended the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, members of the National Assembly from the FCT as well as party leaders and officials in the FCT for mobilizing for the party during the elections.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

PAGE 41

STF disperse fans in Jos as Mighty Jets, Giwa play draw Emenike shuns Keshi, T says official he Special Task Force (STF) yesterday averted what could have being a free for all fight at Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos, as Mighty Jets played 1-1 draw with Giwa FC in a local derby.

The STF is the military force charged with maintaining peace in Plateau. Its men intervened after the fans of both clubs went berserk immediately after the final whistle.

The fans were harassing the players, team officials, spectators as well as match officials following the failure of their teams to get the maximum points for the match.

The STF swiftly swung into action and guided the players, team officials and the match officials to dressing room before returning to send the angry fans out of the stadium.

Having exhausted every

means to calm the situation, the security outfit resulted to the use of tear gas to disperse the fans to avoid the escalation of the situation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that both teams tried to undo the other and get the three points at stake but none of them was able to win the week 13 league encounter.

Mighty Jets were the first to get on the score sheet as Kasim

Mohammed scored on the 23 rd minute of the thrilling encounter.

Nora Usman, however, equalised in the last minute of the first half to restore hope to Giwa who were technically away in the fixture.

NAN’s efforts to speak to with coaches or security agents proved abortive as everybody was scampering for safety after the match.

Golden Eaglets coaching crew keenly watching the players in training

2014 WC: Keshi picks Mba, Oboabana, Reuben, 6 other home-based stars for Kenya

By Patrick Andrew

A

FCON heroes Sunday Mba and Godfrey Oboabana top the list of the domestic league players Super Eagles head coach Stephen Keshi selected for the March 23 World Cup qualifying game against the Harambee Stars of kenya.

Though the team’s Media Officer Ben Alaiya did not list the names of the nine players drawn from the

24 home-based players that had been in camp, he gave strong indication that all domestic league players that were in South Africa would be included in the squad.

That means that Chigozie Agbim, Azubuike Egwueke and Gabriel Reuben are in the squad and would be joined by four others in the camp, which relocates to Calabar this morning.

“They will be joined in Calabar by the players already invited from oversea clubs for the final leg of preparations for the match

against Kenya,’’ Alaiya said.

The 2014 FIFA World Cup Africa Zone Qualification Group F tie is billed for the U.J. Esuene Stadium in the Cross River capital.

Alaiya said the dropped 15 players would soon return to camp in preparation for some friendlies and the upcoming Confederations’ Cup in Brazil.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles currently lead their group after two matches, with four points from a 1-0 home win over Namibia and a 1-1 away draw with Malawi.

CAF Cups: Heartland beat US Bitam as Rangers draw

H

eartland beat Gabonese club, US Bitam 2-1 in a first leg, first round CAF Confederation Cup clash at the Dan Anyiam Stadium,Owerri even as Enugu Rangers secured a crucial 0-0 draw away to Vitalo in a Champions League game.

The Federation Cup champions dominated the early exchanges and duly took the lead on 22 minutes through Jolly Osas.

There were no further goals in the half as Heartland continued to probe for more goals to make the second leg more comfortable.

Isah Akor provided a second goal for the Nigerians seven minutes after the interval with a smart finish but the joy of the home supporters was to be short-lived.

Bitam hit back immediately after Akor’s strike through Alain Djessikadie.

The visitors celebrated a potentially crucial away goal as the Naze Millionaires went on to lay siege on the Bitam goal for the rest of the game.

Stoic defending by Bitam and profligacy from the Heartland forwards however meant the score remained 2-1 to the hosts to set the

tone for a potentially explosive return leg in a fortnight.

Heartland lost out in last year’s Caf Confederation Cup by away goals to Congolese club, AC Leopards.

Penultimate day, Kano Pillars had trounced AC Leopard 4-1 to set the tune for Nigeria’s success in the continental clubsides campaigns.

OTHER RESULTS Recreativo Libolo 2 Al-Merreikh 1 Al Ahly 2 Tusker 1 AFAD de Djékanou 0 Coton Sports 1

S

tephen Keshi has been unable to speak to injured Emmanuel Emenike because the AFCON Golden Boot winner has not been forthcoming with his telephones, according to the Super Eagles’ media officer, Ben Alaiya.

Emenike has alleged that neither Keshi nor the NFF had shown interest in his injury since the AFCON tournament where he picked serious knocks in the semi-final game against Mali.

According to the player, the duo had simply used and dumped him to his fate and stressed that there had been no phone calls to find out his health situation.

However, reacting to the outburst of the Russia-based forward, Alaiya said Eagles gaffer Keshi had made several eforts to reach him to no avail because the telephones he left behind were not connecting.

“When Keshi discovered that the number was not going through, he called his national teammate, Ahmed Musa, to help get Emenike’s new number but Musa said Emenike refused to give him his new phone numbers.

“If you want to talk to your player and he does not want to talk to you what then do you do. I think if Emenike has personal issues against any member of the team, he should come out and say so instead of whipping up public sentiments at a time concentration should be on the game against Kenya in Calabar”, Alaiya quoted Keshi as saying at the weekend.

Also, he said team scribe Dayo Enebi Achor, who is NFF staff had equally made efforts to reach him.

AYC: Flying Eagles humbled by Mali

A

frican Youth Championship (AYC) holders, the Flying Eagles of Nigeria suffered an upset in the hands of their Malian counterparts in their opening Group B game in Oran yesterday.

The defending champions were beaten 1-0.

FC Nantes teenage striker, Adama Niane scored the only goal of the game to give the Malians a commendable win and prospects for better things to come.

Nigeria started on the front foot with Olarenwaju Kayode free kick stinging the palms of Mali keeper Ali Yiringo inside the first 10 minutes. With a quarter of an hour into the game, Mali took the lead.

The Flying Eagles failed to clear from Tiekoro Keita’s corner kick leaving Niane unmarked in the area to rifle home with his left-foot.

After the goal, most of Nigeria’s attacking play came through Ansfed forward,

Kayode without breaking the resilient Malians.

On 28 minutes, Kayode got the ball in the net but his goal did not stand as it was ruled offside.

The Malians ended the opening half under siege but kept their one-goal lead intact.

In the restart, substitute Edafe Egbedi missed Nigeria’s best chance in the 46th minute from close range after heading horribly off target at the near post where he was totally unmarked.

Kayode and captain Abduljeleel Ajagun came close to drawing Nigeria level in the space of minutes but missed target on both occasions.

With three minutes to full time, Enugu Rangers’ forward, Alhaji Gero was played free in the box but he could only blast wide after a good first touch on the ball.

Mali held on for a famous win in stoppage time as Nigeria now need an outright win against Gabon on Wednesday.

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

Volleyball Championship: Coach blames inexperience for loss ANOCA holds elective General Assembly in Cote d’ Ivoire

C

T

he 15th Ordinary Session of the General Assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) will hold from July 12 to July 13 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

The information was contained in the latest edition of the ‘ANOCA Update,’ a monthly publication of ANOCA, the African Olympic Movement.

According to the publication, the notice empowering the convening of the meeting is pursuant to Article 1.9 of the Association’s constitution and also following the decision taken by the NOCs during the Maputo General Assembly on Sept. 4, 2011, during the last All Africa Games.

The General Assembly, coming up on the threshold of the 20132016 Olympiad, would also be an elective session in line with to the provisions of Article 8.3 of ANOCA Constitution.

“We shall thus be expected to renew the Executive Committee of the supreme governing body of the African Olympic Movement for the period, 2013-2016 quadrennial, and ratify the election of development zone representatives into that body.

It also said that the proposed agenda would feature several other items, adoption of th minutes of the 14 session of the General Assembly held in Maputo on Sept. 4 2011 and the policy message of the President; It would also provide avenue for the Treasurer General’s Report; the 2011-2012 Audit Report by the Auditor, Price Water House; adoption of the 2013-2016 Budgets; Reports by ANOCA Commissions; The Assembly would also be used to unveil the partners and host cities of some Games like the All Africa and the ANOCA Youth Games; renewal of the terms of office of Auditors as well as the appointment of new ones.

However, the Abidjan General Assembly would be preceded by the ANOCA Executive Committee on July 10.

The permanent secretariat of the 54member association is based in Abuja, Nigeria.

Nigeria volleyball team in action

oach Augustine Odumo of the Nigerian junior women’s volleyball team has blamed inexperience for his team’s 1-3 loss to Algeria in the 14th African Nations Junior Women Volleyball Championship.

Odumo said on Wednesday in Abuja, after the team’s first match in the championship, that majority of the team’s players lacked exposure and were nervous.

The three-day championship is a qualifier for the 17th Women’s Under-20 World Championship.

The African championship had kicked off on Wednesday at the Abuja National Stadium with three teams from Nigeria, Algeria and Egypt, instead of the seven expected participating.

The other countries whose teams were not present were: Tunisia, Kenya, Rwanda and Congo Democratic Republic.

“It was a nice match, though we lost. But we should not forget the fact that 99 per cent of my players were playing this kind of match for the first time.

“In addition to that, the team we played against has been together for the past three years.

“Besides, some of these Algerian players have gone to a number of world c h a m p i o n s h i p s together.‘So, when you weigh the two teams side by side, we will all agree that the Nigerian girls did their best,’’ Odumo said.

The coach said if the Nigerian players had been exposed to other championships, they would have performed better than they have been doing.

“I believe that if this crop of young players are kept together to train and given the right exposure, they will do well.

“When you don’t have the exposure and you meet a better team, you

tend to be a little bit nervous and that was what happened.

“Although they have been in camp for about eight or nine weeks, but that is not enough for a team to represent the continent,’’ Odumo said.

His Algerian counterpart, Saidani Aimad, said his players’ young age gave his team an edge over their Nigerian counterparts.

“It was quite difficult playing against the host team in the opening match, because of crowd support and some other things. But my team had the advantage of being younger players. “I have players of ages 15 and 16 in my team and I think that gave us an advantage in this match,’’ he said.

Aimad added that the team would be well prepared for its next match against Egypt on March 15, irrespective of the result of the Nigeria/ Egypt match of March 14.

IAAF may ban 17 athletes for blood profile changes

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eventeen athletes face doping bans after abnormalities were detected in the International Association of Athletics Federations’ (IAAF) biological passports which track changes in their blood profiles.

“Seventeen cases are currently under proceedings,” Thomas Capdevielle, the results manager in the IAAF’s medical and anti-doping department, said on Wednesday.

“Nineteen cases were concluded with a sanction and three cases were

referred to CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport).”

Capdevielle was speaking on the opening day of a two-day “Tackling Doping in Sport 2013” conference convened by the World Sports Law Report. The blood tests were conducted as part of the athletes’ biological passport programme pioneered by the International Cycling Union (UCI) and introduced by the IAAF in 2009.

The passport shows any changes in an athlete’s blood sample, compared to

the original profile, which could have been caused only by doping.

Capdevielle said there were also two case in which steroids had been detected in blood samples which were under consideration.

The French lawyer said

blood samples had to be analysed by a World AntiDoping Agency laboratory within 36 hours of collection “which in some countries poses a major problem for the IAAF”.

“Thirty-six hours is not impossible, it’s very difficult, very costly but

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Marion Jones, banned for drugs use

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it’s not impossible.

“So in some circumstances in some countries where there is no accredited laboratory nearby we fly in a team with a very tight schedule.

We identify which athlete they have to test, they fly back and hand the blood sample to the nearest lab.

Logistically this is very difficult but it is one solution we found.

“If we can’t bring the sample to the lab let’s bring the lab to the athletes.”

Capdevielle said the IAAF had asked the United States Anti-Doping Agency to test Kenyan athletes taking part in last year’s Olympic trials staged in Eugene.

Three Kenyan athletes were suspended after positive tests for banned substances last month after three-time world 3 000 metres steeplechase champion Moses Kiptanui told Reuters doping was used in Kenyan training camps.

Capdevielle said there were approximately 150 Kenyan athletes with biological passports. He said the IAAF was working on “two serious leads” to establish laboratories in Kenya.

“We are confident we will organise this by the end of the year,” he said.

“To achieve serious testing in these countries means setting up a lab first.”

This month the IAAF announced that six athletes, including the gold and silver medallists in the men’s hammer, had failed retrospective drugs tests of samples taken at the 2005 world championships in Helsinki.

The IAAF retests samples from previous championships in an effort to find substances for which no valid test existed at the time.

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

Shin injury forces Dibaba out of London Marathon

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igorous training ahead of the London Marathon has led to a flare up of previous injury to Ethiopia’s Olympic 10 000 metres champion, Tirunesh Dibaba, who has subsequently withdrawn from the race.

Organisers say over the weekend that the Ethiopia is out of next month’s London Marathon because of a shin injury she picked up while intensifying training ahead of the the London fiesta.

Dibaba had been set for her debut over the 42.195-km distance but an old lower leg problem has flared up during training for the race.

“I have been in training for the London Marathon, but the increase in mileage has caused a flare up of my previous lower leg injury,” she said in a statement.

“As a result, I won’t be able to compete in this year’s London Marathon but I look forward to making my marathon debut there next year.”

Dibaba had been aiming to become the first Ethiopian woman to win the London race since her cousin Derartu Tulu in 2001.

Ethiopia’s challenge in the women’s race will now be spearheaded by Olympic champion Tiki Gelana who is running the London Marathon for the first time.

“Of course, it is disappointing to lose Tirunesh. She has been such a fantastic athlete on the track, and everyone was full of anticipation to see how well she performed in a marathon,” race director Hugh Brasher said.

Tirunesh Dibaba

African Boxing Union: New champion to emerge tonight as Joey faces Jasper

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oey Stiglingh and Jasper Seroka will trade punches tonight at the Emperors Palace near Kempton Park, Johannesburg, South Africa for the African Boxing Union lightweight title.

It will be a re-match for the vacant title.

Some two years ago, Seroka won their first match at the same venue precisely on September 24 2011. He won on points over eight rounds. His professional record now stands

at 21-4, including 9 shortcut wins.

Stiglingh has had three fights since then. He knocked out Vuyolethu Sirai in the third round but lost on points to the talented Sipho Taliwe (18-2-1) in a challenge for the WBC International superfeatherweight title.

In his most recent fight, in Makapanstad on December 8 last year, he stopped Goodman Zanempi in the second round.

His record now stands at 15-2;

9.

Seroka won the vacant African Boxing Union superfeatherweight title in July 2008 when he beat Gabriel Phakula on points. In his next fight took the SA junior lightweight title, beating Godfrey Nzimande on points.

He retained the title against Wandile Mseluku but was then stopped in the sixth round by Mzonke Fana in an IBF junior lightweight title eliminator.

In a clash for the vacant SA

junior lightweight title in November 2009 he was outpointed by Sipho Taliwe. He also lost on points to Taliwe in November 2011 when he challenged for the WBC International superfeatherweight title.

The gutsy Stiglingh will have to lift his game to beat the more experienced Seroka.

On the undercard, former SA light-heavyweight champion Johnny Muller meets Kizito Ruhamnye from the

Democratic Republic of the Congo over six rounds.

In a featherweight bout over six rounds, Ashly Dlamini takes on Mbulelo Transvaal.

Other bouts, all over four rounds: Junior welterweight: Paul Kamanga versus Thulani Mbata.

Junior welterweight: Adam de Moor versus Tshisiwa Munya, while in the Lightweight, Allan Bouwer will exchange punches against Rofhiwa Maemu.

Three points help Bradley to beat Provodnikov, retains WBO title Timothy Bradley has proved his mettles by beating Ruslan Provodnikov on marginal three points to retain his WBO welterweight title in Carson, California, over the weekend.

Bradley, who had stunned Manny Pacquiao, champion in six different weights, to clinch the title, was defending it for the first time.

And what appears to be probably the toughest bout of his career, the American said he was concussed during his battle with the tough, hard-hitting Russian.

However, he won by the narrowest of margins – 115-112 and 114-113 on two cards.

“I think I’ve got a concussion. I know I do. No doubt. This guy is a power puncher. He’s a warrior.

He’ll beat any 147-pounder out there,” he said.

“One of the punches in one of those rounds concussed me. I’m dizzy right now. At some point, that warrior instinct kicks in, the determination, the will to win, and that’s what I counted on.”

In his first defence of the title he took from Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao on a split decision last June, Bradley took punishment in the first and second rounds, going to the canvas in each.

But in both cases, referee Pat Russell ruled that Bradley had slipped, so no knockdown points were awarded to the Russian.

Had even one of those been ruled a knockdown, Provodnikov would have earned a draw. But Provodnikov nearly took the title with a late knockout.

With 55 seconds remaining in

the fight he connected with a left hook that sent the champion staggering and landed a hard right to stun Bradley again 30 seconds before the finish.

Another left hook sent Bradley into the ropes and he stumbled forward then fell to his right knee with ten seconds remaining.

Russell counted but Bradley rose well before he reached ten.

Bradley was pronounced ready to fight on but the final bell rang before Provodnikov could move in.

“It’s up to the judges but I think I did everything in there to prove myself,” said Provodnikov, who fought the last four rounds with a bloody gash opened over his left eye. I did not feel his punches at all. I went after him the whole 12 rounds.”

Provodnikov had won his first 17 fights before suffering his first defeat in 2011 to Mauricio Herrera. He then moved up from the junior welterweight ranks for his world title chance and showed determination from the start.

Bradley shook off the slow start and began dictating the tempo by the fourth round, but Provodnikov answered in the sixth with a stunning left hook to the body followed by a hard right and a flurry that had the champion on the ropes.

Bouncing back, Bradley landed more punches than the Russian over each of the next three rounds, opening a bloody gash over Provodnikov’s left eye in the ninth, but by the 11th they were both weary.

“I wanted to jump on him,”

Bradley said. “I didn’t want him to get in control. I wanted to work at my pace.”

The 29-year-old Bradley’s record improved to 30-0, including 13 knockouts. He held the WBC and WBO junior welterweight titles before moving up to challenge Manny Pacquiao for his welterweight belt, which he won in controversial fashion.

Timothy Bradley with WBO title

He has also beaten the likes of Lamont Peterson, Devon Alexander, Joel Casamayor and Miguel Vasquez.

Provodnikov, who had won has won his past five fights, dropped to 22-2, with 15 knockouts. The Russian, also 29 years old, is now trained by Freddie Roach.

On the undercard, welterweight contender Jesse

Vargas beat Australia-based Nigerian Wale Omotosu on points over ten rounds to improve to 22-0; 9. Omotosu’s record dropped to 23-0; 19.

The scores were 96-93 on two cards and 97-92.

In a heavyweight bout, Andy Ruiz improved to 18-0; 12 when he stopped Matthew Greer (1510; 13) in the first round.

PAGE 45

PICTORIAL

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

1] DimitarBerbatov returned to haunt Spurs and give Fulham a shock 1-0 win at White Hart Lane. Frank Lampard has scored his 200th Chelsea goal to put his side one up at home against West Ham. 2] 2-1 win over Toronto FC saw The Montreal Impact maintain their 100 per cent start to the season, while Philadelphia Union beat New England Revolution 1-0.

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3] Juan Martin Del Potro brings world number one Novak Djokovic's 22-match winning run to an end with victory at Indian Wells.

4] England is frustrated by New Zealand's batsmen and rain as they press for victory in the second Test in Wellington.

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5] Wales skipper Gethin Jenkins says lifting the 2013 Six Nations trophy tops the three Grand Slams he has won.

PICTORIAL

6] NuriSahin believes he "owed" Borussia Dortmund after scoring two goals, the Turkish midfielder has struggled for form since returning to the Bundesliga.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

PAGE 47

Say what?

SUDOKU

Some Interesting Facts •Plant life began on the Earth's landforms about 430 million years ago. The first plants were likely single-celled organisms distantly related to algae.

•The first reptiles began life 300 million years ago, and modern mammals appeared roughly 75 million years ago.

•Apes originated on Earth about 35 million years ago, and the first apelike men appeared about 10 million years ago.

The modern human species of Homo sapien has existed on the earth for only 100,000 years.

•Scientists believe that Earth will exist for another 7.5 billion years before the sun becomes a red giant star and, in all probability, destroys the planet. Earth may cease to support life forms far before that date, however, due to increased energy output from the sun over time.

•Living organisms are divided into two basic domains: prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Eukaryotes, to which humans belong, have a cellular structure with a nucleus and membrane-bound genetic information, while the cells of prokaryotes do not contain a nucleus.

•Today, all identified living organisms are scientifically named and categorized according to Swedish scientist Carl Linnaeus's taxonomy. In his 1758 publication, SystemaNaturae, Linnaeus divided and classified different living organisms with a ranking scale: kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species •Scientists estimate that anywhere from five million to 100 million unique species of plants and animals currently live on Earth. However, only about two million of these species have been identified •Insect species account for 950,000 of the two million identified species on Earth •There are nearly 300,000 different species of plants currently living on Earth •Mammals make up just 5,416 of the two million identified species on Earth •The theory of evolution, which explains how living things change over time through natural selection, was first publicized by Charles Darwin in 1859. Many scientists now point to this natural phenomenon as the reason behind Earth's great biodiversity •Worldwide, there are currently just over 6.7 billion people living in the world. The population of males is slightly higher than females (3.41 billion compared to 3.37 billion).i •According to the Central Intelligence Agency, average life expectancy for a person in the U.S. is 78.11 years'

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Last edition’s solution

Cute: A baby chimp at a zoo in Solvakia has been caught cleaning his teeth after being taught how to Source: Dailymail.co.uk brush by zookeepers

www.peoplesdailyng.com

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MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013

SPORTS LA TEST LATEST

Lampard scores 200 goals for Chelsea

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The United States government is deeply disappointed over the recent pardons of corrupt officials by the government of Nigeria... We see this as a setback in the fight against corruption.

— US Embassy in Nigeria twitted on March 15

Minna literacy circle Reprove a friend in secret, but praise him before others Leonardo da Vinci, 1452 -99

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rank Lampard scored his 200th goal Chelsea who moved into third place with a win over West Ham. The Blues dominated the match at Stamford Bridge and took the lead in the first half when Lampard nodded in Eden Hazard's through ball.

Hazard added a second after the break when he cut in from the right and arrowed a strike past the reach of Hammers goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Ba found himself in a one-onone with Jaaskelainen. Luckily for the former Newcastle striker, Chelsea's midfielders bailed him out with outstanding individual performances.

The veteran of that pack, Lampard, will steal the headlines, but it was Hazard who was the star performer.

The Belgium international, who signed from Lille for about £32million last summer, was the catalyst for many of the Blues' attacks and produced a sublime goal.

The ball eventually came back to Hazard on the edge of the area and his lofted pass was met with a firm headed by Lampard.

The England international is now only two goals away from equalling Bobby Tambling's club record tally.

Blues manager Rafael Benitez handed Victor Moses a start, and the former Wigan player narrowly failed to add to the home sdie's lead when his shot drifted wide. Central defender David Luiz also made forays forward, forcing a low save from Jaaskelainen, before striking a spectacular volley that screamed past the bar.

Chelsea finally got their second after the break, when Hazard teased his markers on the right, played a one-two with Juan Mata, before racing into the area and firing Chelsea's 16th win of the season moves them a point above Tottenham, who earlier lost to Fulham, and to within four points of second-placed Manchester City.

QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE

r. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, the governor of Niger state, or as he prefers to be addressed, the Chief Servant, had planned a major National Discourse on Corruption in Minna for weeks.

The date was Thursday, March 14, 2013. He had enough confidence in his ability and personal integrity to invite people of very high net worth in performance record, personal integrity, professional profile and political standing. It was clearly intended as a major input into current national concerns over the damaging effect of corruption on all key national values, institutions and standards. Professor Bolaji Akinyemi was to deliver the lecture, an event to be chaired by Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor. The Sultan of Sokoto was to be Guest of Honor.

Minister of National Planning Commission and Deputy Chairman, Dr Shamsuddeen Usman was to cohost, and invited guests included governors of Ekiti, Osun, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Borno, Kano, Nassarawa, Kwara, Kogi, Anambra, Abia and Benue states. On the list of discussants were Professor Sheikh Abdullah, former Director General Ascon and former Minister of Agriculture, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, Chairman, National Human Rights Commission, Mr. Segun Adeniyi, Chairman of the Editorial Board of ThisDay newspapers, Dr. Kabir Mato of University of Abuja and yours sincerely. A host of prominent traditional rulers, leaders of civil society organizations, diplomats and politicians were invited to attend what was planned to be a loud voice in the fight against corruption and collapsing values in our nation.

Two days before its opening, Chief E. Clark launched an elaborate attack on the person of the Chief Servant over his claim that President Goodluck Jonathan had signed a pact to serve for only one term, 2011 - 2015. The old man said many things to and about Governor Babangida Aliyu, all uncomplimentary. References to political illiteracy, bad faith and outright dishonesty were made in the lengthy diatribe.

Then the big blunder was unfolded just one day to the discourse.

The President announced a pardon for his former political benefactor and boss, D.S.P Alamieyeseigha and seven others, including the late General Shehu Musa Yar'adua. The nation was aghast; there was an up in an uproar of denunciation and condemnation. On the eve of the Discourse, information was made available to the nation that late Yar'Adua and a few others on the list had actually been given state pardon by the administration of General Abdulsalami Abubakar way back in 1998. Voices became more shrilled. Condemnations over the grossest forms of insensitivity and impunity were made louder by accusations over unforgiveable sloppiness and incompetence.

It was in that atmosphere that

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FIFTEEN MINUTES with Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed drbabaahmed@yahoo.com the Minna National Discourse on Corruption was held. The governors did not attend, perhaps because those of them who belong to the APC felt that fraternizing with Governor Babangida Aliyu, even on an important matter as corruption, would take the shine off their coup de grace against the President in Maiduguri, or perhaps they were reluctant to be listed as cheerleaders in the Chief Servant's travails with his party. His PDP colleagues, except for the River State governor (who you could say is a fellow-traveller with Babanagida in the fight for the soul of the PDP) all stayed away. It is safe to assume that they play safe in these days when being in the right company in the PDP is vital to your political health.

Still, the discourse was very well attended. An event intended to focus on the all-pervasive nature of corruption was however turned into a virtual opposition rally against President Jonathan's administration by discussants and participants. You almost felt sorry for Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, the minister who represented the VicePresident, the lone voice who reeled out achievements and visions which in the context of the Discourse, sounded almost like well-articulated fiction. The Lead Speaker reeled out the most depressing statistics and reviews of the state of corruption in Nigeria, and while he avoided the pointed accusations of this administration as the epitome of everything corrupt as others did, his lecture painted a gloomy future for a nation bleeding from massive stolen resources, falling apart politically, decaying economically and requiring a far-reaching and genuine restructuring will begin to salvage.

Professor Akinyemi's lecture should be on shelves and desks as a study in how corruption breeds massive political problems. The chairman of the occasion, Malam Sanusi, an activist in his own right hinted at the slant of contributions at the discourse with his remarks on the damage of corruption, including moral corruption.

Then the discussants gave real substance to the discourse. The governor of Rivers state, even while managing to restate his loyalty to his party, demolished any distinction between large scale pillage of oil and gas resources in, by or through the NNPC, and the sweeping pandemic of kidnapping for ransom in many parts of the nation. Speaker after speaker, President Jonathan's record was pilloried. Scams which dot the landscape of his administration,

given such uneviable prominence by the infamy and disappearance of a civil servant, Abdurrasheed Maina, were chronicled while the huge crowd hissed cursed.

Corruption starts from the moral corruption of leaders, who think power entitles them to treat citizens and public assets with impunity.

Corrupt leaders cannot be good leaders, because they cannot protect the state from the most basic forms of abuse: the abuse of power. Failure to maintain high standards in the manner leaders emerge or operate makes public office an all-comers affair. Poor leadership cannot inspire quality; it cannot generate loyalty and support, and it cannot set standards and benchmarks by which every institution of the state, the economy or social values should operate.

The pardon of the convicted former governor of Bayelsa state was the most recurring indictment. The fact that the Presidency can hinge its defence only on legality and ignore its responsibility to morality of its action made the entire saga even more a target. The pardon opened up a whole can of worms.

Speaker after speaker hinted at the possibility that corruption has won its battles against the Nigerian people well and truly under President Jonathan. If anyone doubted this, the pardon of Alamieyeseigha was the confirmation. References were made to the refusal of the President to grant amnesty as requested by Borno Elders to facilitate a resolution of the insurgency, but a pardon was railroaded through a Council of State

meeting for an ex-convict who stole billions from people who needed it for medical attention, roads, schools and power.

In the end, the Minna discourse had all the semblance of an opposition rally. The Chief Host of course made valiant efforts at damage control. He pledged his loyalty to his party, in pointed reference to suggestions made that he should leave it for others in the event that his efforts to stand his ground for some evidence of sincerity and reform are scuttled on the altar of 2015. But he could not turn the tide against the deluge of criticisms against the administration and his party, and the mammoth crowd he had gathered would have had none of it anyway.

If he had designed a resounding reposte to Chief Clark, Governor Babangida Aliyu could not have chosen a better strategy than the Minna discourse. But it will amount to granting him more than he deserved to say he contrived a forum in Minna just to spite the President and his legion of spokespersons. If anyone was responsible for the impact of the Minna discourse, it was the President himself. The timing of the pardon of Alamieyeseigha which coincided with the discourse could not have been worse if it was designed by his detractors. The lampooning of the Chief Servant by Chief Clark one or two days before the latter succeeded in assembling a quality panel and crowd in his backyard to discuss corruption misfired very badly. The Minna discourse was not the work of a political illiterate, even if he did not design all its elements entirely. It was an important event attended by very serious Nigerians anxious over the state and fate of Nigeria and Nigerians. It was a literate conclave of concerned Nigerians.

The Minna discourse should suggest to the PDP that it has some serious problems, many of them to do with its key members. The party will do well to pay attention to nuisance value of people like Babangida and Amaechi. These two, on the other hand, should recognize the reality that the ground is shifting very rapidly away from their party. They are popular today because people think they stand for some principles in a party which has none. They should not think that they alone can reform a party which is clearly on a self-destruct mission.

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Kano office: Plot 3, Zaria Road, Opposite Kano State House of Assembly. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos. Tel: +234-09-8734478. Cell: +234 805 727 9862. e-mail: contact@peoplesdaily-online.com; pmlnewsdesk@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141