Peoples Daily Newspaper, Saturday 18, May, 2013

www.peoplesdaily-online.com weekend.peoplesdailyng.com

VOL. 3 NO. 40

SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013

Laraba Mai Mage: The cats’ mother of Katsina PEOPLE page 8

. . . putting the people first

RAJAB 8 - 9, 1434 AH

N150

Boko Haram

20 insurgents killed in raid

>> P2

Our seniors should stop harrassing us —A’isha Alrahus KANNYWOOD page 24

The road to state of emergency

‘Not best alternative’

>> Pg 13

WEEKEND.PEOPLESDAILYNG.COM

Balarabe Musa

COVER >> 9,10,11

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013

News Al-makura introduces new intervention scheme for teachers From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

I

n a bid to improve the lot of teachers in the state, Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura of Nasarawa state, has introduced a new intervention scheme for unqualified teachers in public schools in the state.

Malam Abdulkarim Abdullahi Mohammad, Executive Chairman of the state Universal Basic Education Board, disclosed this yesterday, while receiving the national executive officers of the Parent Teachers Association who were in his office on a courtesy call.

Malam Abdulkarim stated that when the governor realized that the state has one of the highest numbers of unqualified teachers in the employ of government, he, in collaboration with the National Teachers' Institute, Kaduna, introduced the Educationally Disadvantaged Teachers Scheme, aimed at impacting the requisite knowledge for teachers in the state for maximum output.

He disclosed that already, three of such centres have been established in Lafia, Akwanga and Keffi, urging teachers in the state to take advantage of the gesture to improve their lot.

Malam Abdulkarim challenged parents, as major stakeholders in the education sector, to take up the gauntlet in the collective desire to improve on the standard of education in the state.

"In this new template of change being propagated by Governor Almakura, parents are our partners in progress and we challenge you to monitor the performance of our schools and report to us where you think there is a failure."

The executive chairman tasked the PTA members in the school to conduct regular supervision on the activities of teachers in the state, with a view to bringing change to public schools in the state.

Earlier, national president of the association, Alhaji Haruna Danjuma, said they were in Nasarawa to commission the newly constructed state secretariat of the PTA, saying members were delighted with the edifice, which he described as the best; not only in Nigeria but in Africa.

20 killed as troops shell insurgents training camps in Borno From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

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h o u s a n d s of troops deployed to quell the Boko Haram insurgency in Borno state, yesterday continued shelling training camps of the suspected insurgents in Sambisa Game Reserve for the second day, killing at least 20 of the Boko Haram fighters.

Sambisa forest, which is about 300 square kilometers, cut across Bama, Gwoza and Damboa local government councils of the state and also linked with Nigeria-

Cameroon border.

The 20 suspected militants were reportedly killed in a fierce gun-duel with security forces at the Sambisa forest, which is believed to be the major enclave of the insurgents, doubling as their major training camp, security sources said.

It was further learnt that the federal troops launched massive ground and aerial attacks on at least three separate training camps of the gunmen.

Sources added that that telecommunication networks were deliberately cut off as parts

of security strategies to prevent the militants from communicating with their colleagues in other areas under military surveillance which cut across Sambisa forest Mafa, Wulgo and Kirenowa desert areas.

"Since the commencement of the ongoing operations, there have been fruitful development, especially in Sambisa forest as no fewer than 20 militants were killed as at yesterday in separate attacks launched on three different insurgents camps and that we are not pulling out until all the terrorists are cracked

down", said the source told newsmen.

"After the raid, 20 of the terrorists were gunned down by our troops and several others escaped into the deep forest with gunshot injuries, but they won't escape as the entire jungle is already cordoned", the source further added.

Our correspondent reported that besides the last Wednesday bomb explosion, which left two persons dead in the Post Office Road of Maiduguri metropolis, the town has witnessed relative peace since the declaration of emergency rule.

University don recommend life imprisonment for rapists From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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Professor of Counselling Psychology, Department of Counsellor Education,University of Ilorin, Prof. Sunday Harrison Umoh has recommended that any adult found guilty of rape should be given life imprisonment.

Umoh who stated this while delivering the 131st inaugural lecture of the University of Ilorin entilted " That your road not be rough", noted that there are men who also lust for animals and women’s dead bodies and should be given stricter penalty.

"The belief that victims of rape are the ones who call for it should be discounted because abnormal men rape young children. There are men who lust after animals, yet others lust after the bodies of dead women.

"If a homesexual cannot lust after a female but after a male, the nude body of a female will mean nothing to such a fellow. I would recommend stricter penalty for men who participate in raping women. The penalty suggested for them is to send them to the penitentiary for life".

Umoh who cautioned parents on ways of taking care of their children said if parents or teachers show bad model to a child, such child should be taken away by social welfare department.

R-L: Minister of State For Education, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. MacJohn Nwabiala, at the opening of training workshop for Teachers, recently in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Tree kills 31 people, injures 16 in Imo

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h i r t y one persons were killed in Imo State when a tree fell on them. The incident happened at the Ukwu Uko evening market at Umuejinwaoke Umudagu Village, Mbieri, Mbaitolu Local Government Area of Imo. About 16 others sustained various injuries during the incident, which was caused by rainstorm on Thursday night.

A resident of the community, Nnaemeka Emenyonu, said that

the tree fell on the affected persons around 8:00 pm. He said the tree also destroyed the Village Hall.

“The big tree fell suddenly on 31 people, who died at the spot and injured 16 others. Those injured were taken to hospital.

“The victims include two sisters, who sell tomatoes.

Honestly, this is a saddest event in the history of our community,” he said.

The traditional ruler of the community, Godwin Duru,

lamented that such a tragic incident had never occurred in the community.

“I do not know what to say.

God, what can we call this? My people were destroyed within a twinkle of an eye. What a pity,” he said.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Joy Elemoko, declined comment on the incident after several efforts to get the command’s reaction to the issue.

(NAN)

Yero, Hameed Ali, others hail 'Rediscovering Quran' launched in Kaduna From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

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a d u n a State Governor Muktar Ramalan Yero, former Military Administrator, Colonel Hammed Ali an other important Northern leaders, have hailed the launching of a Book titled Rediscovering the Qur'an: Understanding the root and essence of unity in Islam" written by an analyst, Engineer Abubakar Fari in Kaduna recently.

According to speakers at the ceremony which was held at Arewa House, Kaduna, the book came at the time Muslims needed to understand the importance of unity among themselves irrespective of their differences.

Speaking shortly after the event, the former Governor of Kaduna state, Col.Hammed Ali called on Muslims, to unite in forging interest of the people according to Islamic tenets.

According to him, Northerners

irrespective of all differences must come together as one in order to tackle the insecurity challenges facing the region, adding that Unity is the fundamental thing that is missing in the North.

"We have disunity everywhere in the North, we have in the family, among tribes and the biggest one is between religions. For us to tackle these problems, we must unite in this part of the country," he said.

Earlier in his welcome address,

Dr. Salisu Shehu of the Bayero University, Kano said Muslims must rise to fight external and internal forces of disunity against them in the country.

He stressed that Muslims can never forge ahead in a state of disunity among them.

Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, who was represented by his Special Assistance on Islamic and Hajj Matters, Imam Sani Isah reiterated the commitment of the state government in ensureing

unity amongst all the people of the state.

In his remarks, Engineer Abubakar Fari, Author of the book thanked all those that attended the occasion as he prayed to Allah to accept the Book as his little contribution to the development of Islam.

He also urged Muslim writers to always embark on research so as to come up with intructive writings that will benefit Muslims and Islam in particular.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, MAY, 2013

News 2013 Hajj: Kaduna Pilgrims Board boss seeks media support From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

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a d u n a state Muslims Welfare Pilgrims Board, Executive Secretary Tahir Umar Tahir has said that there is no way the state will achieve a hitch free hajj exercise without Media support.

Speaking when he led a delegation from the board to some media organizations within the state, Tahir emphasized that the media has a greater role to play for the success of 2013 hajj operations.

At the Federal Radio Cooperation of Nigeria FRCN, he said they were at the radio station due to its importance as stakeholders.

"We really need the cooperation and support of media organizations in the state so as to record success in the forthcoming hajj operation. We know Hajj exercise is a very crucial exercise and that is why we think it is important to built relationship with the media," he said.

According to him, strengthening relationship with media stations will go a long way in improvement of the hajj exercise in the country, particularly Kaduna state.

In his remarks, FRCN Zonal Director, Malam Ladan Salihu pledged to support the board achieve a hitch free Hajj exercise.

"I know the Executive Secretary to be a hard working individual. We hope Allah will assist you in the course of carrying out your responsibilities. Nobody is perfect and we know there will be criticism from some quarters but we wish you the best.

"We will continue to support your activities as usual so that we achieve a hitch free exercise in the state. Our doors are always open for you and we are ready to partner and support you as usual. We hope this year's exercise to be better than that of last year," he said.

Other media stations visited by the board management include DITV/ Alheri Radio, Nagarta Radio, Desart Herald Newspaper, Liberty Radio and AIT Kaduna among others.

In another development, the management of the board also received a delegation from Kaduna State House of Assembly Committee on Hajj who paid a courtesy visit to the board.

Chairman of the committee, Yunusa Garba Turawa, said they were at the board only to access the level of preparation for 2013 hajj exercise.

"We are partners in progress so we only came to know how for you have gone with regards to 2013 hajj exercise preparations," he said.

The delegation was received by Director of Administration and Account, Malam Umar Mustapha Dan Raka on behalf of the executive Secretary of the board.

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People panic as soldiers are withdrawn from Kogi road From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

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h e presence of military men on Lokoja-AjaokutaEnugu road has served as relief to many motorists who ply the route as the men of the underworld had their business closed.

But yesterday, the sudden disappearance of the military men from the spot usually

described as 'flash spot' has sent jitters down the spine of motorists and other road users.

According to Shaibu Negedu, a taxi driver who ply the road on daily basis, the withdrawal of the military men was not necessary at this time when cases of Fulani herdsmen and villagers have become a stubborn decimal which continues to recur.

He said since the military took over the place, the safety of the bridge across Rivers Niger and Benue with other essential materials along that route, were guaranteed.

He further re-iterated that it would be a matter of regret that at this crucial time of trying to nib crime in the bud, the decision to remove the military men would not have been

contemplated.

Ejikemogu Ogbu who has been plying the route in the last seven years said relative peace and security came to the road when the military men took over the road. Now that they are gone, only God knows what would happen next, adding Nigeria government should learn to be proactive to issues rather than waiting to react.

New PTDF Executive Secretary assumes duty

By Etuka Sunday

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h e newly appointed Executive Secretary, Petroleum Technology Development Fund, Dr. Oluwole Oluleye yesterday assumed duty with a call on management and staff of the Fund to be more proactive and diligent in providing service to the people.

A statement quoted, Dr. Oluwole Oluleye as saying that he would maintain an open door policy with little protocols in his administration of the agency, the objective being to provide transparent and result oriented leadership.

Dr. Oluwole Oluleye's appointment as Chief Executive of PTDF is seen as a positive development, in view of his vast knowledge of the Oil and Gas Industry having served as pioneer Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency PPPRA between 2003 and 2009, and member/secretary, Presidential Projects Assessment Committee.

His achievements include the development of a transparent petroleum pricing mechanism that responds to the dynamics of market fundamentals. He also initiated deregulation policy on the supply of products into the system by creating a level playing field for industry players as well as set up guidelines for the subsidy Fund in collaboration with stakeholders.

As a fellow of the International Labour Organisation, Dr. Oluwole Oluleye is stepping in as the 6th Executive Secretary of PTDF and will be bringing his wealth of experience in the industry and the academia to confront the numerous challenges of PTDF capacity building initiatives. Dr. Oluwole Oluleye is from Ekiti State, South West Nigeria.

L-R: Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Finance, Elder Albert Akpan with his Bauchi State Counterpart, Mallam Mahmoud Maijama'r, during the Federal Account Allocation Committee Meeting, on Thursday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Kogi needs Let us focus our attention on hard work, youth development not 2015 prayers, says election, says Gov. Wamakko Mahmoud Muhammad, nation is a great nation for all of us Attah Igala From Sokoto and loved by God, a nation well From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

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he Attah of Igala, HRM Idakwo Ameh Oboni (11) has said with hard work and prayers, kogi state will attain a greater height in the nearest future.

His Royal Majesty made this remark at Government House, lokoja while on a courtesy visit to Governor Idris Wada, yesterday.

He said he was in the Government House to thank governor Wada and his cabinet members for their generosity of spirit which saw him through to ascend his forefathers' throne.

"This very house is where I was confirmed as Attah of Igala. It is good of me to come and thank His Excellency, Governor Idris Wada for his magnanimity", he said.

While commending HRM for making his office the first place of his official assignment since his coronation, Governor Wada said the government will not leave any stone unturned in its drive to boost agricultural products in the state, and urged the Attah to assist the state government in this direction.

S

o k o t o State Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Magatakardan Wamakko has strongly cautioned the country's leaders against total neglect of the youth whom he described as vulnerable and future leaders.

Wammakko gave the warning in Sokoto on Wednesday while declaring open the 2013 NYSC annual Management Conference held at Giginya Hotel, sokoto.

He said "if the energies, resources and economic cost devoted to maintaining seats in the 2015 election should be channelled to the development of youths, on how to re shape, re model and make them more relevant and productive, I am sure the country would be a better place to live in even by our yet unborn children''. ''Let us be honest to ourselves, let us start thinking and acting in a positive ways about the future of our country's vision because this

blessed..

In his welcome address, the Director General NYSC, Brigadier General NT Okore Affia said the annual conference is a forum for top managers of the scheme to take stock of their performances during the past year, with a view to critically examine all areas of operations of the scheme.

The scheme, he continued, is confronted with problems of security and welfare of corps members and all these require concerted attention in view of the prevailing security challenges in some parts of the country.

He said the theme of this year's conference is ''the relevance of NYSC to national development: Achievements, Challenges, Prospects and the way Forward'' which are geared towards reexamining the objectives of the scheme and its contributions to national development in the last 40 years of its existence.

CHANGE OF NAME I, FORMALLY KNOWN AS FATIMA BINT AHMAD, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS FATIMA BINT ABUBAKAR. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013

News Troops destroy terrorist base in Borno

By Joy Baba

D

efence Headquarters has said the Advancing troops of Special Task Force deployed to Borno state, after the declaration of State of Emergency, has destroyed some terrorists camps sited in the forests of Northern and central Borno.

This was contained in a press statement signed by the Director of Defence Information (DDI) Brig. Gen Chris Olukolade yesterday in Abuja.

The statement also said that heavy weapons including antiaircraft and anti-tank guns were also destroyed in the process.

According to the statement "the special operations which preceded troops movement has resulted in the destruction of much of the insurgents weapons and logistics such as vehicles, containers, fuel dumps and power generators.

"The casualties inflicted on the insurgents in the cause of the assault will be verified during mop up".

The DDI in the statement said Defence Headquarters is quite satisfied with the progress of the operation and the fighting spirit of participating troops urging them to sustain the tempo.

He further said that border posts around the state have all been manned by security agents to prevent escape or infiltrations by insurgents.

"32 road projects completed in two years", says Works Minister

By Jamila Nuhu Musa A total of thirty-two major road projects have been completed in two years, by the President Goodluck Jonathan-led federal government, as part of the significant strides made in the road development in the country, minister of works, Arch.

Mike Onolememen has disclosed.

He said the ministry between May 29, 2011 and May 29, this year, in addition to the stated number of roads projects completed nationwide and many more which are nearing completion, it succeeded in recovering of failed portions of the federal highways across the country.

Onolememen, who revealed this Thursday, at a media forum when he presented the scorecard of the ministry within the period under review, said with the development Nigerian roads have become veritable tool for economic growth and national integration.

The minister said the government, having the understanding that road infrastructure development and economic growth are mutually reinforcing, plays a vital role in wealth creation as it designed far reaching changes and reforms especially in the areas of policy,

management and financing of roads infrastructure in the country.

"About two years on, Nigerian roads which hitherto were tagged death traps, can no longer be described as such due to the marked improvement in the condition of the roads as a result of the unprecedented and massive rehabilitation, construction and expansion of major arterial highways under the current leadership.

"Today not only that travel times on these roads have been drastically reduced, also maintenance costs of vehicles have equally reduced as a result of improved driving surface", explained.

The analysis of the score card shows the nature of works done out of the total 32 road projects to include, 13-completion works, 14- periodic maintenance works, 9rehabilitation works, 4- construction works, 4-emergency reinstatement works and 2-reconstruction works respectively.

He listed some of the roads to include: completion of the dualization of Ibadan-Ilorin road section I, in Oyo state; completion of the reconstruction

of Vom-Manchok road in Plateau state; completion of the repairs of third Mainland bridge phase II and additional works for the repairs of 8 Nos expansion joints in Lagos state.

Others were completion of the rehabilitation of Owerri-Aba road, in Abia and Imo states; completion of the rehabilitation of Ijebu IgboAjegunle-Araromi-Ife Sekona road, section II, in Ogun state; completion of the rehabilitation of KatsinaDaura road in Katsina state; completion of the rehabilitation of Uba-Mbalala road in Borno state; completion of the dualization of access road to Onne Port, in Rivers sate.

In addition, the minister said that the ministry is also embarking on major on-going road projects including the dualization of major arterial highways in the country, noting that very impressive progress has been made so far in that aspect.

According to him, the arterial highways include dualization of Abuja-Abaji-Lokoja, KanoMaiduguri road, Suleja-Mina road; all in FCT, Kogi, Kano, Jigawa,

Bauchi, Yobe, Borno, Edo and Niger states respectively.

Others are: rehabilitation of Apapa-Ohodi expressway in Lagos state; construction of Loko-Oweta bridge over River Benue with approach roads in Nasarawa and Benue sates; and rehabilitation of Benin-Ore-Shagamu expressway in Edo, Ondo and Ogun states.

"Today, the journey from Benin to Lagos, which took upwards of nine hours in 2011, now takes between three to four hours; and travel time between Abuja and Lokoja has improved from four hours or more to about two hours; these are part of indicators that progress is being made steadily on fixing our roads.

"Also the operation Safe the passage embarked upon by the ministry in the 4th quarter of 2012 led to the recovering of failed portion of federal highways nationwide; from Ilorin to Jbba, Lafia to Makurdi, Aliade to Otuurkpo, Oturkpo to 9th Mile, Enugu to Port Harcourt, Kano to Kastina, Lagos to Ibadan, and Odukpani to Itu", he further said.

Pregnancy not women's issue alone —Says physician Dr Haroun Isah, Public Health Physician, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, has called on men to support their wives during pregnancy to promote maternal health and sustainable development.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Dennis Mordi, Head of Communication Unit at the institute in Abuja on Monday.

The statement quoted Isah as saying that men's support during pregnancy will give their wives the psychological strength to go

Health Minister, Prof.

Onyeabuchi Chukwu

through pregnancy and deliver safely.

He said, ``A husband's support for the woman goes a long way to give her a high sense of wellbeing. ``The fact that I recognise what my wife is going through in the moment of pregnancy is enough psychological strength.''

According to him, men should know that even if they cannot go for every antenatal appointment with their wives, they should not fail to go with her on the antenatal visit. ``It is an opportunity for the man to know the enormity of the problem of the woman carrying a pregnancy and give her the needed support," Isah said.

He also said that men should appreciate their wives and know that the health of a woman is tied to the wellbeing of the family and society. ``Where the woman's health is compromised, it has a lot of bandwagon effect on sustainable development of a country. ``In the family, in many instances, the woman is a multiple player at home, she is a bread winner, she is a house keeper, a teacher, a lot of things. ``The death of a mother is a devastating experience, those who have experienced it will tell better,'' he added.

Isah urged pregnant women to go to the hospital on time for early antenatal care. (NAN)

L R: Senior Regional Advisor for Sub-Saharan Africa Office of International Programs ,U.S Food and Drug Administration , Dr. Beverly Corey, Director General, NAFDAC , Dr. Paul Orhil ,and Director , Registration & Regulatory Affairs of NAFDAC, Dr. Monica Eimunjeze , during envoy Courtesy Visit to NAFDAC Headquarters, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Insecurity: Boko Haram insurgents use military uniform to operate —Army

By Joy Baba

T

he Nigerian Army has raised alarm over the use of their camouflage uniform by members of the Boko Haram insurgents in their operations, thereby giving the public false reputation about the Army.

The Chief of Civil Military Affairs (CCMA) Maj. Gen Mobolaji Koleoso stated this yesterday, in Abuja while addressing journalists at the Army headquarters.

Koleoso said investigations have shown that the insurgents dressed in fake military uniform in the recent exchange of gunfire

with the military in the north eastern part of the country which resulted in a large number of casualties.

He also said that Boko Haram insurgents, who dressed in fake military uniform, were actually responsible for the incident in Bama and perpetrators of most of the dastardly acts that the military are being accused of in the north eastern part of the country.

On the latest attack in Daura, Katsina state, the CCMA said 35 Battalion located in Katsina moved into Daura to take charge of the situation after getting a distress

call that the insurgents attacked the town around 10pm.

Koleoso further said that two soldiers were killed and an officer wounded in the attack adding that two insurgents were killed, while the others escaped with bullet wounds and that three of them, who escaped in a car had road accident and they all died.

He appealed to the general public to report to any nearest security agency, anyone found with bullet wound, and also urged hospitals not to treat cases of gun shots wound without reporting such cases to security agencies.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013

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News Bauchi first lady want more women in politics From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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auchi state first lady, Hajiya Aisha Isa Yuguda has charged women in Nigeria to participate in partisan politics, not to only for political appointments.

Aisha gave the charge while declaring open a workshop organized by her office and ministry of women affairs and social development with the theme: "Capacity Training Workshop on Gender Mainstreaming and Good Governance: A Panacea for Political Reform for Wives of Top Government Functionaries", holding in Yankari Game Reserve.

The first lady who was represented by wife of the Deputy Governor, Hajiya Zainab Sagri Aminu Sale said women participation in politics would help in alleviating the suffering of women and change the fortune of the country.

She advocated for enrolment of girl child into schools and tasked wives of top government functionaries to encourage girl child education within their neighbourhood as educating and empowering a woman was like empowering a nation.

According to Aisha, her pet project is meant to ensure that girl child education ratio in the state was increased.

Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs Hajiya Talatu Barwa said the state government has put in place the policy of free maternal and child health care services, with hospitals and clinics either build or renovated and equipped with modern facilities with skilled personnel to improve health sector.

According to her "The education sector has received a boost particularly in the area of girl child education as witnessed in high enrolment, retention and completion of schools by girls, the ministry has done series of skills and vocational training programmes to economically empower women, care givers and widows were given seed grants for self sustaining businesses.

This has yielded much result and has greatly improved the socio-economic status of women across the state.

.L R: Chief of Staff, Directorate of Army Public Relations, Col. John Agim and Chief of Civil Military Affairs, Maj. Gen. Mobolaji Koleosho during the press briefing and showcasing fake camouflage Army uniforms being used by Boko Haram members, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

State of emergency is to mess up APC , opposition alleges From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

O

pposition merger party in Bauchi State has alleged that the state of emergency declared on three states is meant to mess up the new All Progressives Congress, APC, by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led government ahead

2015 general elections.

The Bauchi State Secretary of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Alhaji Ali Ibrahim Dogarai made the allegations on behalf of other partners of other partners yesterday while speaking with newsmen in Bauchi.

He alleged that Borno and Yobe

are not the only states that have security challenges but rather, the president did it deliberately to clip the wings of the APC since Borno and Yobe are among the two strongest states of APC in the North.

The opposition parties alleged that “the President included Adamawa state because of the feud between the Chairman of PDP

Bamanga Tukur and Governor Murtala Nyako, and advised Jonathan not to politicise the security of the country.

They explained that the APC would not shaken by the recent development but rather make them stronger and united in order to successfully chase PDP out of power in 2015.

Bauchi DMA makes drugs affordable From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

T

he sum of N140 million has been budgeted by the Bauchi State Drugs and Medical Consumable Management Agency (DMA) to enable it purchase drugs for sale at affordable rate to the various general hospitals and primary healthcare centers in the state.

The Managing director of the agency, Pharmacist Adamu Ibrahim Gamawa stated this while fielding reporters’ questions at the training workshop for

hospital secretaries and pharmacies held at the River Edge Hotel, yesterday in Bauchi.

According to him, out of the budgeted amount, the sum of N40 million was approved by the government to the agency which, he attributed, to budgetary constraints.

Pharmacist Adamu Gamawa explained that the approved amount was used to launch the programme for only 10 general hospitals, stressing that it would be expanded to meet the needs of other health institutions in the

state with the release of more funds by the government.

He noted that with the increase of funds to the agency, it could provide drugs and medical consumables of the various health institutions for the everincreasing populace of Bauchi state.

“Bauchi is a very large state with twenty local governments and a population of about eight million now with the current security challenges from neighbouring states where people migrate to Bauchi and the

population increases tremendously”, Gamawa said.

Gamawa further explained that pharmacists are the custodians of drugs and medical consumables who distribute them to various hospitals and other health centers, hence their training to make them accountable in all what they are doing.

The hospital secretaries, he added, are the chief accounting officers and who go to the bank as they also do a lot of financial transactions, and therefore need

to know the financial aspects of the scheme.

Noma revealed that altogether 35 participants are involved in the current training comprising of DMA staff, Central medical store, as well as hospital secretaries and pharmacists.

He also warned that as personnel of the monitoring and evaluation department of the agency go round; anybody caught sabotaging the programme will have himself or herself to blame.

PAGE 6

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 19 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013

(Send your crime stories to pmlcrimecycle@gmail.com) 08138559513 (SMS only)

Crime Cycle

How female friend lured me into kidnapper's den —Witness A businessman, Ayodele Olaoye, told an Ikeja High Court how his female friend conspired with others to kidnap him and collect N5 million ransom from his parents.

Olaoye, 28, was testifying at the commencement of the trial of Esther Phillips, 23, and six others.

Phillips is alleged to be the mastermind of the kidnap on April 22, 2012.

She is being prosecuted alongside Patricia Nna, 26; Kingsley Okonwa, 24; Osita Adigwe, 35, and Uzochukwu Ezioha, 25.

The other accused persons are Jude Sunday, 36, and Michael Olarenwaju, 31.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accused persons - two females and five males - were arraigned before Justice Olabisi Akinlade on March 5.

They are facing a five-count charge of conspiracy, armed robbery and kidnapping.

They, however, pleaded not guilty and were remanded in prison custody.

Olaoye, who was led in evidence by the Lagos State Attorney-General, Mr Ade Ipaye, said that he met Phillips in February, 2012.

He said, "I met her at a club called Pegas in Opebi; she told me that her name was Jane and that she was a student of Lagos State University (LASU).”

The witness said that Phillips was”just a friend” but admitted that he had sexual intercourse with her twice.

According to Olaoye, Phillips asked him on April 22, 2012 to come and know her hostel in LASU, which he obliged.

He testified that he carried her in his Nissan Murano SUV from a branch of the Guaranty Trust Bank at Opebi, Ikeja, and that they headed for LASU. “We later picked up Nna (second accused) at Dopemu. She told me that the lady was her schoolmate.

“After driving for some time, they told me to stop at an isolated place because they were feeling pressed”, he said.

The witness told the court that immediately he stopped the car, three men who he identified as Okonwa, Adigwe and Ezioha entered the car through the back door.

Olaoye said they were armed with a battle axe and knives, adding that they dragged him to the back seat; and in the process took possession of his mobile phone, wristwatch and necklace “After that, I was tied, blindfolded and taken to an unknown destination by the first, second, third, fourth and fifth accused persons.

“They told me to cooperate or they will kill me; but Phillips specifically told me to convince my parents to pay the money or the guys will kill me,” he said.

The witness said he was incarcerated for four days, adding that the accused persons called his parents on telephone and demanded for 400,000 U.S. dollars as ransom.

According to him, his father, Mr Segun Olaoye, later paid N5 million to them which they shared.

He said that while they were sharing the money, he sneaked outside the house, where he was being held, and escaped.

“I took a motorcycle and told him to go and drop me at my father's office on the Gowon Estate in Iyana-Ipaja.

IGP Mohammed Abubakar

Cashier arraigned over alleged theft of employer's N516,000

A

cashier, Chigozie Okwueme, who allegedly stole N516,000 from his employers, God Bless Ezenwata Transport Company Ltd., has been arraigned before an Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

Okwueme, 32, who resides at No. 10, Jones St., Ebute Meta, Lagos, is facing a charge of stealing.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Cousin

Adams, told the court that the accused committed the offence on May 13, at about 6.30 a.m., at the transport company’s terminus at No. 9, Oto Causeway, Oto, Ido, Lagos.

He said that the cashier could not account for the money kept in his care the previous day, when officials of the transport company reported at work the following day.

The prosecutor said that when

Spare parts dealer docked over N1.1m fraud

A

36-year old spare parts dealer, Onyebuchi Nzominu, was docked at a Senior Chief Magistrates’ Court, Apapa, Lagos, for allegedly receiving vehicle spare parts worth N1.1 million under false pretences.

The accused, who resides in Olodi-Apapa, is facing a two-count charge of stealing and receiving goods under false pretences.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Friday Inedu, said the accused had on Dec. 14, 2011, received the spare parts from one Azuzu Tochukwu, with a promise to pay for them later.

“Nzominu collected 4,424 chromes, head lamps, bumpers

and windscreen wipers worth N1.1 million; however, he absconded and failed to pay for the items as promised,’’ he said.

Inedu said that the offences, which were allegedly committed at No. 5/7, Industrial Road, Olodi-Apapa, contravened Sections 285 and 312 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

Section 285 stipulates three years imprisonment for anyone found guilty of the offences.

Nzominu, however, pleaded innocence of the charges.

Senior Magistrate Adeyemi Amos granted him bail in N500, 000 with two sureties and adjourned further hearing to May 17. (NAN)

the police was invited, it was discovered that no forceful entry was made into the cashier’s office where the money was kept.

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

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

The Magistrate, Mr K.O. Ogundare, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 with

two sureties.

He said that the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State government in the past two years.

The case was adjourned till June 24, for hearing. (NAN) The presiding judge, Mr Ibrahim Abdulquadri, adjourned the case to June 4 for a report of settlement or continuation of hearing. (NAN)

Wife drags husband to court over alleged maltreatment

A

housewife, Hawa’u Idris, has prayed an Ilorin Area Court to dissolve her threeyear-old marriage to her husband, Olalekan, for allegedly persistently maltreating her.

The 34-year-old complainant told the court that her husband often treated her as a slave.

“My husband always treats me like a slave. He shouts at me and at times he beats me mercilessly without any reason,” she alleged.

The complainant also told the court that her husband was fond of accusing her falsely and calling her derogatory names in the presence of his friends.

“After then, I wrote a statement to the police but I can't remember the exact date or the particular police station,” Olaoye further revealed.

The judge adjourned the matter till May 17 for Olaoye's cross-examination. (NAN)

According to her, their threeyear-old marriage has produced one male child.

“My lord, I want an end to this marriage because I cannot continue to endure this humiliation,” she said.

Her husband, however, objected to the prayer of his wife, saying he was still interested in the marriage.

“I do not mean to maltreat my wife, but she always provokes me to do so with her stubbornness,” he said.

He urged the court to adjourn to enable him make a reconciliatory move and amendments.

Court jails fashion designer for stealing car stereo

A

30-year-old fashion designer, Aliu Oderinde, has been sentenced to three months imprisonment by an Ibadan Chief Magistrates' Court for stealing a car stereo valued at N24,000.

The prosecutor, Insp Oladeji Obayanju, said that the defendant was arraigned on a one-count charge of stealing.

He added that Oderinde committed the crime last Wednesday at about 5. a.m. at Popoyemoja area of Ibadan.

Obayanju said that the defendant was apprehended when he was removing the car stereo belonging to one Kadir Busari from where the car was parked overnight.

The prosecutor told the court that the offence contravened section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Vol. II Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge and prayed the court to temper justice with mercy.

Chief Magistrate Adams Adeshina convicted the fashion designer of the offence.

He consequently sentenced him to three months imprisonment with an option of N3,000 fine. (NAN)

PAGE 8

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013

People

Laraba Mai Mage: The cats’ mother of Katsina

...Takes care of 92 cats in her house

The story of Hajiya Laraba Mai Mage, living in Abattoir Quarters in Katsina Metropolis is just like a fairy tale or a story from one of the best seller wildlife films. It is often said that dog, is man’s best friend but to Laraba, the Katsina mother of cats, her best friends, companion and children are some 92 cats she keeps and feed in her house. Lawal Sa’idu Funtua reports

L

a r a b a Mai Mage is a civil servant working with Katsina state Local Government Agriculture department but now on secondment to the State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority, (KTARDA) where she was posted to the Ajiwa irrigation site. She has no child but is occupying a six bedroom apartment which she turned into a reference centre to lovers of cats who want to catch a glimpse of different types of species.

Hajiya Laraba Mai Mage told Peoples Daily Weekend that “my love for cats started right from the time I was young. I use to feed them then with the little food I was given in the house. Anywhere I see cats I tried to salvage those that are vulnerable to give them shelter

Laraba’s ‘babies’

and chances of survival’. She added that when she grew up and got a house of her own, she kept a special room for them where these cats are kept.

A visit by Peoples Daily Weekend to her house revealed that, Laraba Mai Mage has spared two rooms from her six bedroom apartment for the cats. The two rooms are directly opposite her bedroom and she said this is deliberate to “enables me to monitor their conditions in the room”.

“If there is any threat from any predator or one of them is sick, I can easily hear or notice”, she said, adding that “the greatest crime to be committed against me is to try to harm my babies. To me, its an unpardonable offence”.

Mai Mage noted that despite

the economic crunch in the country, her “babies” as she called her cats, don’t eat ordinary food and nobody should think of bringing left over to them. Peoples Daily Weekend observed that the cats have their special cooking pot, service dishes and water containers. Interestingly, the favourite food for the cats is Spaghetti or imported rice mixed with fish and oil to make it complete.

Hajiya Laraba added “ if you really want to assist my babies don’t come near them with left over food. You either bring their favourite for me to cook for them or you cook it yourself for me to inspect and serve them”.

According to her, “daily, I spend the sum of N750 on their food and

by Allah’s blessing, I never run short of money in feeding them”.

To neighbours who want to keep cats as pet in their houses, Mai Mage is their major nemesis. She disclosed that “my neighbours no longer keep cats as pets because even if they do, they would eventually relocate to my house.

Look at that cat I named ‘Yar Kwaraka, it was chased away and life threatened by her owner when she started coming to my house’.

She noted that recently, some people far away from her area

brought four infant cats whose mother was killed for her to take care of. Mai Mage said she now nurses them with milk and keeps extra-vigilance on them.

Surprisingly, all the cats can recognise Mai Mage’s voice immediately they hear it and would converge at the house’s major entrance to welcome her.

Some of the cats try to let her know what happened in her absence through their cries and body language. Mai Mage noted that she can easily recognise if any of the 92 cats is sick or in danger. She said “ if anyone of them is sick, its nose will dry off and it is from there that I know he is sick and I will set out to look for expert advise and drugs to cure him”.

Similarly, almost all the cats have their names and respond immediately when she calls them. The eldest of the female cat which has been in her house for 15 years is called Rakiya, other cats include Sale, Baby, Sada, Dan Lukuti, ‘Yar Kwaraka, Gagare,

Karima, Salihi, A’isha, Dan Bakoko, Tumbus among others.

She added that newly brought orphaned baby cats would soon get their names immediately they recovered from the loneliness of losing their mothers.

However one important observation made by Peoples Daily Weekend was that even when alone with them she speaks to them as human beings by issuing instructions such as ‘ don’t spoil my shoe’, ‘don’t go outside’, ‘ come and take your food’, ‘stop fighting, among others’.

However when asked about the cats’ fate if something happened to her, Laraba Mai Mage became emotional and started shedding tears. Later when she composed herself she said “that is my greatest worry as even if I have child he/ she may not be interested in them.

Had it been our religion permits it, I would have handed over my inheritance to them. I always pray someone would take over after my demise”.

Hajiya Laraba, holding some cats

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013

PAGE 12

Interview State of Emergency: Soldiers are expected to operate within the law – ACF Mr. Anthony N.Z. Sani, is the National Publicity Secretary of the Arewa Consultative Forum, (ACF), In this interview with JAMILA NUHU MUSA, he speaks on the State of Emergency and what it portends for the nation.

How did ACF receive the news of declaration of the state of emergency in some states of the federation; and what does it portend for the states involved and the country generally?

ACF had earlier advised against State of Emergency in view of the forum's belief that it cannot go concurrently with dialogue.

More so that it is not more, that mere use of force which has failed in the past not only in Nigeria but in other climes. In any case, it is too early to forget that state of emergency were declared in Plateau state and later in some local government areas in North East but failed to deliver on the desired level of peace.

What this portends for the states involved and the nation is the realization that our democratic institutions are still weak to deliver; and that military must be called in to give their helping hands. So what needs to be done is deliberate effort at strengthening the democratic institutions, and Nigerians should make judicious use of their democratic rights to ensure promotion of purposeful leadership at all levels of the polity.

Do you see the move as solving the problems of insurgencies knowing fully well that state of emergency was earlier declared in some states but it did not stop the violence in Plateau state,for instance? So what difference can this one make?

Note that the hankering for dialogue stemmed from realisation that force on the insurgencies has been found to be ineffective. But we must make allowance for the fact that government knows more than those of us on the ring side.

Since the government has declared the state of emergency amid existence of a committee for dialogue, it means it believes it can manage the two concurrently. In which case, Nigerians should pray that the two-pronged strategy going on at the same time will bring an end

part of blame game in such extenuating situation because Nigerians cannot afford sharp divisions on matter of national security.

About 100 armored tanks have been deployed with troops to the affected states. Do you see war situation having psychological effects on the people of the state, considering effect on their socioeconomy?

We have reached a situation like Mali where the insurgents have taken over the control of some local government areas in the affected states. Where that is the case, it is hard to avoid the conclusion that we are in war situation with all the implications of war.

Mr. Anthony N.Z. Sani to insurgencies.

Does the ACF see the action of Mr. President in good light? What about the senate or NASS throwing their weight behind this move?

Nigerians have no reasons to think Mr. President is doing things in bad faith. No. The President cannot reasonably be expected to relish in presiding over a people overwhelmed by security challenges or presiding over a divided nation/people. So, rather than regarding the actions of the president in bad light, we rather see no actions with suspicion, but see disagreeable actions as "mistakes" of the head and not of the heart.

In the circumstances, it is more patriotic to support any efforts of the government at bringing about an end to insurgence

and violence instead of sublimating our energy in unhelpful blame game.

Most governors had kicked against declaration of emergency in the troubled states before Mr. President moved, saying it would plunge the nation in deeper crises. Did you think they had a case?

Yes, I thought they had a case, considering force and state of emergency had failed in the past. But since they are also in the Council of state, I want to believe Mr. President's reasons must have prevailed in favor of state of emergency going concurrently with committee for dialogue. In the circumstance, let Nigerians give both the state of emergency and the dialogue a chance, especially in the light of reports that the sect now controls some local government areas in those states. I do not want to be

People have commended Mr. President for acting within the purview of the constitution by not tampering with democratic institutions.

But can they perform in such situations?

Please note that the situation is no more normal and so we cannot expect optimal performance from public office holders because the priority now is on how to bring to an end mindless killing of innocent Nigerians by the sect.

Though the troops and other security agencies have been given the orders to take all necessary actions, people are apprehensive out of fear of the use of excessive force. Do you agree?

Not only Nigerians but

international communities have warned against the use of excessive force that can inflict very high unintended collateral damage but also because excessive force can radicalize and inspire extremism, thereby exacerbating the already bad situation.

But I think the military is too intelligent not to know the importance of observing rules of engagement and the effect of acting outside same, considering the negative image that came with Baga. I expect them to learn their lessons and operate within the law.

What then is the role of the dialogue or amnesty committee, given the declaration of state of emergency? And do you see peace being restored soon and soldiers going back to the barracks?

Most of us had thought the use of force symbolised by state of emergency and dialogue could not exist side by side. But the government has said they can. Did you not read the presidency's response to U S that the counter terrorisms strategy is two- pronged of stick and carrot?

May be the government wants force to precede dialogue from a position of strength in order to secure the best of terms.

I believe, given the highest of imagination, determination, political will, patriotic courage and purposeful leadership that can take risk, peace can return and soldiers go back to the barrack. This is because the situation is not beyond redemption. More so that Nigerians believe that one united Nigeria is not negotiable.

“

What this portends for the states involved and the nation is the realization that our democratic institutions are still weak to deliver; and that military must be called in to give their helping hands. So what needs to be done is deliberate effort at strengthening

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013

PAGE 13

Interview

State of Emergency is not best alternative – Balarabe Musa Alhaji Balarabe Musa is former Governor of old Kaduna State, and is also CNPP National President. In this exclusive Interview with MOHAMMAD IBRAHIM, he contended that the declaration of State of Emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States may worsen the situation rather than solve security problems.

What is your view with regards to declaration of state of emergency in three northern states by President Jonathan?

Apparently the president has the power to declare state of emergency but subjected to approval by the National Assembly and other considerations like governors of the states affected and by state Assemblies of the affected states. This is the legal position. But in terms of political position, I think the declaration of state of emergency, taken everything into consideration in Nigeria, is not the best alternative.

The best alternative is tightening up security, secondly making sure that foreign interests are not involved. Thirdly, trace the source of the insurgency that led to this situation. The source of the insurgency has showed clearly that the government lacks moral and popular legitimacy.

Remember the President himself misused his incumbency to undermine the position of his party.

Remember also the doubtful nature of the victory of 2011 general elections. So, that is a major factor in bringing about the insurgency. The other factors which are equally important, some of them even more important, is this level of unemployment in the country.

In particular unemployment of about 15 million post secondary and graduates in Nigeria.

There is this level of corruption and criminally stealing and waste of resources in the country. The issue of collapsed public services and finally the corruption in the party controlling the federal government in Nigeria. These issues can be addressed without declaring state of emergency.

A state of emergency as limited as it is today has the potentiality of involving the whole country eventually because for instance, even the President himself in the course of declaring the emergency, mentioned the fact that there is insecurity in about 11 states in Nigeria which means there is insecurity in one third of the

the equivalent of Arab springs, anarchy or revolution?

PDP recently alleged that the Opposition parties, particularly CAN are behind the insurgency in the country, how do you react to this?

No, the popular opinion is that the government is behind the insurgency, it is using the insurgency as a kind of confronting its opposition or diverting attention. They are also using it as an agent provocation so as to know its real enemies and dealing with them.

It maybe possible that government is using it to divert attention from its failures.

It may even be possible that the presidency is using it to make sure that for the purpose of without peace and tranquility it will be given the chance to continue come 2015.

Every thing is possible because this is politics and power politics for that matter.

With the declaration by the president will it likely bring an end to insecurity in the region and country in general?

It is not likely going to bring an end to insecurity it may even make the situation worse.

Definitely it can make it worse and the president has also said it because one third of the county is involved in insecurity and at least one of the states affected Adamawa is not even the worst. We must commend the President for being honest by including his own state as of the states affected with insecurity.

Alhaji Balarabe Musa country. This is very serious and if you declare a state of emergency mindlessly in this situation there is the possibility of it being created in every one of the 37 unites making 36 states plus Abuja.

If state of emergency is

declared throughout the country, it means the President will act as dictator without being consistent with our choice. It may even show that the President is incapable under this circumstance in which case what next will happen? Is it a military coup or

“

If the State of Emergency is not the solution then what will be the way out of the problem?

I think the first thing is for patriotic Nigerians to come out in spite of the state of emergency, as we all know the state of emergency has implications for those who may want to speak out their

There is this level of corruption and criminally stealing and waste of resources in the country. The issue of collapsed public services and finally the corruption in the party controlling the federal government in Nigeria. These issues can be addressed without declaring state of emergency.

minds. So the solution now is for the National Assembly to really act. They have the direct responsibility to approve or not to approve the State of Emergency and once it is disapproved by the National Assembly it meant the state of emergency ends and cannot be continued.

But once they approved it then should be prepared for what will happen if the state of emergency is not properly handled.

But Sir, the National Assembly just said they are yet to receive the gazette from the presidency with regards to the declaration. Which means they had not even approved it before the President went ahead to declare it.

No, according to the Constitution, the President can declare a State of Emergency first before going for approval from the National Assemblies. Another problem caused by the declaration is that it shows that the declaration is done improperly without due consultation. Even though the law allows the President to declare State of Emergency based on security reports, politically he has the responsibility to consult those with him before declaration.

These are the Governors, Speaker of House of Representatives and Senate President, because they need to be aware before any action. The Statement of the National Assembly means there was no proper consultation. This poses another danger. It means the President deliberately ignored essential conditions before declaration of the State of Emergency.

Since the declaration of emergency is a serious constitutional matter, it means the National Assembly can charge the President for gross misconduct, which is an impeacheable offence particularly under the precarious condition which Nigeria is today. If the President is part of the insecurity, in other words the insecurity is politically motivated, the National Assembly under this circumstance may attribute the state of insecurity to the actions of the President and declare those actions as gross misconduct which may bring impeachment.

But honestly I don't support impeachment as a solution to this problem because if they impeach the President and the Vice President takes over, what is the guarantee that the Vice President may not even turn out to be the worse. We know this as reality in Nigeria.

PAGE 14

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013

Focus

Ombatse: More unanswered questions As the furore generated by the murder of scores of policemen in Alakio, Nasarawa, allegedly by members of the Ombatse militant group is yet to settle, a press briefing by the Eggon Cultural and Development Association (ECDA), seem to paint a different picture of the unfortunate event, even as it threw up more unanswered questions. Ali Abare Abubakar, our Lafia correspondent reports.

O

f late Nasarawa state has been in the news, mostly relating to frequent communal clashes between farmers and herdsmen, with casualty figures from these skirmishes hardly raising eyebrows beyond the displacement of victims from their abodes.

However, this was all to change, albeit rudely, when over 100 policemen were ambushed and killed by members of the Ombatse militant group in Alakio village, 10 kilometers away from Lafia, the state capital. Reports has it that the police officers, conveyed in 11 Hilux vans, were massacred while on a mission to arrest one Lega Agu, popularly called Baba Alakio, the chief priest of the Ombaste sect, as well as recover a cache of illegal arms said to have been stockpiled at a shrine.

The grim story of over 100 armed policemen being massacred by bands of hostile youth, has brought to the fore questions that have so far remain unanswered. How these youth did acquired the sophisticated weapons they used in hacking down the officers? Who is behind the killings? Why kill the officers who were merely on a lawful duty to ensure the protection and safety of lives? How could a community of about 200 people only, confront, challenge and vanquish a team of armed security operatives numbering over a hundred?

At a recent public lecture, with the topic “Communal conflicts in Nasarawa state: causes and prevention”, various participants brainstormed over the matter, with the organizer of the lecture, Suleiman Ismaila Nchi, maintaining that the economic, social and political environment of a community may provide fertile ground for the sprouting and justification of communal violence by disaffected groups.

On his part, Senator Solomon Ewuga, in his lead presentation, wondered in making him the first speaker in the series of lectures, whether it was a deliberate choice for him to address the Eggon issue in the state or it was meant for him to address the numerous crises the people of the state have experienced for some time.

As an introduction, Sen. Ewuga said he would not oblige those expecting him to delve into the Eggon issue, despite the commonly held view of his complicit knowledge of everything an Eggon person does, which he said led to the misconception suggesting that his senate seat was meant to prepare him for the governorship of the state hence the emergence of Ombatse.

After taking a detour to contemplate globally on why man fought wars, Ewuga narrowed his discuss to Nasarawa, saying the crises in the state had been there before the creation of the state, ”some only started after the state was created and others will come up that we have not envisaged.”

He argued that some arose as a result of known reasons like “the ubiquitous Fulani attacks”, some for unexplained reasons like the one between the Eggons and Fulani, adding that, there are “frivolous ones like the Migili and Eggon crises that degenerated to senseless mayhem in November last year, and deliberate ones like the one in Assakio.”

“Some of the sentiments are expressed in clichés and terms that are derogatory and demeaning making some have loss of pride and belonging”, which Ewuga said, results in a negative reaction that reflects a deep seated feeling of frustration, “this creates a disconnect, and a loss of neighborliness to a point when their sense of reason is overtaken by a harsh feeling of revenge.”

These descriptions aptly fit in with the reaction of the Ombatse members who killed the policemen on a lawful duty to Alakio. But the loser is who was responsible for mobilizing, organizing and arming the youth into a formidable fighting machine that could vanquish over 100 armed policemen?

Events prior to the Alakio incident, aside of remarks by the former commissioner of police in the state, Mr. Abayomi Akeremale suggesting that the Ombatse have been infiltrated by criminal elements who resort to kidnapping people of Eggon extraction for forceful administering of oath of allegiance and taking of concoctions, pointed to a sinister mobilization of mostly unemployed youth toward an unidentified purpose.

Twice reports had it that Eggon youth were being mobilized from across the state, for a purpose considered to be cultural in nature but for which, after the Alakio incident, pundits agree was a deliberate, planned attempt at achieving a predetermined end.

Two months ago, report had it that Eggon youth were summoned to a meeting in Sabon Gida, Kokona local government area, where the paramount ruler of the area, the Sarkin Sabon Gida, confirmed to our reporter that there was a large gathering of Eggon youth in the area but that when he sought for an explanation from the Eggon community leaders in the area, they told him the youth only met to deliberate on the need for peaceful co-existence.

However, a resident of the area who spoke to Peoples Daily Weekend under condition of anonymity disclosed that contrary to the claims of the Eggon elders, the youth gathered in Sabon Gida to be administered with a concoction, as well as proclaim allegiance to the Ombatse cult.

Also barely a month ago, the same youth were sighted at a village by the Many-HaveGone-Hills, ill attired youth, two or three on motor-cycles, from across the state,

Gov. Umaru Tanko Al-makura gathered at the foot of the Eggon hills, with even Mr. Abayomi, while he was still commissioner, confirming to journalists in his office that, ”I saw them and I called my friend to ask him what those boys were doing there. He called back to say there was nothing but when we finally send our men to find out, they discovered the youths have climbed the Eggon hills and there was no way we could follow them up there.”

When officials of the Eggon Cultural and Development Association (ECDA), invited journalists for a press briefing last Tuesday, in Nasarawa Eggon , many were taken aback when the national president of the association, Chris Mamman, debunked claims suggesting that members of the Ombatse were responsible for the Alakio killings. According to him, “the Ombatse is a spiritual movement just like Islam or Christianity and it is a great fallacy to associate the sect with the killing of policemen in Alakio.”

He went on to blame the crisis on “miscreant masterminded by disgruntled politicians who had earlier proclaimed there was no vacancy in Government House.”

According to the ECDA national president, some politicians in the state still smarting from the defeat in the 2011 guber election, have resorted to fomenting trouble and making the Eggon people take the blame, “they are paying us back for our role in the emergence of Tanko Almakura as governor.”

A major fallout of the briefing was the suggestion that prior to the 2011 governorship election, Al-makura has entered into an accord with the Eggons to spend only four years in office, after which it would be their turn to govern the state.

It was generally accepted though that when Ewuga joined the CPC, after his detractors in his former party, the PDP, have succeeded in frustrating his bid to clinch the Nasarawa North senatorial ticket, he brought along with him a mammoth followership of his kinsmen, which contributed immensely in the electoral success of the CPC. But for anyone to claim that it would be Ewuga’s turn to be governor because he facilitated Al-makura’s emergence, then such a person may have chose to close his eyes to the reality before the election. Pundits are of the view that with Ewuga in the senate, that that is a direct reward for his contribution to the victory of the CPC and there would be no need for further gratification, even to the point of suggesting that an Eggon man must be governor in 2015.

So, going by the claims of the ECDA president, if the Ombatse did not kill the police in Alakio, who else did it? And despite his confirming that Baba Alakio, the chief priest of the Ombatse leaves in Alakio, coupled with the already mentioned effective mobilization of Eggon youth, Ombatse members, prior to the unfortunate incident, who killed the policemen in Alakio?

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013

PAGE15

Interview

We plan to support youth to aspire for presidency —Nat. President NYF The comments made by the former Niger Delta Militant, Mujahid Asari Dokubo with regards to President Goodluck Jonathan's re-election bid come 2015 continues to generate uproar nationwide. In this interview with our correspondent, Mohammed Ibrahim, the National President of Northern Youth Forum.Comrade Ibrahim Gambo Gunjugu described Asari's statement as empty rhetoric from an serious person. He also spoke on other important national issues among others.

R

e c e n t l y , a former militant came out to issue threats that if by 2015 President Jonathan fails to be re-elected, there will be no peace in the country. What is your reaction?

We believe the threat is empty because this is not the first time Asari Dokubo is making such statements.

Just a few days ago he held a press conference in Lagos to say that the president is not capable of governing the country and that he cannot even win a councillorship in Ijaw constituency and today he is singing another song.

We believe that something must have happened. In that case I believe Asari Dokubo is not a serious person.

Secondly, if President Jonathan does not come out to disown that statement to show that he is not part and parcel of it, he is going to lose lot of support and sympathy from the North. 90 percent of the people in this part of the country believe that he is talking on behalf of the president. So, we are prepared on our side that each time he makes a statement, we are going to reply him because we have a lot of dossier about him. We just issued a statement that the president should sack him from being a permanent member in the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria. This is because such a person cannot have a place where the Sultan is. People who the Saudi Kingdom take in high esteem because they are people of integrity.

We are also trying to write a latter to the Saudi Government not to issue him any visa. If anything happens in the future, they should not hold Nigeria responsible. Last year, we set up a committee with Ijaw youth and he was part and parcel of it where we all agreed that we should work towards the country's progress and do away with regional politics and sentiment. But unfortunately what he is doing is different from what we agreed. So this is a sign of fire to fire relationship between us. We also read where he dared the Niger State governor and the National Assembly to take him to court or arrest him. That is another issue we also want him arrested for . That is our position and if he is not arrested, then everybody will have the right to say whatever he wishes to say in this country.

What is the stand of Northern Youth on 2015?

The stand of Northern youth are two fold. First, we are strategising to

look for a credible person and we cannot get a credible person without unity. The country is not united, our elites are dividing themselves due to selfish interests. Our stand is that maybe in the next few months, we will take a stand by supporting a youth to aspire for the presidency because we don't believe in the elders.

When you said a youth, will he be from the North?

Yes of course.

Do you think you can wrestle power from President Jonathan come 2015, looking at Dokubo's threat?

The Dokubo threat as I said earlier is empty and the northern part of the country has the highest population. We also have lot of alliance with South-south and South-east and they support our decision.

Are you saying President Jonathan should forget contesting 2015 election?

The issue of saying whether Jonathan should contest in 2015 or not is never an issue to us. If he likes, he can contest but we will have somebody to contest with him.

Are you now saying that power should come back to the North?

Power must come back to the north because it is a right.

What do you mean a right?

It is the right of the north because late Umaru Musa Yar'adua did not finish his tenure and the issue of zoning that was killed just because of Jonathan who came up because of the role played by Ogbulafor and co.

So, it just happened that Jonathan completed the first tenure and second tenure of late Umaru Yar'adua.

Though the case is still in court but we believe even if the party nominates him as aspirant, we will unite ourselves against him.

Many northern leaders in the likes of Babangida Aliyu, Ibrahim Shema and the rest all are all eying the presidency.

Who are you going to pick among them?

We are not picking anybody among them but we are meeting everyone of them to put the interest of the north first. So far, we have visited Sule Lamido, Babangida Aliyu and majority of the northern governors. One is to unite themselves, secondly to produce a credible candidate for 2015. If they do not produce any credible person that will have the acceptance of all, we are going to produce one.

The candidate to be

produced by your group to contest 2015 election will be from which political party?

We are not political, our group is non-political but we will support one when the time comes.

Should your candidate contest against President Jonathan and loose, what will your group do next?

That is democracy especially if the election is free and fair, we will accept it. But you heard what the former leader of the militants in Niger Delta said that if their candidate lost, there will be fire.

That is because he does not know the history of war. I do advise him to go back and read the book on the civil war so that he understands what war is. There are people who do not even know what is happening. People like Asari Dakubo, Tompolo and Kuku don't know what they are saying.

They are only opportuned to find themselves in a temporary power and they are power drunk.This is Nigeria and we want the country to be united. So, the question if Jonathan fails to emerge, something will happen to us, is just an empty threat because they cannot do anything.

How can you access President Jonathan's administration?

It is unfortunate that lot of people surrounding him are not serious people. He is somebody that is trying his best to bring in transformation but there is a missing link between the people and the government.

Many don't understand what the transformation agenda is. So he is busy telling people that he has done lots of things but people don't understand really what he is doing.So, the most important thing is to have that link because right now there is disconnection between government and the people.

As a leader of Northern youth, what are you doing with regards to insecurity in the region?

When you look at our various statements, press conference, seminars and public lectures, we sensitize youth to stay away from thuggery. On the issue of Boko Haram we have been on the forefront of agitating for amnesty at the same time asking the militants to accept the amnesty. There is nothing you do because I believe the whole thing is political. But I am sure things will be ok.

Do you think the amnesty committee will get results?

Ours is just to pray for the committee to succeed but I don't think they have taken the right channel.

This is because if the committee can go to prison to meet with Kabiru Sokoto why can't they move down to Maiduguri which is the main field to look for the people. Secondly, northern governors too are not helping matters, this is what is affecting the northern region.

Our economy is down. So, the northern governors should go down to Maiduguri to see things for themselves and make attempts to

Comrade Ibrahim Gambo Gunjugu sit with these people. But everybody seems to be afraid of them. The committee just have 90 days and they have so far spent about two weeks. I don't think the committee will do anything well. We will pray for them to succeed. Nobody want war, we all want peace and stability so that our economy will grow.

How has the security situation affected the northern region?

It has affect the region greatly, in terms of the economy. I just returned from America and most of the investors there don't want to come to Nigeria for business. The information they are having is different from happenings here, so nobody is willing to come and without investors this will be hard. Most if the industries in the north have collapsed.Today most of the governors are hiding under security votes to siphon money. There are lot of damages done to this region.

Some reports have it that Boko Haram was created in order to render the North powerless before 2015. Do you subscribe to this statement?

No, I don't agree with that report because I believe without north, none of the region will produce the president of this country. I believe it is political, it just like what happened in Nasarawa State. The security personnel were aware of the group's existence but only took the innocent policemen there to arrest the people they don't even have enough details of. So, the problem is from the security agents.

Boko Haram is not an exception, any group that has up to 15 members, security agents should know more about them. This is why I sald it's political. They are fully aware of them but let it to escalate. Look at it now, even the governor cannot control it, They have to even plead with the insurgents to accept the amnesty.

U.S officials that visited ACF few weeks back also visited your

group, tell us what you discussed with them?

They came with two issues, they wanted to find out the true situation in Kaduna State and the northern part of the country. I told them the reality. Most of the information the United States have with regards to the northern part of this country are not real. This is because we have lot of people with no interest of the country at heart. They will write a report for the United States for reasons best known for them.

So they came to Kaduna to find out because the impression they have was that Muslims and Christians in Kaduna are not safe. I told them that it was totally wrong because we are living in peace and majority of my executives whom they saw are Christians. I told them that the whole thing is political. I said anytime politics is approaching, the only thing used to divide the people of the north is to bring in religion.

The other issue is Boko Haram and I told them to leave us to solve our internal problems ourselves.

That is basically what we discussed.

You just returned from the United States of America; what took you there?

I was invited to participate in a change maker programme for social entrepreneurship and I am the only Nigerian invited. I spent three weeks there.

Tell us more about the programme and the organisers?

It was organized by the state department and we were only 15 participants from 15 countries. The training was held in Washington, Denver Colorado, California and other states.

How were you selected?

I don't know how but maybe they have been following my activities.

The only thing I know was that I saw an email that I have been nominated.

So, I went for an interview and they gave me the visa.

PAGE 17

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013 with Sonde Abbah 0803-2159-249 (SMS only) asonde@yahoo.com

Caution: Minister Bala Moh’d’s wife at work

O

Comfort celebrates ‘God’s faithfulness’

T

he Abuja-based journalist and fashion designer, Mrs Comfort Onche, was a year older recently. To mark this auspicious occasion of her life, she dedicated the whole thing to what she calls “God’s uncommon faithfulness”.

In fact, ‘God is faithful” is a motto of sorts for her. “In good or bad times alike, I always believe that God is truly faithful”, she said. “I have been through so much in life - both the good, the bad and the ugly - but through it all the grace and faithfulness of God has been sufficient for me”.

Little wonder she and her family bubbled with joy and appreciation throughout last week. After all, she points out, “the way this world is now, just to wake up from sleep and realise that you are still alive and in good health, is a source of joy in itself.”

Truly so. Happy birthday, Comfort Onche.

ne of the most “hardworking” public figures in Nigeria in recent times is Hajia Aisha Mohammed. Wife of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Bala Mohammed, that is.

How really hardworking has the Minister’s wife been in recent times?

Consider the following examples: *Recently she went all the way to Khartoum, Sudan, to be bestowed with a “Honarary Doctorate Degree of Art”. *Barely had the ovation that greeted that extraordinary “hardwork” subsided than Hajia Aisha Mohammed waltzed to Jiwa to be annointed by the traditional ruler as that community’s “Garkuwar Mata”.

Can you see how reritably hardworking she is? Some say it’s all part of her plan to contest a high profile electoral post in 2015. Others say it’s a dress rehearsal for her impending role as First Lady of Bauchi state come 2015.

Whatever is behind Hajia Aisha’s rather unusual brand of hard work, let’s let her be. Caution: Minister’s wife at work; don’t disturb!

Behold chief who holds Oju spellbound

C

hief Obande Adogah. Ever heard of him?

No? That must be because you do not reside in Oju LGA of Benue state and its environs.

In these parts, Chief Adogah’s name rings bells.

Not just on account of his position as District Head of Igede Central. Ask the typical indigene of Oju and he would regale you with tales of Chief Obande Adogha’s humanitarian efforts.

“He undertakes quite a number of community projects for us”, said on of the elders of Igede, Pa James Aneke. “And he is emphatic, humble and God-fearing. In short, he is a traditional ruler with a difference.”

Ferguson: An Icon Bows Out in style

A

few weeks ago this column featured a piece entitled ‘Time for Ferguson to go’. Fergie, we pointed, has come, seen, and conquered at Manchester United football club of England for nearly three decades. Go while the ovation is loudest, we admonised.

And that’s exactly what happened last week. The iconic coach has bowed out. Not only did he bow out, he exited with a deafening ovation, having clinched the coveted English Premier League crown as the curtain was being drawn on his illustrious career.

So long, Fergie. Managers like you are veritably rare. You and your ilk

come once in a million years. And your acheivements including an astonishing number of 49 trophies speak for themselves.

“

Managers like you are veritably rare. You and your ilk come once in a million years. And your unprecedented acheivements speak for themselves.

”

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19 MAY, 2013

PAGE 20

Learning

With Emmanuel Eko 08165618872 junioremma419@gmail.com

Did you know that?

Book Review

How a Newspaper columnist captured her collections in new books

By Mohammed Kandi

W

e must stop complaining that reading culture is vanishing in Nigeria. Let's read and write on how best we can add value to our lives; that of our generation unborn, our society and towards the common good of our beloved country," Khadijah Abdullahi Iya, a Lawyer and Columnist stated while presenting her new books titled: "Searching Inwards (SI) and Tatsuniya Series."

"Writing has always been my thing, it's my forte. It's something I love doing since I was a child so it grew over the years when I started one column in the Leadership newspaper.

"I think we all have issues in Nigeria and I think we should address the issue starting from ourselves before we extend it to other people.

We keep blaming the government, we blame our leaders. Yes, our leaders we have issues with them but we should look at what we do, like the way we behave from the moment we get out of our houses and when we get to our working place.

"We should understand that there are social values that we ought to have.

Motivational modeling like in parenting where we have the human angle and the leadership angle so there are so many segments, it depends on you," Iya advised.

In her regular column in the Leadership Newspapers, the author had on weekly basis, availed her readers cutting across all strata with interesting materials relating to the Nigerian society, giving her opinions and proffering solutions to some issues of public interest.

On the column titled: "Searching Inwards" Iya had featured issues relating to socio-political, ethnic and human problems facing the Nigerian society as a whole but with specific emphasis on the northern part of the country.

Meanwhile, the Tatsuniya Series, according to the author, are "Tales by Moonlight"

(folk tales) told by mostly old people to entertain the children in the past, especially before the advent of cartoons.

"The Tatsuniya Series is about folklores, the Tales by moonlight when we were young and then I thought that if we are able to bring all those writing back into our book store instead of those beauty and the beast that we see.

"You know they wrote it very well and made it colorful for children to read but we do not have our own folklores written in colorful presentation so we decided to get a graphic artist and relate to that but still our own culture, we have our own material.

"This rendition is to capture the essence of life in days when things were simple!

The stories illustrate our true African tales, life in the old days, when we used clay water pots, cooking pots, plates and wooden spoons," the author explained.

According to the author: "Those are the things that are written in the new ones, the moral values, there is a chapter in the book that is talking about the erudite culture so when you get into the book, you will find out that there are so many lapses we have with our reading culture, we are working with Abuja Writers Forum to start with the children so that we can catch them from the young, so that the children can start writing, we teach them the writing style and everything. That is what we are doing."

Nonetheless, array of dignitaries in attendance said the books are How a Newspaper columnist captures her collections in her new book apt, considering Nigeria's copious security challenges, just her writing style have been adjudged to be attached to her readers of diverse extractions.

At a book presentation and launching of the Searching Inwards (SI), the Tatsuniya Series and SI Online Magazine in Abuja, recently, President of the Abuja Writers Forum (AWF), Emman Shehu, applauded the author's enthusiasm in her effort

• A shrimp's heart is in its head.

• The "sixth sick sheik's sixth sheep's sick" is said to be the toughest tongue twister in the English language.

• Rats multiply so quickly that in 18 months, two rats could have over a million descendants.

• W e a r i n g headphones for just an hour will increase the bacteria in your ear by 700 times.

• If the government has no knowledge of aliens, then why does Title 14, Section 1211 of the Code of Federal Regulations, implemented on July 16, 1969 make it illegal for U. S. citizens to have any contact with extraterrestrials or

their vehicles?

• In every episode of Seinfeld there is a Superman somewhere.

• A duck's quack doesn't echo, and no one knows why.

• 23% of all photocopier faults worldwide are caused by people sitting on them and photocopying their butts.

• Most lipstick contains fish scales • Like fingerprints, everyone's tongue print is different.

• If you sneeze too hard you can fracture a rib. If you try to suppress a sneeze you can rupture a blood vessel in your head or neck and die. If you keep your eyes open by force they can pop out.

Khadijah Abdullahi Iya to continue to reflect the country's eluding cultural values and education.

Describing the writer as "prolific genius", Shehu noted that the event was a celebration of Nigeria's rich cultural diversity, presence of wide religious affiliations and the appreciation of diverse ethnic groups.

Preservation of culture through books, the President urged, should be appreciated and the writer are expected to be celebrated and encouraged for "saving our culture through writing to avoid elusiveness".

The occasion which had in attendance myriad of cream the la cream in the society including politicians, business and members of the corporate world, civil societies, parents, students and the authors family members, was likened a cosmopolitan forum.

Dan Brown's Inferno

T

he tall writer Steven Poole opened the wooden door of the strong house and peered at the small figure on the stone doorstep.

It was a boy.

Cradled in his palms the boy nervously

proffered a startling object. It was the new book by the famous novelist Dan Brown.

The tall writer took the precious artefact from the nervous boy's hands and thanked him.

The miniature human scuttled off. An idling engine revved into life.

The writer glanced down the street, then retreated into the residential building. He knew he had better get to work. Looking at his Tag Heuer Swiss watch, he calculated that he had only 48 hours to decode the arcane puzzle of the bestselling author's latest novel.

Peeling away the plump layers of protective wrapping, the writer opened the big book and out fell an obscure document. It was

a nondisclosure agreement in threatening legalese.

The long-awaited novel was strictly embargoed.

Nervously, the freelance writer looked out of the glass window. He saw a bright glint on a distant rooftop. Was that a reflection from the sniper scope of a patient beautiful female assassin dressed in black leather, waiting to shoot him if he let slip any details of the important book too soon?

As the tall writer turned the paper pages with a hungry rapidity, he easily visualized the celebrated symbologist and fancier of English tailoring Robert Langdon running around a series of famous tourist attractions in Florence, Venice and Istanbul.

PAGE 21

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013

Wellness

Healthy Living

Drug management of diabetes mellitus D

iabetes mellitus being a chronic disorder requires synergy in the management protocols to achieve target blood glucose control, however, the success of any protocol depends on effective education of the person living with Diabetes and their families by the Diabetes care team. Management of Diabetes requires a team approach as no any Professional can claim to satisfy the entire need of a person living with Diabetes.

Treatment is therefore individualized on the basis of the type of Diabetes and specific needs of each patient. From our previous discuss in this column, Diet alone may not be enough to control certain individual blood glucose, hence drugs may be introduced.

I like to use this opportunity to inform my readers that there is nothing like "Mild Diabetes" or "Unserious Diabetes". I have met some persons in cause of my awareness programs who told me that they have "Mild Diabetes". Diabetes mellitus is a serious issue no matter what type, it requires seriousness and discipline to put it under control.

It is important to note that there is yet a scientific cure for Diabetes mellitus especially type 2. Though research is ongoing even to advanced stage for possible cure for type 1 with the emergence of artificial pancreas amongst other notable landmark research across the globe towards possible cure. It is common to find adverts and slogans for "Diabetes Cure" around public places in Nigeria especially in Public places like buses and motor parks and even in rural areas. The agent mostly advertized comprise of leaves, teas and other extemporaneous preparations. This group of agents may contain essential minerals like Zinc, Selenium, Calcium, Magnesium, alpha Lipoic acid, vitamins C, D etc.

They are generally referred to as Supplements which are added to Conventional therapy and thus should not be used alone for management.

The following class of drugs can be used depending on the hyperglycaemic(high blood glucose) state of the different types of Diabetes. a. Insulins Exogenous Insulins are usually administered by injections either as twice or multiple doses. An expert is required for appropriate dosing calculation and titration mostly in type 1 though insulin can be used in type 2 and Women with

“

Since the discovery of insulin over 100 years ago, its availability and affordability is still a major concern for people living with Diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa and even in Nigeria today. Where insulins are available, the appropriate syringe may not be available Gestational Diabetes mellitus.

So many companies are currently marketing Insulins in different formulations in the Country, however, since the discovery of insulin over 100 years ago, its availability and affordability is still a major concern for people living with Diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa and even in Nigeria today.

Where insulins are available, the appropriate syringe may not be available hence compliance becomes a challenge. An U100 Insulin formulation requires U100 syringes for effective administration and accurate dosing to ensure good blood glucose control. b. Sulphonylureas: As exemplified by drugs like

Glibenclamide , Glimepiride amongst others are mostly employed in persons with type 2 diabetes. They act on the pancreas to produce Insulin.

The usage requires expert opinion to avoid hypoglycaemia(low blood glucose). c.

Biguanides: This class of drugs is exemplified by metformin. It exerts its effect mainly by decreasing gluconeogenesis (glucose formation by the liver) and by increasing peripheral utilization of blood glucose.

Metformin is mostly used in overweight patients who have failed to respond to dietary therapy alone. d. Thiazolidinedione: This group is exemplified by

With Isaac Yakubu Akogu www.diabetesguidenigeria.blogspot.com, 08176179496, diabetesconcepts@gmail.com

A Diabetes expert, Mr. Isaac Yakubu Akogu, is also Pharmacist with over 16 years experience with specialisation in Diabetes Education.

Pioglitazone. The act to reduce the peripheral Insulin resistance leading to eventual reduction in blood glucose concentration. It is mostly used in combination with other anti diabetic agents. e.

Dipeptidylpeptidase-4 Inhibitors: This group is exemplified by Sitagliptin, Vildagliptin, Saxagliptin etc. They act by inhibiting this enzyme thus increase insulin secretion and lower glucagon secretions.

These groups of drugs are relatively new agents in management of Diabetes. They are not readily available and where they are, they may be out of reach of an ordinary person living with diabetes due to cost implication. f.

GLP-1 Analogs: Examples include, Exenatide, liraglutide both act by binding and activating the above receptor GLP-1 (Glucagon like peptide-1) thereby increasing insulin secretion and suppress glucagon secretion.

Gastric emptying is slowed in cause of this. They are administered by injections. g.

SGLT-2 Inhibitors ( Sodium Glucose linked Transporter 2) This is a protein within the kidney tubules that regulates the reabsorption of glucose in

the kidney. There is also, predictably, a SGLT 1 which is present in both the kidney and the gut. In the kidneys, under normal conditions, virtually all the glucose that passes into the urine from the blood is reabsorbed by the action of SGLT2. In Diabetes, the abnormally high concentrations of glucose in the blood means that this reabsorption mechanism in the kidney is overwhelmed, so that glucose passes into the urine, thus glycosuria (glucose in the urine) one of the fundamental symptoms of diabetes is observable.

The SGLT2 inhibitors as a class of drugs act to reverse this process to prevent glucose in the urine.

Examples of drugs in this class is Dipagliflozin The drug management of Diabetes mellitus requires an expert opinion and the health care Professionals prescribing the drugs needs regular updates in terms of capacity building to be in tune with current dynamics of therapeutic management.

Though different health care institutions have developed treatment algorithms and protocols for management of Diabetes mellitus, there is a need for use of treatment guideline(As recently launched by Diabetes Association of Nigeria in consultation with Federal Ministry of Health FMOH) to ensure standardization of practice and care.

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) advocates a team approach for the management of Diabetes, thus a Diabetes health care team comprise of : Doctors, Pharmacists, Nurses, Bio medical scientist, Podiatrist, Dietician, Diabetes Educator amongst others and the person living with Diabetes who is the driver of the team and must be encouraged to bring in discipline and show ownership of the management plan agreed upon for effective blood glucose control.

Currently, the costs of anti diabetic drugs are very expensive in Nigeria and the cost and availability varies as you move from major cities to rural areas. This makes life difficult for someone with diabetes in Nigeria.

The appeal is for Government to intervene to reduce and regulate cost of anti diabetic products being imported into the Country by different Companies without price regulation. These will go a long way in bringing succour to people living with Diabetes in Nigeria.

PAGE 24

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013

PAGE 25

Entertainment

Kannywood Our seniors should stop harassing us – Aisha Al-rahus For a couple of years, Aisha Isa Musa, popularly known as Aisha Al- rahus, has carved a niche in the film industry as an upcoming actress. In this interview with Mustapha Adamu, the SSCE holder, shares her experience in the film career.

Why are you nicknamed Al- rahus?

I am nicknamed after the

first company that I worked with. It becomes virtually a tradition in the film industry

to nickname an artiste after the first company that he or she worked with.

How old are you?

I am 20 years old.

When did you join Kannywood?

I joined Kannywood for close to two years.

Are you married?

No, I have never got married but I am intending to do so in the future.

What motivated you into film making?

Indeed, I developed passion for film making after I became fascinated by how film artistes enlighten the general public and how they earn enormous fans in the society. That attracted my attention to join the film industry in order to become like them. I also enjoy watching the Hausa films, that is another reason why I joined the industry.

What is your major role in the films?

My role is acting as a daughter, sister, and I once appeared as a housewife.

How may films have you starred in so far in your career?

I have featured in 14 movies.

So can you mention some of them?

I featured in in films like " macijiya", "jameelujjiddan", " kalamu waheed" and "suwaga".

These are the films that I appeared and acted so well.

What was movie?

My first macijiya."

your

first

movie

is

"

What is your favourite film in Kannywood?

Although, all my films are my favourites, I like " majiciya" the most because it is my debut film and it was the film that made me a bit popular in the industry.

How do you cope with fans, especially male fans?

I don't face any problem from my fans because I treat them with respect. That is why they respect me too, they also support and encourage me in my career.

Aisha Al-rahus

Which problem have you faced in your career?

The major problem I and my fellow upcoming artistes face in the industry is harassment. in the sense that, if we make mistakes in a scene, for instance in a dialogue or are unable to cram well during rehearsals, our seniors would harass us, instead of correcting us politely. This really discourages us and would affect our performance.

What do you suggest is the solution to this problem?

Our senior artistes should correct us in a polite manner during or after the scene. This would make us understand more and would encourage us to become experts. For example, in a movie titled "jameelujjiddan", I played a role of a sister to Ali Nuhu.

Instead of showing him disrespect, I ended up fearing him in the movie. After the scene, Rahma Hassan, called me and corrected my errors in a polite manner, reminding me of the role that I should be disrespectful to Ali in the scene, not obeying and fearing him. I accepted the correction and performed as such. She was happy and applauded me.

I was very happy for that.

Who is your favourite actor?

Ali Nuhu.

Who is your favourite actress?

Zainab Indomie.

In your view, what is the significance of media in developing Kannywood?

The media is doing very good for the film industry. But, some photographers are of the habit of transmitting our onscene pictures, especially pictures of indecent dress which we normally use in films to portray real bad dress by our girls, to the public. This is what makes the public wrongly perceive our industry as promoter of bad cultures.

They fail to understand that we do it to enlighten the society.

It is a task that we are assigned to perform.

What message do you have for your colleagues in the industry?

Let me use this opportunity to call for unity, love and assistance to one another by members of the industry. This will certainly take us to the highest level of development.

I pray to Almighty God to help us and uplift our status, ameen.

Omotola joins Hollywood stars in support for women with breast cancer campaign

N

ollywood super actress, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde and Hollywood star, Halle Berry went all out to fight for a cause when they joined others in a walk to support women with breast cancer.

The duo, along with others was spotted recently in Los Angeles, USA, where they embarked on a walk to do a campaign on the silent killerdisease.

It was learnt that the event was held at the' EIF Revlon Run/ Walk For Women', an organisation is known for raising money for women afflicted with cancer of the breast.

The walk was also aimed to increase awareness, research, educate and provide diagnostic

treatment services on breast cancers.

Award-winning actor and movie director, Kunle Afolayan, is making another groundbreaking entry into the Asian movie market as he takes his recent works, Figurine and

Phone Swap, to Tokyo, Japan.

Reports indicate that his foray into Tokyo is on the invitation of Cinema Africa, a non-profit organisation established in 2006 to develop understanding and appreciation of Africa.

S

everal celebrities ranging from Comedians to Nollywood stars and former Super Eagles players honoured one of their own, nollywood actor Fred Amata's 50th birthday celebrations.

In a novelty match between Nollywood and Super Eagles ended with 3:4 goal score margin; popular comedian Ayo Makun aka AY scored 2 out of the 3 scores by Nollywood team while ex-Super Eagles middle fielder, Austin Jay Jay Okocha scored 3 out of 4 goals for Super Eagles team.

International students' film debuts in Jos

by June

T

he Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has announced that all is now set for a four-day international students film festival scheduled to take place in Jos. Notice of the festival is contained in a statement issued by head of public affairs, NFC, Mr Brian Etuk.

The statement noted that the event, with the theme "Moving Images: Talking Peace'' would take place from June 18 to June 21.

It stated that the festival was powered by the Nigerian Film Institute, Jos and the Universities of Jos and Lagos.

"It is sponsored by the World Bank, under the STEP-B project for Centre of Excellence in Multimedia Technology and Cinematography,'' it added.

The statement said that the objective of the festival, among others, was to expose students to international standards in film production.

"It will foster interaction with industry professionals, reward excellence, raise the awareness of young talents and refine skills through competition on an international level.

"Also create a platform for the creation of opportunity for film students from Nigeria and beyond to encounter new film techniques."

The event is expected to draw more than 2,000 participants from about 50 institutions of higher learning from Nigeria, Africa and Asia, who run filmrelated courses.

Nollywood celebrities honour Fred Amata's 50th Birthday

"My son is getting married"Patience Ozokwor

N

ollywood actress Patience Ozokwor is in a busy mood, as she prepares for her son's wedding, just few months after the wedding of her daughters, her first son is about to get married, reports Naijagists.com.

According to the report, Mama Gee as she is fondly called twitted thus: "Fighting hard to maintain a life working and

Patience Ozokwor

preparing for a wedding; thrilled to announce that my son is getting married.

"Waiting for a wedding is like waiting for sunrise; and knowing it's coming, yet I can't wait Oo the bride has to sparkle and dazzle; getting the small small things that make it happen",

PAGE 29

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013

Womanhood Lamentions of woman trapped in abusive relationship

Up till now, I regret that I didn’t run Continued from last week

I

will always remember 2004 as the year of living hell with Chris as he continued in the thick of his relationship with Mary Stacey. There was the day I returned from work early, I was newly pregnant with my daughter, and I had just started to feel sick. I came home, and called Chris and Mary to bring David back, and he brought David back home. I fed and bathed him and I was just about to have a bath myself, so I was already in my robe, when the front door opened and Chris and Mary came in.

I had actually let out a scream when the door opened because I was not expecting anyone, seeing as David had already been dropped off. So it was Mary, and as they walked in, she and Chris said, “Why are you screaming?” I said, “Well, I wasn’t expecting anyone to just open the door and walk in.” And Mary said, “Well, we came to cook our dinner as my oven is not working.”

And what transpired shortly afterwards will never ever cease to amaze me, even if I live to be 100. That I could be so badly treated, that my supposed husband and his girlfriend would not only carry on their affair in front of me, but that a woman who had been married and who had children of her own, could be so callous towards another woman.

Chris and Mary carried in their shopping bags and headed to the kitchen of the suite, for which I worked daily to pay the rent, and they proceeded to make fish in the oven. They chatted as they cooked.

I just watched them. They made a Ghanaian pepper sauce with the fish, and they brought out Kenkey, which is a Ghanaian corn meal. I sat there in my robe just continuing to watch them because I could not really believe what I was seeing. As I sat and watched, David fell asleep in my arms. So I went to put him down and then I went to have a bath. After I had gotten dressed, I came out of my room.

By then, Chris and Mary had finished their cooking, and they were now sitting on the floor in the living room and eating together from a big round bowl. I walked past them into the kitchen. The entire place was a disaster from the preparation of their dinner, so I had no space to make my own much-delayed dinner. I was really upset. I was exhausted. I went into my room and I called a lady and told her that I was really ill and I needed her to come immediately. I waited, but she eventually never showed up. I called another man, whose name was Sampson, and I asked him to please come immediately. He said he was in Downtown Vancouver, but that he would leave for Surrey at once.

I went back out to the living room, they had finished their dinner by then, and they were now watching a video on the TV. I couldn’t do anything, so I pulled up a chair like the uninvited guest that I was at their dinner, and I sat right in front of the TV so that they could watch me live in person if they really wanted to

of things. You need to get away from a man that will treat you like this. Pack your bags, take your child, get away, go somewhere else. If you continue like this, you could get badly hurt or killed, or you could be pushed to the point where you would hurt or kill someone, and then where would your son be? And how about the new one that you’re carrying? Where would they be? Leave now. Leave as soon as you can.”

I remember that policeman. He was the first person that had shown me compassion in years. He said, “Look after yourself,” as he left. He then asked Chris to go away and not to return for 48 hours. I think he was probably offering me the 48 hours to get myself together and to run. And of course, I regret until now that I did not run. I should have.

I called Evelyn’s mother, Hannah, and asked her if she could come drive n re ild her ch me to the hospital, but I’m not sure Amaka and what delayed her. So, I just went to my car and I drove myself to the hospital. When I arrived at the hospital I parked and I started to walk toward the family birthing unit. I was walking and just trying to hold on to the sides of the wall, I was in so much pain.

I looked up and there was a wonderful woman standing beside me. She said, “Oh my God, you’re in labour!” She ran for a wheelchair, which she brought back and sat me in, and then pushed me to the reception. I told them as they were checking my preregistration that I was very close to delivery and they rushed me to a room. While they were still trying to get the bed made, I pushed the other nurse aside, got on the bed, and I just had my baby.

It was about 9:00 am by then. that Sampson One push – boom – and she was out, just screaming. She was the most adorable baby arrived to see. immediately ask to show He stopped when he saw Sampson drive girl I had ever seen, and I was completely, some concern, but not Chris – never him. up and he came out of the car towards me, just completely in love with her. And my He simply took whatever it was that he and I said, “Stop! Don’t come near me!” love for my dear Christine has only grown had come for and he made to leave.

And I went to the car, I took my baby, and more and more as each day reveals a new I now said to him, so after you messed I went inside. The police soon arrived. The aspect of the beautiful, wonderful, kind, up my whole kitchen with your fish, you landlord had called. One of the policemen cheerful, loving girl that she is.

When she was about two weeks old, and your girlfriend left without cleaning came inside to talk to me and I told him it up, and now I don’t have any place to what had happened. He looked around the Chris told me that he had an old girlfriend make something to eat for myself. You whole place and he came out and sat with from Ghana, whose name, I believe, was Lydia. He said she had moved to Toronto, had the guts to make fun of me, even me at the kitchen table.

The policeman said to me, “Don’t and that he was leaving me to be with though I was sitting right there. You’re really a devil. When you go out in the car remain like this. You say you are her. I could barely contain my joy – with your girlfriend, both of you are going pregnant?” I nodded mutely. “And he is freedom at last, freedom! I attributed my to have a car accident, and both of you the father?” Nod again. “And that’s his impending freedom in part to Christine are going to die!” And he grabbed me and girlfriend?” I kept nodding. He said, “I am coming into my life, and we had her shoved me away, and then he left. I just talking to you as my sister, and as christened in the Church about two days someone who has seen a lot of these kinds after Chris told me that he would be sat there numbly. leaving, and I named her Ositadinma, an Igbo name, which means; ‘it shall be good from today onwards’.

I couldn’t believe he was actually leaving. He said when he was settled he The policeman said to me, “Don’t remain like this. You say would come and visit sometimes. I said, no problem.” He also promised to you are pregnant?” I nodded mutely. “And he is the father?” “Fine, send money for the upkeep in the future.

Nod again. “And that’s his girlfriend?” I kept nodding. He I was so excited. I couldn’t believe that everything I had suffered at his said, “I am talking to you as my sister, and as someone who after hands, that he would just get up one day has seen a lot of these kinds of things. You need to get and be gone, and I would be free. A few after Christine’s christening, he away from a man that will treat you like this. Pack your bags, days packed his bags and he left. take your child, get away, go somewhere else.

The story continues……..

Source: online.com watch me. When I did that, they were both silent for a couple of minutes. Then Mary stood up. She said, “Let’s go.” So they both got up and left.

Immediately the door closed behind them, I just broke down and wept. I just sat on the couch and cried and cried about the horrible life that I was living. I didn’t know how I was ever going to be able to escape it all. As I sat down and cried, the door opened once more and Chris came in. I looked at him. He saw me – I was obviously crying – and I keep saying until now that when a normal person comes in and sees another person crying, they would

I called Evelyn again, and she didn’t respond. I called Sampson, and he said, “I am nearly at your house.” Well in about 10 minutes, Chris came back again and went to grab my sleeping baby, then ran to the car with him. I realized then that it was my car keys that he had come for when he had come in earlier on. I ran after him. He had already started the car, so I jumped on the hood of the car in a bid to stop him from driving off with my baby, but he kept driving even with me on top of the car hanging onto the hood, and this was the scene

“

PAGE 30

Archives

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013 Do you have old pictures for memories?

Send them to junioremma419@gmail.com

Colonial Secretary Oliver Lyttleton, Awolowo and Oba Adesoji Aderemi in 1952

The Biafra midwest invasion of 1967

Nigerian Navy in history, in 1914

Post Colonial era of Nigerian history was being dominated by three actors, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo and Ahmadu Bello in 1982.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013

PAGE 31

Leisure WORD SEARCH

Photo of the day

Find the words which are listed at the right side of this page in the Word Search grid. The words can be forwards, backwards, up, down, or diagonal.

Circle each letter separately and keep in mind that the letters in each words may be used in more than one words name.

Word search

PET PRIVATE ANT MUSIC DO GRAND

GREET TEA SEE VICE BATON LINE

ST Brain Teasers

2.

1 . Bay of Bengal is in which state?

3. Why is 6 afraid of 7?

4. What does an Island and the letter T have in common?

5 . Who is parliament

silent

in

the

3.

1. east side of indian ocean 2. 7 apples an 7 oranges 3. Because seven was hungry and “seven ate nine” (7, 8, 9).

4. Because it is in the middle of waTer 5. The Letter 'A'

2. If you had three apples and four oranges in one hand and four apples and three oranges in the other hand, what would you have?

African proverbs 1 . A chick that will grow into a cock can be spotted the very day it hatches.

2. A child's fingers are not scalded by a piece of hot yam which his mother puts into his palm.

3. An old woman is always uneasy when dry bones are mentioned in a proverb.

4. A man who pays respect to the great paves the way for his own greatness.

5 . A proud heart can survive a general failure because such a failure does not prick its pride.

6. As the dog said, 'If I fall down for you and you fall down for me, it is playing.'

7 . A wise man who knows proverbs, reconciles difficulties.

1.

(Yoruba) 8. Do not look where you fell, but where you slipped.

9. If a child washes his hands he could eat with kings.

10. If you don't stand for something, you will fall for something.

1 1 . It takes a whole village to raise a child 12. Looking at a king's mouth one would never think he sucked his mother's breast.

13. People should not talk while they are eating or pepper may go down the wrong way.

14. The lizard that jumped from the high iroko tree to the ground said he would praise himself if no one else did.

1 5 . The mouth which eats does not talk.

16. The sun will shine on those who stand before it shines on those who kneel under them.

4.

5.

Success Tips

Make a Good First Impression. Research shows that people decide what kind of relationship they want with you in the first ten minutes of a meeting, so making a good first impression really matters.

Know the Hype Behind Bottled Water. Have you ever stopped to think about just how incredibly odd it is to buy bottled water?

Leave Work at Work. Want more time for your family or personal life?

Here's how not to think about your job 24/7.

Create a Landing Strip to Become Organized. We come from work exhausted, often carrying our work bags, groceries, and the mail. A landing strip will help you avoid disorganization from the time you get home.

Understand Time to Increase Return on Investment. Time is your most valuable resource. Understanding these ideas will help you make optimal decisions.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

CARTOON

PAGE 32

F

Babban Riga

them: agbada (Yoruba, Dagomba, k'sa (Tuareg) grand boubou (in various Francophone West African countries) and the English term gown.

The abban Riga as it is of Senegalese boubou, a popularly called and worn by Northerns, variation on the originated from a clothing worn by the Islamized Tukulor, MandĂŠ and Songhai peoples of the historic 8th Century Takrur and Ghana Empires, and 13th Century Mali and Songhai Empires.

It is known b y various names, depending on the ethnic g r o u p wearing

B

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013

Compiled by Emmanuel Eko

grand boubou described below, is also known as the Senegalese kaftan. The female version worn in some communities is also known as a m'boubou or kaftan.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013

PAGE 33

Business News

L-R: Member, Governing Board, Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), General Yunana Nom (rtd), representative of Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Dauda Kigbu, and Executive Director of NEPC, Mr. David Adulugba, during NEPC workshop and exhibition, recently in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

High interest rate slowing down businesses – NASME

N

igerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) has decried that soaring interest rates of commercial banks were impediments to the growth of entrepreneurs.

NASME's Director of Public Relations, Mr. Nerus Ekezie, told the News Agency of Nigeria

(NAN) in Lagos that interest rates being charged by banks constituted a "disservice" to local businesses.

He said that the interest rates were on the high side and this had stunted the growth of young businesses.

"It is more disturbing that the banks charges as much as 26 per

cent on short-term loans; because how can the businessmen make gains and return the borrowed funds?"

As a way out, Ekezie urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to come up with appropriate monetary policies to relieve the commercial banks.

On the issue of infrastructure,

he advised the government to be pragmatic in its approach in solving the nation's epileptic power supply.

The director believes if the nation would experience unprecedented level of development if it could get the power sector working. (NAN)

NSE moves 380.90m shares as index improves by 0.45%

I

nvestors on the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) traded a total of 380.90 million shares worth N3.53 billion in 5,638 deals, this Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the volume represented a marginal increase of three per cent over the 371.26 million shares valued at N4.73 billion exchanged in 6,122 deals on Wednesday.

The All-Share Index, which opened at 36,236.49, grew by

163.67 points or 0.45 per cent to close at 36,400.16 as a result of price gains by some highly capitalised stocks.

Also, the market capitalisation appreciated by N52 billion or 0.45 per cent to close at N11.64 trillion against the N11.58 trillion posted on Wednesday.

CAP led the gainers' chart with a gain of N3.02 to close at N65.05 per share.

It was followed by Okomu

Oil which gainedN2.92 to close at N53.94, while International Breweries inched by N2.37 to close at N26.07 per share.

Cadbury gained N1.99 to close at N44, while MRS Oil rose

by N1.80 to close at N19.80 per share.

On the other hand, Flour Mills topped the losers' chart, depreciating by 65k to close at N85 per share.

Mansard Insurance lost 20k to close at N2.50, while Diamond

Bank dipped 19k to close at N6.92 per share.

May & Baker dropped 18k to close at N1.81, while RT Briscoe lost 17k to close at N1.81 per share.

FCMB was the most active equity with 31.12 million shares worth N155.53 million traded.

UBA came second, accounting for 26.01 million shares valued at N226.85 million, while Transcorp sold 25.43 million shares worth N33.32 million. (NAN)

Aviation expert advises FG over failed concession agreements

A

n aviation expert, Mr Chris Aligbe, has advised the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to put in place necessary frameworks, before entering into concession agreements at the airports.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that FAAN had entered into several concession agreements that have failed, with some of the agreements

resulting to litigation.

Aligbe, a former General Manager at the defunct Nigeria Airways, however, told NAN in Lagos that most concession agreements by FAAN were properly entered into.

"The necessary frameworks that should be in place before you engage in the concessions were not there, so the concessions that were done were on a framework void.

"All the institutional frameworks, legal frameworks, legislative framework, policy framework necessary for it to be a sitting platform for the concessionnaires, are not in place.

"If people do things without the basic conditions for it, it will not be standing on a firm ground; they are not sitting on any firm foundation and that is why they will always fail," he said.

Aligbe therefore advised that government should put a proper framework in place when concessioning the airports to the private sector.

The expert who explained that the framework should be done away with, subject to the approval of the National Assembly, also noted that for Nigeria airports to be rated the best among its counterparts in the world, the country's international airports must be world class.

Unilever shareholders approve N5.29bn dividend, demand bonus shares

S

hareholders of Unilever Nigeria Plc on approved the payment of total dividend of N5.29 billion for the year ended Dec.31, 2012.

The shareholders at the company's 88th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos, also demanded for bonus shares in the 2013 financial year.

Speaking, the Zonal Coordinator, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Mr Sunny Nwosu, urged the company to increase its share capital by issuing bonus shares.

Nwosu said that the shareholders deserved bonus shares, saying that the last time the company declared a bonus was in 2006.

He, however, commended the board, management and distributors of the company for the performance achieved in 2012 financial year.

Nwosu said that the N1.40 per share dividend declared was highly impressive.

He also urged the management of the company to increase its market share by through massive distribution of its products across the country.

Mr. Gbenga Idowu, the National Coordinator, Shareholders United Front (SUF), also commended the company for its improved performance in spite of the challenging operating environment.

(NAN)

PAGE 34

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013

Entrepreneur

Rhoda, starling example for youths as student & CEO "I actually cannot remember the last time I depended on someone for money. Any money I use is the money I worked for" Rhoda Nduaesa is not just a University student, but a student with a difference. She is an entrepreneur, a photo model, graphic artiste and above all the CEO of Rhodes world,(www.rhodiesworld.com) an online magazine. Hers, is an inspiring story of a young girl, who has decided to make a difference among her peers. In a world where most young girl, of her age still depend on their parent and other relatives. Rhoda picks her own bills and pays her school fees. At her young age, she is already an employer of labour, paying salaries to her own staff. She spoke with our reporter Mike Etim.

Tell us about yourself?

My name is Rhoda Nduesa, I am a 400 level student of communication Arts, University of Uyo I am a blogger, a photo model, a graphic artists an entrepreneur, and the CEO of Rhodies world an on-line magazine. Rhodiesworld is an online entertainment site that helps in stress digestion.

How do you feel as student entrepreneur and CEO of your magazine?

I don’t really know how. It feels, someone can do the feelings for me.

I am just myself. It’s amazing I have worked for about 5years and some of my age mates have not worked for a day. It’s all about destiny and what you want for yourself.

I have been a business person from childhood. I have always been looking for ways to do things.

I am a business kind of a person so I don’t feel any difference. I just feel it is something that was destined

by God to happen now. So I don’t feel any important, I’m still my normal self, I still have my friends, it’s just that the blogging work keeps me at home most of the time thereby keeping me away from my friends.

What actually inspired you to go into the blogging business?

It all started when I was working for a magazine firm in Uyo. You know working for somebody and also going to school could cause a lot of problems for the person you are working for.

Such a person may not understand. He demands a lot of your time and when it is time for me to attend lectures, the boss thinks you are taking too much of his time. There were too many issues with my boss then and I was having a whole lot of headache trying to impress him and when the problem got so much I had to quit. And I said to myself since I still like the entertainment industry, and since it has become difficult for me to work with somebody, so why don’t I be my own boss so that I can have time to do my work, I blog in the morning I go to school in the afternoon. Since it is my own thing I do it anytime I like. I am fulfilled about school and work now.

When did you start this blogging business and how frequent do people visit your website?

I started Rhodiesworld on the 18th of November, 2012. And as we speak Rhodiesworld will soon be 5 months old, and we have more than 184,000 hits. The hits is very encouraging, because I know of so many site with 100,000 hits in a year. I also thank God for the dedicated crew I have, because they have been so hardworking.

How much is involved in this business?

Categorically I can’t really say, but a whole lot of money is involved. If it were a personal website it could be less expensive but since it is a magazine, it entails a whole lot of things. As I speak to you now I am planning to redesign my interface.

From what you have achieved so far would it be right to be called a big Girl?

No, No, No, I cannot be called a Big Girl. I’m not big, you can see I’m slim, (laugh) Big Girl? I don’t know what they look like I’m just a very normal person. I know one day I will be big. If I am big now, what would you call me in the next ten years?

How do you cope with school and business?

I am doing a part time programme and it gives me time to do my business. Blogging requires time, so I blog in the morning, go to school in the afternoon come back at 6pm and I continue blogging.

Can you think or the first business that brought you money?

Well, well, well, I don’t think I can remember now, because like I said I started doing business at a very tender age. Over the years, i have done a whole lot of business.

My friend’s call me jack of all trade, I have sold women wears, men’s wears, perfumes, sunglasses, shoes, even now if I see any lucrative business I will do it.

I am a business kind of person and when I look at things that are marketable, I deal on it. I love work.

A lot of young girls like you, still school depend so much on their parents for money, and some on men. What is your advice for such students?

It is not just my advice here that would bring a change in the lives of those students. Some might just ignore it.

Actually I cannot remember the last time I depended on someone for money. Any money I

use is money I work for. One of my lecturer told us that what holds some of us back is our culture, “this is how we do it, a young girl is not supposed to do certain things”.

Base on this, we rate ourselves on what we are told, and echo “I’m too young to do this.” That is what is holding us back. Our young girls should add value to themselves. If you add value to yourself people will seek for you. King and queens will be looking for you even if you want to do fashion designing. It’s no more called sewing, people in the fashion industry are called designers. If I decide to go into fashion designing, I will do it in a big way. My mind will tell me I’ll be the best in the profession. That is the kind of mind I have. You have to think big, don’t be limited by the thing you already know.

Even, if I want to start producing pure water now, I believe that my water would be announced in the next two months. It is my own mentality. I believe in anything I want to do, if I believe it is possible, then it is possible.

People will struggle to go to school and when they come out, they come out with nothing because they did not add any value to themselves. For instance, some students will graduate without being able to use the computer except for Facebook & other social Medias. This is what I term no value after school. Even if you came out with a first-class degree with no extra value to yourself, and somebody who made a pass comes out with value attached to his life, he will be more sort after. You can use your holidays to learn different craft such as; (Baking, Sewing, Furniture making, & lots more).

During your holiday, you can even walk into an establishment and offer to work for them free, that will give you a working experience. When I see people finish their Masters, Phd’s and keep going to school I get amazed. Bill Gates who is one of the richest men in the world left school to develop his values. I know of a 40 years old man who still lives with his parent, still fed by his parents. He is a graduate but has never worked before, recently, he left for his masters. Still sponsored by his parents. Some girls do not even know how to operate the computer, some students don’t even know how to use the internet to process their online registrations, too bad.

Rhoda Nduaesa How do you maintain your body seeing that you are quite slim?

It is a conscious thing, I check on my weight, I gym, since I started blogging I have missed the gym and I have added a little weight. I do aerobics, and diet.

People might think it is difficult but no – consciously cut down on the size of food you eat. You can’t have flat tommy if you consume a lot of food. Eat a lot of fruits and water.

There are some of us who have natural beauty. If you are not very beautiful, you can work it out. It doesn’t mean you should over make up drinking water and eating a lot of fruits can make you fresh. I don’t actually select food. I eat everything but moderately.

How busy is your day?

Quite busy. Some days I sleep at 3.00am and wake up by 6.00am to continue my work. I am used to such routine life because I have to manage school and work. In the morning since I won’t have lectures, I try to update my site, work and coordinate other things, meet people, do other businesses, go to school by 12noon and comeback by 6pm. Sometime

I rest a bit, get up and read my books and I sleep late. The average time I sleep normally plus or minus is 2am and I have to wake up by 6am because I have to do exercise before I move out.

You are a workaholic, you are beautiful, you have a bright future, and do a lot of things, what time do you have for relationship?

This business you see here, this blogging job is demanding, it requires a lot of my time, school requires a lot of my time too. Guys are attracted to me because of one thing or the other. Reasons I don’t know. ‘But I have to be very careful here because since I don’t have all the time as a very normal girl who sleeps by 8pm and wakes up by 10clock in the morning I am not that lucky. I don’t have time for an unserious person. At this point of my life I won’t really say I am into any relationship because, I have not found that person. I don’t need a man who would come and tell me to get off of my future and force his future on my future. I need a man who would come with his future, me with my future and we move on the same level.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013

PAGE 35

Business Is it a success or failure?

Kwara govt, opposition trade words over Shonga Farm In this piece, our correspondent, Olanrewaju Lawal in Ilorin examines the controversial France “award” to Shonga Farms in Kwara State and the vociferous reactions of the opposition parties, thereby leaving the question where the Zimbabwean farmers project is indeed a success or failure

Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed

D

espite the departure of Dr. Bukola Saraki, the two term governor of Kwara state after eight years in government on May 29,2011, his controversial project, Shonga farm, where Zimbabwean farmers are working for government or private individuals are still generating issues among the stakeholders in the state.

The Government under Dr. Bukola Saraki, now a Senator representing Kwara Central senatorial district in a bid to revitalize the agricultural sector in Kwara State, instituted the Back-to-Farm Project meant to encourage commercial agriculture in the state. The government cleared large hectares of land, procured agricultural inputs like fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides, and distributed lands to farmers. The Back-to-Farm project was reported to have recorded 14 percent success, for various reasons, including inadequate commercial farming experience on the part of the farmers.

Shonga Farms, according to the diary of the farm, was made up of 13 commercial farmers invited by the government of Kwara State,Nigeria, to revolutionize agriculture in the state as well as promote job creation, improve productivity and enhance food security. It was a learning experience for the Kwara State government which

Shonga farmers decided to seize the opportunity of the situation in Zimbabwe, where white farmers were being displaced by the Zimbabwean government, to offer the farmers an opportunity in Kwara State.

The bold step was met with a lot of enthusiasm by a lot of the Zimbabwean farmers and led to the development of the pilot scheme, Shonga Farms involving 13 farmers, who have now relocated and settled in Shonga, Kwara State. The farmers were each given 1,000 hectares of land under a twenty-five year renewable lease for commercial farming purpose.

The document obtained by our correspondent show that the state government provided the initial equipment for land clearing and guaranteed initial credit facilities for the farmers.

The government compensated the local community and further gave them incentives, in addition to relocating them to some other lands to farm.

Shonga Farms Holding Limited (SFH) was financed by five banks including Guaranty Trust Bank, Intercontinental Banks, Unity Bank, FinBank and Bank PHB. The banks own seventy-five percent equity while the state government owns twenty-five percent equity. The Shonga Farms Holding on the other hand owns sixty percent equity in each of the 13 farms, leaving the farmers with forty percent equity. Despite these

claimed success, there was no farm produce in the open market except Shonga milk which supplies 2500 litres of raw milk to WAMCO,producers of PEAK MILK. The Kwara State Government and Senator Bukola Saraki had last weekend issued separate statements celebrating the award, which a Kwara State Government’s spokesman, Dr. Femi Akorede, claimed was “further validation of Mr Saraki’s unparalleled vision for agroreform.”

Akorede had claimed in a statement he circulated to the local media that the documentary, titled “A Farm for Africa”, won the “Grand Prix Award in the Agriculture and Green Economics. The film was produced by a British film producer, Matt Reid, and directed

by Ed Wardle.

Ajakaye added: "But a communiqué showing winners in the various categories of the award, issued in French, by the organisers’ press relations officers, Camille Hewitt and Razika Baa, was believed to have contradicted the claims by both the state government and Saraki.

According to the communiqué, accessible through website of the organizer, a farm for Africa actually won the Grand Prix for Best Audio-Visual Environmental Institutional Policy.

"The Grand Prix in the

Agriculture and Green Economics was won jointly by a film titled 'New Vision for Agriculture', directed by Simon Waldron and produced by Lonelyleap (sponsored by the World Economc Forum) and a documentary called Global gâchis, Le Scandale Mondial Du Gaspillage Aimentaire, which was directed

by Olivier Lemaire and produced

by CAPA Televisions.

The opposition party further argued that the English version of the communiqué titled Palmarès DEAUVILLE GREEN AWARDS 2013, obtained from the organisers, confirmed the information in the communiqué issued in French. The party noted that Shonga farm was not on the list of farm that won the award.

The party therefore demanded an apology from the state government.

The government and Saraki should apologise for the embarrassment caused the people of the state.

“Now, despite these glaring evidences against their position, we regret that the Kwara State Government and its officials are not remorseful. This indicates that the decision to claim an award they never won was deliberate.

“And in its warped attempt to defend its lies even when confronted with irrefutable evidences, the state government ended up contradicting itself. For instance, in its Thursday April 25 response to our statement, the government insisted (without any verifiable fact) that the documentary on Shonga Farm ‘beat 200 other entries to win A Grand Prix Award.’ Did Akorede forget so soon that he had claimed in his statement on Thursday April 18 that the film “beat off tough competition from seven other entries.” So how many entries did the documentary actually beat?

“We also note that the government, obviously overwhelmed and embarrassed by the facts in our statement, insisted it won a ‘Grand Prix Award’ without stating this time, as it shamelessly did in the April 18 statement, the category of the award it won. ‘Grand Prix’ is not a category of award in that competition. You cannot win just a Grand Prix; it must be a Grand Prix in so and so.

“The lesson the state government should draw from this self-inflicted embarrassment is that falsehood cannot travel far undetected.

Finally, we demand from the government and of course Senator Saraki a public apology on behalf of Kwara people who are embarrassed by this very dishonourable conduct.”

In its reaction, the Kwara state Chairman of Congress for Progressive Change(CPC), Alhaji Suliemam Buhari in a statement said “Our Party is the least surprised about the latest episode of lie that is being played out yet again by the government of Mr. Abdulfatai Ahmed, this time, over a so-called ‘Grand Prix Award in the Agriculture and Green Economics’. This is because to us, we have seen and experienced firsthand the deliberately scrupulous attempt by the government of the day to either downplay bad situations or outrightly resort to falsehood all in a desperate bid to cover up the patently incompetent governor and his laid back disposition to governance.

“Rather, this latest public show of shame by the Government fits in perfectly into a pattern of ‘official falsehood’ that has formed the directive principle of the PDP-led government; if the Government is not denying the fact of the dumping from neighbouring states of beggars and destitute that are now distorting the social fabrics of the streets of Kwara state, it is outrightly cooking figures of the numbers of classrooms constructed even when the facts on ground indicate otherwise. All these and many more have indisputably put a question mark on both the intellectual and moral quotients of the state ruling elite! It has also further underlined the PDP-led government’s distance from honour.

“To us as a Party, our immediate concern is not only on the public opprobrium that has greeted the lie of the morally deficient government but the amount of public fund reportedly sunk into producing a documentary that has neither brought food to the table of the Kwaran poor populace nor added to the quality of their lives.

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013

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A prayer for national amnesty Re: Sovereign wealth fund

By Abdulhamid Babatunde

A

g a i n s t all odds, it is a tragic irony that religious issues have maintained an aggressive domination of the national agenda, especially in the last two years of baptism by bombing. If only the prominence of religious issues had been hinged on faith rather than fatalities all could have been blissfully well with us, but it is now our fate as Nigerians to reap only the retribution for misdeeds while the soothing reassurance of salvation remains a distant mirage. This mangled status quo is the latest manifestation of our nemesis, erupting like a recurring national plague and casting darkness on the horizon of hope for peace, harmony, development and prosperity in Nigeria.

In search of the cause of this curse, we must admit the fact that we are not as fanatical about our faiths as our collective tendency for acerbic advocacy and aggressive defence of our respective religions might suggest. Like demented demagogues we are quick to jump at perceived infractions and desecrations of our faiths with alarming zeal but very much at home with the sickening social ills bred by devilish propensity. The issue of corruption is mainly seen from the angle of looting of public treasury by those entrusted with its safe keeping but the very kingpins of this scourge are our gleefully elevated into leadership cadres where they manage to keep a straight face as they swear to pious oaths of office and proceed to preach perfidiously against their game. Meanwhile even corruption cannot stand the hypocrisy and is fighting back ferociously!

If our ogas at the top are such incurable infidels we can only expect to witness perdition as the dividend of Godless rule. Thus, we live in towns and cities reeking with the original sins,

WRITE TO US Peoples Daily Weekend welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed to: The Editor, Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja.

Email: opinion@peoplesdailyng.com most notoriously the oldest vice of prostitution. Wherever a seat of government is sited there your moral conscience will be assailed by so-called queens of the night, marauding the streets with shameless swagger as they fulfil the end-time profanity of chasing clients. In Abuja where the Presidency is perched, there is now a budget for prostitutes but none for the homeless. These are the banal by-products of a devilishly disoriented country that has also mortgaged its youth and its future to decadent indulgences of the uncultured Western world. We might as well be talking of Godless-generations yet unborn!

A nation whose leaders are all too busy gorging themselves from the public till can hardly spare a thought for the perilous plight of people, the overwhelming majority of whom have always been out of sight and out of hearing. Nothing could be worse than abandoning pensioners to the callous mercilessness of official corruption. The result is an epidemic of psychotropic escapism as the hapless join the hopeless in reveries of intoxicated refuge from such hell-on-earth existence, aided and abetted by the booming sinister business of brewing liquor and promoting it as the elixir of life. Now we are faced with the dilemma of frustrated youthful delinquents bringing all that high hype down to their level with a mind-boggling

chemo-therapeutic menu that ranges from cough syrups to industrial glue. A forbidding present of dashed hopes is creating a forsaken future of wasted lives and opportunities!

These deplorable scenarios can only be sustained by injustice in an unjust society

“

Nothing could be worse than abandoning pensioners to the callous mercilessness of official corruption. The result is an epidemic of psychotropic escapism as the hapless join the hopeless in reveries of intoxicated refuge from such hell-onearth existence, aided and abetted by the booming sinister business of brewing liquor and promoting it as the elixir of life.

and we have been told in the Holy Scripture that God can never be with the unjust. Unjustified inequities created and imposed by rich and powerful elite to oppress their compatriots abound in this country as we have only recently been reminded by the ridiculous law that rewards obnoxious crimes like theft of pension funds with the lightest of sanctions while thousands languish in jail with stiff sentences or hefty fines for petty crimes.

The life of the poor is worth peanuts and dependent on appeal funds and deadly consulting clinics in case of health challenge but the self-enriched, especially the public officials, heartlessly flock to private specialist hospitals at home and abroad. Same goes for education. Believe it or not, the poor man's prayer is rarely in favour of the rich and powerful, except for the few among them who are humane and charitable. Indeed the rich and powerful have long ago adopted the world of vanities, leaving the poor to sway and swoon in the name of religion.

Yet God is still the Greatest and His worship through observance and allegiance to His Decrees remains the perfect panacea to peace in Nigeria and indeed the world. The contradictions of practice and preachment which bedevil the religious communities and spread like contagion to the entire nation can only lead to cycles of conflict and crises because it remains a fearful fact of life that evil will never triumph over good, though the confrontation lasts a lifetime.

May the Bounteous Mercies of Almighty God save us from the catastrophic consequences of our seen and unseen misdeeds and grant us all a divine amnesty, amen.

Abdulhamid Babatunde, former Editor, The Democrat, now Media Consultant, wrote from Kaduna

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013

PAGE 37

Opinion Gov. Shema's abracadabra over LG polls Ahmad B. Kaita

M

a n y people are apprehensive about the unwillingness of most governors to conduct local government elections in their respective states in accordance with the constitutional provisions made to enhance the smooth administration of the third and most abused tier of government. Ironically, this informed my decision to withdraw my suit against Katsina state government for its refusal to conduct local government elections.

Based on professional advice the suit was withdrawn to deny the government of Katsina state the luxury of employing legal acrobatics to keep foot dragging on local government elections on the flimsy excuse of 'contempt.' Already, rumour mills have it that apart from the laughable excuse of funding the government is giving for its continued refusal to conduct council polls the second reason is my pending suit which has been dragging with endless adjournment.

This informed my decision to withdraw the case. Having said that, let's analyse the issue on a broader perspective.

Perhaps, the administrative and constitutional arrangement that made local government the connection between the other tiers of government and the people is its greatest undoing. No doubt, the flaws inherent in the laws governing local administration though made with the best of intentions left ample room for manipulation which many governors today waste no time to exploit. Of particular interest are the flexible laws governing leadership selection process of this tier.

No doubt this process is having a really bad time in the hands of governors who uses local council's funds to cover their misadventure with state funds. In this devilish scheme, 'joint account' came in handy as a convenient tool. The attempt by the designers of 'joint account' to check corruption and ensure smooth and constant flow of democracy dividends to the grassroots backfired when state governors started to turn their eyes to these accounts to cover their deficits in governance. Now it has reached an alarming stage where such accounts are simply turned into slush funds for the governors to do as they wish with chairmen practically turned into glorified "cashiers" running errands for most governors. What

happened to the mandate hanging on the necks of these "cashiers" can best be explained by these modern day Pharaohs. Perhaps, this may explain the desire of governors to impose the most subservient cronies in position of leadership in the system to do their biddings.

Where this desire faces threat of polls revolt, the governors turns to the creative "caretaker" arrangement.

Interestingly, the complimentary effort by the legislative arm to build a cushion that would soften the brutal effect of the executive brigand was met with stiff resistance by the executive.

The idea of "constituency project" was brought about by the glaring infrastructural deficit that has virtually become part of the Nigerian system. Regimes breeze in and breeze out with promises of social and developmental reforms with nothing to show for it while the promises kept being recycled. It was this unpatriotic void that "constituency projects" is addressing; and excellently too. Many state governors cannot compete with these projects in their domain both in purpose and quality. Unlike state projects, constituency projects are designed and executed with meticulous precision. In-built safety mechanisms make it impossible to temper with constituency projects unlike local council funds that can be juggled with like a yoyo.

The smear campaign engaged by the executive arm to tarnish the image of many hard working members of the legislature by weaving lies around these projects were simple efforts to demobilise the "lie detector" that constituency projects has became.

Virtually the country is now running on constituency projects. Call it the "PTF" of our time if you like. In saner societies, the idea of a legislature performing the functions of the executive by providing basic necessities to local communities is enough to expose the rot in the executive arms.

Every prize has a price. The price for the success of the "constituency projects" was the illogical lies sponsored by the real cheats (the executive) desperate to cover their tracks.

Many people were brainwashed to accept "constituency projects" as some kind of pool for slush funds that the legislative arm can play with like the infamous "joint account."

Few people know the intricacies of accessing funds for constituency projects. In a well thought plan, the process is made stringent and almost "FRAUD PROOF." This process is an all inclusive that carries along the

executive, legislature and the public, while the judiciary enforces compliance. So much lies have been woven around this that many people believe members just carry constituency projects funds in the trunk of their cars to do as they wish. It was a creative method of diverting attention by the executive.

From the time constituency projects were incorporated in to the system to date, I'm yet to hear a past or serving member who confesses to any dealings in regard to constituency projects. More amazing, no one is in prison or court for any constituency project related offence despite all the sponsored noise being made about the imaginary abuse being perpetrated. Of course, we can agree, former legislatures could not be as powerful as former governors many of whom are cooling their heels in prisons and a good number jumping from court to court fighting corruption charges.

How this failed to register on the people is truly amazing.

Agreed, some may argue that the legislature has a fair share of "rats", but then we also have to agree there are many "cats" patrolling the corridors of the chambers. We have instances where members publicly rejected hundreds of millions of Naira from the executive arm. What stopped these honourable men from exposing any shadowy arrangement in regard to constituency projects can better be explained by the proponents of these ideas?

Narrowing this issue, the anxiety expressed by Ilelah in his piece further amplified and exposed the systematic fiscal and administrative abuse local councils are suffering under the leadership of governor Ibrahim Shehu shema of Katsina state; incidentally a barrister of "repute." This professional reputation however, which ordinarily should add value to the system did little or nothing to help ensure adherence and respect to rule of law in local government administration in the state. So disreputable is the system that even a goat in Katsina is aware - down to the tiniest detail of the "ONE MAN CHOP" policy governing local council administration. The fiscal rascality with which the regime of governor Shema administers local government funds through the instrumentality of 'joint account' is something that Katsinawa of all ideological divides wishe to see an end to.

Projects/policies designed with devilish ingenuity were being executed with the governor as the major beneficiary. Take for instance the rumoured purchase of drugs for local councils. It was alleged that about N800m is being expended quarterly to purchase drugs for the 34 LG councils while in reality only a fraction of it reaches the people. These are the kind of issues we encourage people to come forward and challenge the government to explain. How do one reconcile such a huge quarterly amount with our empty hospitals?

This technique is built on the silly idea that expenditure for consumables is not easily verifiable.

It can easily be said that the refusal of the government to conduct council elections may be due to the fear of losing the leech like hold Shema have on the councils and, an even more horrifying fear of the expose any leadership structural change in the councils may bring about. Not an unfounded fear, considering many rumoured instances of funds released with strict instructions to return most of it to the "Palace." Even if this remains unsubstantiated rumour for now, people can hazard a guess at the dirt that may be uncovered with a change of government. Nobody should live with the illusion that people will not talk. Talk they will, and with facts too.

It was this desire that necessitated my action to drag the government to court to force the regime to conduct council elections.

Trust the ingenuity of the "learned" people.

My legal option was reduced to an excuse for the regime not to conduct council elections for fear of "contempt." I was left with no option than to withdraw my case to deny the government the luxury of exploiting legal rigmarole to pursue an anti people agenda.

Incidentally, the case of the flagrant abuse of local governments in Katsina state was very prominent case study the agenda of the latest round of agitation for local government reforms in the National Assembly. Many members were swayed to the needs for local government reforms entirely on arguments captured from the suffocating relationship between the state and local councils in Katsina state. Nowhere in Nigeria have previous efforts of building an acceptable workable system in local government administration was reduced to nought than in Katsina state.

Ahmad B. Kaita is a member of the House of Representatives from Katsina State

Aganga, Where are My Thoughts the industries, jobs?

With Ayodele Samuel

p r e m i e r University of 08074420617 (SMS only) Ibadan and t h e prestigious n Nigeria, one thing that thrives Oxford University in the United Kingdom. among our public office holders are Dr. Aganga parades an intimidating bloated and bogus projections, often academic resume and his words are coming from those in charge of the exalted and we put them back to him.

Aganga’s claims is bolstered by an nation’s economy.

Before now, I used to be excited about equally awesome international work these ‘paper talks’ but as a field reporter, experience; lived in Europe for many I discovered that Nigerians are fed with years , appointed Minister of Finance by official lies and plenty promises mouthily then Acting President, Goodluck Jonathan, later nominated and fulfilled.

Dr. Oluseguin Aganga, our Minister subsequently confirmed as Minister of of Trade and Investment is fast making a Trade and Investment amid protest from career out of voodoo economic projection his supposed Lagos home state for not being eligible to occupy the State’s slot and spurious job promises.

Why won’t Nigerians believe a because he is not an indigene.

He had promised at several fora in minister with a degrees from Nigeria’s

I

2010 that more manufacturing industries would spring up across the country, and moribund companies would be put back on their feet before 2013.

Where are they?

Aganga needs to shed more light on how many closed companies has been reopened since he came on board as our Minister of Trade and Investment, I know Dunlop Plc and many others are still in comatose battling bank debts.

In July, 2012, Aganga was at his best when he proclaimed to a Refinery-thirsty nation that his Ministry has concluded plans with a US company called Vulcan Energy, and its local partner in Nigeria, Petroleum Refining and Strategic Reserve Limited, to construct six brand new modular refineries. In the MOU as announced by the minister, six modular refineries would be built with a capacity

of 180,000 barrels per day and two of the refineries will be completed within one year all the cost of N697.5 billion ($4.5 billion). Where are the refineries ?

The Minister virtually unleashed a new album with the proclamation that the National Enterprise Development Programme, NEDEP will create 3.5 million jobs for unemployed Nigerian youths. Aganga, where are the jobs?

Another major stir last year was when Aganga proclaimed by the strap of his boots that the Bank of Industry has created 1.3 million jobs. Shame was put to the claim days later when officials of the Bank denied such achievement.

In the spirit of transformation and national development, Mr Aganga must come out to tell Nigerians and indeed the world what he has been doing as our Minister of Trade and Investment.

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013

Online comments Asari Dokubo: Demented or psychopatic?

I

n my own opinion, your deluded views are not meant to appear on any national newspaper in the first place. I hate seeing things like this online. What is your rational behind all the name calling? Mr. Ahmed, you probably need to air

your views amongst your peers using a town-crier. Please go back to your shell and stop embarassing the Nigerian media. You may get arrested for verbal abuse!

– Justin I think the above writer has

Senate queries Civil Defence boss over recruitment scam Asari Dokubo

T

he Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) should please restore balance in this organization. We are

suffering for the past three months without salary and still go to office. Please help us!

– Olatunde Oluyoye

Anenih decries PDP's internal wrangling

I

f the PDP becomes fragmented as a result of the inordinate ambitions of a few members, our country, our democracy and our people will

suffer" says Anenih…… Yes because PDP is our modern colonial master who always believe that it is either her or no Nigeria. Keep going with this naive thinking, PDP is leaving our democracy scene come 2015 whether Anenih likes it or not.

– Dankasa

Gun battle, explosions rock Maiduguri again

F Anenih

2015: S/south group endorses Buhari/ Oshiomhole's ticket transform and unite Nigeria,

I

'm with this group one hundred percent. How can they be contacted?

– Abdullah Musa Good combination – Nass How can you be contacted, I support you.

– Hon Ihuanne Nkem Stephen Yes, they can fight corruption 100%.

– Hussain Kwaifa These people will change Nigeria. Buhari/Oshiomhole can fight corruption and bring security.

Babatunde Fashola/Rochas can

Need for presidential aide on space matters I really believe Mr. President would give this a trial as these criminals in the sector are busy squandering Nigeria's money.

– Bash The minister in charge of that agency should be questioned. A lot of things are not just well. We hope this person with such a kind hearted ideology can be given an opportunity to work on the Agency because we spend loads of money without any return.

– Nnaelo Mr. President Sir, please give this person a chance since he has an interesting strategy. Don't look at the politics behind it. Nigeria is really suffering out of ignorance.

– Bash

New Attah Igala emerges

G

EJ is seriously reading the script of Paul Biya against the Northern Muslim but time shall tell.

InshaAllah he will answer his name at The Hague one day.

– Dankasa

been looking for ways to express his new learnt English words and think that this is the best time to express his stupidity . Well, I have an information for him, the congress is the one backing Asari, with the help of God and the will of the true Nigerian people, Nigeria will be history come 2015 without GEJ as president.

– Frank

– Ameka

If only sentiment will allow us to see the light especially we the Igbo – David For God's sake, Buhari should step aside and be a good statesman.Why does he want to rule this country by all means?

He should allow the younger ones to come on board and encourage them. He cried last time and told Nigerians, that he will never contest any election again. I'm surprised to hear, he is coming out. Oshiomhole should join someone else, not Buhari, if he is really interested in the presidency.

– H. L

or reasons beyond my control, I was unable to go home to be part of history in the coronation of our dear Attah Igala. However, I was wrong in my assumption that the historic event would be beamed to the world live, at least nationally.

This was not to be, as all the local

channels on satellite I tuned to did not air the event. Shocking I guess for an occasion of such magnitude! I called my people at home to get some updates on the event. They told me that NTA Idah was beaming it live but not nationally.

– Umaru Yusuf

Mixed reactions as parties, lawyers, others comment Can we ever get anything right without people complaining?"A state of emergency is a governmental declaration which usually suspends a few normal functions of the executive, legislative and judicial powers, alert citizens to change their normal behaviors, or order government agencies to implement emergency preparedness plans.

It can also be used as a rationale for suspending rights and freedoms, even if guaranteed under the constitution. Such declarations usually come during a time of natural or man made disaster, during periods of civil unrest, or following a declaration of war or situation of internal armed conflict."

President Goodluck Jonathan

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013

PAGE 39

Digest Student rushed to hospital with a urine infection discovers she has four kidneys A

woman who underwent surgery on one of her kidneys was stunned to be told by doctors she had actually had four of them.

Jessica Curphey, 20, was rushed to hospital after she developed excruciating pain on her right side.

Just weeks earlier, her GP had diagnosed a urine infection, prescribing her antibiotics.

But scans at Surrey's St Helier Hospital revealed what doctors first thought was a 17cm cyst on her right kidney.

Then 11 days later, further tests showed Jessica actually had two kidneys on her right side, the second of which was the 'cyst' and was so damaged it would have to be removed.

During the operation, surgeons discovered yet another kidney, meaning Jessica had four and the 'extremely rare' privilege of having double the amount.

After having the damaged kidney removed in June last year, Jessica is now raising money for Kidney Research UK. She said she had a lot to thank her housemate Steph for, who first rushed her to hospital.

She said, "At first I didn't know how to feel because I had been told so many things.

"Now it's quite fun watching how people react when you tell them that you've got an extra kidney.

"I suppose it's weird not knowing what's going on inside your body until "The upside of the whole thing is that I don't get as bad hangovers as my friends, which is perhaps down to my extra kidneys. Overall I have come out of this as a stronger person.

"It was a difficult experience but I was looked after and I've come through it the other end and looking forward to the future."

Scans revealed she actually had four kidneys, one of which was so damaged it had to be surgically removed Consultant urological surgeon Robyn Webber said, "Having three kidneys on a single side of the body is exceptionally rare. There are perhaps fewer than 100 cases described in textbooks and papers."

Jessica's mother, Alison, 45, raced down to Surrey from Manchester when she heard her daughter had been rushed to hospital.

Alison said doctors drained more than 2,000ml of infected fluid from the damaged third kidney, which was unable to drain because it was damaged.

She said, "Jess had never been ill before this. Because this kidney was so badly stretched and damaged by the infection, the consultant urologist informed Jess that the only solution was to have it removed.

"He said he would try to save the lower kidney but prepared her in case both of them had to be removed.

Jessica (right) with her best friend and housemate StephMoorghen, who she credits for saving her life

"As you can imagine there were lots of tears all round but we were just thankful that they had managed to stop her going into septic shock."

After the operation on June 11

Jessica made a full recovery and is looking forward to finding out her degree results.

Alison said, "Jess was placed on the enhanced recovery program and in

true 'Jess fashion' she charmed and delighted everyone with her recovery.

"The nurses called her "smiler".

Three days after having a major organ removed, she was discharged."

Scans revealed she actually had four kidneys, one of which was so damaged it had to be surgically removed

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013

PAGE 40

Tourism

The Dancing Dubai Fountain

T

ourists from around the world are highly fascinated at the Dubai Fountain. Most of them take pictures for the memories to be kept alive.

The Dubai Fountain is the world's largest choreographed fountain system set on the 30-acre manmade Burj Khalifa Lake, at the center of the Downtown Dubai development in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

It was designed by WET Design, the California-based company responsible for the fountains at the Bellagio Hotel Lake in Las Vegas. Illuminated by 6,600 lights and 25 colored projectors, it is 275 m (902 ft) long and shoots water up to 500 ft (152.4 m) into the air accompanied by a range of classical to contemporary Arabic and world music. It was built at a cost of AED 800 million (USD 218 million).

The name of the fountain was chosen after a contest organized by the developer Emaar Properties, the result of which was announced on 26 October 2008. Testing of the fountain began in February 2009, and the fountain was officially inaugurated on 8 May 2009 along with the official opening ceremony of The Dubai Mall. On 2 January 2010 the length of Dubai fountains was increased to 275 m (902.2 ft).

Mechanism The Dubai Fountain can spray 22,000 gallons (83,000 liters) of water in the air at any moment. More than 6,600 lights and 25 colour projectors have been installed. During the end of 2010 the fountain had got a new element, fire, which outlined the fountains (the fire was temporary for the 2011 New Year's celebration). The Dubai Fountains project water in the air in many different combinations and patterns. The beam of light from the fountain can be seen from over 20 miles away.

The Dubai Fountain consists of many high-pressure water jets and shooters: oarsmen or water robots, which can make the water seem to dance, shooters, which shoot water upwards; super shooters, which shoot water under more pressure up to 240 feet in the air, and extreme shooters, which can shoot water under the most pressure to 500 ft (152.4 m) in the air. These shooters create a loud "boom" noise after water is ejected. The super shooters are used the least during each show because it takes a lot of time to build up enough pressure and energy to shoot water that high in the air. After the opening ceremony, the extreme

shooters have been disabled and are no longer used in the shows.

Performances The fountain is animated with performances set to light and music. It is visible from every point on the lake promenade and from many neighboring structures. Performances take place at 1:00 pm and at 1:30 pm as well as every 30 minutes from 6 pm to 10 pm on weekdays, and from 6 pm to 11 pm on weekends (weekends being Thursday, Friday, and Saturday).

Performance repertoire includes: "Sama Dubai", a tribute to Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed, which is usually the first show of the day "Baba Yetu", a Grammy awardwinning song in Swahili from the Civilization IV video game soundtrack "Shik Shak Shok", an Arab dance number by Hassan Abou El Seoud "Inshed An Aldar" ("Ask About Home"), an Emirati song written for the inauguration of the Burj Khalifa on 4 January 2010[4] "Con te partirò" (Time to Say Goodbye), a piece by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman "Dhoom Thana", a Hindi song by Abhijeet "Waves" ("Amvaj") by Bijan Mortazavi "Bassbor Al Fourgakom" by Emirati artist Hussain Al Jasmi "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston "Halo" by Beyonce "All Night Long (All Night)" by Lionel Richie "The Magnificent Seven", main theme from the film The Magnificent Seven by Elmer Bernstein "Thriller" by Michael Jackson "Ishtar Poetry" by Furat Qaddouri "Mon Amour" "O Mio Babbino Caro" by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa "Enta Omri" by Hossam Ramzy "The Prayer" by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli "Lana Allah" by Mohammed Abdu "Ezel", Theme song from the TV series of the same name "Flying Drum" "Butterfly Lovers' Violin Concerto" "Ensan Akthar" "Everybody On" Presented by HP (Showed only for the month of October 2011)[citation needed] " "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" Presented by DHL (Showed for only the month of October 2011)

The Dubai Fountain performing to the song: "Bassbor Al Fourgakom".

The Dubai Fountain "Ishy Bilady", The UAE National Anthem "Wen Bie" by Jacky Cheung DHL Express premiered an advertising campaign at The Dubai Fountain on 20 October 2011. It was choreographed to a specially reworked version of the Motown classic "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", and was

repeated for about a month.

All of the fountain's performances are accompanied by music played through speakers around the lake, although sometimes the fountains are operated without music for testing purposes. When performances are viewed from further away, i.e. from surrounding buildings, the music might not be audible.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013

PAGE 41

Weekend Finally, NSC sacks its secretaries from sports federations

Members of Super Eagles celebrating Sunday Mba’s goal against the Elephants of Ivory Coast. The Eagles are already in Germany preparatory for the May 31 friendly with Mexico

By Patrick Andrew

A

fter years of dilly dally over complaints about its recalcitrant secretaries in the various sports federations, the Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has finally wielded the big stick by sacking the secretaries appointed for all the non-

concessioned sports federations.

Hitherto, the secretaries were appointed for the respective sports federations by the commission, supposedly as eyes of the government.

But over the years, the recurrent complaints against them by various leaderships of the federations had been blaring.

Repeatedly they had been accused of being thin gods who

spurned board's directives with aristocratic disdain.

What's more, they allegedly do always impose their decisions on how funds appropriated for the federations are expended, often without recourse to the leadership of their boards.

Besides, they had been accused of lacking entrepreneurial spirit as they demonstrated unhidden

preference for funding from government to which no proper accounts are rendered even as they would shy away from aggressively engaging the private sector to fund the programmes of their respective federations.

Yesterday, the Sports Minister unburdened the leadership of the federations by authorising them to hire their desired secretaries and technical personnel to drive their

machinery for the progress of the sports federations.

"We at the commission will not appoint secretaries or technical director for federations again because the NSC can't be referee in match it is playing. We want them to do whatever they feel can move the federations forwards while the commission will only serve as partner in progress," he said.

In a similar vein, the minister equally said that budgetary allocations to the sports federations are stopped forthwith. "The era of spoon-feeding the sports federations are over," he said stressing that the boards would have to source for funds for their programmes.

This though is far from absolute financial autonomy as they still enjoy some level of support to effect some activities.

This would come in the form three tiers funding structure for sports programmes, which the minister revealed have been created and includes that meant to fund grassroots sports in which the commission will directly locate funds for grassroots programmes.

The second tier is what he called the amber funding which is for selected Olympic sports ( presently seven) in which the country has prospects for medals and finally the green fund- a pool from where funds would be allocated to elite athletes.

According to the minister, who was speaking at the inauguration of the boards of 20 non-concessioned sports federations, technical officials would also draw funds from that pool to upgrade themselves.

However, he was quick to say that sports which currently enjoy Olympic status could only sustain their rating based on performance adding that constant appraisal would be carried out to ascertain whether any sport still retains that status.

Court Order stalls swearing in of HFN board

T

he Minister of Sports, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, yesterday adhered to the court order restraining him from swearing in the board

and leadership of the Handball Federation of Nigeria.

Weekend Peoples Sports recalls that the commission and the sports federations'

electoral panel had been serviced notice from the Federal High Court Abuja restraining them from inaugurating the board.

Yusuf Daudu had emerged victories in the elections conducted on Wednesday, by aggrieved elements faulted the commission for breaching its

Djokovic beaten by Berdych at Italian Open

W

orld number one Novak Djokovic lost 2-6 7-5 64 to Czech Tomas Berdych in the Italian Open quarter-finals.

Serb Djokovic was attempting to win his third Rome title, but had been troubled by pain in his ankle recently.

Frenchman Benoit Paire, 24, reached the first Masters Series semi-final of his career with a 6-

1 6-0 victory over Spaniard Marcel Granollers in Rome.

Djokovic lost in the second round in Madrid last week, and defeat to Berdych, 27, comes a week before the clay-court season reaches its climax at the French Open.

The Australian Open champion looked set for a routine victory when he took a 6-2 5-2 lead, but Berdych broke Djokovic as he served for the match at 5-3.

electoral guidelines and sought redress in the court of law.

In a suit brought before the court by a handball stakeholders group known as Mega Handball Veterans, the group lamented that the commission failed to comply with its Election Guidelines and specifically pointed at the provision that concerns the nomination of stakeholders and appointment of players' representative, which was not properly followed according to the Election Guideline.

The minister said after inaugurating other boards that he was acting in obedience to the court directive but proceeded to say no further on matter.

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013

WEEKEND FIXTURES CAF Confederation Cup St George v ENPPI Stade Malien v LLB Academic JSM Bejaia v Etoile Sahel Sunday TP Mazembe v Liga Enugu Rangers v CS Bizertin v Ismaily French Ligue 1 AS Nancy v Bastia St Etienne v Marseille Troyes v Bordeaux Evian TG v Valenciennes Sochaux v Toulouse Montpellier v Lille Nice v Lyon PSG v Brest Reims v Lorient Rennes v AC Ajaccio German Bundesliga Borussia Dortmund v TSG Hoffenheim B/M'gladbach v B/Munich VfB Stuttgart v Mainz Hannover 96 v Fortuna Dusseldorf Nurnberg v Werder Bremen SC Freiburg v Schalke 04 Augsburg v Greuther Hamburg v Bayer Leverkusen E/Frankfurt v W/burg Italy Serie A Sampdoria v Juventus Sunday Atalanta Bologna Torino Pescara Cagliari Siena Roma Palermo Inter Milan

v Chievo v Genoa v Catania v Fiorentina v Lazio v AC Milan v Napoli v Parma v Udinese

Spanish Primera Liga Getafe v Valencia Granada v Osasuna Sevilla v R/Sociedad Sunday Levante v R/Vallecano Deportivo L/Coruna v Espanyol R/Zaragoza v Athletic Bilbao Barcelona v Valladolid Barclays Premier League Chelsea v Everton Liverpool v QPR Man City v Norwich Newcastle v Arsenal Southampton v Stoke Swansea v Fulham Tottenham v Sunderland West Brom v Man Utd West Ham v Reading Wigan v Aston Villa Nigeria Professional Football League Sharks v Sunshine Heartland v ABS Rangers' v 3SC Nasarawa United v A/United Enyimba v B/United Nembe City v W/Tourists Warri Wolves v K/Pillars Kaduna United v L/ Stars Kwara United v Dolphins Gombe United v El-Kanemi

Argentina, England, South Africa set for Abuja Unity Polo tourney

N

o fewer than 60 polo players from Argentina, England, South Africa and Nigeria are expected to feature in the Abuja Unity Polo Tournament, which will be used to commemorate Democracy Day on May 29.

This was disclosed by the Captain of the Abuja Guard Polo Club, Mustapha Junaidu, who also disclosed that the event is meant to celebrate Nigeria's diversity, fosters peaceful coexistence as well as strengthens unity in the country through sports.

The unity tournament, which is scheduled to kicks-off Monday 20 through May26, will throw up top class players

Mohammed Babangida Nigerian Team captain tries to clear the ball during polo tournament (lead), Abba Yola, Chairman Kano Pillars from Argentina, England, South Africa and Nigeria.

The high goal, which is the President's Cup and the biggest

NWBF cries out for sponsors for African qualifier

V

ictor Anusa, the Secretary, Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball Federation (NWBF), said unless the sponsors come to the rescue of the federation it would be impossible for them to attend the Senior Wheelchair Basketball qualifier in Angola in July.

Anusa, who disclosed that the team had been facing hard times getting sponsorship for the qualifier, said the situation is such that the prospect of participating in the continental seems bleak. ``We have submitted our

proposal to the National Sports Commission (NSC) for the release of funds; we are yet to get any positive response. ``The African qualifier is to get the single ticket to represent the continent at the world championship in Holland later in the year. But I am afraid the senior team may not be able to attend the qualifier due to lack of fund," Anusa said.

The secretary recalled that the national U-23 wheelchair team to World Cup qualifier last month in South Africa was jointly sponsored.

He said they were cosponsored by the Lagos State Government and the federation's Grand Patron, Victor Ochei, who is also the Speaker, Delta House of Assembly. ``However, our senior team seems to be unlucky with no sponsors yet and no response from the NSC,'' he noted.

The secretary said that early camping and probably some warm-up matches would help the players to sharpen their skills for the Angola qualifier.

Edibi excited at FIFA invitation to officiate at U20 World Cup in Turkey South Africa.

N

igeria's FIFA-badged referee, Peter Edibi, is elated at the decision of FIFA to invite him and 68 other referees for the male U-20 World Cup. The competition, which is scheduled for Turkey from June 21 - July 13, will see Nigeria featuring alongside Cuba, Korea Republic and Portugal in Group B. The Flying Eagles will play their first match on June 21 against Cuba at the Kadir Has Stadium, Kayseri.

Edibi, who expressed his delight at the honour by FIFA, said yesterday in Ikom, Cross River state that he would justify the confidence by

working hard to apply the rules of the game fairly.

It would be recalled that in the list, made up of 19 referees and 50 assistant referees, three of the referees are from Africa with Edibi being one of the six assistant referees from the continent.

The referee also expressed delight at the reward of land and money showered on him

by Gov. Liyel Imoke when he received members of the Super Eagles team after they won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Edibi was one of the assistant referees and the only Nigerian that officiated at the continental soccer showpiece in

``I am quite elated. The invitation has also helped in wiping off tears from my eyes because it came shortly after the death of my father,'' he said.

According to Edibi, the appointment by FIFA and the reward by the Imoke administration will spur me to perform better. ``I see myself as Nigeria's Ambassador in the game.

Nigerians and the people of Cross River should not expect anything short of good representation.

Edibi has now logged four AFCON tournaments --- Ghana (2008), Angola (2010), Equatorial Guinea (2012) and South Africa (2013).

players and technical crew to commit total efforts into meeting the target set for them without being distracted by worries over debts.

"We have paid both players and officials their outstanding match bonuses and other debts for the season. The sum of of N35 million was used to settle the allowances,'' Yola

said.

Further, Yola said the state government would release the sign-on fees for the season very soon and noted that Governor Rabi'u Kwankwaso has demonstrated his resolve to support Pillars to achieve both national and continental successes.

trophy of the tournament, will parade the best of the best of Nigerian polo players and polo ponies.

The medium goal is tagged the Legislative shield while the intermediate and low goal would parade six teams with a +3 to +7 goals from various polo clubs in Nigeria.

Some the quest to be expected to attend the event are, Niger State Governor, Aliyu Banbagida, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Demaji Bankole, Ibrahim Mohammed, Minister of Youth Development Inwa Abdul-kadir, Minister of Culture and Tourism Edem Duke and others.

Some of the top players are Landswasa brothers, Deigo, Guazialo Dodieu, Bello Buba brothers, who will feature in four categories namely; the high, medium, intermediate and low goal.

He also revealed that no fewer than four trophies will be won, even as teams from Zaria, Kaduna, Kastina, Bauchi, Keffi Ponys, defending champion Rubicon and Abuja are to feature in the tournament.

By Albert Akota

Badminton Player vow to protect colleagues' interests in board

J

inkam Ifraimu, the newlyelected athletes representative on the board of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), has promised to protect the interests of his teammates in the federation.

Ifraimu, current national number one player, said his plan while on the board would be to ensure a better welfare package for his teammates. ``I will try my best to adequately represent my fellow athletes' interest as a board member. I will ensure that athletes have good welfare packages, especially in the area of local competitions. ``I will ensure that athletes attend regular seminars and workshops, to update their knowledge. I will also embark on sponsorship drive with my colleagues for international championships and overseas seminars and workshops,'' he said.

Pillars pay N35m players' outstanding allowances, says Yola

K

ano Pillars have settled outstanding allowances of players and technical crew amounting to N35 million, according to the chairman of the management board, Alhaji Abba Yola.

Speaking after the board meeting in Kano yesterday, Yola said the club opted to settle the debt to enable the

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013

PAGE 43

Barclays Premier League 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Man Utd Man City Chelsea Arsenal 3 7 Tottenham Everton Liverpool West Brom Swansea West Ham Stoke Norwich Newcastle Southampton Fulham Aston Villa Sunderland Wigan Reading QPR

37 37 37 20 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37

28 23 21 10 20 16 15 14 11 11 9 9 11 9 10 10 9 9 6 4

4 9 9 7 9 15 13 6 13 10 14 14 8 13 10 10 12 8 10 13

5 5 7 71 8 6 9 17 13 16 14 14 18 15 17 17 16 20 21 20

81 64 73 37 65 54 70 48 47 41 33 38 45 48 47 45 41 45 41 30

38 31 38 34 46 38 43 52 48 51 44 56 67 59 60 67 53 71 69 59

43 33 35 70 19 16 27 -4 -1 -10 -11 -18 -22 -11 -13 -22 -12 -26 -28 -29

88 78 72 69 63 58 48 46 43 41 41 41 40 40 40 39 35 28 25

Spanish Primera Liga 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Barcelona 35 Real Madrid 36 Atletico Madrid36 Real Sociedad 3 5 Valencia 35 Malaga 36 Real Betis 35 Sevilla 35 Getafe 35 Rayo Vallecano35 Espanyol 35 Valladolid 35 Levante 35 Athletic Bilbao 3 5 Osasuna 35 Granada 35 Real Zaragoza 3 5 D/ La Coruna 3 5 Celta Vigo 36 Mallorca 35

29 25 22 16 17 15 15 13 13 14 11 11 11 11 9 9 9 7 8 7

4 6 6 11 8 9 7 8 8 4 11 10 9 8 9 9 7 11 7 8

2 5 8 8 10 12 13 14 14 17 13 14 15 16 17 17 19 17 21 20

107 96 62 64 62 49 52 52 42 43 43 46 36 40 29 32 35 44 34 38

38 37 30 45 50 45 54 47 52 61 47 50 53 61 42 53 53 66 52 70

69 59 32 19 12 4 -2 5 -10 -18 -4 -4 -17 -21 -13 -21 -18 -22 -18 -32

91 81 72 59 59 54 52 47 47 46 44 43 42 41 36 36 34 32 31 29

94 80 64 56 44 47 42 42 57 45 35 40 36 48 39 30 40 25

15 40 39 49 38 46 53 45 62 50 53 42 45 63 54 50 66 57

79 40 25 7 6 1 -11 -3 -5 -5 -18 -2 -9 -15 -15 -20 -26 -32

88 66 62 52 51 50 48 47 42 42 42 41 41 34 30 30 28 21

63 42 58 58 54 57 56 38 54 45 47 47 48 40 38 32 43 35 41 30

21 34 37 39 45 31 54 32 51 46 50 56 67 55 48 42 51 55 59 57

42 8 21 19 9 26 2 6 3 -1 -3 -9 -19 -15 -10 -10 -8 -20 -18 -27

77 70 63 60 60 59 53 52 51 45 45 45 43 40 39 39 37 35 34 29

German Bundesliga 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

B/Munich 33 B/Dortmund 33 B/Leverkusen 3 3 Schalke 04 33 SC Freiburg 33 E/Frankfurt 33 Hamburg 33 B/M'gladbach 3 3 Hannover 96 3 3 Wolfsburg 33 VfB Stuttgart 3 3 Mainz 33 Nurnberg 33 W/Bremen 33 F/Dusseldorf 33 Augsburg 33 TSG Hoffenheim33 G/ Furth 33

28 19 18 15 14 14 14 12 12 10 12 10 10 8 7 7 7 4

4 9 8 7 9 8 6 11 6 12 6 11 11 10 9 9 7 9

1 5 7 11 10 11 13 10 15 11 15 12 12 15 17 17 19 20

French Ligue 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

PSG Marseille Lyon Lille Nice St Etienne Lorient Bordeaux Montpellier Toulouse Valenciennes Rennes Bastia Sochaux AC Ajaccio Reims Evian TG AS Nancy Troyes Brest

36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36

23 21 18 16 17 15 14 12 15 11 11 13 12 10 9 9 9 8 7 8

8 7 9 12 9 14 11 16 6 12 12 6 7 10 14 12 10 11 13 5

5 8 9 8 10 7 11 8 15 13 13 17 17 16 13 15 17 17 16 23

Tottenham hope for Arsenal's scalp for top four finish

By Patrick Andrew

J

ust like last season when the eventual English Premier League champions was decided in the death of time in the Man City versus QPR clash, (Man United were almost certain they have nipped it) this year's top four finish remains unsettled until the very last moment of the 2012/ 2013 season.

For months now, while Man United were confirmed winners with eight games to spare, the top four positions remained contentious with Man City, Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea and somewhat Everton within reach of the remaining three spots.

However, Rafael Benitez did the magic and Chelsea joined Man City in the coast to safety. That left Tottenham under the watch of Andre Villa-Boas and Arsene Wenger's Arsenal in hectic battle for the fourth place.

Whereas Arsenal sealed the fate of Wigan courtesy 4-1 bashing, Tottenham's hope dimmed after the draw with Chelsea, one game many had hoped going by their form they would wrap up. But they rekindled their aspiration with an inspiring winning at the stadium of Britannia beating Stoke City there.

However, against the backdrop of Arsene Wenger's top four finish quip: 'like winning a trophy' a fourth place finish for the London club is a priority and means more to the Emirate faithfuls than winning the Barclays shield itself.

Therein lies the Herculean battle for both North London clubs. Arsenal though seem to have a lighter challenge as they travel to St James' Park today to confront Newcastle, who are safe

from the murky waters of relegation: that to Tottenham's annoyance and pains. Had Arsenal in battle with a tougher opponents and perhaps one in dire need of a victory, the contest would have seem even.

Of course, that's understandable; the contest could have been fiercer were Newcastle threatened by relegation just like Sunderland who must survive Spurs' onslaught to escape, perhaps with the skin of their teeth, from the vicious grip of relegation.

Tottenham will hope that Arsenal crumple while they win at White Hart Lane. The duo though would have themselves to blame- Spurs for letting what seemed an unassailable lead slip following their derby victory, and Arsenal for having fought their way back only to blow it.

All Andre Villas-Boas' men can do at White Hart Lane versus is Sunderland is win, and cross their fingers.

Indeed, in theory it is they who have the easier game, with home advantage against a team missing key players through suspension and having to rely on Danny Graham to score his first goal for the club.

Arsenal have Olivier Giroud back at their disposal, after the France international's three-match ban, and he is likely to return to the starting XI, in spite of Lukas Podolski's brace during midweek.

Mikel Arteta, though, is set to miss out with a calf injury, which means the oxygen tent Jack Wilshere is kept in is about to be unzipped, ahead of his minor ankle surgery following the season's conclusion. Make no mistake about it, Arsenal having it in their hands means little, for they have the propensity to capitulate.

Spurs have their rave of the moment in Emmanuel Adebayo, whose vein of form is incredible and should hope for Gary Bale's sensation to deal in their Sunderland and pray for the worst to happen to Arsenal and then a place in Europe's elite clubs' fiesta: UEFA Champions League.

15 premiership clubs owe players, coaches, says APFON

T

he Association of Professional Footballers of Nigeria (APFON) has revealed that 15 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) are in debted to players and coaches ranging from the period of six months to 18 months salary arrears and other allowances.

Accordingly, the association has urged the League Management Committee (LMC) to prevail on the clubs to settle these debts as well as strive to hard improve on the welfare of players and coaches.

A statement signed by Austin Popo, the Chairman of APFON, in Lagos yesterday acknowledged the turn-around being effected in the running of the league, but appealed to the LMC to ensure that the entitlements of players and coaches were settled.

It urged the LMC to deduct the money at source and settle

the players and coaches, in accordance with the Arbitration Panel decisions of 2010.

It noted that the efforts of the league body would not make significant impact on the game, if the issue of players' welfare were not addressed.

The statement added that the clubs had not shown good faith and willingness to comply with arbitration decisions and noted that only five clubs have reasonably met their obligations to their players and coaches.

According to the statement, the15 clubs heavily indebted to their players and technical officials and have thus failed to comply with the rules and regulation covering professional football are: Akwa United, Rangers, Enyimba, Bayelsa United, Nasarawa FC, Kano Pillars and Wikki Tourist.

Others are: Sunshine Stars, Sharks, Dolphin, El Kanemi Warriors, Heartland, Warri Wolves and Niger Tornadoes.

PAGE 44

P I C T O R I A L

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013

Diego Simeone says Real Madrid may have more individual quality but he is confident his hardworking Atletico Madrid side can pull off a shock

Retiring greats: who achieved the most out of Beckham, Owen and Scholes? Plus Premier League news conferences

Glen's Diamond denied French favourite Top Trip in a photo-finish to win a thrilling chase for the Yorkshire Cup.

Former England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson is included in a five-strong shortlist for European Player of the Year.

Maria Sharapova's preparations for the French Open suffered a setback after she withdrew from the Italian Open because of illness.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013

PAGE 45

Interview Constant interaction with youths have brought peace to Delta state – Hon. Ijomah Hon. Ebifa Ijomah is the Commissioner for Youth Development in Delta State. In this interview with EMMANUEL EKO, Ijomah said that the land mark achievements of the state government through his ministry, particularly in carrying the youths along in the governance of the state has brought relative peace every Deltan enjoys now Excerpts: What is the journey so far about youth development and empowerment in Delta State under the administration of His Excellency, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan?

First of all, I think his Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has done very well.

Before you can actually achieve success in matters that affect the youth in any society, you must first of all have passion and love for the youth and the younger generation. His Excellency is a youth loving person and he is man that has been able to create the enabling environment for young people who have things to offer in terms of intellectual capabilities and those that can also drive economic development thereby adding value to his administration.

I think he has done well.

These things are evident in the various skills acquisition centres he set up and, his micro credit scheme which has empowered many people in Delta State. This scheme has also positioned our people to start their little businesses. There is the scholarship scheme offered by His Excellency the Governor, to every citizen of Delta State who makes a first class, and this gesture of government to the youths encourages them to further their education to whatever level they want to attain in any university of their choice in the world. So you can see that a man, who has all these programs lined up definitely, has the interest of the youths at heart.

How has the state government been able to connect to the youths at the grass root since the inception of this administration?

To drive any organization, you must position people who have the passion and determination to achieve. They must be target driven and result oriented. In driving the ministry of youth at whatever level, weather at the federal or at the state level, you must be able to put round pegs in round holes.

Putting people that can affect the system in various positions at every point in time, we must also understand that you only put people that can relate and communicate with the youths.

You don't expect to achieve results when you bring a 70 year old man and expect him to convince a young man who is still growing and full of life, and has a lot of expectations; the young man as it is will not see reasons why that man should advice him. He may take the advice but he will say oh, you

have outlived your time. But when you put people who are on the same age group or who can actually come to their level, young people who still have the energy and time and realize that they still have a long way to go in their career and life, they perform better and that is what His Excellency Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan has done with my appointment. The government has been able to relate better with the youths at the grass root.

As a young man with the required verve, energy and drive I have tried to represent the Delta State Government with the youths at that level all over the state. I think we have so far done well in adding value by keying into the mind-set of this age range and with their peers.

Delta State for a long time now seems to be enjoying a visible presence of peace, what is the secret and strategy your ministry and government have put in place to achieve this?

Like I said earlier, the secret of the success of the peace we enjoy today is to the credit of His Excellency who gives me the support to perform. Like I said, whoever wants to understand what we do, can actually meet with His Excellency for some lectures, because we have put strategies in place that are working, and it is not rocket science, but it is all about reaching out, bridging the gap and constant communication.

To achieve such results, you must be selfless, you must be willing to take up the mantle of leadership and act as soon as situations arise. You must be on point and on time at every instance to address issues.

Basically it is about direct connect, communication and bridging the communication gap, where they are identified, keeping in touch with them, running an open door policy and giving them that mindset that we are here for you and we are ready to listen to you at any point in time.

Do you think your office is open to every youth in the state?

At every point in time, whoever comes to see me has access to me. Be it in the morning or evening. This also includes if am in the office or at home because I receive everybody. A young man who has an issue and sees you as a channel to pour out his grievances and walks up to you and does not have access to you, and he realizes that he has spent so much to come from a very far place, will still go back more disgruntled and aggrieved.

So what we do, is to leave our doors open because what we

Hon. Ebifa Ijomah believe is that, as they come to us and can access us, it helps to douse the tension, anger and calm their frayed nerves, and that is the way out of youth restiveness and agitation.

Kidnapping is one of the major crimes youths are involved in today in Delta State. What are the proactive measures the ministry of Youth Development have taken to curb the situation?

These are purely security issues and they require stiff security measures. Like I said, what we do is to keep repositioning the mindset of the youths, reaching out to them, talking to them, organizing orientation programmes for them to educate them on the ills of kidnapping, related crimes and the damage it can cause to society and the individuals themselves.

We keep reaching out to them, making them understand the negative effects of the crime of kidnapping on the economy of the state and also on them as individuals. Like I said, it is purely a security issue and the security agencies are doing their best and we are doing our bit through advocacy for mindset change in the youths, moving their focus away from all types of crimes against the people, and against the state.

How do you spread youth e m p o w e r m e n t programmes in the state for maximal results?

We have a structure, and

also we realize that to achieve full success we need structures that cut across the 25 local government areas of the state.

We have spoken to the youth leaders and have made them understand that even as youths, they have the mandate to carry the people along, especially in the communities they reside in.

We go out and reach them in their various communities to interact with them, especially the youth leaders who in turn, spread the gospel of positive mind set change among the youths in their communities.

On a regular basis we organize workshops, seminars, summits and other interactive sessions. We also have decided that visiting with the people will be the only way that we will be able to know their needs and thereby assist us to learn about their challenges, and tackle them at that material time. We have engaged many communities in town hall meetings and we have seen that it really helped in some positive decision making by the state government.

The truth is that everybody will be happy when you visit him or her in their natural environment as a government: Youths usually respect and recognise the humility of the power of government, especially when this humility is displayed by government representatives when they mingle with the people at the grass root levels of society.

How is Delta State keying into President Goodluck Jonathan's job creation

initiatives through agriculture as far as youth empowerment is concerned?

The administration of our Governor Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan is looking at Delta beyond oil. Job creation is not just a Delta State factor but a global issue. This administration under has introduced a programme called Youth Empowerment Through Agriculture (YETA), which is being handled by the Ministry of Agriculture in the state. They are working and I must commend them for their creative initiatives to drive the vision of his Excellency in job creation through agriculture.

We are talking to them and developing the platform for interfacing with them so that we can generate the manpower input by re-orientating the youths to key-in and embrace agriculture as a viable route out of unemployment and poverty.

This is a major means of youth engagement for job creation and His Excellency means to drive this vision as the new stimuli for our state economy beyond oil.

What advice do you have for the youths in Delta State and Nigeria at large?

The popular saying is that, we the youths are the leaders of tomorrow, but I can say that we are the leaders of today for tomorrow. If we learn the ropes of leadership today we can embrace leadership tomorrow with good governance as a legacy from our experience today.

It is in visible evidence that many youths are occupying strategic positions today either in government or in the private sector and they are doing very well. If we have to be involved in nation building, and serve our elders in pursuing good governance for tomorrow, we must be humble and dedicated, patriotic and finally, we must disabuse our minds of all forms of evil tendencies.

We must build our minds towards serving our communities and Nigeria thereby growing our society to become a better place for all of us. The key word is for all of us to be good ambassadors and stakeholders in nation building and be commendable flag bearers of the communities we all represent, especially as youths who have been given the privilege to be in today's leadership.

“

To achieve such results, you must be selfless, you must be willing to take up the mantle of leadership and act as soon as situations arise.

You must be on point and on time at every instance to address issues.

PAGE 46

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013

Insight

Decline of textile industry in northern Nigeria and way forward

By Fatima Ibrahim

T

he Tsunami that has swept the Nigerian Textile industry has more negative socio-economic implications in the Northern region than in other parts of the country. In fact, the Nigerian textile industry has its base in north. And it has collapsed!

All of us may have contributed in one way or the other-corrupt leaders, weak policies, lack of incentives to cotton growers, poor energy policies that led to high energy costs, indifference and sometimes lack of courage to speak out. A huge problem that is sending several of our compatriots into the labour market and loss of source of livelihood is staring us in the face.

A short historical exploration of the development of the textile industry in Northern Nigeria and the present sorry state of affair are necessary in this context.

In late forties, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello the Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier of Northern Nigeria had a vision for the industrialization of the region. He established the Kano Textile factory in Gwammaja, Kano and the Kaduna Textile Mill KTL to use the abundant cotton produced by farmers in the region.

Kano became a textile marketing city and Kaduna also developed into a textile city as other factories and support services, such as the spinning and weaving industries blossomed. Marketers of Kadunamade textile materials; mainly African prints also carved a niche for themselves by selling these products locally and exporting to neighbouring countries.

How all that was to change- as well all watched with hopelessness as one textile factory after another closed shop. The last factory to have been affected last year was the United Nigeria Textile UNTL which sued to produce fine was that was a good match for any imported brand.

The scaling down of operations of UNTL opened another unpleasant chapter in the North's declining textile industry and economic downturn. It was established in 1964 by the Northern region government of Sir Ahmadu Bekllo in the heat of the healthy competition that existed among Western and Northern regions for industrial supremacy. At the peak of its production, in the 90s, the company had well over 20,000 employees but when it recently closed shop, the work force had shrunk to only 4,000, all of whom have now been thrown into the unemployment market.

The closure of textile factories

was not limited to Kaduna, but was repeated in Funtua, the head quarters of the cotton production belt, the commercial centre of Northern states.

Set to close shop are many mills in an industry that has shrunk from more than 200 mills employing over one million workers in the 1980s to 20 mills now employing fewer than 20,000 workers.

We are gradually losing the sectors- agriculture and textile that really defines the competitiveness of Northern Nigeria.

The problem in the industry started in the days of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), when the cotton commodity boards responsible for the growth and sustenance of cotton, the most important raw material for textile manufacturing, were scrapped.

The government then introduced an Approved User Scheme which made the importation of raw materials, such as viscose and polyester yarns, a difficult task for textile manufacturers.

Nigeria's policy makers should do well to disregard the prescription of outsiders and formulate policies that will protect the interests of local industries and the less privileged ones.

The oil boom should also be blamed for the neglect of the agricultural and industrial sector of the country and its over reliance on crude oil as the major source of revenue.

Northern policy makers and all of us, to a large extent should accept responsibility for not initiating real policies to vigorously diversify the region's economy away from oil.

The factors responsible for the closure of UNTL and other textile companies in the North are: high cost of operation (including inadequate supply of water, power and raw materials), unstable business environment, the activities of smugglers and pirates of textile products and high cost of accessing facilities from banks.

Others are inconsistent government policies, the negative effect of globalization and energy problem.

Obviously, these factors are not limited to the textile sector alone, as many companies from other sectors are closing shop for the same reasons. The textile sector is worse hit because of the high incidence of smuggling.

About 80 per cent of textile consumption in Nigeria comes from smuggled textile materials from China and other Asian countries. Only 20 percent of consumption is from the local industries, while 40 million litres

of textile are smuggle to Africa from China, out of which Nigeria consumes 40 percent of this.

Technological gap in the industry is another factor plaguing the textile industry in the country, especially in the area of weaving mills. Labour productivity in spinning operations is not high because of low capacity utilization and inadequate provision for on-the-job training. Low productivity levels limit export possibilities.

There seems to be improper coordination in the process of disbursement of the Federal Government's intervention fund for the textile industry, and accessing the loan might be so rigorous for a sector that needs urgent support.

In addition, analysts say that the manufacturing fund to revive the textile industry was commendable, but observed that the problems of the industry have gone beyond money because, when the basic infrastructure such as regular power supply are not there to boost production, the money may still be invested in the sector and be spent on infrastructure which should have been provided by government.

If the problems in the textile industry and the manufacturing sector as a whole are to be effectively tackled, Northern State governments should in collaboration wit the Federal Government take definite measures to revive the manufacturing sector through deliberate and implementation of policies that would overhaul the country's infrastructure and give locally manufactured goods better patronage.

Way forward The decline in the textile industry in the industry in the region is redeemable if certain steps are taken by all the stakeholdersgovernments especially, and all of us gathered here today.

These steps are the following: 1. Effective and hastened implementation of the N70 billion Textile industry revival fund. This will ensure that operators and companies in the sector who are in dire need of financial lifeline get it in order to commence operation, purchase equipment and raw materials.

Northern State Governments could pool resources together and provide counter-part fund to match the Federal Government's intervention for textile operators in the region.

2. Government should ensure that the nation's borders are well guided against smuggling. The Federal Government and some

Fatima Ibrahim Asian countries need to sign antismuggling agreements, as was done by NAFDAC to check counterfeit drugs from India.

3. Cotton farming and spinning should be encouraged on a large scale. Garment industries should be established along textile factories to effectively utilize the products. Women who are mostly in this business should be given adequate training.

4. Strengthen the Nigerian Custom service to effectively monitor the boarders to check smuggling. There may be need to constitute an Anti-smuggling Task Force (ATF), which can also draw strength from other agencies to ensure that there are no leakages.

5. As part of the clean-up in the Nigerian financial system, the Central Bank of Nigeria should come up with macro-economic policies to address the declining value of the Naira against other international currencies. This will create stability in the local economy and instill confidence in the minds of investors to continue to investing in the textile industry.

6. Government should have strong textile products' import regulation policy which will require 10% levy on all textile imports into the country. If this levy is approved and implemented, it would generate a lot of revenue to government and would resolve the intractable problem of raising funds to bail out the garment industry and act as a deterrent to importers.

7. Since the textile industry is the largest sector in North and is such a huge area capable of employing many people, State Governments should see its revival as a key factor in quickening job creation and poverty alleviation which are the planks on which they are building their developmental programmes.

8. Improved power supply in the country will cut overhead of textile companies by one-third. It is important that government delivers on its promise of 6000 Megawatts of electricity before the end of the year. It will not only give

life to major garment manufacturers operating in the country, but also to those ancillary businesses that depend on them.

Opportunity for use of solar energy and wind mills to generate electricity abounds in the North and is recommended.

9. Addressing the problem of inconsistency in government policies is one basic issue that need sto be resolved, especially policies concerning the textile industry.

10. Additionally, the Nigerian government should encourage those Asian countries like India, Korea, China, Malaysia, etc. from which textile products are smuggled into Nigeria to invest in the country rather than see the country as a dumping ground.

11.

Banks should be encouraged to give low interest loans to the Textile industry. The Central Bank of Nigeria should do something about the prohibitive lending rate which has contributed to the collapse of manufacturing sector.

Conclusion These measures are not exhaustive. Each and every one of us has a role to play if the textile industry in the North is to go back to what it used to be.

Given the north's huge population, there are basic requirements of citizens for fabric which must be met. Some of these are provision of uniforms for pupils and students of various institutions from nursery , primary to secondary level, uniforms for professionals such as the military, paramilitary organizations, medical workers, industrial garments, corporate wear, under wear, t-shirts, baby dresses, beddings, sportswear, etc.

We can leverage on this huge potential to re-launch the textile industry in the North not only to the national and regional levels, but also to the international level where there will be greater returns on our efforts.

Contributed by Fatima Ibrahim, politician, activist and fashion designer

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013

PAGE 47

From the Pulpit Who are you listening to? (I)

P

raise the Lord! I welcome you to the second part of this series which I began last week. Before I stopped last week, I said you shouldn't listen to rumour mongers or backbiters; you shouldn't listen to those who want to cause enmity between you and someone else, and are giving you unsolicited information.

Unfortunately, Saul listened to the Ziphites who came to tell him that David was hiding in the hill of Hachilah, opposite Jeshimon. So Saul went again in pursuit of David to kill him, and this was the second time David could have killed Saul but David again refused listening to his men's suggestion. "So David and Abishai came to the people by night; and there Saul lay sleeping within the camp, with his spear stuck in the ground by his head. And Abner and the people lay all around him. Then Abishai said to David, 'God has delivered yourenemyintoyourhandthisday.Now therefore,please,letmestrikehimatonce with the spear, right to the earth; and I will not have to strike him a second time!'

ButDavidsaidtoAbishai,'Donotdestroy him; for who can stretch out his hand against the LORD's anointed, and be guiltless?'" (1 Sam 26:7-9 NKJV) On this occasion, David actually prophesied the end of Saul! "David said furthermore, 'As the LORD lives, the LORD shall strike him, or his day shall come to die, or he shall go out to battle and perish.' The LORD forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the LORD's anointed. But please, take now the spear and the jug of water that are by his head, and let us go." (1 Sam 26:9-11 NKJV) Saul later perished in battle; David didn't kill him. He only took the spear and the jug of water by Saul's head.

David and his men went away - no man saw or knew it; they were not awake but were all asleep, "because a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen on them."

Don't listen to those who set you against others. Don't become a victim of others' devices. Hear what David told Saul: "If the LORD has stirred you up against me, then let him accept my offering. But if this is simply a human scheme, then may those involved be cursedbytheLORD."(1Sam26:19NLT) The enmity between Saul and David must have been a human scheme consideringthefactthatDavidhadasked Saul in 1 Sam 24:9 why he was listening to the words of men who said he sought his harm. Once again, beware of rumour mongers - they have their own motive.

What are those around you telling you?

In 1 Sam 30, David and his men pursued, overtook and recovered all that the Amalekites who had raided and burnt Ziklag had carried off from David's campincludingthewomen,childrenand everyone else. After this victory, David demonstrated that he was not just a great warrior but a very considerate leader because he was very careful the kind of advice he listened to. 1 Sam 30:21-22 says, "When they reached Besor Brook and met the two hundred men who had been too tired to go with them, David greeted them joyfully. But some troublemakers among David's men said, 'They didn't go with us, so they can't have any of the plunder. Give them their wives and children, and tell them to be gone.'"

(NLT) Thatsoundedlikeaveryfairdecision.

But David knew that was not a good decision; he knew it would bring division into the camp. Hear what he said: "No,

FAITH DISCOURSE WITH

Pastor W. F. Kumuyi Matthew 5:6

C

h r i s t 's teaching on the Mount began when He saw in the multitudes their need of the saving revelation of God (Matthew 5:1; 9:36;Mark6:34).Christwasmovedwith compassion on the people He saw.

Apparently, they lacked the strength, energy and sustaining grace to live the Kingdom life and so He taught them.

Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shallbecomforted.Blessedarethemeek: for they shall inherit the earth."

The fourth beatitude is, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled " (Matthew 5:6). The judgement of God on earth and the fear of eternal judgement make the inhabitants of the world to seek and desire righteousness (Isaiah 26:9). Jesus reveals that we, as believers, can be filled with righteousness. And this happens when we are passionate for it. It is possible to be full of righteousness. It is possible to be full, to be filled with (1) the fruits of righteousness (Philippians 1:11), (2) joy (Acts 13:52), (3) goodness and knowledge (Romans 15:14), (4) desired

physical blessings (Mark 7:27-30), (5) wisdom and spiritual understanding (Colossians 1:9), (6) the Holy Ghost (Acts 4:31), (7) the fulness of God (Ephesians 3:19). There is no limit to the infilling and fulness of any true believer who is really thirsty for God. 1. THE GREAT PASSION OF THE THIRSTY Matthew 5:6; Psalms 42:1,2; 63:1,8; 84:2; 143:4-6.

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness…."

Hunger and thirst, in the natural, are indicative desires that show you are alive and not dead. Though you might not be saturated yet, but when you hunger and thirst after righteousness, it shows that you are spiritually alive.

True spiritual yearning and thirst for God's righteousness moves the believer into the action of prayer, and into places where he can be satisfied. "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?" (Psalm 42:1, 2). The spiritually alive manifests a longing, a passion and a desire to possess the nature of God. Like the hart, when your longing for the sustaining water of life is a consuming one, you will leave everything you do to

my brothers! Don't be selfish with what the LORD has given us. He has kept us safe and helped us defeat the enemy. Do you think anyone will listen to you when you talk like this? We share and share alike - those who go to battle and those who guard the equipment." (Verses 2324 NLT) From then on, David made this a law for all of Israel, which they continued to follow.

Did you see the quality of David's decision contrary to what those who wanted to cause confusion asked him to do? Beware of the type of information or advice those around you are giving you; don't take hook, line and sinker what those in leadership position under you are telling you.

Distill the information they are giving you. Every leader should be aware of this otherwise he will be used by the leaders under him to achieve their hidden agenda.

David demonstrated a large heart which every leader should have. He was generous not only to those following him who some people had wanted to be denied of the booty, he went ahead to share the spoil with others who were not even in his army. "When he arrived at Ziklag, David sent part of the plunder to the leaders of Judah, who were his friends. 'Here is a present for you, taken from the LORD's enemies,' he said. The gifts were sent to the leaders of the following towns where David and his men had been: Bethel, Ramoth-negev, Jattir, Aroer, Siphmoth, Eshtemoa, Racal,thetownsoftheJerahmeelites,the towns of the Kenites, Hormah, Borashan, Athach, Hebron, and all the other places they had visited." (Verses 26-31 NLT) What a great thing David did! But

GREEN PASTURES

By Pastor T.O. Banso cedarministryintl@yahoo.com GSM: 08033113523 did you notice that without David knowing it a season of his life was just about to pass away because Saul was just about to die. Chapter 31, the very next chapterafterthisincident,thelastchapter of 1 Sam, details the death of Saul. David thereafter began to rule as king first over the tribe of Judah for seven years and later over the entire nation of Israel 33 years.

Who are you listening to? Advice is good. (Pr 11:14, 12:15, 15:22, 19:20, 20:5, 18, 27:9) But don't listen to just any counsel but wise counsel. "For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety."

Prov 24:6 KJV) Don't despise advice you'llalwaysneedgoodadvice.Prov25:11 says, "Timely advice is as lovely as golden apples in a silver basket." (NLT) You must know that it is not everybody who gives good advice. "The godly give good advice, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense."(Prov10:21NLT)Prov10:31says, "The godly person gives wise advice, but the tongue that deceives will be cut off."

(NLT) According to Prov 15:7, "Only the wise can give good advice; fools cannot do so." (NLT) I believe God has spoken to you already. Who are you listening to?

Respond to God now!

TAKE ACTION! If you are not born again, you need

to give your life to Jesus. I urge you to take the following steps:*Admit you're a sinner and you can't save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life - your relationship with thedevilandhisworks.*InviteJesusinto your life. *As a mark of seriousness to matureinthefaith,starttoattendaBiblebelieving, Bible-teaching church. There you will be taught how to grow in the Kingdom of God. Kindlysaythisprayernow:"0Lord God, I come unto you today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and resurrected the third day. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour and surrender my life to him today. I invite Jesus into my heart today.

By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank you Jesus for saving me and making me a child of God" I believe you have said this prayer fromyourheart.Congratulations!Youwill need to join a Bible believing, Bible teaching church in your area where you will be taught how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things becoming all God wants you to be.

Abundant provision for the thirsty seek it and run after it. Physical thirst has the power to redirect your thoughts, imagination and feelings and get them focused on the possible solution. Then, you passionately seek to satisfy that quest. So also is hunger for righteousness. When the thirst or hunger for righteousness is in you, material things, friends, people, opportunities and privileges will not be important to you at that moment.

Why are many people so indifferent to spiritual things? They are not thirsty and hungry for them because they are satisfied without the river of life. Even when God wants to fill them with His righteousness, He does not find them thirsty. How can they be made thirsty?

It is by waking them from spiritual deadness through salvation and restoration. The passion of the thirsty is an (i) individual desire, (ii) internal desire, (iii) intense desire, (iv) increasing desire, (v) incomparable desire, (vi) interminable desire, and (vii) instructive/influential desire.

2. GOD'S PROMISE TO THE THIRSTY Matthew 5:6; Isaiah 44:3; 41:17,18; 55:1-3; Psalms 37:3,4; 21:1,2; 145:16-18; Hebrews 10:22,23.

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled ". God is ready to fill us with righteousness according to His promise. But He first identifies the believer to find out how thirsty for righteousness he is before releasing the blessing. He keeps what He has; He does not play with or waist precious resources of the Kingdom on those that

do not need them. God wants us to manifest thirst before He pours righteousness upon us. "For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods uponthedryground:Iwillpourmyspirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring " (Isaiah 44:3). He does not grant righteousness, as an experience, to just anyone. He gives to those who manifest and reveal their heart-hunger and earnestness for it. The only thing that satisfies a child of God is righteousness. There is something deadly wrong with a Christian who is not thirsty after the righteousness of God. God's promises to fill the thirsty with righteousness are great. But we must thirst and respond to His call so He can fulfil them in our lives.

He has given His Son, Jesus Christ to atone for your sin and make full provision for your righteousness. If you passionately desire His righteousness, "…he shall give thee the desires of thine heart" (Psalm 37:4). God imparts His nature of holiness to those who are alive in Christ and thirst for it. And if we have not experienced the promised fulness of righteousness, it is because we have failed to do our part of passionately desiring it. If we desire and seek Him with faith He will fulfil His promise.

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." He will fill us with His righteousness. When God makes promises He fulfils them, when the conditions are met: "… for he is faithful that promised " (Hebrews 10:23).

3. GRACIOUS PROVISION FOR THE THIRSTY Matthew 5:6; 6:33; Psalms 48:9,10;

118:19-21; Isaiah 45:8,24; 46:12,13; 51:1,5,6; Hosea 10:12.

Righteousness is not a product of human endeavour, trial, struggle or work. It is a provision of the grace of God. A study of the word "seek" in both Old and New Testaments reveals a list of things God commands us to seek after.

But many Christians today do not seek the fulness God has promised and provided for through the vicarious death of Christ. When you examine yourself sincerely and compare the list of what you seek with what God asks believers to seek after in His Word, you will discover a wide margin of disparity. The same applies to Christian assemblies whose posters and handbills display their passion and emphasis and what they call people to seek. But if the church is going to please God and remain at the centre of His will, it must abandon all the temporary but legitimate things it is preoccupied with to seek His righteousness. God has provided for our righteousness. Therefore, He issues a command: "seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33). Even in the Old Testament, saints of God sought, desired and thirsted for God's righteousness and God answered their prayer. And if our desire is so intense, and we seek the Lord in prayer, He will fill us with His righteousness. But if symptoms of decay and death are visible in your life, repent of your sins. To be filled with His righteousness, "break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you" (Hosea 10:12).

BIG PUNCH “Warri Prison was built in 1805; Azare in 1816, Degema in 1855, while the newest, Zing, was built in 2011. Bauchi, Ningi and Misau prisons were built in 1820, 1827 and 1831 in that order”.

— NHRC report

SATURDAY 18 — SUNDAY 19, MAY, 2013

How many more canaries must die...?

War, Gore Vidal writes in his State of The Union 1958-2005, is solvent. 'But what...was a design to acquire an empire,' Vidal says about America's addiction to war, 'is for us a means to transfer money from the Treasury to the various defense industries, which in turn pay for the elections of Congress and President.' A nation may be impoverished to the point of bankruptcy, its institutions may be in a state of decay, it may itself be in absolute decline - but it will always find an excuse to go to war, and the means to finance war, precisely because war brings money and money makes power. In war people suffer pain and death, particularly the innocent, the weak, the poor.

War may bring glory to nations, but promiscuous war brings a nation to its knees. Leaders often go to war not because there is a pressing need for war but solely because they want to remain in power.

Reflecting on the Boston Bombing of April 15, 2013 which occurred barely a day before the Baga massacre, now infamous throughout the world, perpetrated by the Nigerian Army, Richard Falk, a world renown scholar of International Law, and UN special rapporteur on human rights in Palestine, suggests that the sad incident calls for soul searching and self scrutiny from the American people. 'It is better to move forward with calm resolve and a re-commitment to the revolutionary ideals that midwifed the birth of the American nation,' he writes.

'Such responses are generally benevolent, especially when compared to the holy war fevers espoused by national leaders, the media, and a vengeful public...that also embraced Islamophobic falsehoods.'

America, he suggests further, had gone on promiscuous wars on the basis of such falsehoods, causing destructions and hardships on an unprecedented scale. Its actions are, however, yielding results, but mostly not the types that are desirable or expected. After ravaging Iraq and Afghanistan almost beyond foreseeable recovery America

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itself has not found real security, however measured. On the contrary, 'these unlawful wars wasted trillions expended over the several years during which many Americans were enduring the hardships and pain of the deepest economic recession' in living memory. The Boston Bombing awakened many an American to the realization that injustice can and does elicit blowbacks, as no nation is immune from the natural and inevitable consequences of its actions. Those to whom evil is done/do evil in return!

It has become imperative for America, for the sake of its own future, to embark on a process of self-scrutiny and self adjustment. Otherwise 'such adjustments will eventually come about either as a result of a voluntary process of selfreflection or through the force of unpleasant events.' America is 'a menace to the world and to itself' because of its easy, and in most cases, unjustifiable use of military prowess. 'The signature irony is that the more American decline is met by a politics of denial, the more rapid and steep will be the decline, and the more abrupt and risky will be the necessary shrinking of the global leadership role so long played by the United States,' Richard Falk asserts. Agonising on a situation where the tiny powerful see the vast majority as mere canaries bribe them or otherwise coerce them into submission - Falk concludes his reflection in these words: We should be asking ourselves at this moment, how many canaries will have to die before we awaken from our geopolitical fantasy of global domination?'

At our national level, we are apt to reflect in more or less similar manner. Domination, however fantasized, is a root cause of the current crisis. The great majority of the people in the system which produces the kind of democracy we all must endure in our country are seen and treated as canaries, not humans. These canaries may be scholars, professionals, soldiers or ordinary men and women, but to those who exercise and enjoy power, they constitute mere

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WEEKEND with

Ibraheem Sulaiman sa427420@gmail.com

President Goodluck Jonathan fodder to their ambitions. 'For 200 years we have had an oligarchical system in which men of property can do well and the others are on their own,' Gore Vidal says it as succinctly as he could. 'Or, as Brooks Adams put it, the sole problem of our ruling class is whether to coerce or to bribe the powerless majority.

The so-called Great Society bribed; today coercion is very much in the air.' Those who carry arms, those who spy, those who judge, those who collectively bear the burden of keeping the state alive and in perfect health, have all become instruments of coercion, the fodder. They murder, torture, oppress one another in their various capacities so that the men of property can do well.

As Nigeria declares war on itself, its unbalanced and repressive political structure is unashamedly exposed. Governor Hashim Shettima of Borno, whose state, one of the poorest places on earth, is at the receiving end of the Nigeria's descent into cannibalism, is very clear about the source of the

gruesome, escalating tragedy.

'Underneath the mayhem of Boko Haram, beneath the madness lies the underlying cause which is extreme poverty and destitution which have permeated all spectrums of our society,' he said recently. 'Only and until we address some of these issues, believe me, the future is very bleak for all of us as the current crisis is just an appetizer of things to come. Very soon the youths of this country will be chasing us away.'

Furthermore: 'The most important thing in Nigeria is all about the last election and the next election, that is the only thing that is agitating our minds. How we can perpetuate ourselves in power, how much we can steal, how many mansions we can buy in Florida, Dubai and London, these are the things agitating the minds of the elite of this country, including you and I.' So as Revolution looms, while Nigeria is seized by hysteria rather than great brilliance, wisdom, and deep thinking, the question to ask is: How many more canaries must

die before the ruling class come to their senses?

We are where we are now as a result of a monumental failure of governance, an embarrassing and unforgivable failure of the security services, and a general betrayal of the nation by those who have sworn to protect it.

Nigeria is caught up between a feckless government, a brutal army, a ferocious insurrection and one hundred and fifty million canaries, cowed by bribery or coercion. John Campbell [cfr.org], a former American ambassador to Nigeria has rightly urged the world to discount the lies being peddled by Nigeria. Remove the lies, and you will see an orchestrated policy, as Campbell and many other honest and impartial observers have discerned, to alienate Northern Nigeria 'from the Abuja government and, increasingly, from the Federation.' In his words: 'As for the United States and other friends of Nigeria the first principle must be "do no harm."

The Islamist insurrection is the result of internal, specifically Nigerian, factors, especially a history of poor governance, impoverishment, and political marginalization against the backdrop of an Islamic revival.

It would be unwise to view Nigeria's situation through the prism of jihadist movements elsewhere in Africa, even if they share some of the same vocabulary.'

In addition: 'Nigeria's friends should urge Abuja to approach the North through political means, rather than through more violence. A U.S. relationship with the Nigerian military would be particularly high risk. It is unlikely that U.S. training would be sufficient to affect military behavior. But even a token amount risks association of the U.S. military with Nigerian human rights abuses.'

Nigeria may be facing what some see as a bleak, fractured future, yet it has the capacity to weather the storm provided there is a conscious process of self reflection, self scrutiny and self adjustment.

Otherwise self scrutiny and self adjustment will come eventually but through the force of unpleasant, unforeseen events.

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 8024432099. e-mail: contact@peoplesdaily-online.com; pmlnewsdesk@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141