Peoples Daily Newspaper, Wednesday 19, September, 2012

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

Wednesday, September 19, 2012. . . putting the people first

Vol. 9 No. 28

Zhul-Qadah 2, 1433 AH

N150

Atiku calls for restructuring of Nigeria

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi & Sunday Etuka

F

ormer Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has called for a regional

democracy for Nigeria, saying the current presidential system, aside being demanding on the economic strength of Nigeria, also concentrates enormous powers on the President.

Speaking on the topic, ‘Is Opposition a Serious Alternative in Nigeria’ which was the theme of the 2012 LEADERSHIP Newspaper Award/Conference, he stated that the current

structure of Nigerian federalism has become a topical issue that craves for change, insisting that restructuring into a regional method will make the component units viable.

Atiku, who was the Chairman of the occasion, also argued that state police was desirable in Nigeria, but pointed out that such practice should not be compulsory

NASS rejects N5,000 notes

Contd on Page 2

Reps give Jonathan 14 days to sack Oteh

By Richard Ihediwa, Lawrence Olaoye, & Mohammed Umar

O

pposition against the proposed N5000 notes yesterday received a boost as lawmakers in the two chambers of the National Assembly unanimously voted against it and ordered the Federal Government to immediately stop all moves in that direction.

This is just as the House of Representatives has given President Goodluck Jonathan 14 days to sack the reinstated Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms. Arunma Oteh, saying it will no Contd on Page 2

PD INDEX

18th Sept., 2012

CBN RATES $ £ EURO CFA RIYAL

BUYING 154.7 251 203 0.2856 41

SELLING 155.7 252 204 0.3056 41.5

PARALLEL RATES EURO £ RIYAL $

BUYING 205 258 40 158

SELLING 207 260 42 160

L-R: CBN Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability (FSS), Dr. Kingsley Moghalu, CBN Governor, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, and CBN Deputy Governor, Monetary Policy, Mrs. Sarah Alade, during a press briefing of the outcome of Monetary Policy Committee meeting, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Gunmen kill Borno Attorney-General, Zannah Malam Gana >> PAGE 3

Bauchi gun attack: Former CG of Prisons dies >> PAGE 3

Again, Jonathan blames media, critics for Nigeria's woes >> PAGE 5

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

CONTENTS

920,000 North’s children are malnourished -UNICEF

News

From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

2-11

Editorial

12

Op.Ed

13

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-18

Business

18-19

Motoring

24

Property

25

Arts

29

NEMA registers 13,428 IDPs as 30 communities submerged in Taraba, Page 6

International 31-34 Politics

37-40

Sports

41-47

Columnist

48

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

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

Phones for News: 070-37756364 09-8734478

A

n estimated 920, 000 children are affected by malnutrition in the seven states of Kano, Jigawa, Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi and Gombe, with the trend according to statistics by the United Nations International Children and Educational Fund (UNICEF), becoming widespread, particularly in northern Nigeria.

UNICEF country

representative, Mr. Ibrahima Fall, made the disclosure while delivering a keynote address on the occasion of top policy makers meeting of the 10 states supported

by UNICEF D-Field office in Bauchi held yesterday, in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital.

While lamenting that only marginal improvements has been recorded so far, with the indices of malnutrition such as stunting, wasting and underweight becoming widespread, Mr. Fall

added that the nutrition emergency has now manifested more poignantly as the Sahel Nutrition Crisis, (SNC) affecting countries like Niger, Chad, Mauritania, Mali, Senegal and part of northern Nigeria.

In tracing the cause of the epidemic, the UNICEF country representative observed that although the SNC is attributable to crop failure occasioned by drought, malnutrition itself does not happen overnight, stressing

that it is caused by a combution of factors such as poor infant and young child feeding practices.

On his part, Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura, described the theme of the meeting, “the Sahelian Nutrition Crisis-a call for collective action”, as apt, as according to him, it was a reflection of prevailing food situation across some parts of Africa, Nigeria inclusive. Police arrests 2 Robbers who shook Lagos last week

NASS rejects N5,000 notes Contd from Page 1 longer recognise her as the chief executive of the commission.

In rejecting the proposed N5000, all senators and members of the House of Representatives at yesterday’s sittings of the respective chambers also ruled that there will be no public hearing on the matter as the lawmakers who just returned from their two months recess maintained that it has already been rejected by majority of Nigerians.

In the Senate, lawmakers backed a motion sponsored by Senator Ita Enang and six others in which they lamented that the introduction of N5000 notes will create multiple economic problems including inflation and corruption and further erode the value of the naira and ultimately ruin the economy.

All the senators at the sitting took turns to condemn the policy with the exception of Senator Basheer Garba from Kano, who pleaded to no avail that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, be invited to explain the rationale behind the policy.

Many of the senators accused Sanusi of pursuing the agenda of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank which they insist were aimed at further damaging the nation’s economy and impoverishing the people.

They also accused Sanusi of being arrogant, and a misleading public officer who claim to have monopoly of knowledge. They also knocked the Economic Team of

President Jonathan for endorsing the policy which they said was unpopular and anti-people.

Backing the lawmakers, Senate President David Mark who observed that the National Assembly was not consulted on the proposal also accused Sanusi of using hypothetical facts and figures to mislead Nigerians.

He said that the actions of the CBN governor and the argument that the policy would reduce inflation in the country were mere theory that is unacceptable by Nigerians, adding that government should be bold to reverse any unpopular policy. He said, “The important thing is that if Nigerians say they do not want a particular policy at any given moment, there is no harm in government retracing their stand on the issue and I think that is the situation that we find ourselves. “I have listened to the arguments from those who support it but those arguments are simply not convincing. They appear to me to be highly theoretical and technical in nature and they do not address any practical issue on ground.

“Any policy that does not address issues directly but just talking about indices we cannot verify for now should wait. We have not reached that level where we are just talking of hypothetical cases all the time. “I think the disadvantages of the N5000 notes at the moment far outweigh not introducing it and on balance, we should not go for it. And also, from the contributions on the floor, we are all in support of the fact that

the timing is wrong and the policy is unnecessary at the moment and the arguments being advanced are not convincing and there is no urgent need for it to take place now.”There is no ambiguity on our stand on the issue. I am not sure that Sanusi is aware of the Constitution, if he was, he would make reference to us before addressing the issue.”

Also rejecting the policy, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, urged the CBN governor to listen to the people warning that his failure to do so may lead to disaster for the country.

Others who were very vocal against the policy include Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, Deputy Leader, Abdul Ningi, Senators Ayogu Eze, Smart Adeyemi, Atai Idoko, Nurudeen Abatemi, Heineken Lokpobiri and Senate’s spokesperson, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who while addressing journalists at the end of plenary accused the CBN of contravening the section 4 (2) of the 1999 constitution which empowers the National Assembly to legislate on issues of currency, coinage, and legal tenders.

At the House, lawmakers backed a motion jointly sponsored by the 21 members of the House and read by Rep. Albert Tsokwa ( PDP Taraba state) directing that the CBN stop all the proposal pending the outcome of the investigation by the House Committee on Banking and Currency on the issue. They lamented that the notes if

eventually introduced, would only heighten the economic woes of the country.

Meanwhile in handing down the 14 days ultimatum to Jonathan to sack Oteh lawmakers who supported a motion to that effect by Rep Nicholas Ossai, insisted that Oteh was not qualified by law to serve as the Sec Director General as contained in Sections 3(2)(a) and Section 38(I)(b) 2 and 3; and Section 315 of the Investment and Securities Act (ISA), 2007.

They called on President Jonathan to enforce the resolution of the House on the investigation into the near collapse of the Capital Market in which it recommended the sack of Oteh in June this year.

The lawmakers equally expressed concerns that the President has repeatedly refused to implement important resolutions of the House especially those related to the economic well-being, social harmony and political stability of Nigeria.

The House noted that the resolution mandating the President to sack Oteh was communicated to the President through the Clerk to the National Assembly even as it insisted that the SEC DG is unqualified, incompetent and unable to manage the Commission.

The lawmakers had noted that Oteh’s incompetence resulted into the regulatory failures which may lead to the collapse of the Capital Market if left unchecked.

Atiku calls for restructuring of Nigeria Contd from Page 1 on every state since every state has its own peculiarities with regards to insecurity.

He dismissed the claims at various quarters that state governors would abuse the system, advocating for a mechanism that will help to check the excesses of the state governors who practice state police.

The former Vice President called for an independent and efficient judiciary that could deliver justice faster like what obtains in the United States.

He also called for constitutional amendment by the National Assembly to provide for two party system in the country because according to him, too many parties bring out ethnic, religious and regional fault lines of the country.

He specifically advocated that the restructuring should be done along the current six geo-political zones, a position once advocated by former Vice President Alex Ekwueme during the 1994/1995 constitutional conference.

Also speaking, the Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, highlighted poverty as the bane of opposition politics in Nigeria.

Shettima, who delivered the Keynote Speech, noted that is usually because of poverty that politicians defect from opposition party to the ruling party, as well as abandon their ideology.

He also criticized the current revenue sharing formula, saying it amounts to injustice for a state like Kano, Maiduguri and Kaduna

to shear the same amount of revenue that only Bayelsa state receives from federation account.

In addition, Pat Utomi, who was the Guest Speaker at the event, lamented that opposition is being cripples by the syndrome of professional politics, explaining that such politicians have no other means of livelihood other than politics.

He stated that this is particularly why politicians come to Abuja and refuses to go back to the state from where they came.

In his brief remarks, Former Governor of Lagos state, Ahmed Tinubu, called for the scrapping of the Senate, saying that the House of Representatives is better positioned to provide the legislative demands of the country since they are closer to

the people.

He also stated that for the opposition to thrive, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be absolutely free in conduction elections in the country.

Meanwhile, the former Chief of Army Staff during Murtala Muhammed regime, Theophilous Y. Danjuma, called for a curtail in the powers of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), saying they have become sole administrators in their respective states.

Danjuma regretted that most governors have pocketed both their State Houses of Assembly and the Local government system, saying that it does not augur well for a robust democracy that yields dividends to the electorates.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

PAGE 3

Bauchi gun attack: Former CGP dies From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

F

ormer Controller-General of Prisons Alhaji Ibrahim Jarma, who was shot by unknown gunmen on Monday night, has finally died at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital

(ATBUTH), Bauchi. Jarma died as a result of gunshots sustained from unknown gunmen in his residence in Azare in Katagum local government of Bauchi state.

Unknown gunmen had attacked the deceased’s house and killed one warder and injured another.

The Chief Medical Director of ATBUTH, Dr. Mohammed Alkali, confirmed that Alhaji Ibrahim Jarma died in the hospital while receiving treatment.

Also confirming the incident to newsmen in Bauchi, a close associate of the deceased, the former deputy governor of

Bauchi state, Alhaji Garba Gadi, said: “Alhaji Ibrahim Jarma was shot on Monday night in his house by some hoodlums who attacked his house, killed one prison warder instantly and injured another who is now in the hospital receiving treatment.

“I am leading team that will take the remains of the deceased to Azare town for his burial today in the evening around 4 pm…”

Family source, narrating the incident said that Alhaji Ibrahim Jarma came out from the mosque after night prayer, when he was shot in his arm and leg.

JTF destroys Abul Qaqa’s residence in Kano From Edwin Olofu, Kano

B

L-R: Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, President Goodluck Jonathan, and former Ghanaian President John Kufour, during The 52nd Independence Anniversary lecture, yesterday in Abuja.

PHOTO: JOE OROYE

Gunmen kill Borno A-G From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

U

nknown gunmen on Monday night shot and killed the Borno state AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Zannah Malam Gana. Late Gana was reportedly killed by two gunmen who raided his residence at his home town, Bama, headquarters of Bama local government area.

The deceased had served under the administration of the former Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff as Commissioner of Justice and was re-appointed to the same position in the cabinet of Governor Kashim Shettima.

Our correspondent gathered that the gunmen drove to the area

on a motorcycle around 7.45pm and met the deceased seated in company of his friends, before firing several shots at his direction.

He reportedly died on the spot due to excessive bleeding which emanated from gunshot injuries, while all his friends escaped unhurt.

An eyewitness who declined identification told newsmen that the gunmen came on a motorcycle and opened fire on the late commissioner, shortly after he retuned from a nearby mosque, where he had gone to performe Magrib prayers.

Confirming the incident, the Borno state Commissioner of Police, Yuguda Abdullahi, said no arrest was made in connection with the killing as the identity of the suspects was not known.

University shut as cult clash kills 2 From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

T

he Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi yesterday was closed down following the death of two students as a result of suspected rival cults clash.

However, the university authorities denied the death of any student, maintaining that only one student sustained machete injury and is presently receiving treatment at the university clinic.

Our reporter’s investigation revealed that trouble started Monday evening when two rival cult groups clashed at one of the private hostels located off campus.

Eyewitnesses who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that two students were killed, several others injured while female

students were raped in the ensuing confusion.

The incident sparked off spontaneous protest by students who lived off campus. They barricaded the university main entrance demanding that the management must ensure security of their lives.

As the protest raged, security personnel of the institution were said to have invited some students for interrogation and this led to a full blown crisis with other students wielding dangerous weapons at staff who had to flee.

Commenting on the incident, Public Relations Officer of the institution, Mr. Joseph Fanafa refuted claims that two students were killed in the mayhem stressing that he did not see any corpse.

arely 24 hours after the Joint Security Task Force (JTF) said they have captured two commanders of the dreaded Boko Haram sect in Kano and killed one, security operatives have destroyed two houses said to belong to the group’s spokesperson.

The two houses destroyed are located in Rimin Kebbe and Rijiyar Zaki area of the metropolis while weapons and assorted gadgets were also recovered in the residence.

In a statement made available to newsmen signed by the JTF spokesperson Lt Ikedichi Iweha, JTF said the combined team of DSS and JTF raided the suspects’ heavily wired IED hideout and recovered many weapons.

It would be recalled that the JTF yesterday said they killed and arrested two top commanders of the sect in Hotoro area of Kano after a gun duel.

The statement read in part: “You would recall that yesterday 17 September 2012, the JTF confirmed the capture of two members of the terrorist sect; one of whom is suspected to be the media coordinator for the sect in a gun battle by a combined team of DSS personnel and the JTF. “Following further operation in the suspects heavily wired IED hideout, the following items were recovered: two AK 47 rifles, two pump action rifles, one berretta pistol, one smoke discharger, 433 rounds of 7.62 Nato ammunition, 80 rounds of 7.62 special ammunition, 2 AK 47 magazines, 36 prepared IEDs, 13 laptops, two motorcycles, four printers, one photocopier, one 33 slots Zenith disc writer, one TG 3900Ez generator set, religious books and large quantity of CD plates.”

21 firms jostle for 10 power distribution companies

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

T

he National Council on Privatisation (NCP) rose from its fifth meeting this year, giving 21 firms pass marks to participate in the financial bid for the 10 electricity distribution companies.

Briefing State House correspondents after the NCP meeting presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo, the chairman of the Technical Committee, Mr. Atedo Peterside, said none of the firms that submitted bids for Kaduna Distribution Company attained

the pass mark of 75 percent.

Peterside, who was flanked by the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Ms Bolanle Onagoruwa, listed the firms that attained the pass mark for the 10 distribution companies that are available for grab under the ongoing privatisation of the nation's power sector.

They are: Ibadan Distribution Company- Western Consortium, Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Company and Kepco/NEDC Consortium.

For Ikeja: Oando Consortium, Amperion Power Distribution Company Limited, Honeywell

Energy Resources International Limited, Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Limited, Vigeo Holdings, Gumco, African Corporation AFC &CESC6. Kepco/ NEDC Consortium, West Power and Gas, Rockson Engineering Limited.

Abuja Distribution Company: Kann Consortium Utility Company Limited, and Interstate Electrics Limited.

Enugu: Rensmart Power Limited, Proglobal Power International Consortium, Interstate Electrics Limited and Eastern Electric Nigeria Limited. It is only Aura Energy Limited for Jos. Eko Distribution Company:

Oando Consortium, Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Limited, Sepco-Pacific Energy Consortium4. Honeywell Energy Resources International Limited, Kepco/NEDC Consortium and West Power and Gas For Port Harcourt: Power Consortium and Rockson Engineering Limited.

Yola: Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Company, while it is only Sahelian Power SPV Limited for Kano.

Benin Distribution Company: Southern Electricity Distribution Company, Rensmart Power Limited, Vigeo Power Consortium,

and Rockson Engineering Limited.

For the Kaduna Distribution Company, he said, since none of the bidders scaled through, the "BPE will invite fresh bids from all the pre-qualified bidders, in accordance with 'Plan B'.

At its meeting on August 24, the NCP had announced the successful firms that have qualified to participate in the financial bids for five Power Plants with the exemption of Afam Power Plant that was said to have been cancelled.

The power plants that are up for sale are: Ughelli, Sapele, Geregu, Kainji and Shiro

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

THE PAGE 4 REPORT

Abuja Light Rail project: Journey without destination?

At conception, Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital City was designed to accommodate only a million people, and infrastructure in the territory was therefore developed with this in mind.

But with the passage of time, the city’s population has exploded to something in the region of between four to five million, thereby putting pressure on the available infrastructural facilities.

The one area that this population explosion has a most telling effect on is the smooth flow of traffic in Abuja. It was with a view to easing this problem that the Abuja Light Rail project was initiated in 2006. However, six years after the signing of the contract for the first and second phases of the project at the cost of N106 billion with a completion period of four years, there is pretty little on the ground to engender hope that the project may see the light of the day anytime soon, reports Josephine Ella.

A

t the formal signing of the agreement for an Addendum of Variation of Scope Contract with the Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) to facilitate the completion of the multi-billion Naira Abuja Light Rail Project recently, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed disclosed that there were between four to five million people living in the federal capital at the moment.

The current phase of the rail project, which is made up of Lots 1A and 3, will cover a distance of 77.78 kilometres and would connect Abuja city through two major routes namely Airport axis to Abuja city centre and Dei Dei/ Kubwa axis to the city centre.

“Abuja has more than four to five million people living in a place where it is supposed to be inhabited with only about a million people at the moment,” he said.

The reason for this development, according to analysts, has to do with the mad rush to Abuja in search for greener pasture.

Also, the current security challenges bedeviling Nigeria, especially the northern part of the country, has upped the volume and frequency of migration to Abuja.

Public transportation is one of the areas most affected by this trend, as the available means of transportation are continually being over-stretched.

Before 2004, the major means of commercial transportation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was commercial motorcycle, popularly called Okada. This was followed by mini commuter buses and taxis.

However, during the administration of erstwhile Minister of the FCT, MallamNasir el-Rufai, a ban was placed on the operations of motorcycles within the city in 2007. Their place was taken over by mass transit buses, taxis and tricycles, popularly known as Keke NAPEP. This effort was however, short lived as managing the high capacity buses and taxis became a problem soon after the departure of el-Rufai (the initiator) from office due to lack of proper maintenance.

The failure of this transportation scheme prompted the initiation of the Abuja Light

Rail project.

The lot 1 and 3 of the project was awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) in 2006 at the cost of N106 billion with completion period of four year.

Like many other peopleoriented projects in the country, the project was adjudged a laudable initiative when the idea was first conceived by the Federal Capital Territory Administration.

It was a welcome and timely development given the transportation challenges facing the teeming residents of the FCT in view of the failure of previous transportation schemes of the FCT administration to live up to expectation.

In addition, the light rail system would, in addition to offering effective, fast cheap and affordable means of transportation for residents, also offer provide employment to many Nigerians.

Although the ground breaking ceremony was performed in May 2007 by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the project could only take off in 2009 due to paucity of funds, thereby making the completion 2010 completion date unrealistic.

The Senator Adamu Aliero’s led FCT administration, which inherited the abandoned project from the Dr. Aliyu Moddibbo Umar’ administration shifted the completion date to 2013.

Explaining the reasons for tardy execution of the project, the Director of Rail at the FCT transport secretariat pointed out that the contract was ill timed, as according to him, during Minister el-Rufai’s administration only one billion Naira was budgeted for the project and, as soon as he left office, his successor, Dr. Umar abandoned the project, but was resuscitated by the subsequent administration of Senator Adamu Aliero which settled an outstanding debt of N11billion out of the total contract sum.

On coming to office, the incumbent Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed also paid an additional N11 billion, bringing to N22 billion the amount so far paid out of the total contract sum of N106 billion, prompting the contractor to commence the project, only to achieve 20 per cent completion stage from 2009 till date.

The initial project was signed

by the FCT in 2006 with plans to finance it with a $500 million loan from Chinese Nexim Bank and funding from the Federal Government and its administration.

But the inability of the FCT administration to secure the $500 million loan after six years rendered the initial completion date of 2013 unrealistic.

A non-governmental organisation (NGO) Alliance for Credible Election had in March this year attributed the delay in the completion of the Abuja Light Rail Project to misplaced priorities of the administration and inadequate budgetary provisions.

In 2011, the National Assembly had slashed the budget of the FCT by about 20 per cent and, in place of the loan, the government resorted to direct funding of the project which it was not doing adequately.

Even the N2.1 billion proposed in the 2012 budget proposal proposes for the light rail project is deemed grossly inadequate by the international organisation, considering the amount budgeted for less critical sectors such as the Millennium Towers and Cultural Centre.

But the Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, Muhammad Hazat Sule faulted the NGO’s views saying in a statement that “from every indication, the said NGO seems to be ignorant of the workings of government and therefore does not have the capacity to know that the FCT Administration runs two budgets”.

According to him, one of the budgets, considered as National Priority, and which is one hundred percent financed by the Federal Government, is mainly packaged for the provision of critical infrastructure in the Federal Capital Territory, among which is the Abuja Light Rail project.

The second component is the FCT Administration Statutory Budget, which is financed from the federation allocation and the internally generated revenue (IGR) to address areas like satellite towns development, provision of portable water, hospitals, housing, transportation, education, security and the environment, among others.

The FCT spokesman added that some of the national priority

FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed projects were also complimented by the FCT Statutory Budget allocations, citing for instance that more than N50 billion is earmarked for the development of rail and other transportation facilities in the FCT 2012 Statutory Budget proposal.

In what signals a glimmer of hope that the project may eventually see the light of the day, the Federal Government Wednesday (September 12) last week, finally signed the $500 Chinese Nexim Bank loan for the completion of the project, now shifted to the first half of 2015.

Speaking in Beijing, China at the signing ceremony, FCT Senator Minister, Bala Mohammed enthused that the Abuja Light Rail project had reached its final implementation take-off stage with the signing of the loan.

Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Co-coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr NgoziOkonjo-Iweala, who signed the MOU agreement on behalf of Nigeria, assured that the signing of the agreement had set in motion “a non-stop continuation of the Abuja Light Rail project”.

Vice President of the Exim Bank, Mr Sun Ping, said China and Nigeria have had a long standing relationship and that they have always treated each other like brothers.

He further explained that the Exim bank is owned by the government of China and that China wants to further strengthen economic cooperation with Nigeria.

The FCT Minister, in company

of the Finance Minister and others, earlier this year made a trip to China where the agreement for the $500 million Chinese EXIM loan was conclusively negotiated.

This was after securing the nod of the members of the House of Representatives Committee on FCT, led by Rep Emmanuel Jime during a courtesy visit, the Bureau for Public Procurement which issued a certificate of no objection as well as the approval of the Federal Executive Council.

In the same vein, in August, 2012, the Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, had earlier signed the Addendum of Variation of Scope Contract with the contractors handling the project, the Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) in Abuja.

With this, the scope of the project now covers the construction of flyovers, bridges and other aspects that were not captured in the initial agreement.

As it is now, the total contract sum including both local and foreign components, stands at $823.54m the $500m coming from the Chinese EXIM while the remaining ($323.54m) is to be sourced locally.

In a remark at the event, the Managing Director of CCECC Nigeria Limited, Mr. Cao Bau Gang, pledged to complete the project in 36 months, assuring that his company would facilitate training of Nigerian professionals on how to manage and maintain the rail facilities after completion and handover of the scheme.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

PAGE 5

Police arrests 2 robbers who shook Lagos last week

‘Army will curb Boko Haram, other vices’

By Joy Baba

T

L-R: Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Chairman, Leadership Newspapers, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah, and General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), during Leadership Newspaper Conference and Award ceremony, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

he Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika has assured Nigerians that the Army is capable of curbing the menace of Boko Haram and other vices like kidnapping and robbery saying that the Nigerian Army has been able to arrest or kill over 10 kidnappers in the last two weeks.

The Army chief gave the assurance at the commissioning of 60 unit of one bedroom flats in five blocks for junior officers in Mambilla Barracks and an office extension with 18 new offices, convenience and conference room at the Army Headquarters, Abuja with the aim of providing conducive working environment that would enhance productivity.

According to Ihejirika, the construction was done with direct labour using the Nigerian Army Engineers to augment government's effort and further enhance skill and professionalism.

least for the sake of the country, allow the government to work before unnecessarily overheating the system.”

Speaking on the petrol subsidy protests, President Jonathan pointed to unseen hands which he alleged were responsible for the protests because of their interest to see the downfall of government.

His words: “Take the case of Lagos. Lagos is the critical state in the nation's economy. It controls about 53 percent of the economy and all tribes are there. The demonstration in Lagos, people were given bottled water that people in my village don't have access to. People were given expensive food that the ordinary people in Lagos cannot eat.

“So, even going to eat free alone attracts people. They go and hire the best musicians to come and play and the best comedians to come and entertain. Is that demonstration? Are you telling me that is a demonstration from ordinary masses in Nigeria who want to communicate something to government?”

He added: “Look at the demonstrations back home, look at the areas these demonstrations are coming from. You begin to ask, are these the ordinary citizens that are demonstrating or are people pushing them to demonstrate?”

President Jonathan stressed his determination to ensure the conduct of free and fair elections, citing his offer of himself as a guinea pig in the last presidential election just to ensure that it was credible.

The president appealed for patience as he noted that the provision of infrastructure was a gradual process which could not be achieved overnight.

In his remark during the

lecture, the former Ghanaian leader, John Kuffour identified imbalance in development as a major cause of insecurity in Nigeria, which he said was costing the country the opportunity to be the giant nation that it ought to be.

In his lecture titled “Nigeria: Security, Development and National Transformation,” he stated: “Naturally, imbalanced development that involves horizontal inequalities is an important source of conflict and that is costing Nigeria the opportunity to be the giant nation that it can and should be.”

Noting that any government that was able to deliver on security and development could earn the right to remain in office, he observed despite their diversity, Nigerians were proud as individuals, intelligent, industrious and entrepreneurial.

Mr. Kuffour regretted that this resourcefulness had not yet impacted fully to the advantage of the nation or to the rest of the continent but added that if appropriate policies and institutions were put in place, Nigeria could fulfil the expectation.

According to him, “The challenge is to accelerate the pace of development by using institutions of the Federal Constitution as a nursery ground for producing leaders who are national in outlook and with a missionary zeal to transform this nation.

“This will help to mould the contending ethnic and religious groups into harmony and help to remove the perceived mutual distrust among them.

“Leaders so emerging would not be limited to championing the causes of their home state, tribe or religious group, but rather focused on deeds and pronouncements which convincingly and positively impact on the entire citizenry of the federal republic.”

From Matthew Aramunde, Lagos

T

he Lagos Police Command has arrested two of the armed robbers who raided Lagos on Sunday last week killing ten people including three policemen.

Acting on a tip-off, men of the State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) led by Abba Kyari, Superintendent of Police have arrested Rasheed Sulaimon and Kazeem Enifolabi, members of a gang which literally turned Lagos into a theatre of blood on September 9.

Briefing newsmen at the premises of the Lagos State Police Command in Ikeja, police spokesperson, Ngozi Braide said that the suspect, Rasheed on interrogation named other members which made SARS detectives to arrest Kazeem Enifolabi aka Oshomo at Oshodi in Lagos.

Again, Jonathan blames media, critics for Nigeria’s woes

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan has lambasted the media in Nigeria for seeking to promote the political interests of their financiers rather than national interest.

The President also identified some unseen forces in the country for seeking to intimidate him, saying he will never be intimidated.

President Jonathan while speaking at a lecture organised as part of activities marking this year’s independence anniversary in Abuja insisted that the fuel subsidy protests in Lagos in January were not carried out by the ordinary people but by a “class of people” who had ulterior motives.

He added that unseen forces are manipulating Nigerians against government.

Similarly, he has blamed the “political media” for overheating the polity because of their interest in the politics of 2015.

It would be recalled that the President had launched similar attacks on the media while signing performance contracts with ministers recently. During the signing at the State House Council Chambers few weeks ago, President Jonathan said he and his kitchen cabinet will draw the parameters that will be used in judging their performance rather than listen to what Nigerians had to say through the media since the Fourth Estate, he said was “too politicised.”

“For me, if I see that somebody is manipulating anything, I don't listen. But when I see people genuinely talking about issues, I listen. I am hardly intimidated by

anybody who wants to push any issue he has. I believe that protest in Lagos was manipulated by a class in Lagos not the ordinary people,” he said.

President Jonathan who spoke of what he termed “political insecurity” in the country in response to a lecture on the cause of insecurity in Nigeria delivered by former Ghanaian President, John Kuffour, regretted the way the phenomenon in the country has been portrayed in the media.

“I believe political security is a big issue. There is this axiom that the pen is mightier than the sword.

The sword is used to kill and destroy but what we use the pen to do is also very critical. When you have society with these unending political conflicts, it is there on the media whether print, electronic or social media. It brings a lot of insecurity to the system and sometimes, people begin to doubt your government.”

Beside the media, President Jonathan also identified three types of Boko Haram which he said were also making things difficult for his administration.

According to him, “I believe it is not just the media. Like when we talk about the Boko Haram, we have political Boko Haram, religious Boko Haram and criminal Boko Haram. So, also in the media, you have the professional media and the political media.

“That is why I talk about the political media. Because of the interest of 2015, whatever you do is immaterial. The government must be brought down. And that mentality cuts across most African countries and even outside Africa.

“So, addressing insecurity is critical in developing African state.

When you have this unending

political conflict, especially in a country like Nigeria that is highly religious and with high ethnotribal sentiments, it becomes very potent to even create a lot of problems for government.”

President Jonathan, who conceded that it was the responsibility of government to provide the environment for progress and transformation while the people are the implementers, regretted that citizens were misusing their freedom and privileges.

According to him, “That is why are a bit worried that sometimes when government creates the environment, whether economic, social or even the media, but how the citizens use those privileges matters so much.

“Take the media environment for instance. We signed the Freedom of Information bill into law. It became the Freedom of Information Act but are we using it in the way it we are supposed to use it? Are some of us not abusing the privileges? The media environment that should have helped our transformation agenda are being used negatively. These are some of the issues we need to address.

“The way Nigerians challenge and abuse me, yes, the president has enormous power but if you use that enormous power to some extent you will look like a dictator.

In a democratic setting, you want to create an environment where people can create their opinion and that is why people are allowed to talk freely and demonstrate. But are we doing so properly?”

The president therefore pleaded with Nigerians that “whenever we elect government into power at whatever level, at

PAGE 6

Katsina sensitises land speculators on illegal dealings

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

Corruption killing education, says Unilorin don From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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rofessor of Educational Management at the University of Ilorin, Mrs. Nike Sidiqat Ijaiya, has flayed what she called the "corruption-riddled democracy" being practiced in the country, saying it "is killing virtually all sectors of the economy including the

education system".

Prof. Ijaiya, who stated this while delivering the 113th inaugural lecture of the university, explained that the ultimate aim of educational management was to promote and ensure that effective learning takes place in schools and educational goals and objectives are achieved.

In her lecture, entitled "Management that Matters: Key to Sustainable Education", the don appealed to governments at all levels to stop the trend of "slow poison", suggesting that "Nigeria needs highly conscientious, brilliant, selfless, committed and visionary leaders" who are willing to manage education

From Lawal Sa'idu Funtua, Katsina

K

atsina State Urban and Regional Planning Board, (KURPB) has organised a stakeholders meeting with a view to educating land speculators operating in the state on the dangers of illegal land dealings.

Speaking, yesterday at the meeting, the General Manager of the board, Alhaji Usman Nadada, noted that the meeting was imperative to educate the land speculators on the dos and don'ts in land deals.

Similarly, Nadada lamented that it was only in Katsina that land speculators were operating without a strong union that would bring them together.

"This rowdy form of operation weakens your capacity to enjoy the full benefits of your business. It also gives room for shoddy deals that often affect the land buyers and sometimes even you", he added.

Nadada stated that operating under one umbrella helps the buyer and the land speculators to eliminate the dangers of multiple sales of a piece of land to many buyers which he said often result in prolong litigations.

Police kill robber in Katsina From Lawal Sa'idu Funtua, Katsina

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he police in Kankara Divisional Command of Katsina state has killed a notorious armed robber alleged to have been terrorising residents of the area.

The command spokesman, ASP Shehu Koko Muhammad who confirmed the incident to newsmen, noted that the hoodlum was killed in shootout with the police.

Muhammad stated that when the police in the area got information that the armed robber was operating between Kankara-Gora road, they moved in and succeeded in killing him.

The police spokesman noted that the items recovered from the dead robber included one double barrel gun and a Dane gun.

Muhammad therefore called on the public to cooperate with the police by giving information on criminals and their hideouts in the state.

for development.

The educationist said since the colonial period, Nigeria has been chasing quality education, which now appears elusive in spite of the various reforms.

The don, who is also the Director of the Institute of Education, University of Ilorin, described teachers' education in the country as archaic in terms of content and methodology, lamenting that while the appointment of teachers and head teachers was being politicised, merit suffers and teacher support services are too weak to make much impact.

FG set to reduce maternal mortality, to employ 9,000 health workers From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

L-R: Secretary, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Electricity Sector, Comrade Olukayode Ogunbiyi, President of the Union, Chief Temple Ubani, and Managing Director, Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Company (NELMCO), Dr. Sam Agboguo, during NELMCO briefing with media executives on electricity workers pension and liability management, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

NEMA registers 13,428 IDPs as 30 communities submerged in Taraba

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

A

s some states in Northern part of the country continue to experience devastating floods, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has registered 13,428 internally displaced people as well as 30 communities that were submerged in Taraba state.

A statement issued yesterday by theHead of Public Relations of the agency, Yushau A. Shuaib, indicated that the affected communities were in Ibi and Wukari local government areas of the state.

It further added that a rapid response assessment during the tour of the areas, revealed that bridges linking various communities were cut off by the flood due to overflow of River Benue as well as the release of water from the Kiri Dam in Adamawa state and from Lagdo Dam in the Republic of Cameroun.

NEMA listed other places affected to include; places of worship, farmlands, hospitals, schools and markets, adding that some of the communities could only be reached by canoes and boats as rescue and emergency officers visited the affected areas especially in

Chinkai, Ando-yako, Warawa, Dampar, Ibi town, Badodo, Chachangi, Isini, Mai Itache, Unguwan Danbaki.

Others were, Sai, Gungun Abdullahi Unguwan Makeri, Wazirin Bannu, Sai DanparUnguwan Saraki, Unguwan Kabawa, Sarkin Noma, Unguwan Maisanko, Baruwa, Unguwan Nufawa, etc.

On his part, the traditional ruler of Ibi, Alhaji Abubakar Danbawo III disclosed that "for the past 38 years we have never witnessed a disaster of this magnitude that touched everything: places of worship, houses, roads and farmlands", he said.

Religious leaders told to live by example

By Evelyn Yankyaa

T

he chairman of the Connection Social Club of Nigeria, (CSCN), Mr. Vincent Onyemaizu, has called on religious leaders in the country to live exemplary live so as to lead their followers on

the right path.

Onyemaizu, who made this call yesterday during a funeral service of Chief Ikeluka Benedict, in Akokwa, Imo state, added that the lives of religious leaders would extensively affect their followers.

"People are usually defined by the way they choose to live their lives. Therefore, our leaders in the church and mosque should be able to lead their followers on the right path and not to preach the gospel and act otherwise", he averred.

I

n a bid to reduce the high rate maternal mortality in the country, the Federal Government has expressed readiness to employ 9, 000 midwives, nurses and community health workers nationwide.

The North-east zonal coordinator, Performance and Results (Sure-P), Engineer Ali Fatoma, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Bauchi during a maternal and child health orientation programme organised for midwives and community development health workers.

According to him, midwives would be deployed to rural areas in the geo-political zones and assisted by community health workers and village health workers to support the work going on in the communities.

He said under the SURE-P programme, the Federal Government would reinvest its oil subsidy funds into a combination of programmes including health to stimulate the economy and alleviate poverty through critic al infrastructure and safety net projects.

Speaking during the workshop, the executive director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Abuja, Dr. Ado Muhammad, expressed hope that Sure-P maternal and child health would improve the health outcomes of women and children in rural communities towards the attainment of the MDGs 4 and 5.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

PAGE 7

Ministry tasks stakeholders on food safety

By Mohammed Kandi

T

he Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Ezekiel Oyemomi, yesterday, urged the government, industries and consumers of fish and fishery product to synergise so as to ensure food safety in Nigeria.

Addressing the press during a meeting on fish and fishery products organised by the National Codex Committee and the sub-committee on animal and animal products yesterday in Abuja, Oyemomi said the meeting was necessary to brainstorm on the forthcoming global Codex meeting in Bali, Indonesia, in October.

“Food safety is an issue in every country and an essential public health function. Responding to food safety challenges needs systembased, cross-sectoral approach where governments, industries and consumers work together and have clear responsibilities”, he explained.

Also speaking, the ministry’s Director of Fisheries represented by his deputy on Aqua-culture, Akintunde Atanda said matters of fish and fisheries products was key towards national development and as well as issue of international concern.

Kwara ACN slams governor over 25,000 teachers’ claim From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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he Kwara state chapter of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), yesterday, dismissed as outright falsehood the claims of Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed that the state has 25,000 teachers in its employ.

The party also said the governor’s claim that his administration has employed additional 1,410 teachers in the last one year is a “needless lie”.

The state chairman of the party, Mr. Kayode Olawepo, said in a statement in Ilorin that the governor and his men should refrain from making claims capable of exposing Kwarans to national disgrace.

“It has become imperative to again react to the lies of Kwara state government officials, including Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed himself, who seize every opportunity to grab public attention while doing nothing meaningful for public good.

Yesterday, September 17, the Herald quoted the governor as saying that Kwara has 25,000 teachers in its employ across the state’s primary schools! He was also quoted as saying that Kwara state government employed 1,410 teachers in the last one year.

“The claim of 25,000 teachers is totally inconceivable except the government can present evidence to back it up. Is the government saying the state has up to 500 primary schools, each having an average of 50 teachers? It is a needless lie and gives fillip to allegations that government might actually be the brain behind so-called ghost workers’ syndrome.”

L-R: Minister of State for Education, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Alhaji Musa Hassan, and Director, Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Chika Umuzuoke, during the minister's meeting with contractors handling Universal Basic Education Commission and Girls Child Education projects across the country, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Flooding: Reps urge FG to compensate victims

By Umar Mohammed Puma

W

orried by the level of damage caused by excessive flooding which has ravaged the entire country as a result of heavy rainfall the House of Representatives, yesterday urged the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency, support the victims affected

with some palliatives measures to alleviate their sufferings.

In a motion read by Rep. Emmanuel Jimeh (PDP, Benue state) under matters of urgent public importance, the House said the entire Benue valley has been washed away by the water released by the Cameroonian authorities, which according to him, even though Cameroon had notified the Nigerian

authorities in advance, no concrete effort was taken to avert the occurrence of the disaster, thereby flooding the entire Benue valley.

Also, Rep. Mustapha Bala Dawaki, (PDP Kano state), while contributing to the motion, urged the House to mandate a committee to liaise with NEMA in order to ascertain the level of damage caused by the flood.

The motion was then put to the vote as according to the Speaker, it does not require any debate as it affects the lives of the citizens. He called on the Federal Government to urgently provide palliative measures for the affected victims. The motion was refers to committee on Water Resources, Emergency Management and Environment for further legislative inputs.

...displace 12, 000 people in Cross River – SEMA official

M

r. Vincent Aquah, Director-General, Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said yesterday that water from Lagdo Dam in Cameroon displaced more than 12, 000 people in the state.

Aquah made the statement while addressing Community Relations Officers (CRO) of the 18 local government areas in the state in Calabar, adding that 49 communities in seven local government areas were affected by the flood.

“We have a large volume of water coming in as a result of the discharge of water from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam and it is

the manifestation of what we had earlier been warned against”, he said.

Aquah said the affected communities were located in Ikom, Yala, Ogoja, Obubra, Abi, Biase and Odukpani areas of Cross River.

He expressed regret that many communities in the state that had never experienced flooding before were submerged in recent times.

Aquah said that Cross River had the largest number of communities affected by flooding.

“The rivers are overcharged, farms destroyed, property worth millions destroyed and we also

recorded a number of loss of lives”, he said.

Aquah said there was an invasion of reptiles, including, crocodiles and snakes, in many communities.

Aquah said the floods affected a large section of agricultural communities and expressed fear that there might be a poor harvest in the 2012 farming season.

He said that the agency had received another alert that between now and November, excess water from the dam would still be discharged.

He said SEMA would collaborate with CROs, personnel from the Ministry of Disaster

Management, Red Cross, Police, Fire Service and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to sensitise communities against future occurrence of floods.

Aquah called on the Federal Government to urgently provide relief materials for communities affected by the flood.

“We are looking forward to an immediate response from the Federal Government because what happened in Cross River was beyond the capacity of the state”, he said.

He urged the media to create awareness about the effects of the future release of water from Lagdo Dam so that the people would not be taken unawares. (NAN)

…as communities defy NEMA warning

By Ibrahim Kabiru Sule

T

he National Emergency Agency (NEMA), has decried the attitude of some communities in the country that are located at flood-prone areas for their failure to heed the evacuation warning issued by the agency.

According to a report

released by the agency, there have been efforts to reach out to areas that are threatened by flood; however some of the communities at risk have remained adamant despite a series of enlightenment campaigns embarked upon by the agency.

The report further highlighted how NEMA has contacted the relevant state

governors and stakeholders as well as launched a series of awareness campaigns and advocacy to sensitise the vulnerable communities on measures to be taken. The reports regrettably indicate that some of the communities have remained adamant, not intending to move to any place of safety and have resigned to fate.

Meanwhile, about 25, 000 people in 14 communities have so far been displaced as a result of an overflow of water from river Benue, in Benue state. To this end, NEMA in collaboration with Benue state government and some stakeholders have been able to establish three camps to accommodate the displaced people in the state.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

Impending tourists traffic: NTDC meets tour operators, agents

By Miriam Humbe

T

he Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, is expected to meet with stakeholders in the tourism subsector on Friday September 21, 2012 in Lagos.

In a statement released in Abuja, the DG said a session would be held with tour operators and travel agents to sensitise them in anticipation international exposure and the high tourist traffic from the United States and the Caribbean.

The meeting is also expected to be a prelude to another sensitisation and interactive engagement between them and some foreign experts before the end of the year.

Oyo pays N10m bursary to indigenes in law school From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

T

he Oyo state government has distributed cheques worth over N10 million as bursary awards to its 101 indigenes studying in the Nigerian Law School for the 2011/2012 academic session.

The state’s Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Adetokunbo Fayokun, while distributing the cheques to the students in Ibadan last weekend, said the gesture was aimed at assisting them financially.

According to her, the state government was not unaware of the importance of their school programme, as well as the huge financial resources required for its running, hence the need to come to the aid of the students.

While pledging that government would continue to implement policies to enhance the educational development of the youth in the state, Fayokun charged the students to reciprocate the gesture by being more committed to their studies.

The commissioner also charged them to be good ambassadors of the state and shun all acts that could bring disrepute to their families, the state and the nation.

The chairman of the state scholarship board, Dr. Adekiitan Babalola, in his remarks, lauded Governor Abiola Ajimobi for approving the payment of the bursary to the students.

He said arrangements had also been concluded for the payment of 2011/2012 bursary awards to final year students of Oyo state origin in all federal and state-owned tertiary institutions nationwide.

PAGE 9

Don raises alarm over health implications of Benue flood From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

T

he Medical Director, Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Prof.

Orkurga Malu, has raised alarm over the impending health implications of flood to residents of the state.

Prof. Malu who gave the warning in an interview with journalists in his office yesterday, said that the disposal of sewage such as human faeces would cause gastro-intestinal diseases, cholera,

tuberculosis, as well as diarrhoea.

He also commented that the flood would cause skin diseases to persons who live in close proximity to one another, adding that it has thrown up severe cases of malnutrition, famine and hunger in the state.

“Benue is the food basket of the nation; the flood has destroyed several farmlands and so the people are at the verge of witnessing famine and hunger. Education of children of the affected, enjoyment of life, social responsibilities would

be affected even as criminal activities is expected to be on the increase”, he lamented.

The BSUTH MD further decried the devastating effect of the flood on the teaching hospital, stating that the maintenance unit which was only completed last week is at the verge of collapse due to the flood.

He said so far the hospital management has spent a lot of money relocating equipment to other buildings on higher grounds and has taken precautions to

avoid cross bridging from the transformers which have been submerged by the flood.

“Only recently Power Holding Company of Nigeria disconnected us from public power supply and we have been operating on generator which is also threatened by the flood and if this happens, our operation will be severely hampered.

Though we acquired another generating set of lesser capacity, it cannot serve the entire hospital”, Malu said.

L-R: Director, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Dr. Moses Ajaja, Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Mr. Akin Ogunsuji, Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Lawan Ngama, Managing Partner, Arits Consult, Alhaji Mohammed Kari, and Vice-Chairman, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Mr. Akin Opeodu, during a one day conference on the developing Islamic financial institutions in Nigeria, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

NNPC blames pipeline vandals for fuel scarcity

By Muhammad Nasir

T

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is blaming the current fuel scarcity in Lagos and its environs on the vandalisation of the pipeline at Arepo Village.

According to Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Manager Public Affairs, the pipeline at Arepo carries between 10 million and 11 million litres of fuel per day to

Lagos and its environs and some states in the North.

He explained that since the vandalisation, supply has been disrupted.

He pointed out that because of security reasons, NNPC is not prepared to effect repairs on the pipeline.

On the interim arrangement to reduce the fuel scarcity in Lagos, the Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs,

NNPC, Fidel Pepple, revealed that NNPC has bridged the supplies from Atlas-cove and Apapa axis as well as between Apapa and Ilorin to ensure that the scarcity is minimised.

According to the NNPC spokesman, the bridging at these point is to ensure that

there are no shortages in Lagos and Ilorin environs as there have been fears that the government wants to increase the pump price of the product but NNPC officials dismissed such fears saying government has not made such intention known to marketers.

400 contractors bid for Bauchi govt refutes report renovation of Karu Int’l of new cases of diphtheria Market – NIPDC

D

r. Nisser Umar, the Executive Secretary, Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, has refuted reports on the outbreak of new cases of diphtheria in the state.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi that the cases being reported occurred two months ago at Duzun in Katagum local government area.

According to him, 36 children were affected in the incident and only one tested positive to diphtheria.

“Immediately we received a report on that, we took appropriate action to contain the disease by sending an emergency response team to the community.

“Samples were brought to

laboratory to confirm the type of ailment; only one sample out of the six we sent was confirmed to be diphtheria”, he said.

Umar said that the children were immediately treated, adding that all children under five years in the community were vaccinated and provided with nutritional supplements and antibiotics.

The executive secretary said the agency had also organised awareness campaign on the importance of utilising healthcare services.

Similarly, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sani Malami, also confirmed to NAN on telephone that no case of diphtheria was recorded in the state recently.

(NAN)

T

he Nasarawa Investment and Property Development Company (NIPDC), yesterday, disclosed that about 400 contractors had submitted bids for the rehabilitation of the Karu International Market in Nasarawa.

Mr. Daniel Ajegena, NIPDC General Manager, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after the biding process in Lafia.

He said that about 400 bids had been received, adding that the applications would be scrutinised to determine the technical and financial capacity of the companies.

He said: “their bids will pass through a consultant who will evaluate the contractors based on

their technical and financial capacities”.

Ajegena told NAN that NIPDC advertised for submission of interests for the renovation of the market three weeks ago.

He said that transparency would guide the selection process of contractors who would execute the job.

“Only bidders that comply with the rules and do things correctly will get the job”, he said.

The general manager said that the renovation of the market would boost the revenue base of the state and increase business opportunities for the people.

“This is not mentioning the huge employment opportunities and the trading possibilities to be derived”, he said. (NAN)

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

Kebbi Hajj pilgrims for airlift tomorrow From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

T

he chairman, Kebbi state Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Usman Bello Suru has said that out of the over 5000 visas expected to be issued to the intending pilgrims for this year 2012 Hajj exercises, the Board has

received about 4000 of them just as airlift is about to commence.

Addressing newsmen yesterday in his office on the preparation of this year Hajji, the chairman said that the first batch of pilgrims would be airlifted tomorrow, September 20 and assured the pilgrims of a hitch free exercise.

Meanwhile, Governor Saidu Usman Dakingari of Kebbi state yesterday appointed the former commissioner of works in the state, Alhaji Abubakar Garba Dandiga as the Amirul hajj and leader of the state delegation to Saudi Arabia for this year's hajj exercise.

The governor in a statement

by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Muazu said other members of the delegation includes Justice Sadiq Umar of the FCT high court, Professor Usman Shehu Gulumbe of the Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, the state Commissioners for Health and that of works and transport.

The Secretary of the state council of chiefs, Alhaji Abubakar Jagwadeji Suru, according to the statement would serve as secretary of the 11-man delegation which include the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media and Publicity, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Argungu.

Dakingari tasks LG chairman on dev From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

K

Theatre artistes honour minister

By Miriam Humbe

T

he Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke was one of the few Nigerians honored last Thursday with the Distinguished Leadership Award, at a dinner organized by the Society of Nigerian Theatre Artists (SONTA) – an association of distinguished members of the academia in the universities.

The dinner was part of the activities organized to commemorate the 25th International Conference of SONTA which marked the silver jubilee celebration of the conference which held in Calabar the Cross Rivers state capital from September 12 – 15.

The theme of this year’s conference was: “Emerging Trends in theatre, Media Practice and National Security”.

The minister, according to the local organizing committee, was identified as a national figure and lover of the arts and a patron of cultural arts, the media and communication.

Chief Edem Duke, who was represented by the director of culture in the ministry, George Ufot thanked SONTA for the award, and described Edem Duke as a strong proponent of Arts which include theatre, film, dance, drama and festivals which are ingredients of culture.

The minister acknowledged the contribution of SONTA in nurturing Nigerian youths to stardom as actors and directors in the Nollywood industry.

Chief Medical Director, Feroprod Medical Centre, Dr. Fred Achem (middle), is being received

by Chief Medical Director, Zankli Hospital, Dr. Godwin Ajakpo (right), during first annual lecture organised by the Guild of Medical Directors Wives of Nigeria, recently in Abuja.

With them is Chairperson, Guild of Medical Directors Wives of Nigeria, FCT chapter, Mrs. Queen Phillips (left).

PHOTO: JOE OROYE

Suntai swears in SAs From Yusha’u Alhassan, Jalingo

N

ewly appointed special advisers and assistants to Governor Danbaba Suntai have been sworn-in.

At the ceremony which held yesterday at the Government House Jalingo, Govenor Suntai charged the new appointees to put the interest of the state above any other considerations.

He also charged them to work closely with their colleagues for mutually beneficial relationships, reminding them that their appointments were based on merit.

Governor Suntai said the appointment of special Advisers for Government House chapel and Mosque was in line with what obtains in other parts of the country.

He said before their appointment he had consulted with religious leaders who confirmed to him that such positions exist in other states of the federation.

Responding on behalf of the appointees, the special Adviser in charge of the chapel, Reverend Emmanuel Sheka Bambur said they were humbled by the appointment and pledged to

discharge their duties diligently with the utmost fear of God. He said they were not best of Taraba people but God-chosen them, assuring that they would do their duties knowing that they would give account of their stewardship before God. Those sworn-in include Sadanu Lawal Bantaje, SA Government House mosque and Aminu Chindo, special assistant1 on Government House mosque.

Others were Kabiru Hamza special assistant2 to Government House mosque, Reverend Miracle Elam, special Assistant1 on Government House chapel and Reverend Timothy Musa special Assistant2 on Government House chapel.

represented by the special adviser to the governor on health, Dr. Yahaya Kobiba said available data indicate that Gassol local government area has a high number of children yet to be reached with the oral polio vaccine and called for change of attitude by parents.

The chief of Gassol, Idris Chiroma assured that concerted sensitization efforts were being carried out to ensure the immunization of children in the area.

He lauded the efforts of the government and partner agencies towards eliminating polio and other child killer diseases and urged

them not to relent.

The representative of the partner agencies and state coordinator of the World Health Organisation,Dr. Ali Voani said they would continue to provide technical and other necessary support to tackle child-killer diseases in the state.

He said children are precious gift from God and charged parents and guardians to ensure the immunization of the children and wards for a safe society.

Dr. Ali assured that vaccines for the immunization were free from all forms of contamination as being insinuated in some quarters.

… vows to kick out polio From Yusha’u Alhassan, Jalingo

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he Taraba state government has reiterated its commitment towards total elimination of poliomyelitis and other child killer diseases.

The state Commissioner for Health, Mustapha Hamman Gabdo gave the assurance in Gassol during the flag-off of the statewide mop-up polio vaccination campaign.

He said the exercise was a response to the recent discovery of paralysis of a child in Dissol village of Wuryo ward of Gassol local government area.

The commissioner who was

ebbi state governor, Alhaji Saidu Usman Dakingari has urged the newly elected chairman of the 21 local government area of the state to work for the development of the people that voted for them.

Addressing the chairmen weekend,shortly after oath of office was administered on them by Justice Umar Abubakar, the governor tasked the chairmen to concentrate on education and primary healthcare delivery in their domain.

Dakingari who thanked traditional, religious leaders and all the people of the state for voting his party during Saturday's election.

“Anyone of you that fail to do what the electorate needs will be voted out," he added even as he assured them of the support of his administration.

Meanwhile, the Kebbi state Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Umar yesterday inaugurated an election tribunal for the last Saturday's local government election.

Inaugurating the tribunal at the High Court complex, Birnin Kebbi, the Chief Judge charged members of the tribunal to fasten cases filed before them and to shun temptation from politicians.

Interior minister signs agreement with HODs

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

M

inister of Interior, Comrade Abba Morro, yesterday signed performance agreement with the heads of the agencies under the ministry, to enable him to hold them accountable for their performances.

At the occasion held at the headquarters of the ministry in Abuja, Moro told the heads to step up their performances as expected or be shown the way out.

He said the era of underperformance by those at the helms of affairs in the ministry has gone, adding that all hands should be on deck to achieve the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The minister, who said he has already signed the bond with the President, described the performance agreement as key indicators which are time-bound.

Earlier in his remarks, Minister of National Planning, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, charged the agency heads not to disappoint the minister who is expected of him to give account to the President early next year.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

Some financial terms you need to know more about (1)

R

isk-Averse, Risk-Neutral, Risk-Taking: Risk-averse describes an investor who requires greater return in exchange for greater risk.

Risk-neutral describes an investor who does not require greater return in exchange for greater risk.

Risk-taking describes an investor who will accept a lower return in exchange for greater risk.

Senior Bond: A bond that has priority over other bonds in claiming assets and dividends.

Short Hedge: A transaction that protects the value of an asset held by taking a short position in a futures contract.

Settlement: Conclusion of a securities transaction when a customer pays a broker/dealer for securities purchased or delivered, securities sold, and receives from the broker the proceeds of a sale.

Short Position: Investors sell securities in the hope that they will decrease in value and can be bought at a later date for profit.

Short Selling: The sale of borrowed securities, their eventual repurchase by the short seller at a lower price and their return to the lender.

Speculation: The process of buying investment vehicles in which the future value and level of expected earnings are highly uncertain.

Stock Splits: Wholesale changes in the number of shares.

For example, a two for one split doubles the number of shares but does not change the share capital.

Subordinated Bond: An issue that ranks after secured debt, debenture, and other bonds, and after some general creditors in its claim on assets and earnings. Owners of this kind of bond stand last in line among creditors, but before equity holders, when an issuer fails financially.

Substantial Shareholder: A person acquires an interest in relevant share capital equal to, or exceeding, 10% of the share capital.

Support Level: A price at which buyers consistently outnumber sellers, preventing further price falls.

Quote Never mind what others do; do better than yourself, beat your own record from day to day, and you are a success - William J.H. Boetcker

PAGE 11

How do you decide which prepaid debit card to go with?

C hoosing a prepaid debit card that fits your needs can save you money.

Prepaid debit cards provide a way to manage your finances. You can't exceed the amount you have credited to your prepaid debit card, and there aren't any interest charges since there isn't an outstanding balance. You can use your debit card in the same outlets as a regular credit card.

With so many to choose from, it can be confusing to decide which prepaid card is best for you.

Instructions: *Make a list of purposes the prepaid debit cards will serve and the benefits you expect. *Choose well-known credit card brand names that offer prepaid debit cards and compare them to see which best suits your needs.

You generally do not need to have a bank account and there is no credit check. *At the website of your preferred brand, click on the link for prepaid debits cards to see the offerings. *Select the cards that best suits your needs. Offerings may include cards for travel, pay roll, health payments, student needs, reward

cards and more. *Write down details of the benefits, setup costs and any recurring fees for the cards you select. Also, check costs for withdrawing cash at ATMs. *Choose a reward card if you want to earn points each time you use your card. The points you accumulate can be used toward other purchases. *Select a discount card if you want price cuts at retail outlets, restaurants, hotels or other venues. *Choose a pay roll card if you want your money paid directly to the card instead of getting a check

or if you don't have a bank account.

You will have access to your money quickly. Also, getting your wages paid to your card is safer than getting paid in cash. *Get a student debit card to help manage finances and keep out of debt. There are no interest or late payments charges. *Select a travel money card if you intend to move around the country or go overseas. You can get a prepaid card that's denominated in another currency, such as euros. The benefit is that you will avoid currency exchange fees. *Review your research and

select the card(s) that best meet your criteria.

Tips & Warnings *Make sure you know how much money is available on the prepaid debit card before you use it to avoid inconvenience and possible embarrassment. Your purchase/payment will be declined if you lack sufficient funds. *Be aware that a setup fee is generally required on prepaid debit cards. Also, some venues, such as gas stations and hotels, may put a hold on your account for a specific amount that may last for a few days.

worker a written list of instructions and everyone gets their work done. A poorly-organized group discusses the problem for 20 minutes without coming to a solution. The group members are then distracted all day because they have to do the missing worker's job.

When a well-organized business owner gets a legal notice, he or she delegates the problem to a lawyer and focuses on making a prosperous day. A poorly-organized business owner drops everything and worries about it all day.

Well-organized groups handle emergencies, disasters and sudden increases in production without breathing hard. Poorly-organized groups are overwhelmed by them.

Personal Organization Organizing your personal life so you are not distracted boosts your productivity and income!

For example, you don't need to talk to everyone who calls you and it's silly to read every piece of email or every electronic message when it comes in.

If you are organized, your communications are organized so you only receive information that is relevant to your job. Except for emergencies, you ignore family problems, personal problems and even your health problems. All superior producers do this and are not easily distracted. While working, nothing is more important than the work itself.

If your car won't start, your computer crashes or other small disaster occurs, you have backup plans. You are organized and not distracted by these problems. You get your work done despite everything that gets in your road.

How to get better organized 1. Write down five of your biggest distractions or potential distractions.

2. Next to the first distraction, write down how you can get organized so you are not affected by the distraction.

3. Do the same for the other items on the list.

4. Follow your plans and get organized!

5. Write down permanent rules or policies for yourself or your work so you stay organized.

Personal examples: “I will only take personal calls during my lunch hour." "If I get hungry during the afternoon, I will chew gum and keep working until 5:00."

"If Joe tries to upset me, I will pretend he is three years old, not get into an argument and get back to work."

Business examples: "If someone asks me to do their job, I will ask them for their pay." "If you have a suggestion for the company, please e-mail all the details to me." "Each summer, we will do the following program to keep our sales up, despite the vacations."

Because you are wellorganized, you make faster progress toward your goals and ultimate success as you are not easily distracted.

How to save and increase your production by handling distractions

H

ave you ever ended a very busy day only to realize you are accomplishing nothing? You were probably distracted.

Ever wonder why you feel frustrated at work? Distractions might be stopping you. Ever feel stress? Distractions may be the cause.

Distractions are not just irritating, they are destructive forces that ruin your productivity.

Examples: Chatty coworkers, personal problems, sunny days, rainy days, Facebook, holidays,

earthquakes, debts, political news, salespeople, money concerns, health problems and more.

How do you handle distractions? You get organized. “Those individuals or areas that are the least well-organized are affected the most by distractions�

-- L. Ron Hubbard A well-organized business understands distractions and organizes to deal with them.

For example, a key worker calls in sick. In a well-organized group, the manager calls in a temporary worker from an agency, gives the

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

U

The cowardly attacks on telecom facilities

nfortunate, despicable and condemnable as it is, the recent spate of attacks by Jama'atu Ahlis Sunnah Lidda'awati wal-Jihad (better known as Boko Haram) on Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) belonging to telecommunication companies, are a further proof that the leadership of the misguided sect is losing ground in its senseless war with the nation's security agencies.

In the last couple of weeks, the sect has resorted to attacking and destroying telecom masts in the northern part of the country. Masts belonging to MTN, Globacom, Airtel, Etisalat and Multilinks as well as a telecom infrastructure provider, Helios Towers in Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Taraba, Kano and Jigawa states have been attacked and destroyed. As at last week, about 25 Base Transceiver Stations, with a combined value estimated at N1billion, were said to have been destroyed in gun and bomb attacks by members of the Boko Haram sect who usually rode on motorbikes to their target.

Justifying their insane action, the group said it was attacking the telecoms facilities as a punishment to the companies for supplying information to the security agencies against members of the sect.

In a statement, Boko Haram said that “We are attacking GSM companies because they have helped security agencies to arrest and kill many of our members, and we will continue with our attacks on them

until they stop”.

This is the same line of stupid argument the sect had used months earlier to justify the deadly suicide attacks simultaneously launched on This Day Newspaper offices in Abuja and Kaduna, as well as the Kaduna offices of the Sun and Moment newspapers on April 26, in which about eight people lost their lives and many more injured.

“

We want to urge the telecom companies not to give in to this cheap blackmail, because nothing whatsoever can justify the wanton murder and arson against innocent souls or their properties regardless of their creed or clan The sect's grouse against the media was alleged misrepresentation of its statements.

The sect had claimed in a statement that “We have repeatedly cautioned reporters and media houses to be professional and objective in their reports. This is a war between us and the Government of Nigeria; unfortunately the media have not been objective and fair in their report of the ongoing war, they chose to take side.

“We have just started this new

OUR MISSION “To be the market place of ideas and the leading player in the industry by putting the people first, upholding the truth, maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards while delivering value to our stakeholders”

campaign against the media and we will not stop here, we will hit the media hard since they have refused to listen to our plea for them to be fair in their reportage”.

As the media remained resolved in its commitment, we want to urge the telecom companies not to give in to this cheap blackmail, because nothing whatsoever can justify the wanton murder and arson against innocent souls or their properties regardless of their creed or clan. Clearly, the latest resort of the Boko Haram is nothing but the cowardly antics of the defeated, lacking in the courage to channel aggression in the proper direction.

The timely response by the Inspector General of Police in directing all regional forces to immediately set up special units “to ensure the safety of telecommunication equipment and installations” is most commendable.

IG Mohammed D. Abubakar predicated his directive on “recent security development in some parts of the country where these equipment and installations have become vulnerable and targets of reckless attacks and willful destruction”.

As we commiserate with the telecom companies and all the families of the victims of the Boko Haram’s murderous campaign, we want to urge all law abiding Nigerians to assist the security agencies in whatever way possible to ensure that the cancer of insecurity is completely eradicated from the country.

OUR PEOPLE

OUR VISION

CHAIRMAN MALAM WADA MAIDA, OON, FNGE DIRECTOR/ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF RUFA’I IBRAHIM EDITOR, DAILY ABDULAZEEZ ABDULLAHI

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ALI M. ALI

HEAD, ADVERT/MARKETING HUSSAINI ABDULRAHMAN, CNA

ACTING EDITOR, WEEKEND JAMILA NUHU MUSA

MANAGER, ADMINISTRATION HASSAN HAMMANYAJI

HEAD, LAGOS BUREAU ADESOJI OYINLOLA

“To be a reputable, profitable, innovative and technologically reliant media company offering world class services and products”

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

PAGE 13

National honours still a reward for excellence?

By Wale Odunsi

T

he barrage of criticism trudging the 2012 National Honours List is a sign that it is living up to expectations. One of the earliest critics, the Public Interest Lawyers League (PILL) rightly dismissed it as a joke.

Conceivably, the leading opposition parties in Nigeria, the Action Congress of Nigeria and Congress for Progressive Change have released statements lambasting the list.

Ok, let’s ignore them as the usual soapbox from ‘enemies of the state’ and assume they wisely seized the opportunity to hit their common contestant, the People’s Democratic Party; but what do we say of the organised labour, civil rights groups and eminent individuals that are taking turns to chastise the list.

I sympathize with this government. It perceives every condemnation in bad faith; it believes some elements are deliberately carrying out campaign of calumny in order to bring down the house. But truth

By Choice Ekpekurede

P

rogressives and openminded people know that Boko Haram, al-Qaeda, AlShabaab, and other violent extremists claiming to be doing the work of Allah do not represent the vast majority of Muslims, who practice their religion peacefully and live peaceably with people of other faiths. The case is different and complicated when whole Muslim communities rise up to commit the very acts that characterize Muslim extremism.

The world has come a long way. These are not the days of the Inquisition or the Crusades or Papal/Roman expansionism.

These are not the days of Caliph Umar and the Great Arab Conquests. The world has come a long way, but the wars of yore have persisted, changing in form, like an amoeba, and popping up unpredictably in times and climes where we thought we could find rest for our tired souls. But the blame is all ours that we artificially give fulfillment to the words of Jesus in Matthew 10:36: “A man’s foes will be those of his own household.” The bloodiest religious wars have been fought by the three Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam). Of all the religions of the world, these three religions are, perhaps, the only ones which proclaim individually that they are the only way to God and that everyone that does not practice the faith they preach is an infidel and a worshiper of the devil. This ordinarily would not be a problem as long as the belief does not imply that the “infidel” be ostracized, persecuted, or killed.

Each one of the Abrahamic faiths has, at one time or the other, persecuted people of other faiths and has advanced its way of worship and belief systems through force and bloodshed.

Thankfully, this is the 21st century and the world has made

is, it continues to commit avoidable blunders; it promises A and then goes on to do E. As a people, we are active not just because we want to be but because our votes put these people there.

Of course, some of the awardees deserve the inclusion. I saw names of people who rose through the ranks; people who genuinely contributed to the growth and development of governance, the economy and the country at large. However, the set of people that fall into this category make up only a third of the list.

It appears it is now impossible to collate national honourees without having names of national assembly members, governors, controversial moguls/ contractors, politicians, dominate the list. I need a member of the committee saddle with the responsibility of drafting the names to do a rejoinder and lecture us; apparently we don’t know a thing or two. There is hardly any improvement from what we had the previous year.

While responding to the outcry that trailed the last year’s

event, Dr. Jonathan admitted the deficiency, promising a better show next time. Excerpt of his address at the 2010/2011 investiture ceremony on 14th November, 2011 reads: “One thing I am aware of is that there have been criticisms of the National Award nomination and selection process. I have since directed the appropriate departments to note the concerns that have been expressed and to take steps to ensure further improvements, so that the National Honours Award can continue to serve its purpose.

He added “But the National Honours criteria (criterion he meant to say) are different. It is based on what an individual has contributed to his community, his state, his country and how you have projected this country outside. It does not depend on how many certificates you have, it does not depend even on the size of certificate you have and it does not even depend on the status you have in the society.”

And here’s my favourite part.

“The traditional birth attendant

that probably works in an area where there is no doctor and successfully delivers hundreds of babies can be awarded and recognized by the President. So is a sportsman who is illiterate, but a good footballer, wrestler or a boxer who projects the image of this country globally and wins laurels and bring us to the lime-light could be recognized in these honours series. A welder, electrician or anybody who by virtue of what you do, you’ve done it with much dedication and impacted society significantly can be honoured by the president.”

Now can Mr. President point to one distinguished midwife, one excellent community developer/ worker, one brave vigilante, one exceptional corps member, one passionate traffic warden, one serving or retired teacher et al on that list? This leaves a big question mark on the credibility of whole exercise; our expectations was ruined. What is worth celebration in a list in which half are either members, appointees, friends or financiers of the ruling party? This will not stand in climes where

The right to be different monumental, positive progress in recognizing that people everywhere have the right to be different in how they worship and in what they believe.

In recent years, however, we have seen the renaissance of religious militancy from certain adherents of Islam, a religion I hold in high esteem. These individuals seek to compel – rather than convince – all others to follow their way of worship. This goal must be achieved by any means available, including ostracization, persecution, torture, maiming, and killing. Even the killing of other Muslims is compatible with their jihadist ideology. Not only that: we find that the parts of the world where religious intolerance is highest are the countries, cities, villages, and communities dominated by Muslims.

As should be the case among any people where the right of the individual to be different is respected, you can argue about any religion or about any religious belief or practice in the United States, Canada, Britain, France, Finland, South Africa, Japan, South Korea, and many other countries and still go about your normal business without fear of persecution. You can denounce Jesus or Mohammed and still walk about without fear of persecution.

You can worship as you please and publicly proclaim your beliefs and still walk about without fear of persecution. In these lands, the right of the individual to be different is respected. The case, however, seems radically different in most lands and regions of the world dominated by Muslims.

Give these events a little thought and consider the following. You are a Muslim and you live in a Christian-dominated city like Warri – far, far away from your brother who lives in a

Muslim-dominated city like Damaturu. Believing that Islam is the only way to truly worship God, your brother draws a cartoon of Jesus and indicates that Christianity leads people astray.

News of the cartoon filters into Warri.

Your Christian neighbours, who you have lived alongside with for decades, come to your house, burn down every material thing you have acquired in life, brutalize your wife, kill your children, and set ablaze your parents who live with you.

I am a Christian and I have a lot of Muslim friends – a lot. Some of them are the finest and most trustworthy and peace-loving individuals I have ever known. I will not trade them for anything else. I did my National Youth Service in Yobe state of Nigeria, a state where no less than 90% of the population is Muslim. My experience there was one of the best experiences I have ever had in Nigeria. The people were friendly, easy-going, and peaceloving. There were a few small churches in my place of primary assignment and we worshiped

without much ado. I left the state with a good feeling and it did cross my mind several times to go live permanently in one of the Muslim-dominated northern states of Nigeria. In my numerous encounters with Muslims, I have come to believe that the vastmajority of Muslims are peaceloving individuals, who would like to live peaceably with their neighbours.

The driving force of all human progress and civilization is the ability to challenge the status quo and to question our belief systems.

That force is unstoppable. Time and again, throughout history, the Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) have tried to stop that force. And every time, they have failed. Today, among the biggest challenges to this force of societal advancement are those radical sects and mobs that claim that the violent acts they commit are for the advancement of Islam. If we learn at all, we must know, as has been shown in history, that societal vitality – the ability to challenge the status quo and to question our belief systems – cannot be

“

Yes, the world must rise to condemn and reject such acts of violence and attempts to take us back to the dark ages and undermine our right to be different. Not only should this type of senseless violence be condemned, individual communities, nations, and the international community have a responsibility to bring perpetrators of these violent acts to justice

honours are given according to its genuine meaning.

The Chairman and members of the National Awards Committee should not be deceived by the praises; theirs is one of the laziest committees ever.

For crying out loud what stops them from taking time to consider those in the remotest part of the country doing great works but lack publicity. It is sad.

Why not allow elected and appointed office holders to complete their tenure before being awarded. What do you make of a situation where a recepient is found wanting? Do you take it back? We rush to dole out honours in a cheap way, leaving out countless deserving Nigerians.

The commoners doing great work should please continue. The reward will surely come, somewhere better than here.

Nothing seems special about this one; they are what they are honours! In the meantime, standing ovation for a celebrated charade.

Wale Odunsi’s professional profile is on LiknedIn entirely smothered. I am in consonance with President Obama in his rejection of “all efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others.” More importantly, however, I am in full agreement with him in his following declaration: “There is absolutely no justification for this type of senseless violence. None. The world must stand together to unequivocally reject these brutal acts.”

Yes, the world must rise to condemn and reject such acts of violence and attempts to take us back to the dark ages and undermine our right to be different. Not only should this type of senseless violence be condemned, individual communities, nations, and the international community have a responsibility to bring perpetrators of these violent acts to justice.

It is a mirage to believe that through violence or persecution all citizens of a country – any country for that matter – can be compelled to become Christians or Muslims. That dream – if that is what the perpetrators of said acts of violence truly hope to achieve – is only a dream and will never happen. It is a mirage to hope that through violence or persecution all citizens of a country – any country for that matter – can be permanently prevented from questioning our highly cherished, sacrosanct beliefs as Christians or Muslims. That hope – if that is the hope of the perpetrators of acts of violence – is only a dream and will never come to pass. The advent of Judaism was a challenge to the religions that existed before it; the advent of Christianity was a challenge to Judaism and other religions that existed before Christianity; likewise, the advent of Islam was a challenge to the religions that existed before it.

Choice Ekpekurede is a contributor to sahareporters, an online site

PAGE 14

By Ose Oyamendan

I

know what I would doing at the occupy anniversary this week. I would be toasting Sanusi and his N5000 note I’ve been looking forward to this week since last year. You see, as a selfprofessed political wonk, I thought this was the week the dreams of whoever the Republican presidential candidate would be buried. I didn’t know that candidate would be Mitt Romney who is the political equivalent of presidential stillborn.

You see, this was the week the Occupy movement was launched last year. I though this week, all of us liberals would be marching towards a victory that would guarantee the lives of those ninety-nine percent who have been marginalized by that big, bad one percent since Adam and Eve started having kids.

But, now, I’m not sure if I should be happy or sad. It’s the one-year anniversary and someone had to send e-mails out to remind us of the day. I was thinking the occupy movement would be the liberal answer to the Tea Party. Now, I’m getting emails of gatherings at Coffee Bean and Starbucks.

I was not even crazy about the Occupy thing to start with. I’m a Nigerian. We don’t celebrate poverty. We all have ambitions of being in the one percent and we know we’re one election and massive rigging away from that

By SOC Okenwa

R

ecently in Abuja in an NBA-organized event attended by the President where he claimed pitifully that he was the “most criticised President in the world” Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah submitted that “The President of Nigeria is more powerful than any President anywhere in the world, even more powerful than the American President....The President of Nigeria can, as I am standing here now, decide to allocate an oil well to me”. What the popular cleric said was true indeed but we may add that the all-powerful President can empty the vaults of the Central Bank without Sanusi Lamido, the Governor, doing anything!

These women of influence, affluence and benevolence are all looking glamorous instilling fear and awe in people and sometimes breaking official protocol and/or abusing or attacking aides with impunity.

But we must warn here again that there is no legal basis for the office of the First Lady in Nigeria. Ordinarily the holder of that appellation ought to be seen to be helping her husband in the home front and staying above the political fray and not embracing the kleiglights or seeking to be publicly seen and heard controversially.

The African continent stands alone in the way and manner first ladies have exploited their proximity to power. Though the African women privileged to have married Presidents or Governors cannot be said to be alone in the abuse of this privilege

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

Occupying my N5000 note dream. But, when you live outside I did try hard to be a part of a closest I got to it was going the country, you have to prove to revolution in Nigeria. I was hot for downtown, taking a picture, everyone back home that you’re a General Buhari when he came to photshopping it so it seemed I was big deal even though you you’re town with his brand of revolution. actually in the thick of it and slaving for every penny.

Then it occurred to me that the posting it on Facebook”.

But, of course President Movements like the Occupy man must not be a Nigerian and it movement is a huge way to show pissed me off that no one was Jonathan had to take the swag out of my “swagger” when he people in Naija that you have spreading that rumor.

Yankee under your feet and the I mean what kind of Nigerian thought Nigerians were going to be too drunk and best way to hung over from the do it is to New Year partying buy a Tthat they would fail shirt, find to notice a significant the closest Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text increase in the pump bus stop to messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written price of petrol. the event, contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 Before you know take a words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and it, Nigerians were picture a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed occupying Nigeria, with the to: which was strange event in since they were t h e The Editor, already in Nigeria. background Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, You would have and post it thought they would o n 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. occupy Benin or Facebook.

Email: let ters@peoplesdaily-online.com Cameroon to give the That and SMS: 07037756364 thing a punch. To working make it more e i g h t y hours a week for a chance to leader comes to town preaching confusing, people who should be pretend you’re a heavy roller discipline and carts every occupied were part of the rallies. when you go home for Christmas. political leader before him into Worse, my Occupy picture was Plus, one more reason I wanted jail and it’s not because of he no longer special and hip.

For nine months, I’ve been to be part of the whole Occupy thing feared they will overthrow him. was that I’m a revolutionary at I was so sure the man was an alien so confused at the whole occupy heart. Or, so I tell girls with tattoos until the suitcase thing happened Nigeria thing that I was at bars. But, I was born about fifteen and I realized we’d all been considering including it in my years too late. Otherwise I would conned. The man was a Nigerian laundry list of problems for my next visit to the shrink. But, have loved to be a part of the Cuban all along! revolution, even if for the sake of So, you see why I was happy thank God for Lamido Sanusi, those fine cigars. about the occupy thing if even the the Sudanese-trained governor

of the Central Bank. Finally, there is so order in the Nigerian world. The poor people that were finding something to occupy can now occupy N100 coins. We’re going N5,000 notes baby!

Thank God for a revolutionary like Sanusi.

Finally a man who thinks that the way to fight inflation and poverty is to print higher notes.

Why didn’t anyone think of this before now? It’s so ingenious even my drink uncles are trying to figure out how to nominate Sanusi for the Nobel Prize.

I think those criticizing Sanusi are jealous of his brilliance. If I was the President, I would amend the honors list from last week and throw a GCON at him. Then, I would put his face on the N5000 note. Do you know how bad the Nigerian note has become? Every street hawker had the same currency as the big man in the airconditioned Mercedes. The driver and his oga had the same currency! Phew, what would we have done without Sanusi and his brilliance.

Now I know what I would doing at the occupy anniversary this week. I would be toasting Sanusi and his N5000 note. That is the way to occupy Nigeria.

Ose Oyamendan is Los Angeles-based Nigerian filmmaker

since there are precedents from elsewhere. Imelda Marcos comes to mind here. The former First Lady of the Philippines was so ostentatious at the presidential palace in Manila that after she ran away with her husband in the heat of the people power revolution the poor and hungry Filipinos went inside the presidential palace to discover assorted types of wine and different delicacies in the kitchen! Besides they were shocked to find thousands of shoes and designer clothes belonging to the Jezebel that had just fled town!

The late Maryam Babangida used and misused state funds to operate her “Better Life for Rural Women”, a much-vaunted wellpublicised poverty-alleviation programme which bettered lives other than those of women in the rural areas! IBB, in a fit of love or lust having ‘snatched’ Maryam from her original husband, did everything fiscally possible to ‘empower’ the late woman from Delta state. Mrs Babangida was IBB’s first lady and now his last lady as well.

Ever since her death IBB, in his early 70’s, have not considered it erotically wise engaging another woman officially to fill the sexual void left behind by the first and last lady. Having stolen millions (or is it billions?) of dollars and living in lavish retirement in Minna many ladies would be too happy to ‘enjoy’ what Maryam enjoyed

the ‘grab-grab’ syndrome has hit home; what with her recent controversial appointment as a Perm-Sec in far away Bayelsa State? President Jonathan’s First Lady is far from being the last lady! We wish her soonest “recover” — apology to Shina Peters!

The Presidential Committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution headed by the eminent ex-Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Alfa Modibbo Belgore had advocated in its report already submitted to President Jonathan that the “Office of the First Lady” be abolished at all levels of government. According to the Modibbo-led Committee: “the office does not operate under any legal framework (and) that the operation and the funding (both in kind and cash) of such offices at all levels should be discouraged and abolished forthwith”. Can GEJ be man enough or President enough to heed the timely warning? The First Lady syndrome in Nigeria, characteristic of its show of power, has more than ever before crept into our political and national consciousness with Dame Patience Jonathan patiently but ignorantly working her way to infamy. And we cannot help but wish her luck (sorry, Good-luck) in her drive for relevance and opulence.

Concluded SOC Okenwa is reachable on soco_abj_2006_rci@hotmail.fr

WRITE TO US

Of first and last ladies (II) for years: money, viagrainduced sex, fame etc.

The late Gen. Sani Abacha continued the tradition of ‘empowering’ first ladies in Aso Rock.

Though a chronic philanderer Abacha made sure that Mariam had everything within her reach as she set up her own NGO to be able to corner her own millions and billions in orchestrated solicited and unsolicited ‘donations’ for one social-improving cause or another. And his sons were not left out in the looting bazzar as they engaged in torture and squandermania — flying private jets and becoming fatter in both their body and their bank accounts. Today, while the last Abacha lady, the ex-First Lady and her sons and daughters are living comfortably in Kano (never mind the Boko Haram menace!) Mariam must have remembered when all was going rosy in Aso Rock before the Indian hired whores put Abacha away!

She may be able to chronicle the difference between being the First Lady and the last lady.

The former vindictive President Olusegun Obasanjo had a First Lady like his predecessors but the difference here is that none ever tried or contemplated going over to Spain to endure the pain of a tummy tuck. The late Stella Obasanjo was Nigeria’s First Lady but whether she remained OBJ’s last lady is something one must be careful speculating

about. Reputed for his wifebeating, lustful, sexuallycovetous and even incestuous attributes OBJ must have ‘pushed’ Stella to her untimely death indirectly. When you are married to an ‘animal called man’, a feckless philanderer, one ever ready to try out another ‘private garden’ it is always difficult to cope with his implicit demands and desires.

The late President Umaru Yar’Adua loved his wife Turai so much that generous funds were made available expressly for her to execute her pet project as a First Lady with another vision, another idea towards societal advancement. First Lady Turai was so desperate for power that she ‘hijacked’ state power much after her husband was overpowered by Churg-Strauss Syndrome. She became the late President’s First Lady and last lady like others before her. The only possible difference here happens to be the apparent regret haboured by Turai for having to leave her ‘house’ in Aso Rock without any say as to how or when! The recent land feud cum legal tussle in Abuja involving Dame Patience and Hajia Turai exposed both ladies as women of uneasy virtues indeed!

While Turai has demonstrated uncommon greed and tenacity in Aso Rock the ailing Dame has won ‘accolades’ as a meddling power-hungry First Lady with dubious academic credentials. It appears

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

T

he drums of dichotomy are once again rolled out, this time in weird style. And both the dancers and the drummers are gyrating to the tune of the new dichotomy waltz.

Onshore/offshore dichotomy, terrorist/militant dichotomy, Dokubo/Shekau dichotomy, cassava flour/wheat flour dichotomy, Abati/Okupe dichotomy, state burial/ ordinary burial dichotomy, name it.

Before Kano State governor Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso rekindled the onshore/offshore dichotomy debate, the dichotomy, according to Daily Trust “was abrogated in February 2004 following two years of legislative and political rigmarole aimed at working out a solution to a 2002 Supreme Court ruling that affirmed the Federal Government’s powers of control over oil derived offshore.”

But look at how militants are awarded juicy contracts, look at how government dines and wines with subsidy thieves, while Oloyede Tundes of this world are jailed two years for riding motorcycle without side mirror.

So the dichotomy is everywhere in Nigeria.

When Ojukwu was honoured with a state burial, another novel instance of dichotomy appeared in our polity. With sense of disappointment, I then thought of Generals Maman Shuwa, Benjamin Adekunle (the Black Scorpion), Muhammadu Magoro, Col Sani Bello and many surviving military personnel who fought against Ojukwu in order to keep Nigeria one. Will the FG organise state burial in their honour?

I always wonder why heroism is not rewarded much as militancy or mutiny is rewarded. Take for instance, Lt. Colonel Joe Akahan, a onetime Chief of Army Staff, who died in a helicopter crash during the Civil War. Reports said he was the mastermind of Benjamin Adekunle-led sea-borne operations that captured Bonny

By Umechikelu Chukwuebuka

H

eroes come and go just like great kingdoms rise and fall. But in the case of great heroes who are currently remembered for their heroic adventures, they never received the praise of a heroic worthiness until after their death. The great marks, and achievements carried out by them during their life time arouses the intellect and which for no option of it, remembers the late great figures. Here is attribute that has subjugated the thoughts on when to write a tribute. It is a tribute to a person who still exits in space and time. Our candle in the wind is the backbone of civil emancipation in Nigeria. He is no other person but Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, the governor of Edo state, and former president of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).

His firebrand leadership of the Labour Congress has caused his involvement into critical

PAGE 15

Season of dichotomies

Largema, Yakubu Pam and host of others? No date yet. How then do you expect the best from our military men when the nation does not recognise their gallantry but the mutiny of dissidents?

An elder statesman with uncommon retentive memory, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai also faulted both Igbos and Federal Government for honouring exwarlord Col. Dim Odimegwu Ojukwu. “Both what Igbo and FG did to him was sheer hypocrisy.

It was wrong for FG to honour someone who fought against the unity of Nigeria. And to the Igbos, when he contested the Senate in 1983, they did not vote for him but voted Dr Nwudiwe of NPP instead. He later contested for president on the platform of APGA several times but the Igbos did not vote for him,” he argued.

When the federal government recently showered N5 million on each of our Paralympic Gold

Medalists, Nigeria was agog in jubilation for the fact that the physically-challenged athletes deserved the rewards. Of course they deserve the rewards owing to their performance against their able-bodied counterparts.

But out there behind the stage, some patriotic Nigerians who deserve more than N5 million were ‘rewarded’ with N200,000 for dying in the warfront. While the federal government deems it right to splash the sum of N5 million on Paralympics G o l d Medalists, the s a m e government, through the Nigerian Army, gave the sum of N200,000 to those who lost their lives in fight against Boko Haram.

When on August 4, 2012, a suicide bomber in Yobe State rammed his bomb-laden vehicle into two military patrol vehicles, nine soldiers were killed while seven others sustained injuries, the army organised a ceremony last week to reward their gallantry with N200,000 each.

Prior to that, hundreds of soldiers, policemen and other security personnel lost their lives in Maiduguri, Yobe, Kano and other states. You will think the families of those who died in the line of duty will be adequately compensated. But they were not.

In a sheer display of injustice, those who sustain injuries (some terminal injuries) were given N100,000.

But for the magnanimity of Yobe State government, which gave N1 million and N500,000 each to families of those who lost their

lives and those who sustained injuries respectively, their lives would have been staked for only N200,000. But what is mere N1.2 million for the life of a soldier? How will you expect police or other security operatives to fight Boko Haram for N200,000 while the Boko Haram sect allegedly gives more than that amount to the families of their dead fighters?

Borno State government once paid a staggering sum of N100 million to the family of late Ba Fugu Mohammed, the in-law of Boko Haram leader late Mohammed Yusuf who was equally killed by the police. The same state government did not pay a dime to the families of hundreds of innocent people who are daily being caught in the crossfire in Maiduguri. A strange dichotomy.

I gathered reliably that about half of the security operatives in the battle line in Maiduguri, Yobe, Kano, Kaduna, etc, do not have bullet-proof jackets, nor required gadgets nor sophisticated firearm to fight the militants. Government did just about nothing to equip the police for better service. I also gathered that a policeman who spends the whole day at a checkpoint is given only N500 allowance.

Without protection vest or motivation, how will you expect policemen to confront Boko Haram? While the security personnel get only N500 for baking in the sun without adequate food, out there in Abuja, I gathered that members of one of the numerous committees set by federal government get about N1 million each per sitting – in the chilling comfort of airconditioners and all-expense hotel accommodation.

I previously flayed the police for fleeing their stations during attack until I came across this strange dichotomy.

when to drop them, unlike other activists or fanatics. His lugubrious expressions on issues that affect the nation and his system of carrying out demonstrations are peaceful: it is quite true that his disagreements with the government are symptomatic but they are not aimed at harming but to communicate an issue. His spirit of courage has made him to be a leader who is ready to take responsibilities and prove his actions.

Adams journey into the Edo Government House, begun after his successful second term in office as the president of NLC, as a liberator of the union he came to liberate his good people of Edo state. As a dogged fighter, he wrestled with the PDP in the massively rigged April 2007 election. In which Oserheimen Osunbor of PDP had initially been declared the winner and

through was declared winner by the Appeal Court, hence, he assumed office on November 2008. On assumption of office, Adams did not relent in his efforts in bettering the condition of his people. Just as he had fought strongly for the well being of workers, when billions of Naira were entering into few individuals pockets and leaving the millions of masses to suffer.

He used the resources that were meant for the state judiciously for the state. He was accused of a lot of misappropriations and mismanagement of fund. His life threatened, and even lost his close associates. But, these did not deter in his ideas and courage of fostering the betterment of the entire citizens, especially the poor masses.

Adams demonstrated strongly to his people that Edo belongs to all and everybody must enjoy it. His people trusted him and when his first

tenure was over, they did not hesitate to vote him into the second tenure and many Nigerians were not surprise that he won massively, winning 477,478 votes representing 73% of the total votes cast.

President Jonathan, did not hid his sentiments, he told Mr Oshiomhole to see” his victory as a fresh mandate to build on his outstanding first term performance, an expression of the people’s desire for continuation of his focused, purposeful and dynamic leadership.”

Ride on with your good governance the people’s governor, the Labour’s General. Ride on with your actions dear Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, the backbone of civil emancipation.

Umechikelu Chukwuebuka is reachable on umekachikelu@yahoo.com

during the war. Is there a day set aside to remember him for dying in order to protect Nigeria’s unity?

No, Nigeria only remembers those who fight against her.

What about Major Martin Adamu who launched the first Civil War offensive on July 6, 1967, from Vandekya, Benue State, on the Ogoja front? He was not accorded State Burial when he died in August 2004. But someone who fought against the country was honoured. You can see the reason militancy and terrorism are flourishing in Nigeria.

Civil War expert Nowa O m o i g u i ’ s submission about B e n j a m i n Adekunle tells a lot about his gallantry, “Colonel Benjamin Adekunle (a.k.a.

“Black Scorpion”) became a political and folk hero after stunning military successes at Bonny, Warri, Sapele, Calabar and Port Harcourt. These successes, amplified by his penchant for national and international publicity, made him a household name in his native Western State.

He seemed to emulate American General Douglas MacArthur and likely saw himself as a Nigerian Caesar. Indeed, I recall that as a primary school student in Lagos and subsequently as a secondary school student in Warri, we often chanted songs that extolled Adekunle’s heroic contributions to the war.”

I just hope Adekunle’s heroism and gallantry toward keeping Nigeria one, would not be in vain.

He at least deserves state burial with full military honours as Ojukwu enjoyed.

What about Colonel Shitu Alao, who led the Nigerian Air Force during the civil war and died while on a solo flight. He was said to have personally undertaken some air strikes during the war.

Apart from a posthumous OFR award which former President Shagari conferred him in 1982, he was never remembered by the Federal Government.

Is there a day set aside to remember Brigadier Maimalari,

issues that a common Nigerian would hope to discuss but due to his or her low statue in the society, he or she could not air his or her views. He has become a means by which the cry of the masses could be taken and be penetrated into the deaf ears of the government. thus, his regular face-offs with the government, strikes, demonstrations and strong heartfelt concern for the course of Labour and poor masses puts no one in doubt that he is indeed like a messianic figure proclaiming liberty to captives and to those in Sorrow, Joy. He is so much concerned in promoting the good welfare of the common Nigerian against the top goons of the nation who are impregnated with corruption and lootings.

In the course of his actions, he argues passionately and intellectually, he knows when to bring out his weapons and

Our candle in the wind

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

PAGE 16

AMAC chair tasks residents on sanitation

By Adeola Tukuru

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Road side business at Mararaba Nasarawa state.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

WHO tasks FCTA on frequent immunization exercise

By Josephine Ella and Adeola Tukuru

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he World Health Organization (WHO) has advised the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to carry out frequent local immunisation exercises to realise the desired impact of shoring up the immunity level of children in the territory.

WHO FCT State Coordinator, Pharmacist Soji Taiwo gave the advise yesterday at the flag-off ceremony of Local Immunization Days organised by the FCT Primary Health Care Development Board(PHDB) at Gwarimpa General Hospital.

This, she said , as according to

her, ”the immunization coverage in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has not been very impressive in the recent times”.

She explained that before the introduction of Penta-valent vaccine, the cumulative FCT DPT3 coverage was 39 per cent in May, 2012: with 24,358 un-immunized children.

Taiwo enumerated the challenges of reaching every child with vaccine in FCT to include funding, logistics, non-compliance by some care givers, poor social mobilization and weak support supervision, among others.

While flagging-off the exercise, the FCT Minister of States, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide assured that about 250 health facilities within all the FCT area councils and quite

a number of outreach sites would be involved in providing services.

This, she said: “Is with the view to improving access so that community members are encouraged to uptake and utilize the services provided”.

Akinjide, therefore enjoined all relevant stakeholders, religious, community leaders and other leaders within communities to join hands to create demand for this important life saving intervention.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon Micah Y. Jiba commended the FCT PHCDB) for initiating a complementary immunization scheme to improve on the National Immunization Days (NIDs) observed monthly.

Jiba noted that the proactive approach by the board is a credible measure that would further eradicate polio and other childhood killer diseases and tens of other maternal health care problems.

He pledged his commitment and partnership with the board to promote family health and primary health care delivery to the people at the grassroots.

On his part, the Executive Secretary, FCT PHDB, Dr Rilwan Mohammed said that the exercise which commenced on Tuesday would terminate on Friday.

This was as he thanked the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed for giving the health, wellbeing and survival of children and women in the FCT a priority in health programming.

he Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has advised residents to cooperate with Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on the Clean and Green Greater Abuja Initiative to ensure effective enforcement of cleanliness and environmental health safety in the council.

Chairman of the council, Hon. Micah Jiba, who made the call at the sensitisation forum with members of the FCTA Green and Clean Ministerial Committee, said that the great responsibility of sanitizing the council rest on the leadership and residents of the council.

“This fact automatically puts a heavy load of waste generation on our environment. We are mindful of this fact that the council has the responsibility of sanitising its environment and such we have put the necessary structure in place within our capacity to meet up the challenge.

“The council has also been partnering with stakeholders in the sector who have been holding seminar and sensitization visits across the communities and we want to assure you that AMAC will not relent in its effort in ensuring a clean and green environment because it is the council that projects the image of the capital city,” he said.

In a remark, the Chairman of the FCT Ministerial Committee on Clean and Green Abuja Initiative, Alh. Tukur Bakori, who represented the FCT Minister, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, said that maintaining clean and healthy environment was critical to a healthy economy, hence, it is important for every resident to cultivate a clean and healthy lifestyle.

Two jailed over attempt to smuggle cigarette to suspect in detention

T

wo men, Danlami Danjuma and Mahmud Suleiman have been sentenced to four months imprisonment each by an Abuja Senior Magistrates Court yesterday, for attempting to smuggle cigarette to a suspect on detention in a police station.

Police prosecutor, Mohammed Ahmed told the court that the case was lodged at the Maitama Police Station by one Christopher Salau on September 13, 2012.

He said that on September 13, the

convicts, who stay behind Exclusive Stores in Abuja, conspired and hid a box of matches and five sticks of cigarettes inside a loaf of bread.

Ahmed said that the convicts had the intention to deliver the said loaf of bread to one Dauda and Joshua presently in police custody at the Maitama Police Station.

He said that the convicts were caught in the act by Salau, the guard on duty at the Maitama Police Station and were subsequently arrested.

The prosecutor said that the

items were recovered from them on arrest, and that the offences, criminal conspiracy and attempt to commit an offence, contravenes Sections 95 and 97 of the Penal Code.

Danjuma and Suleiman, however, pleaded guilty to the allegations against them.

“I did not know it was an offence to take cigarettes to someone in police custody, although, now I know better,’’ Danjuma said.

“I don’t know it was a crime to take cigarettes to somebody in prison,’’ Suleiman also said.

Upon their plea, the prosecutor prayed the court to try the convicts summarily based on the provisions of Section 157(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Akobi in the judgement, said that she was not convinced by the reasons given by the convicts because they tried to conceal the items inside the loaf of bread.

She said that ignorance was not an excuse for breaking the law and that as young men, they should have engaged themselves in useful acts instead of committing crimes.

She, therefore, sentenced each of the accused to two months imprisonment for each of the two offences of criminal conspiracy and attempt to commit an offence.

She, however, gave them an option of N2, 000 as fine for each of the offences.

Akobi said that the sentence would not run concurrently to serve as a deterrent to them and other offenders.

Senior Magistrate Ann Akobi, however, gave the convicts an option of N4, 000 as fine. (NAN)

Residents of FHA, Nyanya-Karu decry poor state of roads

R

esidents of Federal Housing Authority Estate, Nyanya-Karu in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) yesterday decried the poor state of the roads in the estate.

A cross section of the residents who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said that the roads within the estate

were no longer passable.

A resident, Mr Chris Mbachu called on the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed to urgently do something about the bad roads to alleviate the sufferings of motorists in the estate.

“The roads have totally failed as the authorities have not

considered it vital to maintain them.

In fact, the present state of the roads shows that no rehabilitation ever took place since they were built over 30 years ago”.

Another resident, Mr Inalegwu Odeh, said that the roads were death traps, “they are

destroying our cars and many residents are thinking of relocating from the area”.

Malam Abdullahi Yinusa said that the drainage system in the estate had totally collapsed, adding that the development had left residents at the mercy of the canal that ran through the middle of the area.

“We are urging the FCT authority and the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to ensure the community is salvaged as the estate is home to many federal workers’’.

NAN reports that the estate has 250 flats, 15 major link-roads and three sub-estates with more than 100 flats. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

PAGE 17

1

3

2

1. Unity Dance Cultural Troupe performing during the National Ordinance Day celebration, yesterday in Abuja.

4

2.

Labourers moving to site to eke living, yesterday in Area 8, Garki, Abuja.

3.

A young carpenter learning the art of the trade, yesterday, in Garki Abuja.

4. Mai shayi (tea seller) taking a nap due to low patronage, yesterday in Nyanya.

Photos: Justin Imo-owo

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

PAGE 18

Councillor trains 15 youths, provides amenities for Kwali residents

By Adeola Tukuru

T

he Councillor representing Kwali Central Ward in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon Mohammed Mohammed has trained fifteen youths in the area on entrepreneurship development.

Mohammed, who disclosed this at the weekend, explained that the gesture was a partial fulfilment of his electioneering promises to the people, especially the youths in his ward that contributed to his successful election into office.

The councillor revealed that he used his furniture allowance to fund the training as well as

providing borehole and other basic amenities to the people within the ward.

He further disclosed that he also distributed various items to people in his ward such as mosquito treated nets, farming equipments and text books to students in some primary schools in the area.

He said that he has

Refuse dump overflowing to the main road, at Mopol junction Nyanya Abuja.

concluded arrangement on how to upgrade the Central Market located in the heart of the council.

The councillor pointed out that the challenges within the market include, poor road network, lack of parking space, insecurity and avoidable deplorable condition which have affected traders in the market.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Husband arraigned for battering wife

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he police have arraigned a man, Simon Silas, 55, before a Karu Magistrates Court in Nasarawa state for allegedly beating up his wife.

Police Prosecutor, Garba Mohammed said that the incident was reported at the

Apo Police Station on September 4, 2012.

Mohammed told the court that the accused beat up his wife Ijeoma and inflicted injury on her.

The prosecutor added that the accused caused grievous

hurt on her, pointing out that the offence contravenes the Penal Code.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Magistrate, Celestine Odo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50, 000 with

one surety in like sum.

Odo ordered that the surety must have a fixed address within the jurisdiction of the court.

He adjourned the case to September 19, 2012 for further hearing. (NAN)

Two men in court for allegedly receiving stolen cars

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F

our men have appeared before a Karu Upper Area Court in the federal Capital Territory(FCT) for alleged joint act, causing hurt and theft.

The accused are Bashir Maji, 27; Abdulwahab Abdulkarim,18; Ismail Langmai, 21 and Mohammed Yaseru, 22, all of United Hunters Security, Mararaba, Nasarawa state.

Prosecutor Silas Nanpam told the court that Mr Eliyas Vasco of Area ‘A’ Block 56 in Nyanya, Abuja reported the case at Nyanya police station on September 1, 2012.

Nanpam said that on August 30, Vasco took a motorcycle in Mararaba for Area A in Nyanya, FCT, adding that on reaching Area A junction, the accused persons stopped the cyclist.

He said that when Eliyas was about paying the cyclist, the accused jointly beat up the complainant.

“He sustained injuries on his right eye and the back and the accused persons also collected the complainant’s wallet containing N32, 000,’’ Nanpam said.

Nanpam said the four also collected the complainant’s wristwatch valued at N1,500 and a N1,200 cap.

“The complainant was taken to Maternal Bills Hospital where he spent N6,200 on treatment,’’ he told the court.

The prosecution said the allegations against the accused persons contravenes Sections 79, 245, 288 of the Penal Code.

The four accused denied the allegations.

Defence counsel, Osagiede Ehisuoria pleaded with the court to grant the accused bail.

Presiding Judge, Umar Kagarko granted the bail in the sum of N50,000 each.

Kagarko ordered each accused to provide a credible surety with recent passport photographs and who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

The case was adjourned to November14, 2012 for hearing (NAN)

he Police have arraigned Samuel Chukwu, 32, and Nnamdi Umeh, 30, from Abakaliki, before a Karu Area Court in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) for receiving stolen cars.

The Police Prosecutor, Abiola Oyewusi, told the court that the accused persons were arraigned in connection with the cars stolen by Paul Egwu, Nwokoma Onyemazu, Ifeanyi John and Nwan Anthony in Zuba, FCT on July 3, 2012.

Oyewusi said the accused

persons came to Abuja to receive the stolen cars and that during investigation, a Nissan Sunny and Honda Academy cars were recovered from them.

The two, however, pleaded not guilty.

The owner of the Nissan Sunny car, Thaddeus Ekwueme, 33, from Ezauda village in the FCT, told the court that he bought the car together with his brother, Titus Ekwueme.

Ekwueme added that his wife called him on phone on June 27 and told him that the car was

By Adeola Tukuru

Jisalo makes case for fair treatment of Abuja indigenes

A

member of the House of Representatives representing Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and Bwari Area Council, Hon. Zephaniah Jisalo has advised the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to give equal treatments to indigenes of FCT in order to avoid a possible chaos.

Jisalo, who gave the advice during an a chat with journalists at Kpaduma

community in Abuja at a Thanksgiving Service in honour of Hon. Bala Iyah, Councillor, representing Garki ward in AMAC, said that the problems of indigenes of FCT has been the neglect by successive FCT administration.

This was as he adviced that the indigenes should be given equal treatments just like other Nigerians in the capital city.

“I am speaking without mincing words as a legislator, the

missing and he asked her to report it to the nearest police station which is in Gwagwa, Abuja.

He said that on returning from his journey, he went to the Gwagwa Police Station and was told that signals were sent to search for his missing car.

He also said that on August 28, 2012 he heard on WAZOBIA FM radio news that a stolen car with number plate LQ645AAA was recovered and he proceeded to the Special Anti Robbery Squad, Abuja and submitted his

government needs to hear us, so that there will not be chaos and problem in future, that what happened in Lagos state and Niger Delta will not happen in Abuja. That is why we are asking for equal treatments for our people. The government of FCT should look at the plights of the indigenes and make corrections,” he said.

On his part, Hon. Bala Iyah, while appreciating God for sustaining his life as a Councillor,

particulars for identification.

The particulars included proof of ownership, vehicle licence, vehicle insurance and road worthiness, which he presented in court as exhibits.

He also told the court that the car was not released to him when he went to claim ownership because the police said the case was already in court.

The presiding Judge, Mr Umar Kagarko, adjourned the case to November 27, 2012 for cross examination. (NAN)

Four guards in court for causing hurt, theft

advised leaders in FCT and the entire country to cultivate the attitude of getting close to the electorate at the grass-root in order to know their aspirations and challenges.

He added that by doing so, the immediate problems of the people will be genuinely solved.

He used the opportunity to appeal to the council and FCT authority to develop the Kpaduma community market to ease the suffering of the women.

“I am appealing to the council and the FCT administration to come and develop the Kpaduma community market, because there are many villages around this place where the people are suffering, going to Asokoro, Garki, Karu and Wuse markets with their loads on their shoulders, but if there is a market here, it will boost the economy of the community, AMAC and even the FCT,” he said.

BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2012

Email: amunuimam@yahoo.co.uk

PAGE 19

INSIDE

The aviation minister is doing well Capt Usman

Mob: 08033644990

Petrol scarcity hits Lagos harder From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

…product sells for N200 per litre

he current fuel scarcity unduly influenced the price of the product in Lagos on Monday, forcing motorists out of desperation to buy from the black market for as much as N200 per litre.

The official price is N97 per litre.

Peoples Daily checks revealed that more filing stations have joined the growing numbers of stations without the product. Findings along the long stretch Lagos-Badagry express road showed that a number of filling stations along the road did not sell yesterday, as they claimed non-availability of the product when our correspondent visited.

As usual during scarcity of this essential product, major highways and streets have become sale points for black marketers who are seen lining up the roads with kegs and beckoning on

motorists to stop by and buy.

They are found majorly on such roads as Ikorodu road, Lagos-Badagry expressway, Apapa-Oshodi expressway, Festac-Amuwo bypass and some streets in Festac and Satellite towns, selling the product for N200 per litre.

Along the Lagos-Badagry expressway particularly opposite the Nigerian Army Cantonment, several of the black marketers who include underage children, women and young men were seen either standing or sitting by the road with several kegs containing fuel in front of them. This particular spot had over years become notorious for black marketing of petrol in Lagos. They were selling the product for N200 per litre as none of the filling stations close by was selling.

Isiaka Yahaya, Auditor General of

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the Sahara Unit of Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), said that petrol scarcity might linger in Lagos for some time.

He alleged that inability of marketers to import the product caused current scarcity. Yahaya said that the marketers could not import petrol because of government's failure to settle subsidy claims of some marketers.

He said that only one depot in Apapa was loading trucks with the product.

"Out of the more than 10 depots in the area, only one was loading trucks and the loading capacity is going down on daily basis.

"Before 200 trucks were loading, but now hardly would 60 trucks load in a day," he said.

Yahaya urged the Federal Government to engage the marketers

and other stakeholders in the sector in dialogue to ease the sufferings of motorists.

The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has urged the Federal Government to call on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Petroleum Pipeline Marketing Company (PPMC) to effect the repairs of the vandalised pipeline at Arepo, in Ogun state, to ease the scarcity being experienced in Lagos.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian NNPC has said that it has taken measures to end the current fuel scarcity in Lagos and some parts of the country.

Fidel Pepple, the acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the corporation, on Monday stated that the fuel shortage is due to the shutdown of system 2b, a major pipeline that evacuates between nine to eleven million litres of fuel from Lagos to Ibadan, Ilorin and the North due to serious vandalism by oil thieves a couple of weeks ago.

Dangote bags LEADERSHIP’s business person of the year award

By Aminu Imam

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L-R: Managing Director, Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, Malam Idris Muhammad, with representative of GOC 1 DIV, Colonel Felix Omokui, during a customers' consultative council meeting, recently in Kaduna.

Photo: NAN

Unity Bank storms market with revamped e-product

By Abdulwahab Isa

U

nity Bank has announced a re-launch of its mobile banking application, Unity Mobile.

The reintroduced product places the bank in a leading role in the financial services sector by providing customers with secure real-time mobile transaction capability, the bank's Head of Media Relations, Sani Zaria said.

Responding to press enquiries, Zaria said that apart from the convenience to customers of being able to bank from their mobile phones, Unity Mobile is unique in its simplicity of use while remaining absolutely secure. He said the revamped Unity Mobile application was part of the bank's ongoing rejuvenation process to improve service delivery to its customers.

According to Zaria,"Unity Mobile is very simple to use, it

allows customers to have access to their accounts at any time of the day, and it is very secure as our IT infrastructure runs on Oracle 11g with Web Logic." In addition, Zaria also said Unity Mobile reduces risks, saves customers' time and cost as there is no longer a need to carry cash around or go into the bank branch to conduct transactions.

"You can even pay your utility bills and top up your phone from

Unity Mobile," he said.

It would be recalled that Unity Bank was the first deposit money bank in Nigeria using the 'BANKS' application software to upgrade its IT infrastructure to Oracle 11g with Web Logic. The upgrade was carried out to guarantee long term data integrity and confidentiality of the bank's customers' information and records as well as high level data resilience.

resident of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote was yesterday in Abuja awarded the 'Business Person of the Year' by the LEADERSHIP Group of Newspapers.

The newspaper described Dangote as an astute visionary businessman who has created jobs for thousands of young Nigerians.

'Dangote is the Golden Child of Nigerian Business circle', the newspaper said. Alhaji Dangote, who received Nigeria's second highest award of GCON last year was described by the Leadership Newspaper as nonpartisan and detribalised Nigerian.

'His products are in most homes in Nigeria', it said.

It said Dangote Cement now accounts for a quarter of Nigerian Stock Exchange, adding that he manages Africa's biggest cement company.

The award was received by Dangote Group's regional rep Alhaji Isa Tata Yusuf on behalf of Alhaji Dangote.

Management Tip of the Day

Make decisions simpler for your customers

W

hen asked, consumers almost always say they want more options. But their purchasing behavior often indicates otherwise.

Consumers are often overwhelmed by the flood of product information and choices available to them.

Many report unnecessarily agonizing over trivial purchases. This cognitive overload causes them to make poor decisions, repeatedly change their minds, give up on purchases altogether, or regret the purchases they do make none of which is good for your brand.

- Pg 20

Help your customers simplify their decisions. You can reduce choice by getting rid of less popular products. Or you can simplify their choices by helping them navigate their options and giving them trustworthy information they can use to weigh the alternatives.

CBN plans N101 bn naira T/bill auction

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he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said it plans to issue N101.21 billion ($641.18 million) in treasury bills ranging from 3month to 6-month maturities at its regular bi-monthly debt auction tomorrow.

The apex bank said it will issue N37.48 billion in 91-day paper and N63.73 billion in 182-day bills on Sept. 20.

Dealers said the bills are likely to be oversubscribed because of a fresh injections of oil money into government budgetary allocations for August last week, and increased offshore interest in the local debt.

Offshore investors are positioning themselves to buy sovereign debt from Africa's second biggest economy, ahead of next month's inclusion of Nigeria's bonds in JP Morgan's emerging market government bond index. (Reuters)

…..keeps rates on hold at 12 %

By Abdulwahab Isa

F

or consecutive six times in a row, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) kept its base interest rate on hold for the sixth time in a row yesterday, welcoming improved growth and a slight fall in headline inflation, but warning that core inflation remained stubbornly high.

The CBN governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi also said the monetary policy committee had decided to keep its cash reserve requirement at 12 percent, adding that the bank would keep monetary conditions tight for time being.

Sanusi gave his assurance that the committee will monitor development in the price level and will remain firm in its commitment to price stability as its mandate.

"It was of concern of the committee that the declining output in the agricultural sector was traceable to the security challenges and high intensity of rainfall which caused flooding in several parts of the country" he observed.

Meanwhile, effort by journalists to elicit his response on yesterday's decision by the National Assembly urging a halt in the planned introduction of N5,000 and coinage of lower currencies was shunned by Sanusi, who feigned ignorance of the decision by the two chambers.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS FCMB/FinBank

F

irst City Monument Bank Plc (FCMB) has reassured its various stakeholders and those of FinBank that the two institutions which have been going through the process of integration will conclude the merger process in October, 2012.

The Deputy Managing Director/Executive Director (DMD) of FCMB, Segun Odusanya, who gave this reassurance in a chat with newsmen in Lagos recently said the process is 95 percent completed.

The FCMB DMD also revealed that post merger, the bank which has been noted for its niche in corporate banking will be expanding its retail banking focus to create a more robust and stable institution.

Stockbrokers

T

he Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) says its maiden edition of the annual national workshop originally scheduled to hold on September 13, 2012 in Abuja has been shifted to the first week in November.

The Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers' National Workshop Committee, Albert Okumagba, who announced the postponement last Friday said the shift would enable CIS to broaden the participation in the workshop and reach out to more groups.

The annual workshop as designed by CIS is meant to generate quality input which it intends to make available to the Federal Government in designing the appropriate policies for the country.

Facebook

F

acebook Inc CEO Mark Zuckerberg might need to talk more often. A 30minute appearance at a technology industry conference earlier this week translated into $6.785 billion in additional market valuation for his company.

Facebook shares finished Friday's regular trading session up 6.2 percent at $22 as Wall Street's confidence in the company continued to improve in the wake of the 28-year-old CEO's first public appearance since a rocky initial public offering in May. The social networking company's progress introducing a new advertising service that gives marketers improved ways to reach consumers on Facebook also helped bolster its shares, analysts said.

The aviation minister is doing well - Capt Usman Capt. Balarabe A. Usman is the pioneer Director of Aviation Security and Safety at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Our reporter, Suleiman Idris had a chat with him recently. Excerpts: What is your view of aviation development in Nigeria?

T

he Ministry of Aviation, led y the current Minister, to my understanding, is on the right path. She has opened new vistas in the industry, especially when you look at the developments on going at the airports all over the country. As a veteran in the aviation sector, this is an area I am interested in as such I follow the trends in the sector.

Let us keep politics aside; she is doing what several other industry experts didn't do when they had the chance. This is not just empty praises; as a matter of fact, I have never met her. Any sincere aviation enthusiast will agree that there has been an great development in the aviation industry.

Recently, I was at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Abuja Airport and I was pleasantly surprised, I couldn't believe what I saw. Meanwhile, at Aminu Kano International airport, I had the opportunity of talking to the airport manager. He told me that even their work ethics had changed and that there is a greater resilience from above to ensure that things work. b

There are allegations from some quarters that the Minister has anti-Northern sentiments How true is this perception?

It is painful to hear some of these arguments - the airports being remodeled are there for

Capt. Balarabe A. Usman everybody to see. The Minister isn't carrying the airport around, its not in her handbag; it is there for all to see, it is physical. Those who are criticising her can go and see for themselves and then come up with analysis. It is her detractors that are peddling these rumors and allegations. It is a ploy to divert her attention from her good job. She should not bother but maintain her

Inspectors re-certify Aero's plane fit after aborted Abuja-Lagos flight Stories from Suleiman Idris, Lagos

I

nspectors from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has recertify an Aero B737 planes fit for flight operations after it was temporary grounded following a malfunction on its navigation air prior to landing in Abuja last Sunday.

Reports indicated that as soon as the plane returned to the parking bay in Lagos, NCAA inspectors insisted on recertifying the aircraft after the maintenance engineers had rectified the supposed technical fault that led to the aborted flight.

The passengers on board were asked by the inspectors to disembark to allow for a test flight of the aircraft by them.

It was after they had test flight the plane and certified it fit

that they allowed the passengers to re-board the plane for their onward journey to Lagos after it was cleared for takeoff.

The airline PR agent told reporters that "Aero can confirm that there was a malfunction on its navigation aid prior to the landing of flight AJ 122 into Abuja on 16 September."

The statement said "the malfunction of the aid prompted the pilot to inform the tower of the snag. Upon landing, the station engineer rectified the snag, and subsequently a test flight was done to ascertain the fix. The NCAA was informed and released the aircraft back to service."

It affirmed that Aero will continue to ensure that it observes the highest standard of safety and maintenance in all its operations.

momentum; the truth is that she is already there‌ It's her opponents somewhere who are inciting the North and we northerners are not fools. It is a needless distraction.

Aviation analysts like Capt Omale have criticised the handling of the Dana Air crash, specifically the investigative panel. What is your response to their position?

I am not speaking for the government, or the Minister of Aviation, but I am concerned and worried about people like Capt

Omale's general conduct on issues which concern lives of innocent air travelling Nigerians which he takes for granted. His recent outburst, where he chastised the Federal Government over the appointment of the technical committee headed by wellknown professional is unfortunate.

This committee is made up of experienced and respected professionals like Capt.

Obakpolor, Capt Adamu Mshelia and Engr. Fidelis Oneyiri. He did the same when former President Olusegun Obasanjo constituted the Mrs. Odutola committee following the Belleview flight 210 crash. Capt Omale said the appointment of the committee fell short of global aviation standards and practices but failed woefully to quote or indicate any authority, treaty or convention to support his argument. Which global standards were violated? Is it ICAO IATA FAA, the ACAC African Civil Aviation Commission or Yamoussoukro Declaration?

It is sad that instead of substantiating his arguments, he resorted to personal attacks and insults on these highly respected veterans.

As an old timer and an industry observer, what are your recommendations that will make the Aviation ministry better?

The way she is going now, all the ministry requires are dedicated professionals to support the minister. And there is no professional who won't want to work with the minister. To me, she is a go-getter who likes to achieve. I'm impressed with her because of the new chapter she has opened in the aviation industry.

She has opened up Nigerian aviation to international investors. I also want to note that aviation industry is guided by convention, laws, acts; if anybody is criticising let them come and state which act says what?

British Airways expands African route network

U

nited Kingdom carrier, British Airways said it will further strengthen its African network this summer when it begins flying to Liberia, bringing to nineteen the number of routes it serves from London to 16 African countries.

The flight to Monrovia, the country's capital is the second increase by BA to its African network in as many months having earlier announced that it would double its flights to Marrakech from three to six a week.

The airline told reporters its winter schedule will now also

include three weekly services to Monrovia via Freetown starting November 5, reducing to two between December 10 to February 4, for operational reasons and reverting to three thereafter.

British Airways will operate a Boeing 767 to Monrovia in a three-cabin configuration; World Traveller, World Traveller Plus and Club World.

Other enhancements to the African network include doubling frequencies from Cape Town from a daily to 14 a week with additional services which will operate as overnight flights.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

T

he Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has said that the country exported non-oil products valued at $1.35 billion (N216 billion) for the first half of 2012.

The Executive Director, NEPC, Mr. David Adulugba, who disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja however said the figure represented about 10 % decline from the $1.50 billion recorded in the same period in 2011.

Adulugba, who attributed the decline to unrecorded exports, the fuel crisis and workers' strike in January however expressed optimism that the agnecy would achieve its 40 percent target for non- oil export products before the end of the year .

Adulugba noted with concern that the high incidence of unrecorded exports had been a major challenge to accurate reporting of the performance of the non-oil sector in the country.

To address the challenge, Adulugba said the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment was making

PAGE 21

Nigeria exports N216 bn worth of non-oil products in 6 months - NEPC moves to establish border markets at some strategic locations.

He pointed out that the country's non-oil exports were dominated by raw commodities and few products with value addition.

The NEPC explained further said Nigeria exported non-oil products worth $660.1million and $686.2 million for the first and second quarters of the year respectively as against $818.8 million and $676.2 million recorded for the same period in 2012.

The executive director said Nigeria exported goods worth $161.6

million dollars in January compared as against $307.2 million dollars in 2011.

Adulugba said the nation exported non-oil products worth $242.9 million in February 2012 compared to $273.6 million recorded in the same period in 2011. He also said that Nigeria exported non-oil products worth $255.7 million and $220.6 million in March and April this year compared as against $237.9 million and $250.6 million recorded for 2011.

He said the country's non-oil exports in May and June 2012 were $242.6 million and $223.1 million,

respectively compared to $703.5 million and $222 million recorded in the same period in 2011.

According to Adulugba, the bulk of the exported products are cocoa and cocoa preparations, oil seeds, sesame seeds, edible fruits, nuts, citrus, tobacco, fish, shrimps and gum Arabic.

Others included recharge cards, cosmetics, footwear, textiles, confectioneries, insecticides, plastics, empty bottles, electric cables, food, beverages and noodles.

He expressed optimism that the agency would achieve its 40 percent

Minister urges Nigerians to embrace noninterest banking

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

T

Shareholders of Bagco to get N870m dividend

S

hareholders of the Nigerian Bag Manufacturing Company plc (BAGCO) have approved N870.1 million as dividend for its 2012 financial year, translating to 14 kobo per ordinary share of 50 kobo.

John Coumantaros, chairman of the company, while speaking in Abuja at the company's 47th annual general meeting, said profit after tax (PAT) rose by 33.3 percent to N1.37 billion from N1.28 billion in 2011, as improved internal operating efficiency, product mix changes and capacity expansion helped the group turnover to rise by 30 percent to N24.22 billion in the year under review, compared with N18.58 billion in 2011.

Coumantaros said the company was able to deliver a strong performance despite the difficult and challenging operating environment, noting that, during the year, "we continued with our strategic business expansion plans with the aim of meeting growing product demand and sustaining our leadership position in the Nigerian woven polypropylene sack industry.

However, the company's profit before tax stood at N2.02 billion, as its subsidiaries including Northern Bag Manufacturing Company Limited (BAGCO North) as well as BAGCO Morpack Nigeria Limited, all made significant progress in the year under review.

"I will like to reassure shareholders that as the global economy continue a gradual process of recovery; our company's strong fundamentals provide us with a good basis to be optimistic that our efforts will result in enhanced growth and profitability," he said.

target for non- oil export products before the end of the year in line with the key performance indicators (KPI). “At the moment, we are working assiduously to translate where we were at $2.8 billion per annum to 40 percent ($3.92 billion). All sorts of strategies will be adopted to achieve the target within the regional market.'' (NAN)

L-R: Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, and Deputy Chief of Staff, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Kachalla, during the National Council on Privatisation meeting, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Reviving manufacturing sector key to vision 2020, says MAN From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

T

he Manufacturers Association of Nigeria MAN has said that transforming the manufacturing sector of the Nigeria economy into a dynamic and virile one is central to the achievement of the much touted vision 20:2020 of the federal government.

It said the vision, which envisages a long-term intensification of Nigeria's industrialisation process and movement towards a knowledge driven economy can only be accelerated with massive investment in the manufacturing sector.

Speaking in Lagos during the presentation of the'Blueprint for the Accelerated Development of Manufacturing in Nigeria', President of MAN, Dr. Kola Jamodu said the articulation of the blueprint is an effort to provide government with proposals on policies that, if implemented, could help to

position the manufacturing sector for greater performance and fasttrack the realization of the national vision of becoming one of the top 20 economies by 2020.

According to MAN projection, contribution of the sector to GDP could actually leap-frog to 15-18% in the next 3 years if the recommendations in the blueprint are considered and implemented.

The document the body affirms is based on an integrated approach that addresses sector-specific issues and recognizes the important role of manufacturing, particularly SMEs in the generation of substantial employment.

"In the last decade, the Nigerian manufacturing sector's contribution to the GDP hovered around 4% compared to the situation in most emerging economies and developed countries where the manufacturing sector's contribution to the GDP averaged 46%." Part of the blueprint read.

Also it underscores the need to review and strengthen the agricultural policy of the country

as there is a direct link between agriculture and manufacturing via agro-allied industries which have high potentials for backward integration and job creation.

Part of the challenges militating against the growth of the sector in Nigeria the document mentioned include difficult and unfavourable environment as a result of acute infrastructural deficiency, high cost of industrial fuel and death of skilled middle level manpower among others.

In the proposed programme of action, MAN identify the provision of basic infrastructure, good governance, political stability and security as well sound and stable macroeconomic and regulator environment as panacea to the challenges.

Others including adequate human capital, Innovation and technology manufacturing value chain financing, favourable trade policy and patronage of made-inNigeria goods.

he Minister of State for Finance, Dr Yerima Lawan Ngama has once again urged Nigerians to take advantage of the non-interest financial system, adding that the Federal Government is committed to making sure that the banking system takes strong root in the country and provide people with good alternatives.

The minister, who spoke yesterday in Abuja at a seminar on "Developing Islamic Financial Institutions in Nigeria"organized by Mutual Benefits Assurance plc, debunked the insinuation that non-interest banking was a religious system, saying that more Christians were even patronizing Jaiz Bank than Muslims.

Speaking further on the benefits of the Islamic financing system, the minister noted that it helps to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor.

"In the Islamic banking system, there is compassion and transparency in the process just as secrecy is not allowed from any of the parties.

In this system, everybody is his brother's keeper,"the minister noted.

He added that some of the unethical practices that put people's monies in danger in conventional banking are not present in Islamic banking system.

He however lamented the dearth of knowledge on the Islamic banking concept, urging stakeholders to do more in the area of capacity building and publicity.

Speaking earlier, the Managing Director of Jaiz Bank, Mohammed Mustapha Bintube opined that Nigeria needed alternative sources of banking, considering the fact that the global credit crunch didn't affect Islamic banks while it affected the conventional banks seriously.

He said his group intended to make Nigeria the financial hub of Africa, adding that the country has no reason to be the second largest business destination in Africa behind South Africa.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

PAGE 22

Customs set to meet N1bn target From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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he Nigerian Customs Service (NSC) has expressed its determined efforts to meet the one trillion naira target this fiscal year set by the Federal Government.

The Comptroller of the Federal Operation Unit (FOU) Zone D of the Nigerian Customs Service, Mr. Bitrus B. Huhyi stated this while talking to newsmen in Bauchi, headquarters of the zone.

"I am very optimistic that with the kind of leadership the service has in the person of Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko as the Comptroller-General of the service, the one trillion naira revenue target set for it would, by the grace of God, be realized", Huhyi said.

Mr. Bitrus Huhyi, who also expressed confidence on the leadership of the ComptrollerGeneral, noted that Dikko has within the past three years of his stewardship transformed the Customs service into a pace-

setter for others to follow.

The FOU Comptroller, who heads Zone D of the service comprising Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Plateau, Nasarawa and Benue, recalled that before the advent of the ComptrollerGeneral Dikko leadership in the Customs, revenues generation ranged between N400 - N500 billion, but with his stewardship it continued to rise up to N600 billion and was able to achieve last year's target of N800 billion.

L-R: Director, Univeristy of Ngaoundere, Cameroon, Professor Carl Nbofung, Manager, Condex contact point, Ghana standard authority, Mrs Joyce Okorie, chairman, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Chief Segun Osunkeye, President, Federation of Africa Nutrition Societies, Professor Tola Atinubi, and Business Manager, Culinary Nestle Nigeria Plc, Mr. Guy Kellaway, during nestle central and West Africa creating shared value forum, on Monday in Lagos.

Photo: NAN

Dangote opens more cement depots

…wants more Nigerians as way for even distribution of distributors the product across the nation.

I

n a bid to adequately satisfy the need of the consumers, the Management of Dangote Cement has approved the opening of more Cement depots across the country to further take the products nearer to the people.

With this, the company has liberalised its distribution channels by widening its sales point network.

The company is also adding more lines to its existing cement plants across the federation with the attendant expectation that it would lead to reduction in the price of the commodity.

This, it believes will also ensure not only the stability of price, but also guaranteeing availability at the most reasonable price.

Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement, Devakumar Edwin said in Lagos at the weekend that the company, at the height of skyrocketing price of cement had acquired 5,000 trucks to boost its logistics and pave the

According to him, having solved the problem of logistics, the next phase is to ensure a wider distribution depot and register more dealers and bring the product closer to the customers.

He explained that "with Obajana's 10. 25 metric tonnes per annum (mtpa), and its fourth line under construction, the company's production capacity will be far above the nation's demand.

It would be recalled that the company's Benue plant of 3.5mtpa is producing to capacity.

When added to the 6 mtpa Ibese plant production, the company will have a total production capacity of 19.75mtpa.

"What we are doing now is to liberalize the distribution network by increasing our depots and registering more credible distributors. All we required is the Certificate of company registration, two passport photographs and letter of intent.

Flight Schedules

Aero Los-Abj: 06:50, 13:30, 16:30, 19:45 (Mon-Fri/ Sat/Sun); 12:30 (Sun); 16:45 (Sat) Abj-Los: 07:30, 13:00, 19:00 (Mon-Fri/Sat); 10:30, 14:30, 19:30 (Sun), 18:30 (Sat)

IRS Los-Abj: 9:45, 11:45, 2:45, (Mon-Fri); 9:30, 12:45 (Sat & Sun) Abj-Los: 11.30, 3:45, 4.45 (Mon-Fri); 12.00, 14:30, (Sat/Sun) Los-Kano: 6:15 (MonFri); 16:30 (Sat & Sun) Kano-Los: 07:30 (MonFri), 10:30 (Sat & Sun)

Arik Lag-Abj: 07:15, 09:15, 13:45, 15:50, 18:45 (Mon-Fri); 7:15, 10:20, 2:20 (Sat & Sun) Lag-Kad: 10:00, 15:10 (Mon-Fri) Lag-Kano: 12.20 (MonFri);

PAGE 24

I

n the five years since its introduction, the Audi A5 has remained one of the most attractive coupes on the road. To maintain that standing, the 2013 A5 has received a little nip and tuck.

Thankfully, all of the exterior’s sleek styling is intact, with only a subtle sharpening here and there.

Most notably, the headlights and grille have been restyled to match the angular design language that Audi has adopted. Interior revisions are less obvious, with only small changes to the steering wheel, gauges and illumination. More significant is the availability of Audi Connect, which delivers more Web functionality to the navigation system and also establishes a WiFi hotspot.

This minor freshening is a testament to how good the Audi A5 was to begin with. Besides the sexy outward appearance, the A5 boasts a comfortable ride, confident handling, a classy yet understated cabin and admirable fuel economy.

For those who prefer an open-top experience, the A5 convertible will satisfy, and it does so without the usual pitfalls of compromised refinement or reduced cargo capacity.

In terms of power, the A5’s turbocharged four-cylinder might seem outclassed by the six-cylinder engines of its rivals. But in reality, the A5 is only marginally slower under full acceleration. For the few who want more power, the Audi S5 and Audi RS 5 offer both more performance and crisper handling.

Overall, we think the A5 will satisfy a broad spectrum of drivers.

Even against the BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G37 and Mercedes-Benz CClass, the Audi remains a compelling choice, offering the athleticism of the BMW and Infiniti that’s balanced with the luxury of the Mercedes. The 2013 Audi A5 proves that it’s more than just a pretty face.

The 2013 Audi A5 is offered in either coupe or Cabriolet (convertible) body styles. Trim levels start with Premium and climb to Premium Plus and Prestige.

Premium standard features include 18-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, automatic lights and wipers, tri-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, eight-way power front seats with four-way driver lumbar support, split-folding rear seats, a dash-mounted MMI electronics interface controller, a trip

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

Audi A5 remains most attractive coupes on road

computer and a 10-speaker sound system with a CD player and satellite radio. The Cabriolet adds a multilayer convertible top and a wind deflector.

For the A5 Premium, a Convenience package (Bluetooth and an enhanced music interface with iPod connectivity) and Lighting package (xenon headlights with LED running lights and taillights) are available as options.

Opting for the Premium Plus trim gets you all of the above, along with auto-dimming and heated mirrors, heated front seats and driver-seat memory functions. To that, the optional MMI Navigation Plus package can be added, which includes front and rear parking sensors, a navigation system, Bluetooth streaming audio, an upgraded, console-mounted MMI interface, a color display between the gauges, a rearview camera, HD radio and Audi Connect (enhanced Webbased navigation, information and WiFi hotspot).

The range-topping Prestige trim includes the MMI Navigation Plus package and adds adaptive headlights, keyless ignition/entry, a blind-spot monitoring system and a premium Bang & Olufsen sound system.

Premium Plus and Prestige trims are eligible for the optional Sport package, which includes a lowered, sport-tuned suspension, front sport seats and shift paddles for automatic transmissions. The S line option is only offered on the Prestige and comes with the sport suspension, 19-inch wheels with performance tires, unique exterior trim elements, faux suede and leather upholstery, brushed aluminum interior trim, a black headliner and a three-spoke sport steering wheel. The Driver Assist package is also Prestige trim-only and adds adaptive cruise control, adaptive steering and Audi drive select, which provides adjustable settings for the steering and transmission.

Cabriolet models in Premium Plus and Prestige trim are eligible for the Comfort package that adds a neck-level heater, premium leather upholstery and perforated and ventilated front seats. Standalone options include 18-inch wheels, a variety of wood interior trim and a power rear sunshade (on Prestige coupe only). Some features on higher trim levels are available

on supporting models.

Powering the 2013 Audi A5 is a turbocharged 2.0-liter fourcylinder engine that produces 211 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Coupe models come standard with a six-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive.

A5 Cabriolets come standard with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and frontwheel drive. All-wheel drive is available as an option on the Cabriolet and it comes paired with an eight-speed automated dualclutch manual transmission, which is also offered for all-wheel-drive coupes.

Fuel economy is estimated by the EPA at 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway and 26 mpg in combined driving for the coupe with the manual transmission. The automatic is rated at 20/24/30 mpg. The front-drive Cabriolet should achieve a similar 24/31/26 mpg, while the Quattro Cabriolet rings in at 20/30/24 mpg.

Standard safety features for the 2013 Audi A5 include antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front-seat side and knee airbags and full-length side curtain airbags (for the coupe only). A blind-spot monitor is offered only on the Prestige trim, as is adaptive cruise control that includes an audible warning and brake preparation in the event the system detects an impending frontal crash.

Source: Edmunds.com

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

PAGE 25

udennaorji@yahoo.com 07055652553

How pension funds can boost Pg 27 mortgage development

Decorating secrets

Highland Estate: CitiHigh turns New Karu into a highbrow area Pg 26

Pg 26

Furniture Maker, Regalo Range, begins sales on installmental payments

Pg 28

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

Decorating secrets Pick your paint colors last, choose mismatched seating, and don't forget the closet lighting.

Here are some of the best tips and tricks that nobody ever tells you about decorating.

Buy a Bigger Bed

Layer Your Lighting

Small-scale furniture only makes a small bedroom look smaller. Try a high bed and a tall headboard. Your room will grow.

Four lamps are better than two. You need ambient light for mood and direct light for reading.

Highland Estate: CitiHigh turns New Karu into a highbrow area

By Udenna Orji

A

buja residents will readily tell you that Maitama District is the most beautiful and best planned area of Abuja and also the location for some of the most enchanting architectural wonders in Nigeria. Truth be told, Maitama District is all these. It is the exclusive abode of the super-rich, with all the infrastructure that make life stupendously pleasurable. But the daily influx of people into Abuja has made land and housing extremely expensive if not outright un-affordable except to the super-rich. The vast majority of Abuja residents actually live in suburbs, satellite towns and villages bordering the Federal Capital Territory. But they too yearn for good housing, comfort and security like those in Maitama; but at an affordable price. Now, enter Highland Estate, in the lush vegetation and virgin lands of Karu, an Abuja suburb that has of recent become the target of ferocious land speculators.

Highland Estate is designed as a “mini Maitama�, an extremely beautiful, gated community, with all the infrastructure and beauty that Maitama has to offer. The only difference is that its architectural masterpieces are affordable. There are housing units for low, medium and high income earners. It has for sale, 2 bedroom detached

bungalows (Pear), 3 bedroom detached bungalows (Apple), 4 bedroom duplexes (Pine) and 5 bedroom duplexes (Palm). A mixed-use development spread over 35 acres of lushly landscaped land, Highland estate on completion will accommodate Residential, Commercial, Recreational and Retail components. There are also

serviced plots on sale at the estate.

This residential haven is ideally located within the easy access of Abuja boundary (Karu LGA, Nassarawa) widely referred to as Abuja extension. The estate has as its neighbours; Goshen City/ Winners Univerity (Living Faith Church); Bingham University; Catholic University (Proposed); Wole Soyinka (FRSC) Estate,

Redeemed Camp Ground; Deeper Life Camp Ground and other functional estates.

Highland Estate is another masterpiece by reputable developers, CitiHigh Property and Investment Limited which has an intimidating portfolio of posh estates spread across Nigeria. The company is engaged in the core business of

providing real estate solutions and specializes in offering low, medium and high-end estate development schemes. CitiHigh says it intends to extend its operations into several countries, with the objective of becoming the leading real estate investment and development firm within any country it operates in.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

PAGE 27

How pension funds can boost mortgage development

By Udenna Orji

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ortgage banks and estate developers are currently holding meetings and presenting position papers to the federal government for approval that will enable them access pension funds for mortgage development in Nigeria.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Ama Pepple has also been holding stakeholder meetings with operators in the housing sector to develop strategies for increasing sources of mortgage finance in order to ensure a successful execution of the federal government’s new Housing and Urban Development Policies which were approved by the Federal Executive Council last June.

Speaking on the quest by housing sector operators to tap from the pension fund, Mr. Mohammed Jibrin, Managing Director of Sun Trust Savings and Loans Limited said “the Pension Reform Act, 2004, has made it possible for people to have a contributory pension scheme in place. The pension industry has an estimated N2.4 trillion of pension funds under management. These are mostly long-term funds and are the most qualified to support the mortgage industry in attaining its millennium development goals.

But these funds, understandably, are mostly locked up in government treasury bills and bonds. These (pension) funds have to be unlocked and made available for the real estate sector. This is because the funds are basically, as I pointed out, long-term and you may not have the problem we experience today in terms of mismatch in the maturity profile of the loans we grant, because mortgage loans are long term as against the deposits we take that are mostly shorttenured. If you do an actuarial valuation of the pension funds managed by the PFAs (Pension Fund Administrators), the minimum average number of years the money will remain with the PFAs is about 20 years.

This is what we call long term money. This is the type of money you expect should go into the housing and mortgage sector”.

On whether the Primary Mortgage Institutions have been able to sell these ideas to policy makers, Mr. Jibrin said “there have been varied meetings and position papers to this effect. The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Ama Pepple has been holding stakeholder meetings with the sector. She has set up committees, she is doing a great job honestly and the Federal Mortgage Bank has

FMBN MD, Gimba Ya`u Kumo been providing the necessary support to this effect. I am aware that the Minister of Finance and the Coordinator of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, is committed to and looking at the housing sector as a catalyst for growth and employment generation. I know that the housing and finance minister have been working together to ensure that the housing sector is jump-started seriously this year. It is on top of their radar. The idea is to create jobs in the economy. The Central Bank needs to get involved too by providing the necessary funds and credit guarantees to the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria in particular and to the sector in general. The Nigerian housing sector is one of the most diagnosed sectors of the economy. The issues that are militating against its development are very clear” Adding his voice to mortgage development, Mr. Elias Ovesuor a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) and Managing Partner, U.K. Ovesuor & Partners has blamed Nigeria’s shortfall of over 16 million houses on “the deficient structures of the mortgage industry in Nigeria”.

In his words, “mortgage financing as an instrument for home financing for now, I can

Minnister of Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Ama Pepple say we are having problems with it. Only a few people are benefiting from it. The housing shortage in the country is about 16 million housing units, but in the last ten years, we have not provided up to half a million housing units. So, to get the 16 million housing units that are in shortage, you will then appreciate the problem at hand in respect of housing provision.

Mortgage in Nigeria, to be candid to you, is still as its infancy”.

As a way out of the problem, the Federal Government has been called upon to develop mortgage policies that will encourage Nigerian banks to grant mortgage loans to Nigerians at a maximum of 9%

per annum.

Government has also been urged to check the rising inflationary trend in Nigeria as the trend is causing a steady rise in the cost of building inputs in Nigeria, leading to high costs in property development and sales.

Speaking with Peoples Daily on how to boost homeownership in Nigeria and reduce the nation’s estimated 16 million units housing deficit, Group General Manager of mass housing developer, El-Salem Nigeria Limited, Mr. Geoffrey Ozoani appealed to government to “come up with very definite policies on mortgage. Definite implementable policies on mortgage that make it

“

the fear of our commercial banks is how they can recover their money but a mortgage loan is the easiest loan to recover because the house serves as collateral and usually also rises in value over time

attractive for commercial banks to offer mortgage loans to Nigerians because most commercial banks are not providing mortgage facilities”.

He noted that “the fear of our commercial banks is how they can recover their money but a mortgage loan is the easiest loan to recover because the house serves as collateral and usually also rises in value over time.

The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) loan is at 6% but if all our commercial banks are encouraged through attractive policies to offer mortgage loans at say 8% or 9%, Nigeria’s housing deficit will drastically reduce. Even in Namibia where I recently returned from, the commercial banks pursue people to come and collect mortgage loans because their mortgage system works perfectly.

According to him, “there is also the burning need to create awareness to Nigerians about mortgages and Nigerian mortgage institutions. Even contributors to the National Housing Fund (NHF) do not know what they are contributing for. States and local governments should make land available to developers and encourage their workers to get loans from mortgage institutions to buy their own houses.

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

Provide enabling environment for building materials production –– Ceekam CEO urges govt Stories by Udenna Orji

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he Federal Government has been urged to urgently tackle the problem of electric power outages and provide an enabling environment to enable the manufacturing sector launch Nigeria into one of the 20 largest economies in Nigeria by the year 2020.

Engr. Chris Kammelu, Chief Executive Officer of awardwinning building materials manufacturer, Ceekam Nigeria Ltd who made the call said his company runs its generator 24 hours and spends about N500,000 monthly on diesel to fuel it and “we are planning to purchase a second generator to assist the one we have as public power supply is almost non-

existent now” At the just concluded 2012 “Archibuilt” conference and exhibition, builders were amazed at the number of fastrising Nigerian manufacturers of building materials who filled the exhibition venue with world-class products manufactured in their factories and laboratories.

One of such companies is Ceekam Nigeria Ltd. The company dazzled builders, developers and other construction stakeholders with its high quality Ceekamplast Vinyl/ uPVC windows doors, ceilings and uPVC houses.

The company’s products are famous for their high impactresistance, fire resistance, good sound proofing, ageing resistance, unaffected by temperature,

corrosion resistance, resistance to exhaust fumes and building industrial chemicals, sea-water resistance, no protective painting or vanishing required, high insulation qualities, wind proof, no condensation, adaptable to meet architectural requirements, can be formed into aesthetically pleasing shapes. Their qualities and appearances are stable even after years of external use and they can be used in most varied climatic conditions. They are ecologically sound because they are practically 100% re-cyclable.

Engr. Kammelu said “Ceekam Nigeria Ltd uses the latest technology and equipment to manufacture the finest quality Vinyl/uPVC windows, doors and ceilings conforming to international standards and specifications.”

Furniture Maker, Regalo Range, begins sales on installmental payments * Newly married couples, newly transferred residents, newly employed workers, others, to enjoy spaced-out payment terms while using the furniture in their homes

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opflight Abuja-based furniture maker, Regalo Range has commenced sales of its various state-of- the-art furniture products on installmental payment terms.

The top furniture brand has been making a steady inroad into the Nigerian market with its sturdy products which include different classy designs of dinning sets, wardrobes, sofas, kitchen cabinets, office furniture and many others.

With the installmental payment bonanza, you can decorate or re-decorate your home now with Regalo Range furniture and pay installmentally.

Regalio Range has continued to penetrate the market with its masterpieces now highly sought after by upscale hotels, property developers, ministries, government agencies, interior decorators and other organizations and private individuals who have come to rely on the famous

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REDAN to develop low cost housing

R

eal Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), has called for a national strategy to boost the development of low cost housing and social housing in Nigeria.

Among its proposed options is the need for governments at the various levels to compel estate developers in high brow areas like Ikoyi, Lekki, Asokoro in Abuja, Port Harcourt to incorporate in their schemes, low cost housing for the workers that are serving residents and owners of high end properties in these estates. This means that ongoing and new developments in high brow areas must make provisions for the low

and medium income groups with 10 per cent of houses in such estates set aside for the low income group, another 10 per cent for the medium income earners and the balance of 80 per cent set aside for the high income group.

To achieve this, REDAN is facilitating a meeting of stakeholders, including the Minister of Housing, Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN). According to a REDAN official, Mr. Shola Enitan, the association is also canvassing support for social housing provision whereby

people in distress can be temporarily accommodated in decent government houses before they are able to sort themselves out. “Except for the destitute, there must be a place of temporary abode for a family, who may have accommodation crisis, either with their landlords or by other means. No Nigerian should be allowed to spend all his earnings paying house rent to landlords, either private landlord or government for ever, and in a situation by which government is the landlord, the tenants must have the opportunity to buying off the apartment at the long run without much sweat,”

Call: 08058850677, 07063621021

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

BOOK REVIEW

By Ikhide R. Ikheloa (Nnamdi)

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imbabwe’s writers have lately being taking me by the literary hand and lovingly showing me wondrous places in the heart of their country – using beautiful prose.

I cannot get enough of their works, starting with the late great and greatly troubled Dambudzo Marechera, then Brian Chikwava and now Petina Gappah. Ah! I have just finished reading Petina Gappah’s An Elegy for Easterlypublished by Faber and Faber, Inc. and now I am in love with Zimbabwe. The streets of Zimbabwe keep patrolling my mind creating gentle vistas and memories of a beautiful place that refuses to go away despite the horrific efforts of President Robert Gabriel Mugabe. And Oh, what a book. You should see this book. It is drop-dead gorgeous, an attractive spirit that stirs things in my heart and loins each time I spy it showing itself off on my coffee table. Quite simply, An Elegy for Easterlyis a pretty book of gorgeous short stories and Gappah will probably end up being one of the smartest new writers to come out of Africa in a long time. I must say that her publisher, Faber and Faber knows how to put together a beautiful book. The workmanship shows professionalism and pride in an output. I looked and looked and looked and I could not find a single editorial fault with the book. The result is, well, drop-dead gorgeous. This is an attractive book, Africa as life, breathing deeply and richly out of its pretty cover, a book so pretty I was too intimidated to write notes on its pages.

In Gappah’s book, freshlybaked story-loaves fill my reading world with the complex smells of Zimbabwe. And Africa, that persistent lover, comes calling again. These are all tender stories told by a master story-teller. The brilliance of this book is its universality – short stories about Zimbabwe morph into a grand tour of our humanity. Sadness and joy envelop issues that are common to all of us – disease, injustice, corruption, patriarchy, sexuality, etc. The prose in these stories is pretty and gently muscular, just throaty enough to still keep you hanging on to the edge of your seat. At the Sound of the Last Postis a well aimed catapult salvo of insults fired gleefully at the house of Robert Mugabe. Gappah’s words are pretty little daggers gently drawn, plunging lustily into the manhood of oppressive beasts.

The sweet bitterness of her words extracts sweet victory from felled dictators. Tart prose cuts everything in its path to bite-sized sniveling pieces as she expertly documents the circus that has hijacked authentic leadership in Zimbabwe, and by extension, much of Africa.

Zimbabwe’s government is exposed as populated by buffoonleaders goose-stepping to the pretty drum-beats of pretend rituals pilfered from more purposeful and serious societies.

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The Storyteller from Easterly

The book front cover In Gappah’s stories, we go to places of despair now owning only pretty names and precious little else. But comedy steals past filthy skirts of despair and it is really funny. The chaos is uniform and universal. It is too early to compare her to Jhumpa Lahiri but her debut book is on par with Lahiri’s latest, Unaccustomed Earth. Indeed, where Lahiri is proprietary and almost insular (albeit in a disciplined way), Gappah expertly reaches out beyond the boundaries of Zimbabwe to speak to all of us.

The title story An Elegy for Easterlyis an elegant, intimate story of a man hyper-dancing to the rhythm of Zimbabwe’s fading fortunes. It is quite simply beautiful, this story and it showcases Gappah’s intimate, loving mastery of the Zimbabwe landscape. The story At the Sound of the Last Postexplodes with guns gently blazing at Zimbabwe’s handlers: “It is three months since inflation reached 3,000,325 percent per annum, making billionaires of everyone, even maids and gardeners.” (p9). Keep reading, gentle reader; the prose gets even more scrumptious, if that is possible.

Our Man in Geneva Wins a Million Eurosis easily one of the funniest stories of greed fueled by need that I have ever read in my lifetime. It is delectable and masterfully done. The main character is caught in a 419

money scam; told he has won a million Euros, he dreams of riches that he will use to quell the raging financial demands of his nuclear and extended family.

The story races breathlessly to a predictable end, but still leaves the reader sighing with an overwhelming sense of sadness and empathy for the victim, and us. Gappah is that good. It is easy to forget that like Zimbabwe, the characters in these stories mostly go nowhere fast. The banality of impoverished existence haunts and poetry rises to sweetly ambush the reader already wary of sad Africa stories. And sad and haunting is the prose-poetry.

Just when you think Africa has exhausted her store of sad stories, a fresh batch unearths itself. Is there an end to this?

The Maid from Lalapanziis a heartbreaking love story, beautiful in its simplicity and in its complexity. The story spoke, in joyous prose, of a time when there were tight physical boundaries and it was easier to fight for freedom than to flee from terror. In this story Gappah warmly travels through the remains of Zimbabwe, planting seed-stories of life. The heartbreak is of the good kind multiplied many times over and it in turn mass produced multiple sighs from my rugged heart. This writer is good. The Maid from Lalapanzi will stay with me for a very long time for it unleashed in me a warm gush of childhood and adolescent memories. I grinned as I read the love letters.

Okay Ndibe, a co-author of the book

Love blooms happily and lustily, even in the terror-infested weeds of Zimbabwe. The love letters were penned Onitsha Market literature style: “My sweetheart Blandina… Time, fortune and opportunity have forced me to take up my hand to pen this missive to ask how you are pulling the wagons of existence and to tell you how much I love you. My heart longs for you like tea longs for sugar. I wish for you like meat wishes for salt, and I miss you like a postman would miss his bicycle…” (p139) Hilarious. And sweet.

Meticulously researched details are important to Gappah.

Not even the most private of details escapes her eyes. She notes everything including the invasiveness of the new commercialism: “The women from Johnson and Johnson had come to the school, and separated us from the boys so that they could tell us secrets about our bodies. They said the ovum would be released from the ovary and travel down the fallopian tube and, if it was not fertilized, it would be expelled every twentytwo to twenty-eight days in the act of menstruation. It was an unsanitary time, they said, Our most effective weapon against this effluence was the arsenal of the sanitary products that Johnson and Johnson made with young ladies like us in mind, they said, because Johnson cared.” (p137) In this story, we witness crass commercialism promoting self-loathing to sell the excess of capitalism. Lovely.

It is fortunate and refreshing that Gappah’s stories do not follow the formulaic patterns favored by the story minting machines of MFA programs. However, there is probably enough to quibble about in the stories.

Every now and then, Gappah tries too hard to end a story and it becomes an unwieldy elephant that has been wrestled down and lashed together with weak cords of incredulity. An Elegy for Easterlygathers her wrappers too tightly and clatters too quickly to an ungainly full stop. They say most writers begin with autobiographical stories. One or two of Gappah’s stories come across as fairly autobiographical. Also there are all these lovely stories that trick the reader into forgetting that sometimes, their key ingredient is their improbability. But so what? Life can be improbable, life is an untidy mess. Like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Gappah could be accused fairly or unfairly of spreading contempt for African men. There is this persistent hint of misandry – the stories are populated by weak waves of weak men fashioning absurd rules to fit their anxieties.

That, plus her thinly veiled contempt for Mugabe exposes her to the charge a number of her stories are political statements masquerading as short stories.

My verdict: I don’t care, I love this book.

Source: African writer.com

PAGE 30

By Ikhide R. Ikheloa (Nnamdi) This one is for Mr. V. O. Thomas, my English Literature teacher, “Fat head! Read! Read Abiku!”

“There seems to be a crisis in the poet’s trade these days; his shop is worm-eaten and the wooden beams of its roof rotten and collapsing; the ceiling is caving in and our poet might go to the dog-house if the critic does not rebuild the shop. A notable and signal decline in quality, coupled with an overproduction of poetry, is ceaselessly propelled by a contemporary failure of criticism in nurturing and mid-wifing good or even great poetry. This phenomenon seems to stretch from equator to equator around the globe. And it seems to involve all who are in the business of publishing – from poet or ‘poetaster’, to editor, to critic, prize-awarding institutions, and publishers, especially the vanity press and, online poetry journals!

This is not to suggest that there are no great quality works being produced, but that such quality poetry seems to burst forth in spurts these days; that there is much too much chaff out there.”

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

Restless Journeys and Horsemen

- Amatoritsero Ede, Editor, Sentinel Poetry (Online) in Sentinel Poetry (Online) #54

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nyone who worries about the fate of poetry in today’s world should read Amatoritsero Ede’s editorial on the subject here. It is an immensely readable and enlightening look at the state of poetry in today’s global world of unthinking consumers. Ede’s editorial begs the question: Is poetry on its last knees? From where I sit, I honestly believe that poetry is enjoying a renaissance. Warning: Poets who rely solely on the book as a medium of expression are yearning for irrelevance.

Publishers are in the business of making money and they are not going to publish poems unless they are assured of a profit.

Therefore the poet’s volume of rejection slips from traditional publishers is directly proportional to the enormity of the poet’s literary gifts. These days, the book does the poet a huge disservice. I personally have a love-hate relationship with the book as a medium of expression. I don’t like books because they tend to trap the ideas of our best minds in a forgettable vat of obscurity. How many people read books these days? Meanwhile, mediocrity soars free, on the wild wings of the Internet. I believe it is time to escape the limitations of traditional literary media. We must not be like bound books – bound by the suffocating strictures of tradition. Our writers should be judged by the quality of their ideas not the quantity of their books. And I dream of a living, breathing anthology of the best poems I have read in recent times. That anthology would not be a book; it would be on the Internet, on a blog or a website showcasing the best and the brightest of our beautiful people. In my eyes, it

The book front cover would be a rollicking roll call of brilliance with names we have never seen gracing books. I mention no names, but I ask the gentle reader to surf the web and look for hope in our writers.

There is hope everywhere one sees. If we don’t see hope in our books, it is because hope doesn’t sell. Publishers have to eat and eat well. It is a crying shame. But we must change that or lose our best thinkers like Obi Nwakanma.

Where is all this leading?

Hopefully to Obi Nwakanma’s book, The Horsemen and other poems. The famously finicky Amatoritsero Ede should read Nwakanma’s book and reconsider his stance. I don’t know much about how poems are put together but I love poems. I don’t know much about how music happens but I love music. I don’t remember asking anyone to define for me good poetry and good music. I simply cock my ears like an ancient dog and lean into the wind of the bard’s pain and I am good. If the poet speaks to me, I am good.

Alas, these days, much of what passes through my eyes posing as poetry is ceaseless self absorption penned by narcissists afflicted by a messianic complex.

Nwakanma avoids this pitfall and the reader enjoys a good collection of poetry that is eclectic and not in a contrived

way. The Horsemen and other poems is quite simply an arresting and enchanting production. After reading The Horsemen and other poems I can confidently say that Nwakanma can write what Amatoritsero Ede would call poetry. The brother can sing. If you remember Chris Okigbo you will love this little book of poetry.

Christopher Okigbo’s influence is

everywhere. Shades of Okigbo blanket the reader’s consciousness.

Nwakanma speaks to the reader in the tradition of the poets before him, who were afflicted with the debilitating disease of possessing a clear vision of the coming apocalypse, of the towncriers who wailed nonstop to indifferent ears about the pain of the coming dispensation.

When I think of the poets of my childhood, they are speaking in English, they are writing in English, but they speak to me in the guttural language of my ancestors. In speaking to me, they make me smell the earth of my ancestors; I smell the sweaty raffia palm regalia of my ancestors’ masquerades. They speak to me, comforting me, soothing my anxieties. That tradition is dying of course; it is hard to find poets of that genre.

A handful still remains and I can say that Obi Nwakanma is one of the very best in that select club that I have had the pleasure of reading.

In The Horsemen and other poems, many layers of perspectives reveal themselves to the reader through the deft use of imagery. Nwakanma is adept at the use of the turn of phrase to ambush and delight the reader.

Nice. On virtually every page of the book, many layers of dispensation and being jostle with each other for position. I love how Nwakanma plays with words and forces images, quite a few of them sensual, on the reader’s eyes.

Every junction is a gentle riot of colors. The poet in Nwakanma successfully returns to the time tested tradition of writing for the individual reader. As a result, my interpretation of each poem is really up to me and is informed by my personal journeys and experience. Nice, very nice.

Source: African writer.com

PEOPLES POEM OF THE WEEK Title: The Sun Shall Rise

By Clarius Ugwuoha

Though the sky be dark With clouds And it rains Without cease…

Though Grief perches on the wall Like an owl And hardship drums Her rhythms on the door…

Though the barren fingers Of the dark Touch off on everything And you ask…

Though it be dark today Pot-black sky Flakes of soot raining And you cry…

Lo! The barren fingers of the dark Shall recede!

The Sun shall rise Never to set again It’s golden streaks Dawn to dawn Shall permeate your world Do not cry The Sun Shall Rise!

QUO TE UOTE

Obi Nwankanma, the author

Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal –– Martin Luther King, Jr.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

PAGE 31

08036006274 joy4ril2000@yahoo.co.nz

Mexican community in Nigeria celebrates National Day Stories by Joy Baba

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he Mexican Community in Nigeria over the weekend hosted Nigerians to commemorate its 202nd independence anniversary.

Speaking at the event, the Mexico ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Marco Antonio GarcĂ­a Blanco said the country has fought tirelessly to establish itself as a country of equality, freedom and prosperity noting that Mexico share the values of free enterprise that generates growth, welfare, employment, development and also believes in the importance of a State that regulates, promotes and ensures the rule of law.

According to the ambassador, Mexico is the largest Spanishspeaking country, with more than 115 million people and the fourteenth largest economy in the world by its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and currently holds the chairmanship of the Group of 20 (G20), which brings together the 20 largest economies in the world.

For this reason he further said, Mexico has always had privileged dialogue and negotiation, as well as cooperation, for the settlement of disputes. In his words "We do not believe in violence because we know

that it only brings more violence.

We do not believe in terrorism and invariably condemn it. The real enemies of the man are not other men, but poverty, the lack of opportunities in education both as worthy for a job and enough to allow effective development, security, legality and welfare.

These are the challenges we face to live peacefully and prosperously in this island where all live and which we call planet Earth" Mexico has always supported the principle of self-determination and established diplomatic relations with Nigeria since 1960, in 2008 opened the Embassy of MĂŠxico in Nigeria, and I had the honor and privilege to present to His Excellency the President of the Republic, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, on May 17th 2012, my credentials as Ambassador of MĂŠxico he also stated.

In this regard he continued, I would like to share with you that on July 31st, 2012 Nigeria and Mexico signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of a consultation mechanism on matters of common interest; the Honorable Minister of Health of Nigeria visited Mexico and as result we are

working to subscribe soon a cooperation agreement in that field between our two countries; according to the new Migration Law in my country, the Embassy of Mexico in Nigeria reduce the

requirements to issue visas, which are delivered the same day of the application.

Mexico he said already have the opportunity to exchange trade mission and has invested 54 million

dollars in Nigeria in the first two projects at the agro-industrial sector that will create 7,500 directs jobs in this country adding that the Mexican Embassy is fully committed to continue to work together with the Government of Nigeria in the process of building a more active, strong and successful bilateral relationship with benefits to both nations.

Mexican Ambassador to Nigeria H.E Anthonio Blanco and wife cutting the anniversary cake

Nigeria aims to promote democracy in AU Minister urges African women

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he Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru has said Nigeria's major aim in the African Union (AU) is to promote democracy, good governance and rule of law in the African continent that is why she brought out one of her own to contest for the position of Commissioner for Political Affairs in AU.

The minister stated this in a reception organised in honour of the first Nigerian to be nominated and elected successfully as commissioner since the inception of AU 10 years ago, H.E Ambassador Aisha Laraba Abdullahi. The miniater further described her victory as one for Nigerians as a whole.

The Minister further said Nigeria has a lot to offer AU and

is ready to share her experience on democracy, good governance and the rule of law.

In her response, Ambassador Aisha who is also the current Nigerian Ambassador to Guinea Conakry said she will strive to transform her department into a veritable tool to change and assist all African states to evolve and promote democracy within its continent.

to impact the society positively

L-R Deputy prime Minister of Zimbabwe, H.E Thokozani Khupe and Hon. Minister of state -1 Foreign Affairs Prof. Viola Onwulilri

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L-R: AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Ambassador Aisha Abdullahi, her husband and Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs Olugbenga Ashiru at the dinner.

Photos: Joy Baba

he Minister of State Foreign Affairs -1 Professor Viola Adaku Onwuliri has urge Nigerian and African women at large to come together so as to impact the society positively especially the youth and children to make our community a better place to live.

The Minister gave the charge at a dinner organised in honour of the Deputy Prime Minister of Zimbabwe and President, Global Power Women Network Africa H.E Thokozani Khupe in Abuja.

Onwuliri said African women came together to form the network in order to take their destinies into their hands to find solutions to the daily challenges of the African woman like rape, maternal mortality, deprivation in areas of education and the over all development of the African women.

In her response, Khupe thanked Nigerian for the honour done to her saying President Jonathan has promised to host the Global Network's next meeting in Nigeria and the next president of the network will be a Nigerian.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

PAGE 32

Thousands flee as Somali forces advance on Kismayo

omali government forces are advancing on Kismayo, the key stronghold of Islamist group al-Shabab, as thousands of residents flee an expected assault.

A Somali government army general told the BBC that his forces

were intending to take the port, but did not say when.

The United Nations refugee agency has reported a sudden spike in the number of civilians fleeing Kismayo from a few dozen to more than 1,000 a day.

Those who can afford it are hiring

buses and trucks to leave the city.

Kismayo is the militants' main base in its fight against the Somali government, which has been slowly converging on the town with African Union (AU) soldiers.

The UN says residents there fear some sort of military activity in or

around the port.

Locals told the BBC Somali Service that hundreds of militants have also been leaving Kismayo in armed pickup trucks, taking heavy equipment with them. Radio Andalus, the mouthpiece of al-Shabab in the city, has reportedly stopped broadcasting.

But al-Shabab denies the reports, saying they have fought off AU forces.

Somali army Gen Ismail Sahareed, who said he was speaking from a position about 60km (37 miles) outside Kismayo, said that al-Shabab had left the port and that his troops were on the way there.

"In the last battles [on Saturday and Monday] we defeated al-Shabab's defence forces and they ran away and we are chasing their remnants."

The general appealed for the people of Kismayo to be calm and promised the Somali government army would bring all areas in the region under government control in the near future.

He warned that al-Shabab had left behind guns, distributed amongst the population to create insecurity once government troops arrive there.

He appealed to residents not to use them, saying that his troops would collect them.

By Abdulkadir Isa

In a press statement released by Dr. Bukard Weth, Press Attaché, Embassy of Republic of Germany, the Minister of State Link said, "The conference on Small Arms Programme of Action is a major step forward the international community has undertaken to step up its commitment to fight illegal firearms and protect women and children in armed conflict. We would have wished for a more

ambitious result. Yet for all United Nations member states to agree on a common goal and a concrete measures to reach this goal is in itself an important contribution to conflict prevention and disarmament".

He also said "This process spurs us to keep working for arms control and disarmament, for example through an International Arms Trade Treaty."

The German Government will

provide 500,000 euros to finance projects implemented by the newly established UN fund to combat illegal small arms, considering the fact that, throughout the world, no other type of weapon claims more lives than small arms do.

The Review Conference on the Programme of Action on Small and Light Weapons was held under Nigerian chairmanship and ended on 7 September.

paralysed for weeks and unrest has spread to other mines.

The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration said the delegation of workers representatives had gone to inform the striking miners of the latest offer this afternoon.

The workers, most of who are rock drill operators, gathered at a football pitch near the Marikana mine to hear the address. They have been demanding a salary of 12,500 rand ($1,513; £935) - they currently earn between 4,000 and 5,000 rand.

"What has happened here has

been a victory really for the workers, and they're going to work on Thursday morning," AFP news agency quotes mediator Joe Seoka, the Bishop of Pretoria, as saying.

One worker held up a hand with the phrase "mission accomplished"

written in black ink, AP news reported.

Bishop Seoka, from the South African Council of Churches, said there would also be a one-off payment of 2,000 rand to help cover the weeks of not being paid while they were on strike.

Mass graves found in Kenya's Tana River Delta region

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wo mass graves have been discovered in Kenya's coastal Tana Delta region.

The number and identities of the bodies in the graves are unknown, police say. A court order to exhume the bodies has been requested.

More than 100 people have been killed in clashes in the area in the past month between farmers and cattle herders over land and water.

There are accusations that politicians have incited the violence ahead of elections next March.

The long-running conflict is between the Pokomo people - mostly farmers growing cash crops by the Tana River - and the Orma, seminomadic cattle herders.

But investors, both Kenyan and foreign, have been acquiring leases on vast tracts of land in the region for the purposes of large-scale cultivation of food and biofuel crops.

Getting elected to office can mean gaining control of such lucrative deals, our correspondent says.

There are concerns that as Kenya approaches elections next March, that competition could lead to more of the widespread violence seen after the last poll in December 2007.

The graves were discovered in the village of Kilelengwani, which has been at the centre of the recent violence.

"We don't know yet whether they are attackers who died while in confrontation with security personnel, or were just victims killed by attackers during the clashes and buried," regional police chief Aggrey Adoli has said.

Mr Adoli said it was not yet known how many bodies were in the graves.

Mass grave site at Kilelengwani village

Somali government troops have been advancing slowly on Kismayo with African Union (AU) soldiers

S

UN member states vow to fight illegal arms trade Member states of the United Nations have confirmed their commitment to fight illegal arms trading to protect children in armed conflict.

The pledge was made during the review conference on the programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons which took place from 27 August to 7 September 2012.

South Africa miners ‘to go back to work’

S

triking miners at a Lonminowned platinum mine in South Africa have agreed to return to work on Thursday, mediators and reports say.

Miners cheered when they were told of a proposed 22% pay rise, a witness said.

But South Africa's labour dispute body said it was waiting to hear if the latest pay offer had been accepted.

Last month, police opened fire on demonstrators at the mine in Marikana, killing 34 striking workers.

Production at the mine has been

The miners, pictured celebrating the pay offer, have been on strike for weeks

L-R: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, His Excellency, Alhaji Taofeek Oladejo Arapaja, presenting his letters of credence to His Majesty King Abdullah II Bin AlHussein, recently at Basman Palace, in Amman.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

Asia and Middle East

A a

fghan militants claimed responsibility on Tuesday for

suicide bomb attack on a minivan carrying foreign workers that killed 12 people saying it was retaliation for a film mocking the Prophet Mohammad.

A short film made with private funds in the United States and posted on the Internet has ignited days of demonstrations in the Arab world, Africa, Asia and in some Western countries.

In a torrent of violence blamed on the film last week, the U.S. ambassador to Libya and three other Americans were killed in an attack in Benghazi and U.S. and other foreign embassies were stormed in cities in Asia, Africa and the Middle East by furious Muslims. At least nine other people were killed.

On Tuesday, a suicide bomber blew up a minivan near the airport in the Afghan capital and a spokesman for the Hezb-e-Islami insurgent group claimed responsibility.

"A woman wearing a suicide vest blew herself up in response to the antiIslam video," said militant spokesman Zubair Sediqqi. Police said the woman may have been driving a Toyota Corolla car rigged with explosives, which she triggered.

But the claim will raise fears that anger over the film will feed into deteriorating security as the United States and other Western countries try to protect their forces from a rash of so-called insider attacks by Afghan colleagues.

Thousands of protesters clashed with police in Kabul the previous day, burning cars and hurling rocks at security forces in the worst outbreak of violence since February rioting

PAGE 33

Afghan militants say deadly blast was revenge for film over the inadvertent burning of Korans by U.S. soldiers.

The protesters in Kabul and several other Asian cities have vented their fury over the film at the United States, blaming it for what they see as an attack on Islam.

The outcry saddles U.S.

President Barack Obama with an unexpected foreign policy headache as he campaigns for re-election in November, even though his administration has condemned the film as reprehensible and disgusting.

In response to the violence in Benghazi and elsewhere last week,

the United States has sent ships, extra troops and special forces to protect U.S. interests and citizens in the Middle East, while a number of its embassies have evacuated staff and are on high alert for trouble.

Despite Obama's efforts early in his tenure to improve relations with

Afghan protesters shout slogans during a demonstration in Kabul, yesterday

China-Japan protests resume amid islands row

F

NATO soldiers arrive at the site of the blast in Kabul

Anti-Muslim film protests shut Kashmir

resh anti-Japan protests have erupted in China over disputed islands amid raised tension on the anniversary of Japan's invasion of north-east China.

Thousands of protesters chanted slogans outside the Japanese embassy in Beijing as riot police lined the streets.

Japan's coast guard says several Chinese ships are in waters near the islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, Japanese media report.

This follows a brief landing by two Japanese activists earlier on Tuesday.

The islands have long been a point of contention and recent tension has led to fears of a naval conflict.

The latest developments fall on a politically sensitive anniversary, marking what is known as the ''Mukden incident''.

On 18 September 1931, Japanese soldiers blew up a railway in Manchuria, blaming it on dissidents.

This was later revealed to be a pretext for the invasion of north-east China.

Iran says saboteurs cut power to nuclear plant

P

A

strike called to protest against the amateur antiIslam film, which has led to worldwide protests, has hit normal life in Indianadministered Kashmir.

The roads are empty and most businesses are closed in response to the protest called by local religious groups.

Protests were held in Srinagar city and several other towns. Effigies of US President Barack Obama were burnt.

Violent protests have been held all over the Muslim world against the US-made video.

Tuesday's strike in Kashmir Valley has been called by an alliance of Kashmiri religious groups.

"We shall meet envoys of Muslim countries and ask them to ban American and Israeli goods in their countries," said Qazi Yasir, a leader of the clerical coalition.

Over the past few days, separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq have also spoken against the anti-Islam movie and called for protests.

the Arab and Muslim world, the violence adds to a host of problems including the continued U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan, Iran's nuclear program, the Syrian civil war and the fall-out from the Arab Spring revolts.

Iranian President Ahmadinejad

Police barricade entrance to stop protesters from vandalizing Japanese owned property

ower lines to Iran's most controversial nuclear enrichment plant were blown up a month ago, according to its atomic energy chief, who alleged on Monday that the U.N. nuclear watchdog may have been infiltrated by "terrorists and saboteurs".

The accusation coincides with strident Israeli warnings about the need to stem Iran's nuclear programme with a threat of force, as well as new diplomatic efforts to secure better inspections and an abandonment of work that could be used to develop atomic weapons.

The U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had no immediate response but Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani's comments seemed certain to overshadow those efforts.

He told the IAEA's annual assembly that power lines from the city of Qom to the underground Fordow plant had been blown up on Aug. 17, and "the same act" had been carried out earlier on power lines to Iran's main enrichment plant, near the town of Natanz. The plants use centrifuges to "enrich" uranium to a higher concentration of the fissile material that can be used in nuclear power plants or nuclear weapons.

PAGE 34

Europe and Americas EU and Iran to hold nuclear talks

E

U foreign affairs representative Catherine Ashton is to hold talks with Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, in a bid to end the stand-off over the Iranian nuclear programme.

A spokeswoman for Baroness Ashton said the meeting in Istanbul was "part of continuing efforts to engage Iran".

Tehran said Mr Jalili would emphasise its right to peaceful nuclear energy.

Talks in June between Iran and the P5+1 - the US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany - ended without a breakthrough.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said afterwards that the proposals they had seen from Iran had been "non-starters".

State department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the purpose of Tuesday's meeting was to gauge whether the Iranians were "prepared to bring anything new".

The P5+1 were expected to discuss Iran on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York later this month, Ms Nuland added.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said Mr Jalili would seek a "framework that can help both remove the concerns and ambiguities regarding various issues, including the issue of Iran's peaceful nuclear activities, and... the rights and concessions Iran should have in return for commitment to the NPT [Non-Proliferation Treaty]".

On Monday, the head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran said the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency might have been infiltrated by "terrorists and saboteurs" who "might be making decisions covertly".

Fereydun Abbasi-Davani cited an incident on 17 August, when power lines from the city of Qom to the underground uranium enrichment facility at Fordo were cut, shortly before an unscheduled visit by IAEA inspectors.

His comments came days after the IAEA's governing body expressed "serious concern" that Iran had continued to defy UN Security Council resolutions demanding it suspend uranium enrichment and had failed to resolve questions about possible nuclear weapons development.

Baroness Ashton is the lead negotiator for the P5+1

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

William Hague: Nato's Afghan move not strategy change F oreign Secretary William Hague has insisted Nato's decision to scale down joint patrols with Afghan forces will have a "minimal" impact on UK strategy.

Two British soldiers were killed at the weekend, in one of a series of attacks by "rogue" Afghan troops.

On Monday the government said such actions would not "derail" operations, leading to questions over when it was told about Nato's decision.

But Mr Hague told MPs there had not "been any change in strategy on this".

Conservative MP John Baron has been granted an urgent Commons question on the situation in Afghanistan, which is expected to take place at about 12:30 BST. A fifth of UK soldiers killed in the country this year have been victims not of insurgents, but of Afghan soldiers or police. Such incidents, known as "green-on-

Foreign secretary, William Hague blue" attacks, have increased concern over the safety of military personnel.

Sergeant Gareth Thursby and Private Thomas Wroe, both of 3rd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment, were shot dead on Saturday by a rogue Afghan soldier who turned on them after faking injury.

In the Commons on Monday,

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said: "We cannot and will not allow the strategy to be derailed... the pain felt is all the more raw when the incident undermines the trust that our armed forces have built in Afghanistan."

Nato has since announced that joint operations carried out by its own International Security

Assistance Force (ISAF) and Afghan troops will be restricted.

They will only routinely happen at battalion level or above, with smaller patrols being signed off on a case-by-case basis.

However, Mr Hague played down the significance of Nato's decision when questioned by the Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee.

He said: "There hasn't been any change in strategy on this."

Mr Hague added: "The decisions are for military leaders, properly for commanders, so it's entirely for them to make these decisions and not to be second guessed by a defence or foreign minister."

He stated that ISAF was "quite clear" there had been no change in the "partnership or relationship" between its own and Afghan troops.

The foreign secretary also told the committee he had not found out about Nato's decision until Tuesday morning.

Colombia jails Farc website editor Perez Becerra

T

he editor of a Swedishbased website linked to Colombia's main rebel group, the Farc, has been sentenced to eight years in jail for conspiracy.

Prosecutors in Colombia said Joaquin Perez Becerra, known as the Farc spokesman in Europe, had worked for the organisation from Sweden since 1993.

Mr Perez Becerra denies having any connections with the left-wing rebel group.

The Anncol website publishes news, interviews and Farc statements.

Mr Perez Becerra, also known as "Alberto Martinez", was arrested in April 2011 in Venezuela, as he returned to

Colombia from Sweden.

He was then handed over to the Colombian authorities, who have kept him at Bogota's Modelo prison.

Prosecutors accused him of "setting up links with left-wing and terrorist organisations to raise organisation for the guerrilla group" in the South American country.

Last week, a judge in Bogota acquitted "Alberto Martinez" of charges of terrorism financing.

But he was found guilty of conspiracy and sentenced to eight years' imprisonment.

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or Farc, has recently agreed to hold peace talks with the government for

UK royals win injunction over topless photos

A

French court has blocked the future publication of topless photos of the Duchess of Cambridge sunbathing while on holiday.

The injunction came after the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took action against France's Closer magazine for selling and distributing the images.

The publishers must give the originals to the couple within 24 hours.

It will also face a fine of 10,000 euros (ÂŁ8,000) for every breach if it re-publishes or distributes the photos.

The photographs were taken while the duchess was sunbathing on a private holiday with her husband at the French chateau of the Queen's nephew, Lord Linley, in Provence, earlier this month.

The couple says the publication by the magazine

breached their privacy.

The ruling came after prosecutors said they were considering whether there were grounds for criminal charges.

The decision to begin the preliminary criminal probe follows a formal complaint by the royals to prosecutors, with aides saying they were looking for proceedings against both the magazine and the photographer who took the pictures.

Britain's Prince William with wife Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge.

the first time in a decade.

The negotiations are expected to carry on in the

Cuban capital, Havana, aimed at ending the bloody 48-yearlong conflict.

Colombian forces land in assault even though peace talks are planned

Mexico mass jailbreak sparks manhunt near Texas border

M

ore than 130 prisoners are on the run in Mexico after a mass breakout from a jail close to the US border.

The inmates escaped through a tunnel dug out from the prison's carpentry workshop to a perimeter fence.

The prison director and two other employees are being held over the incident at the facility in Coahuila, the state's attorney general said.

A massive manhunt is under way, and the US authorities are on alert in case any escapees attempt to cross the border.

Some 132 men managed to escape from the prison in the city of Piedras Negras, which borders Eagle Pass in Texas to the north.

One by one, the inmates fled through a tunnel measuring 2.9m (9.5 ft) deep and 7m long,

attorney general Homero Ramos said in a statement broadcast on local TV. The state government has offered rewards of 200,000 pesos ($15,600; ÂŁ9,600) for information leading to the arrest of each prisoner.

This is not the first time such a mass breakout has taken place in Coahuila, but it is by far one of the biggest in recent years, says the BBC's Will Grant in Mexico City.

Such events only go to underline further to the incoming government of President Enrique Pena Nieto the dire state of the prison system in Mexico, our correspondent says.

Mr Pena Nieto is to take office on 1 December. However, prison reform is not expected to be one of the main priorities of his government, our correspondent adds.

PAGE 35

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2012

Secret video of Mitt Romney reveals views on Obama voters A

secretly filmed video has emerged showing Mitt Romney disparaging Barack Obama voters at a private donor dinner.

The Republican nominee is shown saying the 47% of Americans who back the president do not pay income tax and would never vote for Mr Romney.

"I'll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives," Mr Romney says.

In a late-night appearance, Mr Romney said his remarks were not "elegantly stated", but did not retract them.

"This is the same message I give to people in public," he said in response to the video, released by liberal investigative magazine Mother Jones.

Earlier, his campaign said Mr Romney "wants to help all Americans struggling in the Obama economy".

"As the [former Massachusetts] governor has made clear all year, he is concerned about the growing number of people who are dependent on the federal government, including the record number of people who are on food stamps, nearly one in six Americans in poverty, and the 23 million Americans who are struggling to find work," spokeswoman Gail Gitcho

said in a statement.

"It's hard to serve as president for all Americans when you've disdainfully written off half the nation," Jim Messina, Mr Obama's campaign manager, said in a statement.

Report says that this may prove to be a significant setback for Mr Romney, who has been relentlessly characterised by his political opponents as privileged and out of touch.

Also on Monday, Mr Romney's campaign unveiled a significant reworking of its strategy less than two months before election day.

Campaign advisers told the US media on Monday that Mr Romney would speak more on his specific policy proposals in the coming days and weeks.

Until now his message to voters has largely consisted of repeated attacks on President Obama's economic record.

The video provided to Mother Jones is said to have been filmed at a private fund-raiser at some point after Mr Romney became the presumptive Republican nominee.

Its picture is blurred out with the exception of Mr Romney's face, and no attendees are visible.

The income tax segment is one of several clips posted online, in which Mr Romney expands at some length on his approach to the

forthcoming election, and how his campaign will take on President Obama.

"There are 47% of the people who will vote for the president no matter what," Mr Romney is seen saying, referring to the percentage of Americans who have no income tax liability.

"There are 47% who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it. " Mr Romney is later seen saying that his campaign has not been as harsh on Mr Obama as possible, because the president remains likeable and because of a desire to win the support of his otherwise disenchanted former supporters.

"Because they voted for him, they don't want to be told that they were wrong, that he's a bad guy, that he did bad things, that he's corrupt," he says, referring to independent voters who chose Mr Obama in 2008.

"Those people that we have to get, they want to believe they did the right thing, but he just wasn't up to the task."

Mr Romney also told the fundraising dinner he believes that if he won, there would be an immediate market-driven boost to

Obama addressing supporters the economy.

The videos bookended a difficult 24 hours for the Romney campaign. On Sunday, a lengthy Politico story detailed apparent divisions and indecision within the campaign.

That was followed by a public revising of campaign strategy on Monday morning.

"We are not rolling out new policy," campaign adviser Ed Gillespie said, "So much as we are making sure people understand that when we say we can do these things,

here's how we are going to get them done and these are the specifics."

In that vein, the campaign released an online ad on Monday that discusses his economic plan.

Advisers say the campaign will now speak more specifically about his budget plans and tax policy.

A series of opinion polls at the end of last week showed Mr Romney trailing Mr Obama both nationally and in several swing states.

The two men square off in the election on 6 November, but early voting begins soon in several states.

among likely voters over Romney, 48 percent to 43 percent, down slightly from a 7-point advantage last week.

Obama led Romney on the key issue of who has better plans for the economy.

Gillespie said Romney would begin to be more specific about his policies, although he denied it was in direct response to conservative criticism last week that he had not directly engaged Obama in a battle over specific ideas.

"We do think the timing is right at this point to reinforce more specifics about the Romney plan for a strong middle class," Gillespie said, describing the shift as a "natural progression" as voters pay more attention to the race.

"They're eager to hear more details about policies to turn our economy

around and create 12 million jobs in his first term," he said.

Romney unveiled three new advertisements and planned a series of speeches highlighting a five-point economic policy to create jobs, cut taxes, bolster small businesses and achieve energy independence.

The shift came after a tough week that saw Romney come under fire from conservatives to be more specific in his policy proposals, and stumble with a quick response to the crisis in the Middle East that critics in both parties said smelled of political opportunism.

The conservative calls for Romney to be more specific peaked after he struggled during a television interview last week to explain what tax loopholes he might close to help offset the cost of his tax cuts, or whether he would keep portions of Obama's healthcare overhaul.

At a campaign appearance in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Monday, Obama ridiculed Romney for his lack of specifics.

"They want your vote but they don't want to tell you their plans," he said of Republicans.

Romney has had trouble winning over the Republican Party's most ardent conservatives, who distrust him because of his moderate stances as Massachusetts governor from 2003 to 2007, when he backed a state healthcare overhaul that became a model for Obama's national plan.

But many of the party's political professionals in Washington and elsewhere also wonder why Romney is not doing better against Obama given the 8.1 percent unemployment rate.

Romney retools strategy, dismisses report of disarray

A

fter a difficult week that sparked a burst of Republican hand-wringing, Mitt Romney's campaign team fought back on Monday against a report of disarray in his inner circle and promised to retool his message with more specifics of his policies.

Senior adviser Ed Gillespie struck an optimistic tone despite the Republican worries, saying President Barack Obama's post-Democratic convention bounce in polls had faded and the race for the White House had tightened again ahead of the November 6 election.

Romney dismissed a Politico report that portrayed a chaotic and sometimes confused Romney campaign team led by chief strategist Stuart Stevens.

"I've got a terrific campaign," Romney said in an interview with the Spanish-language television network Telemundo, adding that there would be no changes to his top staff.

"My senior campaign people work extraordinarily well together," he said.

"These process stories really take away from what's really of concern to the American people."

The report raised fresh questions about Romney's management of a gaffe-plagued campaign that has missed opportunities to take advantage of a struggling economic recovery and lingering high unemployment.

The questions are particularly pertinent for Romney, the former head of a private equity firm who has made his managerial and economic experience the centerpiece of his campaign to boot Obama from the White House.

Romney But Romney could face more problems after a video surfaced on Monday from a closed-door fundraiser where he describes 47 percent of Americans - those certain they will back Obama - as "dependent on government, who believe that they are victims, who believe that government has a responsibility to care for them."

Romney goes on to say "my job is not to worry about those people." The video was shot earlier this year and posted online by the liberal magazine Mother Jones. Romney's remarks drew a sharp condemnation from the Obama campaign and is certain to raise new questions about the Republican's views and ability to stay on-message.

"It's hard to serve as president for

all Americans when you've disdainfully written off half the nation," said Obama campaign manager Jim Messina.

Most polls have shown Obama taking a solid lead in the race against Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, but Gillespie focused on Monday on a Rasmussen tracking poll showing Romney moving back into a slight lead.

"The post-convention bounce has faded already and is fading for the president," Gillespie told reporters. "If you look at polling for Romney swing states around the country we're looking at a dead heat virtually everywhere in the target states."

A Reuters/Ipsos poll on Monday showed Obama with a 5-point lead

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

Anti-Islam Film: Muhammad and Freedom of Expression (I)

By Dr Aliyu U. Tilde

T

he recent caricature of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in an American anti-Islam film has provoked anger across the Muslim world.

Demonstrations of disapproval of the caricature continued throughout last week. The violent one recorded was in Libya where the American consulate in Benghazi was attacked and the Ambassador there killed.

Reactions of Muslim leaders and commentators throughout the Muslim world are unanimous in condemning the use of violence as tool for expression of opinion or anger in this case. So we also join them to express our disapproval of the violence that led to the killing of the Ambassador and his staff. The blasphemy was the act of an individual, not the country.

This will certainly not be the end of blasphemy against the Holy Prophet by people who have the least regard for his noble personality. It has been a recurring decimal since the advent of Islam. The Qur’an itself has predicted its tenacity to the present time and beyond: “You (Muslims) shall certainly be tried and tested in (the loss of) your wealth and lives and you certainly receive from the People of the Book and the polytheists a lot of insults. But if you are patient and God-fearing, that will be the most determining factor (for your success).” (3:186) There are, therefore, bound to be further expressions of anger in any such instances from the Muslim world in the future. This was not the first. The Danish and French cartoons of the Holy Prophet in the early 2000s, and before them Rushdie’s Satanic Verses in 1989, are still fresh in our minds. This will certainly not be the last, especially given that the reaction of Muslims is now predictable from the trend that emerged since the Satanic Verses.

Far right and extremist groups that are interested in widening the gap between the West and the Muslims world have now in their hands an assured recipe for provoking havoc.

Whenever such reaction occurs in the future, we pray that it will not lead to further loss of life or property. The Holy Prophet himself would not have approved the killing of a diplomat in his domain. His heart was certainly bigger than that. He has received diplomats even from hostile countries but never has he ordered the execution of any. As President Mursi of Egypt said, diplomats are guests and they deserve our utmost protection.

America on its part should see the loss of the Ambassador as an unfortunate incident and play restraint. Libya is still volatile, very unstable. Anything can happen to anybody there. Gangs

still have a free hand. Personal safety measures are paramount, but especially among foreigners.

Where an established, stable central government is absent, the posting of diplomatic staff need to be seriously evaluated not only on the balance of strategic interest but also on that of personal safety of the diplomats that will be posted there.

Now, beyond the condemnation of violence, one could say, after listening to several commentators in several English and Arab channels that the whole world, including the American government as clarified by its foreign affairs spokesman on BBC Arabic television channel last night, recognizes the right of Muslims to demonstrate as an expression of their anger against the blasphemy. This is an era of democracy and no opinion should be suppressed.

The point, however, is not much about the expression of opinion by Muslims only. Their anger is mainly directed at America – even among those who do not support al-Qa’ida or Sheikh Omar Abdurahman – because they perceive that it has not shown any resolve to stop the rising tide of blasphemy against the Holy Prophet, the Qur’an and Islam generally in its territory as it stood firmly behind the UN resolution against anything that disputes the Jewish narrative of the Holocaust. As an Egyptian commentator said on BBC Arabic, a way of getting round the problem is for Muslim countries to propose a UN resolution that makes blasphemy against the Prophet a crime.

Would America support it or veto it?

However, such a resolution, I suggest, should include the protection of all holy places and personalities belonging to all religions. Here, the Muslim world itself, to tell the bitter truth, has some unfinished work in its domain. We have recently witnessed the most unfortunate destructions of Muslim tombs in Somalia, Mali and Libya in the name of Monotheism. An historic idol of Buddha in Afghanistan was also destroyed under the Taliban regime in 2000. The mutual respect and tolerance of Islam for divergent beliefs and ways of worship are what made such sites and structures to survive in the Muslim world for the past 1400 years. Respect is a three dimensional: the one we have amongst ourselves, another we give to others and the third we expect from them.

Yesterday, MBC 2 showed the Da Vinci Code in which Jesus was portrayed as having a relationship, and even a child, with a female disciple of his.

MBC is Saudi financed channel, if I am not mistaken. When the

The Muslim world needs to exercise restraint in its reaction to the controversial anti-Islam film.

Satanic Verses were published, the Kuwaiti government had substantial shares in the Penguin Books that published it.

I am raising these points just to plead for prudence on the part of the Muslim World.

The blasphemy of Basil is not different from that committed by the Danish and French journalists before. When the debate over the Danish cartoons broke out, I published a discourse titled In Defence of Muhammad.

Though it was Eurocentric in its references, I think there is no need to rephrase the arguments again. I hereby reprint it for the benefit of my new readers. Those who have read it before may also wish to refresh their

memories on its contents.

In Defence of Muhammad International headlines have been dominated in the past three weeks by the reactions of Muslims to the Danish cartoons of Prophet Muhammad, Peace be Upon Him (PBUH). Muslims consider the cartoons as deliberate insults against the Prophet, the person they revered most. In Islam, the personality of all Prophets, including Moses, Jesus, etc, is sacred. It must not be desecrated through mockery or ill comments. For Muhammad, this prohibition extends to drawings and other forms of graphic depictions.

If a Muslim violates the personality of the Prophet, he is

“

We must, as Muslims, recognise that freedom of expressions is one of the most sensitive values of West. It justifiably feels strong about it; and it is ready to guard against its infringement in any form, apart from the few areas of restriction that the law has permitted.

That is because it is a heritage they earned at a very high cost, after a long period of suffering and domination by the Church

accused of blasphemy. Islamic law prescribes his repentance and execution. The most pronounced case in recent times of this kind of blasphemy was the publication of Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie on which late Imam Khomeini (may God have Mercy on Him) promptly delivered a fatwa of death sentence. This is the Muslim side of the ongoing row.

On the other side, the Danish journalist who drew the twelve infamous cartoons does not believe in Islam; neither does he live under its political domain. His basis for the publication is founded on freedom of expression – a concept, a right and a practice that is regarded as a hallmark of contemporary West. Under the umbrella of this concept, writers in the West could say anything regarding norms, beliefs and, ideally, anything under the sun, as long as it is not restrained by law. This has put the writer in the difficult position of self-censorship because in many circumstances the line between the allowed and the restrained is blurred by culture and politics.

In the West, freedom of expression has four basic premises: it is held, one, for moral autonomy of individuals; two, for arriving at the truth; three, to further the cause of democracy; and, four, for self fulfilment of the individual.

This can be reduced to saying that freedom in the liberal society which the West claims cannot be realised unless individuals are allowed, through open expressions, to discover the truth and make choices of their own in matters of politics and morality.

We must, as Muslims, recognise that freedom of expressions is one of the most sensitive values of West. It justifiably feels strong about it; and it is ready to guard against its infringement in any form, apart from the few areas of restriction that the law has permitted. That is because it is a heritage they earned at a very high cost, after a long period of suffering and domination by the Church.

Though even by the 18th Century, the Church as a political establishment in Europe was already defeated by Enlightenment secularism in the arena of science and philosophy, the influence of its ethics on law and society remained dominant well into 19th Century. This is abundantly clear when we read On Liberty of John Stuart Mill which was written in the middle of 19th Century and much of it was an objection to the restriction by the Church of England to freedom of belief and expression.

It is of significance to note that Mill’s essay was published in 1859, few years before Frederick Nietzsche boldly announced that “God is dead”!

Dr Aliyu U. Tilde is a renowned columnist based in Jos

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

PAGE 37

We are ready to step on toes to make Okehi LG work, says LG caretaker INTERVIEW Mallam Hassan Yusuf, the Liason Officer 1 of Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi state, in this interview with Sam Egwu outlines his desire to make the local government work as a tool for local development.

Y

ou look like somebody ready to bring innovation to make things work at the local government level?

Yes, I am prepared to tackle underdevelopment at the local government level headlong as a trail- brazer for others in the administration at the local government where people are used to be using local government level as personal estate. Really am prepared to work.

You are currently the head of administration at the local government, people say you capitalize on that to pick nomination form.

I know definitely that people would raise eyebrow over picking nomination to contest the Local government election being at the helm of affairs here but the real issue here is, am I not qualified to contest the election at that level even though I was appointed by Capt Idris Wada to head the management team?

The quality they see in me to bring me in as the Head of the Management team of the LG has clearly indicated that I can do very well if given the mandate

to steer the ship of the local government.

Others would like to contest with you, what are your chances?

That is basically what we call democracy. Everybody would have the opportunity to contest In every contest, there are bound to be people who would indicate their interest. That is where we have contenders and pretenders, I am a contender. My people urged me to pick the nomination form after due consultations. The people who gave me the courage to pick nomination form are still there to deliver their promise.

What do you intend to do for your people, if given the mandate?

This is a local government which is faced with poverty; my people need all the essentials of life, portable water, clean environment, good roads and good educational environment.

There would be the provision of small scale business enterprise to keep the women busy all the time. Soft loan to cater for the idle hands would be of importance to the community since we know that an idle mind is the devil’s

Mallam Hassan Yusuf workshop. You know, this local government area does not need to depend only on the Federation Account; we could build a conducive environment to accommodate small scale investors. There is every need to disabuse our minds from creating loopholes for evil to enter the community. The little that gets into the local government would be spread across board to bring the people together. Let me tell you, government alone cannot do all

for us, that is where we need credible people to takeover the mantle of leadership at the local government levels so that they could be able to spread the wealth.

Political stakeholders are always there to checkmate plans by executives whoever does not dance to their tunes will always be called names, are you ready to step on their toes?

I have a lot of respect for our political stakeholders of

Okehi local government for their sound mind at issues that confront the local government area with a view to settling them as fast as they could. They are very good and dynamic. But in fact, there is no new innovation at alleviating people from the doldrums that would not offend some persons. If that is what you mean by stepping on toes, I have no regret, but we shall do it with caution. When we came in as head of the administration a couple of months ago, security was our major challenge. There was nothing we could do without tackling the issue of security first. First we had to go into investigating how things started bringing in the boys.

Were they the cause of insecurity of the area? Could they be accomplices to others?

These were the issues that stood before us and as the chief security officers of the LG by virtue of our portfolio, we started bringing in youths and their leaders to join in the fight against security challenges. So far, we have good result. Perhaps some people who gain from crisis would not want our method, therefore, we might step on toes What are your present challenges as the head of the management team in Okehi local government?

Really, we have come to see that so many things could be achieved but the current financial melt down in the country has caught us napping; we have to cut our cloth according to the cloth. I am not ready to take any loan just to impress on the people. All I appeal to the people is that they should be patient with us.

Kaduna LG: PDP foresees victory From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

P

eople's Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna state has said the forthcoming local government elections in December would be a walk over for the party.

Reacting to the party's weekend victory in the byelection for the Zaria constituency at the House of Assembly, during which the PDP candidate, Malami Nuhu Babajo, defeated his Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) opponent, the PDP Chairman in the state, Ambassador Nuhu Bajoga, described the party as a grass root party.

According to him, "beyond all expectations, PDP won with

landslide the by- election into the Kaduna State House of Assembly by beating its close rival with over 2,600 votes which is unprecedented and something we never expected.

"PDP is a grass root party and that is why it has been in power since 1999, it was just the accident of the last time that made the CPC to claim that it is the grass root party but the reality is here and we have started seeing the signs

and I believe we shall carry this tempo to the local government election.

"We won because the people of Zaria have come to realize that without unity they cannot forge ahead in their political aspiration.

We realized that Zaria has been very much divided especially the PDP but we did not impose anybody, there was no rancor, no fighting, and the whole PDP stakeholders in Zaria came

together and accepted the PDP candidate.

"At the end of the day, PDP won the election and the CPC Senator from zone 2, Major-Gen. Sani Saleh, even accepted that it was free and fair election. So we have told people that we are going to run a transparent PDP. We are not going to impose a candidate on anybody as every candidate should go to his people and canvass for votes.

"This victory is as a result of

the people coming together to fight a common cause because the people of Zaria realized that the division among them has cost them a lot in terms of electoral victory. So, this time around, all the factions in Zaria agreed to go with one family into the election, and that was the main secret of winning that election. The victory is also a vote of confidence of Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa."

Kwara inaugurates Independence anniversary committee

K

wara Government has inaugurated a 22member committee for the celebration of the 52 nd independence anniversary of the country.

The Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Mr Anthony Towoju, inaugurated the committee in Ilorin on Monday.

Towoju said the committee

would design an acceptable programme and organise a hitch-free ceremony.

The Chairman of the committee, Hajia Aishat Mohammed, promised that

the members would organise a colourful event.

The committee has Alhaji Aliyu Ahmed, an Assistant Director in the ministry as the Secretary.(NAN)

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

Group mobilizes voters for Ondo polls From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

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group, Centre for Human Rights and Ethics in Development (CHRED) has begun mobilization of voters for the gubernatorial polls scheduled for Ondo state on October 20, this year.

The Executive Director of the group, Comrade Moshood Erubami, who spoke with newsmen in Ibadan said the mobilization was meant to end the culture of apathy of voters during polls in the country.

According to him, the group is being encouraged by the massive turn out of voters for the Edo gubernatorial polls on July 14, 2012, he remarked was the

outcome of massive and extensive mobilization of voters of all stakeholders.

Erubami however tasked Independent National Electoral Commission {INEC} to ensure that the poll is better conducted and meet the acceptance of all the stakeholders.

“Stakeholders and political observers are looking forward to a further improved election in Ondo state, especially in the areas of drastic reduction in election manipulations, irregularities, illegalities and violence, so that post election acrimonies, petition and contestations will be reduced to the barest minimum,” he said.

He lamented the turbulence which has crept into electioneering campaigns

so far, citing armed clashes between the supporters of rival political parties, allegation and counter allegations of thugs vandalising party offices and loud allegation of police bias in recorded fracas and above all, the campaigns not being issues based and goal listing.

“Preparations for the October 20, 2012 governorship election have been fraught with crises and tension, money allegedly is daily shared to sway supporters from rival political parties while the state witness daily decampment of politicians from one party to the other.

He said provocative statements, taunting and ridiculing, are freely used during campaigns and at rallies to create

tension while restraints are not exercised in campaign speeches, adding that political thugs are being used to terrorize political opponents and communities across some local government council’s areas in the state creating palpable anxiety in the minds of voters over whether there will be peaceful election.

He noted that the trends sharp contrasted with the expectations of voters who are expecting politicians to outline issues of concern to the citizens, challenges of development, education policy, public infrastructure priorities and individual plans for re-ordering the economy of the state to meet the genuine aspirations of the people.

“The electorates expect to hear from the politicians where they plan to take them and the state in the foreseeable future; issues that will bring the real difference out of the contesting aspirants to enable the electorate make an informed choice from among the candidates.

“No doubt the above political situation in Ondo state presently demands urgent proactive intervention of the stakeholders in the electoral process to mitigate the potent threat posed by violence to democracy and sustain the politics of one-man one-vote,” he maintained.

LAHA Speaker commiserates with former colleague Ondo state Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko (middle), makes his way to the podium amidst the mammoth crowd, during a campaign rally for his re-election, at the weekend in Idanre Local Government Area of the state.

Kebbi CPC vows to challenge LG election results From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

K

ebbi state Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has vowed to challenge the results of the recent local government election conducted by the Kebbi State Independent Electoral Commission.

Addressing newsmen recently at the party office, the CPC’s state secretary, Barr. Sheahu Marshall, said that the

local government election was full of irregularities and marred with under age vote. ‘’The election wasn’t an election if people’s were allowed to vote, I believe CPC will get up to 80 percent of the candidates and sweep all the councillorship position’’ he said.

People’s Daily would recall that KESIEC fixed 15 th September 2012 for the election and People’s Democratic

Party [PDP] swept the 21 local government election while CPC had only four Councillorship seat including one from the former Senator Adamu Aliero’s town.

He said that CPC is considering measures to be taken by ensuring justice and fairness in the last local government election in the state while urging their supporters to remain calm.

Kwara ACN slams governor over 25,000 teachers’ claim From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin The Kwara State chapter of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday dismissed as outright falsehood the claim

by Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed that the state has 25,000 teachers in its employ.

The party also said Ahmed’s claim that his administration has employed additional 1,410 teachers in the last one year was a “needless lie.”

The state chairman of the party, Mr. Kayode Olawepo, said in a statement in Ilorin that the governor and his men should refrain from making claims capable of exposing Kwarans to national disgrace.

“It has become imperative to again react to the lies of Kwara State Government officials, including Governor Abdulfattah

Ahmed himself, who seizes every opportunity to grab public attention while doing nothing meaningful for public good.

Yesterday, September 17, the Herald quoted the Governor as saying that Kwara has 25,000 teachers in its employ across the state primary school! He was also quoted as saying that Kwara State Government employed 1,410 teachers in the last one year.

“The claim of 25,000 teachers is totally inconceivable except the government can present evidence to back it up. Is the government saying the state has up to 500 primary schools, each having an average of 50 teachers? It is a needless lie and gives fillip to allegations that government might actually be the brain behind so-called ghost workers’ syndrome.

“Also, when did the government

employ the 1,410 teachers? Were these vacancies advertised at all? When and through which media? As is the practice for such exercise, when did the applicants for the teaching appointment write test or attend interview that qualified them for the job?

“These claims are not only false but laughable. This penchant for outright falsehood is disrespectful to the people of Kwara State who this government continues to expose national ridicule. That the governor and his men resort to falsehood and deceit is a clear indication that they cannot be trusted.

“We implore the PDP government to be guided by honour and collective integrity of the people of Kwara State when making public statements,” he cautioned.

Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Adeyemi Ikuforiji, on Monday, described the death of the former speaker, Mr Oladimeji Longe, as a great loss to the state.

Ikuforiji, who said this on the floor of the assembly, also commiserated with families of another former lawmaker, Mr Rashidi Oluwo, who died last week in Lagos.

He urged his colleagues to make use of whatever opportunity they have to serve the people they represent very well as such would not be forever.

“The opportunity of serving people should be taken seriously because, soon, it would be taken away, “ Ikuforiji said.

The speaker said that the late former speaker would be given a befitting burial by the House.

In his contribution, Mr Kolawole Taiwo, Deputy Speaker, described Longe as a great legislative tutor who impacted knowledge to a number of people, especially in the area of effective legislative functions.

Also, Mr Bisi Yusuf, (ACN-Alimosho I ), said that former lawmakers should be paid pension and gratuity after completing their assignments.

“In this country, it is only the heads of the executive and judiciary arms that get benefits after leaving offices.

“Same should be extended to heads of legislative arms, so that we wouldn’t need to be asking for befitting burials for them when they go to the great beyond.

“After all, when ex-presidents and governors die, they are given befitting burials without anybody asking for it.

“I am advocating that speakers and their deputies should also be made to enjoy this benefit when they leave office,“ Yusuf said. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

PAGE 39

Aspirant pledges to refocus Olamaboro LG in Kogi From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

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L-R: First wife of Clerk of National Assembly, Hajiya Fatima Maikasuwa, Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa, his second wife, Hajiya Hajara Maikasuwa, and Deputy Clerk, Mr. Muyiwa Adejokun, during a dinner for the Clerk who received an award of CON, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

2015: Lamido’s choice an act of God, says LG boss From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

K

azaure Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Yahaya Sale Taki, has said the tipping of the Jigawa state governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, for the Presidency in 2015 by the duo of the former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Mlitary President Ibrahim Babangida was an act of God.

Taki told our reporter that the utterance coming from the two leaders was “purely divine coming from Allah.”

The Kazaure Council boss said apart from their declaration which was greeted with acceptance by the North, the people should note that Lamido has rendered a selfless service to enshrine democracy in the country through the ‘G 35’ that made sure that late President Sani Abacha

relinquished power.

Taki said Lamido has passed through all the tests of time to prove his worth in his sincerity and doggedness in his convinction of how Nigeria’s democracy should be.

He noted that Lamido did not look back when he was supporting the candidature of President Jonathan Goodluck before the election, adding that, “despite the castigation and names given to Lamido for

supporting Goodluck ,he never turned back because of his conviction and was even asking the people to also vote for him.

He said Lamido’s antecedents while he was a Minister of Foreign Affairs and the various positions he held as the National Secretary of the NRC and the present transformation of Jigawa state are clear testimonies of his unprecedented requirements to rule the country.

Plateau Bye-Election: I have vision but not desperate, says Amb. Giwa From Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

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mb. Chris Giwa, APGA’s candidate for the forthcoming by-election into Plateau North Senatorial slot has said that he was not desperate but being motivated by the zeal to better the lots of the people.

Giwa, who was reacting to negative views against his decision to dump ACN for APGA, said his denial of the ticket for Senatorial bye-election to fly the party’s flag would spell doom for ACN in the state.

He alleged that Jonathan Pam was merely imposed by the national leadership of the party without conducting primary election that would have ushered in a credible and acceptable candidate among the three of them aspiring under the party’s platform insisting that his movement to APGA has mark the beginning of the party’s popularity and acceptability in the state.

Giwa said from the time he contested the last governorship

election under the platform of ACN to now, his record and reputation have not changed as he has not done anything criminal that could spoil his reputation and wonder why he should be disqualified without any reason.

According to him, “when I went to the party’s secretariat, which was my first, then I heard the party supporters shouting the slogan of the ‘be your brothers keeper’ and I said to myself that I’m in a right party because for anybody that knows me will attest to the fact that the slogan is what I stood for”.

He said “This country is blessed with both human and natural resources that all Nigerians should be living above poverty but because we have leaders who don’t care about the plight of masses that is why most Nigerians are still suffering even in the midst of plenty,” Giwa lamented.

Meanwhile, the candidate of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) Col. John Dungs has berated the state government for its

inability to settle the face-off between it and the striking local government and teachers in the state even as he regretted that the teachers strike has serious negative effect on the educational sector of the state.

He demanded that the state government should as a matter of urgency pay the striking workers their entitlement noting the workers salary is not a privileged

but a right hence government should be responsive by paying the workers their right.

Dungs said the future of primary and secondary school students is at stake having stayed at home for close to a year owing to the strike embark upon by the teachers as a result of government failure to implement the N 18, 000 new minimum wage.

chairmanship aspirant on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party PDP in Kogi state, James Umoru, has pledged to refocus Olamaboro local government if elected the chairman in the forthcoming council polls slated for December 2012.

The chairmanship aspirant gave this indication yesterday in Lokoja when he formally briefed journalists at the PDP secretariat of his intention to contest the chairmanship position of Olamaboro local government.

He said his administration would engage in progressive women and youth development through qualitative education, quality health care delivery and investment in small scale business, stressing that opportunity to improve the LG abound but people were only coming to play to the gallery.

While calling on the entire people of Olamaboro to give him the necessary support in the forthcoming LG election, he assured that the area would witness tremendous transformation under his leadership.

James who was worried that the potentials in the local government area were not fully tapped to impact on the people of the area maintained that during his tenure, if given the mandate, he would ensure that no stone was left unturned to key into the transformation agenda of Capt Idris Wada.

He advised youths in the area to shun all acts of violence and devote their time and energy to useful ventures which would better their lives and the society, noting that empty promises where leaders use youths only to abandon them at last would become a thing of the past if given the mandate.

He further stressed that the area could only witness rapid transformation which it ever desired if the right candidates are voted into power, noting that the people have the opportunity to move themselves out of the doldrums and shackles on underdevelopment by giving him the mandate.

Ex-NLC chairman urges FG to rehabilitate federal roads in Kwara hardship.

F

ormer Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Kwara, Mr Emmanuel Aiyeoribe, has urged the Federal Government to rehabilitate existing federal roads in the state.

Aiyeoribe said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Ilorin that some of the roads had been taken over by criminals.

“Majority of federal roads in the state are in deplorable

conditions thereby creating chances for armed robbers to embarrass innocent road users,” he said.

Aiyeoribe particularly urged the government to immediately rehabilitate the Ilorin-ErukuEgbe road which had been taken over by armed robbers.

He said that the rate of robbery incidents on the road had become rampant and was exposing commuters to untold

“The bad conditions of the Ilorin-Eruku-Egbe road which connect Kwara and Kogi, have become a hideout for armed robbers to perpetrate their nefarious activities.

“The condition of the road has forced motorists from Kwara going to Kogi State to pass through Ekiti State.

“The road is in a sorry state and has crippled economic activities of people of the area,” he said. (NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

NGO meets stakeholders on peace in Benue, Nasarawa states

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he Women Empowerment Programme (WEP), an NGO, yesterday organised a stakeholders meeting to resolve the conflict between the Fulani pastoralists and Tiv farmers in Benue and Nasarawa states.

Mrs Priscilla Achakpa, Executive Director of the organisation, said that the meeting was to identify conflict areas between the Fulani pastoralists and Tiv farmers in the states for resolution.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was organised with the support of the Institute of Peace and Conflict

Resolution (IPCR) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Achakpa said, “After the field work of consultations, focus group discussions and interviews with various factions and other state and non-state actors, findings are usually discussed in an open forum.

“The forum involves sons and daughters of repute of both factions taking place completely out of the conflict zone giving room for hard talks and dialogue.

“This way nobody feels threatened by the environment in which the discussions are taking place and therefore feels free to say

whatever they have in mind within the confines of their environment.”

She said that WEP would take into consideration all efforts of state and non-state actors that had been involved at all levels in trying to bring about peaceful co-existence among the residents of the two states.

She said that the project initially targeted Guma and Makurdi local government areas in Benue, adding that the Gwer West, Keana, and Doma local councils Nasarawa State would be involved.

Achakpa said Nigeria had been faced serious sporadic eruptions of

violence in parts of the country.

She said: “We all desire peace because of what absence of peace brings under-development of any community.”

The executive director said that the organisation would intervene in resolving conflicts in the middle belt of Nigeria and possibly erect structures around women and youths, upon which long lasting peace would be sustained.

Gov. Gabriel Suswam of Benue said that members of the committee had been empanelled by the state government to ensure peaceful co-existence in the state.

(NAN)

L-R: Members of House of Representatives, Hon. Bimbo Daramola, Hon. Robinson Gbadebo Ajiboye, and Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele, during their resumption from recess, yesterday at the National Assembly, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Court orders PDP, Benue chapter, to inaugurate elected auditor

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Makurdi High Court Judge, Justice Theresa Igoche, has ordered the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Benue, to immediately inaugurate, Mr Abraham Nyikwagh, as the elected auditor of the party.

Igoche gave the order on Monday while delivering judgment on a suit filed by Nyikwagh against PDP, Benue chapter, PDP, North-Central zone and one Mr Jeremiah Iorhide.

She held that there was no reasonable or probable cause for the Benue chapter of the PDP to have refused to swear in Nyikwagh.

The judge noted that from the

facts before the court, the alleged directive to inaugurate Iorhide was from Sen. Barnabas Gemade, and not from the National Secretariat of the party as claimed by the defendants.

She, therefore, granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiff against the defendants.

Nyikwagh dragged the defendants to court, claiming that he won the March 17, 2012 election for the position of auditor of the party in the state, which Iorhide was inaugurated as the auditor.

He urged the court to determine whether PDP was right to have declared Iorhide, who never contested the election as the winner

as well as exclude him from April 3, 2012 inauguration without any cause.

The plaintiff’s counsel, Mr Chris Alechenu, had argued that his client met the requirements for nomination for election or appointment into any of the PDP offices.

According to him, his requirement for public office, either elected or nominated is contained in Articles 16.2 and 16.4 of the constitution of the party, 2009.

Alechenu argued that his client was excluded from the inauguration of members of the state executive council in spite of the fact that Nyikwagh’s name

was in the result sheets of the election.

He argued that exclusion of his client as the auditor was a clear violation of Section 42(1) (a) of the 1999 Constitution, which guaranteed the right to freedom from discrimination.

The counsel urged the court to declare that the election of Nyikwagh as the auditor for the PDP by the state congress was valid and subsisting.

He also prayed the court for an order directing the defendants and in particular the PDP, Benue chapter, to inaugurate the plaintiff immediately as the auditor of the party. (NAN)

Oyo Assembly promulgates law solid waste management

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he Oyo State Assembly has passed Solid Waste Management Bill which makes throwing refuse in unauthorised places an offence punishable by jail sentence for culprits.

Mr Sikiru Ali, the Chairman, Oyo State House of Assembly Committee on Environment, disclosed this in an interview

with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

Ali expressed the hope that this law, among other measures, would ensure sustainable environmental practices in the state.

He said that the government was embarking on “massive” public education of the people through the state’s electronic media to validate its efforts.

He listed other efforts by the assembly to instil the culture of environmental protection to include the introduction of the weekly environmental sanitation exercise which compelled residents and traders to clean up their surroundings every Thursday.

He also noted that the committee had decried unwholesome environmental practices such as

refuse dumping into rivers and streams while encouraging tree planting culture to check deforestation in the rural areas.

The lawmaker recalled how the flood in Ibadan on Aug. 26, 2011, adversely affected the state’s economy and swept away an unspecified number of persons.

(NAN)

Delta Speaker advocates review of role of traditional rulers

T

he Speaker of the Delta House of Assembly, Mr Victor Ochei, on Tuesday called for a review of the role of the traditional rulers to effectively discharge their duties.

Ochei made the call while receiving members of the State Council of Traditional rulers led by its Chairman, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, in Asaba.

The lawmaker said that there was the need for a review of the role of the royal fathers to make them more comfortable in the discharge of their duties.

The Speaker commended the royal fathers on the inauguration of the state Council of Traditional Rulers, and urged them to continue to pray for those in positions of authority in the state.

Ochei called for collaboration between the traditional rulers and the legislature to ensure peace and economic development of the state.

The Atuwatse, who was represented by the Obi of Owa, Emmanuel Efezomor, congratulated the Speaker and the House for enacting people-oriented laws.

He commended the legislature for working in harmony with the executive and the judiciary, adding that a smooth relationship was necessary for the development of the state.

The traditional ruler urged the Speaker to carry the members of the House along in the scheme of things. (NAN)

Ondo state poll:ACN candidate calls for regional integration

T

he Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate for the Oct. 20 Governorship poll in Ondo state, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has called for regional integration in Nigeria.

Akeredolu made the call in Akure on Monday at an interactive forum, organised by Ondo State council of Nigeria Union of Journalists for the governorship candidates.

He said that such integration would make the regions formidable for national development.

“Such integration is a way where the regions would be able to fine-tune development projects and policies that will be similar to those of other regions,” he said.

Akeredolu said that the idea of South- West integration was not to secede from the federation “but an attempt to make the region more formidable, united and have even development.”

He said that a situation where the South-West could develop its own coastal line, gas project that could supply its energy needs, regional air field, among others, would be a point of reference for other regions.

Akeredolu recalled that during the days of the defunct regional governments, development was rapid and highly appreciated.

(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

PAGE 41

Man United in revenue loss

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anchester United paid the price for last season’s early exit from the Champions League as the Premier League giants revealed yesterday that their total income fell by 3.3 percent to £320.3 million for the year ending June 30, 2012.

United’s annual results showed a fall in revenue which had been widely predicted after Sir Alex Ferguson’s side failed to advance past the group stages of the lucrative Champions League last term.

However, for the first time the club’s revenue from commercial income exceeded that from broadcast and matchday

income, underlining the growing global reach of the United brand.

Commercial revenue was up 13.7 percent to £117.6 million, while broadcast revenue was down 11.3 percent to £104 million and matchday revenue down 10.9 percent to £98.7 million.

A Manchester United plc statement read: “Broadcasting revenues for the year decreased... primarily as a result of our elimination at the group stages of the Champions League.

“For the fourth quarter, revenues decreased 37.4 percent to £27.5 million as no participation fees were earned compared to

Champions League participation fees from the quarterfinal, semifinal and final in the fourth quarter of the prior year.

“In addition, we earned minimal revenues from the FA Cup following our fourth round exit, compared with reaching the semifinal in the previous year.

“Matchday revenues for the year decreased... as a result of having played four fewer home games compared with the prior season when we also received a share of the gate receipts from the Champions League final and FA Cup semifinal, both of which were held at Wembley Stadium.”

2012 AWC: Ikhana gives Super Falcons conditions

C

oach Khadiri Ikhana has insisted that only players with total commitment, strong mental resolve and physical presence of mind would make the squad to the African Women Championship Finals scheduled for Equatorial Guinea, next month.

Ikhana said yesterday following the release of the list of players called up for the final phase of camping ahead of the fiesta, stressing that he would spare anybody who failed to meet the requirement for making the cut.

The Falcons, who are the defending champions resumed camping on Sunday with 23 players out of the 27 called up in the camp. Those who were yet to join the squad were three members of the Falconets that placed fourth at the FIFA U-20 Championship held in Japan early this month.

Ikhana said it is straight to business so as to cover enough ground before the competition starts.

“We didn’t get enough time as

Precious Dede

we would have loved to so our programmes start immediately.

The tournament is just five weeks away so we have a short time to train and choose the best players to represent the country in Equatorial Guinea,” he said.

Ikhana invited nine players, who featured for Falconets at the just concluded FIFA Under20 Women’s World Cup in Japan.

The Falcons’ gaffer congratulated the side for their performance at the tournament which saw them finished fourth behind winners, USA, Germany, and hosts Japan.

“The Falconets did the country proud at the Under20 World Cup and I would like to congratulate them. I watched the team and I was impressed by the players I saw, which is why I have invited nine of them to join us.

“Those players have already proved themselves at the Under20 level and I hope they would measure up to the standards we require at the level of Super Falcons,” he said.

Ikhana insisted on 100%commitment from his

Glory Iroka

wards. He charged them to make selection exercise of his 18-man squad difficult.

“We want to retain the AWC title so nothing short of 100% commitment is needed. I hope you will make it difficult for me to choose my final team for the tournament,” he said.

The AWC will take place in Equatorial Guinea from October 28 to November 11.

List of players Josephine Chukwunonye, Ngozi Okobi, Cecilia Nku, Ugo Njoku, Asisat Oshoala, Esther Sunday, Gloria Ofoegbu, Eberechi Maraihe, Gladys Akpa, Evelyn Nwabuoku, Ngozi Ebere, Ulumma Jerome, Joy Jegede, Chiudo Ehiudo, Stella Mbachu,

Despite the drop in turnover, United actually recorded a profit of £23 million, although that was entirely due to a tax credit of £28 million, without that credit there would have been a £5m loss.

Ed Woodward, United’s executive vice-chairman, said in a statement: “We are delighted to announce our first results as a NYSE (New York Stock Exchange) listed company; fiscal 2012 was the best year ever for Manchester United’s commercial business.

“Our world-record $559 million shirt sponsorship deal with Chevrolet and the Premier League’s new £1 billion a year UK television rights deal highlight the outstanding growth prospects for the future.

Onyinyechi Ohadugha, Glory Iroka, Shola Oyewusi, Tshola Tawa, Tochukwu Oluehi, Ifeoma Emenike, Sharifat Saheed and Precious Dede, Desire Oparanozie, Francisca Ordega and Osinachi Ohale.

Wozniacki advances at Korea Open

C

aroline Wozniacki reached the second round of the Korea Open in Seoul by beating Arantxa Rus of the Netherlands 6-1, 62 yesterday.

Jamie Hampton of the United States also advanced, defeating Romina Oprandi of Switzerland 5-7, 6-3, 6-2, while Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain beat Sesil Karatantcheva of Kazakhstan 6-4, 6-4.

NFF N350m richer as Globacom honours contractual obligation

By Albert Akota

T

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) was N350m richer yesterday following Globacom’s payment of its sponsorship pledge for the 13 national teams.

The amount, according to the football federation’s director of marketing Idris Adama, is meant for the period of the 2012/2013 season.

The deal, which was signed during the Sani Lulu Abdullahi era as president of the federation had come under fire for its paltry nature, but the federation stuck to it and is yet to renegotiate for a better until the four-year contract expires.

Speaking yesterday, Adama said the federation appreciates Globacom’s gesture stressing that the amount would go along way to augment the financial requirements of the football federation especially as it prepares the various teams for the continental qualifiers and other

tournaments.

Peoples Daily Sports recalls that the Flamingoes are in Azerbaijan for the FIFA U-17 Championship, the Super Falcons are camping putting final touches to their preparations to defend the AWC trophy, the Flying Eagles are also in camp shaping up for the CAF U20 qualifiers among several other events.

In this regard, Adama said the Aminu Maigari-led executive committee appreciates the token paid in by Globacom noting the federation would now looking to add to the N350m from other sources to commit its other financial commitments.

“We are happy to sign the deal with Globacom because both parties agreed and the fund will go a long way in helping federation to carryout it functions.

“We collected the money cash and the deal has been sign and sealed for the interest of Nigerians as well as developing the game from grassroots, “he said.

CAF appoints Algerian referees for Eaglets versus Junior Menas

T

he Confederation of African Football (CAF) has picked Algerian match officials for the Sunday’s second leg match between the Golden Eaglets and the Junior Menas of Niger Republic.

Sofiane Bousetter will be at the centre and will be assisted

by Bouabdallah Omari and Mohammed Bechirene respectively.

The fourth official is Mehdi Charef while Ivorian Sinko Zeli, who was the centre referee when Nigeria beat Namibia 4-0 in a Nations Cup qualifier in 2000 at home, will be the Match Commissioner.

Already, match tickets for the Golden Eaglets-Junior Menas match has been fixed for N200 for popular side. The covered seat would go for N500 while the State Box is N1000.

The match was initially fixed for Saturday, but the NFF shifted the date after securing approval from CAF. Sunday’s evenings are regarded as traditional football day in the Canaan City with throngs of people usually expected to fill the stands at the Calabar’s foremost stadium.

“We are happy that the NFF has shifted this game to Sunday in order to allow huge number of spectators to come and cheer us to victory,” said Suleiman Abubakar, the Golden Eaglets’ coordinator.

“Moving the game to Sunday is a good decision since there are less business activities and those who might have gone to church have opportunity of watching the game life at the stadium.”

Manu Garba

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

Lagos State Gymnastics Association pledges to meet gymnasts’ demands

T

he Lagos State Sports Council yesterday pledged to meet the various demands of its gymnasts ahead of the forthcoming 18th National Sports Festival.

Foluso Adefemi, the chairman of the state gymnastics association, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), while reacting to various problems raised by the gymnasts.

The gymnasts, through their captain, Adebisi Adebayo, had told NAN that they lacked a training venue and modern facilities in preparations for the festival scheduled for between Nov. 27 and Dec. 9 in Lagos.

“The ongoing renovation of the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Yaba, has impeded our training, our

training equipment are also obsolete,” Adebayo said.

Adebayo added that if the situation remained, it could affect their dream of winning many gold medals

at the festival.

“Several promises made by the council to bring new equipment are yet to be fulfilled. We sustain injuries during our daily training with these obsolete

materials”, he said.

Responding, Adefemi said that the association was not relenting in its efforts to proffer solution to the problems.

Adefemi, while

A Gymnast in action during the Olympic games

confirming that the ongoing renovation at the sports centre compounded the athletes’ training problems, however, assured that the council had taken necessary steps to address the situation.

“We have been using the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Hall before the renovation started; for us to get a convenient and comfortable gymnasium is a bit difficult.

“The issues had been discussed with the sports commissioner; actions are being taken to provide an alternative.

We are working on it. Hopefully, before this month end, we are going to get over it. The same problem is also affecting the taekwondoists,” he said.

According to the chairman, the commissioner has assured the association that the outdated equipment used for training would be replaced soon.

FCT State League: Four clubs for the semi-finals

F

our football clubs on Monday qualified for the semi-finals of the FCT 2012 State league after the third round matches between group A and B. The third round which started on September 7 ended on Monday with Medical Striker and

Dawaki as qualifiers in group A and Super Stars and Kentlink as qualifiers in group B. Ten clubs participated in the competition.

Medical Strikers topped group A with 10 points, Dawaki, second with seven, while Super Stars topped group B with nine

points and Kentlink second with seven.

In the semi-finals pairings, Medical Striker would meet Kentlink, while Dawaki would slug it out against Super Star.

Coach Ibrahim Bako of Medical Strikers said that he was excited to have qualified and top the

league at the end of the third round.

Bako said that he would go back to review their performances at the preliminaries in order to make correction in preparation for the semifinals.

“We have started training already to correct

some errors and I believe with much efforts and determination we will win the league,” he said.

Coach Dikko Haruna of Dara United Academy whose team scored one point, the lowest in group B, said that although his team had the least point they still tried their best.

Rugby Federation working to develop female rugby, says CEO

B Solomon Ogbeide

Lodewijk de Kruif

Ogbeide, de Kruiff in race for Warri Wolves’ top job

A

kwa United manager, Solomon Ogbeide is being considered among others as possible replacement for sacked Maurice Cooreman at Warri Wolves.

Sources hinted that the Delta State sports commission is currently perusing Ogbeide’s credentials as well as that of Dutchman, Lodewijk de Kruif . However, de Kruiff’s huge annual wage demands may be hinder serious consideration of the Heartland FC’s manager.

A source at Warri Wolves disclosed that the club intend to trim down their budget for the coming season hence the shopping for a Nigerian coach.

“Solomon Ogbeide is one of the coaches being considered because of his experience in the Nigerian league. Remember that he handled the club a few years ago and he is not new to us. Warri Wolves are now looking to hire a Nigerian coach in order to reduce their overhead costs for the

coming season.

“It is hoped that the deal for the new coach, if it is eventually Ogbeide, will be hired and announced not beyond the month of October so that he can start recruitment of players for the new season in time,” the Wolves’ source disclosed.

Wolves are also expected to free up places in their playing personnel to allow the new coach recruit new players.

“Also, a number of players will be placed on transfer and others released for failing to meet the minimum requirement in the past season. This is to allow the coach recruit new players to beef up the team with those we will retain for the coming campaign,” supersport.com was informed.

Warri Wolves and Belgian coach, Maurice Cooreman, agreed to discontinue their contract, which had an option of renewal after the club finished in 16th spot in the Premier League standings last term.

abajide Afolabi, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF), said yesterday that the federation would work hard to improve female rugby in the country.

Afolabi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the rugby federation had already engaged Eniola Curtis, a former foreign-based female rugby player, to help improve the quality of the game in the country.

“We have actually gone as far as even appointing head of female rugby, who is a woman named Eniola Curtis; she is a former player who played in England, at university level.

“She is slightly young but she’s going to bring her player’s experience to now join the female players.

We were unlucky last year to not get our female team to Senegal.

“Due to problems with the Confederation of Africa Rugby (CAR) not releasing tickets in time to us, so the girls’ did not get to play, but if they were there.

“We will therefore be in the Morocco right now as well if we were been able to take those things, but matters’ being in hand is that we are growing.

“And definitely upcoming 2013, they would have a lot more matches. In November, we are holding what is called the Lagos Sevens, “Women rugby would be part of the games there as well.”

According to him, more competitions will be organised, to enable female players to improve their skills.

Meanwhile, Stella Hart, a player with the National Female Rugby team, said what the sport needed was sponsorship for local competitions.

She said the team opted out of the 2011 Women’s 7’s Challenge Cup, held in December in Dubai because of lack of funds.

Indiscipline bane of Nigeria football, says FA chairman

By Albert Akota

T

he Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory Football Association Alhaji Musa Talle has decried incessant acts of indiscipline both on and off the pitch as the bane of Nigeria league.

Accordingly, Musa urged all stakeholders in the game to endeavour to abide by the rules governing games adding that strict adherence to rules would guarantee successful domestic league to the glory of Nigeria.

The football administrator believes that the just concluded season witnessed an improvement compared to the previous ones but was quick to point out adherence to rules would bring about even better performance next season.

Musa, who spoke to our correspondent in Abuja, asserted that the dwindling fortune of the country sports especially football could be addressed if rules are abided by and sanctions imposed on defaulters are followed to the letter.

He said discipline would not only curtail incessant violation of the rule of game as it obtain globally but will also build the required confidence among players as well as help restrict favoritism in the player’s selection process into any national teams.

“The rules guiding the games are straight forward not for 0ne person but everybody must ensure that strict sanctions are carried out whenever any team misbehaves, Nigeria should not be an exception regardless of who is the owner of the club.

“No Africa league can challenge us when it comes to how we are rated but because of indiscipline, it appears we are going backwards both our male and female and it will take us anywhere,” he said.

It will be recalled that late judgment by top NPL officials necessitated immediate upliftment of Kano pillars as league leaders and eventual exit of Ocean Boys alongside three others which have continued to generate diverse criticism.

Aminu Maigari, NFF President

PAGE 44

F

our months after winning the UEFA Champions League title, Chelsea will start afresh their defence when they take on Italian

Mirko Vucinic

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

UEFA Champions League champions Juventus in a Group E encounter at Stamford Bridge this night.

The Blues surprised many when they came

Frank Lampard

Chelsea begin title defence against Juventus from the dead to beat Napoli and then Barcelona before depositing Bayern Munich in the archives of history to fulfill Roman Abramovic’s die-hard ambition.

The Stamford Bridge team will be trying to make history in this competition as they begin their quest to become the first team to win back-toback Champions League titles, while Juventus are making their first appearance in the competition in three years and are also a side still getting used to matchdays without their coach.

Chelsea have made a good start to their domestic season and are riding high

at the top of the Premier League with three wins and one draw from their opening four games.

However, they have failed to win their last two matches, suffering an embarrassing 4-1 defeat

by Atletico Madrid in the European Super Cup in Monaco and then being held to a 0-0 draw by neighbours Queens Park Rangers in a league encounter on Saturday.

In their match against QPR the European champions were some way short of their best, and the performance of Fernando Torres will be a cause for concern as he spent most of the match arguing with the officials

instead of creating goal scoring chances.

In the Juventus camp they face their own problems as coach Antonio Conte will be absent from the bench because of a 10month ban for his role in not reporting matchfixing while boss of Siena last year.

Conte, who has strenuously denied the allegations, is appealing against the suspension.

Assistant coach Massimo Carrera is covering for Conte on the bench and a row has broken out in Italy over what the ban actually means and whether Conte can train the squad in private.

Looking to this

Champions League match, Juve started several big names, including Mirko Vucinic and Kwadwo Asamoah, on the bench for the 3-1 win at Genoa on Sunday in order to save them for the Chelsea game.

However, the Serie A champions needed both players to come on as substitutes in a game where they were second best for long spells.

Vucinic and Asamoah netted late goals to help the Serie A leaders make it three wins from the opening three league games of the season. It will be a very interesting encounter as both teams look to prove a point.

Emenike promises to shock Barcelona as Spartak visit Camp Nou

S

uper Eagles and Spartak Moscow forward Emmanuel Emenike makes his Champions League debut today with the Russian club hoping to upset dreaded Barcelona at the Camp Nou tonight.

Barcelona, who have enjoyed a splendid form as they opened eight points gap against their archrivals Real Madrid, will be looking to sustain the winning steam when they tackle Spartak for their first maximum points in their opening Group G Champions League clash.

The Catalans have recovered from the disappointment of losing the Spanish Super Cup to domestic rivals Real Madrid

Lionel Messi

and have gone on to extend their winning streak in La Liga to four matches.

However, a confident Emenike, who at the weekend scored his second goal of the season for his Russian team, expressed optimism that Spartak will not be cowed by Barcelona’s pedigree and players.

He siad they will be aiming at playing the game of their lives and believes that Spartak could run away with a famous win.

“The game against Barcelona has been on my mind. We are looking forward to the game with great expectations even though we are playing against the tournament favourites,” Emenike said.

“Barcelona are beatable and that is why they have not won all the trophies since inception, no team is invincible and all we need do is to give them a big fight. We are ready for them.”

“I scored at the weekend and that has boosted my confidence even more. When a striker does not hit the back of the net in about four games, there will be pressure, but I kept my focus and the coach as well as the team also kept the faith in me.

And so I’m delighted that I was back scoring again.

“I want to keep scoring and I believe I can repeat same feat in Camp Nou to help my team shock the world. Getting a goal against Barca will make my day, but victory will take me to the top of the world.

“I have watched Barcelona games several times and I have seen their weaknesses which we can capitalise on. And I can’t wait to debut in the UEFA Champions League group stage. It has been my long-term dream. Everybody loves the Barca style but we will take the battle to them.”

Nonetheless, Tito Vilanova’s men have been scoring freely with Lionel Messi causing the most damage, while David Villa also seems to be continuing from where he left off before his horrific injury, although he is yet to start a game.

Barca go into this clash on the back of a 4-1 win over Getafe,

but that result came at a cost as captain Carles Puyol had to be stretchered off with a knee injury, and as such will miss Wednesday night’s clash.

Nevertheless, midfielder Sergio Busquets says they have to forget about their current form in La Liga and poise themselves for a different challenge in the continental competition.

Spartak though can profit from Barca’s defensive headaches especially with Puyol out due to injury, leaving Javier Macherano and Gerard Pique to man the centre of defence.

Both are yet to gel and Emenike may well take advantage.

Emmanuel Emenike

Man United set to rekindle title aspiration against Turkish giants

M

anchester United were dumped two seasons ago in the final by Barcelona.

The Red Devils struggled in Europe last season, failing to progress from what looked a relatively easy group in the UEFA Champions League before being demoted to the Europa League, where they were eventually outclassed by Athletic Bilbao.

Today, they will look to put their failure in last season’s UEFA Champions League to bed when they

host Turkish giants Galatasaray at Old Trafford tonight.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitted his side were “a bit careless” in Europe last season and is looking forward to the atmosphere Old Trafford will provide when Gala come to town.

“I remember our first game there (1993), when we arrived at the airport and there were all these banners, ‘Welcome to Hell’. Eric Cantona was sent off. Bryan Robson was hit by a

policemen’s truncheon. It was a nightmare.

“The one good thing about that game is that the atmosphere will be fantastic.

The fans will be in the stadium from lunchtime, shouting, singing and bawling. They make such a racket.”

Ferguson added, “You always have to respect your opponents in this situation,” he said.

“Last year we were a bit careless with the group. It looked easy but didn’t turn out that way so there will be

no complacency this time. I will play my best team to make sure we qualify.”

United will in all likelihood welcome back Shinji Kagawa, Tom Cleverley and Robin van Persie to the starting XI after the trio were excluded from the starting XI that defeated Wigan 4-0 on the weekend.

Gala, who also won 4-0 in a league match on the weekend, are coached by former Turkish national team and AC Milan manager Fatih Terim and can call on players of the

class of Milan Baros, Cris, Johan Elmander and former Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboue.

TODAY’S MATCHES Shakhtar vs FC Nordsjaelland Lille vs BATE Barcelona vs Spartak Moscow Braga vs CFR ClujNapoca Bayern Munich vs Valencia Chelsea vs Juventus Man Utd vs Galatasaray Celtic vs Benfica

Robin van Persie

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

PAGE 45

e. a.

f. b.

g.

c.

PICTORIAL

a. Barcelona full-back Dani Alves says that if he were a club president he would like to buy Cristiano Ronaldo, while the Brazilian also praised the abilities of Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, though questioned his handling of Kaka. b. Miguel Delaney tells the bizarre history of Italian giants Juventus in Europe. c. England full-back Ben Foden faces a race against time to be fit for the autumn internationals because of an ankle injury. d. Jessica Ennis's coach thinks that she will continue her career in the heptathlon to defend her Olympic title in Rio 2016. e. Newcastle's Demba Ba "does not understand the management" after starting the 2-2 draw with Everton on the bench. f. Jeevan Mendis and Kumar Sangakkara help hosts Sri Lanka dominate Zimbabwe in the opening match of the ICC World Twenty20.

d.

g. Manny Pacquiao vows to knock Juan Manuel Marquez out when the pair meet for a fourth time in Las Vegas on 8th December.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

PAGE 47

Skeletons

FACTS * Two very popular and common objects have the same function, but one has thousands of moving parts, while the other has absolutely no moving parts - an hourglass and a sundial. * One out of three employees who received a promotion use a coffee mug with the company logo on it. * If you know a (male) millionaire who happens to be married, The most likely profession of his wife is a teacher. * An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain. * 1 pound of lemons contain more sugar than 1 pound of strawberries. * The "you are here" arrow on maps is called an ideo locator. * 60% of all US potato products originate in Idaho.

Source: Weird facts

JJ OO KK EE SS

The Monk A man wanted to become a monk so he went to the monastery and talked to the head monk.

The head monk said, "You must take a vow of silence and can only say two words every three years."

The man agreed and after the first 3 years, the head monk came to him and said, "What are your two words?"

"Food cold!" the man replied.

Three more years went by and the head monk came to him and said "What are your two words?"

"Robe dirty!" the man exclaimed.

Three more years went by and the head monk came to him and said, "What are your two words?"

"I quit!" said the man.

"Well," the head monk replied, "I am not surprised. You have done nothing but complain ever since you got here!"

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Quick CrossWord (30) ACROSS 1 Paint badly 3 Variety or shade of a colour 5 Put on cargo 7 Comestible 9 Rusty old ship 10 Roof material 11 Ascent 13 Word of caution 14 Barbarous 16 Small shellfish 18 No matter who 19 __ out, faint 20 Shapeless mass 22 Gateau, eclair etc 24 Victorian wheel-like penal device 25 Navigation marker 26 Number of lords a-leaping in The Twelve Days of Christmas 27 Medicine tablet

DOWN 1 Shallow vessel 2 Charter 3 Crowd together 4 Place in a grave 5 Hitch-hiker’s ride 6 Emblem of gentleness 7 Plant container 8 Made up 11 Biscuit gragment 12 Border 13 Public transporter 15 Protected area 17 Bendable 18 Keenness of perception 20 Explosive projectile 21 Make a loud harsh sound 22 Hit your hands together 23 __ Grey, type of tea flavoured with bergamot These puzzles only give you hte bare bones.

Fill in the black squares and the answers –– the grids are fully symmetrical

Yesterday’s answer

Some residents of Base 4 streets, Aku Village, Mararaba in Karu local government area of Nasarawa state, collecting toll from okada riders after they rehabilitated a failed portion on the street on Sunday.

Photo: NAN

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

. . . putting the people first

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE Responsible journalists must know what constitutes classified documents and must not go to the press in the name of breaking news — Senate President David Mark

SPORTS Bin Laden’s message to our militants LA TEST LATEST T MUSINGS Kano Pillars to sign 7 new players

A

top official of Nigeria Premier League (NPL) champions, Kano Pillars has revealed that the club is looking at the prospect of adding about seven players to the team ahead of next season.

Pillars won the league by default after Ocean Boys’ expulsion from the Premier League over their contravention of one of the NPL rules made the coast clear for the club to be designate winners of the league even with a game to spare.

After watching how close the battle was in the just concluded season, the chief coach of the team, Mohammed Baba Ganaru stated that there won’t be major surgical operation on the playing staff in keeping with the tradition of the team to allow continuity to take precedence.

Baba Ganaru predicted that Pillars would end up as league champions next season and has challenged the other clubs to a contest if they can dare it.

He expressed delight at the players at the disposal of the club and stressed that Pillars would continue to be the team to beat after another shrewd business in the transfer market this off season.

“We are not looking at having many changes from the players we had in our team last season. We will only make corrections where necessary but we are almost set for the season. With about 6 or 7 players we are ready to win the league title again.

“We will ensure we win it before the concluding part of the season. We can do it. We have players on our radar and we shall make them public as soon as we agree terms with them,” Baba Ganaru.

ADVERT: BUSINESS: NEWS: LAGOS:

0803 0805 0803 0805 0803

he recent spate of attacks on the media and telecommunica-tions infrastructure in the Northern states is both tragic and unwarranted and should be avoided by all. The Ahlus Sunnah Bid Da’awati Wal Jihad, mostly called the Boko Haram, has claimed responsibility on the basis that the telecommunication companies were providing information on their members, leading to their arrest by the police. Where are we heading to from here? This country is perhaps the only one you know that has a telecommunication strategy that is one-legged. We have abandoned the land lines which are the vehicle for bulk communication in normal countries. The vulnerability of the nation has sufficiently been exposed by these attacks. But it is a mistake for the militants to think that they are hurting only the government and the service providers by their acts. All members of the society including the Ahlus Sunnah group need these facilities for their dayto-day communication. The late leader of the Al-Qaeda, Osama Bin Laden, came to this realization early in his insurgency as told by John Simpson of the BBC. Simpson was the producer of the weekly documentary series “Simpson’s World” before he changed to AlJazeerah.

In 1996, he said, he had an appointment to interview the late Osama Bin Laden, the Al-Qaeda terror chief. On arrival at an obscure spot on what he described as the treacherous mountains of Afghanistan, he and his crew members were met by a team of bearded fighters who would take them to Bin Laden. They were asked to surrender their cameras and other equipment, hooded and then put into a van that took them to an eerie cave where Bin Laden was hiding.

As soon as they were ushered into Bin Laden’s presence, he said, the terror chief was worked up, reaching for his AK-47 and openly expressing a wish to all kill the “infidels” ushered into his presence.

His aides reminded him that they were his guests who came at his invitation, at which point, he said, Bin Laden became calmer and readied himself for the interview.

The strict condition of the interview was that Bin Laden’s aides would do the recording of the interview. After, Simpson was given the copies of the recorded interview and driven back to the same spot from where they were picked and released. They were thoroughly searched from the beginning for hidden bugging devices.

Summarizing their ordeal at the hands of Bin Laden who theatrically threatened to kill them, Simpson said the irony of the drama was that Bin Laden needed the same “infidels” he had wanted to kill to tell his story to the world. He said even terror groups recognized the power and indispensability of the mass media – a necessary evil of

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By

Garba Shehu

Late Osama bin Laden some sort.

The attacks on media houses and telecommunication facilities are counter-productive to whatever may be the underlying objectives of the Ahlus Sunnah or Boko Haram. The Al-Qaeda members use the media – CNN, AlJazeera and the internet - to transmit their messages. How then can Boko Haram advance their cause (whatever it is) if they destroy telecommunication and media facilities?

By denying the communities in which they live the right to communicate by targeting telecom facilities, aren’t the Boko Haram leaders alienating the people even further, which would now give them a good reason to volunteer information about their activities and hideouts?

Already, Boko Haram has effectively disrupted economic and social life in states such as Yobe, Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano and Kaduna states. With many people thrown out of livelihood, thanks to the ban on okada operations in these North-eastern states, isn’t it time the Boko Haram leaders reviewed their strategy and embraced dialogue and disarmament? People have suffered enough. Targeting the media, telecom facilities and innocent ordinary people is not a good strategy for Boko Haram to make its case. No organization or movement can afford to lose public sympathy because of excesses.

Without newspapers, radio, television and telecommunication in place, how would the Boko Haram leaders transmit their messages? You cannot achieve effective propaganda by targeting the mass media, the telecom companies and innocent ordinary people. Islam as a religion is itself founded on justice and, therefore, punishing the innocent is unjustifiable.

This country is for both the rich and poor. Former U.S. President, John F. Kennedy once said that “if

you cannot be your brother’s keeper, don’t at least, be his destroyer.” The story of the arrest and prosecution of an unemployed theatre art graduate for the “offense” of begging in Lagos is a tragic irony especially that it is the police that is behind the case. What do they do at checkpoints? Police will raise rifles or aim at your driver to stop. When you show evidence that you have all your vehicle papers complete, they beg you for money.

“Oga, your children have not eaten,” is a constant refrain at checkpoints.

The story of the University of Calabar graduate as published by The Nation was that the unemployed young man was arrested at the Shoprite Mall in EtiOsa local government area of Lagos state. He approached a prosperous looking man and begged for financial help. It turned out that the elderly man was a police Area Commander. The Commander took him to a security post and ordered him detained. The offence committed, according to a police prosecutor, was a contravention of Section 166 of the criminal laws of Lagos state. In addition to this, the police asserted that the young man had nothing on him that would identify him and in any case, the mobile phone of the Area Commander’s wife was stolen from her in that vicinity the week before.

It is significant that the magistrate dismissed the case, saying begging was not an offence.

There was a similar incident at the Abuja Hilton Hotel where a man approached a Nigerian Senator exiting the hotel. He introduced himself as an engineer from one of the states in the South, that he had come to watch an international football match in Abuja, but lost his funds. The Senator asked the police to take away the man for being a beggar.

That incident reminded me of the gaffe from the mouth of a British Prime Minister, John Major, who, while in office, said the sight of beggars on the streets of London was “offensive” to him. This riled the public and media so much that the prime minister was forced to tender an apology.

This law, making it an offence to have no visible means of income is a repressive colonial legacy that continues to be used against a variety of causes including dissent.

This particular arrest and arraignment contradicts a Nigerian citizen’s right to freedom of expression, free speech and freedom of movement. It deserves

a swift elimination from our statute books.

The Area Commander is himself a misfit to democracy who basks under a discredited colonial legacy.

This country is for both the rich and the poor and under our constitution, the rich enjoy no upper level than the rest of us citizens. That we have beggars in the country in the midst of all the money hovering around is itself an indictment of those who are rich and those of them in authority.

As famously and profoundly argued by the Chinese philosopher Confucius, “In a nation well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of; in a nation badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.”

Poverty is a reality of even advanced societies. It is ridiculous, therefore, to criminalize those pushed by desperation to approach better off members of the society for succour. Those who approach others for succour sacrifice their pride and dignity in doing so.

According to the great Indian author, Dada J.P. Vaswani, “he who gives is richer that he who hoards his wealth. The hoarder is under psychological pressure, worried about losing what he has. Such a man is poor and impoverished, regardless of how much he has.”

While there are no attempts to launch into a homily or justify begging, as a chosen way of life regardless of the ability to work, the arrest of anybody for seeking succour from those who are better off is not defensible either. We have ghettoes and inner cities in Western societies which are populated by the poor and the unemployed. One is not aware of any legislation there that targets or aims to arrest and prosecute law-abiding people merely because of their distressed economic and social circumstances.

The worst the Nigerian Senator and the police officer should have done was to dismiss those who approached them for succour rather than ordering their arrest merely because they have the power to do so.

In fact, there are circumstances in which hard-working men and women may find themselves stranded on certain occasions, which compel them to approach others for assistance. Even when you are convinced that these guys are “lazy” by choice, ignoring the reality of involuntary unemployment, it is utterly indefensible to order someone else’s arrest who approaches you for help.

It is oppressive and it should never be tolerated in a democratic society where leaders seek people’s votes to govern. Compassion defines our humanity. If you cannot intervene practically to help your fellow man in distress, don’t humiliate him by ordering his arrest and detention.

Such abuse of power has no place in humane democratic societies. Can the rich and powerful feel more secure by stamping their feet on those who are socially and economically down at heels?

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos, Tel: +234-09-8734478. Cell: +234 803 606 3308. e-mail: contact@peoplesdaily-online.com; pmlnewsdesk@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141