Peoples Daily Newspaper, Friday 19, October, 2012 by Peoples Media Limited

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

Vol. 9 No. 50

Friday, October 19, 2012

. . . putting the people first

Zhul-Hajj 3, 1433 AH

N150

Senators join Reps, insist Oteh must go By Richard Ihediwa

mbattled Director General of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms. Arunma Oteh is now in for

more trouble as the Senate has backed the House of Representatives in demanding that she be sacked. The upper house yesterday said it will no longer recognise her as SEC boss and will not

have anything to do with her as long as she remained at the helm of affairs at the commission. The position of the Senate which was announced by the Senate Committee on Capital

Market is coming on the heels of a recent resolution by the House demanding that President Goodluck Jonathan sacks Oteh following her indictment by the House for alleged abuses and

incompetence in piloting the affairs of the commission. However, following the failure of the President to sack her, the House later resolved not to recognise her nor have Contd on Page 2

N6bn boat contract scam rocks Army

. . . Presidential c'ttee member fingered By Abdulwahab Isa

he Nigerian Army may have been swindled of money in excess of 30 million Euros [about N6 bn] through an inflated contract allegedly contrived by an influential member of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Securities (PICOMS), a body saddled with the mandate to procure six k38 patrol boats to Nigeria Army, Peoples Daily has learnt. An affidavit deposed to by Alhaji Hassan Rabiu, filed before an Abuja High Court and a copy of a petition dated 12th October, 2012 addressed to the Contd on Page 2

PD INDEX

18th Oct., 2012

CBN RATES $ ÂŁ EURO CFA RIYAL

BUYING 154.7 248.5 200.6 0.287 41

SELLING 155.7 250 201.8 0.307 41.5

PARALLEL RATES EURO ÂŁ RIYAL $

BUYING 202 254.50 40 157

SELLING 205 257.50 42 158

R-L: Senate President, David Mark, receiving copies of Peoples Daily from the Chairman, Board of Directors, Peoples Media Ltd., Malam Wada Maida, during the visit of the Board and Management of the paper visit to the Senate President, yesterday at the National Assembly, in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Police arrest Sudanese over serial killings in Kano >> PAGE 4

Army arrest seven over Mubi explosion >> PAGE 3

CBN says it is determined to attain cashless system >> PAGE 19

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

CONTENTS News

2-11

Editorial

Op.Ed

Letters

Opinion

Metro

16-18

Business

18-19

S/Exchange

S/Report

Religion

I see my challenges as opportunity to rise, Page 40

Inter’l Digest

31-34 36

Politics

37-39

Sports

41-47

Columnist

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

N6bn boat contract scam rocks Army Contd from Page 1

Director General, State Securities Services (SSS), Abuja Headquarters, obtained by Peoples Daily blew the lid on how monumental fraud and corruption were perpetuated by some group of persons in the purchase of military equipment, a development that is said to greatly undermines the nation’s security interest. The petition is entitled: “Conspiracy, fraud, supervision & compromising of Nigeria’s National Security and Official Corruption in the award and execution of National Security and defence projects in Nigeria by a group of Jews operating under many guises with the active connivance and involvement of a few unpatriotic Nigerians government officials and businessmen”. The petition signed by Managing Director/CEO, Hypertech (U.K) limited, Alhaji Hassan Rabiu listed MI5 Consultant and International Security Consultants, the two firms owned by two IsraelisShay Tal and David Maman, whose address are given as No.5, Thabo Mbeki street, Asokoro Shopping Mall, but whose real address is at plot 1814 Mahathir Mohammed street, Asokoro in Abuja. Other companies listed in the petition are, Hypertech Nigeria Limited owned and operated by one Mohammed Mustapha of no.14, Zaire street, off Mississippi street, Maitama in Abuja, AVM Saliu Atawodi, Chairman of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Security (PICOMSS); Amit Sadeh owner of Dolyatec, another Israeli operating in Nigeria and TP Marine a Holland firm that manufactured K-38 military boat. Facts contained in the petition to the SSS indicate that sometime in 2007, the Ministry of Defence awarded a contract to Amit’s company Dolyatec to supply 20 units of

the K-38 patrol boats to the Nigeria Army at the cost of over N3 billion. Dolyatec collected 80 percent of the total contract sum, supplied only 8 units of the boats and absconded with government’s money without supplying the balance of 12 boats. According to the petition, five years after Dolyatec bolted away with government‘s money without supply, Hypertech CEO in November 2011 was introduced to TP Marine B.V, the manufacturers of the boat by the firm’s original agent, Mr. ZVi Turbo of Shval Saar Limited. TP Marine, Hypetech’s MD claimed in his petition expressed its willingness to sell the remaining 12 unpaid boats at auction price to offset its banking obligation. In the petition exclusively obtained by Peoples Daily and copies sent to other relevant agencies of government including Abuja High Court where hearing has been going on in the matter, Hypatech MD said he consented to buy.”We agreed on a price of Euros 250,000 per boat. TP Marine insisted however that the sales contract must be executed through a company not registered in Nigeria. I consented and asked my errand boy, Mohammed Mustapha, who claimed to have a UK, registered company, to let me use his company to sign the sales contract with TP Marine. “Unknown to me, and TP Marine, the company – Hypertech UK Limited with registration number 6920196 does not exist legally in the UK, as it has been dissolved by the UK authorities effective January 2011”, he claimed in his petition . The Hypatech MD said in the petition that, AVM Atowodi called him requesting him to provide him with his account details which he did and the sum of N620 million was credited to his account same

Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika day he provided the account details. “I called Atawodi who said the N620 million was only a deposit payment and that he and then National Security Adviser (NSA), General Owoye Andrew Azazi had mutually agreed to pay me the sum of 15.5 million Euros for the 6 boats on the understanding that I would give them 13.5 million Euros over and above the actual cost of the boats. “Atawodi further instructed me to convert the N620 million to U.S Dollars and deliver same personally to him and I complied and handed over the money to Atawodi”, he further claimed in his petition. Rabiu in an affidavit he deposed to before An Abuja High Court said the scenario was disturbing to him as he got paid N620 million without any documentation whatsoever, more so when he was told the boats initially acquired at less than 3 million Euros, were to be bought for the Nigerian government at 15.5 Euros. “I went to meet Gen. Azazi and confronted him with the fact. Azazi was shocked and very furious and denied ever having discussed price fixing with Atawodi. On the spot, Gen. Azazi instructed me not to have

anything to do with Atawodi’s PICOMSS but that I should rather supply the boats at the auction prices to the Nigerian Army, the original beneficiary and that he, Azazi would pay all outstanding payments. I agreed to this instruction and started working towards it”, he claimed. “Unknown to me, Atawodi bypassed me to recruit my own boy, Mohammed Mustapha of Hpertech Nigeria Limited/ Hypertec UK Limited and signed an illegal and invalid sales contract with Mohammed for the supply of the boats at 15.5 million Euros. “Atawodi, realizing that Gen Azazi would not play ball, promptly switched over to Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) office and recruited the service of Shay Tai and David Maman, two Israelis alleged specialists in concocting and feeding false data to BPP so as to influence the agency’s decision. “These Jews posed as the m a n u f a c t u r e r ’ s representatives and fed the BPP with false and fraudulent information which led the BPP to approve 9 million Euros for the project. Gen Azazi intervened and alerted BPP that this is a scam and a fraud before BPP reversed itself and wrote a warning letter to PICOMSS asking them never to submit a proposal to BPP without express and written authorization of the NSA”. Rabiu averred in the affidavit. But AVM Atawodi in a phone response to Peoples Daily described the issue at stake as a security matter. He said Hassan Rabiu was merely concocting non existing fact as according to him, Rabiu brought wrong price for the boats and got paid more money for same but was unable to deliver them. He also said that the issue was brought to the attention of NSA whom he said intervened by directing Rabiu to bring in the boats he had been paid, but that he was unable to bring them.

Senators join Reps, insist Oteh must go Contd from Page 1 anything to do with her as long as she remained the head of the commission, a development the executive had also ignored. With the resolution of the Senate committee which it made public in a statement yesterday, SEC risks not having its 2013 budget passed by the two chambers of the National Assembly unless the President appointed a new SEC DG as the legislature would not receive Oteh to defend the commission’s budget. The Senate panel in the statement signed by its Chairman, Senator Ayoade

Adeseun, expressed anger that instead of sacking Oteh, who was at the time suspended because of her indictment, the President rather reinstated her “in flagrant disregard of the resolution”. Lamenting that the Presidency also ignored the decision of the House not to recognise Oteh the Senate panel submitted that it backed the House in order to ensure that a drastic step was taken to restore sanity in the commission. The panel said the continuous stay of Oteh as the head of the commission despite

her indictment will negatively affect the Capital Market and the nation’s economy generally. It said it was worried that since Oteh was reinstated at SEC, there have been series of protests by workers who accuse her of abuses, sole administratorship, highhandedness and headlong drive for vengeance. The statement reads in part: “Consequently, the Senate Committee on Capital Market at its meeting on 26th of September, 2012 considered these and other goings on at the commission, all of which could

negatively affect the Nigeria Capital Market and came to the conclusion that of the trend is not arrested, the Nigeria Capital Market might be brought to its knees, with attendant deleterious effect on the economy of the country. “The committee therefore resolved to support the position of the House of Representatives that the DG of SEC be removed forthwith. The committee also resolved to have nothing to do with Ms. Arunmah Oteh for as long as she remains at the helm of affairs at the Security and Exchange Commission.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

PAGE 3

Senators pick holes in 2013 budget

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Alhaji Mahe Ibrahim, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Ama Pepple, and United Nations Representative in Nigeria, Mr. Dauda Toure, during the World Habitat Day celebration, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: NAN

...as bill passes through second reading in Reps By Ikechukwu Okaforadi & Muh’d Umar Puma

Police arrest seven for attempted murder in Nasarawa From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

etectives attached to the Nasarawa Special Investigation Unit (XSquad), acting on a tip off have Monday arrested one Winifred Eze, a patent medicine dealer, a native of Enugu state resident in Assakio, Lafia East development area of the state and 5 other accomplices he hired to kill his own brother, Anthony Eze, who resides in Keana. The state police command made this known yesterday in a release signed by the command’s deputy police public relations officer, Cornelius Ocholi. The release stated that the principal suspect, Winifred Eze, hired one Shagari Abari of Sabon Gida also in Lafia East, who in turn conscripted four other persons namely; Amonga Damalu of Lafia East, Isaac Samuel from Benue state, Bulus Adaka from Makurdi, Benue state, and Abbas Sule from Sabon Gida, who is also a driver.

Army arrest seven over Mubi explosion From Blessing Tunoh, Yola

even suspects have been arrested in connection with the multiple blasts targeted at a military patrol van in Mubi council area of Adamawa state on Wednesday. The explosion which left three soldiers of the 23rd Armoured Brigade on patrol injured, also affected the assailant and scores of other citizens.

Chief of Staff of the Brigade, A.M Obari, confirmed the arrest to our correspondent and said the suspects are undergoing interrogation. "Our men were on patrol along Kasuwan Kuturu when this man came with an explosive in a bucket and detonated on the patrol van, he was badly injured in the process and we have him as well as seven other of his accomplices", Obari explained. Mubi council area formerly

known as the heartbeat of Adamawa state owing to the presence of institutions and commercial activities, has in recent times been experiencing mass exodus because of the declining security situation in the town. Wednesday’s attack occurred barely two weeks after at least 40 students and residents were brutally massacred in a midnight commando style operation.

Floods: Kogi govt to demolish houses From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

n a bid to correct some of the problems in the state capital as witnessed during the recent flood disaster, the Kogi state government has disclosed that houses which are10 meters along the major road in Kabawa area of Lokoja, will have to give way in its urban renewal policy. The state governor, Capt. Idris Wada, stated this while on an inspection tour of the Waterline area and roads submerged by water during the floods in Lokoja, yesterday

The governor who was represented by his deputy and chairman, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Arc. Yomi Awoniyi, disclosed that efforts will now be made to develop Lokoja as a modern city by correcting its distortion. While noting that the presence of water in the State should enhance beauty and tourism and not a dirty environment, he said government will henceforth ensure enforcement of control laws guiding buildings along shorelines. The state government, the

governor explained, will in a couple of days, after fine turning its road widening law, send a Bill to the state House of Assembly to enable the acquisition of buildings 10 meters from the edge of the road along Old Market and Kabawa area of the state. The law, when passed he noted, will allow properties to be acquired, while their owners will be compensated financially and provided alternative plots. He directed the state’s Town Planning Board to begin the marking and taking of inventory of buildings that fall within the 10 meters line.

enate yesterday picked holes on the 2013 budget recently presented by President Goodluck Jonathan, saying that the parameters upon which it was based make it a tall dream. Though lawmakers passed the bill through second reading, many of them criticised the revenue and expenditure profiles saying it does not portray the nation as one aspiring for economic growth. Some of the lawmakers including Senators Chris Ngige, Solomon Ewuga and Olubumi Adetumbi argued that a more embracing fiscal framework should be evolved in national budgeting so as to ensure massive economic growth in the country. The bill was thereafter referred to the Senate Committee on Appropriation which was mandated to consult and report back to plenary after three weeks. In a related development, Appropriation Bill for the 2013 fiscal year passed through second reading in the House of Representatives yesterday. The Bill was subsequently referred to the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Finance and Appropriation for further legislative processing. The House has also suspended plenary till November 6, 2012 to enable the committees work on the Bill, as well as members to celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir festival. Chairman of the Committee on Finance who opened the resumed debate yesterday, said it was unfortunate that the budget performance of 2012 was poor in spite of records to the fact that all revenue generating agencies of the country overshot their targets, urging the House to scale up its oversight function.

Kidnapping: 13-year-old boy returns after 19 days From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

et to be identified parents of 13-year-old Yusuf Mahmud, are still baffled as to how their son escaped from the hands of an abductor miraculously unhurt. Mahmud, whose whereabouts were unknown for close three weeks, escaped from the hands of an unknown man who abducted him in Naibawa, Kano, in early

September and drove him to Bauchi state. Narrating his ordeal in the hands of his abductor, Mahmud said he found himself in an unfortunate situation; saying on that fateful day he was on errand to buy orange for his mother when a man appeared to him and forcefully seized him. “My mother sent me to Yan Lemo to buy orange for her, suddenly a man appeared before

me and asked me to follow him but I refused. He instantly snatched the money to buy the orange from my hand and forcefully carried me into his car. I was screaming for help but the people around were busy running their businesses, they were not aware of the incident. That was how he drove me to Bauchi state, he asked me to get down from the car that he wanted to park properly. And I quickly ran away crying but I was

unhurt. “A man saw me crying and asked me what happened to me; I told him everything and he took me to his house. It was in his house that I realised I was in Bauchi, when I asked one of his children where I am and he said it is Kofar Fada, in Bauchi state”, he narrated. Mahmud added that he remained with the man who rescued him for 19 days before the man took him back to Kano to find

his parents whom he said are residing in Naibawa area of Kano metropolis. He said after several efforts to trace his parents the man took him Kumbotso local government secretariat. The local government officials are calling on the public who might have heard or read about Mahmud and know him or know his parents to come to the Kumbotso local government secretariat for further information.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

PAGE 4

Flood: Kogi refugees in Enugu/ Ankpa urged to return home From Sam Enugu, Lokoja

ogi state indigenes living in some communities in Enugu and Anambra states following their displacement by floods have been asked to return home as measures to help rebuild their lives and homes have been put in place. Capt Idris Wada, the Kogi state governor stated this at Igah, Ogurugu, Ojoh and Atuoacha communities of Enugu and Anambra states yesterday. The governor who was represented by his deputy, Arc Yomi Awoniyi, appealed for the return of those displaced, as the government is building low cost houses, providing farm inputs and improved seedlings to farmers and nets to fishermen, amongst other support to aid those affected. The governor described the concern in accommodating the displaced persons by both Enugu and Anambra states as encouraging, and said the state government has put in place several medium and long term strategies to mitigate the loss suffered by those affected. In their separate remarks, Chief Ogbali Maccilani of Oguragu, Fabian Eneanya of Odeke who spoke on behalf of the refugees, thanked the various state governments for the love shown to them; describing the floods as a setback that will for long linger in their memories.

Deforestation: Minister calls for sensitisation on tree planting By Stanley Onyekwere

orried by the current global environmental problems like erosion, flooding and desertification directly threatening the country, the Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide has called for aggressive sensitisation on tree planting since it is the only known natural solution to curbing the menace. The minister who made the call yesterday in Bwari, when she flagged-off the 2012 FCT tree planting Campaign with theme: “Tree Planting, a Solution to Global Warming”, pointed out that the importance of trees to man cannot be over-emphasised. According to her, this year’s theme is timely because of the current erosion and flooding that are being experienced in nearly all states of the federation and FCT as a result of climate change. “The negative effect of this is the colossal waste of lives, properties and even agricultural crops, which is a bad signal to food security…” she said.

Police arrest Sudanese over serial killings in Kano From Edwin Olofu, Kano

Sudanese national, Ibrahim Inusa, is cooling his feet in detention at the headquarters of the Kano state Police Command, Bompai, for allegedly masterminding the killings of innocent people in the state. A statement signed by the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Idris, yesterday, said Inusa had during investigations confessed

that he participated in a number of serial killings in the state. The statement added that the suspect, together with others at large, specialises in the killing of innocent citizens, saying that he confessed to have organised and participated in various killings of civilians and security personnel at Gaida, Sheka, Gwale and other parts of Kano metropolis including the recent killing of some Federal

Road Safety Corps Staffs along Sabon Titi - Madobi road. Inusa revealed that the slain FRSC personnel arrested their motorcycle, saying that was the reason why they planned and attacked him and his colleagues. He also confessed that their gang deceived their victims with a GSM call that there was an accident along Madobi Road, which needed their intervention and they ambushed them on their way to the imaginary

accident scene where they were attacked and killed. The statement reads in part: ”The Kano State Police Command wishes to inform the general public of the arrest of 10 suspects in connection with recent gun attacks in the state in which 2 policemen and 2 FRSC officers were killed…”

Onyia emerges NCIS president

L-R: Staff of Niger State House of Assembly, Mohammed Abubakar Kutigi, Principal Store Assistant, Niger State Universal Basic Education Board, Tanko Abdullahi, Principal Store Officer, Mohammed Sani, and Chief Store Officer, Mohammed Ndako, all suspected members of the syndicate selling Federal Government Universal Basic Education free textbooks in open markets, being paraded by the State Security Service, yesterday in Minna, Niger state.

new President has been elected for the National Cooperative Insurance Society of Nigeria. He is Chief Isaac Uchenna Onyia who until assumption of office, was a member of the NCIS Board of Directors. At the Special General Meeting of the group which held in Owerri, Imo state, Mr. Emmanuel Oleka was also elected first vice president while Chief Mike Ayamele and Chief Byron Ogoke were elected second vicepresident and treasurer, respectively. The Federal Director of Cooperatives, Mr. Jonathan Dangwaram, had on 5th July, 2012 directed the NCIS to convene the general meeting for the purpose of electing a new Board. The NCIS which acts as insurers for co-operative bodies and their dependants is regulated by the Department of Cooperatives in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.

Ondo election: 4 killed, 20 injured as violence spreads From Ayodele Samuel, Akure

bout four people were feared dead, with 20 injured yesterday in Owo local government area of Ondo state as political thugs clashed in various parts of the state ahead of tomorrow’s election. This is just as the Inspector General of Police (IG) Mohammed Abubakar, assured the people of

the state that the police would do everything possible to provide adequate security that would make the exercise free and fair. Some thugs suspected to be members of Labour Party (LP) had stormed a gathering of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), at Iyere, Owo, when trouble started. According to eyewitnesses, the thugs numbering about 40

bearing dangerous arms including cutlasses and local charms disrupted a political gathering in the community when the other party fought back leaving three people dead. Also in Ilaje area, it was reported that the community was disrupted by ex- militants in the area, who were said to be supporting candidates of the PDP Olushola Oke.

N5m fraud: EFCC arraigns couple From Francis Iwuchukwu, Lagos

he Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), yesterday, arraigned a couple, Michael Nnanna Oti and his wife, Joy Michael Oti before Justice Aishat Opesanwo of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, over alleged fraud of N5,000,000.00. Also arraigned along with the couple is one Obim Onowu. The defendants were arraigned on a two-count charge of fraud and obtaining money by false pretence. The offence, the commission said, is contrary to sections 8(a) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, No. 14 of 2006. The commission said that the defendants conspired to obtain the money from their victim, Adizua Nwakuche under false pretence and with intent to defraud him. The defendants pleaded not

guilty to the two count charge preferred against them. Mr. Anozia Anthony the counsel to 1st defendant, Obim Onowu, said he was not aware of the arraignment until yesterday (Thursday). “I know the process of obtaining bail, I beg your lordship to allow me time to file the application for bail.

“I also want to urge my lord, to allow the defendants to be remanded in EFCC custody till the application would be granted by the court”. Obina Anachi, counsel to the couple (2nd and 3rd defendants) also said that he only became aware of the arraignment today (Thursday).

Constitution review: Stakeholders hail Reps’ peoples’ section By Umar Muhammad Puma

takeholders in the ongoing constitution amendment process have commended the House of Representatives for seeking the inputs of Nigerians through constituency public hearings. Speaking at a stakeholders meeting organised by the committee yesterday in Abuja, members of labour unions, civil

society organisations, the media and faith-based groups, said the initiative was a welcome development. In his remarks, representative of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), and chairman of the association’s constitution review committee, Charles Odosomwon, said it was a laudable initiative that would enhance the amendment process.

In Ikare, some members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) were allegedly stripped naked and beaten for wearing branded materials of its candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu. Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Aremu Adeniran confirmed the attacks thus: “Please call me back I’m trying to get details of the incidents”. EFCC counsel, Kayode Oni however did not oppose bail to the defendants. In her ruling, Justice Opesanwo ordered that the defendants be remanded in EFCC custody, taking into consideration the fact that the 3rd defendant is a nursing mother. The matter has been adjourned till October 25, 2012 for hearing of the bail application. Similarly, national chairman of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ibrahim Kalil, described the initiative as a way of allowing the people to make inputs to the process of making the constitution. Also speaking, secretary general of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Obong Obong while pledging total support to the ongoing constitution review process, said the constituency hearings was a pointer that the process would be a success.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

PAGE 5

Adamawa PDP: Kugama vacates office as youths protest From Blessing Tunoh, Yola

ollowing Wednesday’s dissolution of the state executive council of the Peoples Democratic Party, supporters of the ousted chairman Umaru Kugama yesterday besieged the party secretariat in solidarity. Some youths who were almost irate on the sight of journalists repeatedly chanted "Sai Kugama, sai Kugama"; Hausa parlance for "only Kugama." The dissolution which was announced in Abuja by the national publicity secretary of the party, Olisa Metu was received with mixed reactions in PDP circles in the state. When Peoples Daily visited the party secretariat, banners of the expelled chairman were still flying even as women and youths were seen in groups discussing the development. Some members of the party who were among those fielded by the sacked executive for the forthcoming Local government and councillorship elections were also at the secretariat to know their fate. Not a single official of the overthrown executive showed up at the secretariat and some party members who spoke under anonymity said they were at the secretariat to receive the newly inaugurated caretaker committee. The development provoked comments from some founding members of the party in the state who have consistently championed the cause. Former chairman of the party, Chief Joel Madaki expressed delight with Kugama's removal adding that it was a move in the right direction. "What has happened is a sign that Nigerians are beginning to wake up to do what is right especially PDP under the leadership of Bamanga Tukur, the days of impunity are over." Madaki stated. Madaki said the dissolution did not come to him as a surprise as according to him, the Kugama-led executive was operating in illegality and has consistently shed the party in bad light. He dismissed the supposed primary election conducted by the ousted executive saying it never held, pointing out that "how can illegality produce candidates?" Also speaking to Peoples Daily, former PDP governorship aspirant Dr. Umar Ardo who was recently suspended by the Kugama-led exco corroborated Madaki's statements, saying that the constitution of the party must be strictly adhered to at all times. "We have championed this cause for four years, and written petitions upon petitions because we do not want to be part of the impunity and illegality that Kugama's leadership represnts." Ardo said. Attempts to extract reactions from the removed chairman did not yield results, as he politely declined.

L-R: President Goodluck Jonathan, with President Issoufou Mahamadou of Niger Republic, addresing a joint news conference after the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission for Cooperation meeting, yesterday in Niamey.

Fuel queues: PH, Warri refineries under repairs, says PENGASSAN By Abubakar Ibrahim, with Agency Report

he Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), yesterday, said the current fuel scarcity in the country are caused by the ongoing Turn Around

Maintenance of Port Harcourt and Warri Refineries . The Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) branch Chairman of PENGASSAN, Alhaji Sanusi Abdulkarim, who stated this in Kaduna, attributed the shortfall in supply to the TAM.

He however said that the queues were a result of panic buying due to deliberate misinformation. “It is based on the penchant for raising false alarm over the production, pricing, demand and supply chains, otherwise there is no cause for these queues.”

Abdulkarim noted however that he was convinced that there was no plan by the Federal Government to increase the price of fuel as some people were assuming. “We should stop raising false alarm over what we have sufficiently in the country,” he said.

Legal Aid Council, law firms mull free services By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

eprieve is on the way of indigent people in the country as the Legal Aid Council said it will partner with big law firms and Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) to handle court cases on probono basis (Free of Charge). The gesture, the Council noted,

is part of its social responsibility to the nation and improving access to justice for the poor. Speaking in Abuja at the preconference press briefing Wednesday, chairman of the governing board of the Legal Aid Council, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) said legal aid was a fundamental right of every citizen of Nigeria. He added that that the true

Keyamo’s divorce suit: Court gives Dec 4 for written addresses From Francis Iwuchukwu, Lagos

Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere, presided over by Justice Elfreda WilliamDawodu, has fixed December 4, 2012, for the adoption of written address by parties in the on-going divorce case between Lagos radical lawyer and rights crusader, Festus Keyamo and his estranged wife, Irene Isioma Nwanze. The radical lawyer had dragged his wife to court in 2010, asking for a separation of their six year old marriage, on the ground that the marriage has broken down irretrievably. At the resumed hearing of the case, parties were directed by the court to prepare for the adoption of their written address to conclude the case.

Keyamo had argued that his relationship with Irene has been awry, especially when both of them had lived apart for more than three years (2003-2007) after several misunderstandings. Keyamo also claimed that in an occasion, his wife had locked him out, and forced to sleep in his office. The Lagos lawyer told the court that his estranged wife did not know how to cook, while claiming she had fought him to the extent that she tore the tyres of his car with a knife. However, Irene, who is being defended by the Lagos State Office of the Public Defender (OPD) of the state’s Ministry of Justice, had told the court that she was not contesting the dissolution of the marriage.

dividend of democracy starts when citizens have access to justice, irrespective of financial or political status, adding that the conference is to bring legal aid to the consciousness of every Nigerian and how indigent litigants could benefit from the service of the council. Director General of the Council, Mrs. Joy Bob Manuel stated that the council needed

funding which the government cannot shoulder alone and therefore called on corporate bodies and well meaning individuals for help. Chief Ayorinde had earlier stated that a major challenge of the council was reaching people who do not understand English language, calling on the media to assist the council in this regard.

Land disputes: Kwara House compels gov to revoke law From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

he Kwara state House of Assembly has compelled Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed to revoke the controversial land law in order to bury the cold war between the government and Ilorin Emirate Descendant Progressive Union(IEPDU). It could be recalled that IEDPU had last Friday during a public hearing organised by the Kwara State House of Assembly on the state’s land policy demanded the abolition of the Kwara state legal notice of 2009. In the paper presented on its behalf by a legal practitioner and member of the Union, Alhaji Yahaya Kale Saadu noted that abolition of the land use Act

would check indiscriminate acquisition of lands by government. While briefing journalists, the Speaker, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Atunwa, disclosed that the recommendation became necessary following presentations by various stakeholders during the last public hearing held on the law. “Today, we examined the report of the public hearing on the Legal Notice of 2009. The report again demonstrates that none of the rumours about the sale of land at the Eid praying ground or elsewhere was true. The report shed light on the law and noted there might have been unintended consequences in its application,” he said.

PAGE 6

From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) 2011 Batch 'C' who served in Oyo state, Miss Elizabeth Odunayo Amosu, was the cynosure of all eyes in Ibadan yesterday at the passing out ceremony for the batch, where she bagged the NYSC State Award. A total of 3,560 corps members participated in the 2011 Batch 'C' exercise in Oyo state. Miss Amosu, a native of Iworo, Badagry, had distinguished herself among her peers through her community development activities particularly her untiring efforts and concern for the welfare of widows and other less privileged people in the society. The lady who is a Microbiology graduate from the Lagos State University, served her primary

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

Out-going Youth Corps member bags chieftaincy, state award assignment at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) where she also reportedly performed creditably. The State Coordinator of the NYSC, Pastor Alao Olanipekun, announced at the passing out ceremony held at the premises of Ibadan North local government secretariat, that Miss Amosu and nine other corps members in Batch C, were being honoured with the State Award and the Chairman's Award respectively for their outstanding performances in the service year. The NYSC State Coordinator

spoke specifically on Miss Amosu noting that she had earlier bagged the chieftaincy title of Atunluse of Iseyinland, courtesy of the traditional council of the ancient town. According to the NYSC State Coordinator, Miss Amosu had, in the course of her service year, involved herself in several lifetouching, compassionate services just as she proved herself to be a worthy friend to the less privileged in the society. Among other noticeable gestures, Miss Amosu had donated grinding machines to two widows

in Iseyin, provided financial assistance of N25, 000 cash and a pop corn machine to a widow, also in the town. In addition, she was reported to have provided skill acquisition training to 86 women in the areas of liquid soap making, liquid insecticide, air freshener, vim, izal, stove thread and bleach making as well as cake baking and decorations. Also speaking on the occasion, Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Dapo LamAdesina, noted with delight that the out-going 2011 Batch 'C' of the

NYSC was one of the best set of corps members that had served in the state in the recent past. The commissioner enjoined the out-going corps members to always make good use of all the ideals of the NYSC which include self development, brotherliness and genuine love that cuts across tribal or ethnic divides.

Court prosecutes 28 motorists in Edo over traffic violation From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

L-R: Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade, Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatai Ahmed, Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, and Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, during the meeting of Sub-committee on Funding of the Police Reform, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

Nigeria to collaborate with D-8 countries on aviation growth By Ibrahim Kabiru Sule

he Minister for Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, has expressed the intention of Nigeria to collaborate with the D-8 countries in making air transport an engine of economic growth. The minister stated this while delivering a key note address during the 2-day 6th D-8 Working Group on Civil Aviation and Directors General meeting at the Transcorp Hotel, Abuja, yesterday. In the last six years, the minister maintained, Nigeria has worked hard to reposition the sector through

comprehensive safety reform agenda and upgrading aviation infrastructure. "The Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government of Nigeria in the last 16 months is revolutionising our airport experience and creating an aerotropolis, a new airport of the future. "We are desirous of strong collaboration with other D-8 countries to further raise the level of aviation activities in Nigeria", Oduah said. She then indicated opportunities that lie in the sector for investment, saying "with only five percent of the

population flying and less than one-thirds of the cities serviced by airlines", the sector has a great potential for growth. While enumerating the strides recorded by the ministry, the minister however acknowledged the challenges facing the industry and demanded a continuous commitment of all stakeholders so as to surmount the problems. In his opening remarks, Dr. Harold Damuren, Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), reminded the participants of the aim of the meeting, which is to bring together

representatives of government and the private sector to further deliberate and discuss contemporary issues in aviation safety, security, air transport, training among others. Earlier, Nigeria's Commissioner for D-8 and Permanent Secretary in the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Amb. Martin Uhomoibhi, noted the member countries' strategic international positions for air traffic, which calls for experience sharing on best practices among them. The D-8 member countries are: Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, and the host, Nigeria

Minister advocates tolerance for peaceful co-existence By Miriam Humbe

he Minister for Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, has stressed the need to preach love and tolerance for peace to reign. Duke made this call yesterday at the National Summit on Ethnic and Religious Tolerance organised by the Ministry in Saminaka, Kaduna

state. He urged all and sundry to harness the differences in culture and religion and use them to build a better Nigeria, where no one is oppressed, marginalised or intimidated. Duke said the ministry remains committed to its mandate of building and maintaining a peaceful society where every Nigerian would have equal opportunity to achieve his or her

aspirations. He enjoined Nigerians to join hands with the government to consolidate the resolve to live in peace and harmony, sheathe their swords and contribute to the peace which the nation needs. In her welcome address, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, said if Nigeria's potentials are properly, harnessed under a peaceful atmosphere, "we shall

attain the nation of our dream", adding that there is no reason why Nigeria should not be one of the greatest nations in the comity of nations as it has the requisite natural and human potentials. The Saminaka Summit is the second of the series on Ethnic and Religious Tolerance organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation.

8 motorists in Edo state have been sentenced by for violation of traffic rules and other related offences. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), who stood for the prosecution, yesterday, said undisclosed numbers of vehicles were also impounded for the same offence on the Benin-Ore expressway. The FRSC prosecutor, Barr. Presley Orhue, said the offenders who were both private and commercial drivers were apprehended when their reckless driving caused a gridlock between the Benin bye-pass end of the Benin-Ore expressway. Orhue, while arraigning the motorists before Senior Magistrate Fen Igbinosa, listed about 35- count charges against the offenders. Igbinosa, while sentencing the offending motorists, admonished them to learn to be patient while on the wheel as well as learn to obey traffic laws. The Magistrate found the offenders guilty of the offences and ordered that their vehicles be impounded. He, however, gave the culprits the option of fines ranging from between N2, 000 to N7, 000.

Microsoft to engage Nigerian youths in software development

r. Emmanuel Onyeje, Microsoft Nigeria Country Manager, yesterday, said the company would engage Nigerian youths in software development. He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the initiative would ensure that Nigerian youths got innovative ideas to come up with software solutions. Onyeje said that this 'Open Door' initiative would enhance the company's interaction with its customers, partners and students. "We are trying to help youths to use their skills to become productive and not for scamming, external fraud or hacking into people's privacy. "If you are a programmer, whether you are in school or you are just leaving school, you can be self-employed by writing software applications", Onyeje said. He advised youths to use their skills legitimately to empower themselves in the global market place. According to him, Microsoft has a programme called Dreams Pack which allows students in tertiary institutions to develop their own software. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

PAGE 7

Kogi Assembly crisis: New Speaker sues for peace From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

he newly elected Speaker of the Kogi state House of Assembly, Hon Momojimoh Lawal, has called on the people of Ebiraland and the entire state to eschew bitterness and to embrace peace and unity to move the state forward. The Speaker and his principal officers who were elected into office yesterday after the impeachment of the former Speaker, Hon Abdullahi Bello, stated this yesterday at the Ohinoyi of Ebira’s palace in Okene, when he visited the traditional ruler over

the recent killing of the members of Deeper Life church and two soldiers in the area. Lawal disclosed that the state could only witness rapid transformation if the three arms of government consciously work together and stressed that the Assembly under his watch is committed to the growth of the state. He added that the state is so blessed with human and natural resources waiting for the ingenuity of the leadership to make it the development hub of the country. In his remarks, the Ohinoyi

of Ebiraland HRM Ado Ibrahim, charged the leadership of the house to work closely with the other arms of government to create a change that the people deserve. In another vein, the secretary of Kogi Youths Progressive Association (KYPA), Mr. Bola Enimola, has enjoined the people of the state not over heat the polity on the change of leadership of the House. He appealed to members to put the incident behind them saying the continuous existence of the state overrides personal interests.

Traffic law: CNPP seeks Lagosians cooperation From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

he Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) in Lagos state, has commended the new traffic laws recently signed into law by Governor Babatunde Fashola, urging motorists to comply. The chairman of CNPP, Lagos chapter, Akinola Obadia, in a press conference on Wednesday, said the law will enable Lagos

catch up with the rest of the civilised world and stop the chaotic driving culture the state is known for. Obadia stated that the new law, like the amended tax law, will bring sanity and orderliness to a responsible community, urging residents in the state to comply “though the law may sound draconian but the application is for the comfort and advantage of all”.

Ondo election: Police restricts movement By Lambert Tyem

ollowing tomorrow’s gubernatorial elections in Ondo state, the Police High Command in Abuja has announced the restriction of movements in the affected state. Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar said the restriction of movement in the state capital was aimed at achieving best result and for the security of citizens. The IGP also threatened to bring the full wrath of the law on errant persons including VIPs who will attempt to disrupt the election. Deputy Force Public Relations Officer (DFPRO), CSP Frank Mba,

made this disclosure in a statement which said the IG ordered the restriction on movements in and around the state from the 18th October, 2012, 6pm – 6am of Friday 19th October, 2012; the restriction of movement in and out of Akure only. “From 6pm of Friday 19th to 8pm of Saturday 20th October, 2012, total restriction of movement in and out of the entire state. He said the action was a strategy to curtail the influx and movement of undesirable and criminal elements in and out of the state before and during the election.

‘Discovery of crude oil killed our creative thinking’ By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

R-L: Speaker, House the Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund, Professor Babatunde Osotimehin, during the latter's visit to the Speaker, on Wednesday at National Assembly, in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Association urges Senate to pass bill seeking improved welfare of blind

he Anglo-Nigeria Welfare Association for the Blind has called on the Senate to ensure a speedy passage of a bill seeking improved welfare for people with disabilities. Mr. Danlami Bashiru, president of the association, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after a charity walk to mark the International White Cane Day in Lagos. Bashiru said that the bill provided for full integration of persons with disabilities into the society. “It also seeks establishment of a national commission for persons with disability and vested with the responsibility of catering for their education, health care and protection of

their social economic and civil rights”, he said. Bashiru said that the House of Representatives had already passed the bill, while it was still pending before the Senate. He said that the association had been calling for the passage of the bill in the last 12 years. He said that the bill, when passed by the National Assembly, would help people with disabilities to have a sense of belong and be independent. “Many disabled people in this country suffer discrimination of all sought. I believe if there is a law protecting our interest, I would be secure”, he said. Bashiru expressed satisfaction with the turnout of the members at the charity

walk, saying, “I am happy that our annual walk is gaining the momentum it deserves”. He said that the event walk was aimed at creating awareness on the importance of the day. NAN reports that the charity walk took off from Shoprite, Maroko, and terminated at Kings College Annex, Victoria Island. The Anglo Nigerian Welfare Association for the Blind is a non-profit and nongovernmental registered charity which aims to bring relief to the millions of visually impaired people and to alleviate the difficulties faced by blind persons in the area of education. (NAN)

he co-chairman and convener of the upcoming 3rd Nigerian Non-oil Export Conference, Exhibition and Awards (NNECEA 2012), Mr. Femi Boyede has blamed the discovery of crude oil in commercial quantity for the bad economic situation of the country. The expert equally blamed crude oil, which he called a curse, for the myriads of socio-economic challenges like poverty, unemployment, kidnapping, militancy and terrorism which the country is presently facing. Addressing reporters at a preevent briefing for the NNECEA 2012 scheduled to hold in Abuja between the 4th and 6th of November, 2012, Boyede, who is the managing director of Koinonia Ventures Ltd,

emphasised the need to focus more attention on the non-oil sector and observed that: “Crude oil is a wasting resource which we can’t control or determine its increase neither can we influence its price in the international market. It killed our creative thinking which we have to go back to now”. Also speaking, the cochairman of the joint planning committee and Director of Special Services in the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Olajide Ibrahim said: “Unlike the two previous editions, key issues to be discussed at the next forum will be quality, packaging, branding and incentives. It is packaged into three events that are both distinctive and interactive. They include exhibition of products, conference and awards”.

Earmark land for farming, farmers urge FCT administration

armers in the Gwagwalada area council have requested the FCT administration to allocate some hectares of land to them for farming. Mr. Saluhu Na’annabi, the leader of the farmers, made the request yesterday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. Na’annabi, who won the best individual prize during 2011 National Agricultural Show, observed that Abuja land was fertile for food production for both subsistence and commercial

purposes. “Before Abuja became the nation’s capital, we, the indigenes, engaged in farming and our land was cultivable. “We used to have good harvest of crops both for eating and selling most especially yam crop.” “If where we are planting today is developed by the government, we will absolutely have nothing to do with faming,” he lamented. He also appealed to the government for assistance to address the challenges confronting farmers. (NAN)

PAGE 8

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

Ondo guber: NHRC to deploy 198 monitors By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

total of 198 election security monitors will be deployed to monitor the Saturday October 20, 2012 governorship election in Ondo state, the National Human Rights Commission NHRC) has said. The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Prof. Bem Angwe disclosed this yesterday while addressing a press conference on the commission’s security threat analysis of the 2012 governorship election in Ondo state. While pointing out that electoral security threat analysis is a vital tool for the prevention and control of violence before, during and after election, Prof. Angwe said the data for the electoral security threat analysis of Ondo state governorship election were obtained from surveys, interviews with political actors and reviews of publications. The NHRC boss said: “Considering the political and electoral history of Ondo state, the commission considers the electoral threat analysis a useful tool for stakeholders and major contribution to the security of the electoral process during the Ondo state

governorship election come 20thOctober, 2012”. The commission called on the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), to ensure that personnel and resources for the election are effectively and timely deployed to forestall frustration and agitation that may lead to violence on the polling day.

ACF reacts to ‘secession’ statement By Nasiru Mu’azu Isa

he Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has reacted to the statement credited to the Wazirin Bauchi, Alhaji Mohammed Kirfi which it said, has dire implications on the oneness of Nigeria. Kirfi had reportedly made the statement during the North-East Forum for Unity and Development (NEFUD), where he said based on the

Flood: LG erects pedestrian bridge, reconnects cut off communities From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

badan South-East local government area of Oyo state has erected a modern pedestrian bridge as part of palliative measures to ease movement in flood affected areas within the council. The flood control pedestrian bridge not only reconnects over 15 communities which were cut off by flood last year, but also reduces suffering encountered by thousands of school children who reside in the area. It would be recalled that

over 15 communities were cut off as flood rendered hundreds homeless since August 26, last year. The council caretaker chairman, Alhaji Abass Bolaji Najimdeen who conducted the team round the various projects, promised that another bridge for motorists would soon be constructed. He said lack of funds hinders several lined up projects; adding that the council with spends over N145 million monthly on salaries, while internally generated revenue (IGR) was at zero level.

injustice, unequal distribution of wealth, deprivation and lack of political will to explore fully both human and natural resources for the benefit of the people of the region and Nigeria as a whole, it is better the region pulls out of the country. The ACF has noted that this is a matter of great concern in the light of its unwavering commitment to one, indivisible Nigeria.

In a statement by the national publicity secretary, Mr. Anthony Sani, ACF said it has resolved to investigate the matter further. It said: “At the last meeting of the National Working Committee of ACF, the Forum resolved that even though the weighty statement was withdrawn, the matter would still be investigated for further actions”.

17 get Okomu Oil Palm bursary awards From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

7 indigent youth have been considered for Okomu Oil Palm Plc bursary awards. The beneficiaries of the awards whose monetary value is puts at N1.6million were drawn from host communities in the southern part of Edo state. Managing Director of Okomu Oil Palm Plc, Dr. Graham Heifer while presenting cheques to the recipients yesterday, said the resolve to award bursary to indigenes of host and neighboring communities is borne out of the cordial relationship enjoyed by the company with its hosts. According to him, the

beneficiaries are presently studying in various tertiary institutions across Edo and Delta states, including the Edo state-owned Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Delta State University and University of Benin as well as the State College of Education, Ekiadolor Edo State Commissioner for Education, Mr. Ekpenisi Omorotionwan, who received the items on behalf of the communities, lauded the company for the magnitude of education support granted the indigenes noting it will go a long way to empower the youths and enhance self-reliance and sustainability for the nations growth and rapid socioeconomic development.

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

We’ve nothing to hide, says NNPC By Abdulwahab Isa

L-R: Yobe state Deputy Governor, Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu, Deputy Speaker, state House of Assembly, Hon. Muhammad Auwalu Isa, and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Bukar Dauda, at the opening ceremony of the immunization plus day, on Tuesday in Fune local government area of the state.

Agric co-ops, antidote to hunger, poverty - Ajimobi From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

overnor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has identified the promotion of agriculture through agricultural cooperatives as the only solution to hunger and poverty in Nigeria. The governor, while speaking at the 2012 World Food Day celebrations in Ibadan, noted that

hunger constituted the basic problem of sustenance of live as it was a reflection of people’s inaccessibility to right quality of food needed for healthy living. Governor Ajimobi, who was represented by his deputy, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, stressed the need to move agriculture from subsistence to commercial level through agricultural

cooperatives. “If we are determined to improve the economic situation, reduce unemployment, joblessness, crime and other societal menace especially among the youth, there is the need to first of all combat hunger with improved agricultural practices that will ensure food security,” the governor said.

Cholera: Council boss constructs 70 toilets From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

he caretaker chairman of Ibadan North West Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mr. Wasiu Olatunbosun has constructed over 70 units of public toilets in affected areas across the council to prevent any further cholera outbreak. Mr. Olatunbosun who disclosed this to Project Monitoring Committee of Nigeria Union of

Journalists during inspection visit to the council said the last cholera outbreak left indelible mark which could never be erased from the council's history. It would be recalled that no fewer than ten people died of cholera during last year outbreak in the council. According to him, the outbreak “brought series of challenges for both the government and the governed but we are determined

to unravel the causes of epidemic”. "It was discovered that part of what responsible for the outbreak was lack of toilet, good water and unhygienic environment." He explained that 33 compartment toilets with water system was constructed at Lakanlu compound, Abebi, while another 33 compartment toilet has been commissioned along water system at Akilapa compound, Idikan all in Ibadan.

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has pledged to administer the corporation on fulcrum of transparency and accountability as nothing of public interest will be concealed. On this note, the Corporation is craving for media partnership in selling its programmes to the Nigerian public. The corporation’s acting Group General Manager (GGM) Public Affairs Division, Mr. Fidel Pepple, stated this yesterday while leading the team from the Unit on courtesy call on management of Peoples Media Limited, publishers of Peoples Daily and Peoples Daily Weekend newspapers. Pepple said the corporation strictly accords media its rightful place stressing that the media should always see NNPC as partner

in progress. He said the corporation is currently passing through a phase and as such “we regard media as partner in progress- a kind of symbolic relationship because we need you to be able to sell our programmes, ideas to the world”. He said the oil industry was a complex sector that has drawn a lot of misconception from people with little insight on the sector adding “we don’t have anything to hide”. In his response, Peoples Daily Chief Operating Officer, Malam Ali M. Ali used the occasion to condole NNPC on the demise of former GGM Public Affairs, Dr. Levi Ajuonuma whom he described as friend of the media. Ali said the Public Affairs unit of the Corporation must never get tired of explaining its policies to media wherever they seek for clarifications.

NGO empowers rural women with agro-skills From Muhammad Adamu, Kaduna

ural women in Kaduna State have been trained in agricultural skills in recognition of their critical role in the rural economies of both developed and developing countries. An NGO known as Empowering Women for Excellence Initiative (EWEI) did this on the international day of the rural women. The pilot programme involved a field trip for five women to Goddy Farm, Narayi in Kaduna where they were taught to rear fish for income which is also expected to facilitate their participation in the economy of their rural communities and provide additional skills to enable them bear the responsibilities of feeding the household. Some of the beneficiaries who spoke with our correspondent have

this to say: Glory S. Jacob said “from the field trip I have learnt not to stay idle and that with a little sum of money I can start up a fish farm. I have also learnt that starting a fish farm is less expensive than poultry; this can help me immensely in feeding my family and having a source of livelihood.” Patience Yohanna lamented that “people always complain of lack of jobs in Nigeria, but with fish farming, one can be self employed and also employ others, this will also increase the rate of employment in our communities and nation at large.” Likewise, Martina Patrick observed that “women in our communities mostly go into crop farming neglecting fish farming because they don’t have an idea about it, with my knowledge I can now start up my own fish farm and also teach others.”

I'll be disappointed if you fail, Jonathan tells ICPC boss By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday told the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Prof Okon Nta that he will be disappointed at him if he fails to perform to expectation in the battle against graft. Speaking when he swore in Nta as the substantive chairman of the commission and five new permanent secretaries, the President urged individuals, corporate bodies, NGOs, civil society groups, community-based organisations and even faith-based

organisations to be part of the fight against graft at all levels. The new permanent secretaries are Dr. Folasade YemiEsan, Ambassador Sani Bala, Dr. James Obiegbu, John Femi Jegede and John Gana. Jonathan said: “For the chairman of ICPC, you have been an acting chairman for quite sometime and I have observed and I know you have been making some changes to make sure that ICPC becomes more functional and effective. “Every day, you hear Nigerians talk about corruption, corruption, corruption because that is why during Obasanjo

administration, ICPC and EFCC were created or established by Acts of Parliament. We believe that these two agencies are in the position to reduce corruption. As the President, I promise you that I will give you the free hand to do your work. I will not interfere with your function. “And from the security briefing I have about you from when you were a state counsel in your state till date, I believe you are one of the most credible Nigerians. If you fail this country, I will be terribly disappointed. So, I believe that you will bring this your wealth of experience and your commitment to doing things

properly to bear in your job as the chairman of ICPC. “We must stop people from stealing and taking what does not belong to them…If people donate money to you that you are not too sure of the source, please, return it if we must fight corruption, all of us must frown at it. You don't give a chieftaincy title to somebody you don't know the source of his income. That is my thinking, that is my belief. If you do that, you are encouraging that person to be corrupt.” For the new permanent secretaries, the President lamented that the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation's office

was owing huge sums of money as judgement debt because of negligence of duty and incompetence on the part of some civil servants. He added: “But while trying to make sure that you don't make mistakes you must also make sure that government moves. Nigerians want service and bureaucracy should not be a stumbling block to progress or development”. He noted that the greatest problem the country suffers from in terms of managing the civil service was the sour relationship between permanent secretaries and their ministers.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

PAGE 11

How much money will you need to retire? A s baby boomers inch toward retirement, they increasingly want to know what the Number is, meaning how much they need to retire in comfort and security. One of the best minds on this topic, and many other personal finance issues, is advisor Ray Ferrara, head of ProVise Management Group in Clearwater, Fla. His take on this vital subject: The big questions are: How much money will you need to retire? Are your investments performing well enough to meet your needs? Do your kids' student loans hurt you? Is your income declining or rising? A series of recent reports shows how Americans, especially those nearing retirement, face some tough challenges. Retirement: How Much Will You Need? Is there an easy formula to determine the size of the nest egg you need when you enter retirement? The answer obviously is no, but there are some rules of thumb you can

follow. Let's assume you want to increase your spending power by a 3% rate of inflation and that your portfolio achieves an annual return of 5%, ignoring any taxes and not illustrative of any specific investment or portfolio. Obviously, none of this is guaranteed. For every $1,000 per month you want to have for a 20-year period, at the end of which the portfolio is zero, you need a lump sum of $196,000, according to BTN Research. Thus, if you want $10,000 per month, you must have a lump sum of $1.96 million. If you feel like you have really good genes and expect to live 30 years in retirement, then the present value of that stream of money must be $269,000 per $1,000, or $2.69 million for $10,000 per month. If you keep everything the same, but assume a 6% positive return, the lump sum required is $179,000 per $1,000 for a 20-year payout and $237,000 for a 30-year span. Your Investment

Performance? Because of the debacle of 2008 and early 2009, many investors became much more conservative. This is not surprising. On the other hand, some investors now are too conservative, especially those near or in retirement. With today's low interest rates, after taxes and inflation, those retirees

are likely moving backwards in purchasing power. If we ignore taxes and only look at inflation from 1991 to 2011, there has been a 39% loss of purchasing power, the U.S. Labor Dept. finds. For those living on a fixed-income or whose investment portfolios are too conservative, this causes a reduction in their standard of living. Student Loan Burden: Among all of the other things retirees need to worry about are student loans. No, we don't mean personal student loans - we mean the ones they co-signed for their children or grandchildren. According to the New York Federal Reserve, $36 billion of student debt is owed by Americans age 60 and over. While it only represents about 4% of the $914 billion of outstanding student loans, it is enough to cause a delay in retirement plans or make retirement less fun. Income Declines: The median household income adjusted for inflation is now around $50,000

How to save and conserve water

The on-going importance of your brand

any financial services firms remain conservative in their corporate spending, particularly on marketing, even as the markets have improved this year, and for many, revenues are once again on the rise as part of their continuing post-financial crisis recoveries. A recent study of asset managers, for example, found that most planned small increases in their marketing budgets even as revenue growth rebounds. The study covered firms of all sizes, ranging from $5 billion under management to

+$100 billion. Interestingly, however, the respondents in the same study also recognized the importance of branding and messaging, as they rated this highest priority of any marketing-related category to invest in. Why is branding and messaging so important? Because one thing that you must always do is promote the integrity of your firm. Especially during tough market times, and in today's political environment where banks and financial services firms continue to get beat up in the press, reminding

clients and prospects alike of your value proposition and why they do business with you must remain a top priority. At the end of the day, all you or your firm has, is its reputation. Protect it, promote it - always. Even if you are reducing your marketing budget, or your advertising budget, ensure that the money that you do spend helps your branding and messaging. It doesn't have to be expensive - e-mail marketing systems and social media has made getting information to your target audience(s) a quicker and cheaper proposition. Perhaps you need to think not so much about how much you spend in this area, but how wisely you are spending it.

for a typical American family. This is 8% below the all-time high, set in 2007. Driving these results, as reported by the Census Bureau, was that 80% of Americans saw their household incomes decline, or at a minimum, remain the same, while the top 20% had their incomes increase by 1.6%. Depending upon which side of the political spectrum you are on, an argument could be made for the policies of either President Barack Obama or Gov. Mitt Romney aimed at remedying this situation. Here's our take on these results, however: Those who have the skills, and therefore the greatest opportunity for income, enjoyed the increase of 1.6%, and significantly lower unemployment, and those who do not, did not. This speaks not only to the training of the American workforce and its need to be upgraded, but also equally to the importance of increasing the education of America's children.

here are a number of ways to save water, and they all start with you. #2: When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water. #3: Some refrigerators, air conditioners and ice-makers are cooled with wasted flows of water. Consider upgrading with aircooled appliances for significant water savings. #4: Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street. #5: Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month. #6: Choose shrubs and groundcovers instead of turf for hard-to-water areas such as steep slopes and isolated strips. #7: Install covers on pools and spas and check for leaks around your pumps. #8: Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Compost vegetable food waste instead and save gallons every time. #9: Plant in the fall when conditions are cooler and rainfall is more plentiful. 10: For cold drinks keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap. This way, every drop goes down you and not the drain. #11: Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks. #12: Water your lawn and garden in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler to minimize evaporation. #13: Wash your fruits and

vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap. #14: Spreading a layer of organic mulch around plants retains moisture and saves water, time and money. #15: Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk and save water every time. #16: If your shower fills a onegallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, replace the showerhead with a water-efficient model. #17: Collect the water you use for rinsing fruits and vegetables, then reuse it to water houseplants. #18: If water runs off your lawn easily, split your watering time into shorter periods to allow for better absorption. #19: We're more likely to notice leaks indoors, but don't forget to check outdoor faucets, sprinklers and hoses for leaks. #20: If you have an automatic refilling device, check your pool periodically for leaks. #21: Check the root zone of your lawn or garden for moisture before watering using a spade or trowel. If it's still moist two inches under the soil surface, you still have enough water. #22: When buying new appliances, consider those that offer cycle and load size adjustments. They're more water and energy efficient. #23: Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you'll save up to 150 gallons per month. #24: Upgrade older toilets with water efficient models. #25: Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn shades roots and holds soil moisture better than if it is closely clipped.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

Kenyan MPs and public wrath

enyan parliamentarians recently did the rather unreasonable thing of awarding themselves a £17 million pay bonus that would have ensured they continue to live a good life even after they leave office before the next election due March 4, 2013. The bonus which they smuggled into the Finance Bill sent by President Mwai Kibaki would have meant additional money for each parliamentarian, at present already earning £9, 000 a month. This translates to some £82, 000 a year compared to a British backbench MP's annual £65, 738 take home. Two things made the Kenyan MPs' move particularly egregious: firstly, they smuggled the so-called retirement bonus into a budget that did not provide for it. Secondly, the increase was to be funded by increased taxes on mobile phone money transfers, cheque encashment and money withdrawals through ATMs. The taxes would have hit Kenya's poor middle-class the hardest. It is estimated that it would take an average worker 66 years to earn what each MP would have been given if the bill had received the president's signature. Kenya's annual per capita income is just £1, 125. As it turned out, President Kibaki rejected the MPs' move, describing it as "unconstitutional" and "unaffordable". It would have been the heart of insensitivity and double standard if he had approved the bonus demanded by the parliamentarians, given that his government did not agree a pay rise demanded by public school teachers and doctors who have been on strikes for close to two months now.

The outrage that greeted the MPs' action was unprecedented in that it was nationwide; it defied Kenya's insidious political and ethnic cleavages that politicians have consistently exploited to perpetuate their hold on power. Some government and all opposition MPs came together to oppose it. President Kibaki, therefore, had no choice but to tell the parliamentarians no. As it is, already Kenya’s members of parliament are said to be the highest paid in the world, but their productivity nowhere matches their hefty pay. Indeed, they are seen by their

“

the impunity of our lawmakers, at the federal level specially, must stop at some point, but this only when civil society is able to find its voice as happened recently in Kenya compatriots as the "laziest in Africa". Yet they never tired of pushing for pay increment at the slight opportunity. Between 2003 and 2010, the MPs increased their salaries and allowances twice. In 2003, after the 2002 election, their first order of business was to quadruple their pay, and last year, they raised it by 25% , claiming that new government taxes that year bankrupted them. But the truth is that almost a third of each MP's monthly £9, 000 salary and perks are virtually tax-free.

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”

However, now they have met more than their match in a citizenry that could no longer stomach the MPs' shenanigans. Indeed, protesters that camped outside parliament building in Nairobi, the capital, shouted "thief" at every MP that drove past. The Kenyan protests have once again demonstrated the potency of people power against self-serving political leaders. If not for the street protests, the MPs might have had their way. There is something in the Kenya narrative for Nigerians to chew on. We have been told that each of our 109 senators collect about N45 million and each of 360 House of Representatives members N27 million each quarter of the year. This in a country where state governments claim they cannot pay a meagre monthly N18, 000 national minimum wage and the majority of a 160 million strong population live on less than a dollar a day. Our tragic case is that civil society is too weak to raise its voice above the din of corruption in high places. The few courageous ones among us who try to draw attention to the drain our lawmakers have become on our economy are browbeaten into making a retraction. Recall the sad experience of CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi after he said last year that House members and senators alone accounted for the federal government's annual recurrent budget. Clearly, the impunity of our lawmakers, at the federal level specially, must stop at some point, but this only when civil society is able to find its voice as happened recently in Kenya.

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, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

PAGE 13

A criminal enterprise called a country By Mahmud Abubakar

ne must wonder what legacy Nigeria’s president, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, intends to bequeath to Nigerians when he eventually relinquishes power. While it might seem like early days, the signs are not looking good. While some say former President Ibrahim Babangida’s regime institutionalized corruption in Nigeria, the GEJ administration has wittingly or unwittingly magnified corruption to near intergalactic proportions. In governance, government’s action or inaction as the case may be, should not only be in the general interest of the people it governs, it must be seen to be in the people’s interest. Afterall, true power lies with the people. However, the GEJ administration has turned this simple logic on its head. Ever since this administration came into being, it has been one catastrophe after the other. While every successive government since 1966 has promised to provide electricity, water and basic infrastructure to the people, it has become increasingly apparent especially over the past two

years that what Nigerians need is not a leader who will provide the basic necessities of life, but a leader who will fight the seemingly gargantuan problem of corruption. I dare say that corruption is the only sickness the Nigerian state has been suffering from for nearly three decades. Other problems like inadequate electricity, lack of basic infrastructure and unemployment are nay but small symptoms of the larger problem of corruption. The GEJ administration promised to curb the menace of corruption on so many occasions. Going by antecedents, it is safe to say that the reverse is the case. Let us cast our minds back to the 1st of January, 2012. GEJ took the whole nation by surprise when he announced the removal of fuel subsidy. The rationale, we were told, was that gov’t could no longer afford to pay trillions in fuel subsidy payments that added no value to the nation’s economy at the expense of the citizenry. Nigerians on the other hand disagreed. The question asked was why should government pay subsidy on imported fuel when it can simply refine these products locally at a much cheaper rate? The answer was provided by the now rested Faruk Lawan report:

corruption. The power sector probe indicted the Obasanjo administration of wasting $16 billion on the power sector with nothing to show for it. Reason: corruption. If the Yaradua administration was too weak to act on the probe report what stops GEJ from acting on it? By doing nothing on the numerous probe reports on his desk, GEJ is tacitly giving approval for the perpetuation of corruption in the country. However, the GEJ administration not only seems to be promoting corruption by its inaction, but by its direct action as well. Let’s take, for instance, the now forgotten issue of the Otueke Church bribery scandal. We heard the revelation that a certain individual had complain to the Chief Executive of the Italian construction company that the church was unbefitting of a president’s village. Then as a matter of “corporate social responsibility” the church was renovated only a few months later and donated to the village free of charge. As it turned out the complainant was no other than the president himself! This is corruption personified by the

president no less. As if that wasn’t enough, the president decided to hand over the security of the nation’s waterways to a former militant. In addition, we just recently found out that the president approved the annual payment of $40 million to NigerDelta militants as protection fees for oil pipelines. Though for some reason the president seems to be at a loss as to why oil bunkering or as he termed it, oil stealing has reached on all time high. The president himself admitted during his illfated media chat that “there is no country where they are stealing crude oil the way they are stealing in Nigeria”. The question remains, what is GEJ paying former militants $40 million annually for if oil theft has now assumed frightening proportions? More recently, it emerged that the president’s home town of otuoke got N5 billion from the ecological fund for ecological projects. Never mind that N5 billion represents over 10% of the total funds earmarked for ecological projects in 2011 for the entire 36 states of the federation. The GEJ gov’t seems to be trying constantly to set new records for corruption and incompetence. The

president attested to this himself when he declared that he was the most criticized president in the world. The latest step on the face of Nigerians is the National Honours Awards list recently released by the presidency. Topping the list is the controversial businessman and chairman of Globacom Nigeria Ltd. It is quite unfortunate that the National Honours Awards has been reduced to an avenue for recognizing cronies, bootlickers and dubious personalities. Even the OBJ government did not stoop this low. Nigerian’s grouse with Chief Mike Adenuga is that his oil company Conoil was indicted in the Faruq Lawan fuel subsidy report. Many Nigerians are of the view that the fuel subsidy payments to companies like Conoil were used to prosecute the 2011 elections which were the most expensive in Nigeria’s history. Giving a National Honours Award to a man whose company was indicted for shoddy practices only serves to enforce that opinion. If things continue this way GEJ and his gov’t will go down in history as the most corrupt regime in the history of this country. Mahmud Abubakar is reachable on Mahmud_udus@yahoo.com

Indifferent middle class and our failing government By Japheth Omojuwa

very day in Nigeria's presidency - excluding the vice president - will have a bazaaresque table of food and refreshment worth N2,010,000.00, excluding special events. The 2012 budget reserved N951 million for the president's foreign travels , but promised to cut down on this after the OccupyNigeria uproar in January. In keeping to that promise, the president has averaged two travels per month since then but that is nothing compared to the N2.6 billion dedicated to his 2013 foreign travels - N7.1 million for each day of 2013 including weekends. N2.16 billion is the salary of 12,037 Nigerians on the minimum wage working for the whole year. For a government that says it has transformed our power challenge, one would wonder why they had to budget N72,510,832 to fuel the state house. Aso Rock expects to burn some 1,300 litres of diesel per day based on the pump price. The budget contains more irresponsible allocation of state resources to political office holders, including National Assembly members who get to spend some N150 billion up from not more than N50 billion from the Obasanjo years. It was established in a wellpublicized paper how the worth of an average bill passed by the national assembly is N10 billion! Each legislator costs Nigerians over $2 million per year. How can this not be criminal in a supposed representative democracy? This sheer irresponsibility and obvious disregard for the people's yearnings will continue as long as those who should demand for at least the application of common sense in the

governance of Nigeria decide to keep quiet. The world over you will hardly find any country that ever survived the domination of a few over many without the rise of a people who are neither at the top of the pyramid nor essentially at its bottom, those who find themselves between both ends of the socioeconomic divide. You cannot get to any Promised Land worth the travel without getting to cross bridges as we cannot bank on the miracles of going through water. The bridge of progress and development in any modern nation is the middle class. If a nation stays stagnated or retards in development, check the bridge. Read tales of the Industrial Revolution, the American Revolution and other mass movements including the several movements across Europe and even more recently with the likes of Rudi Dutschke in Germany and the Arab Spring and you would find the middle class at the end of it if not at its beginning. This is because this class has the number and the resources to make change happen. Unlike the poor, they have resources to spare for advocacy. The poor live from hand to mouth and are the worst hit in case of any campaign that halts production one way or the other. That Nigeria needs saving is a foregone conclusion and that there has to be a mass movement that seeks and demands genuine transformational change is a long delayed reality. Easterly, William, 2001 defined a "middle-class consensus" as a situation of relative equality and ethnic homogeneity, he went on to show empirically that such a middle-class consensus facilitates higher levels of income and growth, as well as higher levels

of public goods. This may sound counter-intuitive especially considering the fact that the finger of blame for our national woes have always been pointed in the direction of those directly involved with governance but we are at fault for the woes of Nigeria because we are too docile and we have come to accept nonsense from our office holders as the norm. We are ones that live in homes with generators that have sworn an oath of war with silence. We don't care if the roads to our houses are motor-able, we just ensure our tokunbo car is an SUV and we never ever bother about lasting solutions. We create a cocoon around ourselves against the many menaces of our society. We sit at beer parlours and gist about what is wrong with our country without ever really doing anything to be part of change. And now who do we blame for having a president whose policies look more like documents drafted from such beer parlour gatherings? Our government has policies with sounds without meaning, words without power and trillions of naira without value to the people. Bar, may be, Sir Ahmadu Bello, every Nigerian leader has been from the middle class or from an even more wretched background. They get to the top by hook, crook, coup or luck and don't give a damn if the people die or live. They could care less about the people where 2 out of

3 are poor. We can dress all up and go to church giving praises in empty stomachs that may never be filled except we get a chance to attend a church related event after that. We invest in cheap LondonAmerica outfits - wash am, press am well, spray perfume and we look good to go. If you are lucky to add a few fats on your cheeks then your money has indeed come. We wallow in poverty and have become so numbed to this abnormality as though we were pigs destined for dirt so would find calm where others find discomfort. We are progressing and transforming Nigeria. We are progressing on our known path of mediocrity and transforming from a people that though did not have everything, had values and the basic things of life. Where the laws did count, to a country where the lawmakers are the chief lawbreakers, transforming to a land where to steal in a better and more rewarding position you must loot and loot well in your current position. A minister spends over N2 trillion naira on what the people agreed N260 billion should be spent on, she could still go ahead to make the laws that make her even more powerful. Every other presidential broadcast results in protests and every presidential broadcast either makes you angry or sad. You are angry about the fact that the Presidency has become the

“

We need to organize ourselves and start right from our local governments. One person takes up the challenge, gets others together and pays the local government chairman a call

mascot for national intellectual poverty and sad that a nation, in all its glory and human resource endowment has been limited to being led by its dross. Nigeria is what it is because we are who we are…mostly selfish, short-sighted, parochial and a grabyour-own mentality obsessed group of people who make noise when not positioned to steal, who steal when positioned to do greater good. We have hit rock bottom even though the realities of modern Nigeria make us feel our current office holders will breach even this bottom and take us further down. God forbid! We can forbid it too. We need to organize ourselves and start right from our local governments. One person takes up the challenge, gets others together and pays the local government chairman a call. You want to know all there is to know about what s/he has been doing with your money. We cannot just live in patience for the day someone from our family will get the chance to steal. As bad as that sounds, it is even more statistically impossible compared to if we ensured our country works for us all at the same time. As for those of us who cannot see beyond a need to divide Nigeria, let me state that Ibori stole Delta people's money. The people of Oyo state are not looking for the Hausa governor that stole their money and the people of Edo state are not cursing an Igbo man for the development they seemed to have had a divorce with until the Oshiomhole years. The homogeneity of language is essentially a need for us to see beyond our differences as a group and at least get involved. We must fight to cut down the size of government. This is killing development. Japheth Omojuwa blogs at www.omojuwa.com

PAGE 14

By Philemon Adjekuko

he Chinese have become some form of Babylonian trilogy responsible for our entire economic ecosystem. They will fix our roads and rails, build our sea and airports. They will also lend us money to feast on while they are working on our hard infrastructure. It is just a matter of time before we call on them to fix our souls and give us gate passes to heaven. Where on earth did we get the idea that in order to get to destination 2020(and 20), the Chinese must be in the trench while we delight ourselves with vanilla ice cream at the pent house? The danger of our current “come fix us” syndrome lies deep in the future. But the littering begins today. A good test of what will hit us down the road is our awful experience with our refineries. Till date we are still calling on the Japanese to assist us in maitaining the plants without any success. Think about the hundreds of trips made by our presidents and governors in the name of shopping for foreign investors. I thought by now all my neighbours will be people carrying foreign passports and Nigeria a haven for their investments. That is the way things are in the United Arab Emirates. But even if that is the case with Nigeria, would that be the optimal path to long term By Cyprian Amanke

he recent EFCC arrest and subsequent arraignment of Port Harcourt based legal practitioner and the immediate past 1st Vice President of Nigerian Bar Association, Blessing Emomena Ukiri, at a Port Harcourt Federal High Court should not come to watchers of NBA politics in Port Harcourt and in Nigeria as a surprise. Ukiri has been a thorn in the flesh of some power brokers in the local NBA branch in Port Harcourt. OCJ Okocha, SAN, a former NBA President and an Ikwerre irredentist lead the power brokers. In Port Harcourt branch of NBA, non-indigenes are forbidden from holding the post of Chairman of the branch. Ukiri who is a non-native from Isoko in Delta State teamed up with likes of Beluolisa Nwofor and Lucius Nwosu, SANs to fight against this obnoxious policy. Nwofor contested for the chairmanship of the branch on two occasions but the likes of OCJ Okocha rallied Ikwerre lawyers to stop an Igbo man from holding a post said to have been reserved exclusively for a son of the soil. Ukiri had in the past served the branch as Publicity Secretary and Secretary but was told that Chairmanship was a ‘no-go’ area. In the year 2011, Ukiri applied for the rank of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) but the clique in Port Harcourt wrote a petition to the then Chief Justice of Nigeria, Katsina Alu alleging that Ukiri was not a fit and proper person worthy of taking the silk. Acting on the petition, Ukiri was disqualified and he went to Federal High Court, Abuja to challenge the exercise. The matter is still pending in court. Ukiri applied again in the 2012

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

The foreign investor mirage development? Certainly not. The moving fast on a wrong road. There the ugly truth is that Nigeria does United Arab Emirates is already is no substitute for the development not have enough schools to take seeing a huge gap in their model of of indigenous human capital. care of young people who are development and have begun to Even though every public hungry for higher education. A address it. The only major official high or low includes the need situation where young people (as challenge they have is that of a for human capital development in young as 15) are forced to hunt for small population of about 8m, with papers delivered on a daily basis, a place in our universities, over 70% of it made up of foreigners. there noting on ground to suggest sometimes up to four years In times of trouble, (enough time foreigners are the to graduate), is first to flee town, frightening.Elsewhere, leaving a trail of outside Africa economic collapse. the problem is Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text Israel has about that of messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written the same choosing from contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 population as a list of words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and United Arab universities or a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed Emirates but with going to a to: a very different particular demographic predetermined The Editor, profile. Moreover, university not economic growth whether or not Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, in Israel is driven you will get 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. from within. admission into Email: let ters@peoplesdaily-online.com Foreign investors a university. SMS: 07037756364 in Israel are there First, we had for the services problems with Israeli companies will provide them that we are doing anything getting jobs after graduating. That and not the other way round. Most meaningful about it. problem is still there. Now we have high tech Israeli companies have When the president announced added an army of young people learned a great deal from that the establishment of about six more who cannot get into higher schools relationship so much so that Israel Federal Universities some time ago, to study following a natural school today has the highest number of there was a lot of misgivings about age process. companies quoted in the US Stock his real intention. The argument Therefore, If we are asking Market than any other country in was that why set up more foreigners to build all our the world. universities when the ones on infrastructure, are also expecting I have done this little analysis ground are poorly funded. While them to run these infrastructure just to show how we are once again that argument makes a lot of sense, in perpetuity? By the way, have

WRITE TO US

we even done enough to make our country really attractive to foreign investors. The LagosIbadan express road contract was awarded to an indigenous company over four years, yet not much has being done due to the slow footedness of the Federal government and the spanners thrown into the mix by some state governments. The Chinese have also been in Abuja to build rail over flat land since 2007 without any success. The cost of the project has just been revised upward while the delivery time has been moved forward. If the same project was taking place in China, people would have been riding the trains already. Even if all the investors in the world agreed to come to Nigeria, we would still not achieve very much. We are a people determined to sabotage our own plans. We bring the best investors and get them messed up or deliberately bring in the bad ones with a predetermined grand plan of not achieving anything. Until we straighten ourselves out, all these foreign trips to hunt for investors is nothing but diagramming a mirage from the outside. We owe ourselves a sacred duty to at least do a few things right at fifty two. Philemon Adjekuko is on Facebook.

Who will save Blessing Ukiri?

exercise for conferment of the SAN title, he managed to get to the second round of the exercise but was eliminated at the last stage and so could not make the list of successful candidates apparently based on petitions from the same Ikwerre/ Daudu clique. In August 2010 at Ibadan, Ukiri, a veteran of NBA national politics (having won in the past, the posts of Financial Secretary, 3rd Vice and 2nd Vice President) braved all odds and won the post of 1st Vice President of NBA with JB Daudu, SAN as the President. Because of his independent mindedness it did not take long before the relationship between Ukiri and Daudu fell apart. Daudu wanted to run NBA alone but Ukiri opposed him. Ukiri was subsequently sidelined in the running of NBA. As time went on, the entire officers of NBA were equally sidelined in the running of NBA. Daudu became the ‘Emperor’ running the NBA like ‘JB Daudu and Co’, his private law firm. Ukiri on some occasions complained publicly about the imperialist tendencies of the then NBA president but nobody listened. In the wake of NBA elections of 2012, Ukiri contested for the post of the President. In the course of the campaigns he gave insight to the rot in the administration of JB Daudu; that officers meeting were held only twice in 18 months, that Daudu was acting as the President, 1st Vice President, Treasurer, Financial Secretary all combined; signing the cheques of the Association without the counter signature of the Treasurer etc. In the heavily rigged election Ukiri was allocated a mere 2 votes by the

handpicked Election Committee led by Lanke Odogiyan, a Daudu supporter practicing in Kaduna. After the announcement of the results Ukiri joined Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN who is believed to have won the election but was rigged out, in condemning the outcome of the election. In his post election statement Ukiri stated inter alia: “I have been too dumb founded to speak on the NBA elections. My family and I were attacked on 1st June in Port Harcourt by a gang of criminals who had come specifically for my phone. On Friday, 13th July at 9.21pm a threatening SMS was sent to me warning me to withdraw from the race before it was too late. Less than 9 minutes after my receipt of the SMS, my son was mysteriously attacked in PH. He was hospitalized; “I managed to travel to Abuja on Sunday, 15th July hoping to formally withdraw in line with the decision of the Mid-West Bar Forum. You recall that I even told some of my close friends that I would announce my withdrawal at the manifesto night. “On Monday 16th July, I received the shocking news at about 2pm that my younger brother was killed that day. I am being persuaded not to link the attacks and death of my brother to the NBA elections. I hope I would be able to resist the urge. “I have now studied the delegate list which I had not seen at the time I made my comment on the elections. No one can deny that some names of delegates from Branches were removed and replaced in Abuja. If delegates had been elected by Branch members on whose authority would any person remove

and replace them? What of NEC members? There were persons I had nominated as NEC members and rejected specifically by the President in Gombe NEC who were later co-opted as NEC members, days to the election. An example is Barth Okoye Aniche, former 3rd Vice President under Akeredolu, whom I pleaded with the President to co-opt into NEC but was rejected. Few days to the election he was given a letter of co-option signed by the President but backdated to a date in November 2010.” At the Annual General Conference of NBA held in Abuja on August 28 2012, Ukiri, in his capacity as 1st Vice President, presented a report. Paragraph 5.00 of the Report captioned “Attacks, Threats and Intimidation of the 1st Vice President” is very instructive. He stated: “The 1st Vice President was subjected to an overdose of personal attacks, threats, deprivation and intimidation in the discharge of his functions within the period under review. I have reported on some of them to NEC and the 2011 Conference. They continued to increase in their numbers and intensity. A few instances are highlighted here. As a fall-out of my report and recommendations to the NEC meetings held in Akure which were not rejected, the Aba branch embarked on several attacks on my person. They appeared to have been emboldened and encouraged by the President who after the NEC meeting, allegedly urged them to ignore the report, a decision he did not take at the NEC meeting over which he

had presided. “In 2006 as 2nd Vice President under Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, Akuro George, Esq. and I, were nominated benchers, after NEC approval. The President then, sent me a letter confirming my nomination. Somehow, there was no space to accommodate two NBA nominees in 2006 and throughout Chief Rotimi Akeredolu’s tenure. However, in this Administration, where I am supposed to be 2nd in command, several vacancies (up to 20) occurred in the Body of Benchers. The President did not deem it fit to re-submit my name. I am therefore praying conference to approve my nomination to the Body of Benchers as approved since 2006 whenever a vacancy exists in the body of Benchers for the NBA to fill. With the above revelations from Ukiri, it was a matter of time before the PH clique would start fighting back. A plan was hatched to exhume an old criminal complaint written to the EFCC by one of Ukiri’s client-Samuel Onowighose. Ukiri had recovered about N35 Million on behalf his client and decided to take his professional fees at source. The client protested that the amount Ukiri deducted was too much and wrote a petition to EFCC in 2007. Ukiri went to court and got a judg5ment ratifying his actions. But in 2012 his traducers struck. On Friday 12th October 2012 they obtained a warrant for the arrest of Ukiri from one Justice U.F Agomo of Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt. Cyprian Amanke is reachable at cy.amanke@rocketmail.com

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

PAGE 15

Achebe, Awolowo & the civil war (I) By Duro Onabule

ars, whether civil or international, are by their very nature, ever unpleasant, leaving in their trail, bitter memories with accounts, personal or official, ever partisan and even if credible, ever liable to be disputed. Every account depends on the author and the critic. There can never be an end to such accounts. Till today, Americans, whose grandparents were not yet born at the time of their country’s civil war, still engage in academic exercise of the war with special focus on their wartime leader, Abraham Lincoln, and the opposite confederals. There are also fresh books on the last two world wars of 1914-1918 and 1939-1945. On the Nigerian civil war, which ended barely 42 years ago, the compelling need for various accounts and observations is, therefore, yet to be exhausted, especially by those who were directly involved or affected. Such accounts are ignoble if they do not generate controversy. The latest is Chinua Achebe’s book titled “There was a country.” Whatever the bad feelings of his critics, Achebe’s reputation, unlike his contemporaries, is that of a

straightforward man. He has never been known to be cowardly, neither does he cringe before nor collaborate with any local or international establishment. Achebe’s character is definite as he does not charade in the day only to be settled at night. The author of the book “There was a country” should therefore be viewed from that angle. Notably, Chinua Achebe faulted one of Nigeria’s founding fathers, Obafemi Awolowo, for acclaiming starvation as a legitimate weapon in a war, specifically, Nigerian civil war. It is, by the way, wrong to accuse Achebe of writing his book over forty years after the civil war ended. Indeed, it will be a surprise if Achebe’s book is the last to be written on the civil war by a Nigerian. Furthermore, Chinua Achebe has never hidden his disagreement with Obafemi Awolowo. In fact, when the latter died in 1987 and was widely attributed as a nationalist, Achebe weighed in with his verdict that Awolowo was a tribalist. How correct is Chinua Achebe in his criticism of Obafemi Awolowo for acclaiming starvation as a weapon in a war? Even if Awolowo was not in the position to effect his belief in

starvation as a weapon during the war, the fact remains that he (Awolowo) publicly took that position and was widely reported in the media in Nigeria and abroad. In fact, years after the war, critics of Awolowo, understandably from the Biafran side, so accused him and he could not deny as the evidence was there. For a devastating effect, Awolowo expressed his view on the starvation controversy as the second (though not necessarily most powerful) man in Nigerian government. As a major figure in Nigerian politics, Awolowo should therefore have counted both the

short and long term omnibus consequences of such controversial views. The higher the position, the more the restraint or responsibilities. It is not as if in any war, starvation does not arise or is not employed by the stronger side to weaken the opponents. With blockade leading to shortages of essential items like food and drugs, surely starvation sets in and the stronger side pretends ignorance of the deteriorating situation on the other. In reality, therefore, starvation becomes a weapon. But such weapon is never officially or

“

Achebe’s character is definite as he does not charade in the day only to be settled at night. The author of the book “There was a country” should therefore be viewed from that angle. Notably, Chinua Achebe faulted one of Nigeria’s founding fathers, Obafemi Awolowo, for acclaiming starvation as a legitimate weapon in a war, specifically, Nigerian civil war

callously acknowledged as a weapon. In the build up to Second World War, German leader Adolph Hitler operated a concentration camp at Dachau under the most inhuman conditions, including starvation, mainly to contain or discourage dissidence at home. When the war began in 1939, Hitler opened another camp at Belsen, mainly for starving hundreds of thousands of Jews and other prisoners of war. But Hitler never officially or publicly hold out starvation as a deliberate or legitimate weapon of war. In Africa, starvation also emerged in civil wars in Congo and Rwanda. And less than twenty years ago during the Bosmian war in the defunct Yugoslavia, starvation and ethnic cleansing resulting in deaths of hundreds of thousands in Srebrenica, alarmed the world, such that culprit Bosnia leaders were later tried at International Criminal Court, Hague for crimes against humanity. Ex-Liberian President Charles Taylor was also tried in the same court for alleged crimes against humanity in the Sierra-Leone civil war. Chief Duro Onabule was the media aide to former President Ibrahim Babangida.

NAFDAC and the burgeoning revisionists By Sufuyan Ojeifo

am still not very sure what the mission of one Bisi Lawrence was in his online piece “The waning glories of NAFDAC” of Monday, October 8. He claimed that since Professor Dora Akunyili stepped down as Director General of the NAFDAC the agency, rather than up the ante of the anti-counterfeit drug war, has been declining in tempo and losing the sharp focus that the prosecution of the war requires. This claim is not only tenuous but also largely laughable; the achievements of NAFDAC under Dr. Paul Botwev Orhii’s leadership are incrementally tangible and visible. I will, very shortly, make a list of these concrete accomplishments in order to put the lie to Lawrence’s claims and vitiate his suspicious motive. But before then, read part of his convoluted positions on NAFDAC after Akunyili’s exit: “...The change at the helm was accomplished (sic) with the usual hoopla that can be produced by those who are professionals at it, and there was the normal eager expectation. “Nothing happened suddenly; in fact, everything appeared to be going at the usual pace. The news of prohibited and unapproved medicines had subsided before Dr. Akunyili withdrew, and nothing occurred to bring it up noticeably again. “But silently, surreptitiously, all sorts of queer medicinal products began to be imported into the country. Vigilance was visibly relaxed, especially at the ports where we only really import, rather than also export products anyway. “The legitimate importers

seemed gradually overshadowed and all sorts of illicit operations became stronger. On the home front too, new medical products were being manufactured freely....” But nothing can be farther from the truth. Contrary to his claims, vigilance and monitoring of the drug manufacturing companies and market in the country have been on the upswing. The importation of drugs, especially from the Asian countries of China and India, has been subjected to extraordinary surveillance since Orhii stepped in the saddle. The anti-counterfeit drug war is ongoing and Orhii, together with his team of committed top management staff members, is expanding the frontiers of introduction of innovative cutting-edge technologies to combat the scourge. So, if Lawrence’s motive was to play the revisionist, he must be reminded that he is dealing with an enlightened crop of Nigerian online media readers who have demonstrated capacity to independently search out the truths and relate with them in accordance. He embarked on a fruitless voyage to pooh-pooh the silent revolution at NAFDAC. He would want us to believe that the agency has not witnessed any progress under Orhii. Nevertheless, while not denying Lawrence the luxury of his jaundiced opinion, I must bind his conscience to the necessity of the sacredness of facts: the fact of greater performance, devoid of the sound and fury, nay the razzmatazz, which characterised the Akunyili era as NAFDAC DG. The facts, as they say, in legal parlance, speak for themselves (res ipsa loquitor) under the Orhii leadership. It is a fact that the pioneer NAFDAC DG, Professor Gabriel

Osuide (1994-2000) prepared the blueprint that guided the agency’s functions. Akunyili (2001-2008) set in motion a series of advocacy and enforcement activities in NAFDAC and built on the foundation to greatness which Osuide laid. Orhii who stepped in the saddle in 2009 has continued the good work. Why did Lawrence choose to wrongly take on Orhii? While many Nigerians have not forgotten the raw battle (including the sound and fury of the furnace that consumed fake drugs) that Akunyili took to the domains of the notorious drug marketers in Kano, Aba and Onitsha; and the reported attempt on her life, many cannot forget that Orhii has also had a similar experience when, in early 2011, he had an encounter with gunmen when his entourage was returning from an assignment in Benue State. It is instructive to point out that both Akunyili and Orhii’s commitment to the anti-counterfeit drug war is absolute, but their divergence would appear to be in their approach. Orhii has been prosecuting the war differently from Akunyili by using cutting-edge technologies. NAFDAC, under Orhii’s watch, is the first medicines regulatory authority to deploy and use a hand held device (Truscan) with resounding success at borders in the country to detect counterfeit medicines on the spot. The products do not have to find their way into the country before they are tracked. It is also a fact that the agency launched the world’s first anticounterfeiting Mobile Authentication Message (MAS), using Short Message Service (SMS) for end-patient regulated medication authentication. This technology has put the power of detecting counterfeit

regulated products in the hands of the more than 60 million Nigerian cell phone users, thus enlisting them in the battle against counterfeiting. In addition to the Black Eye, which is another technology deployed to screen many drug samples simultaneously, the agency has also launched the Radio frequency Identification (RFID) System for verification of regulated products and documents. The system, as confirmed, has the potential to enable, track and trace regulated products and prevent forgery of sensitive documents. The use of these technologies has earned NAFDAC global rave review and consequent upon which the agency has maintained its global leadership role as one of the top 18 medicine regulatory agencies in the world. To strengthen the anti-fake drug war, the agency is currently seeking to undertake a review of its laws to impose life-term jail, confiscation of assets upon conviction and compensation for victims where the counterfeit product is found to be the proximate cause of death or severe bodily injury of the victims. The law also seeks to make this an offence that does not merit bail. There are also credible reports about improved international collaborations that have led to a number of remarkable achievements. Such collaborations had led to the Indian Parliament enacting, for the first time, a law making it a criminal offence punishable by life imprisonment the manufacture and distribution of fake pharmaceutical products. It was, in fact, on account of such collaborations that the Chinese government prosecuted and sentenced to death six of its citizens

involved in the manufacture of fake drugs that were brought into Nigeria in 2009. Besides, NAFDAC was made the Vice Chairman of the International Medical Products Anticounterfeiting Taskforce (IMPACT), an international coalition established by the World Health organisation (WHO). The taskforce is made up of 193 WHO member states on voluntary basis and other stakeholders involved in medicines regulation such as the World Customs Organisation, INTERPOL, Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), among others. NAFDAC, in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and the National Fortification Alliance (NFA) had reportedly established and commissioned the first Vitamin A Fortification Plant in Yola, Adamawa State. There are other recorded achievements. There is no doubt that enlightened Nigerians would be at pains to grapple with the illconcocted treatise of Lawrence for its out-and-out malice. It is not possible that well-meaning individuals would harbor bad faith the way Lawrence has done in spite of the body of great accomplishments that NAFDAC has recorded under Orhii’s leadership. But while it would not be in apple-pie order to deny him the right to hold personal opinion, perhaps for some pecuniary motive, it is demonstrably unfair of him to lend his thoughts to the promotion of falsehood over facts. Sufuyan Ojeifo is an Abujabased journalist.

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

Woman wants court to dissolve 7-yr-old marriage A

business woman, Mrs Aboyewa Owamiyemi has dragged her husband, a former banker, to the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) High Court in Lugbe, asking for the dissolution of their seven-year-old marriage. Aboyewa also requested the court to compel her husband to make concrete financial commitment for the upkeep of their three children, aged 11, 10 and seven. Both husband and wife agreed on the marriage dissolution, having

lived apart for the past three years but the issue of the upkeep of the children remained unresolved. The Judge, Justice Angela Otaluka, however, refused to grant the divorce, pending the resolution of the upkeep of the kids. “How I wish that the two of you can get back and train the children together, this is very unfortunate,” Otaluka lamented. “My lord, I can’t put up with his physical abuses and other misdemeanours,’’ Aboyewa, stated.

When asked by the judge to make a concrete commitment as to how much money he could afford to be giving his wife for his children’s school fees, feeding and other responsibilities, the husband, John Owamiyemi, declined. “My lord, it is not as if I am an irresponsible father. I don’t want to make a commitment now in court and later fail to fulfil it. My children were schooling in an American school and I was paying their fees in dollars. But now things have changed.

A woman on the move with empty bottled water containers in Utako, Abuja, recently.

“I left my banking job as an assistant general manager and went into car importation business but my cargo was involved in a shipwreck and I lost everything, so I am just trying to get myself together. “Meanwhile, my lord, let her take care of the children with the income from the filling station that she owns, the money for which I gave her when the going was good,’’ the husband added. Otaluka adjourned the matter to January 22, 2013 for judgement. (NAN)

Photo: Miriam Humbe

Court sentences driver to one month imprisonment for reckless driving

n Abuja Magistrates Court yesterday sentenced a driver, Olanrewaju Adekunle of Karimo in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) to one month imprisonment for causing accident through reckless driving. The Police Prosecutor, Mr Buba Irimiya, told the court that on July 30, 2012 one Yakubu Isa of Kubwa, Abuja, reported the case at the Wuse Police Station. Irimiya said the accused drove

a car with registration number ES927APP along the Nnamdi Azikwe Express way without due care and attention and having no regards to other road users. The prosecutor said that as a result of the reckless driving, the accused damaged the complainant’s Golf vehicle, with registration number ABC 956 AA. He said that the offence contravenes the provisions of Sections 28 and 29 of the Road

Traffic Act. The accused pleaded guilty, describing his action as a mistake. “The Golf car was parked at Zone 7 Motor Park but immediately I drove close to him, he started moving and I could not control myself at the time I got to his side. “I was unconscious in the hospital for days and spent all the money I had on hospital bill, that was why I could not repair his damaged vehicle,” he told the

court. The Magistrate, Mr Musa Jobbo, said that the accused appeared remorseful but must be punished to prevent him from causing more havoc to other road users. Jobbo sentenced him to one month imprisonment with an option of fine of N1,000. He also ordered that he should pay for the cost of the damaged vehicle. (NAN)

Ezekwesili tasks FCT students, others on hard work By Adeola Tukuru

he Senior Economic Adviser, Soros Foundation Africa Economic Policy Development Initiative , Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili has students in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and others across the country to cultivate the habit of hard work. Dr Ezekwesili, who also chaired the occasion, Nigeria of My Dream, with theme: ‘A re-orientation programme for children and youths to mark Nigeria’s 52nd Independence Anniversary, yesterday in Abuja noted that only those who are hard working could excel in life. She emphasised that “Hard work is imperative for students who want to excel in their studies. This is the only way we can build a great nation and so you students should put extra effort in everything you do including your studies for you to be a virtue of dignity and honour”. Continuing, she added: “The Nigeria of my dream is where there is freedom, justice integrity, nobility and equity. It is where every child can have an equitable opportunity to be the best through hard work”. Also in her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Cynosure Communications Limited, Mrs. Ngozi Nd-Alichi said the aim of the programme was to provide a platform for rekindling hope in our nationhood, focusing on our children in primary and secondary schools, who are the hope of this country. “Their minds are yet pure and uncorrupted, full of passion and dreams for the future and often not given an opportunity for expression. Whereas the adults are progressively losing hope and becoming bemused about the prospects of the survival of our country, these young minds are full of hopes and burn with unimaginable passion that is free from the biases of our chequered realities,” she said. The CEO also lauded schools in the FCT for their response to the programme, adding that Cynosure communication wish to make their modest contribution in a needed but targeted national rebirth process focusing on the young people in the secondary and primary schools.

Expert in Gwagwalada advocates regular hand washing By Adeola Tukuru

he Head of Department of Family Medicine, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Dr Nicholas Baamlong has called for regular hand washing to reduce infections transmission in the country. Baamlong made the call in Gwagwalada at the just concluded opening ceremony of 2012 Global

Hand washing Day organized by Infection Prevention and Control Committee (IPCC) of UATH. He explained that the event was organized to sensitize the public on the importance of hand washing with respect to transmission of infection in hospitals and communities. The expert said visitation of schools to sensitize students on the importance of hand washing was part of the program lined up for

the Global Hand Washing Day celebration. He said the choice of schools for the campaigned followed the fact that it was the first point of contact to the communities adding, once the students are aware, it becomes easier to educate the communities. ”The students takes the message home and when the home is aware of the need to regularly wash hands, the work become easier and the society becomes free

from infection transmission,” he said. He commended UATH management for its efforts in ensuring that water was made available in every part of the hospital to enhance regular hand washing within the hospital. Baamlong said plans have been concluded by the hospital to collaborate with organizations towards ensuring that hand sanitizers were regularly made

available to make the hospital a hand hygiene friendly hospital. Earlier, Prof. Bassey Ubom of the University of Abuja and guest speaker at the ceremony had called for regular washing particularly before meals, after sneezing and after toilet. He said the adoption of best practices in hand hygiene would no doubt reduce incidences of infection transmission in the society.

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

NGO to award scholarship, other gift items to orphans By Josephine Ella

hree orphans are to be included in the scholarship list of an Abuja based nongovernmental organisation (NGO), Helpline Foundation while many others are be offered food, clothing and other gift items. The event which would usher in these gestures according to the President of the Foundation, Mrs. Jumai Ahmadu, is its 2012 Charity Funfair for orphans, widows and the less privileged in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Mrs. Ahmadu told journalists yesterday that the organisation had concluded plans to the embark on clearance sales at its Charity Shop in Kuje Area Council tomorrow and a charity funfair on 20th October, 2012. She also revealed that the sale is to enable the foundation raise funds to empower widows as well as pay school fees for the over 100 children under the foundation’s scholarship scheme for children orphaned by HIV/AIDS and some other vulnerable children. The event according to her, would be chaired by the Wife of Kuje Area Council Chairman, Mrs. Paulina Etsu Zhin, pointing out that the climax of the year’s event will be a charity funfair. ”We have concluded plans to assist the orphans and widows in our amidst. The event by the grace of God will take place on Friday, 10th October in our Charity shop

located at Kuje Area Council and the climax of this year event is a charity funfair to host our target group (widows and orphans in the FCT) at the Millennium Park Abuja as a demonstration of our love to these vulnerable people in our midst,” Mrs. Ahmadu

stressed. She listed other events lined up for the programme to include Contest, Best Mum Contest , Quiz Competition, 2012 Little Miss Charity Beauty to identify three orphans to be included on the scholarship list and distribution of

clothing and food items. She called on well meaning Nigerians to support the Foundation by donating items such as food, cloth for both children and adults, gift items, prizes and sponsorship, even as she solicit the support of the media

By Josephine Ella

A wheelbarrow pusher on the job in Kubwa.

Photo: Adeola Tukuru

FCTA seals buildings over non-payment of N1.5b in contravention charges

he Department of Development Control Department of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Wednesday in Abuja sealed some commercial buildings, saying that business operators in the buildings refused to pay “land use contravention charges,” totalling N1.5 billion. Assistant Director, Land Use Contravention Unit of the

department, Mr Gabriel Ogunkuade, revealed this when he spoke with reporters after the exercise. “The buildings were meant for residential and not for commercial purposes, we are charging them this money to discourage them from using these buildings. “We discovered that in spite of the charges to discourage them from using the premises, they

continued to expand and also refused to pay the contravention charges,’’ he said. He said that the claim by some of the business operators that the buildings were sealed without notice was false, saying that enough notice was given to the business operators. Ogunkuade said that money generated from the contravention charges was usually paid into the

account of the FCT. He urged Nigerians to respect constituted authorities and to obey the Land Use Act, warning that “anyone who removes the seal and padlock from the buildings would be prosecuted. Some of the business operators in the buildings pleaded with the FCT Administration for more time, to enable them pay the charges. (NAN)

Dakwa villagers appeal for hospital By Usman Shuaibu

he village head of Dakwa in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Alhassan Musa Baba Chukuri, has called on the area council Chairman, Hon. Peter Yohanna Ushefa to build a standard hospital to prevent the residents from travelling out to neighbouring towns for medical attention. He also urged him to rehabilitate roads in the area, especially the road linking Abuja-Kaduna Expressway. Baba Chukuri, who made the call in all interview with Peoples Daily in his palace in Dakwa, alleged that there was no meaningful project being

Gwarimpa Hospital commissions Medical Imaging Unit

carried out by the present administration of the council in the area. He urged the Bwari council boss to re-double his effort towards providing social amenities for the people so that they could feel the impact of the

government close to them. He explained that the major problem confronting the people was portable drinking water as well as electricity and begged the chairman to sink boreholes and as well provide transformers for the inhabitants.

He said that his administration would continue to co-operate with the government of Bwari for rapid development of the area. Baba Chukuri also appealed to the chairman to focus on the grassroots development.

esidents of Gwarimpa, who have had to visit other district hospitals in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) for X-ray investigations can now heave a sigh of relive as the Health and Human Services Secretariat of the FCT has commissioned an Ultra-Modern Medical Imaging unit in Gwarimpa Hospital. Speaking during the commissioning, the Secretary for Health and Human Services, Dr. Demola Onakomaiya said before now, patients requiring x-ray investigations in the area were sent mainly to Wuse General Hospitals with the attendant loss of time and many of these patients do not return. He said ”the REACH HIV/ AIDS reach initiative started here(the hospital) has caused a sharp rise in the number of patients with severe chest infections especially pulmonary tuberculosis. Also many express roads around the hospital has been feeding the hospital with many trauma case, many with broken bones”. However, he said the X-ray machine would help to reduce the morbidity and mortality of such patients. He said the provision of the unit in the hospital was a clear demonstration of government’s commitment to the health care needs of the Gwarimpa community. This was as he expressed confidence that the patients, the clinicians, the hospital and the populace of FCT would be positively impacted by the services of the unit. In a remark, the Medical Director of the Hospital, Anthony Momoh, who stated that the hospital has passed through a lot of transformational upgrading, commended the efforts of the Secretariat in uplifting the stratum of the health institution from where it is presently. He assured that with suitable, qualified and experienced staff, the hospital is poised to serve the community and by extension the general populace with the available modalities while looking forward to the acquisition of more modalities and staff, especially imaging scientists.

Sallah: 25 artists to host Abuja residents on comedy talent hunt

o fewer than 25 artists are to participate in the Abuja comedy talent hunt during Sallah break, organisers of the event said in Abuja. The Managing Director of Bebiem Entertainment, Mr Nick Bebiem, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the event, tagged: “Abuja Comedy Assembly’’, was designed to

harness talents among the youths. He said that during the maiden edition of the event scheduled for October 28, 2012, the artists would entertain residents of Abuja and its environs with jokes, drama presentations and musical performances. “The event intends to promote talents through comedy, jokes and musical performances. No

fewer than 25 artists are coming together under one umbrella to showcase their talents,” he said. Bebiem said that the event would also serve as a good recipe for relaxation and recreation during the Sallah break. He added the event, which would subsequently run on monthly basis would engage youth in meaningful activities as

well as keep them away from violence. He added that laughter, a major component of the event, was crucial to the reduction of stress. Kelvin Pam of the Big Brother Africa, Ghana Must Go, Youngest old man, I Go Save and God Mouth are some of the artists expected to feature in the event. (NAN)

BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

Email: aminuimam@yahoo.co.uk

PAGE 19

INSIDE

- Pg 20

Unity Bank rewards another customer with a car

Mob: 08033644990

CBN says it is determined to attain cashless system T

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says it is poised to develop and implement its cash-less policy. Mr Tunde Lemo, CBN Deputy Governor (Operations), made the promise in Lagos yesterday

FG issues N75 bn in bonds, yields up slightly

at a conference organised by the Businessday Newspapers. The conference had the theme: “Mobile Technology and the Future of Cash-less Initiative in Nigeria”. Lemo said that full implementation of the cashless policy would require the cooperation of other stakeholders in the financial sector to succeed. He said that the apex bank would ensure that the nation’s

payment system improved and contributed to economic and social development. “The CBN, through the implementation of its cash-less policy, will be better equipped to effectively manage Nigeria’s monetary system. “A more effective payment system will boost efficiency and enthrone transparency for both the private and public sectors. “It will lead to increased

consumer trust in our monetary system,” he said. Lemo said that the cash-less policy would complement CBN’s policies on interest and inflation management, legal tender issuance and monetary system management. He said the policy, when implemented nationwide, would also provide the much needed empowerment to small businesses, entrepreneurs and

cooperatives. “Initially, people thought that the emergence of a cashless society is not attainable. “But, today, our society is voluntarily transiting into a cashless system. “We are witnessing this transition in varying degrees from Europe to America, Asia, the Pacific Regions, Africa, Middle East and the world over,” Lemo said. (NAN)

he federal government has sold 75 billion naira ($476.10 million) worth of 5-, 7- and 10year sovereign bonds maturing in 2017, 2019 and 2022 at an auction with yields inching up by just more than 70 basis points. Nigeria, sub-Saharan Africa’s second biggest bond market was included in the JP Morgan’s Government Bond Index for emerging markets (GBI-EM) on Oct. 1, spurring an initial rapid fall in yields in local bond as investors took positions. The inclusion in the JP Morgan index is expected to attract about $1.5 billion in offshore investment in the local bond market, the bank says. Nigeria sold 15 billion naira in the 5-year bond at 13.68 percent, compared with 12.93 percent last month, and 30 billion naira apiece in the 7year and 10-year bond at 13.74 percent and 13.50 percent, respectively. The 7-year bond was issued at 12.90 percent previously, while the debt office issued the 10-year note at 15.90 percent at the August auction, the last time it was issued. Traders said a more than 300 basis point fall in yields last month provided an opportunity for many investors to sell, pushing yields back up. Total subscription for the notes stood at 144.32 billion naira compared with 82.94 billion naira last month. Africa’s second-biggest economy issues sovereign bonds monthly to support the local bond market, create a benchmark for corporate issuance and fund its budget deficit. ($1 = 157.53 naira) (Reuters)

L-R: Gombe state Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo, in a handshake with President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Mr. Adedoyin Owolabi, during the close of ICAN's 42nd annual conference, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: NAN

ICAN pledges moral support to CBN, BPP others By Abdulwahab Isa

nstitute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, has pledged to support financial institutions such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Budget Office, and Bureau of Public

Procurement (BPP) in the quest to realise their mandate and objectives of economic transformation. According to him, the realization of the Nigerian dream is inextricably bound to the degree of premium placed on the building of strong and

enduring institutions which can define, regulate and enforce compliance to acceptable practices for the common good. He gave assurance that accountants would live up to and surpass societal expectations and continue to

Management Tip of the Day

Start your new job the right way

new job is stressful. You're not sure what's expected of you or how to prove yourself. Here are three things you can do to increase your chances of success: Plan your own onboarding process. Take responsibility for learning what you need to. Work with your

manager to identify people you should get to know, locations you should visit, and products and services you should be familiar with. Give advice. Because you're still technically an outsider, offer your perspective on how the business is run and the key challenges it faces. Do this in a

humble way so as not to offend. Get an early win. Set one or two short-term goals that you can achieve early on. These should stem from your unique perspective and experience. Source: Harvard Business Review

support institutions of government that have critical roles to play in the economy. ”We would continue to engage the government and its leadership in order to give appropriate professional direction to public policies in order to fasttrack the process of natural development” he said. Also in his remarks, Governor Ibrahim Dakwambo of Gombe state, urged professionals to develop interest in politics so as to move the nation forward. “It is not time for us to be sitting and clapping on popular issues while putting the blame on others. We have the chance and the opportunity to contribute and should not shy away from governance. With people like us, we can reverse the trend in what is happening in Nigeria” he said.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS Fuel Subsidy Fraud

he House of Representatives has called upon subsidyentwined firms to give account on how they managed the subsidy bridging funds. A total number of 42 oilmarketing firms have been summoned by the house through its Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) and investigations have already commenced. The house invited the following, Honeywell Energy, MRS Oil Nig. Ltd, Rahamaniyya, Sahara Energy Resources Ltd, A. A. Rano Nig. Limited, ACORN, LUBCON Ltd, Knight Bridge, Channel Oil & Petroleum Ltd, Dee Jones Petroleum & Gas Ltd, and IMAD Oil & Gas Ltd.

World Standards Day: Nigeria losing out Stories by Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

s Nigeria joined other countries in the world to celebrate 2012 World Standards Day last week, strong indication emerged the nation is losing its economy to products faking and counterfeiting. According to Peoples Daily’s investigation more fake products from Asian countries still find their ways into the country on a daily basis. Nigeria is perceived to be

leading the pack of substandard products influx and a destination for substandard products. Experts say more than half of products in the market are substandard with research pointing that, only 20 percent of products in Ghana and Cote D’ Ivory are substandard, while Kenya has about 35% of products in its market not meeting standard. A survey conducted by the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) to find out the level of

substandard products in the country showed that over 80% of the products in circulation in 2011 (Q2) were substandard, the agency however claim to have reduced it to 60% this year . The Federal Government had set up the SON in 1971 to regulate standard of products in the country. Analysts however say the failure of the agency over the years is responsible for the trend. An importer Micheal Uduwaka cited porous borders

Zenith

enith Bank Plc last Thursday flung the General Manager, Human Resources of the bank, Mrs. Obi Ibekwe, to Coker Zonal office to head marketing operations, a move that left staff of the bank bewildered. The redeployment, which bank insiders agreed is purely punitive, was meant to shove her out of the way to enable the bank implement some unwholesome human resources policies. Specifically, she opposed the recent gale of sacks by the bank and the on-going recruitment of degree holders as contract staff.

Skye Bank

kye Bank with foreign subsidiaries in Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Guinea, announced its unaudited third quarter results. Following the release of results, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO) of Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti, stated that: “We recorded an improved performance in Q3 2012, considering our 28% growth in gross earnings, from N73.29 billion in September 2011 to N94.13 billion; and profit before tax growth of 45%, at N16.55 billion (cf. N11.38 billion in the corresponding period last year).

Unemployment

ver reliance on crude oil is said to be the cause of unemployment, poverty, kidnapping, militancy, and terrorism in the country. The declaration was made by the Chief Executive Officer, Koinonia Ventures Limited Femi Boyede, he said, Nigerians are suffering because the nation has relied too much on oil.

Winner, Unity Bank Savings Promo, 1st from left, Mary Iruafemi rejoice on receiving the car. While Chief Amos Osunbor looks on

Unity Bank rewards another customer with a car

nity bank Plc has continued to make good its promise to reward its customers as it gave out the third car to another customer in Benin, Edo State. One of the cars was given out in July and the remaining two this month. The latest recipient, a school teacher, Miss Mary Iruafemi in Afuze, was one of the two star prize winners in the bank’s Savings Promotion known as Aim, Save & Win determined at a draw held in Lagos last month. Miss Iruafemi like the other winner, Abubakar Tata Usman was not present at the venue of the draw on the date.

The bank had last Tuesday in Hadeja, Jigawa State presented one of the cars to the winner, Abubakar Usman. Making the presentation recently the Zonal Head of Unity bank Plc, South, Mrs. Patricia Nwaiwu said the presentation was a validation of the bank’s commitment to integrity in the delivery of its services. Mrs. Nwaiwu remarked that the bank was making every effort to improve its services and to stand by its customers all the time whom she described as the reason for the existence of the bank.

She was assisted in the presentation held at the bank’s regional office in Benin by the Edo State Commissioner for Finance, John Inegbedion and a Bini High Chief, Amos Osunbor, the Eson of Benin. Responding after receiving the keys and documents of the Hyudai Verna car, Miss Iruafemi said winning the car was a surprise to her indicating that on the receipt of the news,, “I asked the official of the bank that spoke to me how much more money I should be contributing but was overwhelmed by joy when she confirmed it was free.”

Subscribers take on NCC for mis conduct by operators By Chris Alu

consumer advocacy group — Consumers E m p o w e r m e n t Organization of Nigeria (CEON), has petitioned Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for anti-competitive conducts against Airtel, Glo and MTN, Nigeria’s for services reservations and discriminations In a complaint addressed to Dr. Eugene Juwah, Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, titled “Request for Investigation” the group requested the Commission to commence investigation to determine if the GSM service

providers are engaging in “concerted practices” in collectively discriminating in providing access to their networks’ infrastructure to competing Mobile Content Service Providers (MCSPs). They also asked the commission to find out whether the operators are abusing their dominant positions in the market for access to 2G and 2.5G mobile network infrastructure by discriminating in the provision of access to their mobile network infrastructure to competing MCSPs. Adedeji Babatude, coordinator of the group, who signed the compliant letter, said

that such discriminatory conduct by the named GSM operators is capable of distorting competition in the Mobile Content Applications space through constraining the choice of consumers as well as retarding innovation. The group is also urging the NCC to invoked Section 1 of the Competition Practice Regulation 2007. Under the Regulation, NCC in considering whether an investigation is expected to issue a written notice to the parties, identifying whether it will take action, the specific action to be taken and the basis for its decision within thirty days of submission of the complaint by CEON.

and corruption in the country as playing a role. “Nigeria is very much attractive to substandard products due to it porous borders, corruption in relevant agencies saddled with responsibility to protect consumers from substandard in the country,” he said. Uduwaka blamed the arrival of tokunbo vehicles, electronics and sundry wares has from other west Africa countries for flourishing substandard market in Nigeria. He argued that “ records show that while more than 80 percent of goods consumed in Nigeria is imported, less than 20 percent of goods consumed in the United States is imported, which makes it far easier to control influx of such fake and substandard products.” The Director General of SON, Mr. Joseph Odumodu, on his part accused the Republic of China of leading the countries the number of countries shipping adulterated products to Nigeria. He said due to high level of influx of fake products from China, SON had a meeting with the Chinese standards organization supervising imports and exports but the organization was not supportive in its effort .

2013 Budget will help reduce credit risk’- Economist

he Executive Director, African Institute for Applied Economics (AIAE), Dr Ifediora Amobi, has applauded the N4.93 trillion budget presentation of President Goodluck Jonathan, describing it as one that would help reduce credit risk which will benefit the manufacturing sector of the economy. Dr. Amobi however expressed concern over government’s silence on specific areas like poverty alleviation programmes in 2013 and its plans to reduce the $5.9 billion external debt. Amobi in a statement said a key aspect of the 2013 budget was the introduction of the N100 billion Sinking Fund to service debt obligations as they mature. “This is good and will also help reduce Nigeria’s credit risk. A poser would be whether the fund would be interest-bearing. “The 2013 budget proposal presented by President Goodluck Jonathan was a breath of fresh air. From the key sectoral allocations, particularly in defense and police, it showed that government is sensitive and cares for the safety of the people. If implemented properly; the budget will not only shrink the fiscal deficit by almost 0.7 per cent from 2012, but will also increase capital expenditure in 2013 by 2.8 per cent. Noteworthy is government’s ability to remarkably reduce significantly the provision for domestic borrowing in 2013.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

PAGE 21

Taxpayer Identification Number - T.I.N. (1) TIN Structure and Administration

he TIN is a 14-digit number with the f o l l o w i n g characteristics: •The first part of the number which is 10 digits is reserved for the taxpayer •The second part of the number which is 4 digits is reserved for the branch office(s) of the same taxpayer. A taxpayer could have several branch offices and only the last 4 digits would be changing for every branch

•The TIN is centrally and uniquely generated sequential number by the system with the 10th digit being the check digit •The TIN is unique to every taxpayer, therefore, no duplicates •The TIN ensures that a taxpayer is uniquely identified in all tax offices •The TIN is assigned when a new company registers for tax payments in any office •The TIN is generated upon the capturing of the taxpayer’s details into the Web portal by the registration officer. These details must include the

taxpayer unique identifier which is either RC no or Enterprise number. It is also mandatory to provide a valid email address and no GSM during registration What is T. I. N.? T.I.N. means Taxpayer Identification Number. It is a unique number that is electronically assigned to all corporate and individual taxpayers. It is a unique 14 digit sequential number which is generated electronically as part of the registration process and assigned to a taxpayer for the purpose of identification of

the taxpayer. TIN Data Capture Requirement Corporate Bodies · RC no, · Name, · Addresses (business & registered), · Date of incorporation & · Line of business · GSM No · Email Address TIN Data Capture Requirement -Individuals -Name, -Addresses (Residential &

employment), -ID type e.g. National Identity Card, National Drivers License, Staff ID, Intl Passport, etc • ID no • Date (of employment, on NDL, Passport, etc) • GSM No • Valid email address TIN Data Capture Requirement Special entities like NGOs, Trade Unions, etc -Name, -Addresses, -Special ref no, -Date of registration & -Line of business

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

PAGE 22

Meet Mansa Musa 1 of Mali

hen we think of the world’s alltime richest people, names like Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and John D Rockefeller immediately come to mind. But few would have thought, or even heard of, Mansa Musa I of Mali – the obscure 14th century African king who was today named the richest person in all history. With inflation adjusted fortune of $400 billion, Mansa Musa I would have been considerably richer than the world’s current richest man, Carlos Slim, who ranks in 22nd place with a relatively paltry $68 billion. The list, compiled by the Celebrity Net Worth website, ranks the world’s 24 richest people of all time. The list advertises itself as the top 25, but 26 names appear in the list. Although the list spans 1000 years, some aspects of wealth appear consistent throughout history; there are no women on the list, only three members are alive

. . .richest human being in all history

Mansa Musa I, (Ruler of Malian Empire) today, and 14 of the top 25 are American. The list uses the annual 2199.6 per cent rate of inflation to adjust historic fortunes – a formula that means $100 million in 1913 would be equal to £2.299.63 billion today. Mansa Musa I ruled

West Africa’s Malian Empire in the early 1300s, making his fortune by exploiting his country’s salt and gold production. Many mosques he built as a young man still stand today. After Mansa Musa I death in 1331, however,

his heirs were unable to hang on to the fortune, and it was substantially depleted by civil wars and invading armies. Second on the list are the Rothschild family , whose descendants are still among the richest people on the planet. Starting out in banking in the late 18th Century, Mayer Amschel Rothschild’s finance house accumulated a total wealth of $350 billion. The money has since been divided between hundreds of descendants, many of whom are business leaders today. Meanwhile John D. Rockefeller, third on the list, is the richest American to have ever lived, worth $340billion in today’s USD at the time of his death in 1937. In comparison, the poorest man on the list is 82-year-old Warren Buffett, who at his peak net worth, before he started giving his fortune to charity, was $64billion.

Bill Gates

Here’s the full list of the ‘26 richest people of all time’: 1. Mansa Musa I, (Ruler of Malian Empire, 12802. Rothschild Family (banking dynasty, 1740-) 3. John D Rockefeller (industrialist, 1839-1937) 4. Andrew Carnegie (industrialist, 1835-1919) 5. Tsar Nicholas II of Russia (last Emperor of Russia, 1868-1918) 6. Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII (last ruler of Hyderabad, 1886-1967) 7. William the Conqueror (King of England, 1028-1087) 8. Muammar Gaddafi (former Libyan leader, 1942-2011) 9. Henry Ford (Ford Motor Company founder, 1863-1947) 10. Cornelius Vanderbilt (industrialist, 1794-1877) 11. Alan Rufus (Fighting companion of William the Conqueror, 1040-1093) 12. Bill Gates (Founder of Microsoft, 1955- ) 13. William de Warenne, 1st Earl of Surrey (Norman nobleman, ??-1088) 14. John Jacob Astor (businessman, 1864-1912) 15. Richard Fitzalan, 10th Earl of Arundel (English nobleman, 1306-1376) 16. John of Gaunt (son of Edward III, 1330-1399) 17. Stephen Girard (shipping and banking mogul, 1750-1831) 18. Alexander Turney Stewart (entrepreneur, 1803-1876) 19. Henry, 1st Duke of Lancaster (English noble, 1310-1361) 20. Friedrich Weyerhaeuser (timber mogul, 1834-1914) 21. Jay Gould (railroad tycoon, 1836-1892) 22. Carlos Slim (business magnate, 1940- ) 23. Stephen Van Rensselaer (land owner, 1764- 1839) 24. Marshall Field (Marshall Field & Company founder, 1834-1906) 25. Sam Walton (Walmart founder, 1918-1992) 26. Warren Buffett (investor, 1930- )

1331) $400 billion $350 billion $340 billion $310 billion $300 billion $236 billion $229.5 billion $200 billion $199 billion $185 billion $178.65 billion $136 billion $146.13 billion $121 billion £118.6 billion £110 billion $105 billion $90 billion $85.1 billion $80 billion $71 billion $68 billion $68 billion $66 billion $65billion $64billion.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

PAGE 24

PAGE 25

Nigeria: Military’s heavy handedness may strengthen Boko Haram insurgency A military crackdown across the country has halted Boko Haram for now, but as the army campaign intensifies it is likely to fan popular anger in the northern part of the country that could ultimately make the sect’s 3-year-old insurgency stronger. The group remains the top security threat in the country and Western powers are worried about its growing links to more fiercely antiWestern groups in the region, Reuters reports.

t least 2,800 people have died in fighting since the insurrection began, Human Rights Watch said on Thursday, October 11. Nigerian soldiers and police have swept through the largely Muslim north in past weeks, raiding suspected

IGP Mohammed Abubakar

Islamist hideouts, seizing weapons and killing or arresting scores of suspects. Last month, they intercepted a vehicle carrying the sect’s spokesman and ideologue, Abu Qaqa, whom they said they killed in a shootout,

although its leader Abubakar Shekau said Qaqa was captured alive. Better policing of roads and around targets such as churches has reduced the number of deadly bomb attacks, and there has been no repeat of anything as

coordinated as the strike on the north’s main city of Kano in January that killed 186 people. “A series of tactical setbacks against Boko Haram have helped to contain the militancy,” said Roddy Barclay, Africa analyst at Control Risks. “But they won’t bring an end to it, since they still don’t address the core drivers.” Those drivers include a deep-rooted feeling of alienation among northerners, who have watched their semi-arid region stagnate while the oilrich south enjoys relative prosperity. They also include a burning sense of injustice among Boko Haram’s members, who say their Salafist clerical movement was wrongly persecuted by the authorities in 2009. Then, Nigerian troops killed hundreds during an uprising, including sect founder Mohammed Yusuf, who died in police custody. President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, seen by northerners as the most southern-Christian dominated in decades, is no less an obstacle. Boko Haram are fighting to revive an ancient Islamic caliphate in modern Nigeria, but many of their supporters might settle for a greater share of power for Muslim northerners in office. The United States, worried that Boko Haram’s fraternising with other jihaidist groups like al Qaeda could lead it to shift its focus to Western targets, has heaped pressure on Nigeria to tackle the root causes of the

The Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Chief Ola Ibrahim

NSA Sambo Dasuki rebellion, with limited results. “More harmful than Boko Haram” A security raid on Monday, October 8, gave a taste of how Nigeria’s pursuit of a military solution to the conflict could backfire. After a bomb blast struck an army convoy passing through Maiduguri — a dusty, bullet-ridden northeastern city on the threshold of the Sahara and the sect’s official headquarters — soldiers raided homes, shot people and burned down buildings in revenge attacks that left at least 35 dead. “The soldiers are causing more harm than Boko Haram,” said Hajiya Amina Tole, furious after seeing her house razed. “By the time they leave, our daughters will have no husbands to marry: most young men would have been killed by the military. Yusuf Ahmed said he watched four of his friends executed in the raid and saw

his family home destroyed. “If I join Boko Haram now, won’t I be justified?” he asked. Lieutenant-Colonel Sagir Musa, spokesman for joint army and police forces in the northeast, denied extrajudicial killings, and said security efforts had brought relative peace. But analysts say they may be counterproductive longer term. “With the government’s extremely heavy-handed approach ... you have to wonder what the consequences will be in terms of acquiescence or support for Boko Haram,” said John Campbell, who was U.S. ambassador to Nigeria from 2004 to 2007. “It may have a temporary impact, but without any kind of political process, the lull won’t be anything more than a lull.” Concentrated mainly in northern Nigerian, Boko Haram became active in about 2003 and is loosely modelled on the Taliban

movement in Afghanistan. It considers all who do not follow its strict ideology as infidels, whether Christian or Muslim, and its followers wear bushy beards and red or black headscarves. Nigerian authorities assumed it was finished after the 2009 crackdown. Instead, it morphed from a radical clerical movement opposed to Western culture

into a fully-fledged armed rebellion. “You’re dealing with a guerrilla force that withdraws when the odds are against it but then resurfaces when the pressure eases off,” said Shehu Sani, president of the Civil Rights Congress, a group calling for dialogue to resolve the crisis. “They’ve been written off before, only to come back.”

“

It may have a temporary impact, but without any kind of political process, the lull won’t be anything more than a lull Late Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf

“Like an amoeba” If a military solution to the conflict is well nigh impossible, a political one is still a tall order. Shekau’s published demands include full implementation of Sharia or Islamic law in the north and a release of Boko Haram prisoners, things to which the government is unlikely to agree. “That type of amnesty deal

doesn’t seem like it’s even close to happening,” said Jacob Zenn of the Washington-based Jamestown Foundation. “And it doesn’t even seem like the religious figures are willing to implement the greater Sharia that he wants.” He suggested it might take until the next election in 2015, in which if a Muslim

northerner became president, it could address some of the militants’ political grievances. Security sources believe Shekau’s faction is the most hardline, but there may be others even more extreme, including smaller cells with links with global jihadists like al-Qaeda’s north African wing, currently spread over the Sahara. Boko Haram militants periodically turn up in Mali and Niger — sometimes after being pushed out of Nigeria by the army — then return home with more sophisticated bomb-making technology. That underlines another of the crackdown’s unintended effects, Zenn says: the militants are spreading over a wider geographical area, across the centre, east, northwest, and in neighbouring nations, facilitating their split into factions. Despite Shekau’s so far undisputed claim to lead it, Campbell says Boko Haram has become “extremely diffuse, highly uncoordinated, not at all centrally controlled.” This makes ending the insurgency by political means — as the government claims to be trying to do via ‘back channels’ — hugely complicated. And the more military pressure breaks them up into smaller groups, the more complicated it will get. “Boko Haram is behaving like an amoeba,” Sani said. “Slice it up and you just get more of them.”

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

For non-pilgrims nothing is forbidden I

n the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. All Praise is due to Allah! We praise Him and we seek help from Him. We ask forgiveness from Him. We repent to Him; and we seek refuge in Him from our evils and bad deeds. Anyone who is guided by Allah, is indeed guided; and anyone who has been left astray, will find no one to guide him. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah, the Only One without any partner; and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and final messenger to mankind. May the peace and blessing of Allah be upon His last and final Apostle, his Household, his companions and all his followers until the end of time. It has become perennially reoccurring wrangling and confusion whenever the month of Zul-Hijjah approaches, most especially for those of us who are not very fortunate to be called upon for the year's hajj rites at the Holy land; Makkah. The confusion is weather those who would be offering sacrifices should clean themselves for a long period of ten days or not. A lot of local Malams also keep on admonishing at every daily prayers to all those intending to sacrifice animals on the tenth day; Dhahayya to not shave or trim their hairs, clip their nails, plait hairs, or do their henna, and basically anything that will remove dead tissue or hair from the body! Indeed, that was the ruling at the incept of Islam as the hadiths of Umm Salmah and Abdullah bin Abbas (RD) reported. But, towards the last years of the Prophet's life time, the rule was abrogated by the many instances of the reports of Mother of believers, A'ishah (RD). However, for the purpose of restoring sanity and good understanding, the following hadiths will serve good basis for compliance to latest ruling. Hence we will put on hold the conclusion of our series which we started weeks ago to attend to this more current and pressing matter: refraining from cleaning for a period of ten good and blessed days. The Hadiths in their row nature but clearly self explanatory, may Allah guide us aright: Bukhari: Book 2: Volume 26: Hadith 756 Narrated 'Aisha: I twisted the garlands for the Hadis of the Prophet and then he marked and garlanded them (or I garlanded them) and then made them proceed to the Ka'ba but he remained in Medina and no permissible thing was regarded as illegal for him then . Bukhari: Book 2: Volume 26: Hadith 757 Narrated 'Abdullah bin Abu Bakr bin 'Amr bin Hazm that 'Amra bint 'Abdur-Rahman had told him, "Zaid bin Abu Sufyan wrote to 'Aisha that 'Abdullah bin Abbas had stated, 'Whoever sends his Hadi (to the Ka'ba), all the

Bukhari: Book 7: Volume things which are illegal for a (pilgrim) become illegal for that 68: Hadith 473 Narrated Masruq: that he person till he slaughters it (i.e. till the 10th of Dhul-Hijja).' " 'Amra came to 'Aisha and said to her, "O added, 'Aisha said, 'It is not like Mother of the Believers! There is a what Ibn Abbas had said: I twisted the garlands of the Hadis of Allah's Apostle with my own hands. By Husain Zakariyya Then Allah's Apostle put Yawale them round their necks with +234-8052952900 (sms only) his own hands, islamexplained35@yahoo.com sending them with my father; Yet nothing permitted by Allah man who sends a Hadi to Ka'ba was considered illegal for Allah's and stays in his city and requests Apostle till he slaughtered the that his Hadi camel be garlanded while he remains in a state of Ihram Hadis.' " Bukhari: Book 3: Volume from that day till the people finish their Ihram (after completing all the 38: Hadith 510 Narrated 'Aisha: I twisted the ceremonies of Hajj)" (What do you garlands of the Hadis (i.e. say about it?) Masruq added, I animals for sacrifice) of Allah's heard the clapping of her hands Apostle with my own hands. behind the curtain. She said, "I used Then Allah's Apostle put them to twist the garlands for the Hadi of around their necks with his own Allah's Apostle and he used to send hands, and sent them with my his Hadi to Ka'ba but he never used father (to Mecca). Nothing legal to regard as unlawful what was was regarded illegal for Allah's lawful for men to do with their wives Apostle till the animals were till the people returned (from the Hajj)." slaughtered. Bukhari: Book 2: Volume Bukhari: Book 2: Volume 26: Hadith 753 26: Hadith 755 Narrated Aisha: “I twisted Narrated 'Aisha: Allah's Apostle used to send the Hadi from with my own hands the garlands Medina and I used to twist the for the Budn of the Prophet who garlands for his Hadi and he did not garlanded and marked them, and keep away from any of these things then made them proceed to Mecca; which a Muhrim keeps away Yet no permissible thing was regarded as illegal for him then.” from.” Muslim: Book 7: Hadith Bukhari: Book 2: Volume 3036 26: Hadith 759 A'isha reported: “I wove the Narrated 'Aisha: I used to make the garlands for (the Hadis garlands for the sacrificial animals of) the Prophet and he would of Allah's Messenger (may peace garland the sheep (with them) and be upon him) with my own bands, would stay with his family as a non- and then he (the Holy Prophet) marked them, and garlanded them, Muhrim.”

ISLAM EXPLAINED

and then sent them to the House, and stayed at Medina and nothing was forbidden to him which was lawful for him (before).” Muslim: Book 7: Hadith 3040 'A'isha (Allah, be pleased, with her) reported: “I often wove garlands for the sacrificial animals of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him), and he garlanded his sacrificial animals, and then he sent them and stayed in the ouse) avoiding nothing which a Muhrim avoids.” Muslim: Book 7: Hadith 3035 Abd al-Rahman b. al-Qasim reported on the authority of his father that he heard 'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) saying: “I used to weave garlands for the sacrificial animals of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) with these hands of mine, but he (Allah's Apostle) neither avoided anything nor gave up anything (which a Muhrim should avoid or give up).” Muslim: Book 7: Hadith 3033 A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that “Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) sent the sacrificial animals from Medina. I wove garlands for his sacrificial animals (and then he hung them round their necks), and he would not avoid doing anything which the Muhrim avoids A hadith like this has been transmitted on the authority of Ibn Shihab.” Muslim: Book 7: Hadith 3044 Masruq reported: “I heard 'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her)

clapping her hands behind the curtain and saying: I used to weave garlands for the sacrificial animals of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) with my own hands, and then he (the Holy Prophet) sent them (to Mecca), and he did not avoid doing anything which a Muhrim avoids until his animal was sacrificed.” Muslim: Book 7: Hadith 3038 Al-Qasim reported the Mother of the Faithful (Hadrat 'A'isha Siddiqa) (Allah be pleased with her) as saying: “I used to weave these garlands from the multicoloured wool which was with us. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) was in the state of non Muhrim among us, and he would do all that was lawful for a non-Muhrim with his wife.” Muslim: Book 7: Hadith 3042 A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported: “We used to garland the goats and send them (to Mecca), and Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) stayed back in Medina as a non-Muhrim and nothing was forbidden for him (which is forbidden for a Muhrim).” Muslim: Book 7: Hadith 3037 A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported: “Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) sent the sacrificial animals and I wove garlands for them with my own 'hands, and he did not refrain from doing anything which he did not avoid in the state of non-Muhrim.” While I wish you a prosperous and acceptable Dhahayyah sacrifice and Eid prayers, I sincerely pray that this glimpse will put this commotion behind us for good, or at least minimize the wrangling and confusion being paddled by many text and forward mongers.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

ANALYSIS By Lamin Jahateh

ith each passing day, the date, December 7, 2012, of the Ghana presidential elections is getting ever closer. This is the election that will determine the future of the country: the elections that will determine who will preside over enormous oil revenue of the country, the elections where a leader will be elected who will face a challenge of meeting the heightened expectations of Ghanaian citizens for material improvements to their daily lives. The policies of the next president will determine whether the country's petro-dollars will be used for the common good or disappear as in other oil-rich countries. The president will have to translate the wealth from the oil fields into something the people could feel, a work that the late president, John Atta Mills has started. Due to the high-stakes nature of this year's contest, there are already heightened tensions, with acrimonious debate, mud-slinging and allegations. Ghana has made steady political progress since multi-party democracy was installed in 1992, having experienced two peaceful transfers of power. But the 2012 elections are expected to pose a strong test of its democratic credentials. There are more than 20 political parties in Ghana but only eight have organised their national congresses to elect their flag-bearers. The parties which held their national congresses are: the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Progressive People's Party (PPP), the Convention People's Party (CPP), the People's National Convention (PNC), the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), the United Front Party (UFP) and the Independent People's Party (IPP). These are the only parties that are ready for the decisive elections. However, there are only two dominant parties in Ghana - the New Patriotic Party, a liberal democratic and liberal conservative party, and the National Democratic Congress, a social democratic party. The former president, John Agyekum Kufuor, who won the 2004 elections, was a candidate of the NPP, while the recent past elections held in 2008, was won by an NDC candidate, late John Atta Mills. The 2008 presidential elections was one of the tightly contested elections in the history of Ghana. The first round produced no outright winner in the presidential race even though the NPP's candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, came within a spitting distance of the winning the line. He garnered a tantalising 49.13 per cent of the vote cast while NDC's Atta Mills received 47.92 per cent, a difference of 1.21 per cent. Ghana's constitution stipulates that a person shall not be elected as president of Ghana unless more than 50 per cent of the total number of votes cast at the elections is in his favour. In the second round, Atta Mills won 50.23 per cent of the votes cast, while Akufo-Addo got 49.77 per cent. It was that close.

PAGE 27

Ghana heads to decisive presidential elections

Late President Mills (right) with President Barack Obama The main challenger of the NDC's John Dramani Mahama, the incumbent who became the country's new president after the death of John Atta Mills, will take on the NPP's Nana Akufo-Addo, as it was during the previous elections. The 54-year-old Mahama, who was nominated as the flag-bearer of the NDC, has released his "Better Ghana" manifesto which is a perpetuation of the policies put forth by late president Mills. Mahama pledged to continue late Atta Mills' "unfinished job". However, Mills' death could harm the NDC's chances of success at the next elections, as Mahama lacks the name recognition of his predecessor, and also introducing a new candidate could undermine the NDC's prospects. Normally, politicians from the south dominate the political class in Ghana, but Mahama is a Christian from the north, a region that feels neglected. However, Mahama, long regarded a rising star in Ghana's political scene, has served in parliament since 1996 and served as Minister of Communications until 2001. He was running mate to late president Mills during the 2008 elections and took the vicepresidency when Mills claimed victory. Unlike John Mahama, Nana Akufo-Addo is a well-known politician in the Ghana political arena. He is among the founding

members of the NPP. Akufo-Addo and the NPP are campaigning on an anti-corruption platform and boosting education across the board. Akufo-Addo believes in his ability to take Ghana to lead West Africa and the entire continent into a new era of development. An opinion poll by DaMina Frontier Markets, an international research group based in the United States, has predicted a first round victory for Mahama and his NPP in the December 7 elections. DaMina says its statistical model, and on-the-ground surveys, predict first round victory for NPP and a return to opposition of the now ruling NDC after only four years in power. According to DaMina, the NPP would win 52 to 53 per cent of the popular vote in the first round, with the NDC winning not more than 48 per cent. It said traditional incumbency would not help President John Dramani Mahama, with barely less than two months to the vote. Three months before the 2008 presidential and parliamentary elections, DaMina predicted accurately that late Prof John Evans Atta Mills of the NDC would win the second round vote by a margin of some 45,000 and interestingly Mills led the NDC to capture power by 40,000 votes. The Minority Leader in

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

Parliament, Osei Kyei-MensahBonsu of the NPP, has noted that the NPP should not be excited by the opinion poll but rather continue to work hard to secure victory. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said: "We are now in opposition [unlike during the 2008 elections when the NPP was the incumbent party]. Let's not kid ourselves. The battle is going to be stronger than it was in 2008 so we should not be complacent because of the opinion poll." However, another opinion poll by Synovate Ghana, a research outfit, predicts the NDC will win "if the elections were held today [September 2012]". Based on empirical evidence on the ground, the late Atta Mills' party stands a better chance of winning the elections. In a random interview, many people said they will vote for Mahama to continue the "tremendous" development that Mills started. Many people will vote for him because they believe he can continue the development that his predecessor has started having worked under him as vice-president for the past three years. The death of late President Atta Mills was a national shock in Ghana, almost everybody was shocked by the news of his death on July 24, 2012. Even the opposition expressed condolences to the nation

However, Mills' death could harm the NDC's chances of success at the next elections, as Mahama lacks the name recognition of his predecessor, and also introducing a new candidate could undermine the NDC's prospects.

as a whole for "this sad loss to Ghana". Average Ghanaians think the best way to express their condolence and sympathy to the NDC is to vote for their (NDC) candidate in the December polls and this is what gives Mahama a very good prospect of winning the elections. If Ghana has a say in the life of Atta Mills, a former law professor and a tax expert, they would prefer him to live a little longer to steer the affairs of the country for the next four years so as to continue the "tremendous economic development" he started. Following the discovery of oil in 2007, he presided over Ghana's first oil production in late 2010. He transformed Ghana into one of the fastest growing economiesin the world in 2011: grew by a recordbreaking 13.4 per cent last year. During his term of office, President Mills though widely accused by his opponent for corruption, inefficiency causing economic retardation, has adopted tight fiscal and monetary policies to reverse the large twin deficits his government inherited. Under Mills, Ghana's stable economy experienced sustained reduction in inflation leading to the attainment of single digit inflation of about 8.5 per cent (the lowest inflation rate Ghana had attained in 42 years) from a high of 18.1 per cent in December 2008. Moreover, Ghana's budget deficit was reduced to 2 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product during his tenure compared to 14.5 per cent of GDP in 2008, just before he was elected as the President of Ghana. US President Barack Obama has noted that Ghana has become a wonderful success story economically on the continent which he said is partly because of the initiatives of President Mills. Ghana needs him as a law professor, as a tax expert and as a man with a lot of vision and foresight to continue with his unfinished work of developing the nation's economy and expanding the country's infrastructuralbase in support of the economy take-off. In the absence of Atta Mills, Ghana needs a man who can continue with his plans and do more to take Ghana to the next level. As of now, the political climate is very peaceful though it's getting intense by the day. There is no sign of violence in the run-up to the elections. Also, there is no indication that there will be postelections violence, a hallmark of many African elections, if all things remain equal. Though the campaign is intensifying, the political parties, some NGOs and the religious leaders are all calling for peace and calm during and after the elections. The electronic media is also carrying jingles calling for peace and tranquility throughout the election process. Source: Al-Jazeera

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

PAGE 28

UN demands probe into Darfur mission attack France urges swift action as Mali militant threat grows

an Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, has demanded an investigation after one peacekeeper was killed and three others wounded in an ambush in Sudan's North Darfur state. Martin Nesirky, Ban's

spokesman, said on Wednesday that all the victims from the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) had South African nationality. "The secretary general urges the government of the Sudan to conduct a full investigation and to

ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice," a statement from Ban said. "The secretary general expresses his condolences to the government of the Republic of South Africa, UNAMID and to the family of the fallen peacekeeper."

resident Francois Hollande is pushing hard for military action against al Qaeda-linked militants in northern Mali to quash what he believes is a growing risk of them launching an attack on French soil. Yet even as Hollande's calls for intervention are prompting the fighters to threaten retaliation, back-pedalling by African nations and lukewarm support from Washington may hold up a resolution to the crisis. The situation poses a difficult challenge for Hollande five months into a presidency where he is already being tested by a jobs crisis and the euro zone's persistent debt troubles. "Hollande is convinced that there is a real risk of terrorism in France. The longer the situation in Mali lasts the greater the risk," said a French diplomatic source. Mali's former colonial ruler fears al Qaeda's north African arm, AQIM, is cementing its base in the West African state, creating a launch pad from which to target French political and economic interests at home and abroad. Diplomatic and security sources say there is "credible" evidence of planned attacks following botched bombings by AQIM at French embassies in Mali and Mauritania. Authorities said a handful of French nationals have also travelled to the Sahel region to train for Islamic jihad. "AQIM is a direct and immediate threat," the diplomatic source said. "Hollande would be blamed if he didn't do anything and a bomb went off tomorrow."

French President Francois Hollande

Men of UNAMID have been in Sudan's far-western Darfur region for more than four years

A joint statement from the 15 members of the UN Security Council condemned the attack in the strongest terms, and called on the Sudanese authorities "to swiftly investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice." Wednesday's ambush occurred while a UNAMID convoy of military, police and civilian personnel was heading to assess the situation following recent reports of violence near the village of Hashaba, the mission said. Hashaba is in Kutum district, the scene of unrest since early August when a district chief was shot dead during a carjacking attempt. It was the second deadly ambush this month involving UNAMID peacekeepers. Four Nigerian UNAMID peacekeepers were killed on October 2 in an attack near El-Geneina, in West Darfur state. UNAMID has been in Sudan's far-western Darfur region for more than four years with a mandate to protect civilians in a region where rebel-government clashes, banditry and inter-tribal fighting continues, though violence is less than when rebels began an insurrection nearly a decade ago. Ethnic African rebels rose against the Arab-dominated Khartoum government in 2003.

Kenyan cleric charged over MRC offer

ne of Kenya's most prominent Muslim clerics has been charged with inciting violence after allegedly offering to fund a separatist group. Sheikh Mohammed Dor, who is an MP nominated to represent the Muslim community, denied the charges and was freed on bail. He is accused of saying he would give money to the Mombasa Republican Council (MRC), which wants independence for Kenya's largely Muslim Coast province. The MRC leader was arrested on Monday. Omar Mwamnuadzi was detained during a gunfight at his home, in which

gandan police are to increase social-media monitoring because of fears about the spread of "dangerous" information, according to reports. The country's highest ranking

two people were killed. A local Kenyan official was then hacked to death in a retaliatory attack, police say. Tension has been rising in Kenya ahead of general elections due in March 2013. There were riots in Mombasa, the main city in Coast province in August, after a Muslim cleric accused of supporting the Somali group al-Shabab was shot dead. Our correspondent says his arrest is not being seen as an attack on Islam unlike the previous case. In July, Kenya's High Court lifted a ban on the MRC, which the government had outlawed in 2010 after accusing it of being a criminal gang.

Sheikh Mohammed Dor (R) denied the charges

Uganda social media policing plan police officer spoke at a gathering of East African police chiefs. Gen Kale Kayihura called on

Kizza Besigye waves at supporters

forces to ensure social media "is not misused for crime, worse still for terrorism". It comes as opposition supporters in Uganda are increasingly using social media to communicate. "Social media is a good thing, but can also be a bad thing because it is so quick in terms of dissemination of information," Gen Kayihura said, according to the Ugandan Observer. He was addressing a gathering of police chiefs from across East Africa, with delegates from Tanzania, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Seychelles, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Djibouti. "If it's good information that is nice," he is reported as saying, "but if it's dangerous information like

genocide informationâ&#x20AC;Ś somebody tells lies like, you remember, the Kayunga riots, then you know how much damage it can do." In 2009, 21 people died following violence in the Ugandan town of Kayunga over a dispute surrounding a controversial planned visit from a traditional king. Last year, political demonstrations resulted in minor disorder and multiple arrests. A walk-to-work protest was prompted by opposition leader Kizza Besigye - who had earlier called for Egypt-style uprisings. "At the peak of the walk-to-work campaign last year, social media was just starting to be used," said Ignatius Bahizi, a BBC reporter based in Uganda.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

PAGE 29

Asia and 28,000 Syrians disappeared, say rights groups Middle East

uman rights groups working in Syria say at least 28,000 people have disappeared after being abducted by soldiers or militia. They say they have the names of 18,000 people missing since antigovernment protests began 18 months ago and know of another 10,000 cases.

Online activist group Avaaz says "nobody is safe" from a deliberate government campaign of terror. It intends to give the UN Human Rights Council a dossier for investigation. The Syrian government has so far not commented on the claims but has in the past strenuously denied reports of human rights abuses. Avaaz said it had gathered

testimony from Syrians who say husbands, sons and daughters were forcibly abducted by pro-government forces. They include Fayzeh al-Masri, from a suburb of Homs, whose 26-yearold son Ahmad Ghassan Ibrahim disappeared in February - the last number he called them from was traced to a military security branch. The family were told by someone

who answered his phone that he had died, but they have been unable to confirm this. "We are certain that he would not have left us or his wife - who is expecting twins. We only want to know his fate," Mrs Masri told Avaaz. The brother of Hussein Eisso, a 62year-old Syrian-Kurdish activist, said he was taken from outside his home in Hasaka after attempting to stage a sit-

Saudi Arabia plans female religious police

Attacker of Pakistani schoolgirl was held, freed in 2009 - Sources

he alleged organizer of the Taliban shooting of a Pakistani schoolgirl was captured during a 2009 military offensive against the hardline Islamist group but released after three months, two senior officials told Reuters. They identified the man who planned the attack on 14-year-old Malala Yousufzai only as Attaullah, and said he was one of the two gunmen who shot her on a school bus this month in the Swat Valley, northwest of Islamabad. Believed to be in his 30s, Attaullah is on the run and may have fled to neighboring Afghanistan, they said. He organized the attack on the orders of one of the Taliban's most feared commanders, Maulana Fazlullah, officials said. Critics say Pakistan's low conviction rate of militants, even high-profile ones who carried out major attacks, is one reason why extremism has spread in the South Asian nation. The attack on Yousufzai, an advocate of education for girls, has drawn widespread condemnation and raised fresh questions about U.S. ally Pakistan's commitment to fighting militancy in the nucleararmed country. Doctors treating her in Britain have said Yousufzai, a symbol of resistance to Taliban efforts to deprive girls of education, has every chance of making a "good recovery" after being shot in the head. The Taliban have said they attacked her because she spoke out against the group and praised U.S. President Barack Obama. The two officials said Attaullah was detained by security forces after a 2009 Pakistani military campaign pushed the Taliban out of the Swat Valley. "He spent three months in the custody of security forces but was freed after no evidence (of wrongdoing) was found," one official said. The second source, a senior security official, said authorities had now gathered enough evidence to arrest Attaullah after raiding his house in the Swat Valley, a former tourist attraction. If Attaullah is in Afghanistan, finding him could be difficult. Some of the world's most dangerous militants have operated in the unruly, ethnic Pashtun border area for years, a forbidding area hard for security forces to reach.

in over the arrest of other activists. He said his brother had since been moved between security branches, and had had serious health problems, including a stroke. James Reynolds, close to the Syrian border in Turkey, says it is often hard to establish real disappearance figures until a conflict is over, but the scale of the figures is an indication of the severity of the conflict in Syria.

Fighting between government forces and rebels is continuing in the city of Aleppo

he head of Saudi Arabia's religious police has said there is a pressing need to employ more women in the force. Speaking to the official Saudi Gazette newspaper, Abdul Latif Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh said he hoped a recruitment drive would take place soon. Saudi's religious police enforce the kingdom's strict Islamic laws, including dress and prayer times. Correspondents say the introduction of women could be a sign of the king's cautiously reformist agenda. Earlier this month, Mr al-Sheikh announced that he would curb the powers of the religious police, known as the "mutawa". He himself was appointed in January to deal with growing public anger about excessive behaviour by the force. Recently, a mobile phone clip of a religious policeman ordering a young woman to leave a mall because of her make-up went viral on the internet.

China angry as Japan ministers visit shrine for war dead

C A student holds a placard with a picture of schoolgirl Malala Yousufzai

Saudi Arabia's religious police enforce, among other things, Islamic dress codes

hina condemned a visit by two Japanese ministers to a controversial shrine for war dead on Thursday, further straining already tense relations between Asia's two largest economies. Sino-Japanese relations have soured sharply in the past month when a row over disputed islands led to violent anti-Japanese protests across China and badly hurt trade. The ministers' pilgrimage to the Yasukuni Shrine, seen by many in the region as a symbol of Japan's wartime militarism, came a day after a visit to the site by Japan's main opposition party leader and possible next prime minister, Shinzo Abe. China's official Xinhua news agency, meanwhile, said the Chinese navy would conduct a joint exercise on Friday in the East China Sea with the country's fishery administration and marine surveillance agency. It said the aim of the exercise was for "the effective maintenance of China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests". Sino-Japanese relations deteriorated sharply in September after Japan bought the East China Sea islets that both Tokyo and Beijing claim, sparking anti-Japanese protests across China.

PAGE 30

Europe and Americas US drone kills al-Qaeda suspects in Yemen

drone strike near the southern Yemeni city of Jaar has killed at least seven al-Qaeda suspects, including a local leader, according to local officials. "A drone, likely American, fired several rockets at a group of Al Qaeda members northwest of Jaar, killing all of them," one official told the AFP news agency on Thursday. The United States is the only country that operates drones in the region. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that "several bodies" had been identified, including one belonging to Nader Al-Shadadi, al-Qaeda's leader in Jaar, a city in Abyan province. According to the official, alQaeda militants have been trying to position themselves near Yemen's main southern cities to carry out operations against the army and the Popular Resistance Committees, local pro-army militias. Witnesses said, meanwhile, that hundreds of Jaar's residents, both men and women, gathered in front of the headquarters of the Resistance Committees in Jaar and fired into the air to celebrate Shadadi's death. One resident told the AFP that Shadadi, a Jaar resident himself, "had brought great harm to our city and he is responsible for all the devastation and the war" in the area. In May, the army launched an all-out offensive against al-Qaeda in Abyan, forcing them to retreat from major strongholds including Jaar and Abyan's capital Zinjibar. The campaign was backed by US drones which in recent months have been deployed in strikes against Al Qaeda targets in the south and east of the country. Thursday's strike was the second such drone attack this month. On October 4, a drone blasted two cars carrying suspected alQaeda gunmen in the southern province of Shabwa, killing five of them. The group took advantage of the weakness of Yemen's central government in an uprising last year against now ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh, seizing large swathes of territory across the south. But after the month-long offensive, most militants fled to the more lawless desert regions of the east. Though weakened, the militants still launch hit-and-run attacks on government and civilian targets throughout the country. They are also increasingly targeting members of the local militias that fought to oust the militants from towns and cities in the south. On Tuesday, al-Qaeda militants, one of them a suicide bomber, killed six members of the Resistance Committees and wounded eight others in an attack on a checkpoint in the country's south.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

US and Israel to launch major military drill

he United States and Israel are set to launch a major military exercise in a show of unity aimed at Iran, despite friction between American and Israeli leaders over how to counter Tehran's nuclear ambitions. The air defence drills, dubbed "Austere Challenge 2012," will unfold later this month and last about three weeks, with 3,500 US troops and 1,000 Israeli forces taking part, officers said on Wednesday.

"This is the largest exercise in the history of the longstanding military relationship between the US and Israel," said Lieutenant General Craig Franklin, 3rd Air Force Commander, who is overseeing the drill along with his Israeli counterpart, Brigadier General Nitzan Nuriel. "This exercise will improve the cooperative missile defence of Israel and will promote regional stability and help ensure a military edge," Franklin told

reporters in a teleconference. But the drill is about more than missile defences. The elaborate exercise takes place at a politically charged moment, amid speculation about a possible Israeli pre-emptive attack on Iran, a hotly contested US presidential election week's away and parliamentary polls expected in Israel within a few months. The drill's "scenario is to deal with threats from all fronts",

US troops on a military drill

Nuriel, the Israeli commander, told the same phone conference. "Anybody can get any type of message he wants from this exercise. The fact we are practicing together and working together is a strong message by itself." In a report this year to congress, the Pentagon warned that Iran's missiles could hit Israel and Eastern European countries, including an extended-range version of the Shahab-3 and a medium-range ballistic missile with a range of 2,000km. The missile threat, combined with the crisis over Iran's disputed nuclear program, prompted Israeli authorities in August to test a SMS public alert system designed to warn the population of an imminent attack. In the works for two years, the joint exercise originally was scheduled for April but was postponed at Israel's request, without an official explanation. The drill highlights USIsraeli co-operation just as President Barack Obama seeks to deflect criticism from his Republican rival Mitt Romney, who has accused him of neglecting America's ally and rebuffing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Protests in Athens ahead of EU fiscal summit

ens of thousands of Greeks have taken to the streets in the country's second general strike in a month against newlyproposed austerity measures. Thursday's protests saw hundreds of youths pelting riot police with petrol bombs, bottles and chunks of marble. The measures for 2013-14, worth $17.7b, aim to prevent the country from going bankrupt and potentially having to leave the 17nation eurozone. Riot police responded with volleys of tear gas and stun grenades as protesters ran from the area of clashes in the capital's Syntagma Square outside Parliament, splitting the demonstration in two. Hundreds of police were deployed in Athens ahead of the demonstration, as such protests have turned violent in the past. The strike grounded flights, shut

down public services, closed schools, hospitals and shops and hampered public transport in the capital. Taxi drivers joined in for nine hours, while a three-hour work stoppage by air traffic controllers led to flight cancellations. Islands were left cut off as ferries stayed in ports. A protest march by about 17,000 people in the northern city of Thessaloniki ended peacefully. Athens has seen hundreds of anti-austerity protests over the past three years, since Greece revealed it had been misreporting its public finance figures. Thursday's strike was timed to coincide with a European Union summit in Brussels later in the day, at which Greece's economic fate will likely be a major topic of discussion. The heads of the 27 EU member states are in the Belgian capital to discuss how to save the

euro from collapse and support countries facing too much debt and not enough growth. But Thursday and Friday's summit promises to be just a small

abortions. But it comes with so many conditions that both sides wonder how Uruguay will make it work.

Among other things, a clear declaration that "every adult woman has the right to decide whether to end her pregnancy

pit-stop on the road to recovery, with few decisions expected. The discussion will also include ideas of how to support the nations' banks, one part of the crisis.

Protesters in rows chanting anti-austerity songs

Uruguay senate votes to legalise abortion ruguay's senate has voted to legalise first-trimester abortions for all women in a groundbreaking measure that has left those backing the move and those against it unsatisfied. Jose Mujica, the president, was expected to quickly sign the measure into law on Thursday after senators voted 17-14 to back the legislation, which has already passed the lower house. The legislation establishes that the public health care system must guarantee every woman the freedom to decide without pressure whether or not to have an abortion. The measure is a big step for Latin America, where only Cuba grants all women the right to

Uruguay Parliamentarians during the voting process

during the first 12 weeks of gestation" was dropped in order to get enough votes for passage. In its place, legislators agreed to 10 pages of fine print intended to bring about the same results. "It's not the best law,and not the solution we wanted, but it's an advance," said senator Luis Gallo, a supporter and member of the ruling Broad Front coalition. Women who decide to get abortions can now avoid the "humiliating secrecy" of illegal abortions, he argued. All the ruling Broad Front coalition's senators voted in favour, joined by one member of the opposition, Jorge Saravia of the centre-right National Party.

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012 With Tobias Lengnan Dapam 07036990957

Amina to premier in London October 17 The much anticipated movie ‘Amina’ is set for its world première at the Empire Cinema in Leicester Square on the 17th October, 2012, Pulse.com has revealed. The movie which is a British/ Nigerian production, is a psychological human drama, featuring Nollywood top shots like; Omotola Jalade – Ekeinde and Van

Vicker, alongside top British movie stars like; Wil Johnson, Vincent Regan and Alison Carroll, aka Lara Croft. Pulse.com further said that Amina could be best described as a British film with Nollywood

sensibilities. The film which was Written, produced and directed by Christian Ashaiku, an innovative Nigerian born London based filmmaker; Amina tells a deeply emotional and dramatic story dealing with the

themes of love, loss and redemption. Amina is told in flashback and tells the life story of a gifted young woman (OmotolaJalade-Ekeinde) who, devastated by a series of life changing events suffered a total breakdown and finds herself

Doha Film Institute hires new CEO

Olu Maintain dumps US lover for Mochedda

oha Film Institute, the independent cultural organisation that brings Qatar’s film initiatives under one banner, has appointed Abdulaziz AlKhater as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Hollywood reporter has said. Al-Khater will now take over from acting CEO and DFI board member, Mansour Ibrahim AlMahmoud. DFI chairperson and founder, her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani said that “The all-encompassing approach of DFI to promote a robust film industry in Qatar has helped us to create a distinct identity not only in the region but also globally. The appointment of Mr Abdulaziz Al-Khater, who has a wealth of management expertise, will be strong value addition in driving the future growth of the Institute.” She also thanked Al-Mahmoud for his work during what she described as DFI’s Boredom and the feeling that everything was a waste of time, an illusion that nothing was good. On his part, Al-Mahmoud said the incoming CEO “brings with him extensive experience in leadership and business management, with a strong local and regional focus.” Al-Khater, has wealth of experience in management, banking, information technology, operations, finance, and logistics. He joined DFI from Al Khalij Commercial Bank, now established as one of the key financial institutions in the region. Speaking about the prospects of the industry, Al-Khater said: “I am looking forward to being part of a growing cultural organisation that had established itself both within the region and internationally as an Institute dedicated to developing Arab talent and creativity.” He added that the DFI is poised for an era of growth “as it continues to evolve and foster the development of local and regional film industries.”

The new CEO of DFI, Abdulaziz Al-Khater

incarcerated in a mental hospital, but only one person could help; her doctor (Wil Johnson), but he must overcome his own demons before he could help Amina confront her past. Expectedly, UK movie practitioners have described Amina as the ace card that would place Nollywood more firmly in the international movie scene and grant it more recognition than it currently has.

ensational Nigerian musician, Olu Maintain, has dumped his United State lover, Natalie, for a Nigerian singer, Mochedda, Nigeriafilms.com has revealed. Sources close to the Yahoo zee crooner told Nigeriafilms.com that Olu was recently spotted getting fond of Mocheddah, whom he vowed to some friends to go down low with. It was also learnt that both Olu and Mochedda are presently planning to do a duet together. The sources furthr said that Natalie was not aware of the recent romance between Olu and the singer, as she was always been told by Olu and his friends that Mochedda is just a colleague.

Ice Prince releases Aboki album Mikel launches music label, signs four artists

uper Eagles and Chelsea FC midfielder, John Mikel Obi has never hidden his love for music as it is practically seen whenever the footballer is not on the field of play for both his country and club, he listens to music from his devices with his headphone.

Nigeriafilm.com gathered that the Jos, Plateau State-bred footballer has taken his love for music to another level by floating his own music label named Matured Money Minds (MMM). The label which was recently established is fully under the control of his

younger brother, Patrick. MMM already has about four artistes. They are; Splash, Kido, Edgar and Charass. Sources also revealed that the artists who already have their own songs were working assiduously to shoulder with the biggest artists in the music industry in Nigeria.

hocolate City artiste, Ice Prince Zamani drops the much anticipated video for his latest single “Aboki”, Pulse.com has revealed. This was his first single after his much acclaimed E.L.I album. The song was produced by Chopstix of the Grip Boiz City, and was directed by the talented Phil Lee in Los Angeles. Ice Prince looks to be preparing for another album, as we look forward to more singles.

Hollywood film Awards to honour Argo casts

he Hollywood Reporter has learned that the cast of Argo, the Ben Affleck-directed drama about the 1979-81 Iranian hostage crisis, will receive the Hollywood Ensemble Acting Award at the 16th annual Hollywood Film It said that the first awards show of the 2012 Oscar season and its gala ceremony will hold on the 22nd October, 2012, at the Beverly Hilton. Representatives of the cast who are expected to attend the event include Affleck, Oscar winner Alan Arkin, Bryan Cranston and John Goodman. The Hollywood Film Awards, which were determined by Hollywood Film Festival founder and executive director Carlos de Abreu and his advisory team, recognize individuals for both career achievement and work released within the calendar year. Previous recipients of the

Hollywood Ensemble Acting Award include Crash (2005), which went on to win the best Oscar picture as well as Bobby (2006), Hairspray (2007), The Secret Life of Bees (2008) and best picture Oscar nominees, the Social Network (2010) and the Help (2011). Similarly, De Abreu tells THR that “We are very proud to recognize the actors who form the cast of Argo for their outstanding performances in this special film.” Argo, which premiered at the Telluride Film Festival in early September was one of the best received films at the Toronto International Film Festival and will later this month be released nationwide by Warner Bros, on the 22nd October, 2012. THR recently revealed the identities of several other films and people to be honored at this year’s Hollywood Film Awards, including

the recipients of the Hollywood Director Award, Hollywood Actress Award, Hollywood Supporting Actor Award, Hollywood Supporting Actress Award, Hollywood Producer Award, Hollywood Animation Award, Hollywood Comedy Award,

Casts from the Argo movie

New Hollywood Award, Hollywood Breakout Performance Award, Hollywood Cinematographer Award, Hollywood Editor Award, Hollywood Production Designer Award, and Hollywood Visual Effects Award.

PAGE 32

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012 With Tobias Lengnan Dapam 07036990957

Arab Cinema may collapse, says Director

n Egyptian movie director, Yousry Nasrallah, whose film after the country’s turmoil played a competitive role during the Festival de Cannes, says Arab film sector faces collapse due to Middle East turmoil, adding that Arab TV stations are not buying films, Hollywood reporter has said. The director made his dire prediction during an Arab filmmaker panel at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival. Nasrallah said: “We are witnessing a crisis that could lead to a breakdown. It’s a perfect storm. Saudi broadcasters such as Rotana and ART have a monopoly on buying Arab movie rights and they have thousands of movies stockpiled. They don’t need to buy any more because people are not buying them”. Other filmmakers taking part in the discussion complained about political

and social pressures stopping them from working. Director Bader Ben Hirsi, whose feature “A New Day In Old Sana’a”, the first local feature to be shot in Yemen, said opponents spread lies about him shooting sex scenes in mosques because they were so determined to shut production down. Ben Hirsi said he hopes to start shooting his second feature in Yemen in January, but the political situation is so dangerous he cannot find production insurance. Similarly, an Iraqi director, Mohamed Al-Daradji told Hollywood reporter that he had to dodge both US tanks and Al-Qaeda insurgents making his first feature in Iraq after the American invasion of 2003. Al-Daradji also claimed that Al-Qaeda insurgents kidnapped him during the filming of Ahlaam, before he

Again, D’banj wins MTV Europe Music Awards 2012

was handed over to the U.S. military which held him for six days. “Even if you are kidnapped by Al-Qaeda or imprisoned by Americans, nothing should stop you [making your film]. That’s why I say there are no walls which you cannot break through,” Al-Daradji said. Al-Daradji told attendees that Iraq had no film industry

infrastructure, which means footage has to be smuggled through Syria and Lebanon for processing, saying that the war has left Iraq without any cinemas. “We don’t have the infrastructure that exists in Morocco, Egypt or the Gulf states,” he said. “We have to lay the foundations for filmmaking in Iraq. Only then

will we have an Iraqi cinema that exists in 20 years’ time.” Abu Dhabi-based director Nawaf Al-Janahi, whose sophomore film Sea Shadow premiered at last year’s ADFF, said he sympathised with infrastructure problems faced in Iraq and Yemen. When he started out Abu Dhabi had no filmmaking infrastructure either, he said.

Beyonce to perform at Super Bowl Halftime Show

ll the single ladies will be watching the upcoming Super Bowl along with football lovers as Beyonce sets to thrill viewers at the halftime show event, Hollywood reporter has said. A source familiar with Super Bowl XLVII also told The Associated Press, the Grammy-winning diva will take the stage at the halftime show on February 3rd 2013, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. It added that the official announcement on Wednesday was to prepare people for the much awaited event. Beyonce, whose pop and R&B hits include “Crazy in Love,” ‘’Irreplaceable” and “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” has won 16 Grammy Awards. The 31-year-old sang the national anthem at Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004 in her hometown of Houston when the New England Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers

Beyonce

Bollywood fashion hits Nigeria with 100% human hair

ith the love Nigerians have for Indian movies and natural human hair, which has before now been enjoyed by Brazilian hair and its variants, ‘Bollywood Fashions’ has now come to break into the market and create a healthy competition by hitting the Nigerian market with a bang. Speaking to Nigeriafilms.com

on Sunday, October 14, 2012 at the launch of its 100 percent human hair held at Knightbridge Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, Sanjay Sachdev, who is the Managing Director of the company, disclosed that ‘Bollywood Fashions’ is here for business. He stressed that the hair are 100 percent natural hair from living Indians who volunteered to

have their hair cut in exchange for money. Sanjay assured that hairs from his company are not gotten from dead people as some usually believe. He said the hair is from volunteers in Indian who agreed to cut their hair and sell to them. He also said the hair is cheap and affordable, adding that the hair sizes range from 8" to 30".

EFCC nabs Reality TV Host over alleged N15m fraud

D’Banj

he Koko master D’Banj has once again proven himself to be the best on the African continent, as won the award for Best African Act at the 2012 MTV Europe Music Awards, Pulse.com has said. It also indicated that the Kokomaster beats other top African musicians for the coveted awards, including Mi Casa (South Africa), Sarkodie (Ghana), Camp Mulla ( Kenya) and also another

Nigerian, Wizkid. The singer who won was said to have garnered the most votes from fans across subSaharan Africa, will now go head to head against Alobo Naga and the Band (India) and Ahmed Soultan (Middle East) for the chance to represent the African-Indian-Middle Eastern region in the Worldwide Act category, which celebrates all the music that MTV has to offer by showcasing artists from all parts of the world.

he host of the recently concluded dance oriented reality TV show, “Maltina DanceHall”, sponsored by Nigerian Breweries, Kemi Adetiba was arrested by the operatives of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeriafilms.com has said. It added that the pretty and good looking TV diva is currently swimming in a messy fraud which might mar her hard earned reputation if not nip in the bud. The Law graduate turned superstar compare, TV host, MC extraordinaire and cinematographer with a difference was said to have been arrested by the anti graft agency, over her shady involvement in a N15m belonging to a church in Gbagada area of Lagos. According to sources, the money-N15m was said to have

been entrusted in care of the multi-talented lady to help a certain non-governmental organization in the church to handle some production deal

Kemi Adetiba

which she never did. Meanwhile, efforts to get Kemi Adetiba on her MTN mobile phone proved abortive as the phone was switched off.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

PAGE 33

Nollywood Artists protest death of colleague From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

cross session of Nollywood Actors and Actresses in Benin, Edo state capital, Tuesday, protested the death of their colleague, Brown Atiemwen, accusing the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Caroline Edo-Osagie, for negligence, which they said led to the unfortunate incident. The actors who took to major streets in Edo State capital to

protest his death at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), attributed the death of Atiemwen, a staff of the Edo State Arts Council to the inability of the permanent secretary to pay the sum of N150, 000 required to carry out a surgical operation on him by doctors who had diagnosed him of intestinal ailment. The protesting Artistes who took their protest to Edo State Assembly premises, the Office of the Governor and the NUJ Press

Centre, Benin City, were clad in black attire and carried placards with various inscriptions as “Caro must go”, “Brown Died from PS wickedness”, amongst others. Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Mr. Mike Kadiri, Chairman of the Edo Arts council chapter of the Radio, Television and Theatre Workers Union, RATTAWU, said, the Commissioner in charge of the Ministry, Miss. Ainena Jemitola approved the release of the sum

of N150, 000 to the family of the late actor last week, alleging that the Permanent Secretary refused to release the money. He explained that he personally took the deceased to the hospital where he was diagnosed by a doctor who requested for the sum to carry out a major operation but the ministry disregarded it. However, efforts to reach Mrs. Edo-Osagie in her office failed, as she was said to have travelled out of the state.

Kiki Omeili

BSkyB’s Sky Movies to offer ‘Harry Potter’ Franchise in U.K S

ky Movies, the film channel operated by U.K. pay TV giant BSkyB, has struck a deal with Warner Bros, to offer all eight Harry Potter movies starting next month, Hollywood reporter has said. Under a deal with Warner Bros, the British pay TV giant will make all eight films starring Daniel Radcliffe available across its services for the next three months. Meanwhile, ‘Harry Potter,’ ‘Hunger Games’ top polls of best YA novels, first in history. It added that the agreement will make the satellite TV company the only British TV service to provide consumers access to the whole franchise. It will do so in HD, on demand and on its streaming video service. Each film will be shown ad-free and uncut. Hollywood reporter further said Sky Movies will offer the entire series for three months. During that period, none of the Harry Potter movies will be available on any other U.K. TV channel or streaming service. The last film in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly

Budding Actress beats Oge Okoye to win Afro Hollywood Awards

Hallows - Part 2, will also be featured on Sky 3D. On his part, Josh Berger, president and managing director, Warner Bros. UK, Ireland and Spain, said: “The

Harry Potter film franchise is a uniquely British success story, one that was conceived and produced here in the U.K. with a largely British cast and crew and beloved by millions

of people around the world. For the first time ever, Sky Movies customers can look forward to enjoying all of the movies in this record-breaking series in one place at one time.”

Immorality: Headies boss indicted

eans spilling from the can of the Headies (formerly Hip Hop World Awards) boss, Ayo Animashaun seems very smelly as he is in an alleged sexual harassment mess with a teenage girl, sources told Nigeriafilms.com According to one of the sources, Animashaun was accused of sexually harassing a former female staff of his while the girl, 19 year old Ajoke was on industrial attachment. The source narrated that Ajoke was working with Ayo’s TV section of the company, (Hip on TV) when the ugly incident happened. “Soon after Ayo’s former front desk officer, who is also a lady resigned under controversial issues, Ayo drafted Ajoke to that desk pending the time he finds a replacement for the former person. “But a week later, Ajoke was sacked and her salary not paid.

When the Ajoke’s mother arrived from the UK, she told her mum how Ayo allegedly made some sexual advances to her especially when they were alone”, the source said. However, Nigeriafilms.com gathered that the mother of the girl who was infuriated by the

situation stormed her daughter’s former office to make a warning to Ayo that her daughter is not from a poor home and does not need his salaries or sexual advances to survive. The report further added that the big boss was ordered to pay the

girl immediately, which he did without hesitation. However when Nigeriafilms.com called him for comment, he demanded for a text message which was sent to him but he never replied nor pick subsequent calls forwarded to him.

ccording to information made available to Nigeriafilms.com, upcoming actress, Kiki Omeili of ‘Married But Living Single’, which starred Funke Akindele and Joseph Benjamin, has been announced the winner in the Best actress in a supporting role (English language film) that had Nse Ikpe Etim and Oge Okoye, Nigeiafilms.com has said. Kiki was announced winner for the 17th African Film Awards 2012 otherwise known as Afro Hollywood Awards at a special ceremony held in Akure, Ondo State, Recently. This has now qualified her, along with other winners, to attend the 17 th, 2012 African Film Awards ceremony holding on Saturday, November 3rd, 2012 at the historic Stratford Town Hall, 29 Broadway, Stratford, London. Also announced winners at the announcement ceremony held in Akure were Tonto Dikeh who defeated Chika Ike and Omoni Oboli to win the best actress (English movie), Femi Adebayo, Hafiz Oyetoro, Helen Paul, Andy Best were other nominees.

Ayo Animashaun

wentieth Century Fox Television, producer of FX’s American Horror Story, has settled an under-the-radar copyright fight with a model, Rick Genest, whose tattoo artwork was allegedly stolen for a key scene in the Emmy-winning series, Hollywood reporter has said. It added that Rick Genest, a Canadian model who appeared in Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” video and is called “Zombie Boy,” is known for his distinctive skeletal body art, which he has copyrighted.

However, Hollywood reporter gathered that Genest was not pleased when he heard that the first season of FX’s hit series American Horror Story featured a scene in which a student played by Evan Peters dons extremely similar skeletal body makeup and goes on a shooting rampage in a high school before committing suicide. Following this revelation, sources said lawyers for Fox and Genest have been working out a settlement to avoid a lawsuit ever since. Horror Story has aired in

dozens of countries, potentially exposing Fox to hundreds of thousands of dollars in copyright infringement damages, and erasing or obscuring the Zombie Boy body art in future airings of the episode would have been extremely costly. At the same time, a court could also have found the two pieces of body art dissimilar or ruled that the Horror Story scene was a protected fair use. But now the two sides have come to an agreement to end the dispute.

PAGE 34

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

Strengthening policy-making through use of research outcomes By Ijendu Iheaka

y most accounts, several government projects, which the citizens hoped would enhance their living standards, failed to make the desired impacts in the end. Critics, however, say that the projects failed because the government decisions on them failed to take the prevailing social realities into consideration. They insist that without empirical research on the actual needs of the people, it is somewhat difficult for government to initiate policies that would affect the citizens’ lives positively. They, therefore, stress the need for the restructuring of the policy-making process in the country, insisting that impulsive or sentiment-based policy-making unnecessarily increases the cost of governance without making the desired impact. A question, therefore, remains: How can government ascertain the people’s actual needs for policy-making purposes? Prof. Obinna Onwujekwe, a professor of Health Economics and Policy at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, stressed that the making of people-oriented policies ought to rely on research that was based on evidence or tested results. “If you make policies without evidence, you are making policies blindly and you do not know whether the policies would work. “But when you conduct research and you generate evidence, you are very informed and you can then trust the resultant policies, knowing that they would be effective. “In developed countries all over the world, they do not undertake projects without conducting research to get evidence for whatever they are doing. There must be evidence for effective policy-making,” he said. This is because research provides evidence of what is present or absent in any given condition and the evidence brightens the focus of a decision maker, some experts say. This is a universal fact and not a country-specific phenomenon. For instance, UK’s Report for The Audit Commission in 2005 states that many sources, which include government departments, academic institutions, independent research organisations and think-tanks, produce researches for UK’s decision-makers. However, Onwujekwe noted that Nigeria had yet to adopt the culture of using researchgenerated evidence to enhance result-oriented policy-making.

President Goodluck Jonathan “To break the culture of working without evidence and making decisions through gut sentiments which lead to wastes, government should develop the research environment and policies,” he said. All the same, stakeholders are increasingly becoming aware of the perceptible glitch in policy making For instance, the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) recently organised a policy retreat for key officers of the Federal Ministry of Health and Lagos State Ministry of Health in Lagos on the need for research before policy formulation. Dr Oladoyin Odubanjo, the Executive Secretary of NAS, said that the academy organised the retreat because of its primary interest in influencing policy with unbiased, evidence-based advice to promote national development. He said that the focus of the policy retreat, which was on community-based health insurance, was also directed at assisting Lagos State to imbibe the culture of using researchgenerated evidence for government policy making. Odubanjo said that NAS adopted the research and policymaking development programme, following a call by the Alliance Health Policy Systems Research in Geneva,

Switzerland, in alliance with Welcome Trust in Britain. “The sponsors were looking for how to influence health policymaking with evidence, for which we designed this project entitled: PREVIEW. “PREVIEW, which is Policy Research Evidence for Effective Working of Nigerian Health Systems, is a platform for enhancing institutional capacity among health managers in federal and state ministries to use evidence-based research to influence policy in the country. “They accepted our proposal with the project design aimed at stimulating evidence-based health policy-making in Lagos State, which we chose for the pilot project. “This is because of the state’s willingness to stimulate the culture of using research results to make policies,” he said. Odubanjo said that the academy also brought in the Federal Ministry of Health’s Department of Research and Statistics “to partner with us in efforts to ensure improved policymaking processes at the national level. “In the pilot project, we have two interventions to achieve the objective of stimulating evidence-based policy-making culture among Lagos State health managers and policy

makers. “The two interventions are a training workshop where people are taught the basics of evidencebased policy-making and a policy retreat, bringing researchers and policy-makers together to deliberate on a topic for two days. “After the deliberations, the researchers will present related evidence in a particular area to assist government policy,” he said. Odubanjo noted that two sets of Lagos State Ministry of Health’s officials would benefit from the programme, which consisted of one training workshop and two policy retreats. He expatiated that the programme was aimed at ensuring that policy-makers formulated beneficial and costeffective policies that were primarily informed by the people’s wants. Underscoring the programme’s relevance to effective policy implementation, Odubanjo noted that for many years, the Federal Government had been striving to eradicate polio from Nigeria, though with little results. “Why? It is because there were a lot of social questions which nobody answered at the beginning before buying

vaccines and employing staff to go and immunise children. “We should have used research, which could have shown us why some people would not want to take the vaccines, thereby avoiding the waste of much money and time,” he said. Dr Femi Olugbile, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, who represented the Commissioner for Health, said that the state government participated in the programme so as to improve the administration of its health schemes. He noted with delight that the two-year partnership with NAS on the project had been quite beneficial; stressing that it had also propelled the state government to constitute the Health Policy, Research and Ethics Committee. However, Dr Omowunmi Bakare, a medical consultant, stressed that research-generated evidence could only work if the researchers were well-trained and exposed to quality research rules, while adapting their work to the people’s specific needs. She advised researchers to see themselves as intermediaries between the people and the policy-maker, saying that such consciousness would make the researchers’ work useful to policy-makers. Bakare, nonetheless, suggested that whenever a research was conducted, the researchers should endeavour to disseminate the research outcomes widely. Another participant, Dr Abimbola Ajayi, said that without the adoption of the evidence approach to policymaking, it would be somewhat difficult to proffer solutions to a community’s problems. She, however, stressed that using research results in policymaking would help government to apply resources efficiently to meet the people’s needs in a more pragmatic way. On her part, Dr Efunbajo Folake, a participant, stressed that the PREVIEW project was very effective, adding that it had modified the way some things were being done, particularly in the health ministry. She said that the need for evidence in policy-making could be exemplified via the treatment of a patient without laboratory tests which, in most times, made the patient’s recuperation somewhat difficult. “Evidence should be applied in all cases of policy-making because it makes the job quicker and effective,” she said. The participants, however, urged Nigerian policy-makers to show willingness to work with researchers in efforts to generate evidences and use them for foolproof policies that would foster the country’s development. Source: NAN

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

PAGE 35

Drunk parents appoint their 9-yearold child as designated driver A

father has been arrested after making his nine year old son his 'designated driver' because he was too drunk to get behind the wheel. Nathan Sikkenga told his son to drive them back to their hotel after spending the evening drinking during a family trip to Disney World in Florida. Child neglect: The father of the nine-year-old boy driving was arrested on neglecting a child without great harm after their minivan crashed into a hotel barricade Police were called after the nine-year-old crashed into a security barrier at the Sheraton Vistana Resort late Saturday night. Sikkenga explained to authorities that he and his wife were too drunk to drive their

minivan and told the boy to take them back to their hotel. Sikkenga, 31, from,Gilette, Wyoming, was arrested on a charge of neglecting a child without great harm. He is the second father this month to be arrested for allowing an underage driver take the wheel because of having too much to drink. On Oct. 8, a man had his nine-year-old daughter drive him to a convenience store because he had been drinking. Surveillance video from a gas station showed him telling a clerk that his daughter was his designated driver and used a booster seat to reach the pedals and steering wheel. The girl is seen on camera standing beside her father holding a candied apple while he brags about his daughter's driving with the clerk.

'She drives us here. I swear to you. Nine years old, in the truck, we're here. She drove all the way here,' the man says.

When police pulled over the young girl she said to the officer, "What did you stop me for? I was driving good,"

The girl told police that her father had been drinking whiskey all night and that he had allowed her to drive before.

Toddler fined £89 for dropping two crisps Woman gives birth, joins train with umbilical cord still attached

woman was handed an £80 litter fine after her toddler grandchild dropped some crisps on the pavement. Barbara Jubb had picked up the packet of Quavers when it fell from the hand of 20-month- old Emily. But she failed to pick up two stray crisps that spilled from the bag. Within seconds two council litter wardens swooped and issued her with an £80 fine. "This is diabolical," said Mrs Jubb, 57. "£80 is a lot of money, especially if it's just because a baby dropped two Quavers. "I saw these two women coming toward me with clipboards. One of them produced a card and said, 'We are from the council and I'm going to fine you for littering'. "I said, 'What litter - it's just two Quavers, it was my granddaughter, she dropped them'." "People were standing around listening-they were just laughing, they couldn't believe it was happening." The incident happened when Mrs Jubb was waiting for a bus with her daughter Selena, Emily's mother. They were on their way back to

Emily Jubb and a Quaver

their home in Crawley, West Sussex, after a hospital visit in which Selena was diagnosed with a heart condition. Mrs Jubb added: "It was only when I got on the bus that I read the notice and realised they had fined me £80." Selena, 29, said: 'At first we didn't realise we had been fined. These two wardens had come up to us and given us a notice. "When I read it on the bus I realised my mum had been given an £80 fine. Luckily Emily didn't have a clue what was going on. I think they are targeting vulnerable people." A spokesman for Crawley Council said: "People leaving their rubbish behind - or dropping litter anywhere other than a bin - is totally unacceptable. "It annoys responsible residents who help us to keep the town clean and tidy and the council will not tolerate unsociable behaviour." The council did however allow Mrs Jubb's appeal against the fine, saying the penalty would be waived because of the 'exceptional circumstances'.

A Michigan man was arrested earlier this month after appointing his nine-year-old daughter as designated driver for him.

hiladelphia commuters and transit workers were in for a major surprise when a woman gave birth aboard a busy northbound train Tuesday. Transit police Officer Loyd Rodgers and his partner gave the stork a helping hand after the woman approached them at the

Miracle: A woman gave birth to a baby boy aboard a Broad Street Line SEPTA subway train in Philadelphia

Olney station. Nestled in her clothing was her baby boy, umbilical cord still attached. Rodgers said all activity in the busy subway station halted as astonished riders snapped pictures and congratulated the new mom on her arrival. The pregnant woman, whose name is not being released, was en route to a doctor's appointment Tuesday afternoon when she suddenly went into labor and delivered a son on a Broad Street Line train. The mother got off at the Olney Transportation Center, climbed a set of stairs and then approached Rodgers for help, CBS Phily reported. The officer said the woman told him, 'This is my baby, I just had a baby.' Rogers, who has a teenaged

Train at Olney station that hosted the new born daughter of his own, hurried to find a blanket to keep the baby warm and comforted the mother while they waited for paramedics to arrive. 'The joy she had on her face I would never be able to explain in a thousand years,' he recalled. According to the veteran officer, both the mother and her baby were very calm. SEPTA cashier Cynthia Leaks said the little boy was 'beautiful' with pretty curly hair covering his head.

Van Stolen with 12 Coffins, 12 Bodies Inside

erman thieves picked up more than they bargained for in a heist just outside Berlin Sunday night when they stole three vans - one of which was loaded with 12 coffins, complete with corpses. The cargo, en route to a crematorium in Meissen, Saxony, disappeared from an industrial parking lot while the van's driver was inside washing his hands, reported the German news website The Local. "The driver did everything right," a company spokesman told German newspaper Die Welt, adding that he had even locked the van before walking away. "We have not found the bodies yet," police spokesman Peter Salender told NBC News. He added that one of the other

vans had been recovered in Poland. A spokesman for the Frankfurt am Oder state prosecutor's office said the case fit the profile of a string of recent van thefts and that the vehicles were probably destined for

Stolen van

eastern Europe, reported the French newspaper Le Figaro (link in French). "The perpetrators were probably not intending to steal 12 bodies," another spokesman for the prosecutor's office said.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

Leave me out of your ordeal, Kogi Governor tells impeached Speaker From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

ogi State governor, Captain Idris Wada, has told the impeached Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Abdullahi Bello, to leave him out of his political ordeal. Wada pointedly declared that he neither had hand in Bello's Tuesday's impeachment nor knew anything about it. Speaking through his Special. Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Jacob Edi, the governor described the allegation by the ousted Speaker that he financially induced members of the Assembly to remove him as satanic and most unfortunate. Edi, in a statement yesterday, said, "The executive denies in very strong and unequivocal terms Bello's attempt to trace his woes to the executive under the leadership of Governor Idris Ichalla Wada. Since assuming office early in the year, the governor has remained committed to the principles of separation of powers as embedded in every modern democracy. "The issues, as contained in the impeachment notice, were purely an internal problem of the legislature. Therefore, any effort to link the good names of the governor and thereby tag him as the mastermind of the impeachment, is not only unfortunate and puerile, but should be treated as a desperate attempt by somebody on a free fall with a view to diverting the attention of the public from the real issues as listed by Hon. Bello's colleagues. "The former Speaker's claim that he has been having problems with the Governor, without mentioning such problems sounds, at best, like a half truth. The grounds for impeachment as contained in the impeachment notice, which have been well reported in the media, are well spelt out and not vague. "To be precise, the former Speaker was accused of being insensitive to the feelings of the citizenry as shown in his refusal to show reasonable concern first when 19 worshipers, and two soldiers on national assignment were gunned down by unknown persons in the Central Senatorial District and later during the flood that ravaged nine local councils cutting across the three Senatorial Districts of the Sate. "He was accused of adjourning the House indefinitely and being absent during the visits of President Goodluck Jonathan and Senate President David Mark who separately paid solidarity visits to the flood victims. According to him, "there is a standing rule for the top echelon of the judiciary and legislators to have express passage to see the Governor, whenever they so desire. Bello himself has been a beneficiary of that rule.

PAGE 37

Jonathan to open 3rd National Prayer Breakfast By Lawrence Olaoye

resident Goodluck Jonathan is to open the 2012 edition of the National Breakfast Prayer scheduled to take place on the 25th of October as the Special

Guest of Honour. According to the National Publicity Secretary of the National Breakfast Prayer, Senator Ita Enang, the event will hold at the International Conference center by 7am on the date.

Enang in a press conference yesterday declared "The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, will be the Special Guest of Honour, the entire leadership of the National Assembly led by the President of

L-R: Leader, House of Representatives, Hon. Mulikat Adiola-Akande, Deputy Speaker, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, and Hon. Muktar M. Ahmed, during the stakeholders meeting on Constitutional Review, yesterday at the National Assembly, in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

the Senate, Dr. David A.B. Mark, former Presidents and Heads of State, former governors, political and religious leaders, business and diplomatic community will be in attendance." He added "the theme of the third Prayer Breakfast is 'Sacrifice with Righteousness: A necessary Ingredient for transformation,' with the keynote address to be delivered by the President of the Republic of Rwanda, His Excellency, Paul Kagame." Enang noted that when the National Prayer Breakfast was inaugurated in 2010, the country was not undergoing the kind of challenges it is presently facing. "Today, we pray all Nigerians will join us as we seek God's face for our country, and pray for the strength to build a united Nigeria irrespective of creed, language or tribe. "We pray that God will put a stop to the recent bloodletting and natural disasters in the nation and bring about true transformation in our nation when we earnestly and truly sacrifice ourselves." The National Prayer Breakfast, which started in the United States, is fast becoming a global phenomenal with about fifty nations including Nigeria embracing the programme.

Constitution Review: Governors to collaborate with NASS By Lawrence Olaoye

he 36 state governors of the federation under the aegis of the Nigerian Governors' Forum (NGF) yesterday resoved to collaborate with the National Assembly (NASS)'s Constitution Amendment Committee to fashion out a new and acceptable constitution to the country. The state Chief Executives after its deliberation on Wednesday issued a

communiquĂŠ signed by its Chairman and governor of Rivers state, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, where it resolved to set up a 7 man committee to work with NASS Constitution Amendment Committee. The Communique read "Forum held an exploratory meeting with the Senate Committee on 1999 Constitutional Review led by the Chairman and Deputy Senate PresidentSenator Ike

Ekweremadu and constituted a 7- man committee (consisting of Rivers, Jigawa, Bauchi, Lagos, Niger, Anambra and Akwa-Ibom State Governors) to engage and collaborate with the National Assembly on the constitution review process. "Forum also constituted a committee on Good Governance and Peer Review (Kano, Sokoto, Kwara, Adamawa, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Enugu, Zamfara and Osun State Governors), Security

( Benue as Chairman, Edo, Kaduna, Ekiti, Borno and Abia as members) and another on Environment (Oyo as Chairman, Plateaum Bayelsa, Kebbi, Yobe, Kogi and Imo) to organize a Security Conference and tackle flooding respectively. Members of the Forum committed to pursuing integrated interventions towards eradicating polio by December 2013 instead of the initial 2015 deadline."

Kwali: Aspirant cautions PDP leadership against adoption of candidate By Adeola Tukuru

he PDP chairmanship aspirant for 2013 FCT Area Councils election in Kwali, Mr. Usman Jiya yesterday cautioned PDP leadership in the council against adoption of candidate. Jiya who stated this in Kwali in an interview with newsmen said adoption of candidate as against going through primaries would not be in the interest of the party in the council He faulted move by a committee

constituted without adequate consultations to adopt Mr. Ibrahim Daniel as PDP Chairmanship candidate. The PDP aspirant advocated that primaries be conducted in the council to strengthen the peace and unity in the party as well as to allow a level playing ground for all the aspirants. According to him, the committee was constituted without my consent and as an aspirant, there is no way the recommendation of such committee will be binding on me.

He said "Apart from the fact that the committee was constituted without my consent as an aspirant, membership of the committee was dominated by people who cannot read and write. "Mr. Daniel that is being adopted by the committee is a serving civil servant with the Universal Basic Education Board that was supposed to have resigned his appointment before going into politics. `` The fact is that some key members of the committee were already against my aspirations and so, for PDP to reclaim its position in

the council, a level playing ground must be established for all aspirants," he said. Jiya faulted the recommendation of the committee on the ground that its members were offered money by Ibrahim before his adoption adding that some members had withdrawn from the committee following move to offer them money. The aspirant therefore appealed to the leadership of the party in Kwali to be careful of accepting recommendations that could disorganize the peace and unity of the party.

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

Constitution Review: Reps reject SNC, convene Peoples Public Sessions By Lawrence Olaoye

he House of Representatives yesterday rejected calls for Sovereign National Conference and suggestions on referendum in the country but has begun moves for convocation of Peoples Public Sessions across the 360 Federal Constituencies in the country. The House Committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, disclosed this at an interactive session held with major stakeholders consisting of representatives from the Civil Society, Media, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) amongst others. Emeka who pointed out that critics have consistently put as lie to the opening statement of the

1999 Constitution by disputing that the document was made with the consent of Nigerians. According to him, the non-participation of Nigerians in the draft of the constitution has made them to see the document as an imposition and as such was at the root of the clamour for Sovereign National Conference. He said ''Some of the more vocal individuals and groups have, bercause of the deficiencies identified in the Constitution, proposed the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference to fundamentally restructure the constitutional basis of Nigeria. This suggestion is however not contemplated by the present Constitution and would therefore have no constitutional or legal basis that would enable the National Assembly or the present political system to implement it. The same

problem affects the clamour for referendum within the current constitutional structure." According to him, the response to the clamour for SNC from the House is the convocation of Peoples' Public Sessions to be held in the 360 Federal Constituencies across the country. ''The Peoples' Public Sessions is therefore our response to the pressures for more participatory, inclusive and transparent review of the Constitution. It will take the process and issues to the Nigerian people in their villages, communities and towns across Nigeria. The Committee will issue a template on the rules of engagement and matters to be discussed at the various sessions. However, the Peoples' Sessionss will also elicit directly from the people, additional

issues they would like to see addressed by the legislature as it seeks to amend the Constitution," Ihedioha explained, he explained. While giving an insight into the proposed Peoples' Public Session scheduled to kick-off nationwide by next month, the Deputy Speaker stressed ''it represents the first time in the history of Nigeria that constitution making process will be taken down to the grassroots. As representatives of the people, it is our desire to ensure the participation of all our people wherever they may live. We are interested in the views of market women, traders, artisans, youths, students, religious organizations, labour and the media. We are interested in the views of the poor, the downtrodden, the unemployed as well as the view of the rich and well to do'.

Ondo: INEC distributes election materials to riverine areas From Ayodele Samuel, Akure

head of Saturday governorship election in Ondo state, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the distribution of election materials to riverine areas of the state. The distribution which started with the receive of the materials from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Akure office was witness by the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Akin Orebiyi, various political parties' agents and senior members of staff of the Commission. The materials however will be transported to Ese-Odo and Ilaje Local Government Council for early arrival of the material at the polls on Saturday. Our reporter however gathered that about 21 observers groups including Women Arise and Rights Monitoring Group (RMG), which the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) had early alleged to be partisan, were accredited for the poll. Meanwhile women in the state also stage a peaceful protest demanding for a violence free election on Saturday. The protest which started at the Oba Adeshida Market through the Governor's office terminated at Alagbaka round about, urging parents not to allow their wards to be used as political thugs during and after the election. Mrs Shola Abegunide who spoke to newsmen said "We are threatened by various threat of violence, but we want the people to know we don't need it; we want peace in Ondo state." She added that mothers have been sensitized on the need to keep their wards from being used by politicians who may want to cause trouble on election day.

L-R: Senator Nenadi Usman, Senator Ita Enang, Hon. Sekote Davis, and Senator Victor Lar, during a press briefing on the 3rd National Prayer Breakfast, yesterday at the National Assembly, in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

2015: Ex LG bosses endorse Mutawalle for Zamfara governorship

he Forum of Zamfara State Former Local Government Vice Chairmen has endorsed the candidature of Rep Muhammad Bello Mutawalle (PDP-Zamfara) to contest the gubernatorial election of the state in 2015. The endorsement came after a meeting held by the Forum yesterday in Kaduna. Briefing newsmen after the meeting, the chairman of the Forum, Alhaji Salihu Wakkala Moriki said they resolved to back the gubernatorial ambition of Mutawalle based on

their conviction that he possessed the ability to salvage the state from its present predicaments. Moriki said Mutawalle's achievements as three-term member of the House of Representatives stand him out as the best candidate that could be sold to the people of the state. "We resolved to endorse his aspiration based on his antecedents and certain qualities that include his outstanding performance as member of the House of Representatives; his well known care and assistance to the less

privilege; respect for people and above all his commitment to the development of our state. "We believe that it is only Mutawalle that has the capacity because of his fearlessness that can dislodge the ANPP government and restore the glory of the assistance," he said. In his response, Mutawalle, who is also the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on National Security, Intelligence and Public Safety, thanked the former Vice Chairmen, assuring never to let them down.

Tsav warns against re-absolving Ayu into PDP From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

ocial critic, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, has condemned the calculated attempt by second republic Senate President and chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria from Benue state, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, to stage a return to the ruling People's Democratic Party as a belated move. Tsav in a chat with newsmen in Makurdi yesterday maintained

that the erstwhile Minister for Internal Affairs during the Obasanjo's administration had lost political relevance in the state, adding he would, in his usual manner, cause disaffection in the party like he did during the administration of the former governor of the state, Chief George Akume. He urged that the doors of PDP be shut against Ayu so as to safeguard unpleasant experiences

especially with his overbearing influence on party machinery which has been his stock in trade in the past. "Frankly if you see what I'm talking, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu is more of a liability rather than an asset because the man has exhausted his usefulness and consequently, even his defection to the party would be of no relevance rather than contribute immensely in depreciating the value of the party", he warned.

2013 Budget ANPP decries neglect of agriculture By Umar Muhammad Puma

he all Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) has described allocation of N81.41 billion earmarked for agriculture in the proposed 2013 budget proposal as too meager for a country like Nigeria. The party in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Emma Eneukwu, noted that Nigeria as a nation which prides itself as the giant of Africa, President Goodluck Jonathan, by allocating such paltry sum to Agriculture has made a statement that he was not ready to abide by the Maputo Declaration of which Nigeria was a signatory. “At the Second Ordinary Assembly of the African Union in July 2003 in Maputo, African Heads of State and Government endorsed the Maputo Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security in Africa,” ANPP said. According to him, the declaration contained several important decisions regarding agriculture, but prominent among them was the commitment to the allocation of at least 10 percent of national budgetary resources to agriculture and rural development policy implementation within five years. The 2013 budget for agriculture is less than 2 percent, the opposition party pointed out. The ANPP spokesman added that the President and his team did not put the ongoing nationwide flooding into the picture before making the final draft, or that they were ignorant of the precarious situation faced by the people as it concerns food security. He added that, every Nigerian is affected by the current environmental hazard pummeling the nation, but insisted that more affected are the coastal and rural dwellers, the petty agriculturalists and subsistence farming-dependent citizens who could barely survive outside their familiar rural territory. Eneuku recollected that the Minister of Environment, Hajiya Hadiza Mailafiya, was recently quoted as saying that the country is faced with imminent food crisis, as more than 5,000 farmlands in many states had been washed away and there could be food shortage. “We see no other way of addressing the looming danger apart from concerted, strategic and broad intervention based on a budgetary blueprint for next year in the agricultural and rural development sector, which underpin the affected areas. However, looking at provisions for these sectors in the 2013 budget proposal, we can only see the handwriting of a government that is not prepared to face this manifest challenge”. He therefore calls on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to give the 2013 budget a second look with food security in mind.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

PAGE 39

Will Mimiko break the 2nd term jinx in Ondo? By Lawrence Olaoye and Ayodele Samuel

ess than 24 hours to the much heated governorship election in Ondo state, the political terrain has become exceedingly electrified with three contenders on the platform of the ruling Labour Party; the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the front burners. Since the creation of the South Western state, no sitting governor has ever broken the record of having the luxury of serving the state the second term as the incumbent, Governor Olusegun Mimiko, is currently attempting to do. Although, the governor is making frantic efforts to break the jinx, strong opposition orchestrated by Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) of the ACN and that that of the Chief Olusola Oke led PDP is threatening his ambition. Political analysts have described the governorship election as unprecedented in the state, saying it would be an uphill task for any of the opposition parties to win the election, even as they are not sure that it would be easy for the incumbent to retain the seat. Mimiko hinged his confidence that the people will vote for him in the October 20 governorship election based on his track record of performance and longstanding relationship with them. He argued that he remained the most qualified amongst all the contenders for the position having identified with the people, worked for them and above all having brought the state to the path to sustainable development as Governor. "The people of Ondo state will vote for me because they know me and I live with them. In the last three and a half years, we have been working for the people and we have delivered on our electioneering promises. If you vote for me again, I will continue to work for you. You all know me, I am not a stranger in your midst; I have been your commissioner and when I was your commissioner, I did well for you; I was your Secretary to State Government (SSG); when I was SSG, I did well for you. I was a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and when I was there, I did well for you. So you all know my antecedents unlike some people who want to now govern you out of the blues. Because you know me;

Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN)

Olusola Oke

Governor Olusegun Mimiko because I have always worked for you; because my heart is with you, I won't take your money abroad. Rather, I will use your money to work for you so that hunger, want, deprivation will be banished from our land," Mimiko boasted in one of his campaign rallies in the state. But analysts are of the opinion that it would be difficult for Mimiko to break the 'No second term' jinx as the Akoko region of the state has begun to agitate that it has become its turn to produce the next governor of the state based on a 'unwritten' rotation policy. The youths in the state who have continuously lamented high level of unemployment in the state since the beginning of the Mimiko's administration. They argued that Mimiko past efforts has not touched their hearts to return him. Akeredolu however began the gospel of job creation if elected. His promise to create more than 30,000 jobs has continued to excite the youths of the state to give their votes to him. Akeredolu said he will start by creating 3,000 jobs in his first 100 days if voted as governor on October 20. He immediately urged jobseekers to submit their curriculum vitae to his office in Akure. According to him, a special desk had been created for it. But, his

opponents in the state have consistently refer to him as the District Officer who is on an expansionist mission for hios political masters based outside the state. PDP's Okewho hails from the oil rich region of the state however believed he remained the right person to govern the state for the next four years. His acceptability from his region in the state cannot be contested. Oke is well loved in the riverine communities in the state. Over the years, he has become familiar with the problems of the people and appreciates their sufferings. He has been criticizing Mimiko's government for allegedly abandoning laudable projects initiated by his predecessor, former governor Olusegun Agagu. His alleged "The Alpha 3Ds in Akure, which has the capacity to employ about 1,000, has been abandoned; the Garri Processing Factory has been abandoned; the Olokola Initiative has been abandoned; the Owena Dam Reticulation, where the Federal Government has spent about N11bn has been abandoned. The Akure Stadium has been abandoned while our teams have to go to Ijebu Ode to play their matches. Although these may be categorized as a mere political rhetorics, but can Mimiko actually break the 'no second term jinx?

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

Missing sleep even two hours a night can erase memories for ever W

ithout a good night’s sleep tonight, you may have no recollection of reading this by tomorrow. Just two hours of missed slumber is enough to stop the brain from laying down and storing memories, research suggests – and simply dropping from eight hours of sleep to six could make the difference. What is more, any memories lost due to not getting enough shut-eye may be gone for ever, the Society for Neuroscience’s annual conference heard. Researcher Ted Abel said: ‘I think what it really means for modern life is that sleep is not a luxury. ‘It is really critically important for the brain and for the brain to function and for you to be able to really remember and consolidate what’s happened to you over the day. ‘I think we often feel that if we could grab a cup of coffee and answer five more emails, we would have done everything we could do. Sometimes it might be better to go to sleep and deal with it after.’ Professor Abel and his team form the University of Pennsylvania looked at how mice that were stopped from sleeping fared on a memory task.

Just two hours of missed sleep is enough to stop the brain from laying down and storing memories, meaning they may be lost forever. The creatures were kept awake for varying amounts of time, to pinpoint just how little sleep had to be lost for their recall to be damaged. The professor told the New Orleans conference: ‘What we found is that when we deprived animals of sleep, that impaired storage of memories.

‘And most importantly we found out that a very short period of time would block memory consolidation, it was as short as three hours, which for mice is something like 20 per cent of their sleep over 24 hours. ‘In human terms, it would be the equivalent of dropping an eight-hour night of sleep to six

hours, which is something we do all the time.’ It is thought that the replay of our memories while we are asleep is essential for their proper storage in the brain. The study also suggested that there is a critical period after learning during in which memories are consolidated,

meaning that loss of sleep at some points in time may be more damaging than at others. Professor Abel, who tries to get seven to eight hours of sleep a night, added that any information lost due to lack of sleep is gone forever - meaning that sleeping longer the next night won’t bring it back. Neil Stanley, one of Britain’s leading sleep experts, said: ‘The important thing about sleep is that is allows the brain to do things that it is far too busy to do during the day. ‘Sleep is the quiet time that gives the brain time to do the filing.’ Dr Stanley, who set up worldclass sleep labs at Surrey University before becoming a freelance sleep consultant, added that lack of memory consolidation can lead to people forgetting to carry out simple tasks. ‘This is the cause of why when you tell your husband to do something and then tomorrow you say, “But I told you that”, and you think he’s being difficult or stupid. ‘But it is because he may not have laid down that memory. He may have intended to remember it but because it is not laid down, he can’t retrieve it.’ Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Skipping breakfast to lose weight makes you fatter

f you think skipping your morning tea and toast will help you shed a few pounds, you could be mistaken. Researchers claim people who miss breakfast not only eat more for lunch but also crave fatty and sugary foods, putting them at risk of gaining rather than

losing weight. Scientists at Imperial College London scanned the brains of 21 volunteers while they looked at pictures of different foods, such as salads and chocolate. The volunteers also rated how appealing they found the foods, which ranged from salads

and vegetables to calorie-laden chocolates, desserts, cakes, pizzas and burgers. This was done twice - once after the men and women had eaten breakfast and again on a morning when they hadn’t eaten since the night before. Afterwards, they were given

Research has found those who miss breakfast not only eat more for lunch, they also crave fatty and sugary foods.

a pasta lunch and told they could eat as much as they liked. Those who had missed breakfast ate about 250 calories more - the equivalent of five Jaffa Cakes or a chunky Kit Kat. They also found the highcalorie foods more tempting, with the chocolate the most appealing food of all, the Society for Neuroscience’s annual conference in New Orleans heard. This suggests that if they had

People who skipped breakfast also found high-calorie foods more tempting, with the chocolate the most appealing food of all.

had a choice of foods for lunch, they would have homed in on the unhealthy ones and so packed away even more calories, said researcher Tony Goldstone. The MRI scans showed a region called the orbital frontal cortex, which tells the brain how important or tasty a food is, to light up more when breakfast had been skipped. Thoughts of high-calorie foods made it particularly active. It is thought that when we skip meals, our gut releases hormones that act on the orbital frontal cortex, priming it to steer our thoughts towards sugary and fatty treats. While this might make sense in times of famine, when it is essential to get as many calories as possible, when food is plentiful, it could lead to us eating more than is good for us. Dr Goldstone said: ‘Through the participants’ MRI results and observations of how much they ate at lunch, we found ample evidence that fasting made people hungrier and increased the appeal of highcalorie foods and the amount people ate. ‘Beware of going for long periods without eating because you are going to crave highcalorie foods much more because of changes in how your orbital frontal cortex works.’ Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

PAGE 40

08050639900 wallybabe2010@gmail.com

an you give us a brief history of your life? I am Hajara AbdulRahman Muhammed, I was born into the family of late Alhaji AbdulRahman Okene. I am a mother of two and currently work with the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation as Director, Marketing. I attended Our Lady High School in Kaduna for my primary school, from there I joined Queens School Ilorin, in my second year, I was transferred to Queen of Apostles College, Kakuri, Kaduna, where I completed my secondary education. After my secondary school education, I went to School of Basic Studies Samaru, Zaria, which was then a direct course for degree programme in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, after which I got admission in the University to study Sociology. What informed your decision to study sociology at a time when women go for courses like education to become teachers? The late Ibrahim Tahir actually influenced that decision because we were in the school of basic studies, Zaria together also one of my lecturers called Justin Serayo, who was a Sociology lecturer in the university then, convinced me to take up Sociology as a discipline. As a female director what are the kinds of challenges you face? I can tell you that in the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation there are more female directors than male directors and our number is intimidating our male counterparts. The agency is gender friendly. Our present Director General, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe is accommodating and understanding which made the job easy for all of us there. Under his tutelage we have grown to become what we are today. Of course, every job comes with its challenges but, for me I can say that I have prepared myself to take any challenge that may come my way, so, I don’t see any part of my job as a big challenge which I can’t handle with determination and with God by my side. What inspired you? I was inspired by my late father, who was a disciplinarian and strict and had no tolerance for lazy people. He encouraged every child whether male or female to go to school. In fact, he always told us that he has built enough goodwill which we should explore. He was never the type that solicited for positions for his children but encouraged us to work hard and achieve whatever we want to achieve in life. All he ever wanted was for us to come and tell him the good news and he would bless us. But he was always there to assist other people in whatever way when they go to him for assistance. In what way do you think NTDC can market the country to the outside world to attract more foreign investors especially now that the country is facing security challenges? The organization is trying in

I see my challenges as opportunity to rise

Hajara Abdulrahman Mohammed is a Director, Marketing, at the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation(NTDC) with many years of experience. In this interview with Maryam Garba Hassan, she talks about how her late father inspired her to achieve whatever she made up her mind on, her take on the role of female public office holders in the country and the challenges women folks face in their careers among others. Excerpts that respect. It has made name in the international market, we appear in many international fairs trying to market the country to attract investors, redeem the image of the country and to market the tourism destinations and potentials of the country. It is unfortunate that we are facing such challenges in the country but I believe we will surmount them. There is no country that has ever been free of such challenges, every county has its own challenges to cope with and it is a matter of you trying to down play the negative aspect and heightened that positive aspect that will endear you to other countries of the world or people. At the moment we have redoubled out efforts to market Nigeria and to attract more people to come and be part of this great nation. What is the most challenging task you have ever been assigned to do? That is difficult for me to say this is the most difficult challenge I have ever encountered. They come and go, you meet them every now and then but your ability to surmount them strengthened you and makes you to want to go on. If you allow your challenges to subdue you, you will become a failure. See your challenges as an opportunity for you to become a champion. Who gave you the most support? My family especially my father who supported me in every way a father ought to have, but the one thing he didn’t do for us was to clear the way for me to pass. “Go and clear it yourself, that way you will appreciate it” that was his slogan. The next person is my present Director General. Going through his tutelage has made me what I am now and I thank God for meeting such a man. If I have the opportunity again, I will continue working with him. How would you assess female public office holders in the country? As far as transparency and honesty is concerned, Nigerian female public office holders are trying. I must commend the present administration; it has been very favorable to the women folks in terms of appointments and some of its policies which carry women along. It has been very supportive of women because we have never had it so good. Nigerian women have come of age; we are still not there but close

Hajara Abdulrahman Mohammed to getting there. Naturally, women are straight forward than men, this is the fact. If you give a woman a position and all the support she needs, she will achieve result. What is your greatest achievement in life? Becoming a director is one of my biggest achievements in life

because many aspired to be one but only few get there and if you find yourself in such position, contribute in your quota to the development of the country in whatever way you can so, that when you are gone history will not forget you and what you have done for the country. I aspire to achieve more in life

“

Naturally, women are straight forward than men, this is the fact. If you give a woman a position and all the support she needs, she will achieve result

by working hard and becoming more committed to my work till when I retire from the public service. How do you juggle the demands of your job, motherhood and the home front? It is something I have managed to do for a long time and it has become a part of me, tough it is stressful but when I look back now I know it is worth the trouble. What is your advice for the young generations? Honesty and hard work should be their watch word. Respect people no matter how lowly they are, they will accord you the same and that is how you will build an aura or image for yourself. Set a goal for yourself and work hard to achieve it no matter how long it may take you to get there.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

PAGE 31

The youth vote: Candidates still giving it the old college try

ith less than three weeks left before election day, the youth vote has once more come into focus. A student concerned about his future job prospects asked the first question at the Hofstra University presidential debate Tuesday night, and both candidates have set up extensive campus operations in swing states. Obama defeated Republican John McCain by a roughly two-toone margin among voters aged 18 to 29 in 2008. The president’s lead is large but less commanding this time around. Likely voters in this age group prefer Obama to Romney by 54 percent to 36 percent in Reuters/ Ipsos polling from the week ending October 14. The Romney campaign is working to mobilize students unhappy with the president’s record, with 188 chapters of a pro-Romney student group on campuses in 11 “target states,” according to a campaign aide. “I don’t think you’ll see the

president enjoying the same amount of support that he had in 2008, very simply because the Obama economy has created a lost generation of young voters,” the aide said. He added that the campaign’s young groups have made over 2 million “voter contacts,” either by “calling them, knocking on the door, having a friend drive them to the polls.” The Obama campaign has gone a step further, bringing buses to some campus rallies that later take students to register or vote early. For both sides the efforts to register students living on campus have been complicated in some swing states by new voter ID and verification laws. In Florida, for instance, voters who are away from home on election day will not be able to cast out-of-county provisional ballots. A list provided to Reuters by the Obama campaign names 26 schools the president visited between the

Kim Li, a junior at Denver University, watches the debate between Obama and Romney end of March and the beginning of October, while Romney aides estimated that the former governor has visited “roughly 50” campuses. Obama has largely visited community colleges and big state

schools, while Romney’s most prominent visits have been specially tailored. His major foreign policy address of the fall was at Virginia Military Academy on October 8. When he was looking to establish his

credentials with evangelical voters after the primary season in May, he delivered the commencement address at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. In Ohio in mid-September, Romney visited the home of the 2011 national intercollegiate dressage champions: Lake Erie College. Romney’s wife, Ann, is the owner of a horse that competed in dressage in the 2012 Olympics in London. The Romney campaign has an uphill climb with the youngest voting demographic. Likely voters overall believe Democrats are better for young Americans than Republicans by a 44 percent to 29 percent margin. For likely voters between 18 and 29 years old, this gap is an overwhelming 53 percent to 19 percent. Undaunted, the Romney aide said “I don’t have a percentage or a volume that’s the magic number we’re going to win here. Our goal is to go out and talk to every young American.”

Obama and Romney hit campaign trail after biting debate U

S President Barack Obama and his Republican challenger Mitt Romney have returned to the campaign trail, a day after their fractious televised debate. Sparks flew during Tuesday’s encounter in New York as the candidates engaged directly with voters and each other. On Wednesday they continued their pitches for the female vote, after a debate comment by Mr Romney on equal opportunities sparked debate online. Post-debate audience polls gave the edge in the debate to Mr Obama. The president was widely judged to have lost the pair’s first head-to-head two weeks ago. Some 65.6 million people watched the latest debate, according to Nielsen, nearly the same number that tuned into the first presidential debate. With 20 days to go until the 6 November vote, the race is deadlocked. Mr Obama travelled to the key swing states of Iowa and Ohio on Wednesday, while Mr Romney held campaign events in Virginia, another potentially crucial election battleground. In Iowa, the president mocked Mr Romney’s claim that he had proactively attempted to pick female cabinet members after being elected governor of Massachusetts, choosing from what he described as “binders full of women” who were qualified for the positions. Mr Romney’s use of the phrase, while not inaccurate, became a talking point and viral humour hit. “I’ve got to tell you, we don’t have to collect a bunch of binders to find qualified, talented, driven young women,” Mr Obama said on Wednesday. He also resumed attacks on Mr Romney’s tax plan, calling it a “sketchy deal”, that would only

The two candidates are focussing on swing states with under three weeks until election day benefit wealthy Americans. Meanwhile, Mr Romney also sought to paint Mr Obama as the wrong candidate for women. “This president has failed America’s women,” Mr Romney said. “They’ve suffered in terms of getting jobs, they’ve suffered in terms of falling into poverty.” The Romney campaign also launched a new TV ad that urged women to consider the economy when making their presidential choice, and sought to take the edge off Mr Romney’s opposition to abortion. “In fact he thinks abortion should be an option in cases of rape, incest or to save a mother’s life,” a woman says in the ad, adding: “But I’m more concerned about the debt our children will be left with. I voted for President Obama last time, but we just can’t afford four more years.” Mr Romney made gains nationally and in swing states after

an assured performance during his first debate against a listless Mr Obama two weeks ago in Denver, Colorado. What the president’s campaign would have dreaded was anything that contributed to a narrative of decline and defeat for the Democrat as he reaches for a second term, our correspondent adds. It was a much more fired-up president who appeared for Tuesday’s town hall-style forum at Hofstra University on Long Island to take questions from an audience of 80 undecided voters. Mr Romney ceded little ground, though, setting the stage for a series of bruising exchanges that crackled with tension. The two candidates stalked the stage, frequently interrupting and intruding on each other’s personal space. The true impact of Tuesday night’s encounter will not become clear for a couple of days until

opinion pollsters have conducted national and state-by-state surveys. One major flashpoint revolved around last month’s assault on the US Libya consulate, which Mr Romney said amounted to an “unravelling” of the president’s foreign policy. Mr Romney said his rival’s administration had quibbled for too long about whether to label it a terrorist attack. But Obama said he had described it as such the day afterwards at the White House. The moderator, CNN’s Candy Crowley, interrupted Mr Romney to back the president’s account, an intervention that has sparked uproar among conservative commentators. Mr Obama glared at his challenger as he rebuked him, saying it was “offensive” to suggest that he had played politics with an attack that claimed four American lives. Mr Romney aggressively

returned Mr Obama’s fire, accusing him of a litany of broken promises and a record of failure. He delivered a series of stinging attacks on the president over the economy, charging him with failing to curb high unemployment or ballooning deficits. “The president wants to do well, I understand,” Mr Romney said. “But the policies he put in place have not let this economy take off as it could have. Mr Obama produced one of the night’s few zingers, about the Republican’s wealth. Mr Romney was defending his investments in China through a blind trust when he asked his rival if he had checked his own retirement plan. “You know, I don’t look at my pension,” the president said. “It’s not as big as yours.” The third and final presidential debate is scheduled for 22 October in Boca Raton, Florida.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

PAGE 41

Glo, Total Promotions to resolve NPL sponsorship tussle soon, says Gusau

he Nigeria Premier League title sponsorship tussle between Globacom and Total Promotions will soon to be resolved, according to Alhaji Shehu Gusau, the vice chairman of the NPL board. Gusau disclosed in Abuja yesterday that efforts are being made to get the two parties to the negotiation table where a truce would be sought in the interest of

Victor Baribote, NPL chairman

the domestic league. The vice chairman said that unlike in the past when such efforts were thwarted, the NPL board is resolved to put an end to the controversy by getting them to a meeting where it is hoped that they will settle their differences. It would be recalled that Globacom had opted to go to court while efforts were on to seal an agreement between them. Glo had taken up the title sponsorship contract, while Total Promotions takes charge of the TV Rights deal. Also, a tripartite meeting involving the duo and the Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, that had been scheduled to be held in Lagos last month did not take place allegedly because Globacom failed to attend. It was alleged that Globacom opted not to attend the meeting because it reasons that since they had taken the matter to court, there would be no point attending because it could be tantamount to

backing out on its case against Total Promotions on the sponsorship controversy. However, Gusau said that all hands were now on deck to make sure that the Dec. 1 proposed kickoff date for the 2012/2013 was realisable. “Now, because of the litigation, everything is at a standstill, but I believe that it will soon be resolved from the way the minister is handling it. I hope Glo and Total Promotion will agree to dialogue. “I believe that by the end of this month, the matter will be resolved because the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the NPL Annual General Meeting will be held in November,” he said. Gusau said that the NPL congress scheduled for November 17 became necessary to enable the league board finalise other arrangements, while the board also awaits an amicable resolution of the sponsorship controversy. The chairman added that

meanwhile, the NPL would manage without a sponsor, stressing that nothing much can be done in the league without a title sponsor. According to him, the NPL had been running the league with money realised from Television Rights. “It is from this TV Rights that we pay match officials’ indemnities, host board meetings, pay salaries and other expenses,” Gusau said. He pointed out that the delay in the start of the 2012/2013 season was necessary in order to resolve all the misunderstandings and to give room for a smooth league season. Gusau said that although, the kick-off date for the league was originally scheduled for last October, it was shifted till December on the directive of the minister. The NPL Board had earlier in the week proposed December 1 as the new kick-off date for the 2012/2013 season. But the new date is tentative until the NPL congress gives its blessing. Even then, the decision of the congress billed for November 17 in would have to be ratified by the NFF congress before it becomes sacrosanct.

Maigari dreams third Nations Cup trophy By Patrick Andrew

ollowing the Super Eagles’ unassailable conquest of the Lone Stars of Liberia to secure the ticket for the 2013 Nations Cup in South Africa, the President of the executive committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Aminu Maigari, is confident the Eagles could go all the way and bring home the trophy. “Qualification has brought a huge relief not only to me, but millions of Nigerians. But this is just the beginning because we need to go to South Africa to win the cup,” an elated Maigari said. Accordingly, Maigari assured yesterday that the football federation would do whatever it would take to sustain the Eagles’ current form to ensure that they achieve the desired dream for Nigeria. “We have already begun plans to ensure the best preparation for the team. We have considered a possible training site for the Eagles

Aminu Maigari

considering the venue for our group games after the draw next week,” Maigari said. He confirmed that arrangements are in progress to fix top grade friendly matches for the Eagles and noted that for a start the team are scheduled to slug it out with Venezuela in the USA, next month. “Already, there is a game next month in the USA (versus Venezuela). We know what Nigerians want and we will work very hard to make sure we have a very strong team at the Nations Cup.” “We will also make sure that the Eagles are busy in all the FIFA free windows before the Nations Cup,” he said. He admitted that the Eagles still have a lot of work to do to play with flair and stressed that several things are in the pipe line to help improve the team. Zimbabwe has been proposed as training base for the Eagles ahead of fiesta but that would depend on which city the team are drawn to play their first round matches, according to officials. Next Wednesday in Durban, the Eagles’ group stage opponents will be known when draw will be conducted. Already, Nigeria are in pot two along with Mali, Tunisia and Angola, while South Africa, Zambia, Ghana and Ivory Coast are in pot one. In pot three are Algeria, Niger Republic, Burkina Faso and Morocco and finally, Togo, Cape Verde, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ethiopia made up pot four. Nigeria first won the Nations

Cup on home soil in 1980 and then clinched the continental championship again in 1994 in

Ahmed Musa

Tunisia and Maigari thinks it high Nigeria got to win it for the third time.

Maikaba returns to Pillars as Enyimba boil

bdu Maikaba has rejoined Kano Pillars after one year stint with six-time champions of the Nigeria Premier League, Enyimba. Maikaba exited embattled Enyimba who are facing reorganisation following the failure to secure continental ticket of any shape. Chief Coach Austin Eguavoen, had shortly before the end of the season opted to walk out of the club for irreconcilable difference even as several top players have followed suit. Maikaba, as confirmed by the Kano Pillars spokesman, Idris Malikawa, has returned to team up with Mohammed Babaganaru, who led Pillars to win the NPL trophy for the first time. However, Babaganaru, who had stepped in following the sudden exit of Ladan Bosso for Wikki Tourists just before the kick-off of last season, would benefit from the assistance of an experienced coach to excel at the continental club championship next season. “Maikaba has joined Pillars and he will work with Mohammed Babaganaru for the new season,” Malikawa said stressing that both would work together for the success of the team. But it was not clear in what capacity would function. Maikaba, a graduate of physics, assembled a team of youngsters last season and the Aba club finished fourth on the table. Meanwhile, Enyimba are facing exodus of its star players who are leaving to clubs with continental tickets. Such players as skipper Josiah Maduabuchi, Nnaemeka Anyanwu, Emmanuel Anyanwu and Razaq Adegbite, are said to be eyeing other clubs, even as some have already sealed negotiations for greener pastures. Maduabauchi was in Enugu midweek apparently to discuss terms with Enugu Rangers, while Adegbite has already resumed training with ‘The Flying Antelopes’. Former Flying Eagles and Olympic team defender Emmanuel Anywanwu is wanted by Heartland, while several other players have made it clear they wish to go with former coach Austin Eguavoen to the club he wishes to join for the coming season.

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

Malinga faces Sidzumo in battle of Mdantsane Copa

fter 13 years in professional boxing, 33-year-old former champion Samuel Malinga will challenge for another title in East London on Sunday afternoon. The former IBO Intercontinental, World Boxing Foundation and South Africa junior welterweight titles champion will attempt to regain the national title when he takes on Mzolisi Yoyo at the Mdantsane Indoor Centre. For Yoyo it will be the third defence of the belt he won when he beat Sikhulule Sidzumo on points on December 11 last year. The 35-year-old champion, who has a

record of 18-4, including 14 knockouts, has retained his title in challenges by Mzukisi Mgidi and Thembelani Chitani, whom he stopped in the fourth and sixth rounds respectively. Yoyo has been a professional for five years this month but he has had periods of inactivity. He had only 14 fights before he challenged Patrick Malinga for the SA lightweight title on May 22, 2009. He was stopped in the second round. After beating Stanley Gola on points to win the Eastern Cape junior welterweight title in November 2009, Yoyo again challenged for a national title in April the next year. But Sikhulule

Sidzumo beat him on points in a clash for the vacant welterweight belt. Now he fights a challenger who brings a record of 22-8-3; 14 into the bout at the often packed coastal venue. Malinga, ranked at No 2 by Boxing SA, caused a major upset when he stopped Ted Bami of Zaire in the third round of a fight in Plymouth, England, in July 2003. The victory gave him the WBF belt. On February 11, 2005 he won the vacant SA junior welterweight title by stopping Lawrence Ngobeni in the twelfth round. After a successful defence against Colin Mayisela he lost the title to Kaizer Mabuza in October

2008. Malinga has had only six fights since then, winning two, losing three and drawing over eight rounds with Jason Bedeman on November 23 last year.

He has not fought this year and now has to prove that his career is not coming to an end. Even though he is younger than Yoyo, the champion is favoured to retain his title.

By Albert Akota

Samuel Malinga

18th NSF: Fatusi urges follow-up programmes for fresh talents

eslim Fatusi, a member of the Atlanta Olympic 96’ gold medal winning football team, has appealed to the National Sports Commission (NSC) to institute follow-up programmes that be would facilitate the training of fledglings talents discovered at the festival. Fatusi believes that such programmes would ensure that talents discovered at festivals are groomed and put in the mental shape for stardom realising the objective of the fiesta. The National Sports Festival was conceived in the early 1970s to unite the country, which was traumatised by the civil war in the late 1960s, and also to promote sports. Fatusi asserted that organising the festival without a pragmatic backup was not enough to transform sports, a sure way to kill

grassroots sports talents. “The introduction of the festival in the 1970s was to unite the country after the civil war and to also promote sports. I believe that in the aspect of national integration and unity, the festival has achieved its aim to an extent, but not in sports. “Most of the athletes discovered are not harnessed properly; you just don’t discover talents without proper follow-up programmes to help them improve,’’ he said. The ex-player said the NSC should collaborate with state sports councils to constantly organise competitions to groom the talents. “If those discovered are properly monitored, we will have good athletes that will represent us at the Olympics in Rio, Brazil in 2016 and other international competitions,’’ he said.

CAF final ticket: Sunshine promise to humble Al Ahly in Cairo

test, seminar delay NNL kickoff, says Inyama

unshine Stars’ goalkeeper coach, Segun Oguns is optimistic they will shock six-time CAF Champions League winners, Al Ahly in Sunday’s decisive second leg semifinals fixture of the CAF Champions League in Cairo. Albeit, Sunshine Stars had to fight back twice to level up with Al Ahly at the Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode fortnight ago, Oguns believes they have the depth, gut and flair to upstage Al Ahly’s seemingly advantage. “Tell Nigerians we’ll win in Cairo, Egypt against Al Ahly and advance to the final. The players have given their best in preparations heading to the weekend clash.

“We’ve been in closed camp for the past 10 days and that explains the measure of seriousness we attached to the game, we’re focused and ready. “The 3-3 first leg result doesn’t pose any problem for us. We’ll play 11-11, no more or less. We’ve always taken every game as home game. This one won’t be an exception. We’re not under pressure rather the pressure is on Al Ahly. We’re more ready than we were in the first leg. “No distraction compared with the wage strike during the first leg, we had more time to train together and the players are psychologically ready and rearing to go,” the former Nigerian goalkeeper said to supersport.com.

Izu Azuka

Godfrey Oboabana

Oguns said his wards’ careless about the match will be played behind closed door in Cairo. “It won’t add any advantage, our focus is to play Al Ahly anyhow, anywhere, pick a win and head to the final,” he enthused.

... Adejube says ticket race not over yet for Sunshine

ickson Adejube, a board member of the Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA), has said that Sunshine Stars FC of Akure could still qualify for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) final. Commenting on the team’s chances before the departed yesterday for Cairo, Egypt, Adejube said Sunshine Stars are capable of pulling the rug off the feet of Al Ahly when both trade tackles in the return leg of the semi-final match on Sunday. He said that inspite of the 3-3 draw Sunshine Stars played with the Egyptians in Ijebu-Ode on October 6- a result that gives Al Ahly a huge advantage- he was convinced that would not derail their quest to reach the final. Adejube said the team would put up a better performance than they did in Ijebu-Ode and defeat Al Ahly in Egypt. “I believe we are going to get a good result in Egypt with the preparation the team had made. We put the boys in camp immediately after the first leg match and shifted their base so as to have good team cohesion ahead of the clash in Egypt,” the retired FIFA-badge referee said. Adejube noted that for a team to come back from a two goal deficit showed it was good, adding that the strike by the players affected their performance against Al Ahly. Sunshine Stars players went on strike for some weeks before the first leg encounter and resumed training exactly a week before the match. Adejube, a former board member of the Nigeria Football Federation, recalled that Kano Pillars found itself in the same situation as Sunshine but went ahead to defeat Al Ahly in Egypt in 2010.

he delay in holding the pre-season Copa Test for referees as well as the seminar for Match Commissioners may affect the kick-off date for the 2012/2013 Nigeria Nation league, according to the Chairman of the NNL board, Chief Emeka Inyama. Although the league has scheduled to begin on November 27, Inyama however said that the date may be missed because of the neither the above pre-season events which are usually used to select officials for the league have been conducted. “From the look of things, the league may not start on November 27 as earlier proposed because right now the referee Copa Test and the Match Commissioners’ seminar are yet to be conducted. We can’t start the league without knowing the officials that will officiate at the matches,” he said. Meanwhile, Inyama is also the chairman of Abia Warrior, has revealed that winners of the forthcoming Super Four tournament will cart home N300,000. The tournament itself is to be held in Abuja at the FIFA Goal project. El kanemi Warrior, Bayalsa United, Nasarawa United and Nembe United are the clubs that would contend for the trophy and the highest prize money of the fiesta. The tournament, which kick-off this weekend, will have in attendance as guests the Chief Coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, Chairmen of House and Senate committees on sports and football administrators and enthusiast. Wikki Tourists of Bauchi won the last edition at the expense of Akwa United, Rising Stars and Jigawa Golden Stars.

PAGE 43

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

Div 1 Basketball, NAF coach attributes success to adequate preparation

Dodan Warriors Basketball team in action

he Coach of Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Basketball team, Philip Aduwak, has attributed his team’s success in the ongoing Division One Basketball Championship to adequate preparation. Aduwak, who disclosed this after the team defeated Oluyole Warriors 68-66 in its second match in the 2012 championship at the Indoor Sports Hall, National Stadium, Abuja, said the team had religiously prepared for the tournament adding that he would have been shocked had its performances been otherwise. The championship The Lagos-based NAF Rockets are grouped in the Atlantic Conference with Oluyole Warriors from Oyo State and Ondo Raiders, won its first two matches. They defeated Ondo Raiders 69-64 on the first day and beat sOluyole Warriors 68-66 on the second day and looks set to clinch the trophy in the championship that kicked off on October 14 with six out of the 13 teams expected. The coach said although every team came to the championship to win, he was not surprised his team could maintain success in the early days of the event. “Although every team came here to win, I was not surprised, because with the level of training we had and determination from the players, we expected nothing short of victory all through. “And I must say categorically that this is exactly what

helped us to win our first two matches. I give kudos to my players,’’ he said. However, Aduwak, said that the team’s next match against Ondo Raiders would be tougher than the previous two. “Our next match against Ondo Raider will be a very tough one, because we have seen their mistake and they have seen ours. “All I want to tell my players is to take the match as if it is the first, and forget the one we have played with them. They should take it as if we have not even met them in this championship at all,’’ the coach said. Coach Adebayo Aderinboye of Oluyole Warriors on the other hand, said his team took their early lead for granted which cost them the match. “Like everyone knows, in the game of basketball, anything can happen. My players took our early lead for granted and we paid dearly for it. “We were leading with 10 points but they took it for granted, instead of them to use short clock and use the whole time, but we did not. “But I don’t know exactly what happened during the fourth quarter that we lost our head, but I can assure you we will come back alive in the next game,’’ he said. Ondo Raiders, Oluyole Warriors and NAF Rockets are in the Atlantic Conference of the championship while Zuma Rocks, Plateau Peaks and Benue Braves are in the Savannah Conference. The winners from the two groups after the roundrobin games yesterday would qualify for the two conferences in the 2012/2013 NBBF/DSTV Premier Basketball League. They would also play today’s game to determine the National Division One champions.

Coaching license system will ensure professionalism, says Lagunju

iji Lagunju, Chief Technical Officer of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) yesterday advised coaches to participate in CAF’s coaching licence system to inject more professionalism into the art of coaching. Lagunju gave the advice during the 2012/2013 preseason football coaching seminar organised by Nigeria Football Coaches Association (NFCA), FCT chapter in Abuja. He said that licensing programme seeks to promote

benchmarks regarding coaching in the continent, helping to highlight and promote African coaches for their knowledge and experience. “The CAF coaching licence system serves as a platform to evaluate coaches and to inject more professionalism into the art of coaching aimed at reaching homogenous and high professional standards.’’ Lagunju said that undergoing the programme would help to develop African football and increase chances

of success at the international stage. “The ultimate objective is to ensure a steady rise in the quality and level of coaching in Africa and to guarantee that each African coach operating in Africa possesses the relevant licence to perform his or her duties.’’ Coach Bala Nikyu, in his presentation on team development, said that a coach could only succeed if he had the ability to communicate effectively with his players. “No matter how brilliant

a coach may be in planning strategy and knowing the technical aspect of the game, success depends on being able to communicate effectively with his players. “In essence, it is not what you know but how well you can communicate that information to others. Breakdown in communication often is the root of problems,’’ he said. The two-day seminar, which ends on October 17, had a practical session with certificates given to all the participants.

Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi

Capkovic rates Governor’s Cup Tennis high Legislative Aide says

lovakia’s Kamil Capkovic, has lauded the high standard exhibited by players participating at the ongoing 12th Governor’s Cup Tennis Cup Championships. Capkovic, who is seeded number and ranked 260 by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), commended the players for their high competitive spirit and praised the organisers for a hitch-free championship. He said that the championships through its popularity and international acceptability by the ITF had contributed to the ranking of tennis players around the world. He particularly singled out the lack of security challenges, which he said had been the fears of most foreign players because of the recurrent security issues in some parts of the country. Also, he commended the organizers for ensuring

PUBLIC NOTICE

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COLLEGE IBILLO ALUMNI ASSOCIATION THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OLAYEMI FAITH 2. HARRY OKORUWA -SECRETARY 3. IMONITIE WILLIAM AZIKU 4. UYI OKOYOMO -CHAIRMAN 5. OBAYAN OLAYIWOLA 6. BASSEY EDU 7. OGHINAN OKHALE AHUSIMHENRE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROMOTE UNITY AMONGST MEMBERS 2. TO ENCOURAGE DEVELOPMENT PROGRESS OF MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

the availability of adequate accommodation and transportation for all participants. “I think I should commend the organisers for staging a better one, for me I am okay with everything, I have no bad comment. The recognition of the championships by ITF has helped the ranking of tennis players around the world,’’ he said. Capkovic, the defending champion in men’s singles, began his campaign of reclaiming his title by defeating Maxine Chazal of France in two straight sets of 6-1, 6-1 on Tuesday in the first round encounter. He repeated the same feat on Wednesday when he saw off Nigeria’s Oyenka Mbanu in two straight set of 6-1, 6-1 in a keenly contested encounter. Capkovic disclosed, after the encounter, that he was happy for the victory in the first and second round in the first leg of the main draw encounter and expressed optimism that he would triumph in his two remaining matches and eventually retain his title. “Well, I am happy to have won this match, though it was not easy but I still have to focus on other matches to play then I might say that I am in a better position to reclaiming my title’’ he said. Meanwhile, unranked Mbanu who expressed sadness over his loss to Capkovik said that he had hoped to defeat the top ranked player but conceded that he lost to a more experienced player. “It’s a bad day for me, I think I am not comfortable within myself because I prepared very well but I lost,” he said. Mbanu was the 11th man that lost out of the 12 that contested in the men’s singles of the first leg of the main draw. Italian Alessandre Bega also defeated Terence Nugent of Croatia 6-3, 6-3 while Egyptian Karim MohammedMaamoun saw off Jordi Mungz-Abreu of Venezuela 6-3, 6-2 in men’s singles. In the women’s singles event, both Chanel Simonds of Russia and Zarah Razafimahatratra of Madrid humbled Ester Masuri of Israel and Viktoriya Tomova of Bulgaria 6-0, 6-0 and 6-0, 6-2 respectively.

sport philosophy inevitable for success

anlami Adamu, the Senior Legislative Aide to the Chairman, House Committee on Sports, said the country needs “sports philosophy” to get things right in the sector. Adamu made the claim at the ICON Sports seminar in Abuja stressing that the sports sector should have a philosophy that everybody will grow up to imbibe and adapt to as a culture. “The key area we have to concentrate on as far as sport is concern in this country is sports philosophy. I don’t think the sports philosophy in this country is right. “We have to be able to develop a sport philosophy that everybody will grow up to understand. This is because from the various things I have seen, I found out that we have not actually understood what sport is all about,’’ he said. According to Adamu, there is need to change people’s orientation in

order to move the sector forward. “Some people are looking at sports in terms of competitions alone, some others think it is all about winning medals and games only. “But sports have gone beyond that. If everyone takes it seriously as it should be, I think we will be better off,’’ he said. The legislative aide, however, commended ICON Sports for the twoday sports management conference it organised in collaboration with the Federation of Public Service Games (FEPSGA). He said the conference tried to find a way forward for the country’s sports and that he was optimistic that there would be a rebirth of the sports sector. The ICON Sports organised the two-day sports management conference with the theme ‘Creating wealth through professional sports management’. It ended in Abuja on Wednesday.

PAGE 44

2013 Nations Cup

eeming Nigerian soccer devotees have waited almost till 'thou kingdom come' for that moment. Yes, Calabar, which is gradually becoming the football Mecca of some sort, offered the desired solace. No, not Calabar per se, but the Super Eagles. They flew delightedly, pounced on the hapless Lone Stars in such an emphatic manner that even the Liberians agreed they were overwhelmed by a superior firepower. The Eagles scored six goals. If my records are correct the last time the Eagles scored that number of goals in a single game was against, I think, the Benin Republic or Togo in 1991 in a WAFU championship. They put seven goals beyond their opponents. That match threw up Finidi George,

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

Have the Eagles landed? WATCH DOG who subsequently became a legend. On Saturday, October 13, which ordinarily on account of the superstition tied to the number 13, the Super Eagles proved to be superb in sundry manners. Many had thought the untoward might happened, going by the lingering pains of losing to the Syli Stars of Guinea, a year five days earlier. That shocking defeat condemned Nigerians to mere spectators in the Gabon/Equatorial Guinea jointly hosted 2012 Nations Cup finals. Even more

painful was the fact that, the prestigious trophy was won by the Chipolopolo of Zambia, who ordinarily would hardly be equated to the Super Eagles in pedigree, glut of stars, flair and Nigeria in vociferous soccer fans. But it turns out differently, rather quite the opposite and to the warm heartedness of the delightful Nigerians. Yes, the Eagles indeed pounced on the Stars, dimmed their shine and in the process restored lost pride: something many had thought belongs to the

“

The squad must be given shape, character and personality. Now, it is merely an assemblage of players, a lose collection, lacking team steam and delectable cohesion that comes with near-perfect blend.

bygone era. In every respect, the Eagles were outstanding, z e a l o u s , h u n g r y , determined and owoidoho_ng35@yahoo.com c l e a r l y demonstrated a No, more than lip service marked departure from stories of the 1980's and the their usual lackadaisical, 1994-1996 spirit became officials usually pay to avenues to non-chalant mental and rekindled, and therefore creating living testimony to the 'can toughen the team is needed physical attitude. They were business-like do' spirit of Nigeria and the to inject need essential verve into the squad. The squad from the blast of the whistle. Eagles. But have the Eagles must be given shape, Yes, Efe Ambrose scored from the first minute and landed? Not quite! True, one character and personality. the team sustained the must relish the moment. Now, it is merely an tempo in such an emphatic But it's just a step. Thousand assemblage of players, a lose lies in the collection, lacking team fashion that many who had more and delectable formed the habit of indeterminate path to steam cohesion that comes with dismissing their pattern of South Africa 2013 glory. Excessive celebration and near-perfect blend. play, wondered if they were Stephen Keshi must be watching a different Eagles. indeed praise-singing may True, it was a different well numb the players into encouraged to keep the Eagles in comportment, lethargy, complacency and spark, the anger, hunger vim and eagerness. They irritant air of self of and zest, nurtures the squad were hungry, angry and importance. They are yet to to a team that becomes The poisonous in tenacity and arrive, have not landed, Team. Only then would we daring in plot and indeed their flight have say that the Eagles have landed. execution. What used to be barely taken off.

By Patrick Andrew

Hilton-Smith arrives for FIFA women coaching seminar

Women’s Football Instructor from South Africa, Fran Hilton-Smith, arrived in Nigeria yesterday for the first-ever FIFA Women Coaching Seminar holding from October 20 through 24 in Abuja. Ademola Olajire, Chief Media Officer of the Nigeria Football

Federation (NFF), disclosed that the five-day event would be held at the FIFA Technical Centre, Package B of the National Stadium, Abuja. The statement added that the seminar would be conducted by Hilton-Smith, with the assistance of former Super Falcons’ Head Coach, Eucharia Uche.

Zuma to attend Nations Cup draw

resident Jacob Zuma will attend the Africa Cup of Nations final draw in Durban next week, local organising committee chairman Chief Mwelo Nonkonyane said yesterday. Zuma would head the list of dignitaries at the function at the

Jacob Zuma

city’s International Convention Centre (ICC) on Wednesday. Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Issa Hayatou would also be present, and the draw was expected to be conducted by CAF secretary general Hicham El Amrani. The guest list, of about 2000, would also include association heads from the other 15 qualified countries. The tournament will be held from January 19 to February 10 in five cities across South Africa. In the final line-up are: defending champions Zambia; Algeria; Angola; Burkina Faso; Cape Verde Island; Democratic Republic of Congo; Ethiopia; Ghana; Ivory Coast; Mali; Morocco; Niger; Nigeria; Togo; Tunisia; and South Africa.

It said that the Sports Minister and Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Bolaji Abdullahi, would be the special guest of honour at the seminar’s opening ceremony at the Park View Hotel, Abuja on Tuesday. According to the statement, among the 25 coaches who will take part in the course is Ann Chiejine, who was first-choice goalkeeper for the Falcons at three FIFA World Cup finals. She was also part of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games women team and had participated in several African Women Championship finals. The statement also confirmed

Coach says Lagos cyclists aspiring to set festival records

he Lagos State Cycling Association yesterday said that its cyclists currently in closed camp were striving to break the National Sports Festival record. The association’s Assistant Coach, Ayilo Buraimoh, disclosed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that many of the cyclists were returning a time few minutes different from the record. Buraimoh said that in the 30km race at the 17th edition of the festival in Port Harcourt in 2011, the winner returned 54 mins to set the record.

Blake’s doping case adjourned

wo Jamaican athletes, Dominique Blake and Ricardo Cunningham, have had their disciplinary hearings into doping charges adjourned on Wednesday. Blake, a 400 metre relay runner who went to the London Olympics as an alternate but did not compete, tested positive for the stimulant methylhexanamine at Jamaica’s senior trials in June. Her case was adjourned until December 3 after her attorney was

given the wrong court documents. Blake’s lawyer said she intends to challenge the doping charges. Cunningham, who tested positive for pseudo-ephedrine but is arguing ‘no fault or negligence,’ had his case adjourned until November 1 so that a doctor could appear in person to testify on his behalf. Cunningham won the 800m national title at the Jamaican trials but was not selected for the Olympics because he missed the qualifying standard.

that Rita Nwadike, another former Falcons player, now an Assistant Coach of the team, would be part of the seminar. It acknowledged the efforts of Aminu Maigari in attracting the FIFA Member Association Elite Course for Referees, as well as the Referees and Physical Fitness Instructors Course, which recently ended in Abuja. The statement described the course as one of the several highprofile coaching and refereeing courses that the Maigari administration had attracted to Nigeria since coming into office two years ago.

Dominique Blake

He said that Blessing Okoh, a female cyclist in the camp had been able to cover the 30km distance in 55 mins. “We are already near breaking the festival record time because many of our cyclists have improved well in the closed camp and are within the festival record time. “Many of them have cut the time they used to cover the distance and this is very encouraging for the state that will host 18th the National Sports Festival,’’ he said. He expressed the confidence that the cyclists would win at least 10 of the 15 gold medals that would be on offer at the fiesta. Buraimoh said the association had invited 15 cyclists camp, comprising nine males and six females adding that the best six males and four females would be selected to represent the state at the festival. The coach said the cyclists would compete in 15 events at the festival, including eight for males and seven for females. The cyclists are currently camping at Epe Recreation Centre for the festival holding between November 27 and December 9 in Lagos.

Nigeria‘ll not attend World Cadet Challenge, says NTTF official

he Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) says it will not send a team to the forthcoming World Cadet Challenge Championships holding in Mangilao, Central Guam, from October 27 to November 4. Segun Oguntade, the NTTF Secretary, explained yesterday in Lagos that Nigeria would be missing because the federation did not send a team to qualifying championships earlier held in April in Tipaza, Algeria. Oguntade attributed the nonparticipation at the qualifiers to failure to secure positive sponsorship responses from the various companies it had approached for sponsorship. “We are not part of the World Cadet Challenge due to our failure to be at the qualifying tournament. This is because we were not able to secure sponsors for the event,’’ he said. The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and Africa Junior Championships organised the qualifiers for the World Cadet Challenge Championships. Oguntade also noted that the proposed National Open Championships, planned for Abuja later in the month, would no longer hold, attributing its indefinite postponement to the forthcoming 18th National Sports Festival (NSF) holding from Nov. 27 to Dec. 9 in Lagos. “The NSF is the centre of attraction now. It is taking precedence over our national programmes of which the national championship is a part,’’ he added. Oguntade urged corporate organisations and ping-pong enthusiasts across the country to stake their money to sponsor the sport for players to have exposures at international circuits. He also said regular participation at international events was all that players would require toward boosting their ranking in Africa and at the ITTF level.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

PAGE 45

Real Madrid defender Raul Albiol has claimed there is a "campaign" ongoing in Spain to hurt Iker Casillas' chances of winning this year's Ballon D'Or award.

P Hard work and desire have made Radamel Falcao the best striker in the world, his Atletico coach Diego Simeone has said.

Chelsea captain John Terry will not appeal against the sanctions imposed by the FA after he was found guilty of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand last year.

I C T O

Head coach Stuart Lancaster says Danny Cipriani's England hopes depend on him starting and playing well for Sale Sharks.

Anne Keothavong is knocked out of the Luxembourg Open in the second round by top seed Roberta Vinci of Italy.

R I A

Irish Olympic boxing champion Katie Taylor will defend her title at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games after deciding to remain as an amateur.

Kevin Pietersen is added to the England squad for the tour of India in November and December.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

PAGE 47

Say what?

Source: Reader's Digest

Quick CrossWord (51)

FACTS * The weight of air in a milk glass is about the same as the weight of an aspirin tablet. The world's smallest winged insect is the Tanzanian parasitic wasp. It's smaller than the eye of a housefly. Two-thirds of the world's eggplant is grown in New Jersey. The winter of 1932 was so cold that Niagara Falls froze completely solid. The glue on Israeli postage stamps is certified kosher. If you have three quarters, four dimes and four cents, you have $1.19. But you cannot make exact change for a dollar. Source: Weird facts

PHOTO OF THE DAY

ACROSS 1 Anxious person (3,2,6) 9 Dishonest or unprincipled person (5) 10 Overall leader (7) 11 Sure (7) 12 Soothed (5) 13 Anomaly (6) 15 Tie to a post (6) 18 Actor without a speakeing part (5) 20 Film sequence rejected in editing (3-4) 22 Long dead (7) 23 Avarice (5) 24 Provided (that) (2,9)

DOWN 2 Portended (7) 3 The Marriage of Figaro, for example (5) 4 Rounded edge of a step (6) 5 Satisfied (7) 6 Fifty-fifty (5) 7 Practically none (8,3) 8 Bossom buddies (4,7) 14 Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most populous city (7) 16 Get the __, be dismissed (5-2) 17 Presented (6) 19 Clothe yourself in (3,2) 21 Inebriated (5)

Yesterdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s answer

A new dad has built the world's fastest motorised pram to save the effort of having to push it - but it's too powerful to go at top speeds with his baby son. Petrol head plumber Colin Furze has added a powerful engine to his silver metal pushchair which gives it an incredible top speed of 50mph.

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

. . . putting the people first

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012

SPORTS LA TEST LATEST

Swiss Embassy frustrates Edibe, rejects his FIFA’s identification

igeria’s hope of having one of its referees being considered to officiate at the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil may be hit the rocks following the refusal of the Swiss Embassy in Nigeria to issue travelling visa to Peter Elgam Edibe. The Embassy has opted to frustrate and deny Nigeria the opportunity by declining to honour a valid letter from world football-governing body, among other relevant documents provided to authenticate his person. The Embassy has insisted that his application for entry visa into that country for an official FIFA Assistant Referee Course and Fitness Test has come too late. “I have all the necessary documents and even a letter from FIFA saying they will take care of my cost of travel, accommodation and insurance in Zurich. But the Swiss Embassy is proving difficult,” said Edibe. The letter from FIFA, dated 3rd October 2012 and addressed to Visa Section of Switzerland Embassy on Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Abuja was signed by Christina Collenberg, Director of Human Resources and Services. FIFA has already sent Edibe a valid return ticket to travel to Zurich through Frankfurt, Germany Wednesday, 24 October 2012. It read in part: “Mr. Peter Elgam Edibe... a FIFA Assistant Referee will be required to travel to Switzerland for an official FIFA Assistant Referee Course and Fitness Test in the period of 24 October to 3 November 2012. “FIFA will cover the cost of travel arrangements and insurance for his stay in Zurich. We would be grateful if you could be of assistance in issuing a single entry visa for Mr. Peter Elgam Edibe so that there will be no impediment for him attending the Course.”

FIFA President Sepp Blatter

ADVERT: BUSINESS: NEWS: LAGOS:

0803 0805 0803 0805 0803

QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE I do not have terminal illness, or rather any cosmetic surgery, more or less tummy tuck. My husband loves me as I am and I am pleased with how God created me. — First Lady Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan on return to the country after a 7-week absence

Saving the lives of women and children I

n 2010, the UN SecretaryGeneral's Global Strategy for Women's and Children's Health highlighted the suffering of women and children around the world caused by lack of access to life saving commodities. Life in the developing world is filled with stories like that of the woman who, just after child birth, dies from excessive bleeding because the health centre is stocked-out of the medicine to save her life; the child with a simple case of pneumonia who cannot be treated because the needed antibiotic is not registered for use; and the 45-year old woman who finds out she is pregnant for the seventh time, after almost dying the last time she gave birth because she does not have access to modern methods of family planning. The overarching health system and financial impediments for governments and end-users to access life-saving commodities is made worse by the lack of awareness of how, why and when to use them, preventing women and children from accessing and using appropriate commodities. Other system barriers to these commodities include the severely underresourced regulatory agencies in low-income countries, which lead to delayed registration of commodities, lack of oversight of product quality and general inefficiencies; market failures, where return on investment is too low to encourage manufacturers to enter the market or produce sufficient quantities; and user supply and demand challenges such as limited demand for the product by end-users, local delivery problems and incorrect prescription and use. The UN Secretary-General's Global Strategy called on the global community to work together to save 16 million lives by 2015 through increasing access to essential medicines, medical devices and health supplies that effectively address leading avoidable causes of death during pregnancy, childbirth and childhood. This challenge has been taken up by the UN Commission on Life-Saving Commodities for Women and Children, with a focus on the world's 49 poorest countries. The Commission recognises that if the needs for modern contraceptive methods were fully

311 689 606 327 454

7458 1765 3308 1969 0344

GUEST COLUMNISTS Goodluck Jonathan & Jens Stoltenberg

President Goodluck Jonathan met in these countries, an estimated 53 million unintended pregnancies would be avoided, about 90,000 women's lives would be saved and an estimated 590,000 newborn deaths would be averted. In addition, many of the over 800,000 deaths of children each year from diarrhoea could be prevented with oral rehydration solution and zinc that cost less than US$0.50 per treatment. The Commission has identified 13 overlooked life saving commodities that, if more widely accessed and used, could save the lives of more than 6 million women and children. These are; Maternal health commodities such as Oxytocin and Misoprostol (to prevent and treat post-partum haemorrhage) and Magnesium sulphate (to prevent and treat eclampsia and severe preeclampsia); Newborn health commodities such as injectable antibiotics (to treat newborn sepsis), Antenatal corticosteroids (to prevent respiratory distress in preterm babies), Chlorhexidine (for newborn cord care) and resuscitation devices (to treat newborn asphyxia); Child health commodities amoxicillin (to treat pneumonia) and Oral rehydration salts and Zinc (to

treat diarrhoea); and Reproductive health commodities such as Female condoms, Contraceptive implants and Emergency contraception. To deliver on the promise of saving the lives of millions of women and children, the Commission recommends actions which focus on the need for improved global and local markets for life-saving commodities, innovative financing, quality strengthening and regulatory efficiency, improved national delivery of commodities and better integration of private sector and consumer needs. The scaling up of access to and use of these 13 commodities is not only a moral obligation, but one of the most effective ways of getting more health for the money invested. It would make a significant contribution to put maternal and child health in a trajectory to end these preventable and tragic deaths. The Commission estimates that the scale up will cost less than USD 2.5 billion over five years and save over 6 million lives. These estimated costs per lives saved are low and represent excellent global development investments. The Commission has also

developed a detailed plan for implementation with crosscutting and commodity-specific actions and clearly stated national, regional and global activities and associated costs. Recognizing that many commodity-related obstacles are linked to financial barriers and rooted in broader health system challenges - such as poor governance, inadequate human resources, ineffective local supply chains and insufficient information systems - the Commission calls for further links between the identified solutions and priority actions and other global and national initiatives for strengthening health systems The Commission believes that it is possible to overcome seemingly entrenched barriers when partners work together. The success in substantially reducing the price of antiretroviral drugs for HIV is testimony to the effect of partnerships, with 6.6 million people in developing countries receiving these drugs at the end of 2010. Initiatives such as aggregating orders, and improving the forecasting, financing and manufacturing capacity of insecticide-treated nets in sub-Saharan Africa increased their supply from 5.6 million in 2004 to 145 million in 2010, leading to substantial reductions in deaths due to malaria. When auto-disable syringes for immunization were introduced in 1992 to prevent infections from re-use in developing countries, the cost was over six times that of normal syringes. The price difference is now near equal and use near universal due to sustained increased demand following initial GAVI Alliance support for their use. These previous achievements give us the confidence to call on local communities, National authorities and the global community to once again rally around an initiative that will save millions of lives in the poorest countries of the world, this time by improving the availability, affordability and accessibility of these 13 proven lifesaving commodities. President Goodluck Jonathan and Jens Stoltenberg, Prime Minister of Norway are co-chairs of the UN Commission on LifeSaving Commodities for Women and Children.

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