Peoples Daily Newspaper, Monday, February 20, 2012

Zoning: PDP NEC meets as South-East, North- West ‘clash’

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Vol. 7 No. 77

Monday, February 20, 2012

Rabiul Awwal 28, 1433 AH

I N S I D E Victim of Kaduna Government House shooting dies

Anambra joins oil producing states

The Director of Finance and Administration at the Ministry of Information, Kaduna state, Pastor Isuwa Kiforo, who was shot by security personnel attached to the Kaduna state Government House last week has died – Page 3

Anambra state is set to join the league of oil producing states in Nigeria as Orient Petroleum Resources Plc concludes arrangement for production of crude in the state – Page 19

N150 Story on Page 3

Despite state of emergency . . .

Bomb rocks Suleja again

By Lambert Tyem, Abuja & Iliya Garba, Minna

D

espite the state of emergency imposed by the Federal Government, another bomb blast yesterday rocked Suleja town in Niger state near the Christ Embassy Church, the third in the series of explosions

Five injured, five cars destroyed Yobe state Governor, Malam Ibrahim Gaidam (middle), washing his hands shortly before administering the oral polio vaccine to a child during a ceremony to launch the 2012 Quarter One Polio Awareness Day and the flag-off of the February 2012 National Immunisation Days, at the Government House, weekend in Damaturu.

Contd on Page 2

Wamakko wins, ANPP kicks From Muhammad Abdul, Sokoto & Muhammad Sada, Abuja

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eoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, was yesterday declared winner of Saturday’s governorship election in Contd on Page 2

WWW.PEOPLESDAILY-ONLINE.COM

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

CONTENTS News

2-11

Editorial

12

Op.Ed

13

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-17

Business

19-22

S/Exchange

23

S/Report

24

Newsxtra

26

Education

27

Health

29

Zoning: PDP NEC meets as South-East, North- West ‘clash’

By Lawrence Olaoye

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he ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears to be in a fix over its zoning arrangement as there are internal politicking with some zones angling to alter the initial arrangement proposed by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) chaired by its Acting National Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje.

Peoples Daily learnt that the stakeholders from the South East were not particularly pleased with the position of the National Publicity Secretary zoned to the region even as the North-West region which had the position of the National Organising Secretary zoned to it had vowed to resist any plot to have it taken away from it.

It was gathered that a certain member of the NWC from the South-East had begun lobbies to have his zone’s position swapped for that of the National Organising

Secretary. But, it was gathered that party big-wigs from the NorthWest including the Vice-President, Arc. Namadi Sambo and the Speaker of the House of Representatives have sworn to resist the plot to have the National Organising position taken away from their zone.

This is coming as the party will today hold the emergency National Executive Council to ratify the proposed zoning arrangement that has the party’s National Chairmanship position zoned to the North-East with its National Secretary’s position ceded to the South-West.

The substantive NEC, earlier put-off at the heat of the strike against the hike in fuel price in January has afforded the party’s stakeholders to engage in serious consultations over the zoning formula that would determine those to pilot the affairs of the PDP for the next for years. The Vice President, Arc. Namadi Sambo is

expected to attend the emergency NEC. Although the Board of Trustees (BoT) chaired by former President Olusegun Obasanjo usually meet before the NEC meeting, there are indications that the body may not do so before the emergency meeting scheduled to hold today.

Nevertheless, there are indications that the emergency NEC would ratify the zoning arrangement proposal earlier submitted for ratification by the PDP NWC chaired by Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje. This is because, apart from the subtle lobby adopted by the South-East, other zones seem to be in accord with the proposed zoning formula.

It was learnt the party stakeholders have agreed to uphold the NWC recommendations in the face of prevailing political expediencies in the party.

In the original arrangement, the North East is to produce the Nationa Chairman; the South-West

to produce the National Secretary; the North-West to produce the Nationa Organising Secretary; the South-East is to produce the National Publicity Secretary while the South/South is expected to produce the Deputy National Chairman.

It was also gathered that the NWC had perfected plans to use the emergency NEC to further elongate its tenure.

Peoples Daily learnt that the reason advanced by the Baraje led NWC for the tenure elongation plot was to allow the leadership to conclude all the governorship rerun before the party and consolidate on the PDP gains before handing over the reins of power to a new executive.

Although no time frame has been declared, there are insinuations that the NWC may request for between three to six months for it to conduct congresses from the ward through the local governments to the state and at the national level.

Bomb rocks Suleja again

Katsina CPC 10: ‘Supreme Court reaffirmed party supremacy’, Page 37

International 31-34 Strange World 35 Digest

36

Politics

37-40

Sports

41-47

Columnist

48

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

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

Phones for News: 070-37756364 09-8734478

Contd from Page 1 blamed on the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lid Daawati wal Jihad alias Boko Haram. Five people were injured in yesterday’s incident.

This is coming barely 50 days after the bomb attack at the St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in the neighbouring settlement of Madalla on Christmas day which left several people dead, and the sixth of such bombings within Niger state since first quarter of last year.

Yesterday’s bomb blast incidentally confirmed the suspicion of residents who saw a car parked by the road side without number plates and informed security operatives who warned people to avoid the car until the owner emerged or was moved from the road.

The car which was parked close to Christ Embassy Church at 22 Morocco Road in Suleja went off leaving no fewer than five vehicles destroyed.

The evacuation of the worshippers by the church leadership prevented the residents and worshippers from serious injuries or death.

Contd from Page 1 Sokoto state, beating 29 other contestants.

Announcing the results in Sokoto, the Returning Officer, Prof Abdullahi Zuru, said Wamakko polled 518,247 votes to beat his closest rival, Alhaji Yusha’u Ahmed of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), who polled 131, 048 votes.

Zuru said the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) candidate, Alhaji Abubakar Yabo, came third with 7, 323 votes. He said Wamakko scored 71.18 percent of the 728,108 votes cast in the election.

Of the total votes cast, 43, 618 were declared invalid. According to

The security team of the Christ Embassy Church had sighted the bomb which was concealed in a sack and kept near one of the cars parked on the street.

The area was close to a checkpoint mounted by soldiers who prevented vehicles and motorcycles from plying the road.

The five victims were immediately rushed to the Suleja General Hospital for treatment, but two of them, Chike Emefor and Maureen Kenneth were later transferred to Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital because of their degrees of injuries.

Emefor who spoke to one of our reporters said he suffered cuts in his stomach and wrist, and was given blood transfusion before he was taken away to the specialist hospital along with Kenneth who had a sharp object in her neck.

The third victim, Nasiru Yusuf suffered injuries to his leg while the injured baby could not be located.

The pastor in charge of Divine Favour Bible Church, Pastor Sunday Ochayi whose worship centre was also close to the blast scene, said that the bomb was

targeted at his car, alleging that three strange men who planted the Improvised Explosive Device(IED) were sighted by the security team of the church.

He said the head of the church’s security team had called his attention to the sack which contained a cylinder and wires.

“We were having the service when the head of the security team informed me that he saw three strange men near my car.

On getting there, we saw a sack in which is a cylinder, so we knew that it was a bomb. “ I think their plan was to detonate the bomb when worshippers would be coming out of the church so they can record maximum casualties, but God helped us and we discovered the bomb before it could be detonated,” Ochayi said.

An eye-witness, Leo Kenneth, said his sister, Maureen was injured in the neck while she was standing at the passage of the house.

He said, “We were arguing about the bomb when there was a loud explosion, with a lot of sand and darkness. We all ran, but Chike, who lives in our house, was injured

in the stomach and other parts of his body”.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), for safety measures, advised the general public against trooping to the explosion site.

Commenting on the incident, NEMA spokesman, Yushau Shuaibu said “NEMA has alerted other response agencies to the explosion site in Morocco area of Suleja. We strongly advised the public to desist from getting close to the explosion site and allow rescue workers access to site.”

He confirmed that five persons were injured with no death recorded.

The Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, Richard Oguiche also confirmed the incident, saying investigations had commenced as one suspect has been arrested and was being interrogated.

It would be recalled that shortly before the 2011 elections, IEDs were used to disrupt the campaign rally of Senator Awaisu Kuta while bombs also killed and maimed officials at the Independent National Election (INEC) office in Suleja.

Wamakko wins, ANPP kicks INEC, the state has 2,453, 857 registered voters.

Meanwhile, the ANPP yesterday rejected the result of Saturday’s governorship election in the state even before the announcement of the result.

Alhaji Yusha’u Ahmed, the candidate of the ANPP in the election, told a news conference in Sokoto that the election witnessed many irregularities and hence, should be declared invalid.

Ahmed called on INEC to cancel the election and reschedule it for

another day, under the supervision of an “unbiased umpire”.

He alleged that the police and other security agents connived with the PDP to rig the election.

According to Ahmed, members of the ANPP were arrested during the campaign, and its state chairman was taken to court and released on bail over the petrol subsidy protest in January.

The ANPP candidate alleged further that one of its members was killed in Gudu in Gudu local government area of the state on

Saturday.

In addition, Ahmed alleged that ANPP polling agents were not allowed to monitor the conduct of the election, especially in Illela and Gada areas.

However, a chieftain of the PDP in the state, Alhaji Tukur Waziri, debunked the allegations of the ANPP as “the ranting of a loser”.

Waziri told NAN that the election was free and fair, noting that the state had never had a better election.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

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We are still processing subsidy payments, says PPPRA

By Julius Ogar

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Sokoto state INEC Head of Operations, Alhaji Hassan Aliyu (middle), receiving the results from the Collation Officer, Sabon Birni local government, Dr. Mu'awiya Jibrin (right), during the collation of the state gubernatorial election results at the state collation centre yesterday in Sokoto. With them is state Returning Officer, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru (left).

Victim of Kaduna Govt House shooting dies From Agaju Madugba, Madugba

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he Director of Finance and Administration at the Ministry of Information, Kaduna state, Pastor Isuwa Kiforo, who was shot by security personnel attached to the Kaduna State Government House last week has died.

Reports said Kiforo, from Zangon-Kataf local government area of the state, who has been in coma after multiple surgeries on him at the 44 Army Reference Hospital Kaduna died at about 11 am yesterday.

The Commissioner for Information, Saidu Adamu, who confirmed Kiforo’s death, said “his

death is shocking and unfortunate.

“I cannot speak on the investigation currently going on over the shooting at Government House. It is the security agents that are investigating it and not government. The police have the right to speak on it and not the government.”

Sympathizers and colleagues trouped to Kiforo’s Nayari residence to condole with the family.

A pastor at the Living Faith Church, Mr. Samson Fagbemi, regretted that Kiforo could not live to tell the story of what really transpired at the Government House which eventually led to his death.

BPE clarifies delay in M-tel creditor’s payment

By Abdulwahab Isa

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he Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has explained that the creditors of moribund national mobile telecommunication company Mtel, have not been paid their monies because NITEL is yet to be privatised.

BPE spokesperson, Chukwuma Nwokoh clarified this position in a text message to our correspondent yesterday while reacting to claims by some creditors of M-tel that the Bureau had forwarded a phony list of creditors to the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) for payment.

Representatives of the M-tel creditors, Kabiru Musa and Sylvester Onwuna had raised alarm alleging that a phony list

was submitted to the AGF last week.

The duo challenged both BPE and the AGF to tender the alleged phony list to the NCP for scrutiny adding that it was for similar reasons that Vice President Namadi Sambo ordered the BPE to keep off the payment exercise.

“We are conversant with the antics of the BPE. This was the same agency that sold off the Federal Government’s five percent shares in the Eleme Petrochemical Company without authorisation.

“However, we find it difficult to interpret the role of the Accountant General who, given the sensitive nature of his office, is required to be more circumspect when dealing with agencies whose integrity and credibility had publicly been called to question.”

According to Fagbemi, “he was the one who introduced the Hausa service in the church.

“His death is unfortunate. One cannot say it was an act of God because God is not the author of confusion. I have known him since the late 80s and we have always been together, as a brother, a Deacon and as a Pastor.

“We have listened to the government version about the circumstances leading to the unfortunate shooting incident at the Government House but we could not get his own version of the story which is unfortunate.

“We had hoped he would come out and tell us what really happened, but we could not get his

version.

“By virtue of our training, we should have looked at both sides to the issue. I am yet to believe that a pastor would be asked to stop and he refused to stop.”

A family source hinted that the late Kiforo will be laid to rest on Thursday.Shortly after the shooting of Kiforo, the police claimed that the victim drove his car “dangerously and suspiciously” towards the gate of the Government House and that he refused to submit to security checks.

The security agents had consequently pumped bullets into his abdomen and legs. He was later taken to the hospital where doctors battled to save him.

NTI DG bags outstanding DG/CEO in education sector award

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he Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abuja council, has honoured the Director-General and chief executive of National Teachers Institute (NTI), Dr. Aminu Ladan Sherehu as the most outstanding director general and chief executive in the education sector in the year 2011.

He was given the award in recognition of his selfless service and immense contribution for the general development of teacher education and effective training and upgrading of teachers' academic qualifications in the country.

A one-time Special Adviser on basic Education to Kaduna State Government, Dr. Sharehu was able to reposition the hitherto moribund NTI in the few years he has been steering the affairs of the institute. He has succeeded in

migrating the institute's salary structure twice, from civil service grade level nomenclature to the Consolidated Tertiary Institution Salary Structure (CONTISS) and to the present Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS).

He has also instituted online admissions, registration, checking of results, as well as the entire accounts system, in addition to the successful nationwide retraining workshops for 140,000 teachers between 2009 and 2010 and 125,000 teachers in 2011 under the Millennium Development Goals.

Dr. Sharehu came up with a five-point target that has propelled and rebranded the institute, including redesigning its logo and coining a new motto, which now reads: Quality Teachers, Great Nation, to depict the vision and mission of the institute.

he Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), has assured oil marketers that it has not stopped processing subsidy claims from genuine importers of products contrary to insinuations in the media.

Addressing journalists in Abuja at the end of the midquarter performance review of PMS imports for the fourth quarter of 2011, the executive secretary of the agency, Reginald Stanley noted that the agency has completed processing of all claims for marketers for 2011.

A release signed by the executive secretary of the agency and made available to our reporter, states: “While marketers have been holding back to import due to the unavailability of credit lines by banks, the recent pronouncement of proposed N888billion for subsidy provided in the 2012 budget should give enough comfort, both to the marketers and banks to resume imports very aggressively”. .

He announced that the mid quarter performance review of PMS shows 27 percent achievement by marketers.

He said there will be a final appraisal of the Q4 performance on the 31 st March, 2012 and companies that did not perform up to expectation will not only be sanctioned but will be dropped in subsequent quarters.

UK-based Nigerian appointed Honorary Consul to Rep. of Niger

M

alam Dikko Ladan, a UKbased Nigerian, has been appointed Honorary Counsel for the Republic of Niger in the UK and the Court of St. James.

The Europe Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the appointment, which is with immediate effect, was communicated to Ladan in a letter dated Feb. 4 from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London.

Ladan, who hails from Katsina state, in his reaction in an interview with NAN yesterday said the appointment was a major recognition not only for him but for Nigeria.

“This goes to show that Nigerians are hard working and can be trusted,’’ he said.

He explained further that part of his responsibilities included the promotion of trade and investment between the governments of Niger and the UK.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

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$7,680 fraud: FinBank customer petitions EFCC, IG From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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customer of FinBank Plc, Ilorin, Kwara state, Alhaji Moshood Ibrahim has written a three page petition to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Inspector General of Police over the $7, 680 he was allegedly defrauded of by a staff of the bank in the state.

Ibrahim, through his counsel, A. T Ahmed noted that his client was deceived inside the bank hall with the collaboration of a staff of the bank, Moshood Alesinloye, who was a marketing staff of the bank.

In the letter entitled “confidence betrayal, cheating and orchestration of advance fee fraud, Ibrahim explained that the marketer called him on 28 December, 2011 at about 10: 44am-11:30am that one of his senior employees now at large needed $25,000 and he was waiting at the FindBank Plc, Taiwo branch.

“Our client earnestly replied that he only had $7,680 with him which is equivalent to N1.267 million. The said Moshood Alesinloye called and persuade Ibrahim to bring the said sum with him to Finbank Plc, Taiwo branch and that its naira equivalent will be given to our client.

“When our client entered FinBank he met Moshood Alesinloye standing beside the man he formally introduced to our client as his boss when he held thus: please meet my boss and handover the said $7,680 USD to him without any fear for confirmation which our client obliged on the assurance that he was dealing with a highly revered financial institution”.

The petition which described the action of the staff of the bank as fraud which needed financial investigation, said the victim was demanding for his N1, 267,200 million from the bank “since Moshood Alesinloye and his ‘boss’ are your employees or agents who held themselves out to our client as persons representing your bank and even succeeded in defrauding our client”.

The petitioner gave the bank 14 days to return the alleged defrauded money in addition with N50 million as damages for the psychological trauma.

Robbers attack shop in Bauchi, kill owner, cart away money From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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rmed robbers on Saturday night attacked a provision shop at Ahmadu Bello Way Bauchi metropolis killing the shop owner identified as 40-year-old Ustaz Iliyasu Aliyu, and carting away undisclosed amounts of money.

The robbers numbering three,

who rode on the same motorbike, came into the shop firing a gun and demanded for money.

Witnesses said after collecting the money, they also snatched a bag that contained recharge cards of various networks.

Our correspondent gathered however, that the robbers after a successful operation sighted the owner of the shop popularly called

A

cement cargo trailer with registration number XB 14 XG at the weekend, caused havoc in Oteri village along Papalanto-Ilaro road of Ogun state, as it crushed three persons to death.

Our reporter reliably gathered that, the truck was coming from Ibese Plant, in Yewa local government area when the driver lost control and rammed into an oncoming Mazda car with registration number OG 07 LAR. The three occupants in car

taking him to his family house.

He said the police command has already stepped up investigation into the incident and assured that police would do everything to apprehend the culprits.

The deceased Ustaz Illiya has since been buried according to Islamic rights; he left behind a wife and three children.

R-L: President, African Union Commission, Jean Ping, President Alhassan Quattara of Cote D'Ivoire, President Goodluck Jonathan, President Omar Bongo Alli of Gabon, Faure Gnasingbe of Togo, Ellen JohnsonSirleaf of Liberia, Pual Kagame of Rwanda, and others, during African Union (AU) meeting, in Benin Republic, at the weekend.

Ogun police parley with okada riders on security From Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, Abeokuta

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gun state Police Command at the weekend, called for partnership with members of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN) for achieving robust intelligence-based policing.

The Commissioner of Police, Nicholas Nkemdeme made the appeal while receiving the national and state executives of the association in his office in Abeokuta.

Nkemdeme made it known to the leadership of the association that the command will need them to achieve effective policing of

Ogun state, considering the large number of their members.

He also urged the leaders of the association to task their men to shun involvement in any criminal act as it is generally known that most crimes committed nowadays are facilitated by okada riders who are always involved or conspire with culprits.

including a baby were said to have been killed on the spot. The truck driver was reported to have bolted, apparently to avoid attack by the villagers and other motorists in the vicinity.

It was further learnt that the infuriated youths who gathered at the scene of the accident, attempted to burn the truck but were prevented by security operatives.

Meanwhile, as at the time of filing this report, the remains of the deceased who were yet to be identified, had being deposited at the General Hospital Mortuary in Ilaro.

The Commissioner therefore warned that any member(s) of the association who may want to engage in any act capable of causing breakdown of law and order in the state will be arrested and prosecuted.

The police boss also encouraged the association to always use the command’s dedicated phone numbers which include

08033809170, 08037168147 and 08123822910 in case of any distress or giving useful information to the police.

In his own reaction, the national president of ACOMORAN, Alh. Babangida Maibula appreciated the assistance of the police command towards maintaining peace and order amongst the members of the association.

Alleged N140m illegal financial operation: Businessman wants court to quash charges From Francis Iwuchukwu, Lagos

T Cement truck crushes baby, 2 others From Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, Abeokuta

Ustaz and opened fire on him, killing him the spot before zooming off on their bike.

The Bauchi state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Barau who confirmed the incident, said the police took the body of the late Aliyu to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital where he was certified dead before

he chief executive officer of A.G Moeller Limited, Mr. Kemi Adeloye, who was arraigned before Justice Okechukwu Okeke of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos alongside his company over allegations of operating an illegal lease company, has filed a motion seeking to quash the charges.

Justice Okeke had on February 15, 2012, ordered that Adeloye be remanded in prison custody pending the hearing of his bail application.

The order followed the not guilty plea by the accused to a fivecount charge bordering on conspiracy and illegal transaction of about N14O million without a valid license by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Adeloye and his company were

slammed with a five-count charge by the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

He is also accused of obtaining fraudulently, the sum of N80 million from the chief executive officer of Cross Country Limited, Mr Bube Okorodudu.

In the motion brought under section 167 and 340 (3) of the Criminal Procedure Act CAP C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 by his counsel, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, the applicant is praying the court to quash the fivecount charge preferred against him on the ground that the statement of offences did not contain any prima facie evidence.

He said: “The counts and statement of offences contained in the information do not disclose any prima facie case against the

accused persons/applicants requiring them to stand trial before this honourable court or any other court of law on the counts described herein.

“That the entire information is an abuse of court process and that the counts in the statement of offences are prejudicial to the accused/applicant’s right to fair hearing.”

According to him, the information on the charges is meant to overreach the accused/ applicants pending suit before the court in suit No. FHC/L/CP/307/ 2011 where A.G Moeller Limited sued Cross Country Limited.

He stated that the complainants in his criminal charge are the respondents in the suit number above which is still pending before the court.

The Court has fixed March 7, 2012 for hearing of bail application.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

NHRC to establish human rights institute

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

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he National Human Rights Commission (HHRC) is to set up a Human Rights Institute as a specialised centre for research, training and human rights education.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Prof. Bem Angwe who disclosed this over the weekend while receiving a delegation from the Amnesty International on an official visit to the Commission said the Centre would be a citadel of learning in the field of human rights and related areas when fully operational.

Prof. Angwe said, preliminary work on the proposed institute had started, stressing that given the dynamic nature of human rights; the institute would support government in formulating and evolving policies relating to the promotion and protection of human rights in Nigeria.

He called on Amnesty International to partner with the Commission in providing technical and intellectual support to the proposed institute.

Lucy Freeman, who led the team from Amnesty International, said her organization share common values with the National Human Rights Commission and pledged to support any project of the Commission aimed at advancing the course of human rights in the country.

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PDP chairman sues minister, IGP over unlawful detention

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

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he Yobe state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Abbagana Tata and a Senatorial Candidate of the party in the 2011 senatorial election, Hassan Kafayos have jointly dragged the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Ngama and the Inspector General of Police before an Abuja High Court claiming N2 billion as damages for alleged inhuman treatment and unlawful detention for four days.

The two chieftains of the Yobe state chapter of the PDP, in a motion on notice want the court to compel Dr. Ngama and the IGP to apologise to them for the unlawful detention and inhuman treatments they suffered in the cell of the Force CID, Area 10, Abuja.

The Applicants also want the

court to declare that their unlawful detention by the Police for four days without any order of the court was a violation of their rights to life, personal liberty, dignity of human person, freedom of movement and assembly as guaranteed in the constitution.

A 24 paragraph affidavit deposed to personally by the Yobe state PDP chairman, he alleged that Dr. Ngama, “in aspiring as the gubernatorial candidate under the platform of the PDP in Yobe state come 2015 need to urgently usurp control and destroy any perceived political obstacle in the structures of the party in Yobe state chapter”.

“That the 1st Respondent (Dr. Ngama) having failed to secure my support even with an inducement or offer of N2 million via First Bank Plc cheque on December 26, 2011 for me to

influence the resolution of the executive caucus members of the PDP in line with the 1st Respondent’s ambition come 2015.

“He used his stolen funds and ministerial influence and cajoled one Alhaji Mala Damaturu, the administrative officer of the party in Yobe state to circulate an unauthorised invitation at his instance for meeting by the party’s caucus on Sunday 1st January, 2012 in Kano state”.

The Yobe state PDP chairman further said in the affidavit that he and other executive members of the party stayed away from the meeting and held a caucus meeting of the party in Abuja on the 4th for security reasons and the resolution reached, which was forwarded to the national body of the party was not favourable to the minister of state for finance.

He alleged that the Respondent

FG set to complete printing press

By A’isha Biola Raji

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Gov Ahmed asks youths to shun cunning politicians From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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he Kwara state governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has appealed to Nigerian youths to be advocates of peace, dialogue and to shun politicians who use them for political gains.

Ahmed, who gave the charge in Ilorin while receiving officials of the North Central Zone of the National Youth Council (NYC), also promised to lay the foundation of a N1.2 billion International Vocation Centre in Ajasse Ipo in the coming weeks to provide “world class” training for youth.

He said his administration was determined to strengthen the state’s capacity to provide marketable skills and vocational training to youths, especially those unable to proceed to higher education.

Ahmed, who advised the youths to see Nigeria’s diversity as a source of strength rather than a weakness said "by preaching peace and dialogue, you’re effectively contributing to nation building".

He added that Nigeria’s development could be enriched by the diversity of skills and ideas in the dialogue for national growth.

was angered with the development and held grudge against him and the 2nd Applicant and made up false complaint against him and the 2nd Applicant to be arrested and detained by the 2nd Respondent who tortured them to admit to the trumped up allegation of threatening the life of the minister and his orderly as they (Applicants) were labelled as members of the Boko Haram sect by the 1stRespondents.

The Applicants said if the Police were not restrained from arresting, harassing and intimidating them, it could cause their deaths and no monetary compensation could be make up for their families.

Hearing in the motion has been slated for March 1, 2012 before Justice O.A Adeniyi of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

A scene of the bomb blast targeted at Christ Embassy Church, Morocco road in Suleja, Niger state, yesterday.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

he Federal Government has pledged early completion of its printing press located at Asokoro District in Abuja soon.

This was declared in Abuja by the chairman, Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Senator Ahmed Lawan who led members of the Committee on a fact-finding visit to the new Government Press.

Voicing his regret over the poor handling of the project since it commenced, he pledged the commitment of the leadership of the National Assembly to remove the challenges delaying the completion of the project without further delay.

Senator Lawan directed the ministry to provide his committee with all facts and documents related to the project from its beginning to date; hinting that another public hearing might be called by the Senate in order to get to the roots of the problems delaying the early completion of the project.

Building collapse: Lagos tasks residents, CDAs on illegal devt From Bimbo Ogunnaike, Lagos

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he Lagos State Government has tasked residents and Community Development Associations, CDAs to report any property under development that does not conform with building regulations as part of measures to checkmate building collapses in the state Similarly, it is set to direct owners of filling stations, restaurants and fast-food outlets in the state to create toilets for customers in their premises.

The state Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban

Development, Mr. Olutoyin Ayinde, who disclosed this at an interactive sessions with residents, stakeholders of Ikeja Local Government, Ojodu and Onigbongbo Local Council Development Areas, stressed that making Lagos state an enviable city in Nigeria was a collective responsibility, adding that sustaining a clean environment demands adherence to planning rules and regulations.

Ayinde called on residents and CDAs to seek information on building development, adding that his ministry in conjunction with

the Ministry of Environment has started pulling down structures built on drainages and canals to forestall flooding during the raining season.

His words: “I want to implore everyone to seek information from our offices before embarking on development.

This information is provided free of charge to people. I must also add that we all must monitor physical development in our environment because we can never tell what type of structure it could lead to, it could be a warehouse or multiple storey building without approval. If government is

informed on time, it can speedily step in unlike when it has to be demolished.”

He also implored publics to desist from building at night and on Sundays.

“I have at a number of times had to go to site at night to stop construction of buildings. With the following telephone numbers; 08191997644/08033013849/ 08034961936 you can seek information and request for advice and give us information about what is happening in your environment. It is preferable you send text messages and it would be treated in utmost confidence.”

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

Minister underscores importance of river basins to national dev

R-L: National Publicity Secretary, Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Mr. Osita Okechukwu, Executive Director, Human Rights Writers’ Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, and an Abuja-based legal consultant and gender activist, Miss Nneka Okonkwo, during a national policy dialogue organised by 18 civil society groups, at the weekend in Abuja.

T

HURIWA, others warn EFCC on blackmailers

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ith few days to the conduct of governorship election in Cross River state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a coalition of 18 civil society groups at the weekend held a national policy dialogue with the theme: 'Reclaiming the Civil Society Community in Nigeria for Transparency and Accountability', warned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)to beware of persons masquerading as civil society practitioners who are out

to blackmail political office seekers of the ruling party in state.

The National Policy Dialogue was organized by the coalition of 18 registered civil society groups and Non-Governmental Organisations, spearheaded by the Human Rights Writers' Association of Nigeria, [HURIWA] and the Association of African Writers' on Human and Peoples Rights, (AfriRights).

The group who commended the Senate for confirming Ibrahim Lamorde, as Chairman of the Economic and Financial

Crimes Commission, also cautioned him and his management staff to steer clear of partisan politics or allow itself to be stampeded into political witch-hunt of political opposition.

The Executive Director of Human Rights Writers' Association of Nigeria, [HURIWA] Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, who chaired the event, alleged that the coalition is aware of the clandestine activities of certain persons who have political grudges to settle with the candidate of the Peoples

Democratic Party in the state, Senator Liyel Imoke and are plotting to persuade a leading second Republic Politician and one time Governor of the old Kaduna State to lead a demonstration to the premises of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Abuja, with spurious and unsubstantiated sundry allegations of impropriety against the candidate of the party in the state in the forthcoming governorship poll on February 25.

Minna Emir becomes Chancellor of IBBU From Iliya Garba, Minna

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he Emir of Minna, Dr. Umar Faruq Bahago, has been appointed as the new Chancellor of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBU) by the Governor of the state, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu.

The Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Daniel Clifford

Shashere, who made this known yesterday in Minna, said the new Chancellor replaced the Emir of Suleja, Mallam Awwal Ibrahim, who occupied the position 7years ago.

According to him, “the appointment of Dr. Umar Faruq Bahago, to the challenging position was based on merit, proven integrity and outstanding

record of performance in his previous assignments, especially when he was the former Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.

The new Chancellor is expected to bring his knowledge and wealth of experience to bear in the performance of his new assignment by improving on the achievements of his predecessor

towards the present administration’s desire to transform the institution into one of the best universities in Nigeria”, he asserted.

The State Government commended the former Chancellor, Mallam Awwal Ibrahim, for his tremendous contributions to the overall development of the institution.

he Minister for Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, said river basins have critical roles to play in the Federal Government’s development agenda.

Ochekpe said this in Calabar yesterday at the inauguration of a water project donated to the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) by Cross River Basin Development Authority (CRBDA).

“For Nigeria to transform, the river basin has to play a critical role because it is a catalyst for national development,’’ she said.

She said that the activities of river basins across the country had not been well-publicised, noting that various river basins in the country had made significant contributions to national development.

“What happened over the years was that river basins have not been well publicised in terms of what they were doing. I have been in the ministry for three months now and I have visited a number of river basins; I know they are doing a lot more than what the people are aware of”, she said.

Cleric urges Nigerian leaders to lead by example From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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he leader and founder of Jama’at Nasiril -Faedhat AlTijaniya Society of Nigeria(JNF), Sheikh Sayyid Musa Aloba, has urged Nigerian leaders to lead by good example and maintain act of purity if they want followers to obey their command.

The Cleric who stated this at the weekend during the Malud celebration of the society called on leaders to have the fear of God in whatever they do.

Aloba who condemned religion leaders who mislead the general public said they were not following the principle of their respective Prophet.

According to him, some religion leaders’ act of worship contradicts their behavior which he said are some of the factors that contributes to the problems the country is facing today.

Telecommunication, a veritable tool for Trans boarder cooperation, says Shema From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

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overnor Ibrahim Shehu Shema of Katsina state has urged experts on telecommunication from Nigeria and Niger Republic to fashion out a plausible plan for using telecommunication as a veritable tool for trans-border cooperation and reliable information source.

Governor Shema who was represented by his deputy Alhaji

Abdullahi Garba Faskari, stated this during the opening ceremony of Nigeria-Niger joint commission for cooperation meeting of experts on telecommunications and postal services, noted that such effort would provide reliable information on exchange rate, property and commodity prices in border markets.

According to him “it will also serve as a means of public enlightenment and mass

mobilization for greater unity, social cohesion and sustainable development of border areas at the state and national levels”.

He therefore tasked the telecommunication experts to explore the possibility of the provision of cheap, simple and affordable means of communication to the rural areas which he argued constitute 70% of the population of the communities concern.

“It will be of tremendous benefit to our countries also if the creation of Nigeria-Niger joint border local area network (LAN) communication module is proposed. If it is accepted and implemented, the LAN project will facilitate communication between border security agents, he said”.

He said that Katsina State Government has identified problems associated with mail

delivery between NIPOST and NIGERPOST in Katsina and Maradi exchange offices.

In his remark, the secretaryGeneral of the Nigeria-Niger joint commission for cooperation, Ambassador Kabiru Garba, noted that due to the challenges of the new information technology the two countries could not afford to be left behind in the area of telecommunication.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

PAGE 7

Yuguda charges Nigerians to fight forces of disunity From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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he Bauchi state governor, Malam Isa Yuguda has charged Nigerians to concentrate their efforts on how to defeat the forces of disunity in the country because in the event of any catastrophe everyone will be worse off.

Yuguda stated this at a public lecture titled ‘Nigeria’s Unity and the Stability of the West African Sub-Region’ delivered at the Lagos

Island Club, at the weekend.

The governor opined that those beating the drums of war at the slightest tension in the land must know that breaking up a nation is very hard—as hard as its founding, and often just as violent.

The governor stressed further: “Perhaps with the exception of Czechoslovakia, there is no record of a country disintegrating and dividing into its constituent parts peacefully.

He therefore said Nigeria as it is has come to stay because the issues that unite Nigerians are more important and certainly more numerous than the few that divide them.

Isa Yuguda who was also formally accepted into the membership of the Island Club also admonished that “the government in Nigeria should ensure that proper federalism is practiced and genuine grievances are addressed and settled.

Therefore steps should be taken to give back powers

GOMBE STATE NOTICE IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE PROBATE DIVISION, GOMBE STATE Whereas the person/persons whose names are set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and at the place stated in the column. And whereas the person/persons whose address and claimed relationship to the deceased person/persons is set out in the second column hereunder has applied to High Court of Justice Gombe for grant of “letters of Administration” will be granted to such person/persons unless NOTICE TO PROHIBIT the grant thereof is field in the Probate Registry High Court of Justice, Gombe within twenty-one (21) days from the date of publication of this notice.

SCHEDULED: DECEASED APPLICANTS FOR GRANT Chief Emmanuel S. Okonkwo Mrs. Hilda Ifeyinwa Okonkwo of F.C.E. (T) Gombe of Federal Low-Cost, Gombe the Widow of the Said Deceased Who died on 8th June, 2010 At Umaihia, Abia State Gloria Dauda Lorether Daniel of Nigeria Police Force, Gombe of Abuja Quarters, Gombe the Daughter of the said Who died on 9th December, 2011 at Jos. Deceased Yusuf Muhammad Kida Sadiya Yusuf of Fed. Min. of Housing, GM office of Fed, Housing Estate Gombe Who died on 27th July, 2011 the Daughter of the said At Gombe Deceased Isa Ibrahim Abdulhameed Isa of Unguwan Tike Kumo of Unguwan Tike, Kumo the Brother of the said Who died on 18th December, 2011 At Gombe.

Deceased Benedict Bulus Yahaya Emmanuel Bulus Yahaya of Fed. Gov’t. Girl’s Coll. Bauchi, of Buba Shongo Qtrs., Gombe the Brother of the said Who died on 24th July, 2011 At Gombe.

Deceased Danladi M. Stephen Dauda Yakubu of BCGA Quarters, Gombe of BCGA Quarters, Gombe Who died on 24th January, 2011 the Brother of the said At Gombe.

Deceased.

Usman Malaisuwa Monica Usman Malaisuwa of Nig. Prison Service, Gombe of Kagarawal Quarters, Gombe the Daughter of the said Who died on 31st May, 2011 At Gombe Deceased Japhet Micah Mr. Omega Micah of Nigerian Police Force, Ganjuwa of ECWA church, Kulushin, Kaltungo, the Brother of the said Who died on 12th October, 2007, At Bauchi Deceased Moh’d Gidado Baba Muktari Gidado of N.C.S. lagos, of Federal low-Cost, Gombe, Who died on 9th January, 2012 the Son of the said At Gombe.

Deceased.

Iliya Salem Abubakar Salem of Ashaka Cement Plc. of Abuja quarters, Gombe, Who died on 8th January, 2011, the Son of the said At Gombe.

Deceased Moh’d Mahdi Doho Mahmud Moh’d Mahdi of Tudun Wada Quarters, Gombe of Tudun Wada Quarters, Gombe Who died on 21st August, 2011 the Brother of the said At Bauchi.

Deceased.

Sani Hassan Guga Hasuwa’u Hassan Guga of NPF Gombe 34 Mopol Barrack of Federal Low-Cost Gombe Who died on 12th January, 2012 the Daughter of the said At Gombe Deceased.

James Nuhu Abigail James of NPF Gombe State command, of Urkum Quarters, Billiri Who died on 25th October, 2008.

The Daughter of the said At Gombe.

Deceased.

Nyapson Danjuma Choji Elijah Nyapson of N.D.C. Gombe of State Low-Cost, Gombe, Who died on 13th May, 2011.

The Son of the said At Gombe.

Deceased.

Umeh Onyeka Michael Chukuma Nzediegwu of Gadan Malale, Near A.S. Tinka, of Gadan Malale, Near A.S. Tinka, Gombe Gombe the Brother of the said th Who died on 18 October, 2011 Deceased.

At Lokoja, Kogi State Mohammed Nuhu Habu Nuhu of N.P.F. Gombe State Command, of Jekadafari Quarters, Gombe, Who died on 31st August, 2011.

The Son of the said Decease At Gombe.

Garson Danja Bitrus Kumsaban of 323 Artillery Regiment, of ECWA Church, Kulishen, 32 Artillery Brigade, Shongom LGA Nigerian Army Corps.

The Brother of the said Who died on 29th Sept., 2007 Deceased.

At Afuze, Ido State Tukur Sale Dongs Murtala Sale Dongs & Kanadi Tukur of F.M.C. Gombe of Arewa Quarters, Gombe, the Brother & Son of the said Who died on 24th September, 2008 At Gombe.

Deceased.

Mohammed Jalo Aliyu Abdullahi Mohammed Jalo of Federal Medical Centre, Gombe of Tuduna Wada Quarters, Gombe, Who died on 23rd November, 2011, the Son of the said At Gombe.

Deceased.

Abubakar G. Mamman Umar Mamman of Nigerian Customs Service, of c/o Nigerian Custom SAervice, Apapa, Lagos, Ogun State, At Gombe.

The Brother of the said Deceased.

Dated 17th day of February, 2012 Probate Registrar High Court of Justice, Gombe, Gombe State

Signed: Moh’d Umar Pindiga Esq. Chief Registrar, High Court of Justice, Gombe.

that belonged to federating units which because of military rule, the centre had usurped”.

He called for the promotion of interreligious dialogue among

the people of this country, as it will help “if we know each other’s religious tradition; but it will help if we begin by ensuring that all those who speak on behalf of their religion

know exactly what it says.

In other words, only experts should preach; and, hopefully, when they do, they will only say those things that will unite rather than divide us”.

Kogi jail break: Niger police arrest nine escapees From Iliya Garba, Minna

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he Police Public Relations Officer, Niger state command, Mr. Richard Oguche has said the command has arrested and transferred back to prison nine inmates who fled from the Koton Karfe jail break in Kogi state where about 119 inmates were set free.

He made this known yesterday at a press briefing in Minna, saying nine inmates were arrested along Lapai road by men of the Lapai divisional police and brought before the state command.

The inmates were arrested in a 504 station wagon car with registration number AA524SBC belonging to one Mr. Peter Francis, who claimed he was attacked by the inmates in Koton Karfe on the night which men of the Boko Haram sect attacked the prison.

The PPRO said five suspects were the first to be arrested before the state commissioner of police ordered men of the criminal investigation department (CID) to intensify a search for more inmates which eventually led to the arrest of the remaining four within the same area.

Mr. Oguche said “all the inmates were arrested on the night of the jail break they were captured at a forest by officers of the Lapai division who on sighting the 504 station wagon, decided to swoop on the occupants and found out after investigation that they were inmates who fled from the Koton Karfe Prison”.

Mr. Francis Peter who spoke to the press said his vehicle was snatched after he received a severe beating from the fleeing prisoners. He said: “I loaded from Kawo in

Kaduna heading towards Lokoja and when I got to Koton Karfe I saw a large crowd and immediately some people descended on me and gave me the beating of my life, I was seriously beaten and my car collected and because it was night there was nothing I could do”.

According him, “I reported the matter to the nearest police station and gave them all my particulars even though all the passengers in the vehicle had fled.

The police promise to look into the matter until I was invited to Minna that my vehicle was seen with some inmates who ran away from Koton Karfe prison”.

The PPRO said already the Nigerian Prison Service in Minna have been making contacts with their counterparts in Kogi state to see how the arrested inmates can be transferred back to Koton Karfe Prison.

We want to partner EFCC on subsidy probe - CSOs

By Lambert Tyem

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he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has expressed its desire to partner with civil society organisations (CSOs), in the on-going petroleum subsidy probe and in the larger context of combating economic and financial crimes in Nigeria.

Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde stated this when a coalition of CSOs led by African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), paid him a courtesy visit.

According to EFCC’s acting head of Media and

Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, Lamorde said the commission is desirous of getting information from other CSOs that would enable it achieve the mandate of looking at the subsidy regime and its management in the past.

According to him, the commission is waiting for the report of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

“I am aware that the House has concluded its proceedings but we also know that the Senate probe is still on-going.

“We are waiting for these two reports and we would merge their reports with the KPMG report”.

The EFCC chairman said the commission has

been able to get a lot of materials from independent sources that are involved at different levels of the administration of the subsidy regime.

These, he said, included shipping agencies, tankfarm operators, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Customs and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) among others.

“We are just waiting for the two chambers to conclude their investigations before we can move to the next level of our investigation, but as it were, we have gone very far.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

PAGE 8

Food security: FG to revamp Doma, Tedi dams in Nasarawa From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

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he Federal Government is revisiting agricultural projects across the country initiated in the 1970 but abandoned as a result of either policy shifts or lack of political will to continue with the projects.

Leader of the Presidential

Monitoring Team on Power, Engr. Roseline Chenge, stated this yesterday, shortly after conducting an assessment tour of two projects (Doma and Tedi dams) in Nasarawa state, belonging to the Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority (LBRDA), stressing that the Jonathan

administration was revisiting these projects in order to take Nigeria back to the days when agriculture was a major source of both revenue and employment.

While stating that the team was in the on the invitation of the state governor, Umaru Tanko Almakura, Chenge praised the

governor for the initiative, saying “previous administrations have seen these projects but did nothing and now that Al-makura has good vision for the state, he has realised the significance of the projects and he is willing to collaborate with us.”

She said it was in line with the transformation agenda to

L-R: Anambra state Governor, Dr. Peter Obi, Niger state governor, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, and Abia state governor, Dr. Theodore Orji, in a chat during the burial rite of the late Dim Chukwuemeka-Odumegwu Ojukwu, at Zungeru, Niger state, at the weekend.

SERAP, WARDC sue CBN over fuel subsidy payment documents From Francis Iwuchukwu, Lagos

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ocio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), and Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center (WARDC), have instituted a suit against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, at the Federal High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, over alleged failure to release information and documents on CBN authorisation of N1.26 trillion subsidy for 2011.

The case with the number FHC/IK/CS/23//2012 filed on Thursday February 16, 2012, followed a Freedom of Information request by SERAP and WARDC to Sanusi dated January 15, 2012.

Also joined as party to the suit is the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke (SAN).

The motion exparte was brought pursuant to section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act, and Order 34 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure)

Rules, 2009, and signed by SERAP’s Staff Attorney, Chinyere Nwafor.

The groups are arguing that under the FOI Act, they have the right to request for or gain access to information which is in the custody or possession of any public official, agency or institution.

The information being sought relates to the spending on fuel ‘subsidy’ in 2011 and in particular the authorisation of the sum of N1.26 trillion paid by the (CBN).

They said, “Since the 1st defendant has failed to provide the

information requested by the plaintiffs within the time limit stipulated by the FOI Act, it is therefore submitted that he has, by that very fact, refused to give the plaintiffs access to the information requested for.

“Furthermore, the power or discretion to refuse to give access to information requested for cannot be exercised in vacuo.

“Such a power or discretion must be provided for by the FOI Act itself.”

No date has been fixed for hearing of the matter.

Medical workers at FMC Azare threaten suit over MD From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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edical workers in Azare, Bauchi state under auspices of the Joint Action Committee of the Federal Medical Centre, have threatened to take legal action against the Federal Medical

Centre Azare if the institution goes ahead to cancel the interview conducted for the post of the Medical Director The chairman JAC, Dr Usman Iliyasu disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the NUJ secretariat Bauchi, expressing surprise over the

decision to cancel the interview already conducted to select a medical director of the institution Dr. Usman who is also the head of the Association of Resident Doctors of the institution, said many people expressed interest for the post for

Oni faults Fayemi over claims on road projects From Adesoji Oyinlola, Lagos

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he immediate past governor of Ekiti state, Chief Segun Oni, has described claims by the Dr. Kayode Fayemi-led Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) government in the state on road projects as false.

“For Fayemi to have claimed that his government initiated construction of roads that were completed as far back as 2008

says much about how deceitful the present government in the state is.”

Speaking through his media aide, Mr. Lere Olayinka, the former governor said: “Listing already completed roads like Okemesi-Ajindo-Ikoro-Ijero, Isan-Ilemeso, Ikole-Iyemero, IseEmure-Supare, Ilawe-Igede, Iludun-Eda Oniyo-Obo Ayegunle Boundary, IlaweErijinyan, Isinbode-Iro-FederalIro-Irun and roads like Ado-

Iworoko-Ifaki, Osun-Osan among other roads that were under construction before Fayemi became governor is to say the least, fraudulent.”

Oni, who said he was shocked when he saw the roads listed in the state 2012 Diary as those initiated by the Fayemi-led ACN government, added that: “The rate at which lies are being told by the ACN government should worry Ekiti people, including ACN supporters themselves.”

which three names were shortlisted for interview and wondered the delay in appointing the medical director from those interviewed.

The association also called on the Minister of Health and the Federal Character Commission to intervene by upholding the result of the interview conducted by the Board of Management on October 10, 2011, in the presence of the representatives of the Federal Character Commission and the Federal Ministry of Health.

The association alleged that the delay in adopting the earlier recommendations of the Board of Management in the Federal Ministry of Health with the eventual cancellation of the result of the interview, automatically proves a hidden agenda outside the consent of the Board of Management.

revamp irrigation and ensure food security, as well as create employment for the youths.

At the Doma dam, the executive director in charge of engineering at LBRDA, Isaac Eleojo Ocheja, disclosed that the dam which has a capacity to irrigate 2000 hectares of land would require total refurbishing and could also generate hydro electricity.

He disclosed that the Doma dam, which according to him, was the first phase of the entire Mada River Basin Development plan envisaged by the government, has the capacity of 87.5 cubic metres, with ground irrigation facilities and pumping stations all in place, adding that these were the areas the authority requires funding from government to rescucitate the dam.

Ocheja stated that the Tedi dam, located in Akwanga West development area, also initiated in the 70s, has the capacity to generate 1500 megawatts of electricity but would also require funding to rejuvenate it.

Ojukwu was an enigma, says Orji

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ov. Theodore Orji of Abia state has described the late Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, as “an enigma,” who meant well not only for the Igbo people but all humanity.

“Ojukwu represented the determination to survive, no matter the circumstance,” Orji said on Saturday, while addressing a group of mourners at the Government House, Umuahia.

He also described the former governor of the defunct Eastern Region as a man of “ingenuity and transparency.”

Represented by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Don Ubani, the governor extolled Ojukwu for “liberating Ndigbo from bondage and captivity.”

The mourners, who wore white vests, embossed with Ojukwu’s picture, held a procession round major streets of the state capital.

The traditional mourning procession, called “Ichommadu’’ in Igboland, marked the official commencement of the late warlord’s burial rites, which would terminate at Ojukwu’s civil war bunker.

The procession was organised by the Local Organising Committee, set up by the Abia state government to co-ordinate the state’s participation in Ojukwu’s burial on March 3.

The chairman of the committee, Prof.

Joshua Ogbonnaya, said the procession was part of the committee’s programme lined up by the committee for the burial.

Ogbonnaya explained that Ojukwu’s remains would be brought to Aba on February 28, where it would lie-in state. (NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

Kaduna postpones trade fair

By Julius Ogar

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he Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA), organisers of the annual Kaduna International Trade Fair, have announced the postponement of the 33rd edition of the fair which was earlier scheduled to hold from the 24th of February to the 4th of March 2012.

A release issued by Usman Saulawa, the Director-General of the Chamber, said the postponement was in consultation with exhibitors, sponsors and other major stakeholders, who have expressed reservation over what was described as “recent unfortunate incidences” in the state.

It further stated: “The decision became necessary to allow normalcy to return to the state and environs. A new date for the Fair will be communicated to exhibitors and the general public soon”.

The Chamber regretted the inconvenience the change of date might have caused exhibitors, visitors, sponsors and the general public.

Produce safe water, typhoid is a faeceological disease, says Pate

By A’isha Biola Raji

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he Minister of State for Health, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, has warned producers of packaged water against the production of water low in hygiene in order to avoid water borne diseases especially typhoid, which is caused as a result of faeces intake in mostly water and water products.

The minister gave the advise in Abuja at the one-day sensitisation workshop for water producers in Nigeria, organised by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Pate warned that, apart from the economic benefit the producers stand to gain, they should care about the health of the citizenry as members of their families can also be endangered. He said “quality water will also benefit you the producers or harm you as it is not only about the profit being made alone”.

He commended the agency for its effort saying there is need to look at the broader perspective and the concept of prevention which should precede treatment.

In his welcome address, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, said there is need for sensitising packaged water producers as its production, apart from the environmental challenge (as in the case of littering), can also kill thousands of people at a single event if it is produced in an un-hygienic condition.

L-R: Aare Musulmi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Arisekola Alao, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Oyo state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; President, Central Council of Ibadan indigenes, Chief Bayo Oyero and Islamic scholar, Sheikh Muyideen Bello, during the maiden Maulud Nabiy celebration in Ibadan, yesterday.

Photo: NAN

Christian, Muslim coalition sensitises communities on peace building

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orried by the level of insecurity, a coalition of Islamic and Christian leaders in Michika local government area of Adamawa state, has set up a committee to sensitise communities on peace building and conflict resolution.

Alhaji Abdulrahaman Mutawale, the public relations officer of the group, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Mubi yesterday that the measure was aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence among the people in the area.

Mutawale said members of the sensitisation sub-committees had already been inaugurated across the 16 wards in the area to create awareness on the need for people to live in peace and harmony.

He said the group in collaboration with the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) had held various meetings between religious and community leaders on the need to promote peace in the area.

“We are concerned about rising wave of crisis. The trend has led to colossal loss of lives and property.

“The group is encouraging communities to embrace dialogue rather than confrontation in all matters”, Mutawale said.

He said the group would continue to support the police and other security agencies in its effort to protect lives and property in the area.

NAN recalls that 14 persons were killed by unidentified gunmen in Mubi, while another was killed in a farmers/herdsmen clash in Maiha local government area in January. (NAN)

Lagos Assembly to review law prohibiting marijuana at recreation centres From Bimbo Ogunnaike, Lagos

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he chairman, House Committee on Youths Sport and Social Development, Honourable Babatunde Ayeni, has said the Lagos House of Assembly will soon review the law prohibiting smoking of Indian hemp at recreation centres in the state.

Ayeni disclosed this during committee’s visit to the Office of Youths and Social Development at

Alausa, as part of his familiarisation visit.

His words: “The House has received complains and petitions on the activities of hoodlums and miscreants who have turned various sport centres in the state to haven for Indian hemp smoking”.

The lawmaker frowned at this development saying that the House through its committee would review the law establishing recreation centres.

A member of the committee, Honourable Lanre Ogunyemi representing Ojo Constituency II, narrated his experience on how miscreants have turned the premises of schools in his constituency to public toilets, defacing them with faeces.

Ogunyemi implored the Office of Youth and Social Development to urgently address the matter.

In his reaction, Special Adviser on Youth and Social Development, Mr. Dolapo Badru told the committee that efforts are being made to tackle the issue.

Govt implored to create enabling environment for media From Auwal Ahmad, Gombe

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he Coordinator, Centre for Community Health and Development International, Mrs. Lucy Usen, has appealed to the federal and state governments

to create an enabling environment that would give the media a free hand to uphold their fundamental responsibility to the people in the effort to promote civic education in the country.

Mrs. Usen made the appeal

Sickle cell sufferers cry over varsity education, cost of drugs From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

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ickle cell disorder patients in Edo state have tasked government at all levels including non-governmental organisations, corporate organisations and public spirited Nigerians to initiate a soothing relief which would assist them acquire university education.

They have equally appealed to concerned authorities to subsidise the cost of drugs which would enable them cope with combating the ailment.

Felix Eguakun, the secretary general of the Sickle Cell Club in Benin City who made this plea at the weekend, told our correspondent that sufferers are

still battling to break the yoke of ‘social-circle problems associated with discrimination especially in areas like employment.

“We need subsidised drugs from government for treatment because we are just victims of circumstance…When somebody points to you that this man is is a sickler, nobody wants to identify with you because they believe that this man will die today or tomorrow; even if the person had wanted to employ you, he’ll change his mind”, he said.

According to him, the centre has suffered in the area of Research and a functional blood bank apparently because there is no laboratory since the centre was established in 1993.

while speaking during the two-day training workshop for religious leaders and schools principals from Gombe, Adamawa, Sokoto, Borno, and Adamawa held in Gombe, yesterday.

She further said that there is need for government through the instrumentality of relevant bodies, to ensure that the norms and values of national ethics that lay emphasis on discipline, patriotism, respect, obedience, loyalty and self reliance are abided by.

The Coordinator also called on the government to ensure that all citizens enjoy equality of rights as well as exercise their obligations and responsibilities to the nation, adding that the government should pursue educational policies that will reduce to the barest minimum illiteracy by providing equal opportunity to everyone to acquire education.

On the issue of civic education, Mrs. Usen said the citizens should know how the democratic system works and the functions of its different branches; the purpose and procedures of elections, the history of the country’s system of governance and governmental institutions.

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

Boko Haram: Fashola orders removal of abandoned vehicles from public places From Bimbo Ogunnaike, Lagos

I

n a bid to ensure protection of lives and property within and around the Government House in Ikeja, due to the activities of the Boko Haram sect, the governor of Lagos state, Babatunde Fashola has directed the Ministry of Transportation to clear public car parks of all impounded and abandoned vehicles.

The governor in an executive order issued to all political appointees and heads of government ministries and parastatals, gave a maximum of seven days to the commissioner for transportation to execute the order.

Governor Fashola in the statement further said: “The situation is even worrisome in the light of prevailing security challenges and the spate of bomb

attacks in some parts of the country".

In the order Governor Fashola stated that henceforth, only vehicles with official stickers will be allowed access to the secretariat.

The chairman of the state task force has been mandated to carry out 24 hour patrol and surveillance to rid Alausa of touting, trading as well as people soliciting for money.

When our correspondent went to the state secretariat to seek civil servants’ views on this latest directive, majority of them supported the decision.

“I think the directive is a welcome development. We are all living witnesses to what is happening in the northern parts of the country where Boko Haram has been bombing public places", said a civil servant who simply

identified himself as Mr. Sunday.

“I think the governor has done the right thing. He is very conscious about securing the lives and property of Lagosians. We all know what the Boko Haram sect is capable of doing. I think the governor is taking this pro-active step to avoid disater. So, to me, the directive is a positive one”, said another civil servant who identified herself as Sekinat.

Nyako urges FG to issue dam concession for hydro-electric project From Blessing Tunoh, Yola

G L-R: Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, National Coordinator Igbo Youth Association, Mr. Anyawu Levi, President, Ijaw Youth Council, Mr. Miabiye Kuromiema, President, Middle Belt Youth League, Comrade Jonathan Tsaku, and Niger Delta activist, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, during a condolence visit to the wife of late Chief Emeka Ojukwu at the weekend in Enugu.

Photo: NAN

Lagos Assembly set to probe ministries, agencies From Bimbo Ogunnaike, Lagos

B

eginning from today, the Lagos state House of Assembly, Committee on Public Accounts, will begin scrutinising the year 2010 financial dealings of government ministries, departments and agencies.

This exercise became necessary following the submission of the

Auditor General’s Report to Hon. Bolaji Yusuf Ayinla, the chairman, House committee on Public Accounts, who represents Mushin Constituency ll.

Speaking with journalists in his office on the exercise, Ayinla said The House is serious on probity, accountability, transparency and strict adherence to financial guidelines as stipulated in the law.

The lawmaker, who disclosed that the exercise which will cover all government ministries, parastatals and agencies, assured Lagosians that strict compliance with financial rules, will be the guideline during the exercise.

He added that any agency found wanting would be sanctioned according to the provision of financial regulation, stressing that the exercise when

completed would further boost public confidence in the management of public funds by government.

Ayinla however enjoined heads of government agencies to co-operate with the committee by forwarding necessary documents required from them, while also ensuring total compliance with the contents of the letter earlier sent out for the exercise.

Reps to address alleged lopsidedness in federal appointments

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he House of Representatives has alleged lopsided employment of Nigerians in most Federal Government establishments including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Responding to questions on the activities of the House Committee on Federal Character at a briefing, the deputy chairman of the committee, Rep Olumide Osoba, who is also a member of the House committee on Media and Public Affairs, said the his committee has begun to examine the nominal rolls of all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

According to him, the committee would ensure that the alleged lopsidedness in the FCT and the Federal Road Safety

Commission (FRSC) are addressed.

“There are reports that 60 percent of the members of staff in the FCT Water Board are from Kogi state; we equally have reports that the FRSC was populated by people from

a certain section of the country”.

Osoba added: “We have made up our minds that we are going to get concrete evidence and facts before we go on with our responsibilities.”

He added that the committee had already mandated any of the MDAs that would want to carry any recruitment exercise to contact the Federal Character Commission (FCC) for clearance.

Oyo govt assures of religious tranquility From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

O

yo state government has allayed fears religious terrorism and expressed commitment to give all religious bodies equal opportunity and a sense of belonging.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi disclosed this during 2012 Ifa Osemeji and Obamoro festival held at the palace of Olubadan, Oja'ba, Ibadan.

The governor who was represented by the Commissioner

for Culture and Tourism, Engr.

Abiola Ladoja, pledged to preserve the cultural values and heritage of peoples living in the state.

"I make bold to tell that my government through the new Ministry of Culture and Tourism will work closely with groups, organisations or religious bodies that seek to reawaken, promote, preserve, encourage and spread the good values of the Yoruba race," Ajimobi said.

Senator Ajimobi described the festival as celebration of Yoruba

roots and the witness of the foresight and wisdom of founding fathers.

He thanked the followers of for keeping the peace, honour and dignity of the Yoruba intact which he said, paved way for an enabling environment for unity, progress and prosperity.

Earlier in his welcome address, the chairman of 2012 Ifa Osemeji and Obamoro festival, Chief Ifalere Oderinlo charged the state government to expedite action to make the festival a tourist attraction.

overnor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa state says the delay in issuance of dam concession to a United States firm handling the upgrading of the Kiri dam in the state to a hydro-electric generating plant is an impediment to the actualisation of the November 2013 target date.

The governor, who spoke when the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe visited him at the Government House, recalls that the Adamawa state government had concluded discussion for a dam infrastructure concession agreement with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources through the Infrastructural Concessions Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

He therefore appealed to the Federal Government through the minister to assist and expedite action on the issuance of dam concession to Galileos Scientific of the US, the firm handling the upgrading of the Kiri Independent Power Project.

He said the US investor had since applied for the Independent Power Project license with the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Company for power purchase agreement.

The governor further disclosed that the Adamawa state government had already discussed for a dam infrastructure concession agreement with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources through the Infrastructural Concessions Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

In addition, Nyako said the Kiri Independent Power Project would be executed under build, operate and transfer (BOT) method, and therefore called for more collaboration between the Federal and Adamawa state governments in the areas of irrigation, water supply and sanitation as well as training of personnel in maintenance of water facilities.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

Victims of Yobe attack recount losses From Godswill Uche, Damaturu

U

nknown gunmen last Friday at about 9pm, attacked and destroyed some houses and looted valuables and cash worth millions of naira from their victims in Yunusari local government area of Yobe state.

Our reporter who visited the area shortly after the attack and who spoke with some of the residents, reports that they were shaken by what transpired.

During the attack, the town’s police station, the residence of the divisional police officer, a police lodge, and the house of the state commissioner for finance were burnt down.

One of the victims who declined identification, said “when they came, there was nobody in the house, they climbed in through the fence, they ransacked the house, took away N300,000 and items belonging to the women and in short, every valuable thing they saw they took away.”

Another said: we heard gunshots from some strange people and we all ran away to different places outside the town, later we discovered that some places were burning including the police station.

The village head of Yunusari, Alh. Lawan Kallalawa, who was robbed of about N200, 000, described the incident as the first of its kind in the town A former special adviser to the state governor who lost his Toyota jeep given him by the government, said “the attackers ransacked my house and carried away many valuables with several thousands of naira and it is still difficult to remember all what has been taken away.”

A businessman who lost millions of naira in the incident also narrated his ordeal, saying “they stayed over one hour in my house searching every corner of the house and taking with them any valuable thing they saw.

PAGE 11

Corruption in justice sector worries NBA boss

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

P

resident of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Joseph Daudu, SAN, has said corruption which has engulfed the larger society has infiltrated the justice sector of the country.

Speaking at the valedictory court session in honour of late Justice Anthony Aniagolu (rtd), the NBA boss said corruption has become a live issue that is threatening to tear apart the foundations and fabric of the Nigerian society.

He said even though the Bar

does not possess the machinery and infrastructure to battle corruption like the anti-graft agencies, it intends to be proactive in its battle against the scourge which if left unchecked will sink the whole ship of the country.

The NBA, he noted will soon inaugurate its anti-corruption commission with the objective of identifying the practitioners of corruption in the legal profession and justice system, forwarding their names and evidence of corrupt practices to relevant agencies for prompt action and prosecution where possible.

According to the NBA boss, the anti-corruption commission of the NBA will generally act as a watch dog to contain the debilitating vice. "We are aware that some of our colleagues including very senior counsels and at times, eminent retired judicial officers go about offering their services as consultants, particularly in election cases for incredible sums of money so as to act as conduit between clients and the courts. The end result is to facilitate readymade justice for the persons they are acting for", her noted.

He urged members of the bar as well as members of the public to feel free to avail themselves of the NBA's anti-corruption commission.

"We do ourselves the greatest disservice if we fail to fight this ill which renders irrelevant the work and skills of hardworking lawyers who daily toil in and out of courts and who do not have the advantage of knowing with certainty the outcome of cases as these consultants are privileged to know", he stated.

Daudu commended the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Dahiru Musdapher for the reforms he is bringing into the judiciary, with a view to providing a qualitative justice for the people.

Borno state Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shatima (centre) with supporters after his victory at the Supreme Court on Friday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Gaidam increases funding for polio AfDB tasks farmers in Kogi eradication in Yobe state From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

From Godswill Uche, Damaturu

I

n a determined effort to put up a harder fight for the eradication of polio in Yobe state, Governor Ibrahim Gaidam has announced an increase in the yearly state funding for the programme from the initial N6 to N10 million.

He made the declaration recently on an occasion marking the 2012 First Quarter Polio Awareness Day and the flagging off ceremony of February 2012 National Immunisation Days (NIDS),

which took place at the Government House, Damaturu.

He said the First Quarterly Polio Awareness Day was introduced by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum as a strategy to sustain the gains recorded in the polio eradication programme in the country.

He also appealed to traditional rulers to cooperate with the health workers and other stakeholders to ensure the success of all immunisation activities in their respective areas of jurisdiction and in the state at large.

T

he Manager, African Development Bank (AfDB) Task Team on Fadama 11, Engr. Danladi Hassan Ebbah has challenged farmers in the country to approach farming as a business while adopting modern methods of farming as requisite for bumper harvest.

Engineer Ebbah stated this at the weekend while inspecting some projects in some rural areas in Olamaboro and Idah local government areas of Kogi state.

He said a total of 22 million euros has been expended on the second phase of Fadama 11 in the country, adding that 65

percent of the fund has been utilised on these projects.

According to him, the projects have improved the lives of the rural farmers as they now have access to good roads, water and markets for their farm produce.

"It is a very good intervention but the problem we have is that the resources for the projects intervention is not enough for the lot of projects we would have loved to execute. You can only have great impact if more funds are committed, but with what we have, it would be difficult to see very great impact. The good news is that something good is happening within the beneficial communities, “he said.

Polio immunisation: Plateau to sanction defaulting parents From Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

G

overnor Jonah Jang of Plateau state has threatened to sanction parents and guardians in state who refuse to avail their children from ages of 0-6 of the ongoing polio vaccination.

While flagging off a forum

named Community Leaders Against Polio (CLAP), Governor Jang said the state government is considering making polio immunisation as one of the prerequistes for admission into public and private primary schools in the state.

He further urged people in leadership position to wake up

to the responsibility of eradicating the menace of polio confronting the country, adding that the state government recently signed an undertaking with the Federal Government in order to tackle the menace with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Governor Jang said the need

to eradicate polio from Nigeria in 2012 was “recently brought to the front burner when Vice President Namadi Sambo on behalf of the Federal Republic, the Governors’ Forum and the chairman of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), signed a commitment to this effect tagged ‘Abuja Commitment to Polio Eradication

in Nigeria”.

Meanwhile the Plateau state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Pam Dakwak has congratulated the state government for 955 days of zero wild polio cases in the state since 2009 saying the state is 140 days away from receiving a certificate from WHO for its efforts in eradicating polio.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

Police Reform Committee: Another jamboree?

V

ice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo echoed the sentiments and frustrations of many Nigerians with the Police Force last week Friday when he said that the Federal Government would no longer accept a weak and unproductive Force. While inaugurating the Presidential Committee on Police Reorganisation headed by Parry Osayande, the vice-president also said the "Time has come where the whole Force should be re-examined and re-organised for efficiency and effectiveness".

The committee was set up by President Goodluck Jonathan in the wake of the sack of the former Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, along with other top officials of the Force. Its terms of reference include; "Primarily redress the rot in the Nigeria Police Force and reposition it to face the challenges of democratic society through the timely prevention and detection of crimes in all its ramifications".

Although many Nigerians would have preferred the president dust up reports of previous committees set up to reform the police force instead of wasting energy and resources in producing another one, they are also united on the fact that the police and indeed our entire security agencies are in urgent and

sincere need of attention. The current extreme challenges posed by the Boko Haram sect is clear indication that the Force is out of its depths in curtailing the deadly activities of the sect and finding a lasting solution to insecurity in the country.

The police themselves have become targets of the sect's attacks

“

Even as we eagerly await the report of the committee, we can not also help but keep our expectation in check for now since this government and indeed many before it have not kept faith in implementing recommendations of the countless committees as sadly evidenced by the wave of attacks in Kano recently. Indeed the sect has said repeatedly that its war is against agencies of the State symbolized by the Police and in keeping with that, it has carried out numerous attacks on police stations in a number of states. The fact that the Force does not have a firm grip on the situation has also necessitated the drafting of military

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personnel to help with security operations.

Perhaps no security agency in the country has earned the disrespect of the people as the men of the Police Force. Essentially this is because they have been left ill-equipped, without training and their welfare totally disregarded by the government. They lack motivation to carry out their jobs effectively, for these reasons it is no wonder also that they struggle to keep pace with the antics of criminals who have been wreaking havoc at will on lives and properties across the country. A poignant case of the neglect that the police suffers was brought to the fore last week in Kaduna when a policeman with the anti bomb squad was blown up while attempting to deactivate a bomb without the necessary protective gear and equipment to do so.

Even as we eagerly await the report of the committee, we can not also help but keep our expectation in check for now since this government and indeed many before it have not kept faith in implementing recommendations of the countless committees set up to move the nation forward. We can therefore be excused if we do not share in the optimism of the Federal Government that this presidential committee will make all the difference.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

PAGE 13

Waiting for the minister’s convoy

By Chika Ezeanya

K

igali, Rwanda. I stood outside the beautiful Serena Hotels’ conference hall lobby, chatting on my phone. At 8:35 a.m., I had arrived a little too early for the conference slated for 9.15 a.m. With the Minister of Public Service and Labour as the person giving the opening remarks, and being in Africa, I reckoned that the event will start at about 10:30 am; enough time to allow the busy Minister attend to other urgent matters.

At 9.05, an unremarkable jeep pulled up in front of me. A man dressed in a suit I would consider not too fashionable

Contd. from Back Page involved in this Summit. General Babangida’s Political Bureau ended up looking like a grand diversion from a military strongman who had become used to the illusion that he can take the nation for a ride every time he chose to. General Abacha’s Constitutional conference was hijacked by politicians who had the courage to call off the military’s bluff and reckless brinkmanship. The combined sins of Babangida and Abacha, which included, among others, the hanging of the Ken Saro-Wiwa group and the annulment of the 1993 elections, and the incarceration and death of Chief M.K.O Abiola gave rise to even more strident demands, spearheaded by late Chief Authony Enahoro and his fellow sovereign travellers, for the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference.

The logic of their demand was located in their insistence that the Nigerian state is illegitimate, unworkable and doomed to failure.

It can be salvaged in some form, but that form must be what they have already pre-determined.

The solution, to them, must take the form of an elected government “handing over” sovereignty to a conference of delegates from Nigerian tribes who should decide every element of the existence and structure of Nigeria and its Constitution. Presumably, the conveners of the summit will be the delegates, along with a few they may also handpick, because they offer no formula for representation. Although they appeared to draw some historical inspiration from a few post-crises West African states which, under the firm guidance of France, convened national conferences made up of delegations from political groups due to their failure to achieve orderly military-to-civilian transitions, they ignored the tricky question that no authority was ever going to hand over sovereignty to a conclave of tribal leaders in Nigeria. The only way that could happen was if the tribal leaders themselves took over power by force and therefore assume the

alighted, clutching some files.

He walked briskly past me towards the hall. Must be some civil servant conference participant, I noted casually.

At about 9:17 a.m. the sound of opening activities came to me from within the hall indicating the commencement of the event. Excellent, I thought; no African time here.

But how could the conference organizers have commenced without the Minister who is billed to be one of the very first to address the audience, I inquired of my Rwandan neighbour. “The Minister is here” he said.

“There he is.” I followed the polite nod of his head as his eyes rested on the simple looking

man who passed me earlier.

“OK. He sent a representative.”

I responded as I busied myself going through the event schedule. “No. He is the Minister.”

For some seconds my mind was beclouded. I suddenly found myself concluding that I was either erroneously at a religious gathering, and that the ordained minister heading the congregation was being pointed out to me, or more realistically, that I was indeed at the right government function where a reverend minister had been invited to say the opening prayers. That was the only way it would make sense to me that the man who alighted from that car

without fanfare is indeed a government minister.

In search of clarity to my befuzzled mind, I took a second, closer look at the schedule and saw clearly written, Opening Remarks by the Minister of Public Service and Labour.

Lost in thought, I did not realize that I had dropped my phone until my kind neighbour nudged me back to reality. “Is he a full Minister or the Minister of State, or Executive Assistant to the Minister?” I further probed, not realizing that I did not say thank you for his good deed.

“He is the Minister”, he responded, a little bit bewildered by my disconcerted body language. I ignored him

Leaders of the fringes sovereignty of the people, or if someone else takes over power and hands it over to them. That would have made them more illegitimate than the un-elected governments they condemned, and any decision, including constitutional amendments or wholesale changes they make, will be illegal. They routinely ignored the possibility that a tribal conclave will be led by our “traditional rulers” or other such culturally-determined “leaders”, as well as priests of all types, who are the nearest to our “cultural identities”, or as they like to say, our “nationalities”.

There have always been legal options in the search for real changes in the manner Nigeria is structured and governed, but our unelected, self-appointed leaders do not like them. These options involve using the political process to achieve power and amend the Constitution or any aspect of our existence as a nation. But majority of the advocates of a Sovereign National Conference do not accept the legality of the political process or our present democratic dispensation. They do not accept, therefore, that it can engineer the type of changes they want all Nigerians to live under. They will not test the popularity of their ideas in the political arena, and they will not even submit themselves to popularity contests, except for the few who tried many times and lost at elections. Ironically, many of the delegates at the Summit had submitted themselves many times to elections and courts provided for by this same Constitution. None had repudiated the electoral process or the judicial system as illegitimate.

There are many things wrong with our federal system and our Constitution, but whatever we think of the origin and evolution of the Nigerian state, the fact of a Nigerian nation made up of many ethnic groups has been an accepted fact in our lives, and has been built with blood, sweat and hardwork.

No Nigerian should be ashamed of the historic origin of our nation, and its history cannot be an impediment to making it work well

for its citizens. It is not by any means a perfect arrangement, but any useful discussion on its defects must acknowledge that a gathering of elitist, elderly Nigerians who see themselves not as concerned citizens but as tribal leaders cannot wish it away. A productive discussion on the merits and defects of our constitutional arrangements and federal system could draw attention to a number of issues which should improve the way the Nigerian state is structured. For instance, why do we need 36 states, when the six geo-political zones can suffice as federating units? Why do we need a bi-cameral legislature when it is obviously wasteful, and the cost of governance has become unbearable? Why should a few states receive so much of our national resources under a revenue sharing formula which impoverishes other parts of a federal system, and generates massive social and security problems for the nation? Why should elected leaders receive so much pay for serving their nation, and making political offices the fastest routes to wealth? Why shouldn’t larger but fewer federating units have their own police, and much more responsibility for socio-economic development which is currently being handled unsatisfactorily by the Federal Government? What needs to be done to improve national security, and the electoral process, and to bring an end to the tendency for some

Nigerians to deprive fellow citizens of basic rights, including rights to the security of their lives and property, and their rights to economic progress under some dubious claims to superior rights?

Why haven’t tribes given room to the emergence of citizens? How could a nation as blessed as Nigeria fail to live up to its full economic and political potential?

These and many other questions could have been raised and possibly some answers found for them by these highly educated Nigerians. But, no. They want to use all their knowledge, experience and wealth to demand for what is clearly impossible to achieve. Their meeting has very little value for majority of Nigerians who are under 35 years, and who were not even considered fit to attend the summit, even though it is their future that was being discussed.

Women, who constitute half of the population, and who suffer greatly from the fallouts of a corrupt system, underdevelopment and widespread insecurity had no voice or significant presence at the Summit. The only conclusion which can make sense is that these elite with some support from the administration assume that raising the bogey of a Sovereign National Conference will balance, and possibly cancel out the threat from the Boko Haram insurgency.

If that was the assumption, it was a waste of energy and resources.

The Boko Haram insurgency threatens the very foundation of the Nigerian state, and

“

The only conclusion which can make sense is that these elite with some support from the administration assume that raising the bogey of a Sovereign National Conference will balance, and possibly cancel out the threat from the Boko Haram insurgency. If that was the assumption, it was a waste of energy and resources

and turned to ask the honest looking elderly lady beside me.

I hold no grudge against young men, the likes of who just gave me the information, but I needed a second opinion from someone more reliable in appearance.

“Excuse me, Madam.

When are we expecting the Minister of Public Service and Labour?” I asked.

“Where are you from?” the good lady asked, perhaps sensing my flash bipolar condition.

“Nigeria”, I responded meekly, humbled - as is often the case - by the negative gravity often experienced at the mention of that name.

“Your accent,” she said, smiling Continued on page 14

conferences which create the impression that you can distance some parts of the country from it merely play into its hands.

The nation should take note of this Summit only as a reminder that there are highly privileged Nigerians who prefer to live in their own world because they do not like this one. A group such as these self-styled leaders could have drawn the attention of President Goodluck Jonathan to the fact that his failure to govern well, and his inability to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency effectively is threatening the lives of Nigerians and making life unbearable. They could have reminded him that the Committee on Review of the Constitution under Justice Alfa Belgore whose mandate is basically to tidy up past reports, will not achieve anything of value in terms of addressing the real weaknesses of our constitutional arrangements. They could have made substantial and wellinformed inputs into current concerns about the foundations of our insecurity, rampant corruption and the difficulties of everyday life for the vast majority of Nigerians. That they failed to do this makes them part of the problem of the Nigerian people.

Unless their expensive outings are funded by governments which seek to divert attention of Nigerians, they should save the nation more of their tired prescriptions, or engage the political process and convince Nigerians that they do have real solutions.

No section of this country should resist a critical examination of its foundations, structures and values. If doing this will address its fundamental weaknesses, by all means let us have a National Conference to do this. But neither these champions of primitivism nor this administration which shows no capacity to address any of our fundamental problems should even venture into this important issue. Let those who have legitimate powers to respond to the pressure to re-asses our union as a nation take note, and respond appropriately. If they do not, we will not hear the end of these fringe voices.

PAGE 14

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

NNPC rot: What the Presidency doesn’t want to know

By Ifeanyi Izeze

T

he 12-member committee set up by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, to enthrone, according to her, “transparency and sanitize activities in the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)” could best be described for what it is a step in deceit. If she expected applause for the vote of no confidence in the NNPC, obviously she is not going to get it because she has failed to properly situate the NNPC’s handicap or rather the cause of the massive rot which to a great extent was not the fault of the top management of the corporation though they cannot completely extricate themselves because without their collaboration it couldn’t have been possible for the apex oil concern to sink to such a low. Whatever her committee designs as the new corporate governance code for ensuring full transparency, good governance and global best practices in the NNPC and other parastatals is not going to work until the root-cause of the problem is addressed.

Blanket condemnation of the NNPC as a fraud haven may not be enough in our genuine quest to unravel the demon that has continued to hold the corporation moribund. Every concerned Nigerian should bother to ask where and how the NNPC gets the funds to run its operations including the joint venture obligations.

Does the Corporation really have anything like budget in the strict sense of the term? So when the National Assembly

roared like a lion seeking to not only failed to establish itself direct instructions from the devour the NNPC over its as an active oil company in Presidency or even any other alleged refusal to present its business to make profit, it has government agency that is not in the highly annual budget, the also failed in establishing schooled oil and gas intimidation never worked. For administrative structures that technical the simple reason that NNPC are free from government exploration and production has no budget in the strict manipulations especially the business even the downstream aspect of its operations. Under sense of it outside what it agrees Presidency.

However, any performance the pretence of correcting the with the Presidency or rather alleged what’s given to it “widespread to run its fraud and operations. corruption T h e in the lawmakers know Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text NNPC,” that the only place messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written t h e the NNPC reports contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 Obasanjo to till tomorrow is words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and government the Presidency. a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed s h o r t This arrangement to: circuited is not in any way all existing a JonathanThe Editor, platforms making.

The Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, for decent p r e s e n t business administration 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. transactions met it that way Email: let ters@peoplesdaily-online.com in the and keyed-in SMS: 07037756364 corporation because it’s in its a n d favour. Why has the National Assembly not assessment of the NNPC would technically ran the nation’s taken any serious initiative to be outrightly biased and apex oil concern aground. free the NNPC from the grossly incomplete if it does not Truth be told, the pathetic state strangulating grip of the take due consideration of the of the NNPC today is a showcase Presidency? The answer is negative effects of the undue of the Obasanjo’s legacy in the equally simple: Na the same Presidency’s interference on oil industry. The Obasanjo the activities of the Presidency took this unholy people! meddling in the affairs and It was pathetic how Austen corporation.

Whether the Government especially the accounts of the Oniwon and his management team were so harassed in the wants to hear this or not, it NNPC to a criminal height last few months by all kinds of must be said that the throughout its eight-year stay unholy in office.

The Yar’adua National Assembly probe Presidency’s committees to the extent that interference in the operations administration modified the the NNPC people lost of the NNPC, especially in milking strategy and even composure and confidence in money matters, has remained introduced new dimensions themselves and were acting the sole cause of the rot in the especially when the late became like child witches in front of system and this has caused president cameras juggling facts and terrible harm and made the incapacitated. All sorts of including figures in manners reminiscent corporation lose its credibility miscreants both at home and abroad. housewives and adult almajiris of village primary one pupils.

There is no amount of were dishing orders for money No doubt that since the NNPC was established in 1977 unbundling that would make and funny contracts from the group managing to oversee the management NNPC or its strategic business NNPC graft-free if the director to the extent that it and operation of the nation’s oil units industry, the Corporation had corporation continues to take looked as if the GMD reported

WRITE TO US

directly to the wife of the late president and the cabal around her.

Now also, the Jonathan Presidency is not behaving better. It may even be apt to conclude that the Jonathan Presidency is even doing more terrible things than the two previous administrations in terms of meddling with NNPC and oil money as the language of the rot in the corporation which was originally Yoruba has now been translated from Hausa to Izon.

The National Assembly knows where the problems of the corporation are coming from and should frontally confront the “big masquerade if it’s serious at sanitizing the NNPC. It was actually surprising that neither the NNPC officials nor any other person that appeared before the two National Assembly probe committees mentioned anything about the Presidency’s and the PDP’s involvement in the money mess hanging on the corporation.

Why should the administrators of the NNPC not be challenged to institute an independent audit of its finances and come up with a strong case to prove that the problems of the corporation had always been extraneous.

Whether the Group Managing Director likes it or not, if he does not pioneer this self audit, any probe instituted by the National Assembly, would continue forever to indict the NNPC management for massive corruption and unbalanced accounting for oil and gas proceeds.

Ifeanyi Izeze is reachable at chiefservant@jesus.com

Waiting for the minister’s convoy Continued from page 13

and not elaborating further.

“The Minister is the one speaking”, she concluded, diverting her full attention to the podium.

The gentleman had just taken the microphone and was very calmly and respectfully addressing the full room of civil servants, university professors, and other citizens.

Very interesting. Not one extra car did I see with this man. I only have a vague recollection of seeing someone else in the front seat apart from the driver. The man I had seen opened the car door himself and carried his files.

During lunch, the Minister – I still cannot believe it as I write – joined us to queue for food; the same service line, the same food, the same drink, the same plates and cutlery.

Nothing different for the “big man”. Excuse me, someone, am I in Africa or elsewhere? Yes. This is Africa. Welcome to Rwanda. The African country where government ministers

are not entitled to any extra car allowance and definitely no sirens. Upon appointment as a minister, the appointee is given the equivalent of 11,000 USD in local currency to buy a car.

He gets a monthly allowance of 1,400 USD to maintain his vehicle. and that is it. He is also entitled to only one security personnel and one secretary. No more personal servant or any other form of assistant or aide is allowed the minister. The Attorney General (known as Prosecutor General) gets about 15,000 USD to buy a car and 700 USD monthly for its car maintenance. The senators get even less in allowance and office perks.

Contrast this with the situation in Kenya. Ministers on the bill of the government purchase vehicles include topof the-range Mercedes Benz, Volvos and powerful fourwheel-drives like Range Rovers, Land Cruisers, Nissan Patrols and Toyota Prados.

In his first year in power in 2002, President Mwai Kibaki’s

government set to task purchasing high-end luxury vehicles.

And “between January 2003 and September 2004, the new government spent at least 878 million Kenya shillings (about 12 million dollars) in the purchase of luxury cars that were largely for the personal use of senior government officials such as ministers, assistant ministers and permanent secretaries,” cites a Transparency International report. When the Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta asked ministers to purchase less expensive cars with engine capacities of no more than 1.8 litres, the ministers refused stating that they “need to look like ministers.” Housing Minister Soita Shitanda expressly stated that he “cannot drive into a function in a small car similar to the ones driven by teenagers.”

A minister in Nigeria reportedly has over 30 aidesno one is sure of the exact amount. The ministers travel

in long convoys of siren blaring cars. Federal ministers, senior army, air force and naval officers, state commissioners, local government chairmen and others are entitled to cars and to the use of sirens. When in late 2011 President Jonathan announced - during the launch of the Federal Road Safety Commission’s new driver’s license and number plates – a nationwide ban on the use of sirens by unauthorized persons, few Nigerians took him seriously.

Some would argue that it is unfair to denounce countries like Nigeria with an unusually high number of cars, security and personnel in their ministerial convoys as they are some of the most dangerous places on earth to be resident, not to talk of a prominent one.

Being appointed even to a street environmental task force remotely connected with the local government, results in nothing less than a declaration of fatwa on the appointee by the criminal

community - kidnappers, swindlers, armed robbers, even pick pockets.

One cannot go without the other. It is the corruption entrenched in the public service that has resulted in the abundance of crime on the streets of Lagos. When a Minister’s salary and allowances are so high, while the common man struggles to pay for even the most basic healthcare, then of course, the minister becomes a target for the disgruntled and crime prone segment of society. When ministers are demi-gods, arriving at meetings two hours behind schedule to a standing ovation by the delighted audience, then that society needs complete overhaul.

Rwanda holds up the example for every single African country. A minister is a servant of the people and should always present himself as such, and not as their lord.

Chika Ezeanya can be reached at saharareporters.com

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

PAGE 15

Cuban embargo: Obama must end this madness

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he biggest irony about the United States of America is that it considers its revolution of 1775 as the only legitimate revolution in the western hemisphere.The American Revolution was the result of a series of social, political, and intellectual transformations in early American society and government, collectively referred to as the American Enlightenment.

Americans rejected the oligarchies common in aristocratic Europe at the time, championing instead the development of republicanism based on the Enlightenment understanding of liberalism.

Among the significant results of the revolution was the creation of a democratically-elected representative government responsible to the will of the people.

This was by all standards a progressive move not only for citizens of the US but for humanity in general. Unfortunately, the relationship between the country and Cuba has gone gaga since the Cubans led by Fidel Castro decided to take their destiny in their hands the same way Americans ousted the oligarchs from metropolitan Europe.

The two countries have a relationship dating back to 1898 long before the Castro-led revolution. At the end of the Spanish-American war, a defeated

Spain signed away its rights to territories it had occupied for long — including Cuba, Puerto Rico and Guam — over to the US, which subsequently granted Cuba its independence with the stipulation that the US could intervene in the country’s affairs if necessary. This clause was later struck out. But the American insistence that she be granted a perpetual lease on its naval base at Guantánamo Bay was not.

What the powerful and prosperous United States did to its poor and weak neighbour set the stage for the events that produced the Castro revolution. Cuba effectively became a backyard country reserved for the decadent dregs of American capitalism.

Drugs, gambling, prostitution and homosexuality became the order of the day in Cuba. The American criminal gang popularly known as the mafia had an eye on the country too for they used Havana as a conference centre in 1946.

Fidel Castro and his followers found the US domination and paternalism repulsive.

On January 1, 1959 he and his band of freedom fighters successfully overthrew the incompetent and corrupt government of General Fulgencio Batista. The United States immediately recognized the new regime. But Castro could not be

deceived. He defied the US at every government. The most dramatic turn – and got away with it - to the of these was the Bay of Pigs — the admiration of other Latin CIA’s botched attempt to overthrow Castro by training Americans.

Few months after he took over Cuban exiles for a ground attack.

1961 and 1963 power, Castro visited Washington Between and met with Vice President according to Time magazine, Richard Nixon. He was the toast of “there were at least five plots to kill, the media who found his olive maim or humiliate the Cuban green fatigues and endless speeches leader using everything from something spectacularly new and exploding seashells to shoes dusted different. But the Americans with chemicals to make his beard underestimated the depth of fall out. The Get Smart-like plans never worked and C a s t r o ’ s Castro’s Cuba bitterness to the soldiered on, angry long history of as ever at the United exploitation States.” against Cuba.

In frustration, Castro’s President Kennedy government issued a permanent was moving at embargo against a speed that Cuba on Feb, 7 perplexed 1962. He however Americans. He Emmanuel Yawe made sure he had seized private 08024565402 bought 1,200 l a n d , royawe@yahoo.com Cuban produced nationalized cigars for his hundreds of private companies — including consumption before he did so. The several local subsidiaries of U.S. U.S. strengthened its embargo corporations — and imposed rules in 1992 and again in 1996 heavy taxation on American with the Helms-Burton Act, which applied the embargo to foreign products.

The early 1960s were very countries that traded with Cuba. turbulent years for the The 50 year old embargo has revolutionary government of almost brought the people to their Castro. There were many knees but for their belief in the subversive, top-secret U.S. system they have created which attempts to topple the Cuban has served them very well since

1959. And that is ironically the greatest achievement of the Cuban revolution. For a country as small as Cuba to have stood up to a giant like the US for this long is an achievement nobody thought was possible.

But beyond that, Cuba has gone on after 1959 to show the world that a society can be built on the solidarity of the human race and not on the basis of class, sex, religion, colour of the skin etc.

Cuba was instrumental to the liberation of Angola. Cuban forces defeated those of Apartheid South Africa and thus demystified the belief that they were invincible.

Black Africa owes Cuba a lot.

The equality of the human race is the greatest lesson the revolution of 1959 has thought the world.

Through this, the country has achieved a real revolution in education, has produced miracles in health care, agriculture and many other fields of human endeavour.

When the embargo was slapped on Cuba in 1962, President Obama was barely a year old. The world has changed and the conditions under which the embargo was launched have also changed. It is amazing that America wants to enforce the embargo forever. One great thing President Obama can do for humanity is to lift the embargo now.

First ladyship: The Bisi Fayemi submission

T

he wife of the governor of Ekiti state, Erelu Bisi AdeleyeFayemi, apparently takes her position as ‘First Lady’ of Ekiti very seriously. She, therefore, could not countenance attempts by those she obviously considered misinformed persons to cast aspersions on the occupants of the office. She was offered a generous back page Open Forum column in The Nation of February 16, 2012 with her contribution titled: “The First Lady Debate : Speaking for myself”. But in her enthusiasm to play defence advocate for this political ‘parasite’ group, and in the process over blowing her trumpet, she unwittingly ended up rubbishing the very office and its occupants she presumably set out to extol.

The position of First Lady, most especially as it applies to the Office of the President of any nation, can be glamorous. It carries a lot of razzmatazz, particularly when fashionists happen to occupy the position. Luckily, nobody can accuse Dame Patience Jonathan of being a fashion buff! They are often perceived in decorative terms, adding panache and the soft power to the hard power of their incumbent hubbies. And so it is with Erelu Bisi; she has panache and a strong dress sense, if we are to accept that pictures don’t lie.

Well, I take that aspect that pictures don’t lie with a qualifier.

An example of when pictures lie.

You see, I can’t win any contest for good looks but then in those days in the late 1980s in Washington D.C. when I featured regularly on the CNN programme ‘The Foreign Correspondents’ by the time I came

on set after the make-up people benevolence. Now, let us consider have smoothened my face, I’ll be Maryam Babangida who looking ‘cool’. I digress. pioneered the glamour of First So, the matter is - what to make Ladyship in Nigeria while of the Office of First Lady. implementing her Better Life for Ordinarily, First Ladyship applies Rural Women programme. The to the Office of the President in the concept was okay. But when you United States and to a lesser extent go to impoverished, deprived rural in Europe. In Nigeria, though, the womenfolk in glittering Jeeps, Office has been appropriated by the wearing N100,000 lace material wives of the chief executives – and a retinue of the latest model Governors and L o c a l Government C o u n c i l Chairmen - of the with two other levels of government, creating a olawunmibisi@yahoo.com cacophony of ill0803 364 7571 (SMS only) digested public communication about ill-conceived pet projects. cars and similarly expensively Perhaps, if these executive wives dressed hangers-on women, its have shown a bit of decorum and strikes a jarring note, it’s a sobriety in their public contradiction. You ask: Why can’t appearances, maybe the public First Ladies dress to match the won’t show that much angst about occasion? They can reserve the their programmes and projects. exotic dresses for when they are They may even earn public going for balls at the Hilton. acclaim for bringing the humane Erelu Bisi, from her expose, is a touch to public governance as very exposed lady who has held against the crudity, malevolence high positions at regional and and violence of many of their continental levels, including being husbands. But because there is Executive Director of African usually too much superficiality, Women Development Forum rather than substance, there is based in Ghana, of which she was a latent resentment that wives are co-founder, as well as being the suffocating the public space chair of Nigerian Women’s Trust already polluted by their financial Fund, lucrative positions she had marauder husbands. to relinquish to play Government In fairness to some First Ladies, House hostess. She was miffed by they have what one could describe what she dubbed “blistering attack as altruistic programmes for the on First Ladies” but more public good but the public show of particularly so by a writer who opulence and glamour seriously noted non-contribution of First detracts from the message of their Ladies to the fuel subsidy debate on

The Bisibee Bisi Olawunmi

the dismissive assumption that “such issues are probably beyond them” and that of Steve Osuji, a columnist with The Nation who, she said, specifically advised her as wife of Ekiti state governor to confine herself to looking “after the home front” rather than meddle in the affairs of state. “I cringed reading through these articles”, she wrote. However, if Erelu Bisi felt the put down on the Office of First Lady is egregious, was she not confirming the impressions of the writers when she admitted that the Office “has been so grossly abused that people find it hard to be objective or flexible in their assessments of either the position or the occupants”? She further conceded that because of the informal power accruing to the office, “it is very dangerous for such power to fall into the hands of ignorant, uninformed and unethical persons”. The question then is: With these admissions what really is her grouse? Again, if she admits that “it is true that we have First Ladies at all levels with little or no strategic thinking, good manners, decorum and protocol” does that not justify the criticisms?

The Ekiti governor’s wife was right that the Office of First Lady has also suffered criticism in the U.S. since 1877 when it was first used in print in respect of Lucy Webb Hayes while reporting the inauguration of her husband, Rutherford B. Hayes as President of the America.

Mrs. Michele Obama, who runs a pet project of combating obesity in American children, has also come under criticism for maintaining a staff of 22 in a period when the U.S. was in the economic doldrums, a situation Nigeria currently faces, making the flamboyance of First Ladies rather offensive.

Like Erelu Bisi, Michele had noted that she left a lucrative position in a big law firm for a career in public service as wife of President Barack Obama but it had not deterred critics from raising angst for what is considered a bloated retinue of highly paid staff while America was in Great Recession.

In a critique of July 7, 2009, a writer had observed: Just think, Mary Lincoln was taken to task for purchasing china for the White House during the Civil War and Mamie Eisenhower had to shell out the salary of her personal secretary… How things have changed! … If you are one of the tens of millions of Americans facing destitution, earning less than subsistence wages stocking the shelves at Wal-Mart or serving up McDonald’s cheeseburgers, prepare to scream.

So, Nigerians are screaming that in these economically trying times, First Ladies in the land are shelling out, not their personal monies, but public funds, on esoteric projects with minimal visible impact on the people. It is that perception of squandermania, which amounts to reality for the people, that the President’s wife and governors’ wives like Bisi Fayemi and her elite group of First Ladies need to address and correct.

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

Minister cautions RTEAN on indiscriminate parking

By Josephine Ella

T

he Executive of the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) have been directed to caution their members in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) against parking indiscriminately on the road to pick and drop passengers.

Speaking at the weekend when the executive members paid him a courtesy call, the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed noted that this was responsible mainly for the traffic jam being experienced on some roads in the city.

He described as unacceptable the high level of indiscipline on FCT roads, particularly by taxi and commercial bus drivers, stressing that his administration

was set to checkmate such acts.

Senator Mohammed invited members of RTEAN to help solve Abuja’s public transportation problems by participating in the Licensed Taxis Scheme of the administration, which according to him, will take off

soon.

Responding to request earlier by the RTEAN National President, Dr. Olufemi Ajewole for allocation of plots of land in the FCT for the building of their head office and staff quarters, he directed the relevant officers

of FCTA to facilitate the allocation.

Ajewole had also requested the minister to consider the inclusion of the association for allocation of buses under the FCTA-Assisted Public Mass Transit Scheme.

Dear reader, Metro welcomes human interest stories in your neighbourhood. Please call or send SMS to 08065327178 or e-mail jomarch4@yahoo.com to inform us about happenings in your area. Share your experiences or those of your friends and neighbours with fellow readers.

Civil servant, 3 others charged for cheating, breach of trust

By Stanley Onyekwere

A

35 year-old civil servant, Sunday Akila, of No 4 Oliver Tambo Street, Asokoro, Abuja, Alhaji Usman Ahmed, Victor Namdi and Yusuf (surname not yet known), all of no fixed address (now at large), are facing charges in an Abuja Chief Magistrates’ Court for alleged criminal breach of trust and cheating.

Police prosecutor, Inspector Philips Akogwu, told an Abuja Magistrates’ Court that on Feb. 3, at about 14300 hours, one Jacquelyn M. Kwaghmande, of Life Camp, Abuja, reported the matter at the Asokoro Police Station.

According to him, Akila together with the three other accused persons (now at large) identified themselves as estate agents and collected the sum of

N 300,000 from Kwaghmande and showed her a self contained apartment at Tambo street, Asokoro, but later refused to give her the agreed house in question.

Akogwu, disclosed that during Police investigation into the case, it was discovered that all the accused persons instead of refunding the said sum back to the victim converted the money to themselves for personal use.

He said the offences ran

contrary to Sections 312 and 79 of the Penal Code respectively.

Sunday Akila the only accused present in court, pleaded not guilty to the offences as charged, and made an application to the court for the grant of bail.

However, Chief Magistrate, Okeagu Azubuike, refused the accused person bail, and adjourned the case to March 15, for continuation of hearing.

AMAC to set up committee on polio

By Adeola Tukuru From sharp bend to a ditch along AbujaKubwa road recently. Photo: Joe Oroye

PCRC decries security situation in Gwagwalada

T

he Chairman, Police Community Relation Committee (PCRC), Archbishop Chinwendu Nwaoha Williams has described the security situation in Gwagawlada Area Council “as very bad”.

According to him, the situation is due largely to lack of mobility by the divisional headquarters of the police in the area council.

“I think police may be afraid to speak, that is why I am speaking on their behalf since my office permits me to speak. The PCRC chairman said.

He condemned the situation when the entire divisional headquarters depends solely on an old pick-up van to police a community of over two million people.

“An area council with a population of over two million residents uses one old pick-up Van to police almost seven wards”, he

said, noting that “the area command has only one Hilux vehicle to monitor five divisional headquarters”.

The PCRC Chairman also noted that the vehicle had no tyres and clutch that could make it work last December.

He therefore appealed to the Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, Commissioner of Police FCT Command, Mike Zoukumor to address the security situation in the area as a matter of urgency.

He also extended his call to the

Senator representing the FCT, Phillips Tanimu Aduda and member House of Representatives, Hon. Isah Egah Dobi to save security situation in Gwagwalada where the University of Abuja and its teaching hospital are located.

Court remands man for issuing dud cheque

A

n Abuja Chief Magistrate’s Court, on Friday remanded one Chinonso Eze, a business man, in prison custody for issuing a dud cheque.

The police prosecutor, ASP Patrick Obeter, told the court that on Aug.4, 2011, one Chris Nzelibe of No.29, AE Ekukinam Street, Utako, Abuja reported the matter at the FCT Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

He said that on June 23, 2010 the accused of Royal Skill Investment Ltd, issued two

Intercontinental Bank cheques to the complainant.

The prosecutor said the two cheques amounted to N2 million, out of which N150,000 was for the repayment of loan facilities he collected from a micro finance bank.

He said that the accused collected the loan from the bank to support his business, and was given 60 days to repay.

Obeter said on the presentation of the cheques for clearing, they bounced, and when the complainant drew the

attention of the accused, he threatened to kill the complainant.

He said the accused was charged with criminal breach of trust, cheating and criminal intimidation, which contravened Sections 312,322 and 397 of Penal Code Law. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Okeagu Azubike, remanded Nonso Eze in prison custody and adjourned the case to March, 21, for further hearing. (NAN)

T

he Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) is to set up a social mobilization committee to replace the task team, which was inaugurated on November 7th, 2008, in other to promote community health and drum support for the immunization exercise in the country.

The chairman of the council Hon. Micah Jiba explained these at the weekend during the flag-off ceremony of the year 2012 immunization days plus, adding that these committee will help promote public health as well as deliberate on attempts to tackle the deadly 6-childhood diseases such as polio, tetanus, measles, tuberculosis, diphtheria and whooping cough.

According to him, the mobilization committee is expected to consist of politicians, community leaders, Primary Health Care personnel and religious leaders.

In his words: “They are expected to assist the council in our drive to crush wild polio virus and other inter-related diseases in mobilizing the local community across the electoral wards of the council.

“The measure is a preventive mechanism in fighting maternal and childhood related diseases”, he said.

At the flag –off of the immunization campaign, which took place in Gwarinpa general hospital he pointed out that the major challenges militating against the exercise was the poor attitude of some religious and traditional leaders towards the exercise.

He called on parents within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to be good citizens of the country by making their children available for this year’s immunization exercise in order to put an end to the scourge against children in the council.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

PAGE 17

Immunisation; Chief of Jiwa lambasts council chairmen

By Josephine Ella

T

he Chief of Jiwa in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), Ahaji Idris Musa at the weekend, lashed out at the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) Area Council chairmen for their indifference towards sensitising residents on the polio immunisation exercise.

Speaking at the flag-off of the 2012 Immunisation (Plus Days) at Gwarimpa General Hospital, said that while the FCT administration through its health secretariat, agencies, boards and other non-governmental organisations was doing everything possible to fight the disease, the council chairmen have been lackadaisical in sensitising residents.

This attitude of the chairmen and their councillors, he said has made governments efforts to be in vain as people in the rural areas have remained ignorant about immunisation, stressing that unless they get actively and directly involved, the desired results may not be achieved.

Man bags four months jail term for theft, another granted bail

T

wo accused persons, Lucky Ossai, 28 and Steven Okpanachi, 30 were on Friday arraigned before an Abuja Senior Magistrates’ Court charged with joint act and theft.

However, Ossai pleaded guilty to the charges and begged the court for mercy, while Okpanachi denied the allegations.

Senior Magistrate Aliyu Shafa sentenced Ossai to four months imprisonment with an option of N3,000 fine.

Shafa also granted Steven bail in the sum of N50,000 and a surety in like sum, who must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

The Police prosecutor, Mr Jeremiah Elijah, had told the court that on Feb. 15, Boniface Hycinth and Joshua Kaura of Sabon Lugbe, reported the matter to the police.

Elijah said that the accused persons, who reside at Sabon Lugbe, connived and stole three car batteries valued at N36,000 and a car stereo valued at N15,000 from the car of the complainants.

He said that during police investigation the three batteries and stereo were recovered in the possession of the accused persons.

The prosecutor said the offence was contrary to Sections 79 and 287 of the Penal Code.Steven pleaded not guilty and the judge adjourned the case to March 6, for hearing. (NAN)

Relocating to somewhere along Sani Abacha road, recently Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Gwagwalada residents worry over power outage

By Josephine Ella

T

he lingering shortage of power supply in parts of Gwagwalada has continued to pose a lot of concern to residents.

While some areas are said to be having a relatively stable supply, some areas have had to stay for close to two months before having a share of electricity supply.

Some residents, who spoke with our correspondents, condemned the rationing of electricity in the council as they observed that power supply in some parts of Gwawalada, which is averagely 12 hours should be distributed evenly among the

communities within the area council.

A man, who gave his name as Nasir said: “Some parts are enjoying light more than others in this place, if you have light for two days and expected to go without light for the next two days due to their rationalisation, you will be shocked that you won’t get it when it is your turn.

Though some areas are having relative stable supply, some stay for close to two months before they can see electricity light”.

Investigations revealed that among the affected areas, the Old Kutunku is the worse hit.

A resident, who pleaded anonymity said the Old Kutunku area had neither water

nor electricity supply.

“We need water in this area, you know we depend on Mai ruwa (local water suppliers) and river water for our cooking,” she said, adding, “ the last time we saw light in this Old Kutunku was about two months ago. I don’t know what the problem is”.

A clergyman in the area, Bishop Ezekiel Oise Orhevba lamenting their ordeals noted that the situation was not good for the economy of Gwagwalada as a whole.

Bishop Orhevba, who spoke extensively on the development of the area called on Power Holding Company of Nigeria to address the situation urgently.

Checks revealed that

infrastructural development is gradually coming to some areas in Gwagwalada, especially with the construction of FRCNKutunku road, which is near completion coupled with some other capital projects in the council, “ he observed.

When contacted, the PHCN Business Manager, Harhyel Balami said the old Kutunku area was supposed to be on equal supply with other areas such as Kotangora estate, Dagiri, Kasuadare among others.

He explained that the problem could be internal, which according to him might be from the transformer that supplies the area with electricity.

Transporter, agent docked for screening an offender

By Stanley Onyekwere

A

45 year-old transporter, Onyemefe Tony, of Jabi Abuja and one Ami Ebukun, an agent with Management Resource Recruitment Training Company, Abuja are facing charges of alleged Joint Act; Screening of an offender before an Abuja Chief Magistrate’s Court.

Tony, who stood as a guarantor for one Ayo Christian of the Recruitment agent’s company, now at large, when he was being given out as house help to one General A.A. Kamal of Sam Nujoma close, Asokoro, is facing trial for his inability to produce or tell the whereabouts of the house help, who allegedly absconded to unknown destination with large sum of money and valuable items belonging to his master.

The second accused person on the other hand, Ebukun, who brought the runaway boy to the general, got involved in the case

for his inability to bring the second guarantor, one Samuel Andrew, to aid the Police in its investigation.

The Police Prosecutor, Philips Akogwu, told the court that on Feb. 14 at about 1600 hours, Gen. Kamal, reported a case of theft against his house help, now at large to Asokoro Police Station.

Akogwu, said Christain now at large stole cash sum of $ 800, 00 US dollar, E550 Pounds Sterling and local currency of N565, 000,

T

together with blackberry, Nokia Phone and H.T.C. phone from his master’s house.

He said during Police investigation into the matter, it was discovered that the two accused persons wouldn’t cooperate with Police officers as required towards identifying and arresting the housfleeing house help in question.

After the Police charge sheet was read out in the court, both

accused persons denied the charges against them and pleaded with the court to release them on bail, promising to help the Police in their investigation on the matter.

The Chief Magistrate, Okeagu Azubuike, granted bail to the two accused persons in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties each, who must be responsible Nigerians and resident within the jurisdiction of the court.

Tailor, 22, docked for theft

he Police on Friday arraigned a 22-year-old tailor, Umar Mohammed, of old Banex, Abuja before an Abuja Senior Magistrates’ Court charged with theft.

Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Mohammed Ahmed told the court that on Feb. 15, Mr Phillip Omazuake of Emab Plaza, Wuse 2, Abuja reported the case to the police.

Ahmed said that the accused and one Dan Alhaji, now at large, stole an LG airconditioner from the shop of Omazuake.

Ahmed said that during police investigation, the accused said he helped Dan Alhaji to take the air conditioner to a garden behind Emab Plaza.

The prosecutor said that the offence was contrary to Section

287 of the Penal Code.

However, the accused pleaded not guilty and the prosecutor asked for a date for hearing in view of his plea.

Senior Magistrate Bashir Alkali granted the accused bail in the sum of N50,000 and a surety in like sum, who must have a fixed address within the jurisdiction of the court.

He adjourned the case to March 14, for hearing. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

PAGE 19

amunuimam@yahoo.co.uk 08033644990

INSIDE - Pg 20 Workers paralyse opereations of Oceanic....

World Bank trains 1,500 Nigerian graduates in IT outsourcing

By Abdulwahab Isa

T

he World Bank, through the ACCESS Nigeria project, is to fund the training of about 1500 young Nigerian graduates in the Information Communication

Technology (ICT) and Information Technology (IT) for the outsourcing Industry. They are currently being trained for 10 weeks across five cities: Abuja, Enugu, Kaduna, Kano, and Lagos.

ACCESS is seeking to develop

the outsourcing industry in Nigeria to benefit from the outsourcing market which presently stands USD500 billion with a future projections estimate of UDS 1.65-1.80 trillion by 2020.

The training is to equip the

L-R: Bauchi state Governor, Malam Isa Yuguda FMNI, Lagos state Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, and Bauchi state First Lady, Mrs Abiodun Isa Yuguda (right), during a Business Luncheon Lecture titled: "Nigerian Unity: Marching Forward to African Greatness" organised by Island Club at Peacock Hall, Island Club, Onikan, Lagos, on Friday.

Flight schedule AIR NIGERIA (MONDAY - SUNDAY) LOS-A BJ: 07.15, 11.40, 14.00, 16.30, 17.00, 17.20, 18.30.

ABJ-LOS: 07.00, 09.30, 10.30, 11.15, 16.15, 19.15, 19.35 ABJ-KANO: 18.40 KANO-ABJ: 08.35 ABJ -SOK (MON): 09.35 ABJ-SOK (FRI): 10.10 ABJ-SOK (WED/SUN): 11.20 SOK-ABJ (MON): 11.35 SOK-ABJ (FRI): 12.00 SOK-ABJ (WED/SUN): 13.20

AEROCONTRACTORS (MON - SUN) LOS-ABJ: 06.50, 13.30, 19.45 LOS-ABJ (SUN): 12.30 LOS-ABJ (SAT): 16.45 ABU-L OS: 07.30, 13.00, 14.00, 19.00 ABU-LOS (SUN): 10.30, 14.30, 19.30 ABU-LOS (SAT): 18.30

DANA AIRLINES (MON - SUN) LOS-ABJ: 07.02, 08.10, 12.06, 15.30, 17.10 ABJ-LOS: 07.20, 09.36, 13.05, 14.40 ABJ-LOS (SAT/SUN): 13.05, 18.00 LOS-KANO : 08.10 KANO-LOS: 11.25 KANO -ABUJA: 11.25 ABUJA-KANO : 10.08

IRS AIRLINES

world. Nigeria, which has more than 90 million mobile subscribers, has overtaken South Africa to become the largest mobile market in Africa.

This growth is creating new types of jobs across industries.

India occupies a lead position with more than 50% of the outsourcing market share and it is expected that Nigeria can position itself to take a share of this market.

In the next three months, the program is also embarking on industry engagement events to “promote an outsourcing orientation, starting with onshore outsourcing and progressing through near-shore to offshore outsourcing” in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt.

Kaztec showcases cutting-edge technology at NOG

By Muhammad Nasir and Rukaiya Muhammad

Anambra joins oil A producing states

By Abdulwahab Isa

A

nambra state is set to join the league of oil producing states in Nigeria as the Orient Petroleum Resources Plc concludes arrangement for production of crude any moment from now.

The Chairman, Board of Directors and former SecretaryGeneral of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku announced this while inspecting the company’s facilities at Aguleri Otu with the state governor, Peter Obi, Dr Alex Ekwueme, Managing Director of Orient Petroleum Engr.

Emeka Nwoawka, Igwe Peter Anukwu of Mbaukwu and other stakeholders.

Anyaoku said the company was ready to start production of EXCHANGE RATES

CBN CFA • £ RIYAL $

LOS -ABJ: 9.45, 11.45, 2.45

£ RIYAL $

crude in a couple of weeks, which would mark the first time crude was produced in inland basin in the country.

He disclosed that the company’s service contractor had made significant progress in the acquisition of high resolution 3D seismic data over 640 square kilometers of Orient’s oil blocks OPL 915 & 916, to delineate the full extent of the hydrocarbon discoveries and prospects.

The team also inspected the 20 kilometre access road to the oil wells and the 10 kilometre flow line for evacuating crude to a spot at Anambra River basin, from where evacuation of crude will be undertaken by barges to Brass in Bayelsa state.

BUYING SELLING 0.2912 0.3112 201.8491 203.148 243.5273 245.0944 41.4345 41.7011 155.4 156.4

BUYING 243 43 154

SELLING 257 45 159

The company, according to Anyaoku had equally finalised the detailed engineering and sourced the modules of its 55,000 bpd refinery. It had also completed the geotechnical, geological and hydrogeological surveys and civil engineering works for installation of refinery equipment.

It had also completed acquisition of 7 hectares of land from Kogi state for the establishment of a depot for distribution of petroleum products from the refinery to the north and other parts of the country.

Conducting the delegation round the facilities, the Managing Director of Orient Petroleum assured that Anambra will soon join the club of oil producing states.

n indigenous e n g i n e e r i n g , procurement and construction company, Kaztec Engineering Ltd is set to showcase its cutting-edge technology at the annual Nigerian Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition expected to kick-off in Abuja today.

The Executive Chairman of the firm, Sir Emeka Offor, who disclosed this over the weekend at a news conference explained that the company has maintained a track record of excellence in project since its inception in 2005 and is now ripe to show the world the calibre of technology at its disposal which is behind its success story.

He said Kaztec is currently handling some very high profile projects such as the Pipeline Integrity Assessment and Metering Station Rehabilitation and Upgrade/Expansion of Metering Facilities and the installation of Subsea Pipelines and Topsides for oil companies like Addax deploying some hi-tech vessels such as the Ekulo Cheyenne, the only one of its type in West Africa.

Management Tip of the Day

16th Feb, 2012

PARALLEL RATES

ABJ-LOS: 11.30, 3.45, 4.45 LOS-KANO: 6.15 LOS-KANO (SAT/SUN): 16.30 KANO-LOS: 07.30 KANO-LOS (SUN/SUN): 10.30

graduates with the requisite employability and skills in Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Information Technology (IT) for the service sectors of the economy.

ACCESS, which is initially focusing on foundational skills, is targeting jobs getting created in call centers, existing jobs across different sectors that require ICT skills.

According to the Country Director, World Bank Nigeria, Marie Francoise Marie-Nelly, without the foundational skills, it is difficult for youth to break into the new job market, saying, “Skills gap is a hurdle in job creation. This fact came out strongly in a report the World Bank commissioned in 2009-10 on growth and employment in Nigeria.

“What the study showed comprehensively is that there is a strong potential for job creation in the ICT area and services area.

But one of the hurdles to realising the potential is the skills gap. This was a key driver behind the development of ACCESS Nigeria program”, she further said.

Nigeria’s ICT sector has experienced a growth that is second fastest after China in the

When job hunting, get HR on your side

W

hen applying for a job, it’s easy to cast HR as your mortal enemy, or at least as an annoying hurdle to overcome.

But partnering with HR will benefit you in the hiring process. Next time you are up for a job, consider doing these

three things: Embrace the HR screen.

Hiring managers rely on HR to weed out unqualified applicants and save them time. Accept that this is a necessary step.

Explain why you’re the one. Focus on demonstrating how you are qualified rather

than worrying about being eliminated.

Be respectful. Think about the future. Treat recruiters with respect regardless of the outcome—they may consider you for future positions.

Source: Harvard Business Review

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

PAGE 20

First Bank bags three certifications COMPANY NEWS Greek Coke bottler sees hope after austerity hit 2011

T

he Coca-Cola Hellenic (CCH), Coca-Cola’s No. 2 bottler in the world, saw an improving trend in the fourth quarter as profit rose for the first time in 2011, beating forecasts.

NSE partners Morgan Stanley to boost investor confidence

T

he Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), in partnership with Morgan Stanley, a global institutional securities and wealth management firm, will be conducting the maiden edition of its investors’ clinic series this week in Lagos.

Lagos state govt. to regulate telecom masts

T

he Lagos state government will regulate telecoms, television and radio masts positioning and location after thunderstorms that hit the metropolis a day before Valentines day.

The General Manager, Lagos State Urban Furniture Regulatory Unit, under the Ministry of Physical Planning, Mr. Joe Igbokwe made this known recently.

Total restates transparency in fuel subsidy claims

T

otal Nigeria Plc, on Tuesday, laid bare facts relating to its involvement in the fuel subsidy payments, disclosing that its total claims from the policy regime from 2006 to 2011 amounted to N43.7 billion.

L

ess than two years after it made history in corporate Nigeria as the first Nigerian company to be conferred with the prestigious ISO/IEC 27001:2005 Information Security Management Systems certification (ISMS) by the British Standards Institution (BSI), a leading organization in the field of auditing management systems and processes, Nigeria’s foremost financial services institution, First Bank of Nigeria Plc (FirstBank) has again blazed the trail as it becomes the first Nigerian company to be awarded the BS25999 Business Continuity Management System Certification; the enhanced

certification for the ISO27001; and the ISO38500 IT Governance Certification.

While the BS25999 Business Continuity Management certification is a clear demonstration of the highest level of evidence that its activities and services will not be disrupted or impaired as a result of man-made or natural disasters, the certification for ISO27001 is an enhanced version of the one conferred in S e p t e m b e r 2010.

FirstBank’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Bisi Onasanya said the certification signposts the Bank’s leadership position in the industry by being the first Nigerian company to receive all

three certifications.

“These Certifications are affirmations that our Bank has adopted and complied with the highest known management standards in information security, IT governance and business continuity in the world, audited by the British Standards Institution (BSI), a leading organisation in the field of auditing management systems and processes and certified by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO).

“Given the ever changing environment, organizations are faced with risk on a daily basis in form of business disruptions inclusive of man-made and natural disasters. It is this background of threats to business continuity across the globe that

Workers paralyse Oceanic Bank operations in Lagos

From Samuel Ayodele, Lagos

A

informed FirstBank’s decision on BCM implementation and BS25999 certification. This will engender confidence from customers and stakeholders that FirstBank is committed to continuity of service delivery, safety and protection of their assets all the time. It is therefore a statement of fact that FirstBank is the only Nigerian company that is ISO-Certified, IT Governancecertified, and BCM-certified”, Onasanya said.

These certifications are in sync with the on-going transformation in the Bank, aimed at improving the Bank’s systems and processes with a view to outperforming competition, sustaining its leadership position and meeting the changing demands of different generations of customers.

ctivities at Oceanic Bank Headquarters and all its branches in Lagos state were paralysed on Friday, following the decision of the new owner of the bank, Ecobank to pay the disengaged staff a paltry sum of money as severance package.

The headquarters of Oceanic Bank on Ozumba Mbadiwe street, Victoria Island, was shut following protest by disengaged staff rejecting the severance money offered them by the bank.

It was gathered that hundreds of staff of the former Oceanic Bank, who were recruited by Oceanic

Security have been laid off, while policemen took over the gate of the Oceanic Bank Headquarters.

It was further gathered that the bank wanted to pay the disengaged staff N40, 000 per annum across board to the disengaged staff recruited by Oceanic Security, a subsidiary of Oceanic Bank.

What this means is that workers who have spent eight years working for the former Oceanic Bank will take home a paltry N320, 000 for all the years spent working for the bank.

The workers said they would only agree to be disengaged if the adequate package was paid them, while rejecting what they called the peanuts offered by the bank to them.

Also, as at Friday, almost all Oceanic Bank branches in Lagos were shut to workers and customers as customers could not withdraw or deposit any money as a result of the crisis rocking the bank.

The Oceanic Bank branches at Secretariat, Alausa, AmuwoOdofin and others were shut, while

security officers turned customers back.

A staff of the bank, who craved anonymity, told the press that the severance package proposed by the new owner of the bank was too small, saying that those laid off could be in thousands.

When contacted, the Corporate Affairs Manager of Ecobank, Michael Joseph said he could not speak for the Managing Director, saying that the bank would soon issue a press statement on the matter.

There are fears that more workers will lose their jobs in the wake of banking reforms and mergers.

Interbank rates rise on short cash supply

N

Inflation rates from Jan, 2011 to Dec, 2011 Max = 12.8%, Min = 9.3% for period in display.

Current Inflation rate = 10.3% Source:CBN

igeria’s interbank lending rates rose further this week to an average of 15.25 percent from last week’s 14.91 percent as state owned energy firm NNPC soaked up available local naira currency.

NNPC sells dollars to some lenders regularly and transfers a portion of the naira proceeds to its account with the central bank. The energy company has sold more than $700 million to some banks

Earnings Report for Banks

First Bank signs MoU with Glo, Airtel for mobile money service

F

irst Bank of Nigeria Plc has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two telecommunications firmsGlobacom and Airtel Nigeria, to provide Nigerians with access to mobile money service.

Japan to assist Nigeria’s agric development

T

he Japanese government has pledged its commitment to Nigeria’s agricultural development.

Source:Pro-share Nigeria

in the last few weeks, traders said.

Traders said the cost of borrowing could rise further next week if the NNPC continue its cash withdrawals coupled with expected naira outflows into treasury bills and foreign exchange.

“Hopefully, respite may come to the market next week if government release a portion of budget allocations to its agencies, otherwise the cost of borrowing will definitely jump further,” one traders said.

The secured Open Buy Back (OBB) was unchanged at 14.50 percent, 250 basis points above the central bank’s 12.0 percent benchmark rate, and 4.50 percentage points above the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate.

Overnight placement rose to 15.50 percent compared with 15 percent, while call money traded at 15.75 percent against 15.25 percent last week.

Traders said the market opened with a cash balance of about 65 billion naira ($411 million), better than last week’s 10 billion naira balance.

Inflows from disbursement from excess crude account to the three tiers of government and cash call payments for joint oil production partners by the government had boosted liquidity early in the week, but this was countered by major outflows to NNPC withdrawals and foreign exchange purchase.

PAGE 21

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRAURY 20, 2012

Market CAP sheds above N100bn in 14 days

N

igerian Stocks closed the week southwards for the third consecutive session as the huge loss recorded in the mid-week session contributed immensely to the negative stance while the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) also announced the revocation of licenses of some dealing member firms in its brokers cleansing as part of overall market confidence rebuilding.

Furthermore, Equity market sustained its losing streak on Monday to open the first trading day of the week negative amid slightly improved volume turnover and Naira votes while trading activities on the Nigerian bourse on Tuesday closed in the green zone as bargain hunting outweighed sell pressure while impressive.

Equity market resumed downtrend on Wednesday as the bears resurfaced while NSE Index records modest loss on Thursday as pessimistic trading continues.

Subsequently, market resumed uptrend on Friday as renewed bargain hunting impacted market outlook positively while trading closed with aggregate loss for the week.

In the same light, the key benchmark indices dips by -0.19% to open the first session pessimistic due to continuous selling activities. The second session closed upbeat as the impressive market transactions witnessed in Small Cap stocks contributed to the lifting of the market indicator by +0.41%.

Equity market recommenced downwards

movement after a day of positive stance while the loss witnessed in the shares of Dangote Cement Plc also contributed to the depressing position with NSE ASI recording -1.63% to end the third session in the red zone.

NSE Index dipped marginally in the fourth session to record -0.08% loss as investors continue to tread cautiously while market sentiments remained bearish amid improved volume turnover and Naira votes.

Consequently, revamped bargain activities witnessed on Friday impacted market outlook positively to close the session with +0.48% gain while All Share Index closed with -1.03% aggregate loss for the week.

Further analysis on acquiring banks showed that the share price of Access Bank Plc closed positive with +15.19% gain recorded in the week, ETI Plc moved southwards by 0.50% as FCMB Plc moved in the opposite direction with +3.75%, Sterling Bank Plc closed positive with +8.24% gain while Union Bank Plc closed negative with -4.99% loss

recorded.

However, the All-Share Index in the week under review dips by -1.03% to close at 20,411.17 as against a decline by -1.22% recorded last week to close at 20,623.63.

In the same vein, the market capitalization in the week depreciated by N66.95 billion (US$446.38million) to close at N6.43 trillion (US$42.87billion) as against depreciation by N80.05 billion (US$533.69million) recorded last week to close at N6.49 trillion (US$ 43.31billion).

The total volume traded in the week closed at 1.83 billion units valued at N8.83 billion (US$58.86 million) compared with 1.34 billion units valued at N7.00 billion (US$46.70 million) exchanged in 15,166 deals last week. The volume transaction in the week when compared with the previous week data moved up by +37.12% as against downwards movement by -16.81% recorded last week. Weekly value also went up by +26.03% as against negative position of 53.62% recorded last week.

Conoco Phillips(COP) considers selling Nigerian assets

C

onoco Phillips (COP) on Thursday said that it could sell its assets in Nigeria, where it has a small presence as well as Algeria, Kazakhstan as it has already agreed to sell its assets in Vietnam to a unit of French oil and naturalgas company Perenco SA for roughly $1.29 billion in an effort to slim down its business.

The oil producer and refiner is in the midst of a three-year repositioning aimed at improving its balance sheet and making itself more attractive to investors.

The plan includes the sale of $15 billion-$20 billion in assets, large-scale share buybacks and the spinoff of its refining arm, expected to be completed in the second quarter.

The Houston-based company, the third-largest U.S. oil company by market value after Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM) and Chevron Corp. (CVX), said its asset-divestiture program yielded $10.7 billion in proceeds for 20102011—in addition to $9.5 billion from sales of Lukoil Holdings shares—bringing total dispositions during the period to $20.2 billion.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRAURY 20, 2012

PAGE 22

We are changing our airports to meet global standard, says FAAN MD Managing Director of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), George Uriesi, whose career spans more than 20 years spoke to Suleiman Idris on a wide range of issues,particularly how to transform Nigeria’s aviation from decades of ineptitude to become the pride of sub-Saharan Africa. Excerpts:

W

hat is your perception of the state of facilities across Nigeria’s airports?

Obviously, it’s not good at all.

Judging from a national perspective given that airports are the face of any country.

What our airports have been in the last few years, have not been the kind of things Nigerians want to present to the world.

I always think about it from this point of view. Somebody has always heard about Nigeria and has been looking forward to come into this Nigeria one day and he now arrives in Nigeria.

The first sense I imagine they will get is a sense of disappointment. They will begin to ask: Is that how these people are?

From that perspective, it is unacceptable that we continue to have an airport like that of the Murtala Mohammed Airport.

What led us to this state?

There is a very simple answer to that; the airports are in Nigeria, they are not in Mars.

They are not in Canada or Sweden. The airports in the country were built in the 1970s and ever since they were commissioned, we just went to sleep. Airports infrastructure is continuously upgraded, continuously expanded. No airport remains stagnant except the ones we have in Nigeria.

So, for a whole generation, for more than 30 years nothing significant was done to the airport environment. As a result, we are where we are today. We are now beginning to upgrade and expand our facilities. If we don’t do that, other countries will leave us further behind. They have left us behind already. I know about airports all over Africa. The Zambians built a new terminal few years ago, Accra has continuously upgraded, the Kenyans have done the same, the Egyptians have gone very far, not to talk of South Africa.

Even small countries like Zambia, Gabon have invested significantly in their airport infrastructure.

Senegal is currently doing some wonderful work to the airport environment.

Definitely

there

are

challenges on ground, which areas are you likely to prioritise?

The works are all important because we have allowed this to go on for too long. One is financial viability of FAAN and there are two aspects of that; enhancing our revenue, collecting our debts, and reducing our costs. In other words, becoming a sustainable and efficient. The second aspect is that of infrastructure and services. We have allowed our infrastructure to deteriorate to the point where it is an obstacle to businesses becoming viable.

One element is the organisation of FAAN. Is it structured correctly? Is it focused on the right thing?

Is it planning? Is it executing our projects the way it should be?

We have not been doing that for a while. But now, we want to reorganise, re-orientate it to understand that our job here is not to be an inconvenience to people, to be a service provider that carries people along and provide them a sense of decency and dignity when they use our airports. We must move the organisation just the way we must move the infrastructure.

Could you kindly share more lights on the remodeling project?

There is an underpinning philosophy to create the kind of space, the kind of comfort and ambience modern airports provide so that passengers, on getting into the airport, feel the sense of being respected.

Secondly, it is an expansion to bring in a better commercial offering because the airport is about the commercial activities that happen there. The design of our airports in the 1970s left out these commercial aspects because it was designed purely as aeronautical infrastructure.

Every night you see a crowd of people outside waiting for people. For me, when I look at that crowd of people, I see dollar signs that are not captured. They should not be standing outside there waiting for passengers; they should be sitting inside the terminal, eating, drinking in an environment like that. For us, it is a way of making money, the concessionaires are making

money. That is how an airport environment is supposed to be.

We are losing all that business because of infrastructure deficit.

So, part of the philosophy now is to invite all the people that hang out outside, let them come and be part of the airport experience, let them come and spend more money in the airport, let them be happy, let us be happy, let our business partners be happy. We are trying to achieve that in all the international airports across the country.

What is your projection of expenditure profile for this remodeling project?

It is budgeted. We will be spending somewhere in the region of N16 billion for the first phase which we started last year.

The second phase is about another N16 billion. We are talking about N32 billion to put a significant facelift in all the airports in the country. The first phase covers 11 airports; the second phase is another 11 airports. Their completion will then significantly enhance and double our revenue because we are creating a kind of commercial offering that was not there before.

The concessioning scheme of MMA2 has been assessed subjectively or objectively; are you going to factor in concessioning agenda in your remodeling scheme?

The airport cannot manage different commercial offerings.

They are best left to people who

Managing-Director of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) George Uriesi do them as their own business.

Without wanting to sound like a critic, we have the capacity to even provide a better, all-round commercial offering that has been seen in the country thus far and I want to agree now that we will demonstrate that.

An aviation consultant have alleged that Boko Haram sect might have infiltrated aviation security; Can FAAN guarantee security at our airports?

I don’t even want to say anything to that lousy accusation. I was so surprised to read about it. We should go and ask him. So, he knows Boko Haram?

We should go and arrest him to come and tell us that he knows 600 people in Boko Haram. He has a lot of questions to answer because now, he is an authority on members of Boko Haram to the extent that he knows 600 of them.

“

We are now beginning to upgrade and expand our facilities. If we don’t do that, other countries will leave us further behind.

What about the issue of security at our airports?

The issue of security is a very serious. Suggestions that our airports are porous are just a notion that people carry. Of course, the airports are not porous. No airport in the world is 100 per cent secured.

The challenge of security is being able to be nimble enough and flexible. You have to be flexible to respond to the changing nature of the threats.

It dates back to the history of the industry.

Initially, when the industry started, it was a very nice industry, everybody loved to fly. But one day when somebody used a gun to hijack, all of a sudden, the issue was we can’t allow people to carry guns on aeroplanes; we started dealing with metals.

Then, for many years, it was all about how best we can prevent metals from coming on aeroplanes. Until one day when someone put a bomb on aeroplane and the aeroplane exploded and it was then realized that some people can bring bombs inside an aeroplane.

After that, we started looking at how to prevent people from putting bombs on aeroplanes, so, we started saying to people to identify their luggage. Then, the next thing is the man who wants to use the aeroplane as a weapon to fly into buildings.

The paradigm continues to change and we try to respond to that paradigm.

In Nigeria, we are now aligning our strength to deal with any threat and it has had some very painful consequences for us. We are working very closely with all the security agencies to make sure that we continuously stay on top of it.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

PAGE 24

PAGE 25

NDIC: A risk minimiser with the Midas touch The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) was set up as a risk minimiser in Nigeria’s banking sector. Last year, the NDIC began the implementation of its second strategic plan (2011-2015). Despite the fact that Year 2011 had witnessed series of turbulence which threatened the nation’s entire financial system, the NDIC had continued to showcase its mandates in keeping its place as an active Nigerian financial safety-net player.

By Abdulwahab Isa

M

rs Laraba Atuba (not real name) was paid her husband’s entitlements three years after his death. He had worked in a federal government agency for almost 30 years before a freak domestic accident left him paralyzed from the head to toe. He died a year later because she had no money to treat him. When eventually Laraba received a cheque for N1.5 million of her late husband’s pension benefits, she paid it in an account her late husband had opened in her name in one of the distressed banks branch office in Kaduna. Six months later, the bank went under with Laraba’s savings. Anxiety soon began to take its toll on her health.

Laraba’s bank was however one of the insured banks by NDIC. That was not known to her until the day she heard an announcement by the NDIC. Laraba rushed to the nearest branch of the closed bank for verification of

her deposit. Not long after, she received a cheque of N500,000 and a liquidation certificate which indicated that she would be paid the balance in no distant future.

Labara smiled back home and began a long walk to happiness. Not being literate, she rechristened her youngest son “NDIC” because she thoughta that was the name of the officer who had paid her back her money.

Protecting bank depositors’ money is one of the broad mandates of NDIC. Not an easy task. Throughout last year, the Corporation gave everything it had and the result was an impressive score-card. In 2011, NDIC provided cover to 24 deposit money banks (DMBs), 882 micro-finance banks (MFBs), and 100 primary mortgage institutions (PMIs). In the same year, the NDIC in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) conducted a target examination. Those that failed the test – eight in all – got N620 billion bail outs, to enable them remain afloat.

However, according to the NDIC’s target risk examination findings, the eight intervened banks “still owed N600.06 billion of the CBN bail out as at November, 2011 as a result of litigations by their erstwhile shareholder who frustrated potential core investors from bidding.

Similarly, the Corporation’s routine examination of 159 microfinance banks (MFBs) and 62 primary mortgage

institutions (PMIs) revealed that most of the 159 MFBs violated the basic principles of corporate governance and d i s r e g a r d e d recommendations of previous examination reports while 22 of the 62 PMIs examined were technically insolvent and 16 of the rest had eventually closed shop.

The task of stabilising the financial system did not start and end with finding out which banks were distressed.

“

In another milestone, the NDIC had handed over all the 104 branches of the Savannah Bank and also released the first tranche of N450 million to the bank in 2009

NDIC MD, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim

L-R: The MD/CENDIC, Umaru Ibrahim presenting Copies of "Basic Banking Knowledge" to the Kano state governor's Representative Dr. Faruk Iya, Commissioner of Education while the Emir's representative Alh. Sanusi Ado Bayero, the District Head of Gwale looks on during the official commissioning of NDIC Assisted Project at Rumfa College, Kano

The major task was how to revive those that if given a lifeline, would most certainly bounce back. A lifeline is a process referred to “failure resolution”. Under it, the “bridge option” was considered for three out of the eight intervened banks that failed to get core investors to acquire them. They included Afribank Plc, Bank PHB and Springbank. The financial authorities opted for the bridge option for four reasons: to safeguard total deposit liabilities amounting to N809.4 billion; protect 6,667 jobs, enhance the confidence of depositors and creditors and

to prevent systemic repercussions of the failure of the banks on the entire financial system, thereby ensuring financial and macroeconomic stability. The bridge option gave birth to three new banks, Mainstreet, taking over Afribank, Keystone replacing Bank PHB and Enterprise for Spring Bank. A new financial sector ‘stabiliser’, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) acquired the assets and liabilities of the three erstwhile banks with an infusion of N678 billion. The transition from old to the new banks was completed on

“

The year 2011, therefore, had clearly demonstrated to even doubting Thomases that the NDIC’s landmark achievements were for real - not a mission impossible. Its pedigree has also made the Corporation to stand tall in its corporate plans for 2012.

Congratulations, NDIC

August 5, 2011.

In another milestone, the NDIC had handed over all the 104 branches of the Savannah Bank and also released the first tranche of N450 million to the bank in 2009.

Another $1.029 million and balance of N460 million was also released to the bank last year. On SGBN, the CBN approved a waiver and write-off of N3.7 billion assistance as well as N25 billion, to enable the bank acquire IT equipment and payment of existing depositors subject to injection of fresh capital of not less than N12 billion by its core investors - International Energy Insurance Group.

The bank is yet to respond to this offer. However, a joint CBN/NDIC committee had been working together with a team of Societe Generale Bank of Nigeria (SGBN) so that it can recommence banking operations.

A quite tricky case for the CBN and NDIC was presented

by Hallmark Bank, which had been in liquidation since 2006.

Its subsidiary, Hallmark Homes (Savings and Loans) which though not in liquidation was technically out of operation because it had no relationship with any other bank except the defunct Hallmark bank. With the power bestowed on NDIC as liquidator of the parent company (HHL), the Corporation had no choice than to advertise the HHL for sale. The valuation was done

by Akintola Williams Deloitte on December 7, 2011 and the NDIC supervised the sale of Hallmark Homes Limited(HHL) to Centage Savings and Loans at N1.15billion the proceed of the sale were also used to pay public sector depositors. In a similar feat, the NDIC commenced the settlement of depositors of Fortune and Triumph Banks in August, 2011. Their money had been locked up in the two banks since 2006 when their licences were withdrawn.

The NDIC also made steady progress on debt recovery in 2011. The cumulative recovery for the banks in liquidation since 1994 rose from about N21.756 billion in 2010 to about N22.263 billion as at December, 2011. Similarly the sum of N8.33 million had been recovered to date in respect of the closed MFBs. That was not all, in order to fast track the debt recovery and payment of uninsured deposits, the Corporation had also packaged all outstanding but secured non-performing loans of banks in-liquidation, to the tune of N9 billion, for disposal by AMCON”.

NDIC is a brand name. A brand is as good as its packaging, meaning people get attracted to it depending

on how it is presented to its various publics. In an effort to project the NDIC brand the Management of the Corporation has engaged the media in the past one year.

The package included depositor protection awareness week, radio and TV jingles in Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba, as well as “NDIC Calling” a nationwide public enlightenment television programme. The Corporation also distributed numerous inhouse publications and financial literacy manuals which were translated into the three (Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba) languages.

New robust and interactive website www.ndic.ng.org, and a 24 – hour Help Desk which leveraged on the Corporation’s information and communication technologies (ICTs) were employed to enhance its public awareness initiatives.

The Corporation did not rest on its oars in the area of capacity building in the year under review. As many as 1,140 of its work force attended local courses in their areas of competence while 152 others were sent on overseas training programmes in areas of riskbased supervision, international financial reporting standards, riskbased audit and enterprise risk management.

Similarly, in 2011, the NDIC completed its information technology disaster recovery (ITDR) blueprint. It kick started work on an information technology security system and architecture system (ITSSA) to “address identified IT vulnerabilities”. In addition, a contract had been awarded for a new web-enabled financial institutions liquidation management system, to “facilitate prompt depositor re-imbursement”.

In competitive global financial system, the NDIC cannot afford to be a lone ranger. As part of its international networking, the Corporation is a founding member of the Africa Regional Committee of the International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI). Last year alone, the NDIC hosted two IADI regional programmes in May and December. In the same year, it participated in the IADI’s research conference held at the Bank for International Settlements, Basel, Switzerland. The three-day conference’s theme was “FINANCIAL CRISIS: THE ROLE OF DEPOSIT INSURANCE”.

To further strengthen its international networking, the Corporation entered into a technical assistance agreement with the Office of Technical Assistance (OTA) of the United States Treasury Department. That initiative

gave rise to the deployment of an OTA resident technical adviser, Mr. Phillip Morris, to the NDIC to “facilitate capacity building according to the agreed terms of reference (TOR).”

As a Corporate citizen, NDIC disbursed N150 million under the third phase of its education-based support scheme in selected universities and other tertiary institutions as well as its sponsorship of sport development programmes in six states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, amounting to N42 million.

Going forward, the NDIC has set out specific measurable goals. The first one is what it called “Enhancement of processes and systems” which involves a early warning system to “ensure safety and soundness of banks”, through a framework for resolving systemically important institutions (SIIF) in order to reduce the chances of bank failure, “improve on resolution regime and to minimize utilization of tax payers’ money”.

In 2012, for instance, the NDIC also expects to develop a framework for integrated deposit insurance system to pave way for an orderly growth of the financial system, reposition the human resource department in line with global best practices”.

The Corporation is also making efforts to complete “the upgrading of the Financial Institutions Liquidation Management System (FILMS) to facilitate prompt depositor reimbursement” and finetune the differential premium assessment system (DPAS) as an effective tool for promoting sound risk management in banks. In the banking sub sector, the MFBs which recorded a very high and disappointing failure rate, the Corporation is set for the development and deployment of an appropriate resolution framework for microfinance banks (MFBs) and Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMI) so as to continue to engender confidence in the sub-sector, thereby facilitating financial inclusion and poverty eradication. The NDIC also aims to put in place this year “a robust Performance Management System based on the framework of balance score card with a view to upscaling the productivity and efficiency of the Corporation”.

The year 2011, therefore, had clearly demonstrated to even doubting Thomases that the NDIC’s landmark achievements were for real not a mission impossible. Its pedigree has also made the Corporation to stand tall in its corporate plans for 2012.

Congratulations, NDIC.

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2011

Two armed robbers tie up female guard, loot Ancient Olympia museum

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asked gunmen have sto len dozens of 'priceless' artefacts from the birthplace of the Olympics.

Two men tied up a woman guard at the Museum of the History of the Olympic Games in Olympia and escaped with 68 bronze and pottery pieces.

The guard was the only one on duty, union officials said, because of job cuts caused by Greece's crippling debt crisis.

It was the second major rob-

bery from a leading Greek museum within a few weeks. Last month thieves took pictures by Picasso and Mondrian from the National Gallery in Athens.

The Olympia museum, which houses works from the second millennium BC to the fifth century AD, is due to stage the historic ceremony of lighting the Olympic flame at the beginning of its journey to London on May 10.

The thieves are reported to have entered at 7.30am local time

and ordered the guard to hand over various objects.

When she refused, she was tied up and gagged.

After smashing five glass display cases, the robbers hastily stuffed pottery and bronze artefacts into bags, risking breaking them.

A culture ministry official said most of the stolen treasures dated from the 9th to the 4th centuries BC, apart from a gold sealring which is well over 3,000 years old.

'The artefacts were behind reinforced glass panels which fracture like a car windscreen, and the

A bronze mask and a pottery discus thrower which were taken from the Olympia museum

Reaction: Greece's Culture Minister Pavlos Geroulanos submitted his resignation after the robbery, but it has not yet been accepted

Prized possession: Terracotta jugs which are among the antiquities housed in the Olympia museum

Robbery: It is unclear how many items they stole but police said it was roughly 70 bronze and pottery objects

thieves grabbed whatever small objects they could reach through the holes they made,' he said.

'They took objects made of bronze and pottery - figurines, vases and lamps - and the ring.'

Olympia mayor Thymios Kotzias urged authorities to improve security at the site, saying: 'These are treasures. A piece of world heritage has been lost.'

Greece's Culture Minister Pavlos Geroulanos submitted his resignation before travelling to Olympia.

Last night it was still unclear whether this had been accepted by Prime Minister Lucas Papademos, but it was not expected to destabilise the Athens government which is rushing to clinch an international bailout to ease the country's debt crisis.

A union official said the country's museums were more than 1,500 guards short after two years of public sector lay-offs.

Works in the Museum of the History of the Olympic Games include bronze and terracotta figurines of athletes, pottery depicting sportsmen and ancient discs and dumbbells used by Olympian athletes in antiquity.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Anger: Students throw items at riot police outside the Greek Parliament, showing their anger at the country's financial situation

PAGE 28

VC challenges FG on local technology development

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he Vice-Chancellor, Kwara State University, Prof.

Abdulrasheed Na’alah, has urged the Federal Government to develop the nation’s technology in line with its culture.

He told newsmen in Ilorin that Nigeria should stop its dependence on technology transfer if it must develop its own technology.

“Government should stop the importation of solar system, because it is not the best for the country.

“Government can develop a solar system that will take care of the energy requirement of the populace, and give priority to the development of the nation’s local language.”

Na’allah also urged government to develop the country’s tourism potential to generate more revenue.

He promised that the university would collaborate with the state government to develop its tourism potential.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

Adamawa SUBEB plans housing loan for teachers, says chairman From Blessing Tunoh, Yola

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he Adamawa State Universal Basic Education Board (ADSUBEB) has taken steps to enable primary school teachers access housing loan in the state.

The Executive Chairman of the Board, Dr Salihu Bakari,

made this known in an interview with the newsmen recently.

He said the board had entered into negotiations with the Adamawa State Homes and Savings Limited, to enable interested teachers access the loans.

The executive chairman

said some of the teachers would begin to enjoy the policy before the end of the year.

“We are also discussing right now with Adamawa State Homes and Savings to make sure that teachers have access to housing loan. In sha Allah, before the end of this year a sizeable number of

teachers will have their own homes. This is where we are moving towards.”

Bakari reiterated the board’s commitment to the welfare and retraining of teachers in the state to enable them to keep up with the state government’s transforming agenda for education.

Board trains 1,000 teachers in Mubi - Council secretary

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he Adamawa State Universal Basic Education Board (ADSUBEB) trained more than 1,000 teachers in Mubi North Local Government Area of the state in the last two years.

The council’s Education Secretary, Alhaji Ahmed Danrimi, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recently.

Danrimi said the teachers were trained in collaboration with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the National Teachers Institute (NTI).

He said the beneficiaries were exposed to the best teaching skills in five core subjects, including English and Mathematics.

The secretary said the move was aimed at facilitating the implementation of the nine-year basic education curriculum.

“The training was aimed at building the capacity of teachers to enable them impart relevant knowledge and skills in their pupils,” he said.

Danrimi said the board also constructed more classrooms, distributed furniture and text books to the over 80 primary and junior secondary schools in the area.

“The board has also commenced the distribution of free school uniforms to primary school pupils,” he said.

The council scribe urged teachers to re-dedicate themselves to duty, so as to raise the standard of education in the area.

Secondary school students participating in a training programme on disaster risk reduction management, recently in Gombe. Photo: NAN

Strike grounds academic activities at Fed. Poly, Mubi

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cademic activities have been grounded at the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, following the indefinite strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that it is the second time the union will embark on an industrial action in less than three months over disagreement with the polytechnic’s management.

A statement by the ASUP Chairman, Mr Stephen Stanley,

in Mubi last week said the management had failed to implement the agreement reached between the two parties in November 2011.

The lecturers are demanding the full implementation of the agreement which seeks the review of certain decisions taken by the polytechnic management between 2007 and 2011.

Some of the issues include a review of the appointment of third class degree holders into academic positions, appointment

of Head of Departments (HODs) without recourse to academic competence and payment of seven per cent academic allowances.

The union is also demanding effective utilisation of the ETF’s training funds, payment of the first 28 days allowances to newly recruited staff and proper promotion of deserving lecturers.

ASUP further demanded full protection of its members, who were allegedly victimised for

taking part in the previous strike.

“The agreement was reached after intervention by the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE).

“None of the focal items contained in the agreement are implemented, due to the insincerity of the management.”

A NAN Correspondent who visited the polytechnic reports that lecture theatres, workshops and laboratories were shut, while lecturers and other academic staff stayed away from duty.

Student arraigned over fraudulent sale of air tickets

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student, William Darren, last week appeared before a Surulere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos for allegedly fraudulently selling Dana Air tickets worth N525, 600.

The 22-year-old student was accused of stealing a sign-on code and password from an agent of the airline, Mr Stan Alonge, with which he sold the tickets in conspiracy with a dispatch man.

William was arraigned along

with the flight dispatch man, Ademola Darren (35), on a twocount charge of conspiracy and stealing.

They duo, however, pleaded not guilty before Magistrate A. O. Soladoye, who granted them bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties each.

William, who was living at No. 5, Meggido City Lane, Bassa Ville, Abuja is not a blood relation to Ademola, a resident of No. 50 Colonel Azile St., Ogba,

Lagos.

According to the investigation police officer, Cpl. Mberev Merve, who held brief for the prosecutor, the student of the School of Travel and Tourism, and the dispatch man committed the alleged fraud between Jan. 19 and Feb. 6.

Merve said that the student stole the code and the password from Alonge with whom he was living in Abuja.

The officer said that William

came down to Lagos after the theft and conspired with Ademola to be fraudulently selling the tickets.

He said that the duo converted the money realised from the sales for their personal use.

Merve said that the alleged offences contravened Sections 285 (1) and 409 of the Criminal Codes, Laws of Lagos State.

The case has been adjourned till March 14 for mention.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

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he internet, by ordinary definition is the global network of computers, which are interconnected to allow for the exchange, sharing or dissemination of information.

Somehow, the innovation in information technology has effectively turned the world into a “global village”, as mass communications scholars say.

By the accounts of Science historians, the internet was first developed in the U.S. in the 1960s by the Pentagon for military purposes.

It effectively served the communication needs of the American defence establishment, especially in the Cold War era until the 1980s where its use was liberalised.

No doubt, the internet represents one of the finest examples of the benefits of sustained investment and commitment to research and development of information infrastructure.

In Nigeria today, it is estimated that most students of tertiary institutions, one way or the other, have access to the internet for purposes of studies, researches and social contacts at minimal costs via modes as laptops, blackberries, cell phones, among others.

According a Sociology student, Mr Bayonle Anu, the internet provides students like himself sources of information for studies.

“I use internet to source research materials because it is an ‘unlimited library,” he says.

On her part, a Computer Science student of a polytechnic, Miss Vivian Eze, said that the internet helps as an instrument of social interaction since it “makes students to understand themselves and keep in touch with others”.

“It helps me to ping my friends and play games,” she says According to a final year student of Leisure and Tourism, Mr Babatunde Quadri, the internet has the potential to enhance and transform education.

“It also allows for paperless lectures and assignments; the online circle of friends, pen pals and acquaintances can vastly be enlarged across national boundaries.”

Observers recall that in the early 1990s, very few Nigerian academics had heard of the internet but by 2007, the entire world at large had embraced the internet.

Through the worldwide web (WWW) today, huge volumes of data are accessed, while whole libraries are linked to source, share or exchange information. Bills are also settled via the internet while a whole range of other commercial and financial activities are also transacted.

Moreover, most newspapers, magazines, other national and global publications are now available

PAGE 27

Internet and students’ moral development

Total internet access in Africa tops out at about 15 percent. online and easily accessible to internet users.

Notwithstanding the enormous range of opportunities and benefits that come with the technological innovation, analysts point to some fallouts of the development, which have negatively affected some segments of the society.

In Nigeria, for instance, analysts allude to certain wayward behaviour of youths, which are directly traceable to the use of the internet.

A former President of the Nigeria Internet Group, Mr Lanre Ajayi, argues that the internet has positive and negative aspects on the lives of the users.

While Ajayi agrees that the internet can be a source of information, entertainment and education, he, nonetheless, identifies some of its harmful effects in terms of morality.

“The positive aspects are the online enlightenment, access to educational materials, availability of lecture papers, peer group review, multicultural exchange of ideas, access to current information of other countries and making of friendships.

“The negative aspects, on the other hand include yahoo crimes, advance fee fraud (419), gambling, access to pornographic pictures, plagiarism and dampening of interest in book reading,” Ajayi says.

He advises parents and teachers to properly monitor

their children in their use of the internet, to ensure that they make good use it.

A lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Lagos State Polytechnic, Mr Steve Adesemoye, notes that the internet has become cheaper these days, thus enabling more people to browse the net.

He laments that the internet, despite its technological advantage, has inadvertently caused more Nigerian students to become socially alienated from the society.

“What is supposed to add value to lives, now devalues them. It has now turned a ‘weapon of mass distraction’ because about 98 per cent of the nation’s students have internet access on their cell phones.

“While lectures are on in schools, some of these students do other things with their phones; sometimes going to pornographic sites, facebook and tweeter, etc.

“These students need orientation on how to make good use of the internet,” Adesemoye advises.

Some parents, on their part share some perspectives on the direct effect of internet on their children and wards’ wellbeing.

Mrs Eyinade Adedigba, for instance, says that the internet has affected her children’s lives in both negative and positive ways.

“It enables them to access information fast but it also

occupies their times unduly. I don’t need to go far to check my children’s WAEC and GCE results; I do them right here in my room.

Another parent, Mr Emmanuel Aboderin, thinks that the internet has induced mental laziness in many students, stressing that the unusually quick access to information does not allow for good quantitative and qualitative aptitudes in the students.

“It is not helping the educational standards of our country,” Aboderin bemoans.

A cleric, Pastor Remi Okewunmi, highlights another dimension to the perceived adverse effect of the internet on the society, insisting that it has created some setbacks in religions.

According to him, many youths no longer come to church services with their bibles.

“The youth of today don’t bother to bring Bible to the church again; when asked to read any chapter in the Bible, they read it from their phones.

“It is a stab on the society as a whole,” Okewunmi says.

But a youth, Joseph Owolabi seems to disagree with the cleric, insisting that “the pastor is just not moving with the IT Age”.

“Come to think of it; most cell phones and other handy computer devices have the full versions of holy books installed in them and through them references are very quick to

make.

“Before you flip open the pages of the bible manually to read a verse or chapter, I would have been there by mere soft touch on the computer. In fact, I see the computer more as an asset in this regard”, he says.

Okewunmi says further that in many living rooms, outlets are usually created by the internet for immoral and illegal acts, which often go ordinarily unnoticed.

“These kids are enticed into the immoral world through many perverse websites and the result is devastating on the society,” he insists.

A cyber café operator, Mr Tunji Falana, says it is regrettable that the internet is utilized for crimes, noting however, that too much of high skill is not required to perpetrate such crimes.

Falana insists that personal discipline and self restraint are desirable for users of internet, so that they are not lured into the negative aspects of the technological innovation.

“Hacking tools are easily available on the net and once downloaded; they can be used to perpetrate cyber crimes.

Communication experts, however, note that effective management of information on the internet can be challenging but they insist that concerted efforts are desirable on the part of all stakeholders to minimize the negative effects.

NAN Features

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

Medical doctor says awareness on immunization still very low

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r Adeola Animashaun, Head of the Department of Pediatrics, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), has said that awareness on immunization is still very low in the country.

Animashaun, who spoke with the Newsmen, last week in Lagos, said that, more awareness programmes are needed on the subject.

“If you ask an average mother the importance of immunization, she may not know what it means.

“Some mothers see it as a waste of time, while some think it can affect the child and can give the child fever,“ she said.

The doctor urged constant education on the relevance of immunization, saying that it could change the attitude of the people toward it.

Animashaun also called for a forum where people would express their opinions, noting that this could help health officers to identify the issues and find ways to encourage more

mothers to immunize their children.

“The best way can be through community health officers, who reach out to mothers in smaller communities, “ the pediatrician said.

She regretted that many children are yet to receive immunization because their parents did not consider it necessary.

“These parents do not know the importance and that is why today Tetanus is still high in developing countries.

“Most mothers give excuses, such as no health facilities nearby, no transportation fares and no money to vaccinate themselves and their children, “ Animashaun said.

She said that myths and the superstitious beliefs of some people also result in poor attitude to immunization, noting that one had to get closer to them to be able to debunk the myths.

The doctor also said that the educational level, especially of the girl child, is low and needs to improve.(NAN)

PAGE 29

UNICEF to collaborate with FCT Water Board to ensure basic sanitation practices

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he FCT Water Board will collaborate with the UNICEF to enforce basic sanitation practices in the six area council of the FCT, an official of the board has said.

Mr Husseni Abdulkadir, the Community Mobilization Officer of the Board announced this in an interview with the Newsmen in Abuja recently.

He said the programme would be implemented in 10 communities in each of the six area councils, adding that the

programme is aimed at curbing the outbreak of diseases in the communities.

“The Community Lead Total Sanitation Programme is a programme assisted by UNICEF to imbibe good hygiene practices in 50 communities in the FCT. “The programme is aimed at sensitizing members of the communities on the importance of sanitation practices, especially in the construction and use of toilets.’’

Abdulkadir said the

programme is also aimed at providing the communities with toilets.

He stressed the need for people to use toilets, adding that a watch group would be constituted within the council to inspect the construction of the toilets to ensure that they conform to standard.

It is reported that the board has carried its awareness campaign to Kuchibiu, Guta and Piwoyi and will soon do so in Kubwa, a metropolis of Abuja.

(NAN)

Kwara people to benefit from new anti-malaria drugs

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r Michael Oguntoye, Head of Disease Control, Kwara Ministry of Health, on Thursday, said the state would benefit from the new Artesunate based combination therapy (ACT) drugs.

In an interview with Newsmen in Ilorin, Oguntoye disclosed that the drugs would be distributed by the Global Fund.

He said that the Kwara government is adhering to the directives of World Health Organization (WHO) so that people will benefit from ACT drugs that would be distributed.

According to Oguntoye, ACT drugs clears malaria parasite from the body system within 48 hours on the onset of treatment, adding that it is a combination of two drugs in one.

He said WHO recommended that ACT drugs should be used

in countries where malaria is endemic.

“Malaria parasite is becoming increasingly resistant to chloroquine in most parts of the world and research has shown that ACT is efficient.’’

Oguntoye said that the Global Fund had been donating drugs to Nigeria through various recipients, including the Federal Government and the private sector.

He said that the sector, in conjunctacion with the Fund, will sell the drugs at a highly subsidized rate, which would be affordable for the masses.

Oguntoye added that it is also a policy of the Federal Ministry of Health and National Malaria Control Programme, to adopt the use of ACT as first line drug for the treatment of malaria in the country. (NAN)

Jega local government in Kebbi increases funding to fight Polio

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he Jega Local Government Area (LGA) in Kebbi will adopt measures to ensure total immunization of all children against polio in line with the newly launched FreeTorch campaign.

It is reported that UNICEF had adjudged the area is among the most critical areas where 19.2 per cent had missed immunization against the disease.

The Chairman of the LGA, Alhaji Yahaya Bawa, told newsmen last week that with 100 per cent increase in the allowances paid to vaccinators, additional efforts would be made to ensure that all polio is eradicated.

He said the council area had

approved that vaccinators be paid N5,000 as against the N2,500 paid to them by the UNICEF while the financial allocation for the entire area had been increased from N800,000 to between N1.6 million and N2.2 million.

“The amount would be determined by how densely populated the location of children to be immunized and we would not be left behind in total eradication of the disease.

“We had an added advantage in the campaign to eradicate polio this year as the Federal Government recently launched the Free-Torch campaign to eliminate polio entirely this year”. (NAN)

‘Local production of ARV drugs will reduce cost of procurement’

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r Precious Gbeneol, Senior Special Assistant to the President on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has said that the local production of anti-retroviral drug will reduce the cost of procurement.

Gbeneol made this known in Abuja at the end of a three-day consultation on national ownership for sustainable HIV response.

“You will all agree with me that local production will reduce the cost of procurement and ensure universal access.

“We should also encourage local production of rapid diagnostic test kits. Let me assure you that discussions are already ongoing on that.”

She said the global economic downturn has reduced the inflow of aid into the country, adding that many donor countries now

have to grapple with national survival before attending to the needs of resource-poor countries.

Gbeneol said that before the global economic crisis, many developed countries did not keep the commitment of contributing 0.7 per cent of their GDP as Overseas Development Assistance to less developed states.

She noted that the recent global fund announcement not to go ahead with the next round meant that the country had to begin to explore other methods for financing HIV and AIDS care.

“Globally, there is a paucity of funding for health activities.

This has led many countries to attract Private Finance Initiatives.

“We need to begin to put in place a policy framework that will encourage the corporate world and the big private multinational companies to begin to

take on funding HIV and AIDS as part of their corporate social responsibility.”

Gbeneol said practices such as tax break would encourage these companies to donate more for quality work in HIV and AIDS care.

Also speaking, Dr Mike Egboh, Programme Director of PATHS-2, a UK funded project for health system development in Nigeria, said for the country to have sustainable development, the system must work.

Egboh said HIV should be integrated into the health system and urged the government to strengthen the system. He urged government to identify the challenges facing HIV issues in the country in order to address it properly.

“Without identifying an issue, one cannot claim to be solving it.” NAN

PAGE 30

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

Conjoined twins: What you need to know Facts about conjoined twins Births of conjoined twins, whose skin and internal organs are fused together, are rare. Conjoined twins occurs once every 200,000 live births, and their survival is anything but assured.

Approximately 40 to 60 percent of conjoined twins arrive stillborn, and about 35 percent survive only one day. The overall survival rate of conjoined twins is somewhere between 5 percent and 25 percent.

For some reasons, female siblings seem to have a better shot at survival than their male counterparts. Although more male twins conjoin in the womb than female twins, females are three times as likely as males to be born alive. Approximately 70 percent of all conjoined twins are girls.

How They Are Formed Conjoined twins are genetically identical, and are, therefore, always the same sex.

They develop from the same fertilized egg, and they share the same amniotic cavity and placenta.

Twinning occurs one of two ways: either a woman releases two eggs instead of the usual one or she produces only one egg that divides after fertilization. If she releases two eggs, which are fertilized by separate sperm, she has fraternal twins. When a single, fertilized egg divides and separates, she has identical or paternal twins.

In the case of conjoined twins, a woman only produces a single egg, which does not fully separate after fertilization. The developing embryo starts to split into identical twins during the first few weeks after conception, but stops before the process is complete. The partially separated egg develops into a conjoined fetus.

A History of Conjoined Twins One of the earliest documented

Amazing photos showing a team of Chinese surgeons before, during and after separating conjoined twin girls cases of conjoined twins was Mary and Eliza Chulkhurst. They were born in Biddenden, County of Kent, England in the year 1100, and were joined at the hip.

The wealthy sisters, who were known as the Biddenden Maids, lived for 34 years. When they died, they left a small fortune to the Church of England. In honor of their generosity, it was customary for English citizens to bake little biscuits and cakes in the sisters’ images and give them to the poor.

Another set of famous conjoined twins was Eng and Chang Bunker, who were born in Thailand (then called Siam) in 1811. The term Siamese twin was coined as a reference to Eng and Chang, who achieved international fame shortly after leaving Siam as teenagers.

They were joined at the lower chest by a narrow band of flesh, which connected their livers. They

A doctor at Hunan Children's Hospital weighs the twins before their operation

Afterwards, the two are doted on by family and staff as they recover in intensive care.

were exhibited in circus shows around the world before settling in the United States, where they married two sisters and had nearly two dozen children. They were successful businessman and ranchers in Wilkes County, North Carolina, where they lived until 1874. They were 63 years old when they died.

The term Siamese twin is no longer considered appropriate.

Conjoined twins aren’t limited to any racial or ethnic group and indeed have been born all over the world.

Various Types of Conjoined Twins There are nearly a dozen different types of conjoined twins.

One of the most common classifications is thoracopagus twins. These twins are connected at the upper portion of the torso.

Thoracopagus twins share a

heart, which, depending on how closely they are joined, makes it nearly impossible to separate them and save them both.

Thoracopagus twins make up about 40 percent of all conjoined cases.

Another common type of conjunction is called omphalopagus, where twins are connected from the breastbone to the waist. About 33 percent of all conjoined cases are categorized as omphalopagus. These twins may share liver, gastrointestinal or genitourinary functions, but rarely share a heart.

One of the rarest types of conjoined twins is craniophagus twins, which are joined at the cranium or head. In fact, only 2 percent of all conjoined twins are joined in this way.

Separating Twins The surgical separation of

conjoined twins is a delicate and risky procedure, requiring extreme precision and care.

Therefore, the decision to separate twins is a serious one.

Mortality rates for twins who undergo separation vary, depending on their type of connection, and the organs they share. For example, twins joined at the sacrum at the base of the spine have a 68 percent chance of successful separation, whereas, in cases of twins with conjoined hearts at the ventricular (pumping chamber) level, there are no known survivors.

Although success rates have improved over the years, surgical separation is still rare. Since 1950, at least one twin has survived separation about 75 percent of the time.

It is only after twins are born that doctors can use magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound and angiography to find out what organs the twins share. In order to determine the feasibility of separation, doctors must carefully assess how the twins’ shared organs function.

After separation, most twins need intensive rehabilitation because of the malformation and position of their spines. The muscles in their backs are constantly being flexed and they often have a difficult time bending their backs forward and backwards and sitting up straight.

Surrounded by banks of lifesaving machines and almost two dozen medical professionals, tiny Zheng Qianyan and Zheng Wanyu are about to undergo the most dangerous operation of their young lives.

This amazing and dramatic photo shows the beginning of hours of risky and specialist surgery to separate the conjoined twins in the province of Hunan in China.

The doctors successfully separated the 43-day-old girls in a challenging operation on the 11th of January 2012 While the incidence of conjoined twins is rare, cases of twins staying conjoined or being successfully separated always make popular headlines around the world.

But it is a rare opportunity indeed to see inside the operating theatre as the surgeons begin their work.

Zheng Qianyan and Zheng Wanyu, born in late November, shared a liver and had their heartsac connected. They also suffered congenital heart disease, according to doctors in the Hunan Children’s Hospital in Changsha The girls were separated and placed in intensive care for the critical seven days after the surgery - where infection could prove fatal.

Zhu Yimin, head of an expert panel on the operation, said more than 20 doctors worked on the twins’ during the epic surgery.

The twins returned to their home in Yongzhou, about 320km from Changsha.

Conjoined twins occur once in every 50,000 to 100,000 births.

Most of them die before birth and only one in 200,000 is born alive

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

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Suicide attack on Baghdad police academy kills 19

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suicide car bomber killed 19 police officers and cadets yesterday in an attack on a crowd outside a Baghdad police academy, police and hospital sources said.

The car exploded as it careered into a crowd of cadets whom police had just escorted out of the compound and were standing in the street outside, police working at the academy said.

Police and hospital sources said 14 cadets and five police were killed, and 26 people were wounded. All except two of the wounded were police or cadets.

"I can see body parts scattered on the ground and boots and

berets covered with blood. Many cars were set ablaze," said a policeman working at the academy on Palestine Street in northeastern Baghdad.

The attack is the deadliest since January 27, when a suicide bomber set off an explosive-laden vehicle near a Shi'ite funeral procession in Baghdad, killing at least 31 and wounding 60.

It breaks a short period of relative calm that accompanied an easing in a political crisis pitting Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki against senior members of the Sunni-backed Iraqiya political bloc.

Tensions rose Thursday,

however, when a panel of judges detailed 150 attacks they said were carried out by death squads under the command of Sunni Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi.

Maliki sought Hashemi's arrest in December, sparking the crisis.

Hashemi, who has taken refuge in the semi-autonomous

region of Kurdistan, has denied accusations made against him, dismissing them as a plot to destroy Maliki's opponents.

Iraqiya lawmakers and ministers responded to Maliki's move against Hashemi, as well as to an attempt to have a Sunni deputy prime minister dismissed,

by staging a walk-out.

Their protest coincided with a string of attacks on Shi'ite targets in December and January which prompted fears of a return to the kind of sectarian bloodshed that peaked five years ago, in the aftermath of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.

Greeks rally against final wave of austerity

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undreds of bannerwaving protesters have rallied in Athens to protest deep budget cuts that have paved the way for approval of a new $171 billion European bailout for the debt-laden nation.

Hundreds of police were out for the yesterday demonstration, held a week after parliament passed new austerity measures and sparked violent protests that saw protesters burn dozens of buildings in the Greek capital.

Eurozone finance ministers will probably approve a bailout package today, though final details are still being worked out, Austrian Finance Minister Maria Fekter said on Sunday.

"Poverty and Hunger Have No Nationality," read one

banner carried by demonstrators on Syntagma square outside parliament.

"We Are Greeks, Merkel and Sarkozy Are Freaks" said another, referring to the German and French leaders.

Police said that roughly 1,500 protesters had assembled.

The latest budget cuts include a 22 per cent cut in the minimum wage, while pensions of more than $1,700 per month will be slashed by 12 per cent, further adding to the economic hardship of ordinary Greeks.

Greece was forced to make the new cuts after euro zone finance ministers earlier this month rejected the country's proposal as not going far enough. But now they are apparently ready to go ahead.

The austerity measures include a 22 per cent cut to the minimum wage [REUTERS]

A police officer stands guard near his wounded comrade after a bomb attack, at a hospital in Baghdad, yesterday.

Motorists protest against Putin on Moscow’s streets

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undreds of Russians protesting against Vladimir Putin drove through Moscow yesterday ahead of the March 4 presidential election expected to seal his grip on power.

Cars adorned with white ribbons and balloons, which have become the symbol of the largest protest movement against Putin's 12-year rule, moved bumper-to-bumper through the city, competing with a rally of his supporters' hours earlier.

"There are a lot of people who do not agree with the current authorities," said Dmitry, 29, standing next to a red car tied with white ribbons. "We've come out to show ... that we don't agree (with the situation) and want other people to know how many of us there are."

The anti-Putin rallies began after a disputed election in December handed his United Russia party a slim

parliamentary majority.

Putin was president from 20002008 when he was barred by the constitution from running for a third

A car drives with a flag showing a portrait of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin during a car rally to show support for Putin's presidential candidacy in Moscow, on Saturday.

Hundreds of thousands march in Spain against reforms

H

undreds of thousands of people protested across Spain yesterday against reforms to the labor market they fear will destroy workers' rights and spending cuts they say are destroying the welfare state.

Organizers, including the two largest unions Comisiones Obreras and UGT, said as many as half a million people joined the protest in 57 towns and cities, although Spanish police gave no official estimate.

In Madrid, one of the largest protests since the economic crisis began almost five years ago filled the wide boulevards from the Atocha train station up to the central Sol square with loud but peaceful marchers of all ages.

"Contracts are getting worse every year. They say they want to invest in the future while cutting research budgets. They're not looking to the future but to the next election with cuts dictated from Brussels," university researcher Nacho Foche,

27, said.

Spain's new conservative government began its four-year term in December with tax hikes and spending cuts worth around 15 billion

euros ($19.74 billion) and must cut another around 40 billion to meet tough deficit targets set by the EU. It has also passed reforms in the financial sector, which force banks to

A protester of the 15M movement, known as Indignants, with a Greek flag painted on her face shouts slogans during a protest against labour reforms imposed by the Spanish government in Malaga, southern Spain, yesterday.

successive term but has remained in charge as Russia's prime minister. His re-election could see him stay in power until 2024.

recognize property sector losses, and the labor market, which grant companies greater hiring and firing power, in an effort to appease nervous markets.

The euro zone's fourth largest economy has been in the eye of storm of the debt crisis since the Socialist government racked up one of the bloc's largest budget deficits, leaving investors concerned it had lost control of its finances.

The Socialists, trounced in November's election over their perceived mishandling of the crisis, made sweeping cuts and reforms while the economy reeled from the fallout of a burst property bubble and collapsed domestic demand.

The conservative party says its own labor market reform, passed February 10, will give struggling companies more room to recover from the economic crisis and create jobs in a country where almost half of all young people are unemployed.

Poll shows Germans favour Gauck as next president

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he former East German activist whose candidacy Chancellor Angela Merkel opposed two years ago is the favourite of a majority of Germans to become president, a poll showed Sunday as her coalition government met to discuss filling the post.

Christian Wulff, Merkel's hand-picked choice in 2010, resigned Friday in a scandal over financial favors, forcing her to search for a replacement for the ceremonial but influential role.

The poll for mass-selling weekly "Bild am Sonntag" showed rights campaigner Joachim Gauck was favored by 54 percent of Germans, even though he has not put himself forward for the job.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

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E

AU chairman to tackle continent’s security hotspots

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frican Union Chairman Boni Yayi will visit some of the continent's conflict areas including Sudan and South Sudan, Mali and Libya for direct talks, an aide said on Saturday.

Yayi, also president of Benin, had been hosting an informal summit of the continent's leaders in Cotonou focusing on security, especially in the Sahel, piracy and the threat posed in Nigeria by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram.

"A road map has been drawn to allow the presidency of the AU to progressively and effectively tackle the different crises through direct discussions with the various protagonists," Mariam Diallo, a diplomatic adviser to Yayi, told reporters after the meeting.

Diallo gave no further details nor a timetable and no statement was issued at the end of the meeting, which was attended by about a dozen African heads of state including those from South Africa, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Rwanda and Togo.

African Union Chairman Boni Yayi addresses a news conference shortly after the closing ceremony of the 18th African Union (AU) summit in Ethiopia"s capital Addis Ababa, recently.

gypt's first presidential election since President Hosni Mubarak was overthrown last year will be held in the first week of June, an official at the judicial committee supervising the vote said.

Army leaders who took over from Mubarak in February last year have faced street protests and widespread demands that they hand power to civilians sooner than the end-June deadline they had set themselves.

"Presidential elections begin in the first week of June and the president will be sworn in by the end of June," committee member Ahmed Shams el-Din told Reuters.

"Any run-offs will take place within the month of June, and by July we will have an Egyptian president," he said.

Similar reports about the timing were carried in staterun newspapers on Sunday. The judicial committee is due to hold a news conference later on Sunday to announce the official timetable.

Officials said this month that nominations for the race would be accepted from March 10, suggesting the generals may have accelerated their planned handover of power. Some politicians had pushed for a vote

Egypt presidential vote to be early June: source

A demonstrator holds an Egyptian flag in front of soldiers during a protest demanding that the army hand power over to civilians, near the defence ministry in Cairo, recently. in May or earlier.

Under new rules approved in a referendum last year, presidents will be limited to two consecutive four-year terms.

Mubarak was ousted shortly before the end of his fifth six-year term. Most of his terms were secured via single-candidate referendums. In 2005 he ran in

the nation's first multi-candidate race, but rights groups and others said the rules for that race blocked any realistic challenge to the incumbent.

Bashar al-Assad, who is trying to crush a popular uprising in Syria.

State news agency MENA said the

decision was made after a visit from Egypt's ambassador Shawky Ismail to Cairo. The foreign ministry decided to keep him in the Egyptian capital "until further notice."

... recalls its ambassador to Syria: TV

E

gypt recalled its ambassador to Damascus, state television said on Sunday,

in what appeared to be the latest step in a series of Arab diplomatic moves to intensify pressure on President

Mugabe accuses rivals of plotting constitutional coup: paper

Z

imbabwean President Robert Mugabe accused his political rivals of trying to use constitutional reforms to get rid of him, but warned that his ZANU-PF party would reject any changes threatening its future, the yesterday Mail newspaper reported.

Mugabe, who turns 88 on Tuesday and was forced into a coalition government following disputed elections in 2008, is seeking to extend his 32 years in power in an early poll that he wants held this year, a year ahead of schedule.

In an interview with the stateowned newspaper, Mugabe charged that lawyers hired to draft a new national charter and rivals from Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) had "erred" by including issues not

gathered from a public survey.

Asked about clauses in the first draft that could bar him from running for another term, Mugabe said although he had not yet read the document, such a proposal and the inclusion of gay rights would not be accepted by his party.

"The issue is that what is not

Zimbabwe"s President Robert Mugabe speaks during a visit to Mimosa Platinum outside Harare, last Thursday.

the view of the people and not in the present constitution or has not been discussed, we will reject," he said.

"Such a constitution would be thrown out by ZANU-PF. We would not accept that. They erred if it is like that," he said, branding the MDC cowards for trying to exclude him from the polls.

A draft constitution published early this month trims presidential powers and limits terms to a maximum of 10 years, barring Mugabe who has been in office since the southern African country's independence from Britain in 1980.

Mugabe has been nominated as his ZANU-PF party's candidate and intends to run in an election he wants held in 2012. Under the powersharing deal with Tsvangirai, elections must be held by next year with a new constitution drawn up ahead of the poll.

A referendum on the new

Clashes in Senegal ahead of presidential poll

S

enegalese police fired tear gas and chased protesters from the centre of the West African nation's capital on Saturday in a fourth day of protest against the candidacy of incumbent President Abdoulaye Wade in the February 26 presidential poll.

As about 23,000 security personnel including the police and army voted in early balloting on Saturday, protesters took to the streets, strewn with debris from the previous night's protest, setting up barricades, burning tyres and trash, and clashing with riot police.

The protesters are trying to gain access to Dakar's Independence Square, near the presidential palace, but have been pushed back by riot police using tear gas and water cannons.

The government has banned all opposition protest around the square citing security reasons.

Opposition leaders and civil society group M-23 have vowed to make the country ungovernable if Wade does not step down and withdraw his bid to seek a third term, arguing that his bid breaches rules setting a two-term presidential limit.

An anti-government demonstrator throws a rock during clashes with police in Senegal"s capital Dakar, on Saturday.

constitution is expected to be held later this year.

In the interview, Mugabe mocked Tsvangirai and the MDC as impotent for protesting his recent reappointment of security commanders accused by the opposition of blocking democratic reforms.

"We don't pay attention to that because they are like barking dogs with no bite, and every village has such dogs," he said in the local Shona language.

There was no immediate comment from the MDC on Mugabe's interview in which he also attacked Finance Minister Tendai Biti, a senior MDC figure, for slowing Zimbabwe's economic recovery by starving the key farming sector of funds.

"He makes some decisions and those decisions are not always of a nature that is promotive economically," he said.

In the past Biti has denied accusations that the MDC is deliberately withholding state loans to farmers from Mugabe's party who grabbed properties from whiteowned commercial farms under ZANU-PF's controversial land redistribution programme.

Biti maintains that Zimbabwe's slow recovery from a decade of severe economic recession caused

by Mugabe's policies is largely due to delays by ZANU-PF in adopting reforms.

These include privatising lossmaking state firms across the economy and a damaging drive to force foreign-owned firms to sell a majority shareholding to local blacks.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

PAGE 33

Iran stops oil sales to British, French companies

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ran has stopped selling crude to British and French companies, the Oil Ministry said yesterday, in a retaliatory measure against fresh EU sanctions on the Islamic state's lifeblood, oil.

"Exporting crude to British and French companies has been stopped ... we will sell our oil to new customers," spokesman Alireza Nikzad was quoted as saying by the ministry of petroleum website.

The European Union in January decided to stop importing crude from Iran from July 1 over its disputed nuclear program, which the West says is aimed at building bombs. Iran denies this.

Iran's oil minister said on February 4 that the Islamic state would cut its oil exports to "some" European countries.

The European Commission said last week that the bloc would not be short of oil if Iran stopped crude

A general view of Iran's Oil Ministry building in Tehran.

Demonstrators hold up Kurdish and the Syrian independence flags during a protest against Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Qamishli city.

Syrian security forces clamp down on Damascus

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olice and militia patrols fanned out in the Syrian capital's Mezze district yesterday to prevent a repeat of protests against President Bashar al-Assad that have threatened his grip on Damascus, opposition activists said.

On the international front, China said it believed a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis was still possible but Britain's foreign minister said he feared the Middle Eastern country will slide into civil war.

China's official Xinhua news agency reflected Beijing's view a day after a Chinese envoy met Assad in Damascus while thousands of Syrians demonstrated in the heart of the capital in one of the biggest anti-government rallies there since a nationwide uprising started nearly a year ago.

Yesterday, the body of Samer alKhatib, a young protester who was killed when security forces opened fire on the protest, was buried in Mezze early yesterday morning.

Security forces maintained a

heavy presence to prevent the funeral from turning into an antiAssad demonstration, opposition activists contacted by Reuters from Amman said.

Fifteen pick-up trucks carrying security police and armed pro-Assad militiamen, known as 'shabbiha', surrounded the funeral as Khatib was buried quietly, they said.

Police cars and militia jeeps patrolled Mezze while secret police agents spread out on foot, stopping men at random and checking their identification cards, they said.

"Walking in Mezze now carries the risk of arrest. The area is quiet and even the popular food shops in Sheikh Saad are empty," activist Moaz al-Shami said, referring to a main street.

The Damascus protest indicated the movement against Assad, who has ruled Syria for 11 years after succeeding his father Hafez on his death, has not been cowed by repression and embraces a wide section of Syrian society.

Iran warships ‘dock in Syria’s Tartous port’

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Iran's presence in the Mediterranean in February 2011 provoked strong reactions from Israel and the US[AP]

exports, as they have enough in stock to meet their needs for around 120 days.

Industry sources told Reuters on February 16 that Iran's top oil buyers in Europe were making substantial cuts in supply months in advance of European Union sanctions, reducing flows to the continent in March by more than a third - or over 300,000 barrels daily.

France's Total has already stopped buying Iran's crude, which is subject to fresh EU embargoes.

Market sources said Royal Dutch Shell has scaled back sharply.

Among European nations, debtridden Greece is most exposed to Iranian oil disruption.

Motor Oil Hellas of Greece was thought to have cut out Iranian crude altogether and compatriot Hellenic Petroleum along with Spain's Cepsa and Repsol were curbing imports from Iran.

ranian warships have crossed the Suez Canal and docked in Syria's port city of Tartous, Iranian state media has reported.

The Mehr news agency said yesterday that Tehran's show of support has caused "extreme worry for zionist forces".

Youcef Bouandel, professor of international affairs at Qatar University, told Al Jazeera that Iran's deployment has to be viewed as part of a "broader picture" - that it to say that the Iranian government feels that "Syria is the first step towards putting Iran in the corner".

"Iran has been having a few standoffs with the West in general over its nuclear programme and over its oil emabrgo," said Bouandel, who said that the docking of the ships on the Syrian coast had two largely symbolic meanings.

"Iran has been threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz and has been a strong ally of Syria over the

last year in particular... the two ships... crossed the Suez Canal without being stopped or searched [which] suggests that they do not carry any weapons," he said.

Tensions over the nature of Iran's nuclear programme have lead to ever-tightening sanctions on the country's oil exports, prompting Iran to threaten to close the strait, the world's most important chokepoint for oil transport.

Reacting to the news on Saturday, Israel's foreign ministry denounced the deployment as a "provocation" and a "power play".

Israel said it will be watching the ships' movements closely to ensure they do not approach its coast.

Tom Donilon, the US national security advisor is due to meet Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, in Jerusalam on Sunday where the deployment is expected to be discussed.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

PAGE 37

Katsina CPC 10: ‘Supreme Court reaffirmed party supremacy’ ANALYSIS Barrister Abbas Abdullahi Machika is The member, representing SabuwaKankara-Faskari Fedaral Constituency in the House Of Representative. He is also one of the beneficiaries of the Supreme Court judgment that sacked the former occupant of the seat. In this interview with our Correspondent, Lawan Sa'idu Funtua, he spoke on the controversy surrounding the judgment and the issues at stake.

Excerpts

S

ir, it seems there is still controversy over the Supreme Court judgment thatsack10KatsinaCPCmembers of the National Assembly. Some evendescribedtheirsackasIllegal, as a beneficiary of that judgment, what is your view?

There is no controversy with any Supreme Court judgment for that matter let alone the judgment of the supreme court of the 16th December 2011 that struck out the case as well as the appeal before the supreme court of Yakubu Lado Danmarke and others versus CPC and others. No controversy whatsoever looking at it from the legal point of view the Nigerian Supreme court is a supreme court whether you like it or not its judgement is final as far the country call Nigeria is concerned and finality of that judgment and compliance with that judgment is constitutional on all persons and all authorities in Nigeria. I have watched and read and heard over the air waves with bemused silence the reactions of so many people in respect now over flogged case of Katsina CPC 10 right from its initial stage at the Federal High Court up to its terminal point at the Supreme Court. And I'm directly involved being one of the beneficiaries of that litigation.

The commentators which include a lot of lawyers a lot of elder statesmen a lot of politicians everybody became an expert in respect of that issue and everybody was giving his opinion from the paradigm he looked at it. Some gave their opinions on the basis of the colour they want that opinion to take which will rhyme with the colour of their thoughts. You see now that the Supreme Court has made a pronouncement like I said that is final so whatever we do or said is now post mortem but it is also imperative at this point for me at least to speak out

and put some facts as they were and the record to be put across straight.

You see you can deduce about two or three issues arising from these commentators all of them those that call it illegality or those that hailed the Supreme Court that yes it has uphold constitutionality and party supremacy and whatever. But before then let's go the antecedents of that conflict.

The CPC as a political party issued out its guidelines for the conduct of its party primaries for the offices in the National Assembly, presidency and all other political party offices. Now in accordance with those guidelines the party held its primaries the matter of the moment in Katsina State there was primaries of the 8th of January 2011 which was inconclusive and was cancelled rightly so by the party and then there was primaries of the 13th of January 2011 which now produced the candidature of Aminu Bello Masari as the gubernertorial candidate as well as other political party offices in which I was involved as a candidate representing Kankara-FaskariSabuwa Federal Constituency and my 10 other colleagues in this tortuous journey so far. Now as with any other primaries or any other political contest you will find there are a person that are dissatisfied which is normal and natural. Yakubu Lado and others in that group became agitated for whatever reasons against the conduct and returned of the January 13th primaries. Now instead of them to understand the variables of the conflict they now resorted to holding a parallel primaries superintended by the state executive committee of the CPC .

There was therefore a clash of constitutional roles between the national executive committee of the CPC and the state executive of the CPC which need not to be so, because if you

“

It is clearly stated and demarcated by the CPC Constitution and that position is the position contained in the Electoral Act that it is the NEC of the party that will now conduct primaries.

Barrister Abbas Abdullahi Machika look at the constitution of the CPC as a party it is the prerogative, the right of the national executive committee to conduct party primaries for all elective offices except the local government chairmen and the local councils.

It is clearly stated and demarcated by the CPC Constitution and that position is the position contained in the Electoral Act that it is the NEC of the party that will now conduct primaries. So they now conducted their primaries on the 15th of January 2011, naturally the NEC refused to accept that parallel primaries conducted by the state chapter which eventually led to the dissatisfied people to approach the Federal High Court which in itself is normal in any democracy. At any rate if I have serious disagreement with any person or institution the natural arbiter for me is the court. They went to High Court at the Federal High Court, CPC in its processes raised an objection to the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court that no the court has no jurisdiction to entertained that matter in the first place. of course the matter was entertained by the court and judgment was delivered sometimes in February 2011. Now that was after INEC had displayed the list of candidates of CPC in Katsina State for gubernatorial as well as other political offices as contained in the list led by Aminu Bello Masari of the 13th of January 2011. In compliance with judgment of the Federal High Court which gave judgment in favor of the lists of January 15th led by Yakubu Lado .

INEC withdrew the names contained in the list of January 13th and replace them with the names contained in January 15th. There are three issues that are instructive, one Yakubu Lado

and others were never candidates of the CPC for those offices, two they were made candidates for CPC for those offices by virtue of the judgment they obtained before the Federal High Court, and three INEC complied with that judgment of the Federal High court.

We that were on that lists also abided by the judgment of the Federal High Court including the CPC notwithstanding the fact that the CPC as soon as that judgment was passed filed its appeal at the court of appeal.

When that appeal was pending the country went to the polls on the 9th of April 2011 for the senatorial as well as National assembly seats. CPC was elected overwhelmingly in Katsina State, we voted and we voted CPC. In the ballot paper given to me it was the CPC and in the ballot paper given to every other Nigerian It was the political party not a candidate. After that election we now said we should allow the candidate of that Federal High Court judgment to return because you cannot have an election without return and they were returned despite the fact that CPC was on appeal. And on the 21st of April 2011 that judgment which made Yakubu Lado and others candidates for CPC was set aside by the court of appeal restoring the original position of things when CPC filed and notified INEC in the prescribed form of its candidates as contained in the January 13th lists. And something instructive INEC complied with that judgment and fielded Aminu Bello Masari and all candidates sponsored for the state house of assembly elections contained in the lists of January 13th 2011. So there was compliance with the judgment of the court of appeal by implication compliance with the entire judgment of the court of appeal.

Meaning that you cannot pick and

chose which part of judgment or order of the court you are suppose to obey because is not open for you under the Nigerian constitution and the relevant laws in the country. While that was going on Yakubu Lado and others now appeal to the Supreme Court. That journey terminated on the 16th of December 2012 with correct position of the law by the Supreme Court that the issue of who is a candidate of a political party is a political question no court of law in Nigeria has right to enquire into. The Supreme court now went bold and struck out the original writ and the suit that was heard and determined by the Federal High Court for being a nullity. It also struck out the appeal before thecourt of appeal and the appeal before it. Now you don't need to be a star gazer or nuclear scientists to understand that since the Supreme Court has said no court has jurisdiction then things will now go back to their status co,that was the position of things before the dispute. That was restoring the candidature of those candidates posted by CPC as a result of primaries of the 13th of January 2011 with Aminu Bello Masari as the gubernatorial candidate and all others including my humble self.

INEC is an institution in Nigeria like any other institution and they have to be circumspect, they have to analyze, they have to weigh things.

Their legal team sat and said okay since in the first place no court has jurisdiction to entertained this matter lets now go back to the lists 13th January and it accordingly issued us with certificates of returned which is the correct thing for INEC to do. A lot of people made noise in respect of these people did not participate in an election and they were not returned. You see my take on that is that election has been defined by the Supreme Court of Nigeria in so many cases that it is a process not an event that what takes place on a voting day is actually the polling. So in our case the process for that election started from the day our party issued out guidelines , anybody interested please go and buy nomination forms and we did we bought and where there are more than one candidate primaries were conducted and candidates that duly won these primaries were returned. It was only after that has been done then you now acquire the status of a candidate sponsored by the party when the party now forwards your name to INEC as a sponsored candidate. If you understand the journey you are from been a member of a political party then you now become an aspirant, now been an aspirant if there are more than one you now go through the party machinery in which you sift out who is a candidate and who is not if that is done you now move to the next ladder, you are now a candidate of the party by the time your party posts your name to INEC in the prescribed form in accordance with the electoral law you now become the sponsored candidate of that party.

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

‘Libyan uprising has contributed a lot to Boko Haram insurgency’ INTERVIEW How do you see the current security challenged in the north vis-à-vis the Boko Haram menace? he issue of Boko Haram is one development that nobody can say exactly what is responsible for their action.

According to the group, they said they are fighting injustice, they said some of their members that were arrested by the police should be set free. Whatever is responsible for their action, we members of the Arewa United Association and Arewa Youth Development Association of Nigeria are appealing to them to lay down their arms and dialogue with the Federal Government.

We are saying this because the current security challenges in the north is a matter of concern not only to northerners alone, but Nigerians in general. Already, it has started affecting economic activities in the north, things should not continue in this manner.

Having said that, I want to appeal to the western world to stop supplying of small arms to African countries; these terrorist groups have easy access to small arms and they are using it to cause havocs in any country where they are operating.

I have strong feelings that the recent war in Libya has contributed a lot to the problems we have in the north. I suspect that some of the small arms brought to Libya to prosecute the war have found their ways to the country.

I don't subscribe to people who are saying that the Boko Haram group is out to attack Christians or some ethnic groups other than northerners. It is a very sad thing that is happening and I don't think their targets are a particular religion or ethnic group. Before the unfortunate incident at Mandalla, the group had successfully attacked Hausa Muslims in Borno and other parts of the north.

Majority of the victims in these attacks are mostly Muslims and northerner. People should not see the menace of the group as a plan to attack non indigenes in the north but a general problem that needs our attention.

Also, if you look at the manner of condemnation from prominent leaders in the north on the Mandalla issue, you are bound to see the seriousness in their action.

The Chief Imam in of Minna not only condemned the action, he paid a condolence visit to the family of. The Sultan of Sokoto condemned the attack, so, you can see that it is not an attack on any particular religion or group.

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People for fear of being attacks and retaliatory attacks have started relocating back to their states. Northerners living in the south are returning home and southerners in the north

Ado Dansudu is the Deputy National Co-ordinator of the Arewa Youth Development Association of Nigeria and Deputy Chairman of the group, which based in Lagos. As one of the prominent leaders of the Hausa Community in Lagos, he gave a representation of the feeling of northern youths resident in the city on the current security challenges in the northern part of the country, in this interview with Adesoji Oyinlola. excerpts:

Alhaji Ado Dansudu are also going back to their region. What do you think this portends for the country?

Like i said, what is happening has nothing to do with religion or ethnicity; what is happening cut across board, therefore I will advice whoever that is thinking of relocating because of what is happening at the moment to have a rethink. Things like this can happen anywhere, it has happened in the east and even here in Lagos. We have come a

long way as citizens of the same country. We have gone through some worse things in the past and came out as one united people.

What is happening now cannot be equated to the three years civil war that was fought to keep Nigeria one, we are sure going to see the end of the present tribulations.

How did you receive the death sentence of Major AlMustapha by a Lagos High Court?

That judgment came as a surprise to those of us who have been following the sensational case. We are surprised at the turn of event and we condemned the judgment in entirely.

That judgment represents the desperation by some powerful click to nail the embattled army officer at all cost.

I think the latest revelation by one of the star witnesses in the murder case of the late Kudirat Abiola, Muhammed Abdul, also

known as Mohammed Katako, has vindicated those of us who believed that Al-Mustapha did not commit the offence for which he was sentenced by Justice Mojishola Dada of the Lagos High court.

Now that Katako has come out openly to confessed that he was bribed by some government operatives to give false evidence against Al-Mustapha, shows that the whole trial was actually a set up by some people who are not comfortable seen the former security officer walks the street a free man after the death of his boss.

We have been able to established that fact that some certain interest who feel AlMustapha know too much about shady things they have done in the past will not be happy seen him walk the street a free man. Yes, we know that they certainly entertain the fear that he may squeal on some of their dirty past.

Our group is solidly behind the appeal of the death sentence on AlMustapha. We are not alone in this struggle; we have other groups rooting for the freedom of this gentleman who has greatly contributed to the development of our great country.

How do your people receive the appointment of M.D. Abubakar as the acting Inspector General of Police?

We must commend President Goodluck Jonathan for that decision to appoint Dahiru Abubakar as the acting Inspector General of Police. We know his track records while he was here in Lagos.

I'm sure heis going to make a lot of impacts on the force.

Under-age voting: NBA canvasses review of Electoral Act From: Agaju Madugba and UmarMohammed, Abuja he Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has canvassed an amendment of the Electoral Act to make provisions for the punishment of parents of under-age voters during elections in the country.

The NBA explained that the proposed review has become necessary following cases of under-age voting during last weekend’s gubernatorial polls in Sokoto state.A report by the NBA Election Working Group (EWG) also described the turnout of voters for the election as impressive. According to the report signed by the NBA EWG Chairman, Dafe Akpedeye (SAN) and the Alternate Chairman, Festus Okoye, “the turnout of women voters was

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even more impressive as women both the young and the old turned out in large numbers to exercise their franchise. “They were patient and more resilient than the men.

They lined up willingly and were generally more orderly than the men.

“However, the NBA EWG noticed that voter turnout was higher in the rural areas of the state than in the urban centres. “The people living in the rural area were more resilient and insistent on the exercise of their civic rights and responsibilities.

“They also displayed an uncommon understanding of the electoral process and procedures and this contributed in more ways than one in the general orderliness and fairness of the election.”The report urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to investigate the reasons that led to the “confusion”

in Arkilla Ward and the late commencement of accreditation in most of the polling units there. The report said, “the 37 polling units under Arkilla Ward in Wamako local government received their electoral materials between 11am and 12 noon and hence accreditation and voting commenced late in the said polling units. “As at 10 am the ward Supervisor was still having challenges distributing the materials to the presiding officers leading to anxiety among the said officers and security agents.

“There was also confusion and disorder as most of the officers and party agents were hanging around because they do not have the full complement of materials.

In the said confusion, some of the presiding officers were given the register of voters that did not tally with the code and location of some of the

polling units leading to further delay in the commencement of poll. “The NBA EWG observed the dwindling number of Youth Corp members serving in some states and the insistence of some parents that their wards will not serve in some parts of the country. “We urge the federal and the state government to see the present state of insecurity in the country as a national security concern that must be tackled frontally as it strikes at the heart of the unity and cohesion of Nigeria. “The federal and state governments should strive to restore peace and stability in every part of the country as the present state of fear, anxiety and insecurity in most part of Nigeria also retards investment, hampers free mobility of persons and goods and encourages centrifugal and anarchist forces threatening the unity and stability of this country.”

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

Supreme Court ruling on 180 days Petition Against Suswam turned PDP in to propaganda

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

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he Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Benue State Chapter, has said that the Supreme Court judgment delivered on February last week, which provided 180 days within which a Tribunal must deliver its judgment in writing, has made the ruling PDP machinery in the state to misinform the masses that the case of the ACN at the Tribunal is over.

ACN which made this revelation over the weekend in a statement issued by its State Chairman, Comrade Abba Yaro, added that "After the verdict, top state officials of government and PDP were on the State owned radio station, misinforming members of the public that even though the Supreme Court had restored the ACN petition, 180 days had lapsed and that the Tribunal had no jurisdiction to entertain same.

It came to pass that the Tribunal overruled them and proceeded to hear the petition.

"The PDP appealed to the Court of Appeal, Makurdi Division on the issue of 180 days but lost woefully.

Yesterday, there were celebrations across the state that the issue of 180 is settled in the case of Borno. Radio Benue is also misinforming members of the public about this development, ACN revealed.

The statement recalled that "On September 19, 2011 when the Justice Munir Ladan-led Tribunal dismissed the ACN petition, the PDP went celebrating that the ACN petition had come to a dead end. On November 14, 2011 the Supreme Court despite a motion filed by the PDP that 180 days had lapsed, the Tribunal restored the petition."

The party further called on its supporters to remain calm, prayerful and resolute, as the Supreme Court, which ordered the petition to be heard on merits, cannot turn back and pronounce otherwise on the case, saying that its case is very clear.

"We advise the PDP in Benue State to vigorously pursue her appeal to the Supreme Court on the issue of 180 days and stop relying on a case that is totally different from theirs. Why is PDP scared of defending her so called victory in the April 26, 2011 Governorship election in Benue State before the Tribunal?

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CNPP commend Sokoto guber election

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he Sokoto State chapters of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) have commended INEC and the security agencies for a hitch-free gubernatorial election on Saturday.

The chairmen of the chapters described the election as free and fair, and expressed the hope that the result should be acceptable to all the contestants.

The state chairman of the CNPP, Alhaji Abba Sidi, said he was happy to note that INEC was able to supply the required electoral materials on time. ``We found that in all the centres we visited that materials required for the election were delivered on time and were adequate,'' he said.

He also commended the

security agencies for providing ``tight security'' at all polling centres and the entire state.

Sidi called on political parties to maintain the peace that was witnessed during the voting process, and accept the result of the election in good faith.

He also called on the people of the state to accept the result of the election as the wishes of

L-R: ANPP National Vice Chairman, North-West Zone, Alhaji Kabir Umar, Sokoto ANPP Governorship Candidate, Alhaji Yusha'u Ahmad, and ANPP National Financial Secretary, North-West, Hajiya Fatima Mohammed, during a news conference on Sokoto Governorship Election, yesterday.

Photo: NAN

Voter apathy mar Jigawa LG poll as PDP sweeps all From Ahmed abubakar, dutse

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assive low voter's turn out in the Saturday local Government Election was experienced in the entire polling units of Jigawa even as the major political opponents of the ruling PDP in the state withdrew from active participation in the polls.

Investigations conducted by our reporter in the state revealed

that apart from poor voter turnout most people are not aware of the election holding on the day.

The ruling People Democratic Party (PDP) in Jigawa state had swept all the positions of the 27 local government council's Chairmen and about 300 councilors in the elections.

Announcing the results of the local government council's polls, the Chairman state independent

electoral commission, Alhaji Muhammed Sani Ahmed said the election is the most successful one among all elections conducted in the state.

The Chairman of the electoral body in the state maintained that 26 political parties participated in the Saturday's elections "as far as we are concerned we did justice to each political party by announcing all the votes won

Gov. Suswam appeals for unity among people of Benue

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ov. Gabriel Suswam of Benue has urged the people to unite in the interest of development in the state. Suswam was speaking Sunday at St Theresa's Parish, Makurdi, in a thanks-giving mass in honour of Mr Fidelis Audu, Chairman, Makurdi Local Government Council.

The governor, who was represented

by Dr Eugene Aliegba, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, said peace was necessary for sustainable development.

He called on the people to desist from

the majority.

Also, the Sokoto State chairman of the NBA, AlMustapha Abubakar, said the association was satisfied with the conduct of the election. ``The conduct of the election was very transparent, free, fair and credible,'' he said.

He commended INEC for ensuring the availability of electoral materials at all polling stations. (NAN)

fomenting trouble on the account of their political differences but to play the game of politics according to the rules.

He said politics ought to be devoid of violence and advised them to shun violence.

Suswam promised to transform the state in spite of distractions from his political rivals.

In his sermon, Rev. Fr. John Ikponko advised the parishioners to always assist those in need.

Ikponko, who read from Mark 2: 112, urged the people to continue

assisting others even when it seemed difficult to do so.

The cleric advised against helping people for pecuniary considerations.

He called on them to support those who were not likely to return their good deeds in any way.

"You should render your assistance to both the low and the less-privileged too because, you will receive more of God's blessing if you offer to the downtrodden," the priest said.

He stressed that, Jesus and God are not selective with their mercy, love,

kindness and generosity among others, adding that, they should emulate them in order to be worthy ambassadors of the gospel.

Audu, in whose honour the thanksgiving mass was being celebrated, warned the congregation against rumuor mongering and called on them to desist from the 'Pull Him Down Syndrome''.

He also called on them never to waiver in their faith but to keep their trust in God even in times of difficulties.

(NAN)

during the polls".

Alhaji Muhammed Sani Ahmed commended all the political parties, security agents, Media and all other stakeholders for their support to the commission before and after the election.

Peoples Daily who monitored the elections in Ringim, Taura, Miga, Auyo, kiyawa, Gagarawa and Dutse local governments observed that the election was not keenly contested since the withdrawal of some political parties before the commencement of the exercise.

Investigation revealed that most of the electorates were seen going about their normal day to day activities of buying and selling despite the restriction of vehicular movements throughout the state.

Many more were seen sitting around corners chatting-away while very few voters are seen trying to be accredited and cast their votes.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

S/Court judgement has nullified Wada’s election – CPC

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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ongress for Progressive Change (CPC) has insisted that the decision of the Supreme Court to nullify the tenure extension earlier granted to Kogi state former governor, Ibrahim Idris, alongside other four governors by Federal High Court, has automatically quashed the December 3rd election by INEC, which returned Capt. Idris Wada

of PDP. In a statement issued by the Publicity Secretary of the party, Rotimi Fashakin, CPC argued that something could not be built on nothing and expect to stand; expressing conviction that truth would prevail on the matter, despite efforts by PDP to “stand truth on its head.” In reference to the statement issued on the 17th February by the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Rufai Alkali, which exonerated the party from

a suit before the Supreme Court, where PDP allegedly sought an interpretation, regarding the Kogi governorship election, CPC said such denial was characteristic of PDP’s insincerity.

According to the party, “The affidavit seeking the Interpretation order was deposed to by Mohammed Kabir, the PDP’s zonal Legal Adviser.” It therefore said that it was due to the unsuccessful attempt to get the

irregular swearing-in of Captain Idris Wada ratified by the Supreme Court, that PDP was finding it convenient to disown its regional functionaries and the Interpretation order.

It would be recalled that PDP had disowned the Consequential Order allegedly brought before the Supreme Court on behalf of the party by its Legal Adviser, saying the that the situation in Kogi State was unambiguous and that the

party does not require any consequential orders to validate the election and swearing in of Idris Wada. “Nigerians will recall that Governor Wada emerged from properly conducted primaries and took part in an election duly conducted by INEC on the 3rd of December 2011. Governor Wada, on the directive of INEC has been duly sworn in and has assumed his legitimate duties as Governor of Kogi State.” PDP earlier stated.

Gov. Shettima explains inauguration of LG committees

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ov. Kashim Shettima of Borno on Sunday attributed Tuesday's inauguration of caretaker committees for the 27 local governments in the state to security reasons.

Some opposition parties in the state had accused the governor of refusing to conduct elections into the councils for political reasons.

But Shettima told newsmen in Maiduguri that the committees were inaugurated because of the difficulties in organising polls, especially against the current security challenges in the state. ``As you are aware of the security situation in the state, it will not be wise to organise local government elections at this material time. ``It is the reason that we inaugurated caretaker committees to run their affairs for the next six months after which

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, casting his vote at the Community Day Secondary School voting unit in Tambuwal, Tambuwal local government area during the governorship election on saturaday in Sokoto state. Behind him is the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Usman Bayero Nafada.

INEC to use 4, 569 ad-hoc staff for Cross River governorship poll

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he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Cross River, says it would use 4, 569 ad-hoc staff for the Feb. 25 governorship election in the state.

Mr Mike Igini, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), disclosed this in Calabar on Saturday. ``We are basically looking at using 4, 569 ad-hoc staff in 2, 283 polling units located in the 193 Registration Areas; 18 Collation Officers and 213 Presiding Officers,'' he said.

Igini said that the commission would also deploy it staff to sensitive areas to enhance the credibility of the election.

The REC said the training of collation officers had started as part of preparations for a hitch free poll.

He noted that effective security was an integral component of a successful election, saying the commission was making serious efforts to ensure a dequate security during the exercise.

Igini said measures had been taken to convey materials to riverine areas on time, adding that at least three security agents would be deployed to every polling unit. ``We have reviewed areas of concerns last year in terms

of logistics and the movement of personnel to various polling units. ``At every polling unit, we require at least one police man to compliment two other persons,'' he said.

He called on the various political parties to embark on voter education to minimise incidences of void votes.

The REC reminded the politicians on laws banning campaigns on Election Day, saying that the law also provides for a six year jail term and a fine of N100, 000.

He enjoined the people of the state to play ``politics without bitterness'', and ensure a violence-free election. (NAN)

PDP candidate returned unopposed at by election of Sakwa/ Zaki state constituency From: Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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eople's Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Sakwa/Zaki State Constituency, Abubakar Tela Musa was weekend declared Winner of the bye-election by the National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC).

Abubakar Tela Musa was simply pronounced winner by the returning officer, Dr. Lawal Garba Abubakar when the candidate returned unopposed in the bye-election shunned by other political parties in the state.

Dr.Lawal Abubakar explained that he declared as Abubakar Tela Musa winner in the bye-election into the Sakwa/Zaki seat having met the provisions of the Electoral Act, and returning unopposed in the election.

IBB says all leaders have stake in national security

F

ormer President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, has said that leaders at all levels must be involved in providing security in the country.

Gen. Babangida said this in Kano on Saturday when he paid a condolence visit to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado

Bayero, in his palace, over the multiple bomb blasts that killed about 200 people in Kano.

Babangida, who ruled the country between 1985 and 1993, said it was the responsibility of not only the Federal Government, but leaders at all levels, to ensure

peace and stability in the country.

He also charged the leaders to carry out their responsibilities in such a manner as to promote understanding among different parts of the nation.

The former military president commiserated with

we can assess the situation before elections are conducted,'' he said.

Shettima said that, government planned to conduct credible elections for the councils once the security situation improved.

He urged members of the committees to ensure prudent management of scarce resources.

Shettima also called on them to strive hard and implement projects that would touch the lives of the people at the grassroots. ``Members of the committees were selected purely based on experience and selfless service to our state and the people. ``There is the need for them to work in close collaboration with security agencies to nip any security problem in the bud and ensure peace and unity at the grassroots,'' he added.(NAN)

the Emir and the people of Kano over the incident and prayed for the restoration of peace and security in the state.

In his response, the Emir called for continuous prayers for peace and stability to reign in the state and the nation.

(NAN)

He said the Electoral Act has given the returning officer the power to declare any candidate as winner in any democratic election where such a candidate returned unopposed in the election.

Resident Electoral Commissioner in Bauchi state, Mr. Samuel Madaki Usman who was also in Sakwa weekend had earlier told party faithfu l s a t t h e s e c o n d a r y School Collation Centre that only one candidate was fielded for the byeelection.

Mr. Samuel Usman said the commission had given registered political parties in the state the 14 days' notice for the bye-election as stipulated by the Electoral Act. "They are to be given notice of 14 days, the notice was given on the 1st of February, 2012 when they have 17 days before t h e e l e c t i o n , t h e n o n t he 2nd we met to inform them about the commission preparedness to conduct the election", Usman said.

He explained that the commission is being guided by the Electoral law as it rejected the 30 days' notice for the byeelection required by the political parties in the state.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

Thrills as First Badminton Veterans Knockout Series ends in Abuja

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eteran badminton players and a handful of active players who participated at the First Badminton Veterans Knockout Series were delighted with the impressive performances recorded by the two participating clubs.

The invitational championship involving the City Gate Badminton Club and the Kaduna Exclusives Badminton Club was held at the the Indoor Hall of the National Stadium Abuja with 50 players in attendance.

At the end of the two-day championship, the pair of Abbas Adamu and Baba Makarfi from the host club defeated the duo of Inuwa Muhammad Adamu and Daniel Sarki in a keenly contested three round matches to clinch the Men’s Doubles trophy.

The play had ended one game apiece at regulation time to but the former edged their opponents to emerge the winner with a lone point 27-26.

Similarly, the pair of Lamara Garba Azare and Andrew Steven from Abuja City Gate Club overwhelmed the duo of Iliya Abubakar and Muhammad Dahiru in a battle which thrilled spectators with skilled and display of badminton artistry to take the third position. It was an easy ride for the combination of Yusuf Lawal and She’un Adetiloye from City Gate Club as they overrun the pair of Tony C. and Hauwa Ojile also of City Gate Club to emerge the best team in the Mix Doubles category.

In the star game of the championship, Iliya Abubakar of Kaduna Exclusives Club recovered from the shock of the earlier defeat he suffered in the doubles category to whitewash his opponent Dr. David Atuwo to clinch Men’s Singles trophy. Also, in the Ladies Singles category, Hauwa Ojile of Abuja City Gate Club walloped She’un Adetiloye in a two straight win to emerged winner.

PAGE 41

Ex-Rangers, Ogbu, haunts team, forces Heartland draw S

triker Brendan Ogbu came back to stop former club Enugu Rangers from a fifth home win as Heartland drew 1-1 in another ‘Oriental Derby’ yesterday.

Ogbu crowned his Heartland debut with a vital goal only days after the league issued him a three-month provisional clearance after Rangers refused to release him to the Owerri club.

The big striker vowed to return and bite ‘The Flying Antelopes’ and he lived up to this pre-match boast by grabbing an equaliser on the hour.

The 16,000-strong crowd at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu came alive after just three minutes, when Chkieluba Ofoedu scored for the hosts from the penalty spot after he was brought down on his way to goal by Heartland defender Emmanuel Olowo.

The youngster snapped up from UNTH Enugu was outstanding before he picked

up a knock and he was replaced by the Ivorian striker Boris Konan still in the first period.

Heartland fought back in a bid to draw level as skipper Kabiru Umar and Ogbu went in search of goal for the visitors.

Ogbu deservedly drew Heartland level on the hour, when he coolly stabbed home a low cross from the left flank past Rangers bulky goalkeeper George Analogu.

In the 66th minute, Analogu was forced to save off Julius Ubido’s vicious shot from the edge of the box. Rangers forward Yakubu Akem’s volley from outside the box missed the target narrowly as Rangers appear wake up from their slumber.

On 79 minutes, Chimaobi Chukwu’s shot from inside the box was saved by Heartland shot stopper Daniel Akpeyi, while the rebound by Ivorian striker Konan Borris came off the crossbar.

Two minutes later, Chinedu Efugh

headed off the goal line as Rangers Chinedu Sunday’s bicycle kick inside the 18-yard box was heading into the net.

Akpeyi then saved a free kick by substitute Onovo in the dying minutes of this derby.

named to join their 11 foreign-based counterparts who were given the nod to the camp on Thursday.

And the players are aware.

Consequently, they have resolved to impress and earn their places in the Kigali-bound squad thus leaving the technical crew with little option than to grow gray hairs over who should be

dropped especially since almost everyone has been mentally and physically 100 percent.

According to the Media Officer of the team, Ben Alaiya, the camp has witnessed an obvious healthy rivalry following players intensified efforts to secure the available nine slots meant for the domestic league players.

These are obviously tight times for the Super Eagles coaching crew headed by Big Boss Stephen Keshi, as he steadies to name his final team for the game against Rwanda in Kigali , next week Wednesday.

“At the moment, there is palpable tension and suspense among the 19 homebased professionals in camp over who will make the cut of 9 for the Kigali battle.

Keshi had last weekend named the 11 foreign based professionals for the encounter, and going by his antecedent, he’s now expected to name an additional 9 players this week for the 20-man squad that will hit Rwanda for the Nations Cup qualifier,” he said.

Meanwhile, only Sunday Mba of Enyimba was missing in action yesterday having been excused by the coaching crew to return to his club.

Mba scored the brace for the Eagles who defeated the Lone Stars of Liberia 2-0 last week in a friendly game.

Also, immediate past gaffer of the team, Samson Siasia watched the team’s two hours training session on Saturday and expressed delight with what he saw.

Siasia, had apparently came for his weekend playing relaxation game with the All Stars team that usually plays at the FIFA Goal Project site at weekends. It was a convivial atmosphere between the former coach, players and officials of the national team, as they exchanged banters after training and Siasia wished the team well.

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Sunday Feb 19 Pillars 1 Lobi 0 Rangers 1 Heartland 1 Gombe 1 Sunshine 0 Enyimba 2 Wolves 0 Kwara 2 Akwa Utd 1 Kaduna Utd 1 Tornadoes 0 Dolphin vs Jigawa (postponed)

Keshi going gray over Kigali 9 selection

By Patrick Andrew

H

ead Coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, is literarily going gray over selection headaches as the crop of domestic league players shaping up for the 2013 Nations Cup qualifier against the Wasps of Rwanda intensify fight for shirt in the team.

Keshi and members of the technical crew were seen yesterday pondering over the names of the players even as all the 19 players in camp continued to impress with delectable display.

Peoples Daily Sports learnt that only nine (9) domestic league players will be

Golden Eaglets resume camp in Abuja igeria’s preparation for the CAF U17 Championship resumes in earnest today as the Golden Eaglets return to camp in Abuja, the Federal Capital today.

Head coach Manu Garba, who will work with assistants Emmanuel Amuneke and Nduka Ugbade and goalkeeper trainer Emeka Amadi, has already submitted a list of 50 players whom he believes would be screened in the first phase of the exercise.

Although the fixtures for next year’s championship are yet to be released by CAF, the acting NFF general secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, confirmed that the football federation was determined to give needed support to the technical crew to ensure that a team that would meet

NPL Week 10 results

the aspiration of Nigerians is built.

“As it is, the technical crew is starting from scratch. They will have to screen a lot of players and come up with those they feel are good enough to battle for shirts to represent Nigeria.

“As a Federation, we are determined that the new Under-17 men’s team must do Nigeria proud. This is a project that must be approached with all seriousness, as there would be zero tolerance for age cheating.

“This is a tournament in which Nigeria has lifted the World Cup three times previously, and also finished as runnerup three times. But we failed to even qualify for the last African Championship and that means we must make extra efforts this time,” said Amadu.

Stephen Keshi

Oboabona Godfrey

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

Gombe Utd will bounce back, says Kwaranga G ombe United captain, Alhaji Kwaranga, is confident that the team will recover after the shock defeat to Kwara United, in front of their fans.

Wednesday’s home defeat,

the first by the club this term came after consecutive defeats at Dolphins and Enyimba respectively. For the first time, the club lost their position at the top of the log.

“We have put that behind us

and ready to face Sunshine Stars. Football is a funny game. You win some and lose some. It wasn’t our day so Kwara United got the desired result, but we will come out stronger against Sunshine

Stars,” Kwaranga said.

Gombe United dropped to fourth position on the log after losing at home to the visitors.

The player believes that in spite of the loss, the team still parade the best attack in the

league with 13 goals from eight matches. Interestingly, Gombe United’s duo of Mustapha Babadidi and Sanusi Sani remain the league’s best scorers with six goals each.

Stallion’s coach, Duarte, second Nations Cup casualty

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aulo Duarte will not have his contract renewed as Burkina Faso coach when it expires at the end of next month, making him the second coaching casualty of the recent African Nations Cup. The Portuguese coach, whose side lost all three matches at the tournament co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, follows Amara Traore of Senegal on the list of coaches to

pay a price for failure at the Nations Cup. Burkina Faso Football federation president Zembende Theodore Sawadogo told a weekend radio interview he could see no reason to continue with the 42-year-old, who had been Burkina Faso coach for almost four years and also took the side to the 2010 Nations Cup finals in Angola.

Duarte proved a controversial

figure during his tenure, accused of persuading African players he knew from his time coaching in Portugal to accept offers of Burkina Faso nationality to strengthen his side.

A case against the Cameroon defender Herve Zengue, who played for Burkina Faso in the qualifiers, almost cost the country their place at the Nations Cup. Duarte also incurred

Paulo Duarte

Egypt cancel games over insecurity

Ehiosun hits double for Samsunspor

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ormer Warri Wolves sensational player, Ekigho Ehiosun, fired in a brace for Turkish club, Samsunspor, which claimed an away victory in the Super Liga.

Ehiosun’s goals, which arrived on 19 and 26 minutes proved to be sufficient for the away side as they claimed maximum points emphatically at 19 Mayis.

Ehiosun’s first goal was pure class as he collected a long pass from a teammate outside the penalty area.

Ehiosun, who was not considered by coach Stephen Keshi for the Super Eagles’ nations Cup clash against the Wasps of Rwanda, shimmied past an Ankaragucu defender before blasting an unstoppable left-footed shot into the top right hand corner.

His second goal which arrived on 26 minutes was a typical predator’s finish as he curled home from just inside the penalty area after receiving a square pass from a teammate.

Ehiosun has been in great form for Samsunspor this season featured prominently in coach Samson Siasia’s plans during his tenure as the gaffer of the Eagles. He was capped three times by Nigeria at and scored once.

widespread derision last June when he tried to persuade 35yaer-old Brazil-born goalkeeper Nilson of Vitoria Guimaraes in Portugal to play for Burkina Faso. It was an idea that was eventually dropped.

Burkina Faso will have to have a replacement in place before June when they begin World Cup qualifying with matches against Congo and Gabon.

Sunday Mba

Mba, Idris focus on Rwanda T

wo goals hero in the friendly against Liberia last Wednesday, Sunday Mba and ever-improving central defence ace, Papa Idris, have said they hope to continue with the new winning spirit of the national team when the team takes on Rwanda in Kigali February 29.

Mba, who plays for Warri Wolves, said he will never allow the two goals he scored in Monrovia, to get into his head as he was sure that the future holds a bigger pie for him in the game.

He praised the coaching crew for the new spirit in the national team, and called on Nigerians to always offer fervent prayers for the team and its officials.

On his part, Idris who features for Kano Pillars, said he will strive to make the team to Rwanda and like he did in

Monrovia, show the stuff that the Nigerian national team is made of.

“We have the players and the coaches have been wonderful in the manner they have been training us for the matches all we need no is for the general public to offer their words of prayers and encouragement and we will get to the Promised Land”.

Idris and his central defence pair Azubuike Egwueke, have been receiving plaudits from Liberians and Nigerians who watched last Wednesday’s game for the excellent manner they curtailed the opponent’s forays into the Nigerian vital area.

Training resumed Saturday morning for the encounter in Kigali, with 19 players expected present at the FIFA Goal Project site where the team has been shaping up.

T

he Egypt Football Association (EFA) has cancelled all friendly matches previously arranged for the Pharaohs because of growing security concerns.

Security has become a concern in Egypt following renewed campaign by protesters who had ensured the ouster of former President Hosni Mubarak a year ago and are agitating for further changes in the fledgling administration.

The Pharaohs, who as defending champions of the Nations Cup, could not qualify to feature the just concluded Gabon/ Equatorial Guinea jointly hosted 2012 Nations Cup, were billed to play the Cranes of Uganda this weekend.

Bobby Williamson’s side were due to face the seven-time African champions in a friendly on February 25 at Gouna Stadium as they prepare for the South Africa 2013 Nations Cup first round qualifier away to Congo Brazzaville four days later.

But that EFA has now cancelled all scheduled friendlies, Uganda may have to confront Congo without any friendly game.

Uganda’s earlier scheduled friendly with South Sudan was postponed to the first week of March.

“After the association received a letter from the Minister of Interior demanding the cancellation of all the national team’s friendly games that were scheduled to be played during their current training camp in Petro Sport Stadium, the EFA apologised to all the teams (for canceling),” reads a statement on the EFA official website.

The suspension, which also affects all competitions in the country, follows Port Said Stadium disaster that left more than 74 dead and a thousand injured at the end of Ahly and Masry game on February 1.

Egypt were supposed to play three friendly matches with Uganda, Niger and Kenya. CAF had already agreed to postpone their game with the Central African Republic.

Atere backs Alebiosu to shine

K

Ekigho Ehiosun

wara United captain, Segun Atere, has tipped the club’s rookie, Segun Alebiosu, to excel in the Nigeria Premier League.

Alebiosu, who is in his first season in the NPL turned out to be the club’s hero at Gombe United, where the Ilorin side

secured a famous 2-0 road trip victory. A brace in the second half from the youngster shattered the impressive home record of the Gombe United.

“Alebiosu is a hardworking youngster who was discovered last season in Ilorin, but was sent to the club’s junior team to get

more playing time.

“The coach decided to give him a first team opportunity this season and he has justified it. I have told him that he has a lot to learn and must continue his development with all seriousness. He shouldn’t let the performance get into his head.

Alebiosu has all it takes to be a great player,” Atere told SuperSport.com. Alebiosu has increased his tally to three this term. The contribution of the player has been recognised by Nigeria’s Under17 gaffer, Manu Garba, who has offered him a chance to make the team.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

PAGE 43

Etuhu gives reasons for shunning Siasia’s Eagles call up H

ow do you feel the first time you were handed a call by Eagles coach?

It was a memorable day, it was a dream come true and I felt honoured when it came, it has been my dream to play for Nigeria all along, even when I was at Norwich City, we talked about it and I always tell my teammates then that I am sure I will play for my country one day and the day I was called, I was on top of the world and happy that I was about actualising one of my dreams as a player.

You were called by the immediate past Eagles coach Samson Siasia after a long absence for a friendly against Ghana in London and you turned it down. Why? It is something I don’t want to keep talking about because it is in the past but since you ask I will. I was not treated well by the coach, you are in charge of a team for a year and you did not get in touch with one of the players you feel is still relevant. I respect everybody and deserve respect too.

I was not interested to play under him because I was not treated well, the fact remains that I love Nigeria and wanted to represent it when called upon, but I rejected the call to play against Ghana because I was seen as a second fiddle, he called me because some players were not available. I am not going to rubbish myself like that. That was it.

Eagles midfielder Dickson Paul Etuhu has backed coach Stephen Keshi to succeed in the quest to rebuild the Super Eagles. The Fulham player, lambasted former Eagles gaffer Samson Siasia for treating him as if he were a second fiddle player.

In this interview, Etuhu, who is one of only 11 Europe-based stars called up for a 2013 Nations Cup qualifier in Rwanda, has also said he will fight for his firstteam place at his London club.

You are back in Eagles under new coach Keshi.

What do you have to say with current team?

The first day I met him, I knew why he was the captain of the team for 14 years. He is a man who knows what he is doing and will look you straight in your eyes to tell you what he wants from you and otherwise. If you do it well, he applauds you and if

you did not, he shouts at you till you adjust. He is just like the big coaches I have worked with in England. I see him succeeding.

How was the team spirit after being away for more than a year?

It was marvellous. We are together like a family, as a matter of fact since I have been coming to camp, that is the first time I have seen a very high spirit in camp. The training is like matches where everybody puts in his best. We always encourage ourselves and that will go a long way in the team.

Do you see Keshi leading the team to the top?

Yes. He can make us great again. His programmes at training have shown that we should all cooperate with him and give him a chance to build a solid team.

No big team in the world springs up in a day, it is a continuous process, the likes of Spain, Brazil, Barcelona, Manchester United etc. We need to have a level of continuity in the team as it helps a team to be strong and have a direction.

In the winter, there are a lot of speculations that you were leaving Fulham. What happened?

At a time, I was playing regularly and that is the joy of every player, but when I was not, I became sad.

I wanted to keep playing, so I was frustrated when the coach felt otherwise, but I am back in the team now and hope I will keep playing regularly for the team because that will help me.

Are you still considering moving out of Craven Cottage?

I am concentrating on my career here. I want to retain my spot in the starting team. So, I am not thinking of a transfer now, but in football, you can’t say. Our business is moving.

What could you describe as your best career moment?

That was playing at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. It was the highest level any player could play at, so being there was a great thing to me. It was a dream come true. That is my greatest moment as a footballer.

NOC, NSC on cordial Nasarawa United terms, says Ndanusa share points

T

he President of Nigeria Olympic Committee, (NOC) Sani Ndanusa, has dismissed the rumoured rift between the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the committee over the setting up of Olympics Advisory Committee.

According to the former Minister of Sports, the NOC was prepared to ensure that Nigeria perform creditably well at the 2012 Olympics and therefore has been working to facilitate a good working relationship with the NSC in order to achieve this purpose.

“The NOC does not have any problem with the NSC with the setting up of the Olympic advisory committee.

It will not clash with our responsibilities at the NOC. The setting up of the advisory committee by the NSC is to deal with the preparation and participation of Nigeria at the level of the ministry, which has nothing to do with our own functions in NOC. We are working together on the Olympic target,” Ndanusa said.

He also said that the NOC is determined to prepare an atmosphere conducive for the Nigerian athletes at the 2012 London Olympics in order to perform well among the world best at the games. “We hope that Nigerian athletes will do better at the Olympics. We at the NOC are determined to give the athletes everything that will make them do well at the Olympics,” he said.

T

he Kafanchan based Nasarawa United picked away point at the weekend in 1-1 draw with Giwa FC of Jos in week 3 of the Nigeria National League (NNL).

While applauding the result, Chairman of the club, Barrister Danladi Isaac, said the club was working in tanderm with the aims and objectives of the club, which has been to participate in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) with the aim of securing the continental next season.

“The players did not play to the club expectations due to some logistics of training, but we thank God will pink away point in Jos that really shows our determination and desire to take the club to where it rightly belongs.

“We will do everything to ensure we maintained the rules of the game by providing adequate security in match venue, pay players and official’s allowances and match bonuses promptly in order to realize our set target,” Danladi assured.

The former NPL appeal committee member commended the state government for its support to the club and assured that the team would return to the Lafia Township Stadium as soon as the ongoing renovation was completed.

Lawal faults Aiyegbeni’s Eagles recall

By Albert Akota

T

Dickson Etuhu

he Former N i g e r i a n international, Dimeji Lawal, has faulted Super Eagles’ coach, Stephen Keshi, for recalling Yakubu Aiyegbeni to the national team.

Lawal saw no justification for Keshi’s recalling of the Blackburn Rovers striker ahead of the first leg of the 2013 Africa Nations Cup qualifier

against the Amavubi of Rwanda on February 29.

“I don’t think it is necessary for Keshi to bring back Yakubu to the Eagles. Just because the player is scoring for his club in England does not give Keshi enough ground to recall the player to the team,” said Lawal.

The former youth international said such invitation negates the coach’s intention to build a new national team for the country around

younger players stressing the country needs to away with the service of the likes of Yakubu to make room for younger vibrant players who would still active and full of vigour in 2014.

“What I expect the coach to be doing at the moment is to start building a new team for the country. He has been featuring homebased players in his team and he can form a new team from them,” Lawal said.

Yakubu Aiyegbeni

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

Azarenka overcomes injury, to win in Qatar, as Federer dusts Del Potro

T

op-ranked Victoria Azarenka of Belarus shook off a lingering ankle injury to win the Qatar Open yesterday, routing Sam Stosur of Australia 6-1, 6-2.

In the same vein, Roger Federer outclassed Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro 6-1 6-4 in the final of the World Indoor Tournament to win his first title of the year.

Azarenka, the Australian Open champion, showed no ill effects after twisting her right ankle in the semifinal against Agnieszka Radwanska on Saturday.

She broke the third-seeded Stosur twice to lead 4-1 in the first set, making a brief appearance at the net to clinch it with a backhand volley.

It was much the same in the second set. She won the first three games on the way to her 17th straight win and first title since becoming No. 1 after her victory in Melbourne.

The top seeded Swiss, who also beat Del Potro in the quarter-final of the Australian Open last month, dominated

every rally and wrapped up the first five games before the Argentine third seed had anything to his credit.

Federer impressed on his first break point when his volley was returned by Del Potro with a lob before the former world number one clinched the game with a smash.

“The first set I really was rock solid, while in the second it was more tight and he had his chances,” Federer told reporters.

In the second set, a break in the sixth game proved sufficient for Federer to put his name on the winners’ board for the second time following 2005.

With his outstanding performance in the final the 30-year old Federer made clear that speculation about retirement is inappropriate.

Federer said that even during a meeting with former Dutch national soccer coach Marco van Basten it was discussed and that Van Basten told him to continue as long as he can.

V

Klitschko fails to punish Chisora, but German Police may

itali Klitschko retained his WBC heavyweight title when he beat Dereck Chisora on points in Munich on Saturday night.

Klitschko won by 118-110 on two cards and 119-111 on the third but failed to keep to his promise of knocking the Briton down, who had assaulted him prior to the duel.

Chisora, who had brought the sport in disrepute with his pre-fight behaviour, forced the Ukrainian to go the full 12 rounds, earning grudging respect for his fighting spirit from the crowd in the packed Olympiahalle.

Having slapped Klitschko during the weigh-in and after spitting water in into the champion’s brother Wladimir’s face during the introductions, Zimbabwe-born Chisora forced the pace throughout, walking through his much taller opponent’s punches.

However, what the Ukrainian could not do in the ring the German Police might get it done following the arrest of the Briton at the airport yesterday.

The Munich police detained British heavyweight boxer Chisora following his brawl with former WBA champion David Haye at a post-fight press conference on Saturday night.

Chisora and his coach Don Charles were detained at Munich airport on Sunday and later taken in for questioning to Munich police headquarters, police spokesman Gottfried Schlicht told The Associated Press.

“Then we will decide whether to proceed further (with charges),” Schlicht said the police were still looking for Haye, who wasn’t at his hotel.

He did not land nearly enough of his own punches to make a real fight of it, but the 28-year-old Chisora proved his point that Klitschko was a

boring fighter.

He took probably more than two dozen of Klitschko’s best rights, and a similar number of left hooks without once looking in danger of being knocked out.

Klitschko, still a largely onedimentional plodder, failed to find the accuracy he needed to tag the short challenger and his timing was far from good. He also lacked the variety to make Chisora pay for his yobbish

The Swiss said: “I think it has to do with when you turn 30 people think you might retire

instead of considering that you are on two-thirds of your career.”

He added: “Andre Agassi was 36 when he retired so I will be a few more years on the tour.

Victoria Azarenka

behaviour before the fight.

The champion improved his record to 44 wins in 46 fights, but still stands at 40 knockouts. The challenger, giving away 15 cm in height, dropped to 15 wins and three defeats, with nine knock-outs.

Chisora, having earned himself the reputation of one of the two bad boys of the heavyweight division - his foulmouthed compatriot David Haye is the other - may have

Brawl between Dereck Chisora David Haye

been right when he said it was time for the 40-year-old Klitschko to retire.

The animosity between Chisora and the Klitschko camp continued in the ring after the fight, with Vitali’s brother Wladimir also involved in the scuffles and verbal clashes.

The promoters will now probably consider arranging for Chisora to fight Wladimir, who holds the other heavyweight titles.

While Vitali moves towards retirement and a career in politics in Ukrain, it may be left to Wladimir to teach the illmannered Chisora a few lessons. If they do meet, another huge crowd will turn up.

The tough British fighter surprised many critics by staying on his feet throughout the bout, although he was bleeding from the mouth for the last four rounds or so. He may have earned himself, and the promoters, another big pay day.

Chisora and fellow Londoner Haye came to blows after Chisora’s defeat by unanimous decision to Vitali Klitschko in their WBC title fight.

Chisora taunted Haye about losing the WBA belt to Klitschko’s younger brother Wladimir last July, leading to a heated exchange before Chisora knocked a bottle out of Haye’s hand and they came to blows.

Haye also fought with members of Chisora’s entourage, and his coach, Adam Booth, was left bleeding from a cut on his head.

Camera equipment went flying and reporters fled before security eventually managed to separate the men and police arrived at the scene.

The police were considering possible charges of causing bodily harm and attempting bodily harm.

Chisora was heard vowing to shoot Haye.

“I swear to God, David, I am going to shoot you. I am going to shoot you. I am going to physically shoot David Haye,” Chisora was heard yelling as he claimed that Haye hit him with a glass.

Chisora’s promoter Frank Warren called the brawl “ugly, horrible and disgraceful” but said it was not his boxer who threw the first punch.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

PAGE 45

i

iii i: World number three Roger Federer sweeps aside Juan Martin Del Potro in an hour and a half to win the World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam. ii: Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Northern Trust Open. iii: Premiership leaders Harlequins hold off a spirited challenge by Worcester to win a highly entertaining clash 16-14 at the Stoop. iv:Dereck Chisora is arrested by German police after a brawl with fellow British boxer David Haye in Munich. v: Goals from Jonathan

vi

ii

Pictorial

v

vii

iv Walters and Peter Crouch ensured Stoke City avoided a FA Cup upset with a 2-0 win against Crawley Town, despite being reduced to ten-men early. vi: Sir Chris Hoy is the only British man to reach the individual sprint semis after battling past Frenchman Gregory Bauge in London. vii: England pace bowler Steven Finn says being dropped from the Test team helped him improve his game.

QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE You ar e toda yw her ey our are today wher here your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomor her e tomorrrow w wher here your thoughts tak ey ou take you — James Lane Allen

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012

SPORTS LA TEST LATEST

Ali's gloves sold for over N159m

A

casino owner has paid more than $1 million (N159m) for gloves Muhammad Ali once used to defend his world heavyweight title.

It happened in Las Vegas on Saturday night during a gala dinner to celebrate Ali’s life and to raise money for brain research.

Samuel L Jackson dedicated a rendition of Stand By Me to the former heavyweight champion. And president Barack Obama told Ali in a birthday tribute that he had inspired the world.

By the end of the night, all Ali had to do to capture the hearts of 2 000 revellers in Las Vegas was go onstage and smile.

Ali sat next to Stevie Wonder, who played keyboards and sang Happy Birthday.

Sean "Diddy" Combs, Kelly Rowland, LL Cool J, Quincy Jones, Sugar Ray Leonard and promoter Bob Arum sang along.

Combs pinched Ali's cheeks and whispered in his ear, then closed out the nearly five-hour gala by professing his deep admiration for the fighter.

Ali's eyes widened. He pointed at Combs, then back at his own head, twirling his index finger as if to tell Combs he's crazy.

"The greatest of all time," Combs said after leading the crowd in shouting “Happy birthday, Ali." The moment closed the celebration of Ali's life and the fundraiser to generate millions of dollars for brain research, a mission Ali's family says is important to him in part because of his nearly 30-year battle with Parkinson's disease.

President Barack Obama sent a video message wishing him, "Happy birthday, champ."

Muhammad Ali FA Cup 4th round results Liverpool 6 Brighton 1 Stevenage 0 Tottenham 0 Stoke City 2 Crawley Town 0

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Leaders of the fringes A

group which gave itself the title ‘Eminent National Leaders of Thought’ met a few days ago under the umbrella of a forum ‘National Summit Group’ with suspicious official support at the expensive Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Lagos. They met to review the condition of the Nigerian State, and examine what options exist for dealing with its many problems. The selfacclaimed leaders, the vast majority of whom were all elderly men, who have never tested their popularity or acceptability with the Nigerian people through the democratic process, or any other means that will entitle them to speak for the Nigerian people, know each other very well, and have spoken the same language to each other for many years.

They used to congregate every time the nation went through some political turbulence; they consulted each other and delivered the same verdict: the nation is on the brink, and Nigerians should yield their sovereignty to them to convoke a conference of tribes and cultural groups to decide whether it should continue to exist as one entity or break up into hundreds of tribal homelands. Few of them who see themselves as moderates say the nation could survive as one entity, but each tribe must say how it wants to relate with other tribes, as a basis for the survival of the Nigerian nation. The difference this time was the suspicion of the Federal Government in the organization and participation.

This meeting was no different from similar meetings before it in its conclusions. The moderator of the event, Professor Pat Utomi, said Nigeria was on the brink of a collapse. The former Governor of Kaduna state, Alhaji Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa, said in almost every respect, Nigeria is on the verge of being a failed state. A former Presidential candidate and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae, said there are no solutions to the many problems the nation face unless a Sovereign National Conference is convened, and Nigeria is structured. Most of the other participants and speakers who included eminent legal practitioners, distinguished and accomplished tribalists, religious leaders, professionals, politicians who have no place in the current political dispensation (not for lack of trying) and many others with a long record of stay in the political fringes, concluded that our 250 tribes must be allowed

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Chief Edwin Clark to sit down together and discuss the terms of the Nigerian union.

Just in the event that the tribes do not know what the solutions to our problems are, and what positions they should all adopt, the Summit put forward its unchanging magic solution. It says all Nigerian ethnic groups must meet and agree to restructure the Nigerian federal system in such a manner that it becomes essentially a federation of tribes. This is the only way Nigerians can redress the historic injustice which British colonial rule visited on all Nigerians when it forced us to subsume our basic tribal identities under a Nigerian citizenship and an artificial nationhood. If all tribes revisit this historic injustice and choose to have a loose federal system where

tribes organize their politics and economy substantially along lines of their choice, or even if they choose to opt out the Nigerian state, that decision should be binding and final. In order to do this, the current Constitution which claims to derive its legitimacy from the sovereignty of the Nigerian people, and which establishes a government and other institutions that exercise this sovereignty in delegated form, should be repudiated and jettisoned.

They say our Constitution is an illegitimate document because it is not the product of tribal conferences and consensus. A new Constitution should be written and endorsed by all the federating units (tribes), and only a system of government produced by a national conference made up to leaders of all tribes, and which should be legally superior to the constitution, and find, should be accepted by Nigerians as legitimate. This government, and all other governments, institutions and structures which derived their powers from the current and past constitutions were and are illegitimate, and are very source of Nigerians’ problems, according to these leaders. A new Nigeria may emerge, with different fiscal arrangements, different federating arrangements, and

“

A group such as these self-styled leaders could have drawn the attention of President Goodluck Jonathan to the fact that his failure to govern well, and his inability to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency effectively is threatening the lives of Nigerians and making life unbearable. They could have reminded him that the Committee on Review of the Constitution under Justice Alfa Belgore whose mandate is basically to tidy up past reports, will not achieve anything of value in terms of addressing the real weaknesses of our constitutional arrangements

new institutions or structures which may give all citizens and federating units the sense that they live in a fairer and just nation.

Presumably, a new nation with all Yoruba living together as an autonomous nation or largelyautonomous sub-nation may emerge. Igbos may similarly have one of their own, and possibly Hausa, Kanui, Tiv and Ibibio.

Other Nigerian ethnic groups will be organized into over 200 tribal organizations reflecting their relative sizes and cultural autonomy. They could choose to federate with each other, or go their own ways. No one will have the legal or any other right to insist that Ijaw and Itsekiri, Bajju and Atyap, Fulani and Kilba should live under the same federating unit, or even in one nation. Then all our problems of corrupt and inept leadership, insecurity, unacceptable levels of poverty and massive alienation from a democratic process which merely allows the wealthy to grab power by all means necessary, will disappear.

The Summit of our self-styled leaders on the fringes is a sad reminder that Nigeria desperately needs genuine leaders who will think through and lead it into finding solutions to its real problems. Virtually everyone who participated at that Summit where discredited and worn-out ideas were re-hashed and given the semblance of real solutions knows that there is nothing new that it offered. This may, in part, explain why President Jonathan said he will forward its conclusions to the Alfa Belgore Committee to look at.

The idea of a National Conference of tribal organizations is as old as the Nigerian federal system in its post-colonial stage. Every time pseudo-intellectuals on the margins of relevance find something wrong, they demand a Sovereign National Conference, which is explicitly a demand that delegitimizes existing authority in all its forms. The talks in Aburi, Ghana in 1967 represent the nearest that this nation came to a sovereign discussion on Nigeria’s structure and future; and even those talks were all about arresting a declared rebellion, but they fell flat when the rebels insisted that the talks gave them autonomy. The administrations of Babangida and Abacha came under intense pressure to open up questions about the legality and acceptability of a united, federal Nigeria by some of the very people Contd. on Page 13

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