Peoples Daily Online

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

Vol. 9 No. 72

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

. . . putting the people first

Al-Muharram 6, 1434 AH

N150

Media chat

Jonathan, aides mislead Nigerians . . . Opposition parties allege

Richard Ihediwa, Lawrence Olaoye, Mohammed Umar-Puma & Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

T

he Presidency has come under fire as opposition parties yesterday

slammed President Goodluck Jonathan and his aides, insisting that they have been

peddling falsehood and misleading Nigerians on state matters.

The parties including the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party

(ANPP), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) as well as the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) accused Jonathan of lying during the Presidential Media Chat

Sunday.

Describing the Presidency as lacking in credibility, the parties said the President flip-flopped when he dismissed official Contd on Page 2

23 perish in Zamfara auto crash

2

3 persons have been killed while several others sustained various degrees of injuries in a ghastly motor accident along Gusau-Sokoto road in Zamfara state yesterday.

The accident involving a Toyota bus and a Volkswagen golf car occurred at Danfako village, in outskirt of Talatan Mafara at about 12:30 pm.

Eyewitnesses said the Toyota bus was coming from Sokoto, while the Volkswagen car was on

PD INDEX

19th Nov., 2012

CBN RATES $ £ EURO CFA RIYAL

BUYING 154.75 245.54 197.11 0.2885 41.26

SELLING 155.75 247.13 198.38 0.3085 41.53

PARALLEL RATES EURO £ RIYAL $

BUYING 207 255 42 157

SELLING 209 256 44 158

its way to Sokoto from Gusau.

State Sector Commandant of the Federal Road Safety Commission, (FRSC), Malam Ibrahim Sarki, confirmed that the accident occurred when the bus left its lane and had a headon collision with the oncoming Golf car thereby killing 17 people in the vehicles.

Six other people were confirmed dead when another bus skidded off the road and crashed into a nearby bush.

Sarki said that the victims were rushed to a hospital in Talatan Mafara Local Government Area of the state adding that their relations later evacuated them to Sokoto.

Zamfara state Governor, Alhaji Abdul Aziz Yari Abubakar, who was at the scene of the accident summoned the officials of FRSC to his office in Gusau apparently to fashion ways of forestalling such occurrences in the future Contd on Page 2

Why we can’t stop borrowing – DMO >> PAGE 3

R-L Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa'i, and Minister of State for Education, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, inspecting an exhibition stand, during the opening of National Education Innovations Exhibition, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Refrigerator repairer wants to manage Ibori $15m alleged bribe >> PAGE 3

Oyo traders protest over demolition, looting of property >> PAGE 6

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

CONTENTS News Editorial

2-11 12

Op.Ed

13

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-18

Business

19-22

S/Exchange

23

S/Report

24

Defence

27

Agriculture

29

PDP accuses ACN, CPC of plot to destabilize Jonathan’s government

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he Peoples Democratic a r t y (PDP) yesterday alleged that the opposition parties, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), have voted a huge sum of money to discredit President Goodluck Jonathan’s government.

Speaking while receiving the Zonal Publicity Secretaries from South-East, Odefa Ali Odefa, North-west, Saidu Garba Chiroma and Northeast, Alami Sani Mohammed who paid him a courtesy visit yesterday, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh, said the opposition has resolved to employ propaganda to discredit the PDP government.

“We have uncovered a P

game plan by CPC and ACN on a propaganda war against PDP, the President and its elected officials to deceive the public.

In the next few weeks, the nation will see a huge blackmail, lies and cheap propaganda which they have budgeted very huge amount of money to discredit PDP. We therefore direct millions of our supporters to be calm about these elements, which have nothing to show except cheap lies.

“We challenge the oppositions to come and debate on programmes, actions and governance of the PDP rather than cheap blackmail. We will prefer to lift Nigerian political situation to the next level through issues based debate,” Metuh challenged.

The PDP spokesperson also said that the PDP was satisfied with the activities of the zonal

publicity secretaries particularly on their focus on issues, advising them to carry along the state publicity secretaries to educate the people on the benefit of PDP leadership.

“We have been able to stabilize the economy in the midst of world global recession such as the case in Italy and Spain. We have not witness any bank that collapsed in Nigeria. We are happy with the President and his visions towards transforming Nigeria.

We have a President whose humility is unparallel, who has shown love to his people through his vision,” he said.

Earlier, Odefa, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues frowned at the criticisms of other political parties against the PDP and the President, but however said that the party is not afraid of the merger by the CPC and the ACN.

Odefa urged the CPC and the ACN to be more matured in their criticisms, as the strength and acceptability of opposition parties is not determined by the newspaper publication but by grassroots spread and acceptability by the people.

“We are not afraid of the merger and criticism because we hold the ball. It is the man who holds the ball that faces tackle.

The way ACN and CPC is criticizing the President is not healthy, they should be more matured in their criticisms. We are not bothered or afraid of the opposition parties because we have the largest followers. Let them merge million times, we are not bothered. During elections, we know how to do better by carrying people along. We challenge the CPC and ACN to a debate as to who is doing the right thing in the country,” Odefa said.

Jonathan, aides mislead Nigerians

Nigerians want autonomy for state Assemblies, LGsAkume, Page 37

Int’l

31-32

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 pronouncements made by his media aides especially his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Dr. Reuben Abati on sensitive state matters including the handling of the Boko Haram insurgency, award of energy transmission contracts and the condition of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan even when according to them, the aides usually clear from him before going public The ACN in a statement issued yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, observed that the President during the programme denied that his government has revoked the power contract awarded to Canadian firm, Manitoba, though Abati, had been widely quoted as saying that the President has cancelled the contract.

“Manitoba contract has not been revoked,” the President had said on Sunday even as he explained that his administration observed that the company “did not follow the law strictly,” when it got the contract.

This, the ACN said was in clear contradiction to the earlier statement credited to Abati that “Mr. President has cancelled the Manitoba power contract with immediate effect”.

The party also observed that while Abati has been widely quoted as saying, in August and earlier this month, that the government was engaged in ‘’backroom channel’’ talks with the Boko Haram sect, President Jonathan at the media chat categorically stated that that there was no dialogue with the sect because there has yet been

no face to it.

“There is no dialogue between the Boko Haram and government. Boko Haram is still operating under cover, they wear masks; there is no face.

They operate under cover. No dialogue that is going on anywhere,” Jonathan said as against Abati’s statement in which he said: “I can confirm to you that talks are ongoing at the background”.

The ACN also observed that whereas Abati and a media aide to the First Lady, Ayo Osinlu, , had continually told journalists the First Lady was not sick but travelled out of the country to take a “moment’s rest”, the President said the his wife was actually ill and was hospitalised.

The party said described the President and his team as having a credibility deficiency syndrome which it said raises questions over who indeed is in charge. ‘’Credibility is a key issue in governance, and lack of it renders a government impotent.

Perhaps this worsening credibility gap in the Jonathan administration is one of the reasons that it had so far failed to perform to expectation,’’ it said.

Continuing, the party said the “flip-flopping and deliberate disinformation or both did not just start on Sunday, and that it has been the hallmark of the Jonathan Presidency. For instance, while some spokespersons at the Presidency once described the report of the probe of the oil sector by the House of Representatives as merely of ‘advisory’ value to the Presidency, others said the Presidency has indeed started its implementation”.

‘’Also, shortly after Dr. Doyin Okupe rubbished the Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force Report as inconclusive and therefore not implementable; the President announced the setting up of a White Paper Committee on the report, indicating that Dr. Okupe, in his usual exuberant disposition, may have been speaking for no one but himself.

The party expressed worry over the development which it said has been patented by the Jonathan Presidency, saying it has far-reaching implications on the nation.

Also reacting to the development, the ANPP through its National Publicity Secretary, Emma Eneukwu, told Peoples Daily Yesterday that the Presidency was insincere and used the media chat to obfuscate the minds of Nigeria.

“There is no act of sincerity with the President’s double stand on almost every issue raised throughout the media chat. The President has failed to tell us the progress, ideas and plans as the head of the Federal Republic with the utmost frankness and simplicity, instead, he only succeeded in obfuscating the minds of Nigerians.

“We in the ANPP believe that President Goodluck Jonathan needs more than a media chat to communicate to the disillusioned masses his government’s vaunted vision, progress and plans. Action speaks louder than word”, Eneukwu.

Also reacting to the matter, the CNPP through its Chairman, Alhaji Balarabe Musa said the President was confused and always contradicts himself on national issues.

“To us the President is confused, and he doesn’t even know the truth about Nigeria.

He always contradicts himself in any national issues. For example, how can he (President) tell us that Boko Haram is faceless, when your government is spending one quarter of our budget on security in order to fight Boko Haram? To me, the President is simply confused or has run out of ideas”.

On its own part, the CPC accused the Presidency of falsehood adding that Nigerians have been following the trend in the Presidency.

Last night, the President simply came to look good before Nigerians. Unfortunately, he did not cover up the tracks very well. Mendacity can only carry you as far as the people want you to go. Nigerians know that what the President said are opposed to what his aides have said (on his behalf) in recent times”, CPC National Publicity Secretary, Rotimi Fashaki said.

23 perish in Zamfara auto crash Contd from Page 1 especially as road users are now scared of the road following frequent auto crashes mostly attributed to reckless driving.

A resident who witnessed the accident said the bus driver was on high speed such that he lost control of the vehicle and rammed into the smaller car.

The bus was said to be carrying twelve persons while the car had seven passengers.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

PAGE 3

Saraki: Buhari, IBB, Abdulsalami urge siblings to sustain legacy From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

F

ormer military heads of state, General Muhammadu Buhari, General Ibrahim Babangida, General Abubakar Abulsalami, and former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Malam Nuhu Ribadu were among eminent Nigerians who paid a condolence visits to siblings of late Dr. Olusola Saraki, the Waziri of Ilorin who died last week Wednesday.

General Buhari, who arrived first along with former Speaker, Alhaji Aminu Masari, noted that he met the late political strongman of the state before the

2011 general elections where they discussed political issues.

“I hope the people he left behind will continue where he stopped”.

General Babangida (rtd) who arrived after the departure of the CPC leader along with General Abdulsalami Abubakar also appealed to Saraki’s survivors not to allow the principles the late political icon was known with die along with him.

Also, Malam Ribadu noted that the late Senate Leader was not only father to his children but to many Nigerians. He described Waziri of Ilorin as a big tree, which gave shade to other young ones to grow, stressing that with his departure, there was still hope for Nigeria.

N7.2 billion theft: EFCC produces witness alleging threat to life From Adesoji Oyinlola, Lagos

T

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday, finally produced one of its witnesses, Mr. Bolaji Ogunsola, who had earlier alleged threat to life which led to series of adjournments before the court to be cross examined by the defence in the on-going trial of the former Managing Director of Bank PHB (now Keystone Bank).

Ogunsola, who was the Deputy General Manager of Mortgages PHB, while being cross examined

by Atuche’s counsel, Anthony Idigbe, told the court that he never said that the former Managing Director, Atuche, gave money to

his church in the village.

Atuche, his wife Elizabeth and the former chief financial officer in the bank, Ugo Anyanwu are standing trial over allegations of stealing N27.5 billion belonging to the bank by the EFCC. Ogunsola, who was being cross examined before Justice Lateefa Okunnu of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, added that the Atuche never issued a cheque for money to be paid to his church or his lawyer’s firm.

Justice Okunnu adjourned the matter till December 4, 2012 to take the application by the defence to recall a prosecution witness, Mrs. Elizabeth Ebi and for further hearing

Banker wife murder: Court orders suspect to open defence From Adesoji Oyinlola, Lagos

T

he Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), yesterday, concluded the prosecution of its case against Akolade Arowolo, standing trial for allegedly stabbing his wife, Titilayo to death.

Mrs. Olabisi Ogungbesan, Director of Public Prosecutions disclosed this at the resumed trial of Arowolo before a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, presided over by Justice Lateefat Okunnu.

He was charged for allegedly stabbing his wife to death on June, 24, 2011, at their residence located at 8, Akindeinde Street, Isolo, Lagos.

At the resumed hearing of the murder case yesterday, Ogungbesan called the prosecution’s final witness, Mr. Kingsley Ehebha, a staff of MTN Communications Limited to testify.

Ehebha, a fraud analyst of

the company was subpoenaed to produce the call records of the defendant between June 1 and July 26, 2011.

Arowolo’s counsel, Mr. Olarenwaju Ajanaku had objected to the admission of the call logs being admitted as exhibits claiming that they were illegible and did not comply with the evidence act.

However, the judge overruled the objection, noting that the documents were legible and original copies as generated from the computers of MTN. In his testimony, the witness said the owner of the number; 08034460245, had received five calls on the day Titilayo was murdered.

He said the last voice call was at 11:11 pm and the terminating area was Oshodi, Isolo in Lagos state.

Following his testimony, Ogungbesan said the prosecution has concluded its case and the court adjourned to November 29 for Arowolo to open his defence.

Engineer Zainab Mamman-Daura (right), who graduated on Friday with a Masters degree specialising in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from Sheffield Hallam University. With her is her supervisor, Dr. David Ridley (left), who said she was a star student and worked so hard under difficult circumstances. Zainab is from Katsina state and is married to Bello Inuwa Anka, who is a doctor working in Britain on the NHS. They have two children.

Why we can’t stop borrowing – DMO

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

T

he Director-General of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Abraham Nwankwo, has said that the country’s debt profile was necessary in order to meet its infrastructural deficit.

Nwankwo who said this yesterday after a meeting of the supervising board of the agency at the State House, disclosed that Nigeria needs an inflow of $10million (N1.6billion) annually for the next 10 years to fix its infrastructural deficits.

According to him, the country’s

debt profile which is made up of N6.3trillion domestic debt and $6.29billion foreign debt are sustainable, adding that higher debt will boost the economy.

Yesterday’s meeting was presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo and had in attendance, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Attorney- General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Chief Economic Adviser in the office of the Vice President, and AccountantGeneral of the Federation, Niyi

Otunla.

Nwankwo said there was nothing wrong in borrowing and incurring debts as long as it is judiciously and prudently used to finance projects that would be beneficial to the people while measures are taken to reduce waste.

According to him, In terms of sustainability, the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio to debt is about 18% which is favorable for countries in the same group as Nigeria.

He further argued that going by the country’s current GDP figure, the country’s debt outlook looks better.

Refrigerator repairer seeks court order to manage Ibori $15m alleged bribe …Court to decide the application Nov. 23

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

A

Lagos based refrigerator repairer, Oyebode Olalekan Bayode has asked a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to appoint him as a manager of the disputed $15 million (about N2.6 billion) allegedly given as bribe by former governor of Delta state, Chief James Ibori to the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Malam Nuhu Ribadu.

The refrigerator repairer, who is an indigene of Lagos state had, through his counsel, based in the United Kingdom, John Olufemi Aina sought the order of the trial judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole to make him an intervener in the dispute and to appoint him as a sole agent to be in custody of the money for an undisclosed period of time.

He urged the court to make an order compelling the Central

Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to release the money to him for proper management following the dispute on the ownership of the money by the Federal Government and Delta state government.

Justice Kolawole reserved the date to deliver his ruling following vehement objections to the request by the counsel representing the Federal Government, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs and counsel to Delta state government, Chief Charles Ajuyah.

The applicant who was absent in court when the matter came up yesterday, wrote through his counsel directly to the judge through DHL courier firm that hearing of his application be adjourned on the excuse that his daughter was ill.

The mode of writing the letter directly to the judge instead of the court registrar as allowed by the law was faulted and the letter was rejected by the court.

Moving the objection against the request of the refrigerator repairer, the Attorney-General of Delta state, Chief Charles Ajuyah, informed the court that the applicant failed to show his interest or ownership of the money.

He recalled the order made by the court on July 24, 2012 asking anybody wishing to claim the ownership of the money to do so within 14 days before the order of forfeiture would be made.

The counsel argued that the court order made no provision for a manager of the money but for claimant of its ownership.

Also objecting to the request, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs who stood for the Federal Government described the applicant as a meddlesome interloper who has no interest whatsoever in the subject of the suit.

Justice Kolawole will however rule on November 23, 2012 on whether or not to allow the applicant come into the suit as an intervener and to appoint him as a manager of the money.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

PAGE 4

Taraba: Govt imposes curfew as fresh clashes erupt

T

he Chief Press Secretary to the Acting Governor of Taraba, Mr Kefas Sule said yesterday that a 24-hour curfew had been imposed on Ibi, the headquarters of Ibi LGA, following a fresh outbreak of hostilities in the area.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jalingo that the order was given by the acting Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar.

Ibi had been under a 12hour curfew since Sunday when the clash first erupted.

The chief press secretary said the curfew had become necessary following the eruption of fresh clashes in the area on Monday morning.

Sule, however, said that the acting governor had also held discussions with the Inspector General of Police on the developments in Ibi. He said the IGP had subsequently directed Malam Mohammed Yabo, the Assistant Inspector General in Yola, to relocate to Ibi to ensure that the situation was immediately brought under control.

FG terminates Lagos-Ibadan expressway contract with Bi-Courtney

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

T

he Federal Government has said that it has terminated the concession of the Lagos-Ibadan express way granted to BiCourtney Consortium on May 8, 2009.

A statement issued yesterday by the Minister of Works, Mike O. Onolememen, said that the concession was consequent on the serial breaches of the Concession agreement by Bi-Courtney Consortium, especially its failure to reach financial close as provided for in the agreement.

“Due to the senseless carnage on this important expressway which is part of Arterial Route A1, the federal government has also decided to embark on the emergency reconstruction of the expressway”, the statement said.

It added that the ministry has engaged the services of Julius Berger to handle section 1, from Lagos to Shagamu, while R.C.C. Nigeria Limited will handle section 2, from Shagamu to Ibadan respectively.

Flood committee visits Edo, donates materials to victims From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

T

he Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation, yesterday, paid a visit to the displaced persons camp in Edo state and donated relief materials worth millions of naira to the victims.

Co-Chairman of the Committee, Alhaji Aliko Dangote,

who led the team to Edo State said the state was the first in the list of affected states to be visited.

While sympathizing with the governor and people of the state over the flood disaster, Alhaji Dangote said: “this committee is made of heavyweights from the various professions. They are not here to make money out of this. We are

trying to see if we can raise one hundred billion naira. We had a fundraising at the villa in Abuja and we have actually raised twelve billion.”

“I want to assure you that the displaced Nigerians would not be left to suffer. We will come to their rescue. We will help not only in terms of flood but we will make sure that they would be

L-R: Kogi state First Lady, Hajiya Halima Wada, Niger state First Lady, Hajiya Jumai Babangida Aliyu, Secretary, Northern Governors' Wives Forum and Gombe state First Lady, Hajiya Adama Ibrahim Dankwanbo, Chairperson of the Forum, and Benue state First Lady, Architect DooshimaYemisi Suswan, and Nasarawa state First Lady, Hajiya Salamatu Almakura, during the meeting of Northern Governors' Wives, yesterday at Gombe State Government Lodge, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

better off than they were before” he noted.

In his response, Governor Adams Oshiomhole expressed gratitude to President Goodluck Jonathan “for putting up such a high-powered committee who have laboured to get to the level where they are and whose compassion to share part of their resources in a coordinated effort to mitigate the sufferings of those affected, and give them hope”.

“The challenge of the flood is enormous. In the short run, we want to make sure that our brothers and sister are not allowed to die of starvation having been displayed by the flood, their farmlands destroyed, livestock destroyed and family life destabilized”, he said.

He maintained that, “this is a positive indication that Nigerians have shown that we are one and the same. It is important in terms of the politics of national unity.”

The governor, who commended Dangote for the interest he has shown in the industrialization of the state and for devoting time to humanitarian efforts, stated that, “ the additional relief materials which I hear is quite a lot, will go a long way to make the camps more comfortable”.

The committee donated 1,500 bags of 5kg rice, 1,500 bags of 5kg gari; 1,500 cartons of noodles; 3,000 bags of 1kg bags of salt; 2,000 bags of water; 1,500 1 litre pack of palm oil; 7,500 1kg bag of sugar; 750 sanitary packs; 250 mattresses; 1,000 blankets; 700 clothing materials for men and 700 ankara materials.

World Toilet Day: FCT residents call for more public loos

A

cross section of residents in Abuja have called on the authorities of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to provide more toilet facilities in public places in the nation’s capital.

November 19 has been set aside as World Toilet Day to sentisise governments on the benefits of having toilets, especially in public places.

Some residents, who spoke in Abuja on Monday, observed that this would check some of the

environmental diseases afflicting the people.

The manager in charge of the government public toilet at Nyanya, FCT, Mr Sani Inuwa, said that there was need for government to build new public toilets as the old ones were in dilapidated states.

He expressed regrets that the present toilet which was built in 2006 was no longer in good form for peoples’ use.

Inuwa said that efforts made

to draw government’s attention to the renovation of the facilities in the toilet had proved abortive.

“I am appealing to the FCT authorities to come and renovate the toilet since the public finds it difficult to utilise the facility due to the poor condition of the place and“ created a bad image for the capital city ”.

In her comments, one Miss Teresa, a resident in the area, appealed to the authorities of FCT to come to peoples’ aid as they were

being disturbed by the foul odour from the toilet.

At the Government Secondary School, Tundun Wada, Zone 4, Dr (Mrs) Matida Nse, the school’s Principal represented by Mrs Amina Abdulahi , the VicePrincipal, commended the efforts of the authority of FCT for proving good toilet facilities in the school.

However, NAN reports that many Nigerians were not aware of the World Toilet Day set aside to celebrate it.(NAN)

appreciation of the volunteer corps members and their managements’ support in disaster management Alhaji Sidi who was represented by the Assistant Director of planning of the agency, Mrs. Fatimah Kasim said the NYSC has been of tremendous assistance, particularly the volunteer corps members who had been trained

by NEMA. He said the recent donation of drugs to the state NYSC orientation camp was the fifth

of its kind in recent times after similar donations were made to the Kano, Kaduna, Katsina and Abuja orientation camps.

“We in NEMA believe that disaster management should be everybody’s business and the recent flood situation in the country had shown exactly that, because of the extent to which the youth corps members are widely spread in the country, NEMA went into collaboration with the NYSC to use corps members”.

The DG said, “The corps members were trained on how

to use their expertise in their areas of community development this is the fifth camp we have been donating drugs to. We were in Kano camp, Kaduna camp Katsina camp recently, at the Kubwa camp”.

Receiving the drugs on behalf of the corps members, the state NYSC coordinator, Mrs. Justina Andrea expressed gratitude to the management of NEMA for the kind gestures to the corps members just as she prayed for a more robust relationship between two agencies.

Niger NEMA donates drugs to NYSC camp From Iliya Garba, Minna

N

iger State National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has donated drugs worth millions of Naira to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp in Paiko.

The Director General of the agency, Alhaji Sani Sidi who dropped the hint yesterday in Minna, Niger state capital said the donation was to meet the health needs of the 2012/2013 batch ‘C’ corps members and in

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

PAGE 5

CJN charges judges on good conduct T

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

he Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, yesterday, charged judges of the lower courts to avoid conducts that will bring dishonour to the judiciary as an institution.

“I urge that you reform yourself and allow yourself to be reformed by amending your conducts that bring dishonour to the judiciary”, the CJN stated while declaring open the 2012 Biennial Conference of all Nigeria Judges of the Lower Courts organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI), in Abuja.

She said judges of the lower courts play enormous and central roles in the administration of justice in the country, adding that: “Any unwholesome act by one of you, be it magistrate, area court judge, customary court judge or sharia court judge constitutes a blemish on the judiciary as an institution of government and a desecration to the temple of justice”.

Justice Mukhtar who is also the chairman, Board of Governors of the Institute, lamented the allegations of corruption and bribery, especially in exchange for grant of bail which have become rampant among judges of the lower courts.

“There have also been complaints regarding some of you on laziness in the discharge of

judicial duties, lateness in sitting and non-sitting at all and so on”; she stated and charged the judges to be of good conduct or be ready to face appropriate sanctions by the judicial service commissions of various jurisdictions.

In his speech, the Administrator of the Institute, Justice Umaru Eri, described the lower courts as the cornerstone of the structural integrity of the

Jonathan jets out to Pakistan

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan will later today depart Abuja for Islamabad, Pakistan to attend the summit of Heads of State and Government of the Group of Eight Developing Nations (D-8) which opens tomorrow.

President Jonathan will be accompanied on the trip by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun

Aganga and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

Besides participating in the summit of the D-8 which was established in 1997 to foster developmental cooperation amongst member-countries, President Jonathan will also hold bilateral meetings in Islamabad with the Presidents of Pakistan, Malaysia, Turkey, Iran and Egypt whose countries also belong to the D8.

Other D-8 nations are Nigeria, Bangladesh and Indonesia.

nation’s judiciary; pointing out that 75 to 80percent of the nation’s court cases are determined at the lower courts.

Eri said NJI will develop

modules that would build the professional skills and managerial capacities of lower court judges in order to create a viable judiciary in the country.

Shema warns on erection of illegal structures From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina atsina state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Shema, has warned that the erection of illegal structures in unauthorised lands across the state must stop for the present and future development of the state.

Shema who gave the warning, yesterday in Katsina while inaugurating the state’s Land Use and Allocation Committee, noted that those given land allocations in the state must develop them.

“Your committee must review all the existing process and regulations in land allocation in the state. You must control abuse in the allocation of land processes.

By the composition of the committee I’ve no doubt you would succeed

K

in this assignment”, he added.

The governor similarly warned that those given commercial land for businesses around the new government house must ensure speedy development of such lands, adding that such lands were not for land speculators.

He therefore urged the committee to show honesty, sincerity, transparency and commitment in their assignment while assuring them of the state government’s readiness to support their work.

Responding, the chairman of Katsina state Land Use and Allocation Committee, Alhaji Ahmad Hassan promised that with the trust bestowed on them by the government they would do their best to sanitise land use and allocation in the state.

Corps member donates building, computers to NDLEA

By Ibrahim Kabiru Sule & Ahmed Idris, from Kebbi National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Dr. Mfonobong Abraham has donated 10 flat screen computer systems worth N500, 000 to the Kebbi state branch of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The corps member has also constructed and donated a building to serve as the computer centre for the agency in the state’s NDLEA office.

The gesture, according to the corps member, is aimed at assisting the agency towards reforming and counseling youth found to be involved in drug abuse.

Dr. Abraham, who served in

A

Chairman, Presidential Advisory Council on Foreign Relations, Chief Emeka Anyaoku (left), presenting a book on the review of Nigeria’s foreign policy to President Goodluck Jonathan (middle), after a breakfast meeting between members of the council and the President, yesterday at the State House, Abuja. With them is Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nurudeen Muhammed (right).

Photo: Joe Oroye

N6.8 judgment debt: Court orders NIMASA to pay firm From Adesoji Oyinlola, Lagos

T

he Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos, yesterday, ordered the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), to pay the sum of N6.8 billion being a judgment debt over alleged unlawful detention of a commercial vessel, belonging to Hensmor Nigeria Limited on March 14, 2006 into the account of the court.

The three presiding justices of the appellate court in a unanimous decision, ordered NIMASA to pay the sum to the Court Registrar for onward transmission into an interest yielding account domiciled

with First Bank of Nigeria Plc, within seven days of the ruling.

NIMASA had arrested the vessel belonging to Hensmor Nigeria laden with kerosene for five years, which resulted into litigation and the company eventually won the case at the lower court.

The ruling read by Justice Adamu Jauro and agreed to by the two other justices, ordered NIMASA to pay the judgment sum into the bank's account while they adjourned the motion for appeal filed by the agency against the substantive judgment of the trial court till February 11, 2013.

Before the ruling was given, the counsel that represented

FCMB Plc, in the garnishee proceedings filed by Hensmor against Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, had told the court that its client refused the payment of the judgment debts as ordered by the trial court due to the pending appeal filed

by NIMASA, in which FCMB was joined.

Another lawyer representing NIMASA, also informed the court that the main issue for determination before the appellate court was for NIMASA to carry out the order of the trial court which directed it to pay into the account of the Assistant Chief Registrar of the court, the judgment debt.

the state, also stated that the building in the NDLEA premises is meant to cater for the training of the agency’s staff with a view to making them computer literate.

Kebbi state commander of the NDLEA, Mr. Okon Ulo, who received the donations, commended the effort of the corps member for the gesture, adding that this development will also help his staff especially those that are not computer literate to acquire its knowledge.

Ulo then pointed out that this year the command has counseled 14 clients with their parents and relations while it rehabilitated and released three, with 11 currently undergoing counseling.

NIWA procures dredger for Lower Niger From Sam Egwu, Lokoja he Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority NIWA, Alhaji Ahmed Yar’adua, has disclosed that Federal Government has approved N326million for the procurement of maintenance dredger for the Lower Niger.

Yar’adua who stated this in Lokoja headquarters of NIWA during an interactive session with newsmen, disclosed that the authority has directed the contractors handling maintenance dredging to stop work following the ravaging flood in the country.

He described the recent flood

T

in several states of the federation as a natural disaster, pointing out that it has both negative and positive effects on the dredging of the Lower Niger, in some cases it has deepened the channels for free flow of vessels, ferries and boats.

The NIWA director noted that his organisation has continued to woo more private sector and corporate investors to partner with the Authority for the realisation of waterways transport, stressing that an 18seater passenger ferriy has been procured for commercial purposes to move people from Onitsha-Lokoja-Baro in Niger state.

PAGE 6

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

PhD is a must for professorship - NUC

T

he National Universities Commission (NUC), yesterday, reaffirmed that the attainment of a doctorate degree (PhD) was a prerequisite for the attainment of professorship in the nation's university system.

Prof. Julius Okojie, the Executive Secretary of NUC, made the clarification in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin.

Okojie said that acquisition of a PhD was mandatory for any lecturer who aspired to the professorial position.

He said a letter had been sent to various universities across the country.

According to him, the PhD must not only be from a recognised university, it must also be cognate to the specific discipline.

"However, in the interim, only the fellowship of the National Postgraduate Medical College as it relates to medical and dental clinical teachers is accepted by the NUC. "This is a suitable alternative to the PhD until the framework for PhD for clinical medical and dental doctors has been finalized", he said.

He advised vice-chancellors to ensure strict adherence to the requirement and to seek clarification from NUC in the event of any doubt.

(NAN)

Flood: Japan assists Nigeria with N100m relief materials

By Mohammed Kandi

T

he Government of Japan, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), yesterday supported Nigeria with relief materials worth N104 million to complement the Federal Government's efforts on the recent floods that ravaged parts of the country.

Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Ryuichi Shoji, who briefed the press yesterday in Abuja, said the effort was in consolidation of the already established relations between the two countries.

Representative of the Japanese Agency, Mr. Tetsuo Seki, said unless urgent steps are taken support the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and tackle the impacts of flood in Nigeria, the situation might not improve anytime soon.

"To this end, an MoU was signed by and between JICA and NEMA on the 9th November, 2012, regarding the emergency supplies provided by JICA and the transportation and distribution of the items to the worst affected Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) by NEMA," Seki explained.

Receiving the items on behalf of the Federal Government, however, the Director-General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani-Sidi, lauded the Japanese government and assured that the items would be dispatched to the victims across the country.

He said already the agency had put in place best strategies of distributing the items to the affected areas in a transparent manner.

L-R: Vice President National, Nigerian Institute of Surveyors (NIS), Surveyor Ibitoye Matins, Vice-President, International Federation of Institution of Surveyors, Surveyor Gene Amako, and President, NIS, Surveyor Stephen Bode Adeaga, during NIS media briefing on the coming 2013 working week in Nigeria of international Federation of Surveyors conference, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Oyo traders protest over demolition, looting of property From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

O

ver 300 hundred traders yesterday, stormed the Oyo state government secretariat in protest against the demolition of their shops and the alleged looting of their goods worth millions of naira by agents of the state government.

The traders who carried placards with anti-government inscriptions such as"After Lam's death, Oyo people suffer; YES-O steal after demolition; ACN, call Ajimobi to order", among others, defied police barricade at the entrance to the secretariat and chanted war songs.

Led by Otun Iyalaje of

Ibadanland, Mrs. Victoria Coker, the traders bemoaned the non-service of demolition notice to them before government mobilised its agents to pull down their means of livelihood at Dugbe Market and its environs last Friday.

"What baffled us more was the burgling of our stores and the carting

Borno to build 750 houses for flood victims

B

orno state government is to build 750 units of two-bed room houses for the flood victims in Mobbar and Abadam local government councils, Governor Kashim Shettima said yesterday.

Hundreds of people were rendered homeless, while farmlands were washed away by devastating floods that ravaged some communities in the two local government areas.

Fielding questions from newsmen after inspecting the affected areas in Gujji village of Mobbar local government area, Governor Shettima said the

measure was aimed at alleviating the sufferings of the victims.

According to him, government has acknowledged the plight of the victims, saying all necessary efforts are being worked out to cushion the effects of the disaster.

He stated that government has collaborated with the National Emergency Management Agency to provide basic needs to the victims, who were settled at temporary camp.

"Government is determined to give a new befitting life for victims so that they can feel a sense of belonging. Presently we've joined

forces with NEMA and to feed the victims and provide them with other basic needs at their camp", Shettima declared.

Besides provision of shelter to the affected persons, the governor also said palliative measures are being unveiled to offer financial assistance to them to start a new life.

He equally declared that farmers who lost their farmlands to the disaster will have an alternative as government plans to acquire 60 hectares of land for irrigation activities, urging the victims to exercise patience as they will soon smile.

PTDF to sponsor Unilorin for 2013 oil research From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

T

he management of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has offered to sponsor a university research team during the year 2013 in recognition of the advances being made at the University of Ilorin in research.

The Fund, in a letter addressed to the Vice-Chancellor and signed by the Executive Secretary, Engr.

Muttaqa Rabe Darma, entitled "Re: 2013 PTDF Annual Oil and Gas Research Grant Competition", stated that the 2013 research competition will focus on "Hydrocarbon Source Rock Evaluation in the Cretaceous to

Neogene Basins of Southern Nigeria and Implications for the Niger Delta Petroleum Systems".

The research, according to the statement, was submitted by a team of four researchers, all from the University of Ilorin. The winning researchers are Prof. Samuel O. Akande, who is the lead researcher, and Dr. Olusola Ojo, Dr. Olabisi Adeleye and Mr. Kayode Samuel.

"The research is to be supervised

by Prof. Nuhu Obaje of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai, Niger state, while the Dean of the Faculty where the research is domiciled is to act as an intermediary between the research team and the

supervisor in order to ensure that the research is focused and completed as planned," the letter states.

While congratulating the university on the success of its researchers, the management of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund noted that "the research was approved after a thorough screening of the proposal which was submitted by the research team and a final recommendation for approval by a steering committee".

The Fund therefore expressed hope that the development would strengthen the good relationship between the university and the PTDF.

away of our wares by the YES-O cadets on Sunday afternoon. The goods were bought with loan obtained from SEAP and NAPO which is yet to be repaid.

"It is at Dugbe Market that we make money to finance our students' education. Many of these traders are widows and single mothers who fend for their families. Now, where do we go?

"Governor Ajimobi must not scatter Dugbe Market during his government. His late mother once traded in the market. We closed down the market when he came to campaign. He removed his shoes and promised that he would never disturb us. In turn, we mobilised our members to vote for him. Now, he has pounced on us...

"We are not trading on the streets.

So, why are they disturbing us?

Already, four of our members have been hospitalised in the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan because they could not raise money to repay the loan in installment every Monday as agreed...

"We expect government to even give us loan to trade. But we got none from this government. We do not want to go into prostitution. We appeal to Ajimobi to release our goods.

He should have provided an alternative market before driving us away from Dugbe," she said.

Addressing the traders, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Alhaja Monsurat Sunmonu, told the protesters that the state government was committed to their welfare and assured them that the House would intervene to ensure adequate provision was made for them.

The Speaker, however enjoined the traders not to allow unscrupulous elements hijack their protest and mislead them, stressing that government decision was in the general interest of the state.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

PAGE 7

Court warns EFCC against delaying Doma’s trial From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

T

he Federal High Court, sitting in Lafia, Nasarawa state, has warned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), against delaying the case involving former governor of the state, Aliyu Akwe Doma and nine others, over the alleged misappropriation of about N15 billion.

Justice Agatha Okeke, handed down the warning yesterday, after EFCC’s counsel, Barrister Dele Adesina, failed to produce the fiat of the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation empowering him to prosecute the matter, as ordered by the trial judge during its last sitting on 24th of last month.

Justice Agatha who was visibly angry with EFCC for failing to produce the document, openly accused

that commission of delaying the trial, adding that the court would not entertain any excuse in the next adjourned date.

The judge who refused to grant the EFCC its initial prayers to go ahead with the trial without the fiat, disclosed that the lead counsel to the agency, Barrister Pinhero, who was represented in the court, has previously sent a letter seeking for an adjournment.

In his submission Adesina

who had earlier requested the court to go ahead with the trial, in spite of his failure to produce the fiat, later appealed for extension of time to enable the EFCC produce the fiat at the next adjourned dates, claiming that he was unaware of the letter sent by his lead.

The trial judge then adjourned the matter to 10th December, 2012, ordering the EFCC counsel to unfailingly produce the fiat in the next adjourned date.

This makes it the second time the judge, who took over the case from Justice Marcel Awokelehin, will be adjourning the case between the EFCC and Doma.

Kano state govt donates N10m to Kogi flood victims From Edwin Olofu, Kano

K

ano state government has donated N10 million to the victims of the recent flood in Kogi state. Presenting the donation, Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano state said the gesture was to support the government of Kogi state toward alleviating the plight of the victims.

Kwankwaso said although flood occurred this year in parts of Kano state, the magnitude was not severe. This, he maintained, was because the state government leant from past experiences and took measures before the onset of the rainy season.

He noted that the flood in Kano affected some communities living near river banks, pointing out that the government decided to relocate them permanently, to avoid camping flood victims in schools annually, thereby disrupting academic programmes.

Describing the Kogi flood as the worst in Nigeria this year, the governor commiserated with the government and people of Kogi state on the incident which caused loss of lives and property, hoping such will not recur.

Receiving the donation, the deputy governor of Kogi state, Yomi Awoniyi thanked the government of Kano state for its compassion asserting that the gesture is a manifestation of the brotherhood between the governments and people of the two sister states.

From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri orno state government at the weekend said no fewer than one million children aged between 0 and 59 months are expected to be immunised against polio virus during the National Immunisation Plus Days (IPDs), this month.

The state Commissioner of Health, Dr. Salma Kolo stated this, while fielding questions from newsmen, after the flagging off of the IPDS in Damasak town, headquarters of Mobbar local government council.

Dr. Kolo said government has provided level playing ground to ensure successful conduct of the exercise across the 27 local government areas.

According to her, government has embarked on aggressive awareness campaigns to enlighten parents and guardians on the need to present their children for immunisation.

“In a bid to ensure that the set target is achieved, Governor Kashim Shettima held a sensitization meeting with all chairmen of the 27 local councils on how to forestall possible hitches that may frustrate the exercise”, she said.

The commissioner added that the meeting was also attended by traditional rulers and other stakeholders, who were mandated to map out effective strategies for community mobilisation drive.

B

Aregbesola swears-in Acting CJ, calls for Education vital thrust for advancement, says Atiku substantial Okigwe Old Students and lower infant mortality justice

By Etuka Sunday L-R: Special Adviser to the President on Monitoring and Evaluation, Prof. Sylvester Monye, Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, and CBN Governor, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, discussing after their meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday at the State House, Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

F

ormer Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has said education is an essential push for development, adding that no society aspiring for advancement could afford to relegate the role of education in its affairs.

In a release issued by his media office, the former vice president was said to have made the statement at the weekend while speaking at the public lecture organised by the Federal Government College

Association.

Atiku noted that in the modern world, countries that lead in education are also ahead in other areas of development, including technological advancement, research, innovation and higher income levels.

Atiku who was invested as Grand Patron of the school’s alumni association shortly before delivering a lecture, said countries leading in education are also far ahead in life expectancy, maternal health

and warned that countries that either reject or pay less attention to education normally find themselves far behind in all aspects of human development and improvements.

He lamented that corruption was affecting the ability of Nigerian governments to meet the UNESCO target for education, saying that education was mainly the responsibility of government to ensure the citizens were afforded the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills.

Igbo group demands Oduah’s resignation

By Ibrahim Kabiru Sule

A

Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso

Polio: Borno to immunise 1 million children

South-east group, known as Igbo Political Development Initiative (IPDI) has criticised the aviation minister’s ongoing remodeling of the nation’s airports and demanded the immediate resignation of the minister.

The group also described the pace of the work at the Enugu airport as slow, arguing that “it is one month, one block”, which is far below expectation.

This was contained in a

communiqué signed by Chief Emmanuel Okanne, IPDI’s national publicity secretary.

The group expressed dismay at the snail pace of Oduah’s project executions, especially in projects of the zone.

“The Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu (AIIA) and Imo Cargo Airport are only so in name because all the equipment that ought to be in place by now don’t exist. The remodeling project for the AIIA is on paper because the contract was awarded to an incompetent contractor; it is one month, one block,” said the

communiqué.

The group however lamented that Enugu airport ought to be as busy as the Lagos airport given the intensity of commercial activities in the South-east, but the minister pays more attention to “Lagos, given that she spent much of her life in Lagos”.

IPDI then stated that “as our daughter, if she wants to retain her job, Oduah must seat up and meet our expectations because the zone ensured President Goodluck Jonathan’s victory in the last poll”, they threatened.

From Inumidun Ojelade, Osogbo

G

overnor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun state, yesterday, performed the swearing-in ceremony of the State Acting Chief Judge, Justice (Mrs.) Gloria Erhioyovwe Oladoke with a plea to the judiciary to do substantial justice in all matters before them.

In a speech titled: “Justice is a universal purpose” he delivered at the ceremony, Aregbesola pleaded with judges in their various courts to ensure that the purpose of justice is served in all their pronouncements.

Describing injustice as the major causes of conflicts in human societies, the governor warned that “a situation in which 90 percent of societal resources are concentrated in the hands of one percent of the people is gross injustice that can only breed class antagonism and escalation between the rich and the poor and the rich risks violent revolt from the poor”.

Decrying the oppression of the weak by the strong as unacceptable, the governor warned further that any attempt to forcibly deny the people their rights could portend danger for the nation.

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER, 20, 2012

Budget Office should publish budgets on website, says FRC

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) has advised the Budget Office of the federation to start publishing annual budgets on the website for at least two weeks, starting with 2014 budget, for Nigerians to study and scrutinize before it is forwarded to the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

In a statement issued yesterday through the publicity department of the commission, the Commissioner in charge of Legal, Investigation and Enforcement Matters, in the FRC, Barr Chris Okewulonu, said such scrutiny may reveal duplications, bogus projects and the like which the Budget Office may address before forwarding to the FEC. He also noted that doing so would save the President the embarrassment of sending a budget to the National Assembly that eventually turns out to be full of avoidable errors.

Okewulonu also emphasized that budget is only effective if implemented, pointing out that it is in consideration of this that Nigeria's rule-based fiscal

UBTH sets to offer free cancer diagnosis From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

U

niversity of Benin teaching hospital (UBTH) has disclosed plans to commission a cancer diagnosis centre this month.

To this end, the first batch of patients who desire to enter the newly acquired Bunker (cancer machine) will be treated free.

Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Michael Ibadin disclosed this to newsmen at the weekend in Benin City. ''The first sets of patients to use the cancer machine will be free‌the machine is called bunker‌UBTH is among the six centres in the country presently'', Ibadin said.

management regime, as elaborated in the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007, aims at helping the macroeconomic managers to align their activities to the intentions of the budget designers.

He explained that the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007 stipulates that in advance of a financial year, the Office of the Accountant-General of the

Federation should draw up the year's annual cash plan setting out the projected monthly cash flows, which would be revised periodically to reflect the actual cash flows.

He noted that the rationale behind this was to eliminate the knee-jerk approach to managing revenue and expenditure, adding that it also enables institutions to work more deliberately and

prudently, towards the achievement of their budget targets.

He regretted that culprits of the FRA usually engage in imprudent implementation of their budget through diversion of money appropriated for a project, poor planning of project , cash not being released on time, or not released at all.

Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Senator Bukola Saraki, Niger state governor, Dr. Mu'azu Babanida Aliyu, and Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, during the Fidda'u prayer for the late Dr. Olusola Saraki, on Sunday in Ilorin.

Kaduna community decry lack of NYSC members From Mohammed Kaduna

Adamu

R

igasa community in Igabi, lgabi local government area of Kaduna state have expressed worry over a decision by National Youth Service Corps not to deploy any corps member to the community for fear of attack.

This was disclosed by the acting chairman of Rigasa Action and Awareness Forum, Ibrahim Ahmadu during a news briefing at Rigasa secondary school, Kaduna Sunday.

According to him, the action of NYSC was borne out of a wrong notion about Rigasa that it is a flashpoint of troublemakers, adding that, "Rigasa are peace loving people, and its inhabitants consists of government workers, uniform men as well as well as business men and women of different tribes".

The forum promised to take up the issue with NYSC authority in Kaduna and would go further to Governor Patrick Yakowa for his intervention if NYSC failed to change its stand.

The forum called on the Rigasa

community to vote for only the political party which selects members of the community for elective position during the forthcoming local government election scheduled for December 1, 2012.

He thanked Yakowa for the road construction at Hayin Danman in Rigasa community and called on its members to continue supporting development projects of the government. It also call on Kaduna state government to appoint qualified members of the community in his regime.

Church laments rising cases of divorce From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

C

hurch of God Mission International (CGMi), has expressed worry over the rising wave of divorce in the country, particularly among Christians.

In a communique endorsed by Rev. (Prince) Efosa Akenzua, and Rev. Prof. Victor Iyawe, at the end of its 40th Annual International Convention, held in Benin City between November 6 and 11, 2012, the Church frowned at the increasing spate of divorce among couples and recommend that , "every church should set up a marriage counseling unit to stem the tide".

The Church urged government to reorganize and strengthen the anti-graft agencies, and establish special courts to try corrupt persons, warning that until high profile offenders are properly prosecuted and very senior officials in the public and private sectors are jailed on regular basis, Nigerians will not take the anti-corruption war seriously.

"Corruption should not be tolerated in the judiciary which is the organ set up to arbitrate between aggrieved parties. In Nigeria of today, justice in many cases is denied, delayed and perverted because of corruption. We are confident that the first female Chief Justice of Nigeria will bring about the desired change in this regard," the Church noted.

While congratulating President Barak Obama of United States of America over his victory at the polls for a second term in office, the Church called on Nigerian politicians to take a lesson in true democracy by learning to accept defeat and congratulate their victorious opponents and not always recourse to spurious, expensive and time-wasting legal processes.

The Church however commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for the recent improvement in the conduct of elections in Nigeria, especially the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States, just as it thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for providing a level-playing field for all the candidates and resisting intense pressure to interfere in electoral matters.

Saraki: Clerics advise siblings not to abandon masses, women From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

I

slamic clerics yesterday advised children of the late Second Republic Senate leader , Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki, not to abandon the masses of Kwara state who were pillars of Saraki's success.

The clerics who spoke at the firdau prayer of the political godfather led by Chief Imam of Ilorin, Alhaji Basiru Soliu, noted that the success of the late political icon could be sustained if his children were friendly, care about

the less privileged and never allow worldly affairs to distract them from service to humanity.

In his sermon, Sheikh Suleiman Daiborunun who noted that since the death of the late Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, no politician in Nigeria would live forever stressed that the legacy of the late political icon could only be sustained by his children through patience with each other.

Sheikh Abeebullah Adam ElIlory who charged Nigeria politicians to stop accumulation of wealth through political office, said

the late Saraki had only two houses in life; one in Ilorin and other in Lagos.

He added that late Saraki's era was devoid of assassination and killing of people now rampant as many Nigerian politicians were rather selfish instead of serving the general public.

The Chief Imam of Offa, Sheikh Muideen Hussein in his lecture, charged Nigeria leaders to emulate late Saraki who always make masses smile no matter the hardship, provide food and shelter for the poor, uplifting other children

to higher political office and never far away from the grassroot.

He appealed to Nigerian leaders and followers to remember the temporariness of life and stop worrying about an uncertain future.

In his vote of thanks on behalf of the family, Dr Bukola Saraki thanked President Goodluck Jonathan and eminent Nigerians that attended the prayer session and promised not to abandon their father's people.

The former governor and current Senator representing

Kwara Central senatorial district noted that his father had lived a fulfilled life his children are proud off.

The ceremony which was held at Metropolitant square along Asa dam road was attended by Vice President Namadi Sambo, former president Olusegun Obasanjo, Kogi, Niger and Kaduna state governors, Senator Andy Uba, Governor of Kwara state, members of Kwara state executive council, Emir of Ilorin as well as supporters of the late godfather.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

PAGE 11

Photography business can give you wealth and legacy... Get a pro camera and get started

P

hotography is much more than the little pictures you used to capture with your mobile phones and micro cameras, Photography is much more than snapping pictures; after all, everyone can take pictures. But beyond taking just ordinary pictures, Photography is an Art! There are three different ways you can work as a photographer and any one of them you chose is very viable.

If you can combine all the three, that would be even better. It is encouraged to embrace the whole aspects of Photography and see how it goes.

Professional Photographers makes plenty of money. Read this excerpt from telephotos and you will understand what I'm talking about: I was in a workshop organized for photographers.

One of the speakers, Ali Baba, talked about how a "Professional" photographer called him in January to "thank" him for a referral. A few weeks prior to the call, Ali Baba had contacted the photographer to ask how much it will cost for a portrait session for a "high profile" client.

The photographer gave him a bill of $12,000 for the session after which 32 high resolution soft copies will be delivered on a DVD. He replied the photographer that the client only had a budget of $10,000 and they both settled for $10,000 for 30 high resolution soft copies.

As if that wasn't shocking enough, the bigger shocker came when Ali Baba mentioned that the reason the photographer called him was to thank him because the client ended up ordering a total of 142 high resolution soft copies.

The 142 soft copies amount to about $45,000 which is equivalent to N7, 020,000.

You know what?

The professional Photographer could as well be you. It can happen to anyone who falls within these categories of photography.

portraiture. A type of people that patronizes photo studios includes Models, Customers who wants to take personal photos, and those that need passport photographs.

Event Photographer: This is the Photographer who specializes in covering events such as: Weddings, Anniversaries, Luncheon, Burial Ceremonies, Carnivals, Sporting Events, etc. They also shoot commercial photographs for adverts and productions.

Studio equipments may not be necessary except Hi-Tech Cameras, Laptop, and Lenses.

Travel Photographer: This is the type of Photographer I called 'Content Photographers' They go about capturing places, beautiful land scape, events, people, and nature. Different other photography can go into Travel photography. Travel Photographer basically sells photographs to would be users rather than charge money to take photographs.

The photography equipments you will need

Professional Lenses: Another 'must not do without'.

Professional Lenses are as costly as cameras or even more. One of them is: CN-E 85mm T1.3 L F Cine Lens. EF Mount Prime Designed for Cine-Use For Canon C-Series and Full-Frame DSLRs. Achieves Telephoto Look. 11Blade Rounded Diaphragm.

Stepless and Manual Diaphragm Ring, 300? Barrel Rotation. Superb Available Light Performance, Strong Bokeh and Circular Highlights, Supports 4 K Recording Qualities, Swaps

Nikon Camera Easily with 24 and 50mm Relatives. Prices start from N150, 000.

Pro Laptop: Cheap Laptop will not be good for your editing

work. Remember you will be working with Adobe Photoshop; look for pro laptops between 46GB Ram, Core i3 - i7 Intel machine. Prices start from N120, 000.

Discover how to set-up a barbing salon business and make N150, 000 monthly

B

arbers are millionaires!

Have you heard this statement before and you are wondering how true it is? Maybe not, but I can tell you that the statement is correct and I'm sure every man will agree to that too.

I visit barbershop every three days and each time I visit, I use to part with between N200 to N500 as service cost; sometime more, depending on the type of barbing salon I visited. Let's say, the average I spent on barbing weekly is between Six Hundred Naira to One

Studio Photographer: The way studio photographer works is open a studio and equip it with all the studio gadgets, then wait for customers to come for photo shoot or

Quote In the business world, everyone is paid in two coins: cash and experience. Take the experience first; the cash will come later.

– Harold S. Geneen

Professional Cameras: If you aspire to become a Professional Photographer, you must not do without Professional Camera. They are really expensive but worth every penny spent on them.

Prices for professional cameras start from N150, 000 and can be as high as N1, 500,000.

Brand to go for are: Nikon D800, Canon EOS 5D, Canon EOS 7D, Olympus E-3, etc. Do not compromise quality when sourcing for your cameras.

Styled hair cut

Thousand Five Hundred Naira. In a month, I will spend N2, 400 to N6, 000 just only me.

Now, if my Barber has 100 other customers like me who patronize him monthly, he will be making between N240, 000 to N600, 000 monthly from these hundred customers alone!

Do you now agree that Barbers are millionaires? Let's see if hundred customers monthly is realistic; if you divide 100 by 30 that will give you about 3.3 customers daily, and there is absolutely no barber that get only 3

persons to barb daily, the least I've counted is 10 per day. If I ask the question again "Is 100 Customers realistic" based on this scenario? I'm sure the answer you'll give is emphatic YES! Why are entrepreneurs overlooking this business that is capable of making them millions?

Because it doesn't blow whistle! People naturally like businesses that make lots of noises even if it doesn't bring money, but would you like to go for business that make noises or the one that brings real money? Your answer is as good as mine. Now, let's take a closer look and find out what it takes to start a good Barbershop: • Learn to Barb: Spend three months or thereabout to learn how to barb, which is basically learning how to handle the clippers. Barbing is an art and a barber is an artist! It's not just enough to learn how to handle the clipper; you need to perfect the art of haircuts; like shaving, tracing the hair line, and trimming.

You can learn the basics within three months and then perfect your art as time goes one. But don't forget that the level of your customer satisfaction will depend on how well you mastered the art of shaving.

• Rent a Shop: Look for a decent shop in a shopping mall or any shop near you, make sure the shop is spacious to accommodate your customers and still have enough space for people to mingle around. It is very important because when you're working on customers, you may have

other customers on the waiting list.

Spacious shop will afford you the space to put some chairs for you customers to seat on while they wait.

• Paint Your Shop: Many local barbers are fond of painting their shops white. This is where you need to make yourself and your business stands out.

Chose some creative color combination for your painting, don't just go for the norm, defy the norm and create your own style.

Your objective is to impress your customers, and there is no better way to do it than to make your business place stand out from the crowd.

• Furnish your Shop: Furnishing a barbershop is quite simple and cost effective; Get a very good and comfortable revolving chair where your customers will seat on while you work on them. The revolving type make your work easier as you don't need to move around, you can stand still and turn the chair to any direction of your choice.

You will need a table too, where you'll put your barbing equipment for convenience access, and other chairs where your waiting customers will seat on.

• Buy Original Clippers: You will need about two clippers, after working with one, you put it out for treatment then continue with the other. You will be switching between the two clippers. I said original because not all clippers are good.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

Abubakar Olusola Saraki (May 13, 1933 – Nov 14, 2012) I t is exactly six days today since Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki passed on in his Lagos residence, having battled cancer for years. Incidentally, he died in the same Lagos where he began his medical practice in the 1960s.

Almost a week on, tributes to the man fondly referred to as the “Oloye” are still coming in torrents. Which is not surprising because he was the Wazirin Ilorin, and as Shakespeare said in his play, Julius Caesar, “The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes”.

President Goodluck Jonathan opened the floodgates of eulogies. Describing him as “a grassroots mobilizer and a political colossus with an awe-inspiring political acumen,” the President said Saraki “lived a very successful and fulfilled life, rising to national prominence by dint of hard work, uncommon generosity, political sagacity, dedication and wholesome commitment to the service of his people and the entire nation.”

Professor Ibrahim Gambari, former Nigerian Representative at the United Nations and himself an Ilorin prince, spoke on Saraki’s grassroots political connection. “He singlehanded built a grassroots political machine that endured for decades,” Gambari wrote.

“The late Oloye will be remembered for his humility, generosity and love especially for the people of his primary constituency. Throughout his political life he remained an unapologetic defender of the institution of the Emirate.”

David Dafinone, a second republic senator as was Saraki, has this to say of

him: “Dr. Saraki, as a medical doctor, international businessman, philanthropist and politician, gained the respect, trust and love of the entire country and he will be greatly missed.”

Unlike the common saying that a prophet is never honoured by his own people, Saraki received more than enough respects at his death in his home state, Kwara. The government there declared the Wednesday he died work free and three days of mourning.

“

But his political astuteness was by no means diminished by his personal disappointments. Indeed, Saraki’s political influence lay more in his ability to make others king. He would pluck political neophytes from nowhere and make them governors Saraki’s combination of wealth, political power, humility and philanthropy was quite rare in a country where wealth and power are underscored by arrogance and a strong sense of impunity. For Saraki, that unique combination created a huge followership, not only in his home state but also across the country. His very effective political machine did not benefit him a great deal personally; indeed his first attempt at an elective political office (a seat in the Federal House of Representatives) in 1964 failed and the highest elective office he ever held was as Senate Leader in 1983. In 1998, he did try to run for

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

President but did not go far just as happened in 1977-78.

But his political astuteness was by no means diminished by his personal disappointments. Indeed, Saraki’s political influence lay more in his ability to make others king. He would pluck political neophytes from nowhere and make them governors. He began with Adamu Attah, then Cornelius Adebayo, Shuaibu Shaba Lafiagi and Mohammed Lawal. And just as he put them in power singlehanded he would remove them once they showed the slightest disloyalty to him. On a personal note, Saraki did gain satisfaction in the election of his son Dr. Bukola as governor in 2003, reelected in 2007; today, he is a senator.

His dream of having his daughter and Bukola’s sister, Gbemisola, succeed him as governor in 2011 did not materialize.

For whatever reason, Bukola preferred the present governor Abdulfattah Ahmed over his sister and that temporarily put father and son at daggers drawn.

Saraki was to spend his remaining years in active politics as an “apostle of consensus politics” particularly in the North. Until his death he was the founder and National Chairman of The Northern Unity Forum which sought to make the region once again Nigeria’s political bulwark.

Saraki, whose large heart and deep pocket benefitted a large number across the length and breadth of this country but whose political influence has been pigeonholed in Kwara alone will be sorely missed. Still, there can be no doubt that he “lived a fulfilled life”.

Adieu Oloye.

OUR PEOPLE

OUR VISION

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

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ALI M. ALI

HEAD, ADVERT/MARKETING HUSSAINI ABDULRAHMAN, CNA

ACTING EDITOR, WEEKEND JAMILA NUHU MUSA

MANAGER, ADMINISTRATION HASSAN HAMMANYAJI

HEAD, LAGOS BUREAU ADESOJI OYINLOLA

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

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

By Leonard Karshima Shilgba

O

ne of the responsibilities of a president is to inspire people, to give them a reason to look forward to a better life. I watched the presidential media chat on Sunday, November 18, expecting to get answers from my President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, to certain national problems. I came away without answers. I was saddened the more that my president provided nothing refreshing on the menu. It was a disappointing episode of selfconfession of incompetence and helplessness.

The president’s answers are a good example of what a president should not say. A president must at least give the citizens a reason to have confidence in his abilities through presentation of clear bullet point solutions that he has for specific problems. He is not only to acknowledge that there are problems, but he should provide his solutions to those problems. He should have confidence in those solutions, and be courageous to make them open to public scrutiny.

He is NEVER (I emphasize this word) expected to tell his people why it is difficult to implement a law or an act of the national assembly; rather he should tell steps he has

PAGE 13

A president’s plume of hopelessness taken or is taking to implement those. If a president laments and stops at that, what should the people do?

The Editor of The Guardian, Mr Martins Oloja, asked what the president was doing to correct the disappointing rating of Nigerian universities. President Jonathan responded by painting a more disappointing scenario, and concluded that state governors should also be shown the report of a committee he had set up to compile a report on the state of both federal and state universities. That’s it! Did the president offer any solutions? He offered none! Any defence for Nigeria’s rating?

President Jonathan said that he noticed that there were quite a number of countries in the world whose universities were not well ranked either!

The president was asked why his government was not implementing the monetization policy without formally taking steps to put it aside. Mr. Oloja cited two examples how the official houses of the senate president and speaker of the house of representatives were bought by those public officers and yet

Jonathan’s government permitted new budget votes to build new official quarters for the current holders of these offices, which votes the current officers claim are not sufficient. Jonathan replied, saying that the policy “is good in theory” but difficult to implement. He gives an example of a government project supervisor who needs an official vehicle to supervise public projects. To him, that justifies the abuse of public office that the monetization policy sought to correct, which resulted in improvement in capital expenditures above recurrent expenditures. This beats me! Do you remember when during the Yar’adua-Jonathan government, they started chipping away at the cornerstone of the monetization policy, first buying a “pool of vehicles”, which was contrary to the Certain Political, Public And Judicial Office Holders (Salaries And Allowances, etc.), Act 2002?

Because Nigerians kept quiet President Jonathan has come out boldly to declare that an act of the national assembly cannot be implemented. The growing cost of running government, with expanded number of ministries

post 2007, increased number of cabinet-level ministers, surging numbers of assistants, special assistants, advisers, senior advisors, etc., and the concomitant over-bloated overhead costs all combine to shoot up recurrent expenditures of the Nigerian government under President Jonathan. And he spoke in a cavalier manner about this.

When reminded by the editor of the Sunday Mirror, Gbemi Olujobi, how Nigerians were fascinated by the story of his humble background, and voted for him, only to be disappointed by the extravagant lifestyle of his government, epitomized by lavish expenditures on feeding by the presidency, Jonathan responded by naively saying that “I eat only twice a day.” How did Nigerians get for themselves such a president who fails to understand simple question? He surprised probably not a few when he claimed ignorance of how much the presidency spends on food and drinks! That nails it. Our president is not leading.

Asked why his government was prevaricating about trying culprits entangled in the Halliburton

bribery scandal, Jonathan used an old and stale line: “It is better to let criminals go free than to punish one innocent fellow.” This is an incongruous dictum adoption. The fact is that Nigeria does not have a government that is ready to punish rogues; and when punishment against evil is delayed, men do not learn to do right. President Jonathan would need decades to sort out the “innocent” from criminals before taking the Halliburton scandal criminals to court.

President Jonathan was asked why he did not care to visit the troubled region of Nigeria (Northeastern states such as Borno and Yobe, which have been hard hit by Boko Haram), he rather spent time talking about some incidental reference to the Odi raid of 2000.

He provided no explanation for his failure to visit Nigerians in Borno and Yobe states who don’t feel they have a president who cares; neither did he provide hope about resolving the security challenges of this country.

Leonard Karshima Shilgba is an Associate Professor of Mathematics at the American University of Nigeria, Yola, Adamawa state.

Minister wondered aloud how Nigerians, fellow citizens, our Muslim brothers and sisters could be made to suffer such indignity for days and weeks on end waiting at such inhumane conditions before being airlifted to Saudi Arabia to perform the Holy Pilgrimage. “Yet, we expect these same pilgrims, after enduring this hellish conditions to pray for us and our nation while out there, this is inhuman and unacceptable”, she declared.

It was therefore not surprising to all of us who witnessed this scene when the first contract that the Minister awarded was the rehabilitation of the Kaduna and Kano Hajj terminals!

Understandably, these were the first projects that were completed and Commissioned by this Honourable Minister.

During the commissioning ceremonies, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Saad Abubakar 111 not only expressed delight at the decision of the Minister to spare a thought for the plight of Muslim Pilgrims who, year in, year out had to endure treacherous conditions at these camps by making their rehabilitation the priority of her ministry, but also made a case for the rehabilitation of the Sokoto Hajj terminal. Today, rehabilitation work at the Sokoto Hajj terminal has commenced and billed for commissioning sometime next year.

To be sure, the decision to commence work in Kaduna and Kano Hajj terminals was not based on the desire of the Honourable Minister to go overboard to please any particular section of the country. It equally had no ethnic, tribal or religious undertone. It was purely based on a deep sense of national duty and the desire to give to fellow countrymen and women facilities that dignify their humanity.

It is also instructive that when actual reconstruction and remodeling works commenced at the main passenger terminals across the country, MAKIA, Kano took yet, another first. Today, an imposing, modern, state-of-the-art structure has emerged from the derelict building that once assaulted the psyche of airport users in that part

of the country. The edifice, which will be commissioned and put to use soon, bears eloquent testimony to the desire and determination of the aviation minister to usher in a new and exhilarating airport experience to all air travellers and all those who have any business around the airport environment throughout the length and breadth of this country.

Apart from MAKIA, Kano other airports in the Northern part of the country are equally being reconstructed and remodeled in line with the current administration’s desire to give a fair deal to all air travellers across the country. Before the end of the year, the General Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos, Yola Airport, Abuja Domestic terminal and Kaduna Airport will be commissioned alongside six others that have undergone complete reconstruction and remodeling under the first phase of the rehabilitation programme. The other six include the Port Harcourt, Enugu, Calabar and Murtala Mohammed International airports, as well as the Benin and Owerri airports. This is not forgetting the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), Lagos that was commissioned a few weeks ago. This is unprecedented in the history of the aviation sector in Nigeria; where 11 airports are simultaneously being transformed from the 19th century structures that use to dot our airport landscapes to the 21st century architectural masterpieces that stand tall and high today at different locations in the country.

The second phase of the Reconstruction and Remodeling programme has also just taken off in the remaining 11 federally-owned airports across the country. This, in addition to the five new International

terminals to be built in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, Enugu and Calabar from early next year from a concessionary loan facility from the Chinese EXIM Bank. We are also not talking about 11 Cargo/ Perishable terminals, about six of which will be sited at airports in the North.

We were therefore taken aback, and to be sure, genuinely shocked when allegations of marginalization of the North by the minister started appearing in the media.

The first was the false claim that a certain Cargo terminal meant for the North East was diverted to Asaba, the Delta state capital.

Nothing can be further from the truth as all originally designated Cargo terminals, including those to be sited in the North remain where they are. The second, yet unfounded allegation was that the Honourable Minister refused some foreign airlines landing rights into the Abuja and Kano International airports. The airlines in question are Emirates, Etihad, Turkish and Asky airlines.

Now, landing/entry rights, or frequencies as they are usually called in aviation parlance for foreign airlines are a function of Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASA) between Nigeria and the country(ies) of origin of the airline(s) in question. For instance, the BASA between Nigeria and the UAE confers on airlines emanating from that country, including Emirates and Etihad, seven frequencies each into Lagos, Abuja and Kano International airports. To date, Emirates and Etihad are operating flights into Lagos but are yet to activate or take up the opportunities provided in the BASA to fly into Abuja and Kano. These

two airlines do not need any extra approvals from the Minister before commencing operations into the two cities. What is required of them is just a notification and a schedule to commence operations into these destinations in which they already have entry/landing rights. Turkish airlines have frequencies into Lagos as of today, while fresh negotiations between Nigeria and Turkey are ongoing to review the BASA to allow for additional frequencies into Kano.

The point has to be made, however, that some of the airlines with approved frequencies into Abuja and Kano are yet to take up this opportunity. Some of them clearly stated that the Kano route is not “economically viable” for now hence their delay in operating into the city. Even KLM that had been operating into Kano for years suddenly withdrew, citing low patronage as the reason. All entreaties by the aviation minister to dissuade KLM from pulling out of Kano, or persuade them to return have since proved futile. It must be noted that even when frequencies are granted, individual airlines still have to make their business decisions regarding the propriety or otherwise of plying any particular route. This is in spite of the balancing act the Minister is daily grappling with regarding complaints emanating from domestic airlines who feel that opening up more internal routes for foreign airlines is inimical to the interest and growth of their operations.

It is without question that the aviation minister is only doing what is right for the industry and the nation, without necessarily looking out for any applause or to please certain primordial interests. So whoever is dishing out this false information of her alleged antiNorth posture, when the facts speak to the contrary, clearly has an ulterior motive. But Nigerians, and the ordinary man on the streets of Kano or Potiskum knows who has served the interest of the North better between Princess Oduah and her traducers.

Joe Obi, SA (Media) to Aviation Minister contributed this piece from Abuja.

Princess Oduah, northern marginalisation and the rest of us

By Joe Obi

A

viation Minister, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah has a distinctly quiet and unassuming mien. At times, she even appears almost vulnerable.

But beneath this seeming vulnerability lies a steely resolve that almost borders on male chauvinism. It is the inner will to dare, the determination to succeed against all odds. It is this iron determination that she has brought to bear on the resolution of the many troubles that has bedeviled the Nigerian aviation sector for decades.

On assumption of office in July of 2011, Oduah rolled up her sleeves and hit the road, hopping from one airport to another to see for herself the extent of the legendary rot in the sector. From Abuja to Lagos, Kano to Calabar, Ilorin to Port Harcourt, Yola to Enugu, the experience was humbling and more than enough to make any man’s broad shoulders drop in resignation. The infrastructural rot and decay from one airport to another was overwhelming, a stark testimony to decades of criminal neglect by the very people who had been saddled with the responsibility of care for the public facilities. But rather that throw up her arms in self-pity, Oduah’s resolve to positively change the landscape of the aviation industry in Nigeria became more urgent, profound and unbending.

The challenge of where to begin the rescue mission was huge as every airport terminal and facility deserved as much care and attention as the next. But the human factor, where most lives would be touched in the short term played a major role in the decision of where the salvage train would take off. One other unsavory experience also played a major role.

During the inspection/facility tour of the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano the Minister and members of her entourage could hardly stand the sight and stench oozing out of the Hajj terminal. As everyone hurried out of the facility, the

“

The point has to be made, however, that some of the airlines with approved frequencies into Abuja and Kano are yet to take up this opportunity. Some of them clearly stated that the Kano route is not “economically viable” for now hence their delay in operating into the city

PAGE 14

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

To what and how does MPC meeting respond?

By Ifeanyi Uddin

S

ometime this week, two developments (both of them much followed) will occur.

More precisely, one of these events commences, while the other will be announced. First (and this is not in any specific order) the ratesetting arm (the Monetary Policy Committee — MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) meets for the last time in a year that has seen it hold the monetary policy rate (MPR) steady at 12% for the first three quarters. Second, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) releases details of the consumer price index for October.

Which of these will happen first? I imagine that members of the MPC will have access to the new inflation numbers as part of their portfolio of pre-meeting documents (the rest of us will look to the NBS’ website for the public version).

What will members of the MPC see in the numbers before them? I expect inflation to move up. The floods, which recently ravaged parts of the country, were significant. A large number of internally displaced persons will take time to resettle. Indeed, in some locations the floodwaters recede reluctantly. Most of the displaced adults should shoe up in

the unemployment count at some agro-based activity accounting for tariff order for electricity also had point in the not too distant future. about 40% of the basket of goods next to no effect on domestic prices.

In the absence of any form of measured by the NBS in its And only recently, tariff increases insurance, the damage to and loss estimates of inflation numbers, on imported rice and wheat of property will be harder to farm price pressures should have a washed off the back of domestic account for. Consequently, most of disproportionate effect on prices (even though bread prices this loss will not show up in any consumer prices going forward. did jump 20%). Thus, it is hard to measure of output. Still, by far the How disproportionate? Good say by how much domestic prices b i g g e s t will respond to a abatement supply shortfall in from the flood agricultural incidents production because should be to of the floods.

Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text agricultural This absence of messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written output. The clarity in the contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 l a r g e r numbers is the only words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and proportion of reason why I think a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed the area the MPC meeting to: inundated will adopt a “wait were prime and see” approach The Editor, farmlands. at today’s meeting.

First round Too much is Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, effects of this unclear in the 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. ought to be outlook. However, Email: let ters@peoplesdaily-online.com evident in the there is strong SMS: 07037756364 GDP numbers reason for for the third government to quarter; and I imagine that this question, this. Remember, though, push for a lowering of rates. causal relationship should hold well that questions are “good” often Although formally similar in the into the first quarter of next year. because there are no easy responses manner in which the argument Nonetheless, the immediate worry to them. In estimating how much is presented, this has nothing to will be with the second round effects pass-through the floods will have on do with the clamour by of the flood. To the extent that farm consumer prices, it is useful to recall manufacturers for lower lending output decreases because of these that January’s increase in pump- rates. How much of business floods, it is to be expected that the gate prices for petrol did not show up borrowing is sourced from formal resulting diminution in food in movements in consumer prices. financial services providers is supplies will show up in increased The increases associated with the information that would help the food prices. With agriculture and implementation of the multi-year manufacturers’ argument for

WRITE TO US

lower rates. If, as we suspect, this is not as much, then it is dubious by how much higher bank rates may be hurting manufacturing. The government’s case for lower rates is slightly stronger, though. It has being borrowing increasingly large amounts locally, and it would help if this cost were trending down, not up.

By far the bigger question on the economy today, though, (and I have this on good authority) is dollar liquidity. Previously, for every dollar the CBN sold at the Whole Sale Dutch Auction System (WDAS), it received in payment a corresponding amount of naira.

Now, with the rather large recent inflow of foreign portfolio investment (FPI), and the CBN’s unwillingness and or inability to sterilise this fully, demand pressure for foreign exchange has dropped at the WDAS ¯ there are autonomous sources, after all. The backwash of this development is the question “How will the economy react to the fact of so much money sloshing around?” In the event, this is, arguably, a less troubling query than the one about how prepared we are for a rapid reversal of the current capital inflow in response to a shock (internal and/or external) to the economy.

Ifeany Uddin is on Twitter

Boko Haram: Obasanjo and the Odi recipe

By Callistus Omoregie

F

ormer President Olusegun Obasanjo, in his latest blistering public criticism of the Federal Government, said President Goodluck Jonathan’s response to the Boko Haram insurgency was slow. This is arguable. He spoke in Warri as the moderator of a public lecture by former External Affairs Minister, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, in honour of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, who was marking his 40th anniversary as a pastor.

He seemed to have chosen the right forum to express his concern over a national scourge, but his position was defective.

The former president reportedly accused his successors of allowing the Boko Haram insurgency to fester. “My fear is that when you have a sore and you don’t attend to it early enough, it festers and becomes very bad. Don’t leave a problem that can be bad unattended,” he said.

When I read the news report which was accorded prominence on the front pages of some influential national dailies of Wednesday, November 14, 2012, I told a friend who was with me that the old fox was at it again. I reminded my friend of how Obasanjo slammed the late Yar’adua early 2010 at a Trust newspaper Forum whenthe former president was hospitalized in Saudi Arabia.

Many people must have felt or reacted the same way and this is understandable. Since 1979, after his lack-lustre administration as military Head of State, Obasanjo has uncharitably become a critic

of successive governments in Nigeria. He retains the unenviable record as being the only former Nigerian leader (apart from General Muhammadu Buhari who is understandably an oppositional presidential candidate) who relishes open castigation of the seeming actions or inactions of the government of the day. The only administration that did not get his (Obasanjo) open bashing was his.

Unlike some members of the clan of former Nigerian rulers such as Alhaji Shehu Shagari, General Ibrahim Babangida and General Abdulsalami Abubakar, for instance, who have taken advantage of their access to the Presidential Villa to offer advice on governance, Obasanjo has incurably violated that norm.

Whereas he is not denied access to the President; yet he has chosen to pitiably mount the bully pulpit on a voyage of open criticism. The impression Obasanjo creates about himself is that he is not happy to see the other man in the leadership saddle. This tends to confirm the views in certain quarters that he has the penchant to destroy people than to build them.

There is even a proposition in some circles that Obasanjo believes he is the only man who, perhaps, has been created by God to offer the right kind of leadership to Nigeria; and which is why he always gleefully refers to his administration as a trail-blazer of sort. He is wont to allude to some of the things he did while in the saddle as president from 1999 to 2007 in his effort to persuade his listeners that his successors have either lowered the standard or have not been pro-active. But, in a bid to present as Nigeria’s patron saint,

Obasanjo’s attitude has become increasingly confusing.

At a point, he donned the garb of a conciliator by going to Maiduguri amid the escalating Boko Haram insurgency to seek to broker a truce.

He claimed to have obtained the permission of President Goodluck Jonathan before embarking on the enterprise. At the end of the day, the move turned awry when his host in Maiduguri with whom he sought to kick-start the process of reconciliation, was killed about three days after he (Obasanjo) left the town.

But today, it is convenient for Obasanjo to accuse Jonathan of slowness in responding to the Boko Haram insurgency simply because he wants to portray the current administration as weak and incompetent. It is also game for Obasanjo to stomp on the Jonathan presidency just because he was instrumental to the political arrangement that threw up the Umaru Yar’adua-Jonathan presidential ticket in 2007.

The truth, however, is that Obasanjo cannot approbate and reprobate at the same time on the same issue as he has tended to do in the Boko Haram case. Here is a man who went to Maiduguri purportedly on a reconciliation mission now turning round to recommend the Odi treatment for the town of Maiduguri and perhaps other towns in the North just to nip the Bokom Haram insurgency in the bud.

He would have loved to see Jonathan deploy soldiers to the flashpoints to level the placesannihilate the innocent and the ‘criminals’ in a military action. To Obasanjo, this is pro-activeness. This is how to show that the Federal Government or the President is not weak. This approach does not

accommodate rationality that is grounded on humanity: how can you commit genocide because you want to take out some criminals?

While reflecting on the crisis at Odi, Obasanjo had said at the Warri forum: “I attended to a problem that I saw; I sent soldiers. They were killed, 19 of them (were) decapitated. If I had allowed that to continue, I would not have the authority to send security anywhere again. I attended to it….

If you say you do not want a strong leader, who can have all the characteristics of a leader, including the fear of God, then, you have a weak leader and the rest of the problem is yours.”

Obasanjo’s attitude is increasingly confusing. He claims Jonathan’s response is slow. He also claims that his successor, the late Yar’Adua, was soft on corruption; but I ask: when he (Obasanjo) became president and inherited the problem of militancy in the Niger Delta region, what did he do very quickly to end the scourge? Was it not the late Yar’adua who ended it with his famous Amnesty deal?

Is his claim about Yar’adua being soft on corruption not tenuous against the backdrop of the fact that despite his much-trumpeted anticorruption crusade, his administration witnessed, perhaps, the most bizarre forms of corruption? For his own pecuniary interest, did Obasanjo not couple a so-called Transcorp conglomerate and sold Nigeria’s prime assets to this group where he kept a personal N200 million worth of shares in the blind?

Did he not use the vantage position of his authoritarian presidency, and the awesome state power, to organise the launching

of a N7-billion Presidential Library Project in Abeokuta? Has it not now become a notorious fact that Obasanjo was only paying lipservice to the war against corruption as nearly every action of his was a violation of the principle and creed behind the scheme?

Nigerians know that Nuhu Ribadu, former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, used in fighting his personal battles, was promoted to Assistant Inspector General of Police by Obasanjo without any recommendation from the Police Service Commission, thereby violating due process.

Where then is the moral high ground that Obasanjo is standing on to pontificate on his administration’s fight against corruption and dismiss his successors as soft on the anticorruption crusade? On both scoresBoko Haram and corruptionObasanjo has been unfair to his successors. It is in his character to be so disposed; only that I am surprised that he is behaving as if he has fallen out of favour with the government he helped to enthrone.

But then by recommending the Odi recipe for the Boko Haram insurgents, Obasanjo has succeeded in showing to the world the inhumanity and irrationality of his presidency. He cannot in a selfignited frenzy railroad a cruel recipe on Jonathan; and, as far as I am concerned the president’s systematic and multi-faceted approach at tackling the Boko Haram insurgency, which factors in the innocent civilian population, is the best in the circumstance and should therefore be sustained.

Callistus Omoregie wrote in from Abuja.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

PAGE 15

Appraising Tambuwal’s innovative leadership approach

By Imam Imam

O

ver the course of the year, many within and beyond the National Assembly have been astonished at the new ideas being introduced in the running of the House of Representatives by the Speaker, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

It is not as if many were not expecting new ways of doing things when the Honourable members among them gave him their mandate to lead the House in June last year. Rather, what is surprising to them, and to large swathe of Nigerians, is the frequency with which new and effective methods are becoming the order of the day in the legislative scheme of things in the country.

The crux of the new approach to leadership is encapsulated in the House Legislative Agenda, which was introduced by Tambuwal to initiate a new order that fosters transparency, leading to institutional integrity in the legislature in particular and the country in general.

As enunciated by the Speaker himself, the legislative agenda primarily seeks to restructure the management and functions of the legislature towards adequacy in capacity and improved productivity.

In addition, the Agenda seeks to design and implement the electronic parliament (eparliament) blueprint that elevates the National Assembly

operations to international best practices and ensures public access to parliamentary information and process.

Importantly, the Agenda seeks to review the legislative branch budget in line with the requirements of openness, effectiveness and accountability; review the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in all relevant areas in line with the aspirations of Nigerians; engage actively with other arms of government to restore public order and national security and finally to institutionalize mechanisms that facilitate effective engagement with various stakeholders including constituents and civil society organizations (CSOs).

What are those things done differently by the House leadership to warrant this intervention? Let us begin with the composition of the committees of the House in September 2011. For all those familiar with how such endeavors were undertaken in the past, they will readily attest to the fact that seeds of discord among members get planted on the day the committees are announced largely because many always felt shortchanged by the outcome. Not so when Tambuwal announced the committees in the first test of his leadership acumen as Speaker.

Not only did it go well, members openly praised the House leadership for taking their view

points into consideration, but for placing square pegs in square holes in order to maximize potentials for the benefit of the polity.

Take another example. The rot in the oil sector manifested in the shameful subsidy scam has been considerably unravelled to the extent that government has commenced prosecution of those indicted in the law courts. This did not just happen. It took the intervention of the House of Representatives, beginning with its historic January 8, 2012 extra-ordinary plenary session, to arrive at this junction.

In spite of the controversy that engulfed the ad-hoc committee, the report of that panel laid the foundation for the rash of committees set up by the executive with the aim of cleansing the Augean stables.

Holding that extra-ordinary session on a Sunday, the first of its kind in the country, set in motion various activites which have today led to stringent calls for more transparency and accountability to be institutionalised in a sector characterised by many underhand dealings. But for the bold move taken by the Speaker, we would still have been in the dark as to the true nature of the corruption that pervades the sector.

Also of note here is the issue of the amendment of the 1999 constitution currently going on in the country. When the

Speaker announced last September that all the 360 members of the House of Representatives will return to their constituencies to hear directly from their people on what they want in the new constitution, many did not envisage the kind of interest the move would generate.

When the Peoples Public Session eventually held penultimate Saturday across the country, Nigerians did not only hail the transparency of the novel process, but identified with its overall objective which is to give the country a document (constitution) that was written with the input of the people.

It is worth recalling here that each of the sessions in the 360 Federal Constituencies was organized by an independent Steering Committee of Stakeholders that included the member of the House representing the Constituency who served as the facilitator, members of the State House of Assembly in the particular Federal Constituency, the Local Government Chairmen within the Constituency and one representative of the following organisations in each Federal Constituency, namely the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

Others were the Academic Staff Union of Universities

(ASUU), the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and other Student Groups, the National Youth Council (NYC) and other Youth Organizations, the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) and other Women Organizations, the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE). Stakeholders, such as Ethnic Nationalities, Women, Youths, Students, Town Unions, Professional Organizations, Civil Society Organizations, Religious Organizations, Traditional Institutions, Political Parties, Artisans, Labour etc, and indeed all Nigerians.

No doubt, Tambuwal’s strong stance on discipline, accountability, and truth, and his penchant desire to do things differently, is now setting the bar and becoming an example for elected office holders in the federation.

As we’ve seen times without number, his apparent willingness not to be encumbered by the political exigencies that had stunted our progress, is quite inspiring. For him, what matters is the nation’s interest. Call that an unyielding idealism and you won’t be wrong.

Imam Imam is the Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs to Speaker Aminu Tambuwal

Ribadu panel, Tai Solarin and presidency bereft of morals

By Adeolu Ademoyo

A

s a Nigerian, and one who is part of a generation who saw, believed and still believe in the potentials of the greatness of our dear country as one united country, one is always looking for that X factor that explains our now lethal inability to break into greatness –a greatness that is always within our reach at great moments, but which we often manage to undermine and bungle. It is a kind of collective self-immolation that passeth my understanding.

Many commentators point to the failure to resolve the “national question” as the cause of our problems. While the “national question” is an issue, I strongly disagree with this as the fundamental factor, for prior to everything in life is the ethical factor. Our failure is the failure of the ethical in the public domain.

Societies often use the result of the resolution of the ethical to resolve other problems.

My question to President Jonathan is: In the Ribadu oil panel case-when you my President defended the role of Mr. Oronsaye, when you said there was nothing wrong in Mr. Orosanye being given and accepting a job from the NNPC during his service as the deputy chair of a panel that was to look into the workings of an Industry NNPC is part of—do you, my president, have a moral golden

rule? If you have any what is it?

Is my president aware of the works of ethicists like Tai Solarin, (Ikenne and Ibadan, Nigeria) and Immanuel Kant (Konigsberg, Germany)? Mr. President, I will just like to know.

These questions are relevant because the intense lack of the ethical in the presidency was visibly seen when the presidency deployed Dr. Reuben Abati and Doyin Okupe to go after Nigerians who object to the immorality displayed by Mr. Orosanye as the moral fault line of the presidency in the Ribadu Oil Panel. Those who object to this explanation should tell Nigerians why a government agency – NNPC-which is being examined by a panel will during the life span of the body examining it give a job to the deputy chair of that panel?

So when Reuben Abati asserts as follows : “it is so unfortunate that there has been so much ignorant carping and malicious tittle-tattling about the report of the Petroleum Revenue Task Force chaired by Malam Nuhu Ribadu, both failings arising from a deliberate attempt to individualize what was actually group work, a mischievous attempt to politicize one report out of three, and to smuggle into an emergent grand web of conspiracy, elements of blackmail, mischief and outright opportunism…” the point is that Reuben Abati and the presidency lost the ethical in our public lives

completely and perhaps irreversibly at that point.

We will ignore Mr. Reuben Abati’s uncivil language on Nigerian taxpayers. We will also ignore the attack as the defence style of Mr. Abati—a style which by act of conscious omission ignore the visible moral burden the Presidency has inflicted on itself with his tacit defense of Mr. Orosanye’s public ethics. This is because the presidency, by implication, validated Mr. Orosanye’s work ethics on the Ribadu Panel in Mr. Abati’s uncalled-for attack on Nigerians who feel morally assaulted by Mr. Orosanye’s work ethics while in the same vein Mr. Abati was deliberately blinded (as if it does not exist) to this work ethics in his attack. That such language will ooze out of my country’s presidency, which ought to have a halo around and be respectful of Nigerians, is instructive. Here, I

am talking about the presidency and not Mr. Abati, Mr. Okupe or Mr. Jonathan as persons.

So my questions to President Jonathan as he engages Nigerians today in a TV Chat are as follow: Do you have a Moral Golden Rule? If you have, what is your Moral Golden Rule? For example if and when you leave office and suppose you set up a private company, will you allow the Managing Director of your company to also work for a rival company or a company whose account your company is looking into? Mr. President, will you allow your Managing Director to work for a third of a day in a month work period and one day in a 90-day work period?

Mr. President, as an external auditor, if you were asked to review an academic department, would you also take a job from that department which you are supposed to objectively look into?

“

Tai Solarin’s public work ethics is accessible, it is not costly, it is here right before you. Do not dump the moral work of the Ribadu panel. Do not “white paper it.” Rather, access it. Use it. That is the moral and ethical path that comes before the so-called “national question”. That is the honourable path

Mr. President, will you allow a rapist to be a judge in his case? If yes, why? If no why did you say there is nothing wrong in Mr. Oronsaye being given and taking an NNPC job during the life of his service as the Deputy Chair of the Ribadu panel that was examining the NNPC operations? Why did you by that act ignore or vicariously legitimize Mr. Oronsaye’s work ethics on the Ribadu Panel?

Finally, Mr. President, I am aware that the wives of Nigerian presidents and the presidents themselves often do quick ones to Germany for medical attention; you know Germany, but you do not need to go to Germany to seek out Kant, the ethicist, for help to answer these questions about public ethics. Why? Nigeria has his Tai Solarins who can turn Nigeria to the greatest nation on earth.

Look within Nigeria, our dear country. Let the work ethics of Tai Solarin breathe life into your public service to Nigerians. Tai Solarin’s public work ethics is accessible, it is not costly, it is here right before you. Do not dump the moral work of the Ribadu panel. Do not “white paper it.” Rather, access it. Use it.

That is the moral and ethical path that comes before the so-called “national question”. That is the honourable path.

Adeolu Ademoyo (aaa54@cornell.edu) is at Africana Studies and Research Center, Cornell University, Ithaca, USA.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

PAGE 16

Mararaba, Nyanya others to have uninterrupted power supply soon

E

lectricity consumers in Nyanya and Mararaba in FCT, Ado and Keffi, all in Nasarawa State, will enjoy stable power supply when the Federal Government inaugurates the 33KVA substation in Karu by the World Bank.

The Deputy Director, Media/ Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Power, Mr Greyne

Anosike said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.

Although he did not say when the substation would be inaugurated, he said “it is because of the frequent power outage challenges faced by customers in those areas that the substa-

tion was built.

“The World Bank decided to assist in Mararaba, Nyanya, Ado and Keffi areas by building the 33KVA substation at Karu in the FCT to improve power supply in the areas.

“Similar things were done in Apo and Kubwa and the areas are now having uninterrupted power supply,’’ he said.

Anosike explained that the 33KVA substation had been completed, “but may be Mr President’s attention has not been drawn to it or his tight schedules made it not to be inaugurated’’.

He gave the assurance that once the station was inaugurated, power instability in those areas would be rectified. (NAN)

A middle-aged man selling garden eggs and groundnuts in the road side yesterday in Kubwa, Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

FRSC cautions school bus drivers on reckless driving

By Adeola Tukuru

T

he Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Com mission (FRSC) in Kuje Area Council, Mr Samuel Egwuatu, has called on school bus drivers to be safety conscious.

Egwuatu made the call in Kuje at the venue of an awareness campaign week for school bus drivers.

He urged proprietors of

schools to ensure regular maintenance of their buses and appealed to the drivers to protect the lives of children who are in their care throughout the ride to their respective homes.

Mr Peter Harrison, the Coordinator of Joyful Transformation Initiative JTI, organisers of the campaign, told NAN that the focus of the campaign is on road accident by school bus drivers in Kuje Area Council.

He urged the drivers to dem-

onstrate good driving culture demanded by road safety officials in order to prevent frequent accidents by school buses.

“We demand that everybody in the society, especially the school bus drivers, should comply with the road safety rules and regulations so that we can have an accident free society.

“We actually aim at repositioning the school drivers for safe driving in the interest of our fu-

ture generation as the safety slogan says: save the children, save the nation,’’ Harrison said.

Mallam Bashir Mundi, Estate Manager, Capital Science Academy, Kuje, urged school bus drivers to be safety conscious.

“Safety should come first before achieving our targets, and the drivers should not compromise safety of their school buses particularly while taking children to and from school,’’ Mundi said.

Taxi driver, 60, charged for reckless driving

By Amaike Beauty with agency news

T

he police on Friday ar raigned a man, Titus Aderimi of Mpape, Abuja before an Abuja Senior Magistrates Court for allegedly causing obstruction and inconsiderate driving.

Prosecutor Paul Anigbo told the Court that the case was lodged at the Lugbe Police Station on Oct. 29 by one Umar Idris of

National Centre for Women Development, Abuja.

Anigbo said that on Oct. 29, Aderimi drove his Nissan Sunny vehicle with registration number XP 743 ABC in an inconsiderate manner along Jabi, Airport road and entered the major road.

“Aderimi wanted to make a U-turn to Galadimawa junction but eventually obstructed an oncoming Honda Accord vehicle with registration number AQ 725

ABJ belonging to Idris. “ Aderimi’s action resulted in a collision between his Nissan car and Idris’s Honda Accord, which severely damaged Idris’s Honda Accord vehicle.

The prosecutor said that Aderimi’s offence contravened the provisions of Sections 39 (3) and 29 (1) CAP 548 of the Road Traffic Act. Aderimi denied the allegations against him.

Presiding magistrate, Mr Bashir Alkali, granted Aderimi bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

Alkali said that the sureties must attach their passport photographs alongside that of the accused on the bail bond form.

He adjourned the case to Dec. 5, 2012 for further hearing.

(NAN)

World Toilet Day: FCT residents call for improve hygiene

A

s the world celebrates Toi let Day, some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have condemned indiscriminate urination and defecation in public places.

Some residents told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday that the celebration of the Day would go a long way in reminding everyone of the importance of toilets.

Miss Anna Agim, a school teacher in Kubwa, said she was happy to hear there was a World Toilet Day. “It is wonderful that there is a Toilet Day; this will take us back to think of personal hygiene and sanitation; toilet is one aspect of our environmental sanitation that we do not care much about.

“Even in schools, so many children endure urination or defecation due to the poor state of toilet facilities in the schools, many parents reject enrolling their children in some schools due to the state of their toilets.

“Worse still, the way some adults openly urinate and defecate on the roadsides, markets, motor parks, under the bridge is condemnable,” Agim said.

Also, Mr Andrew Effiong, a civil servant, urged the authorities to look into the issue of toilets and deal with the associated problems.

“Let us start from the home, for charity begins from the home.

In some homes, there are toilets but no running water to clean them up properly.

“In some houses, there are no good toilet facilities, tenants look for any available hideout to answer the call of nature. The story is not different in government offices and shopping malls,’’ Effiong said.

He said there was a need to spare a thought for the environment by ensuring that some drastic measures be taken to protect it.

Mrs Bunmi Adetunji, a mother, expressed delight about the Day, saying that it was a call for people to improve their personal hygiene.

“We should take care of the toilets in our homes, schools and offices. It should be a collective responsibility. Our men should also learn not to stand just anywhere to urinate.

“The government on its part should provide more facilities and double efforts not only to provide the facilities but also to discourage ugly toilet habits,” she said.

Jack Sim founded the World Toilet Organisation{WTO} in Singapore with the aim of restructuring a field of sanitation worldwide. The idea of Toilet Day was originated from WTO. He said that about 40 per cent of humanity still lacked access to improved sanitation and that the only way to meet the immense need was through an orchestrated global campaign. {NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

PAGE 18

Man docked for cheating by impersonation, criminal intimidation

T

he police yesterday arraigned one Teddy Omoeroh, of Block N, Flat 2, Karu, Abuja, before an Abuja Chief Magistrates court for alleged cheating by impersonation and criminal intimidation.

The police prosecutor, Isa Jibrin, told the court that on June 19,2012 the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Force Headquarters, Abuja, received a letter of complaint from one Gbenga Obideyi.

Jibrin said that sometimes in November, 2011, the accused presented a document for a land situated at Kuje, FCT, to the complainant and claimed to be the owner.

The prosecutor said the accused asked the complainant to pay N21 million for the land, adding that the complainant paid N4 million as part payment.

He said that the N4 million was to enable the accused to regularise the land papers at AGIS. Jibrin said that during the process at AGIS, it was discovered that the said land did not belong to the accused but belonged to one Adukwu Williams of Kuje, FCT. He added that the accused later denied collecting N4 million from the complainant.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 324 and 397 of the Penal Code.

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

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Azubike Okeagwu, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000 and two sureties in like sum.

He adjourned the case to Dec. 5, 2012 for hearing.

2,455 property owners in FCT get certificate

O

ver 2,455 property owners in the FCT got their Certificate of Occupancy from the Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA) as its completed procedure , conveyed from January to date.

A statement issued in Abuja

by Mr Muhammad Sule, the Chief Press Secretary to the

Minister, said that FCT Minister Bala Mohammed disclosed this at a meeting with the senior staff of the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS).

The statement quoted the minister as saying that he had signed 727 Certificates of Occupancy of land whose owners had met the criteria laid down, especially the mandatory

payment of land charges.

It further said that the FCT had approved and registered 91 Deeds of Assignments during the period in addition to 86 mortgages during the period under review.

It urged property owners in territory to, as a matter of urgency, settle their outstanding ground rents.

NHRC condemns indiscriminate arrest of women in FCT

T

A boy hawking water yesterday in Bwari, Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

FCT PHCDB flags off maternal, newborn and child health week

By Etuka Sunday

F

ederal Capital Territory (FCT) Primary Health Care Development Board (PHCDB) has flagged off Maternal, Newborn and Child Health week with awards presentation to best performing Area Councils as part of its commitment to improve the health condition of its people.

The minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed also commissioned a Model Primary Health Care Centre in Kubwa, FCT. The flagg off ceremony which has its theme as: “A package of Care for a Healthy Family” and subtheme as: “Clean EnvironmentHealthy Mother and Child” was specially packaged to improve the welfare and wellbeing of FCT residents, particularly pregnant women and children who are the vulnerable target groups.

The Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide who presented the keynote address and

“FCT Administration is committed to opening up 10 new districts in the territory to enable residents to access affordable houses to match the influx of people.

“We have the mandate of President Goodluck Jonathan to achieve this feat to provide more houses and reduce the cost of rent in the FCT,’’ it added.(NAN)

the official flag off ceremony and commissioning on behalf of the FCT Minister Hon. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed said the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) was given serious attention to issues of maternal and child welfare programmes as its policy thrust, adding that children are the hope for tomorrow therefore any society that desires continuation must give priority attention to them.

According to her, the family constitutes the basis of every society therefore in order to have a healthy society all hands must be on deck to keep the family alive and well. She said the FCT Administration is working diligently to considerably reduce, if not totally eradicate the prevalence of infant and maternal mortality in the FCT. Olajumoke said it was the intention of the administration to continue to evolve and implement programmes and projects that will promote the health of FCT

residents, especially mothers and children, hopeful that the maternal, newborn and child health week will go a long way in complementing the on-going free antenatal and under-5 healthcare programmes and policy of free distribution of long-lasting insecticide treated nets to FCT households.

She said the Administration has recorded great strides in the area of health-care delivery initiatives, pointing out that FCT has achieved over 150 percent increase in Vitamin A coverage and over 140 percent in the proportion of children de-wormed as compared to last year’s average. she also said that the Kubwa Owner Occupier Primary Health Care Centre was designed by the FCT Administration to relieve the pressure on the Kubwa General Hospital therefore thanked UNICEF, WHO, Helen Keller and other stakeholders for their partnership.

Speaking at the end of the

programme, the Executive Secretary FCT PHCDB, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed explained that the new health-care centre in Kubwa was a 50million naira project and about 10 million naira equipment with borehole, constant power supply and 30KBA generator. He said it was the second comprehensive Primary Health care centre in Bwari Area council, saying that it has a Laboratory, Pharmacy, Mini Theatre for carrying out minor surgery and Two Labour rooms for safe delivery.

According to him, the ceremony which was supported with awards presentation to Abaji as the best performing Area Council followed by Dr. Rilwanu said that Abuja was the only state to have done the flag off, adding that all the health care workers have been well trained to give quality health care services to the people therefore advised Mothers, Fathers and Children to avail themselves of the opportunity at their door step.

he Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Bem Angwe, has on said that the indiscriminate arrest of female Nigerians perceived to be prostitutes was a violation of their rights.

Angwe told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that while the commission condemned prostitution, it was wrong to assume that every woman in the streets of Abuja was a prostitute.

He said Nigerians, including women, were free to go about their daily activities without molestation. “ The commission is in support of the arrest of criminals. What we condemn is this idea of raiding female Nigerians on the street with the believe that they are prostitutes.

“Nigerians are free to move about so long as they are not going out to commit crimes and so long as there is no suspicion that they are about to commit any form of crime.

“People have the right to go to places of their choice, except to places where restrictions are placed by law.

Angwe urged security agencies in the Federal Capital Territory to avoid the indiscriminate arrest of women and advised that suspects be charged to court when apprehended.

“It is not so easy to tag a person as a prostitute. How do you begin to ascertain that a person is a prostitute unless a person is so described or confirmed to be a prostitute.

“Where the law is against some forms of behaviour, it is the duty of security agencies to apprehend culprits and then charge them to court.”

“If any of such cases is brought to our attention, the commission will invoke its powers to protect the rights of such persons concerned.

“I advise complainants to file their petitions before the commission and the commission will take it up,” he said. (NAN)

BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

Email: aminuimam@yahoo.co.uk

PAGE 19

INSIDE

Alison-Madueke considers pouring oil on troubled waters

Mob: 08033644990

Sigma Pensions now manages N175bn assets, says MD T

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

he Managing Director of Sigma Pensions Limited, Alhaji Umaru Modibo has said that the pension fund administrator is currently managing about N175 billion pension funds.

Speaking while presenting about 10,000 reflective jackets to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Abuja at the weekend, Modibo said the Fund had grown the membership in its Retirement Savings Accounts to about 600,000 since inception in 2006 and have so far paid about N25 billion to 5,500 pension retirees.

The Managing Director said that with about 4,000 of their members from the FRSC, they

want to improve their welfare so that they can retire in happiness.

“Because we are holding the assets of some of your members, we thought that we need them to also know what we are doing so that’s why we came here and to also felicitate with you now that we are entering the ember months.

As part of our social responsibilities, we are going to donate 10,000 reflective jackets because we know you need a lot of visibility on the roads, day and night patrol so you need also to protect the lives of these officers that you are putting on high way,” he said.

He commended the FRSC for deploying state of the art

ICT facilities where they monitor their operations in the 36 states of the federation.

Speaking at the occasion, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Osita Chidoka thanked the pension fund administrator for the gift, saying that “we have been

- Pg 20

wondering how we are going to get reflective jackets for this ember month campaign and as if God heard our prayers, the reflective jackets walk into our office.”

He said that they are worried about the pension

scheme in view of what happened in the past to some of their retirees, adding that there is need for some enlightenment on the possibility of voluntary contributions apart from the mandatory 7.5 deductions.

“I think it is time we begin to let people know that the minimum may not be enough to sustain them in retirement so I think we need to partner in providing us such information especially that we have about 4000 of our staff under your management,” he said.

GDP rises by 6.48% – National Bureau of Statistics

T

he National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) yesterday said that the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose by 6.48 per cent in the third quarter of 2012.

A statement issued in Abuja by the Statistician-General of the Federation, Dr Yemi Kale indicated that the figure was lower than the 7.37 per cent recorded in the corresponding period in 2011.

Kale said that the nominal GDP for the third quarter of 2012 was estimated at N10.9 trillion, compared with the N9.8 trillion of the corresponding quarter of 2011. ``The economy, comprising two broad output groups of oil and non-oil sectors, witnessed slower growth output in the third quarter of 2012 as a result of declines in non-oil sector output. ``While the oil sector witnessed positive growth for the first time in four quarters, the slower non-oil sector growth was driven by growth in activities recorded in the building and construction, cement, hotel and restaurant, as well as the electricity sectors,’’ the statement said.

Quoting NNPC data, the statement said that the country’s average daily crude oil production stood at N2.52 million barrels per day (mbpd) in the third quarter of 2012, compared with the 2.38 mbpd in the corresponding quarter of 2011. ``While oil sector contribution to real GDP in the third quarter of 2011 was 14.28 per cent, this declined to 13.42 per cent in the third quarter of 2012,’’ the statement said.

It said that the non-oil sector

recorded 7.55 per cent growth in real terms in the third quarter of 2012, compared with 8.76 per cent recorded in the corresponding period of 2011.

It pointed out that growth in the non-oil sector decreased in the third quarter of 2012, when compared with the figure in the corresponding quarter of 2011.

The NBS statement said that the wholesale and retail trade sector recorded a real GDP growth of 9.62 per cent and a contribution of 18.81 per cent in the quarter under review as against 11.80 per cent growth and 18.27 per cent contribution to GDP recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2011.

The statement said the telecommunications sector recorded a real GDP growth of 31.57 per cent in the third quarter of 2012 as against 35.00 per cent recorded in the corresponding period of 2011.

It also said the decline in growth recorded in the sector was attributable to the poor quality of service experienced during the quarter arising from the adverse weather conditions experienced across the country.

(NAN)

L-R: Group Head, Liability Product, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. John Akingbade, Manager, National Lottery Commision, Mr. Ita Calix and Brand Management and Communications, Mrs. Kate Edoho, at the 4th draw of the on-going Sterling Bank Saver's Promo, held in Lagos on Friday.

Flood: Jim Ovia’s Visafone fulfills N1bn pledge

By Aminu Imam

T

he on-going efforts at generating funds for the rehabilitation of victims of the recent flood disaster across the country have received a boost from the Chairman of Visafone Telecommunication, Jim Ovia who has donated N1 billion to the cause.

Besides, the former Managing Director of Zenith Bank promised that Visafone would set up emergency call centers across the nation to curtail future natural disaster like the flooding.

These huge commitments made Visafone the leading light among other telecommunications companies, as Ovia further assured

of the company’s continued determination to effectively give back to the society and make Nigeria a better place for all.

While imploring other corporate organizations not to be left out in the joint task of providing relief for the victims, Ovia said: “We have made our humble donation and we are still looking at other areas of assistance we can render. Plans are afoot towards setting up emergency call centers to mitigate the effect of future occurrence. Since it’s a natural occurrence, we may not be able to stop it but at least, lessen the effect on both the people and our environment through timely action which the call centers can

Management Tip of the Day

B

A better way to brainstorm in groups

rainstorming has gotten a bad rap for leading to uncreative and even unhealthy consensus. But getting together to try out ideas and come up with new ones can promote collaboration and creativity, if done right. Here’s how: · Assemble a diverse team.

Bring together people from different disciplines, cultures, and

age groups. Be sure that some members have necessary and relevant expertise, but that some are naïve about the issue at hand. · Be clear about who decides. If everyone in the room has to agree, you’ll gravitate toward the lowest common denominator. Name the person who is ultimately responsible and establish that everyone else is

there to offer up ideas and build on others. · Let ideas live. At the end of the session, don’t kill the ideas that didn’t make it. Sometimes these lingering suggestions will make it into final concepts. Allow people to pick one and develop it further.

Source: Harvard Business Review

facilitate.”

It would be recalled that in response to the disaster, the Federal Government, as a stop-gap measure, announced the disbursement of N500million to the highly impacted states, N300million to the moderately impacted ones and N200million to the least impacted states, to enable them cushion the effects of the flooding.

Thereafter it set up a 34-man Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation co-chaired

by Aliko Dangote and Olisa Agbakoba which organized in Abuja, a dinner to raise fund for the victims of the flooding during which over N11 billion was realized. Dangote was however the highest donor as he donated N2.5 billion to the flood victims.

Ovia said his donation was informed by the need to support government in the onerous task of resettling the affected citizen who are currently sheltered in different camps in the states.

He explained that the victims having been displaced would be psychologically traumatized as a result of the untold misery and that it is the responsibility of fellow Nigerians to help them in this time of need.

PEOPLES DAILY,TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS

SON

T

he Director-General, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Joseph Odumodu has described LASSACO Assurance Plc. as a globally recognized insurance company in terms of quality and excellence.

Odumodu gave the submission following the recent attainment of ISO 9001:2008 quality management system certification by the SON. Speaking while presenting the ISO 9001:2008 certificate to the shareholders, staff, board and management of the company in Lagos, Odumodo stated that LASSACO is the first insurance company to join the league of ISO certified companies, an achievement, he described as a giant stride for excellence.

Insurance

I

nsurance industry would soon get a directory to boost the ongoing insurance awareness campaign. The Insurance Directory Project, a baby of Inspenonline, has been endorsed by the insurance regulator, National Insurance Commission, and all the trade groups in the industry Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) and the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN).

The Editor of Inspenonline, Mr Chuks Udo Okonta, said the process of producing the directory has commenced, and collection of relevant data from operators and ancillary professionals in the industry.

He said: “The Directory will contain the profile and contacts of NAICOM, NIA, CIIN, NCRIB, Institute of Loss Adjusters of Nigeria (ILAN), Insurance Companies, Brokering Companies, Loss Adjusting Companies, Risk Surveyors Association of Nigeria (RISAN) and Risk Surveyors.

Wema Bank

W

ema Bank plc. has announced a gross earning of N25.64 billion for the financial year ended, December 2011. This represents a 35.02 per cent growth when compared with what was recorded in the previous year.

Though gains in earnings and various cost-containment strategies were largely wiped off by one-off impairment charges on assets culminating in an after-tax loss of N7.6bn within the period. The bank has however fully realigned its books for positive performance as it recorded a growth rate of 9.45 percent to N222.24 billion was recorded in total assets in 2011.

Total sells Nigeria oil field to Sinopec for N400bn T

otal SA, France’s larg est oil company, sold its 20 percent stake in an offshore Nigerian field to China Petrochemical Corp. for about $2.5 billion (N400 bn) as part of an asset-disposal program.

The OML 138 block includes the Usan field, which started output in February, Paris-based Total said yesterday in a statement. The asset accounts for about 10 percent of Total’s Nigerian production, which averaged 287,000 barrels a day last year.

The sale is part of Total’s plans to complete $15 billion to $20 billion of asset disposals from 2012 to 2014. China’s state-backed energy companies are seeking new oil and gas reserves abroad to feed the world’s second-largest economy, especially from regions like Africa where government scrutiny is lighter than in North America or Europe.

The sale of a minority stake in the Nigerian block is in line with Total’s policy of actively managing its portfolio, YvesLouis Darricarrere, head of exploration and production, said in today’s statement.

The Usan field production, whose ramp up was slower than expected, could reach 140,000 barrels a day by the end of the

year, Chief Financial Officer Patrick de la Chevardiere said in July. The French company had said it was expecting a peak rate of 180,000 barrels a day.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), is the OML 138 concession holder.

Chevron Petroleum Nigeria Ltd.

has 30 percent, as does Esso E&P Nigeria (Offshore East) Ltd. Nexen Petroleum Nigeria Ltd. has 20 percent.

Sinopec’s reserves of crude oil declined from 3.3 billion barrels in 2007 to 2.8 billion barrels at the end of last year, enough for nine years of pro-

duction at 2011 levels, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Its parent, China Petrochemical, said in January that it will seek to produce 50 million metric tons of crude a year overseas by 2015. Last year, foreign production was 23 million tons.

(Bloomberg)

The Total SA company sign is seen outside their headquarters in the La Defense business district in Paris.

Photo:Bloomberg

Alison-Madueke considers pouring oil on troubled waters N

igeria is considering wa tering down proposed changes to the fiscal regime for international oil companies operating offshore, after warnings that they will drive away investment and cost hundreds of thousands of jobs.

The new terms are part of a long-delayed Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), intended to transform the oil sector in Africa’s largest crude producer after decades of mismanagement and corruption.

Signs of willingness by the government to review a planned hike in royalties comes at a critical moment, since the legislation is awaiting final approval from lawmakers and should be passed within “two to three months”, according to petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke. The legislation has still to overcome domestic political opposition as well as lobbying from the oil industry and similar timelines have not been met in the past.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Mrs. AlisonMadueke said the new fiscal terms were “equitable”, and would only increase the government’s total take by 7-

8 per cent. But she added that there was “room for compromise” on a planned hike in royalties for production sharing contracts offshore, and that talks with multinational companies such as Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Total and Eni were continuing.

“They still feel we are too far apart,” said Mrs. AlisonMadueke, who is Nigeria’s first woman oil minister and is one of President Goodluck Jonathan’s closest allies. “We would like to feel that at the end of the day we have some fairly median point.”

Uncertainly over the bill has caused stagnation in the oil industry, with little spending on exploration in recent years.

Production is stuck at around 2.4m barrels a day, barely half what was targeted a decade ago.

If passed, the legislation will see the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) stripped of regulatory powers and split into three companies, including a listed oil company run along commercial lines. The downstream oil sector, which has seen billions of dollars stolen through collusion between fuel market-

ers and corrupt officials will be deregulated and liberalised.

International oil companies have profited in the past from opaque rules and lax controls, and in many cases have failed to adhere to international standards on environment protection. But rising insecurity and oil theft in the Niger Delta have led the multinationals to focus more on deepwater projects, which unlike onshore joint venture operations are governed by production sharing contracts with better terms.

Mrs. Alison-Madueke said the proposed changes were still less onerous than in countries such as Angola and Indonesia.

But in a presentation to diplomats, civil society groups and government officials in the capital Abuja last week, oil company officials warned that if the bill was not amended 470,000 jobs and up to $100bn in investment could be lost by 2020. There would be no investment in new deepwater projects.

Mrs. Allison-Madueke disagreed with the prognosis, but she said it was difficult to say that the oil companies “are being totally alarmist”. She said

that she expected the existing western players in Nigeria to be the government’s partners for years to come but that if they prove reluctant to invest under the new legislation it could open the door for Chinese and other emerging power oil companies to “roll on in”.

“We have a lot more competition in the sub-Saharan region than we had before, when we were pretty much the sole explorer and producing nation. For that fact alone, and also to keep the discourse going, we are still in discussion [with the oil companies].”

A former Shell employee, Mrs. Allison-Madueke is a controversial figure in Nigeria. She is accused by opponents of running the oil ministry like a personal fiefdom. But she is fierce in her own defence.

“If you are determined to move reforms, you will be seen as a controversial figure, whether you like it or not,” she said, adding that her decision to suspend dozens of fuel marketing companies last November because of suspicions of fraud had led to “vilification, abuse and threats to my life”.

(Financial Times)

PAGE 21

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

Worldwide purchase of mobile devices to exceed N160tr by 2017 Stories by Chris Alu he worldwide purchase of goods and services over mobile devices will exceed $1 trillion (N160 trillion) by the year 2017, IDC Financial Insights, one of the world’s leading providers of independent research and advisory services focusing on business, technology and operational issues within the financial services community, has said in a report.

The report, titled: “Technology Selection: Worldwide Mobile Payments 2012–2017 Forecast,” presented a worldwide forecast of consumer and business spending over mobile networks from 2012 to 2017.

According to the firm, most of this volume will be in the form of mobile commerce, which includes digital media consumed on the device as well as ecommerce through a mobile Web browser.

“Although NFC (Near Field

T

Communication, a set of standards for smartphones and similar devices to establish radio communication with each other) payments are still limited to a few countries in the Asia/ Pacific region, we forecast rapid growth driven by handset and point-of-sale terminal upgrades,” the firm said.

Experts have said it is getting

pretty clear that mobile payments has a long way to go, as phones are gradually taking the centre stage in businesses.

Mobile payment, also sometimes referred to as mobile money, mobile money transfer, and mobile wallet, refers to payment services operated under financial regulation and performed from or via a mobile

device.

Most of the banks already have already climbed the platform of the mobile money services. First Bank, Stanbic IBTC, and UBA are among the banks offering mobile money services. It is expected that the nation’s banking sector would grow its activity in line with its global counterparts.

T

B

G

oogle has partnered with Acer to launch a new Acer C7 Chromebook priced at $199. It has also launched a locationbased mobile-augmented reality game called Ingress.

Google has updated its Google+ mobile SDK to allow developers to include deep links when content from their apps is shared with Google+.

YouTube updated its Android and Google TV apps to enable users push videos directly from their phones to their TV sets. It also launched new Blogger app for iOS and Android and a dedicated search app for

Apple

(NCC), is expected to present a keynote address on certain issues pertaining to Quality of Service , Number Portability; Open Access to Broadband Infrastructure; Provision of Frequency Spectrum for Service delivery as well as Mainstreaming Local Content in the Nigerian Telecoms development.

According to the statement, the forum will be open to all operators in the telecoms sector in Nigeria, and is designed to create an opportunity for key industry players to interact and contribute their quota to the regulators, with the aim of building a continual good working relationship.

It is also aimed at creating a platform for the regulator to update the industry on the regulator’s directions and plans for the industry in the coming years.

Furthermore, the forum is designed as a veritable avenue for the regulator to receive feedback from the industry, with a view to understanding the challenges and prospects industry players have to grapple with and explore to ensure sustained growth of the industry.

Also, participants are expected to brainstorm on measures that would accelerate the expansion of telecommunications services

across the federation in the years ahead.

The forum will include panel discussion sessions to allow elaborate and judicious deliberations on the various sub-themes. Some of the confirmed panelists include the CEO of key telecoms companies in Nigeria.

Participation in the forum is restricted to top executives of telecom operating companies.

As the name of the event implies, participation is strictly for high level management personnel of operating companies. Therefore, delegates to the forum must consist of decision-makers in the participating organisations.

Airtel completes largest network transformation in African telecoms history harti Airtel (Airtel), a l e a d i n g telecommunications services provider with operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa, today said that it has undertaken an end-to-end network transformation program across its mobile operations in 16 African countries.

The program, which is the largest of its kind on the African continent, in partnership with Ericsson involved a comprehensive upgrade and expansion of network elements on all of Airtel’s African operations, including switching, radio, network management, data, charging, and consumerservices platforms and systems.

This network transformation

Google

Windows RT.

ATCON to host operators and regulators he Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) is planning to host some Nigerian’s Telecoms Operator and Regulators forum before the end of the year.

This was made known in a statement issued by Executive Secretary, ATCON, Ajibola Olude, and made available to Peoples Daily.

The meeting, which will be the first of it kind is scheduled to hold at Golden Gate Paradise on December 12,2012 Ikoyi, Lagos.

Dr. Eugene Juwah, Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), Nigerian Communications Commission

ICT NEWS BITS

…partners Ericsson for comprehensive upgrade of network program, under which Ericsson has deployed latest wireless technologies, will enhance Airtel’s network capacity and robustness and help deliver best-in-class services to customers at affordable rates.

This also makes Airtel’s networks fully ready for next generation services that include high speed data and value added services.

In addition, a full upgrade of the charging platforms across all operations was implemented introducing the latest version of Ericsson’s Charging System, enabling Airtel to offer subscribers new

and innovative value-added services such as mobile wallets. This project which will result in Airtel’s 60+ million customers having a better experience on their networks.

Chief Technical Officer, Airtel Africa, Eben Albertyn said, “Customer is at the core of everything we do at Airtel. The implementation of this transformation program will enable us to further enrich our customer experience across the region. It allows us to provide Airtel subscribers with the best network possible while meeting the growing usage of mobile

data.

Our long-standing relationship with Ericsson gave us confidence in their ability to manage and deliver such a large and complex project.”

Backed by 12,000 consulting and systems integration professionals across the world, over one hundred resources worked onsite to ensure successful delivery of this complex project – the largest network modernization program in Africa’s telecom history.

This transformation program follows the 2011 announcement of an ongoing five year multi-country managed services agreement, wherein Ericsson would manage and optimise Airtel’s mobile networks across Africa.

A

pple has inked a 10year patent licence agreement with HTC. The latter will now apparently pay Apple $6 to $8 for every phone sold. The company is also planning to end its Messages beta program on Dec 14.

Apple has partnered with Flipboard to add a new ‘Books’ section to the Flipboard app, allowing users to browse through Apple’s iBookstore catalogue in a magazine format.

Google is apparently working on a native Google Maps app for iOS which will feature turn-by-turn navigation, while Apple is reportedly in talks with Motorola to resolve its patent dispute over standards essential patents.

Microsoft

M

icrosoft has launched a preview version of Skype for Windows Phone 8 and Internet Explorer 10 for Windows 7. It is also planning to launch native Sharepoint apps for Windows Phone, Windows 8 and iOS in early 2013.

Microsoft’s SharePoint services now account for $2 billion revenues annually. The company released new .NET and Windows Phone SDKs for SkyDrive along with integration to IFTTT, DocuSign and Sound Gecko.

It also updated its Windows Phone 8 and Android apps for the service and enhanced its SkyDrive service to enable users to selectively sync their files with the cloud service and allow them to share their files more easily.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

PAGE 22

The 25 best places to work around the world (II) 12. Ernst & Young Headquarters: UK Employees: 167,000 hy it's great: Ernst & Young believes in involving even its most junior workers in leadership opportunities. This year the company sent more than 2,300 interns from 27 different countries to its International Intern Leadership Conference.

What employees say: "I have worked for other Big Four firms and they all wanted to have a 'people first culture.' It was not until I became part of Ernst & Young that I actually found it to be true that a Big Four firm could actually have a true 'people first culture' that was real, alive and lasting."

W

National Instruments offices, Malaysia 16. National Instruments Headquarters: USA Employees: 6,704 hy it's great: National Instruments uses the idea of "Sneaker Management" to keep informed of what is going on among lowerand mid-level employees. The idea of "Sneaker Management" is meant to convey the action of

W

15. Intel Headquarters: USA Employees: 104,116 hy it's great: New hires at Intel have dedicated greeters and gifts waiting for them when they arrive on their first days as a part of their hands-on new employee

W

Monsanto offices in India

14. Monsanto Headquarters: USA Employees: 21,255 hy it's great: The company holds its annual Sustainable Yield Pledge Awards to recognize the most innovative, hardworking, and forwardingthinking employees. In this recognition, Monsanto also gives back to the communities in which the awardees live and work.

What employees say: "Our technology has potential to impact global food availability. That gets me out of bed in the morning huge challenge, huge benefit."

"I am only limited in my advancement by my own imposed limits, not any from Monsanto."

W

having executives, including the CEO himself, walk around and visit with their subordinates.

What employees say: "You always feel like you are a part of something big. Small things, like our CEO eating in the same cafeteria as us, showcase that we all are a part of a big family and promotes a healthy work environment."

orientation.

What employees say: "The company is like a second home and is a very conducive environment for work.

Employees' appeals are heard and answered and we are made as comfortable as possible so that we can [contribute] to our fullest."

13. Telef贸nica Employees: 130,709 hy it's great: Any Telef贸nica employee who has been in their position for at least a year is eligible for the Global Rotation Program, which allows them to spend six months working on a specific project at a Telef贸nica office in another country.

What employees say: "At Telef贸nica, we are constantly encouraged to become better at what we do, learn more, improve our capabilities, take on more responsibilities and [get] involved with our community so that we can improve the experience of our customers. It's a great place to work."

11. PepsiCo Headquarters: USA Employees: 300,000 hy it's great: Associates include a personal goal in their performance development review process and are asked to deliver against this goal, just like any other goal, to ensure a work-life balance.

What employees say: "This company considers that the employees are people before being employees, and promotes conditions that allow the professional and personal development of each one of us who works here. PepsiCo cares about our work-life balance and our performance."

W

9. Diageo Headquarters: UK Employees: 25,000 hy it's great: Diageo's company philosophy is "celebrating life every day, everywhere." The company and its employees participate in events and fundraisers to raise awareness and money for the less-privileged each year.

What employees say: "I consider myself to be a Diageo 'lifer.' I have been here 10 years and I cannot imagine working anywhere else!

I look forward to coming to work each and every day (even on Mondays!)."

"I am encouraged to be my whole self at work. I am proud to bring my purpose to life through delivering the business results."

8. W.L. Gore & Associates Headquarters: USA Employees: 10,059 hy it's great: Every associate at W. L. Gore & Associates has a sponsor who coaches, mentors, and commits to helping that person succeed at the company.

What employees say: "People give you the opportunity to really excel here-they will take you under their wing and mentor you, but as soon as you are ready, they will let you fly."

"The Gore lattice structure (lack of hierarchy) allows for our team to function as a family."

7. Federal Express Pix Caption: Headquarters: USA Employees: 151,344 hy it's great: FedEx has a culture of volunteerism, using its global reach and relationships with humanitarian agencies during natural disasters to 6. Marriott Employees: 325,000 hy it's great: Modeled after the company's core values, Marriott has hotel managers hold small group sessions with their subordinates to discuss issues like saving for retirement, how to open a checking account or get a car loan.

What employees say: "I think one of the many things that impresses me most is the executives of the company-they greet us by name and [ask] how we are doing."

further the service of emergency relief agencies and efforts.

What employees say: "I started working for FedEx after I turned 65. I have been employed for six years now and I am not pressured to quit. I enjoy the work atmosphere and am proud I work for FedEx."

W

W W

W

5. Microsoft Headquarters: USA Employees: 96,052 hy it's great: Microsoft started the DigiGirlz program in 2000 to encourage more women to pursue careers in technology. The program hosts events with girls in high school to explore available careers in the industry and has a panel of speakers come answer questions.

What employees say: ""This has truly been my dream job. I've never worked for such a wonderful company. Microsoft truly cares about their employees."

W

W

10. Autodesk Headquarters: USA Employees: 7,254 hy it's great: Autodesk's sabbatical program provides all eligible employees in the United States with six weeks of paid time off every four years, which is on top of vacation and holidays.

What employees say: "Working at Autodesk gives me a chance to talk to people all over the world, understand their perspectives and try to meet their needs. I can't imagine a better job."

W

(Source:businessinsider.com) (Concluded)

4. Kimberly-Clark Headquarters: USA Employees: 57,929 hy it's great: Before their first days, new hires at Kimberly-Clark receive a welcome package in the mail that contains information about the job and company, an email from their "Godfather," or mentor, and a key, symbolic of opening "the door of the Best Company."

What employees say: "KimberlyClark is a family. The HR department [is] focused on the wellbeing of the employees, making you feel confident, protected and willing to contribute to the company's goals."

W

3. NetApp Headquarters: USA Employees: 12,643 Why it's great: New NetApp

employees are introduced to NetApp's senior management, business objectives, culture, and values in monthly training sessions they call TOAST-Training On All Special Things.

What employees say: "NetApp is a great place to work because every employee is given the opportunity to be a 'difference maker,' to help propel the company to the next level."

"This company goes out of its way to be inclusive, and to send the message to employees that they matter."

2. Google Headquarters: USA Employees: 34,311 Why it's great: Google's "CareerGuru" program matches Google executives with Google employees to provide confidential, one-on-one career coaching and guidance around the subjects of work-life balance, personal and professional development, communication styles, and conflict resolution, among others.

What employees say: "Though there are plenty of places in the Silicon Valley where you can make money fast, Google is a place you can call home.Your coworkers are your friends, and everyone is passionate and really great at what they do. It's not just the company, it's the people that make Google truly great."

1. SAS Institute Headquarters: USA Employees: 13,268 hy it's great: The CEO of SAS hosts "Conversations Over Coffee" each month to discuss any topics employees bring to the table in an informal, no-pressure gathering.

What employees say: "The concept of the knowledge worker-someone who will thrive in an environment where they are empowered and their day to day worries are minimized-is alive and well here. I haven't felt so intellectually alive in any other place I have worked."

W

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

PAGE 24

PAGE 25

The misuse and abuse of Abuja’s bus rapid transit (BRT) vehicles Once upon a time, going to and coming from work in Lagos used to be almost a whole day’s affair with little left in between to do the actual work. However, the introduction of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on specially designated roads by Governor Raji Batunde Fashola’s administration has dramatically eased the commuting headache faced by many a worker in the nation’s bustling commercial capital. Now Abuja, the nation’s administrative capital is operating a similar system but not in a smooth manner, as Etuka Sunday has found out.

Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, brought BRT to Abuja

T

he Urban Mass Transit Scheme popularly called Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in Lagos state was introduced by Governor Raji Babatunde Fashola’s administration to provide succour to the teaming population of Lagos commuters, especially the teaming workforce that makes the former federal capital the most populated city in the country.

It took off with few hitches, absorbing the unemployed youths and street urchins within the state. Gone are now the days when Lagosians were held on the road for hours because of traffic hold ups.

In order to make it fast and efficient, separate lanes were constructed for the BRT buses so that workers could get to their places of work on time.

Appropriate laws have been put in place to guide the smooth running of the scheme as well as ensure compliance with traffic and operational regulations so that no violator of those laws can go unpunished. In that light, punishments are

mated out to traffic offenders, especially those who drive on the BRT lanes.

One of the most prominent laws is that which forbids drivers other than BRT buses’ from using the BRT lanes. Another law stipulates that a passenger must only be given a ticket of more than 50 naira at a time on request so that if they intend to break the journey they may do so without let or hindrance.

For Lagosians, the scheme has brought a sort of relief to them as they could get to their places of work without wasting an unnecessary time on the ever busy roads of Lagos.

They could also leave their houses with the mindset that the buses are readily waiting for them in the bus tops.

One important thing to note about the Lagos BRT Buses is that they are properly monitored, maintained and suitable for all calibre of persons living in the state. Of course one of the reasons for its introduction was to discourage Lagosians from using their personal cars to

work so as to ease traffic, which was achieved.

The sensitisation for its usage was well packaged such that those who owned cars in Lagos were moved into accepting the scheme.

They discovered that they could actually go to work with 50 fifty or hundred Naira regardless of where they live instead of buying N300 fuel on a daily basis.

They also discovered that instead of servicing their cars frequently which is cost effective, they could reduce the number of days or months of servicing the cars since BRT buses are fast, reliant and are readily available. The buses are much therefore passengers don’t necessary have to wait for hours before they could board them; they are always waiting for passengers.

In contrast to what obtains in Lagos, the Abuja BRT scheme is not yet quiet the success it is supposed to be.

Although the

Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company Limited (AUMTCO)

administration of erstwhile FCT Mallam Nasri el-Rufai introduced the scheme in Abuja, it almost died with his reign.

In Abuja, the BRT buses are called el-Rufai buses

because he introduced the scheme. During his reign, passengers were paying fifty (50) naira to their destinations regardless of the distance of the trip, and the service was better

“

Today, sharp practices have been introduced into the scheme. Aside from the fact that the Abuja BRT buses are charging 100 naira instead of the 50 naira indicated on tickets, passengers and goods, including livestock and poultry, compete for space, a fact which is making the buses uncomfortable for workers who usually dress neatly for work every day

provided than what obtains now because it was properly monitored.

Two years after that administration, almost all the buses have packed up with only few remaining operational.

After the removal of fuel subsidy and the hike of the pump price of petroleum and related product, the government purchased some buses to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal. Today those buses are called subsidy buses.

When the buses were first introduced, Abuja residents heaved a sigh of relief in the belief that the scheme would continue as promised by the President because people were paying fifty (50) naira to their destinations.

But gradually everything changed.

Today, sharp practices have been introduced into the scheme. Aside from the fact that the Abuja BRT buses are charging 100 naira instead of the 50 naira indicated on tickets, passengers and goods, including livestock and poultry, compete for space, a fact which is making the buses uncomfortable for workers who usually dress neatly for work every day.

One thing that is obvious about the scheme in Abuja is that it there had been no proper planning before it was launched. With no special routes and roads ala Lagos, the BRT buses have to manoeuvre their way through some of the busy roads in Abuja making life uncomfortable for the workers who may want to go to their places of work

on time.

There is no gain saying that the economy of the Federal Capital Territory is suffering because of the poor transport system being experienced by the work force (workers). Some usually spend two to four hours just to get to their places of work and may want to close early from work in order not sleep on the road because of traffic jams and hold-ups.

One can confidently say that workers are not giving their best to work in Abuja because of the poor transport system. For those that spend four hours to work and four hours from work to their destinations may have less to contribute to the economy of FCT. The government must act fast or leave the economy in the doldrums!

Governor Raji Batunde Fashola, First introduced BRT in Lagos

(LAMATA) - Operators of the Bus Rapid Transit system (BRT) in Lagos

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

PAGE 26

Maritime crime: How military captured 17 vessels at sea

By Joy Baba

D

etails of how the military arrested 17 vessels in the Gulf of Guinea including those illegally ferrying crude oil out of the country have emerged.

Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba said the arrests were made during the Navy fleet evaluation exercise code-named ‘Exercise FARAUTA’, meaning hunting in Hausa parlance A total of eight war ships, six gunboats and three helicopters, including the Nigerian Army and Maritime Patrol Aircraft of the Nigerian Air Force helped to ensure the success of the exercise.

He said the troop was at sea for seven days during which the arrests were made. One of the crude oil laden vessels he said did not have any form of documentation According to Ezeoba “We interrogated 17 vessels at sea, out of which, we found two culpable. Some would have to

explain as per the quantity of the petroleum they have on board, some were in excess of what was approved and one of the other vessels did not have any documentation at all”.

He said the Navy has the requisite technology for the fleet evaluation but has certain challenges on transfer of data but added that such would be taken care of soon.

“We have the requisite technology in this fleet evaluation. An aircraft was at sea with us for seven days. In terms of surveillance driven by technology, we have the capability. What we lack is the real time transfer of data to the ship out at sea, so we have to wait at some point to use voice communication. Effort is ongoing to domesticate in our capability for support equipment so that whatever data will get to us real time”, he said.

Stating that the exercise was a continuous one, Ezeoba said the Navy is all out to rid the nation’s waters of pirates and

other maritime criminals and asked for the corporation of all. ”It is important to note that this exercise would continue.

For us to continue to do what we are supposed to do, it is important we get all the support we can get from government.

The navy needs to be encouraged. Crude oil thieves and pirates have already seen the signals and they don’t have a choice than to leave our waters”.

He also that the exercise would enable the Nigerian navy to assess its operational capability with a view to identifying gaps and taking necessary measures to fill such gaps for enhanced operational readiness.

President Goodluck Jonathan while decorating the Service Chiefs recently in Abuja charged the Navy to do all it can to stamp out the prevalence of illegal maritime activities, particularly crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and piracy in the Niger Delta region.

Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba

Navy set boat with diesel ablaze

Deputy Director, Defence Information Group Capt.

Adebayor Makun, being decorated with his new rank by the Director Defence Information, (DDI), Col Mohammed Yerima and his wife.

Photo: Joy Baba

By Joy Baba

T

hree communities in Warri, Delta state were thrown into pandemonium recently at the sight of a flaming boat fully loaded with illegally refined diesel.

The boat was said to have been set ablaze by Navy personnel combating illegal maritime activities in the area.

The communities include; Firewood village, Ogbogbebene, and Sandfill community The boat, owned by oil thieves in the area and suspected to be carrying illegal refined diesel was intercepted by the Nigerian Navy at about 5am. In a bid to escape arrest, the suspected oil thieves jumped into the river but menof the Navy reportedly set it ablaze.

New Jaji commandant pledges to improve personnel welfare From Mohammed Adamu, Kaduna

T

he new Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) Jaji, Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Abdullahi, has pledged to focus on personnel welfare, training and infrastructure for the next two years he would be in office.

Abdullahi made the remarks in Jaji, while taking over office from Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Muazu, who proceeded on retirement after two years of service as the college commandant.

He said his predecessor left a shoe too big for him to wear, “but

I will do my best in ensuring that we bring in new innovations that will lead the college to a greater height.“ The Commandant sought for support of the personnel to achieve the set goal of the college with a promise to operate an open door policy smooth running of the college.

He commended the former commandant for the achieving so much within the two years he served the college.

Abdullahi ordered for a Standing ovation for the outgoing commandant and promised to consult with him in areas of need.

Earlier in his remark, Muazu

said the new commandant had come with fresh ideas and would ensure progress in running the affairs of the command.

He commended the staff and personnel of the command for overlooking his shortcomings and the support given him while in office. He commended the host community for supporting the cantonment over the years.

The new Commandant received notes and the college flag from former officer.

Abdullahi, holds MBA, MSC Degrees in Finance and Strategic Studies was chief of Administration at the Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Abuja.

Some of the alleged oil thieves in the boat set ablaze by Nigerian Navy Photo: Nigerian Navy

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

Army set for 2012 0fficers training week

By Joy Baba

T

he Nigerian Army has said that all is now set for the 2012 Officers Training Week scheduled for this week. The event will take place at 81 Div Auditorium Marina, Lagos with the theme “Capacity Development for meeting Contemporary Security Challenges in 81 Division Area of Responsibility.”

This was contained in a statement signed by the Assistant Director, Public Relations of the army, Lt. Col. K Ogunsanya The statement further said the training week is the final exercise of the division in line with the forecast of training activities for the year 2012 which is designed to enhance harmonious relationship among the various security

agencies within the area of responsibility in particular and Nigeria in general.

An audience of about 120 officers drawn from the military, paramilitary organisations and other security agencies within the Division’s Area of responsibility are expected to be at the exercise. To also be in attendance are Sister’s Service Commanders, Corps Commanders, Senior Retired Officers, Directors of Army Headquarters establishment and other formations and units commander under the division the statement also said.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Onyeabor Azubuike Ihejirika will be the Special Guest of honour and is expected to declare the training week open.

PAGE 27

Military urged to engage in public relations

Defence attachees play crucial role in resolving security challenges

By Joy Baba

T

he Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Olusola Obada has said that defence advisers/attachees have a crucial role to play in resolving Nigeria’s security challenges noting that Nigerian military officers rank above other countries in their training, experience and moral discipline.

The minister stated this at the opening ceremony of the annual defence advisers/attachees Conference held in Abuja with the theme “Focusing the Defence Attache Management and Security Systems to Meet Contemporary Challenges in Nigeria”.

She said the conference is the Defence Intelligence Agency’s (DIA) major forum for performance evaluation, improvement, goal setting, policy formulation and strategic development for the effective performance of the Defence Advisers/Attaches System.

Obada further said, these Defence Advisers/Attaches are the vanguard of efforts to build a framework of peace and prosperity between Nigeria and the nations they are accredited

to serve this she said can be achieved through authentic data and information gathering to guide against any strategic surprises. She urged the participants to evolve strategies that will focus the Defence Attache Management and Security Systems to meet Contemporary Challenges in our nation.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General Sanni Audu said the conference was organised to give them the opportunity to discuss current significant issues and as part of the agency’s efforts at contributing their quota in the realisation of the present administration’s transformation agenda. He further said that the conference is an avenue to identify new lessons, challenges, to discuss modalities of overcoming such challenges, re-strategise for the future and create an atmosphere for sustainable national security and development. He said, their contributions will form part of a vital part of the Agency’s feedback to government with regards to repositioning our efforts to meet contemporary security challenges.

Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada (middle) with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Prof. Nicholas Damachi and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Maj-Gen Sanni Audu, at the occasion.

Hajia Maryam Abacha (right) unveiling the book during the launch in Abuja.

By Joy Baba

T

he Commandant of the National Defence College, Real Admiral TJ Lokoson has said the military must continue to engage in vigorous public relations and information management activities in the interest of national security.

The commandant, who was represented by his deputy Maj. Gen Mohammed Idris stated this at the college during the launching of a book by a Col. John Adache (rtd) titled “ The military and public relations: Issues, Strategies and Challenges”

While urging the military to continue to live up to the challenge through making strides in research and scholarship, the commandant noted that the college will continue to hold its place prominently amongst its pears globally.

He added that the publication of the book was very timely as public relations practiced by most complex organizations enhanced by varied mode of modern communication. He added that the military cannot afford to be left behind.

In his welcome address, the author of the book, Col Adache

rtd (who was the public relation officer of former first lady, Maram Abacha) said public relations involves more than managing the flow of information between an organisation and its public describing noting that it is a communication discipline that engages and informs key audience, builds important relationship and brings vital information back into the organization for analysis and actions.

In attendance at the launching was former first lady, Hajia Maryam Abacha who supported the author with the sum of N5 million.

Army denies executing Boko Haram captives T

By Joy Baba with agency report he Director, Defence Information (DDI) Colonel Mohammed Yerima, has said the Sunday video that reportedly shows Nigerian troops summarily executing captured members of the terrorist Islamic group, Boko Haram was fake.

“How can they do that? It is not possible. This is the Boko Haram tactics,” He said. “They will do the killing, say it’s the military and then Amnesty International and so on will blame us. It’s not possible for Nigerian troops to act in this way.”

The video comes weeks

after Amnesty International released a report entitled “Nigeria: Trapped in the cycle of violence,” which strongly criticised government tactics against Boko Haram (the name roughly means “Western education is sinful”).

“The cycle of attack and counter-attack has been marked by unlawful violence on both sides, with devastating consequences for the human rights of those trapped in the middle,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty.

Chief of defense staff Admiral Ola Ibrahim, commenting on the report, told the BBC last week said “We

have rules of engagement.

A few of our men who have violated some of these rules are on trial.”

He added, “The information technology and present-day capacity to manipulate even pictures and use it to your advantage is part of the kind of warfare that we are acutely aware of.”

In early November there were reports of the Nigerian army killing between 30 and 40 young men in raids in the northeast city of Maiduguri, a known Boko Haram stronghold. It was suggested many were not armed or members of Boko Haram.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

By Mohammed Kandi

T

he Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has distributed over 1, 500 metric tons (MT) of food as part of the relief effort to the victims of recent flood disaster in Oyo state.

A statement issued yesterday in Abuja by one of the minister’s aides, Dr. oyeleye olukayode, said government also plans to release a total of 40,000 MT of food items from the Strategic Grain Reserves to families affected by the flood.

“Today, Ibadan is one of the epicenters for the food relief effort to many states of the Federation.

Today, the Federal Government is delivering, free of charge to Oyo State, a total of 1,500MT comprising of 1,500 MT of food (50 trucks).

“Mr. President has visited several parts of the affected States.

His leadership, pro-activeness and

PAGE 29

FG distributes 1, 500 MT of food to flood victims in Oyo empathy have been a great encouragement for all. Mr. President had approved the sum of N17.6 Billion Naira for the affected States to address the immediate challenges of displaced families, on food, sanitation, health and housing and has further put in place emergency measures that will reduce the impact of the flood on displaced farmers, allow them get back on their feet to return to their farms as soon as possible,” it stressed.

“The situation with the flood

presents a huge challenge on food security in many parts of the country, including Oyo State. Farm lands have been washed away, farmers have been displaced and their food security has been compromised. But let me assure you that the Federal Government is taking all measures to mitigate the impacts of the flood. Nigeria will not have famine. We will not have a food crisis. We will recover from the flood,” the statement explained.

According to the statement, the government had set up a National

Flood Recovery Food Production Plan to further alleviate the problem of the flood victims, adding that “the goal is to ensure that the immediate food security needs of the areas affected by the flood are addressed and that we double up production in areas that were not affected by floods, to ensure that our national food security is not threatened.

Consequently, Mr. President approved the sum of N9.7 Billion Naira to implement this plan nationwide.”

“Today marks the initiation of

Agriculturist urges bee-keeping business

A

n agriculturist, Mr Frank Orji, has urged Nigerians, especially the youth, to embrace commercial bee-keeping to reduce unemployment in the country.

Orji told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abakaliki that the country was blessed with abundant forests which could support bee-keeping.

“Bee-keeping generates income for individuals and creates jobs as it involves less risks and finances to operate. In advanced countries, several industries are involved in this venture to produce honey used for medicinal purposes and other industrial uses.

“The government should take advantage of the abundance of forests and bushes in the country for the overall agricultural and economic growth,” he said.

Orji said that with adequate resources and the enabling environment, he could train youths in his area and the state in the art of bee-keeping.

“With the little resources available to me, I have ventured into local production of facilities and equipment used in commercial beekeeping,” he said.

According to him, scientific research has shown that bees pollinate 80 per cent of flowers worldwide, adding that, “We therefore need them in abundance to pollinate food and cash crops, as without this, the quantity and quality of food production will be low.”

The agriculturist noted that the first step to bee-keeping was to erase the fear of bee sting, which painted the venture as dangerous.

“Prospective bee-keepers should consult experts who would guide them to adequately use available facilities to extract honey from beehives without being stung.

“They will also be taught the best time of the year to start keeping bees, where to keep the bees, rudiments of swarming and why bees are peaceful during the period, among others.

“They will also be guided on the best direction to position the bees’ hive, the best trees, plants and flowers for bees to produce good honey,” he said. (NAN)

President of Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN), Mr. Sayina R. Riman (left), South-West regional director of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Julius Odeyemi, his SouthSouth counterpart, Mr. Martin Odey and the Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Kole Ogunsuyi, at the two-day workshop on 2012 progress report and 2013 plan design, at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan, recently.

FG assures farmers on provision of farm inputs

By Mohammed Kandi with agency report

F

armers in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara state has been assured of adequate support on farm inputs.

Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe gave the assurance while speaking with newsmen after the launching of 2012/2013 farming season at the Bakolori Irrigation project in Zamfara.

Ochekpe said that the ministry was working in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as well as other stakeholders to address the challenges of farmers.

She said that the effort was part of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda to maximise agricultural potentials in the country.

According to her, the Federal Government has also released N9 billion to the ministry of agriculture to purchase farm inputs for farmers across the country.

“The N9 billion is to purchase seedlings and other inputs and distribute to farmers in order that we don’t have a food gap in the country.

“This is to show the extent of the

commitment of Federal Government under the leadership of Goodluck Jonathan.

“So, farmers should be expecting more inputs to be supplied and I believe the ministry of agriculture will soon make available some of these inputs.”

The minister, however, said that the purpose of the transformation agenda was to modernise and promote agriculture to the extent that there would be food sufficiency in the country.

She said that the agenda was also to ensure that Nigeria exports food instead of importing it, adding that Nigeria had to organise its agricultural practise to achieve the feat.

Earlier, some farmers who spoke with NAN lauded the Zamfara government in providing fertilisers at reduced prices for them.

They, however, appealed for the intervention of the Federal Government in providing other inputs such as insecticides, herbicides and fertilisers as well as farm machinery.

Mallam Sulema Galadima, a farmer said that the state government had been selling fertiliser at N1,000 against the

market price of N6,000, adding that seedlings were provided on loans.

“They only provide seedlings for us on loans, but we buy herbicides, insecticides and fertilisers, we have to buy them and most of us cannot afford to buy those inputs.

He said that agriculture should be subsidised for it to be successful, adding that a price of fertiliser costs N6, 000 during the rainy season, and expressed hope that it would not change.

“We are also faced with challenge of marketing and storing our produce because we currently farm rice, beans, wheat, cowpea, maize, potatoes and beans,” he said.

Mallam Umaru Abubakar, another farmer wanted government to subsidise fertiliser for farmers and to provide other farm inputs.

“The Sokoto Rima Basin Development Authority provides fertilisers for us and I pay in kind with my harvest because I can’t afford to buy it in cash,” he said.

Also, Mohammadu Rabi, expressed satisfaction over the launching of wheat production in the basin, saying that participation of government officials should be encouraged.

the first component, the distribution of food from the Strategic Grain Reserves to families affected by the flood. A total of 40,000 MT of food items which includes Maize, Sorghum, Garri and Millet are being released and distributed from our Strategic Grain Reserve Silos located across the country.

A total of 11, 550 MT of food will be trucked out of the silos in Ibadan and Akure to provide Federal Government food relief for the following states: Anambra: 1,500 MT (50 trucks), Lagos: 1,200 MT (40 trucks), Imo: 1,200 MT (40 trucks).

Others include Ondo: 900 MT (30 trucks), Ogun: 900 MT (30 trucks), Enugu: 750 MT (25 trucks), Bauchi: 1,200 (40 trucks), Abia: 900 MT (30 trucks), Ekiti: 750 MT (25 trucks) and Osun: 750 MT (25 trucks).

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, however warned that on no account should the relief items be sold saying “anyone caught selling or diverting the food relief items will be prosecuted and face the full weight of the law.”

Adesina also directed that due considerations be given to women and children, who are most vulnerable groups

Ekiti to establish all season irrigation farming, grazing reserve

E

kiti State Government will soon establish an all season irrigation farm and grazing reserves in the state, Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ganiyu Owolabi, has said.

Owolabi, who made this known at an Agric forum in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital recently explained that the new initiative was part of efforts by government to boost food security and create employment.

He said that the government had already prepared a large expanse of farm land around Oke Ako for the project.

According to him, the zeal and passion displayed by Ekiti farmers of old had disappeared among the youths.

He stressed that the present administration had made up its mind to make farming attractive once again to new generation of young farmers.

“We are embarking on all these in order to resuscitate the enthusiasm for farming that Ekiti people were known for,” the SSG said.

Owolabi, however, emphasised the need for proper mentoring and guidance of the new generation farmers by the old ones.

He added that government needed all the support it could get to achieve its aim of turning the state to a food basket.

He called on corporate bodies to support government’s effort at achieving economic emancipation of youths in the state. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

PAGE 28

Farmers calls for improvement in cocoa production

A

farmer under the aegis of the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Associations of Nigeria (FACAN) has called for improvement in the quality and quantity of cocoa production in the country.

Dr Victor Iyama, the National President of the association, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.

He urged Nigerian youths to embrace farming and cocoa production in particular saying “We should be looking towards improvement in the production of cocoa. That is what we really need.

We really need to gear up and make sure we produce more cocoa.”

“It’s not only that it will bring in more revenue, and more needed foreign exchange, but it will create lots and lots of employment.

“Our youths are out there; cocoa farming and even other farming can easily provide the much needed employment for unemployed youths and even some middle-aged men that is where we are going towards. That is where we are going towards, that is what we want to do in FACAN,” he stressed.

Nigeria currently produce less than 300,000 tonnes of cocoa as against Cote De’Voire and Ghana that turn out more than one million tonnes into the world market annually.

Iyama allayed fears of the long gestation of cocoa trees, saying that there were improved varieties of seedlings that could take few years to mature.

“Cocoa farming, though, it’s tedious, it takes some time but with the new improved variety that are being introduced, our youths can always be encouraged to go into it because they are not patient. Once you have a variety of two or two and half years, why not?”

“Instead of them roaming the streets looking for jobs that are not in existence, they (youths) can go into that, not only cocoa farming, all sorts of farming,” he explained.

He called on government to provide the enabling environment for agriculture to strive in order to provide more jobs to the teeming unemployed youths in the country.

“What we are praying for is an enabling environment, which I believe the government is very serious at doing, because it’s very simple. If you set up a factory, how many people can the factory employ? It will only employ some.

“If you take a 20,000 tonnes factory for example, yes it will do its bit, maybe it will employ about 100 people. A 20,000 tonnes capacity farm will employ about 14,000 people.”

NAN reports that the Federal Government, under its Growth Enhancement Programme, promised to aid cocoa production with 3.5 million cocoa pods for production into improved seedlings.

Already, the Cocoa Association of Nigeria had received the first tranche of 50,000 pods for distribution to seedling producers.

(NAN)

Kogi launches GES desk to boost cocoa production

Nigerian cocoa farmers

By Dr. Oyeleye Olukayode

G

enerally, there is an upbeat across states about cocoa since the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) started. Kogi State in particular is having big plans for growing cocoa industry in the state. This was evident in the presentation made by Mr. Sunday Gabriel Omaku recently in Ibadan, at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) headquarters, during the Cocoa Transformation Agenda Implementation Plan in which the 2012 progress report was presented for deliberation and the 2013 implementation plan was designed.

Mr. Omaku gave an idea of the deplorable situation of cocoa in the state, which is about to change.

“Most of our farmers are ageing,” he said. “That is why we are trying to enter into this Cocoa Transformation Agenda. The state governor has given a directive to every local government producing cocoa to clear two hectares each for raising seedlings, realising that using only one station will create hardships for the farmer.”

Not done, Mr. Omaku, who, until recently was a staff with tree crops unit in the ministry of agriculture in the state has had a new role carved out for him. He is now a director in charge of Growth Enhancement Support (GES), in the state, making Kogi about the first state to have a staff with the status of a director on GES. Omaku said cocoa is produced in nine local governments in Kogi, namely: Kabba-Bunu, Ijumu, Mopa Muro, Dekina, Yagba East, Yagba West, Ankpa, Ogori Magongo,

Omala local governments. He said over 2,000 cocoa farmers are expected to benefit from GES in the state, but lamented, however, that only 30 farmers have so far been captured. This creates a dilemma on sharing the available GES inputs for the 30 farmers. He disclosed that an arrangement will be made for the input distribution.

According to Omaku, Kogi State is planning to host the 2013 Cocoa Day in March 2013. But the stake, he said, has some challenges. “We don’t have grading facilities. Most of our produce is sold through the neighbouring Ekiti State. “To start with, he said the state will “be glad to have seedlings” for the farmers.

Akwa Ibom has not been popularly known as big cocoa producer state, but Elder Ezekiel Umoh, Coordinator, Community Plantation Development Scheme at the ministry in the state was at Ibadan to tell Nigerians about the position of his state’s government on cocoa. According to Umoh, Community Plantation Development Scheme has been operational since 2004 on oil palm, cocoa and rubber.

“We encouraged farmers to plant 86,000 hectares of cocoa planted under the scheme. Cocoa is cultivated in 19 out of 31 local government areas.” He said his state is interested in boosting cocoa business and so, “we are supporting ATA.” To access the GES facilities, he said the state needs 17 redemption centres. “ He announced the plan for November 22 for the GES roll-out in Akwa Ibom, saying the state has “18,000 farmers under GES, a small percentage considering the number

of farmers cultivating cocoa in Akwa Ibom. For Umoh, “most farmers captured under GES complain that the number of bags of fertiliser per farmer is small” and appealed to the federal government for a review.”

Kwara, a small cocoa producer did not want to be left out in recognition of its role. Mrs. Joanah Olubukola Afolayan, an official of the ministry of agriculture from the state said Kwara is “not a major cocoa producing state,” but eight out of the 16 local governments produce cocoa. According to her, “we have not done GES roll-out because of communication gap.

Correspondences arrive late.”

She said the state has 3,370 hectares of cultivated cocoa land and 2.7 million seedlings of cocoa have been distributed to farmers free of charge. Not satisfied with eight cocoa nurseries, she said the state is planning to have the nurseries nearer to farmers to overcome logistic problems of collection.

Mr. Igwuoku Charlles, General Manager, Tree Crops Unit from Delta State described his state as “marginal producers” of cocoa, but said the state government was working towards increasing production. With cocoa grown in 15 local government areas, Igwuoku said the state was working towards diversifying its economy beyond oil and gas. He said a meeting was held in June to plan GES roll-out and in August for Cocoa GES. Igwuoku lamented, however, that there is “no government policy on fermented cocoa beans, leaving the state for now. This translates to poor revenue from cocoa.” He also reported that there was a “complete

devastation of cocoa farms in four local government areas by flood: in Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, Isoko North and Isoko South.”

National President of Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN), Sayina Riman, urged the public sector to play the role of enabler while the private sector drives the industry. “It is the private sector that will own. Let us fashion out models to enable private sector to own programmes,” he reasoned, urging other states to learn from the example of synergy between the private and public sectors, found in Ondo State.

How come we started pod distribution without land preparation? the CAN president asked, urging states to do “spot check of farms” as “it is possible to get pods and sell.” He was concerned about veracity of statistical claims of some states.

“For every state that has captured farmers, let us have data about their farm sizes and locations to know their true hectarages,” he advised, warning that “if we don’t capture that, and without knowing the true situation of beneficiaries, the pods given could as well become bags of cocoa beans for the market.”

Dr. Peter Aikpokpodion, team leader of the Cocoa Transformation Agenda, disclosed that big private sector operators are already showing interest in plantation development. For instance, “On expansion, there will be 150,000 hectares of new plantations, engaging the private sector operators such as Multitrex, Almajaro, Olam. Dangote is interested in 50,000 hectares.”

He stressed that, “to improve family income and livelihoods. To increase productivity, we need to support research. This year, we are concentrating on soil fertility evaluation.” The industry is receiving increasing support from big operators from within and outside Nigeria as he disclosed that “Memoranda of Understanding are being developed, to be finalized and the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) is putting some money into the projects.”

He said work is being done on value addition, enabling environment for investors through support to produce. “Policies to push government are now looking at MDG goals, Economic Partnership Agreement and Export Expansion Grant. There are plans to have a cocoa marketing and trade corporation, built on sustainable PPP platform. We want to ensure that the financial institutions agree to do business with the industry.

First Bank is already doing that.”

Challenges observed by Aikpokpodion included apathy, initially, to Agricultural Transformation Agenda; poor state of private sector alignment; poor sensitisation of farmers as stakeholders; slow procurement process at federal and state levels, all of which, he reasoned, need to be overcome in order to achieve the desired goals.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

PAGE 31

ANALYSIS

By Erik Bleich

I

slamophobia has taken root in public, political and academic discourse as it attempts to label a social reality - that Islam and Muslims have emerged as objects of aversion, fear and hostility in contemporary liberal democracies [EPA] Islamophobia was originally developed as a concept in the late 1990s and early 2000s by political activists to draw attention to rhetoric and actions directed at Islam and Muslims in Western liberal democracies.

It still dominates public debates in response to inflammatory media portrayals or politicians' statements about the perceived dangers of Islam in Europe or North America.

But in recent years, Islamophobia has begun an evolution from a politicised concept toward one used by scholars to study a form of racism similar to xenophobia or anti-Semitism.

Islamophobia has taken root in public, political and academic discourse because it attempts to label a social reality - that Islam and Muslims have emerged as objects of aversion, fear and hostility in contemporary liberal democracies. Under these circumstances, it is vital to make Islamophobia a meaningful concept for social scientists as well as for political actors.

That way, we can begin to measure its ebbs and flows to demonstrate not only that it is a real phenomenon, but also to understand why it rises and falls in a given time and place.

Knowing what it means is a first step toward being able to fight it.

Islamophobia can best be understood as indiscriminate negative attitudes or emotions directed at Islam or Muslims. Because not all criticism constitutes Islamophobia, terms like indiscriminate cover instances where negative assessments are applied to all or most Muslims or aspects of Islam.

As with parallel concepts like homophobia or xenophobia, Islamophobia connotes a broader set of negative attitudes or emotions directed at individuals or groups because of their perceived membership in a category.

Viewed in this way, Islamophobia is also analogous to terms like racism, sexism, or antiSemitism.

Aversion, jealousy, suspicion, disdain, anxiety, rejection, contempt, fear, disgust, anger and hostility give a sense of the range of negative attitudes and emotions that may constitute Islamophobia.

Finally, directed at Islam or Muslims suggest that the

Muslim kids with placards reading anti-islamophobic messages

Knowing Islamophobia when we see it target may be the religious doctrine or the people who follow it (or whose ancestors have followed it, or who are believed to follow it). This recognises the multidimensional nature of Islamophobia and the fact that Islam and Muslims are often inextricably intertwined in individual and public perceptions.

Beyond simply identifying its key definitional components, we also need to be able to measure Islamophobia. Most observers, scholars, activists and politicians have provided evidence of Islamophobia that suffers from a critical weakness.

Some authors rely on extremely indirect indicators of contemporary Islamophobia, such as noting its deep historical roots or identifying current socioeconomic disadvantages concentrated in Muslim communities.

Others provide examples of Islamophobia that are anecdotal or symbolic, such as examples of violence directed

at Muslims or the use of "Bin Laden" as a schoolyard taunt.

A third type of research conflates Islamophobia with attitudes toward overlapping ethnic, national origin, or immigrant-status groups.

In these cases, contemporary histories of anti-Arab, anti-South Asian, or anti-immigrant sentiments and policies or examples of discrimination or attacks against groups that are predominantly Muslim, or composite measures that mix together responses about Islam and Muslims with those about national origin or ethnic groups stand for Islamophobia.

These approaches and observations are each useful to a degree. Yet, because they use indirect, anecdotal, or conflating measures, they are not reliable ways to analyse Islamophobia.

The best indicators of Islamophobia would be through direct surveys, focus-groups, or interviews.

The ideal measures involve carefully tailored questions through which respondents

“

accurately reveal the extent of their indiscriminate negative attitudes or emotions directed at Islam or Muslims.

Of course, this ideal is hard to achieve in the real world.

As most studies in parallel fields such as racism or homophobia have emphasised, the key to uncovering reliable indicators of Islamophobia lies in consistency. The more consistently negative the attitudes and emotions of respondents are to a series of questions, the more confident we can be that they are expressing Islamophobia.

Questionnaires can also aim to identify different levels of intensity of responses (aversion versus fear versus hostility) and of intensity of adherence to Islamophobic positions (an opinion versus a predisposition such as a bias).

It is important to remember that the fewer direct questions asked in surveys, focus groups, or interviews, the more difficult it is to measure Islamophobic sentiments. In particular, any arguments about Islamophobia that rely on a

These approaches and observations are each useful to a degree. Yet, because they use indirect, anecdotal, or conflating measures, they are not reliable ways to analyse Islamophobia.

single survey question should be viewed with skepticism.

It is also possible to measure Islamophobia by examining unsolicited statements by politicians, civil servants, public figures, religious leaders, journalists, bloggers and others whose words are recorded for posterity.

We could undertake systematic analyses of news content about Islam and Muslims, or examine the changing nature of far-right political rhetoric vis-a-vis Muslims, or discuss the interpretation of Islam by a prominent writer such as Oriana Fallaci.

To the extent that these efforts are systematic reviewing all major news stories, far-right rhetoric, or best-selling authors - they can convey important information about the prevalence and nature of Islamophobia at specific times and places.

At this stage of discussing Islamophobia, it is worth moving beyond politicised uses of the term and to look for a more rigorous way to understand and to measure it.

Once we have a common conceptual language and better tools for tracking Islamophobia, we can more accurately assess its trends over time, its variation over space or social groups, and its intensity relative to negative attitudes and emotions aimed at other minority groups.

Developing Islamophobia as a concrete and usable social scientific concept is not only the basis for meaningful analysis in academia, it is also the foundation for more informed public debates and for more effective policy decisions.

Source: Aljazeera

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

PAGE 32

Kinshasa rejects rebel peace talks call Total sells Nigeria oil stake to China's

T

otal has announced the sale of its 20% stake in a Nigerian offshore oilfield to the Chinese state-owned Sinopec.

The French oil firm said its Chinese counterpart was paying $2.5bn (ÂŁ1.6bn) for the stake in the OML 138 oil block.

The block includes the Usan oilfield, which began producing in February, and is jointly owned with Chevron, Exxon and Canada's Nexen.

Total said in September it aimed to sell $15bn-$20bn in oil assets by 2014 to raise cash for new projects.

The sale, which will be paid for in cash, still needs to be approved by the Nigerian authorities.

The Nigerian state oil company, NNPC, holds the concession on the oilfield.

"Usan accounts for less than 10% of the group's equity production in Nigeria," said Yves-Louis Darricarrère, who heads up Total's oil drilling business.

"This sale of an asset operated from a minority position will allow us to focus our resources on the material growth opportunities in Total's portfolio."

Sinopec's purchase is just the latest example of China buying up commodities and developing mineral resources in Africa.

However, it comes at a time when the Chinese economy has slowed its rapid growth. Last month, Sinopec reported a drop in profits in the three months to September, due to weak Chinese demand for petrochemicals.

Lambert Mende

T

he Democratic Republic of Congo government on Monday dismissed a demand from rebels in the country's east for truce talks, saying that the insurgent force pushing towards the city of Goma was merely a tool of neighboring Rwanda.

The rejection meant that the worst fighting in the area in four years was only likely to intensify,

bringing with it a new humanitarian crisis as refugees fled the city.

The M23 rebels had halted their advance about 5 km from Goma on Monday and gave the government 24 hours to start talks or face a new onslaught.

They say that Kinshasa broke the terms of a 2009 peace agreement that integrated them into the army as a solution to an earlier

rebellion.

A government spokesman said it was not interested in rebel proposals or ultimatums.

"M23 is defined by the government as a fiction created

by Rwanda to hide their criminal activities against the DRC," spokesman Lambert Mende said.

"It is an ultimatum from a fictitious group that has no real value to us."

United Nations experts back the government contention that Rwanda, which has intervened in Congo repeatedly over the past 18 years, is behind the M23 revolt.

Rwanda denies involvement.

Congo is rich in minerals including diamonds, gold, copper and coltan - used in mobile phones.

But little money has been spent on developing a country the size of Western Europe.

The government accuses Rwanda of wanting to control the mineral resources by backing the insurgents.

The country was wracked by wars between 1994 and 2003 which killed about five million people. Many eastern areas are still plagued by violence from a variety of rebel groups.

M23 is led by mutinying soldiers who rose up eight months ago. They have now fought four days of battles to come close to Goma, home to a million people including hundreds of thousands of refugees who have fled rebel advances elsewhere.

The city, which sits at the Rwandan border on the north shore of Lake Kivu, is also the capital of North Kivu province and headquarters of a U.N. peacekeeping force.

The rebels have said they do not plan to capture Goma.

But that prospect provoked a new humanitarian crisis as thousands of refugees abandoned camps in the north of Goma to escape them, said Tariq Riebl of the British aid agency Oxfam.

Thomas D'Aquin Muiti, head

Kenya grenade attack: Somalis attacked in Nairobi

K

enyan police have fired tear gas to end riots that broke out in the capital, Nairobi, after a grenade blast killed at least seven people.

Shops were looted in the Eastleigh neighbourhood, as angry youths blamed ethnic Somalis for Sunday's explosion, a businessman said.

Somalia's al-Qaeda-linked alShabab group has been blamed for a spate of attacks in Kenya in recent years.

Meanwhile, two Kenyan soldiers have been shot dead near the Somali border.

The two were part of the African Union mission in Somalia but crossed

back into Kenya to repair their truck in the town of Garissa when they were attacked, an army spokesman said.

Kenya sent troops across the border last year to fight al-Shabab but its forces have since been merged with the AU force in Somalia.

Al-Shabab has not commented on the grenade attack on a minibus in Eastleigh, known as "Little Mogadishu" because of its huge Somali population.

The BBC's Duncan Munene in Nairobi says a strong contingent of police are trying to prevent clashes between rival groups who are facing off against each other in the area.

"There is chaos. Several people have been injured but we are doing

everything possible to contain the riots," Nairobi police chief Moses

A resident runs for her life as police fires tear gas to disperse rioters

Observers hail smooth Sierra Leone election

S

European Union short term observers, coming from 25 EU member states

ierra Leone's elections were generally well conducted, saw a large turnout, and will help consolidate democracy in the West African state if the eventual results are accepted peacefully by the contenders, European and U.S. observers said on Monday.

While praising Saturday's voting as largely calm and peaceful, the 100strong European Union observer mission said however it noted "some shortcomings", including an "unequal playing field" during pre-election campaigning that favoured the ruling party of President Ernest Bai Koroma.

Votes were still being tallied from the presidential and parliamentary polls, the third national vote held since

Nyakwama said, AFP news agency reports.

1991-2002 civil war that earned the country international notoriety as a "blood diamonds" battleground for rebels and child soldiers.

After a decade of recovery from the conflict, Sierra Leone's leaders and aid donors hope that new iron ore mining projects and oil discoveries can propel the war-scarred country - still one of the poorest in the world - into a new era of growth with increased prosperity for its 5.5 million people.

Since polls closed, feverish expectation has gripped the steamy coastal capital Freetown. In homes, offices and roadside markets, citizens were keeping portable radios glued to their ears as they listened to partial results from polling stations.

Electoral officials said full results

could be announced either as early as Tuesday or on Wednesday.

Many predict a close-fought contest between Koroma and his ruling All People's Congress (APC) and main challenger Julius Maada Bio, a former junta leader who represents the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP).

"We describe this election as being well-conducted ... a contribution to democratic consolidation," EU chief observer Richard Howitt told a news conference in Freetown.

A smaller observer mission from the Atlanta-based Carter Center gave a similar assessment.

"The process was conducted with a high degree of transparency ... I was extremely impressed," the Carter Center's mission chief, former Zambian President Rupiah Banda, told reporters. He too cited "limited shortcomings".

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

PAGE 33

Asia and Middle East

Isreal assault on Gaza

Isreali tanks line up at the Gaza border to launch ground attack

An old woman rendered homeless after rocket hits her home

Health personnel helping a wounded woman from Israeli strikes in Gaza

Residents digging out the dead from the rubble after Israeli rocket struck

Israeli rocket digs big pit in a neighbourhood in Gaza

Mother being consoled after Israeli air strikes on Gaza kills son

PAGE 34

Europe and Americas UN court rules Colombia owns disputed Caribbean islets

T

he International Court of Justice has ruled that a group of disputed islets in the Caribbean are Colombia's, rejecting a claim by Nicaragua.

The decision came as the court delivered its final ruling in a long-running row between the two nations over a maritime border.

The court is expected to set the border based on Colombia's sovereignty over islands and islets in the area.

The case first came before the court in 2001.

Colombia and Nicaragua have been at odds for years over their border and several islets in the Caribbean Sea, with tensions periodically flaring.

The disputed area of 50,000 sq km (19,310 sq miles) contains rich fishing grounds and also, reportedly, oil.

The long-running case has been before the ICJ, the UN's highest court, since December 2001 when Nicaragua first filed its claim.

The competing claims date from the early 19th Century, when the nations of Latin America were gaining their independence from Spain.

Nicaragua and Colombia signed a treaty in 1928 to settle the border and sovereignty of islands in the Caribbean.

But in 1980, Nicaragua's Sandinista government unilaterally annulled the agreement, arguing that it had been signed under US pressure.

In 2007, the ICJ ruled that the treaty was valid and that the sovereignty of three islands, San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina, remained with Colombia.

But the court agreed to consider the position of the maritime border, currently on the 82nd meridian, and also to rule which nation has sovereignty over several islets.

The archipelago lies some 775km (480 miles) from the Colombian coast and 230km from Nicaragua.

Nicaragua argued that the border should be moved further eastwards, closer to the Colombian coast.

Colombia proposed that the border should be drawn equidistant between the islands and Nicaraguan territory.

The ICJ ruling, which is binding, will not affect the maritime borders of Costa Rica and Honduras.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

US President Obama hails Burma's 'remarkable journey' B

urma is on a "remarkable journey" of reform that has much further to go, Barack Obama said as he made the first visit to the South East Asian nation by a serving US president.

A desire for change had been met by an agenda of reform, he said, and he was there to extend a "hand of friendship".

But, in a speech at Rangoon University, he urged Burmese people to accept Muslim Rohingyas after recent violence.

Crowds of people, some waving US flags, lined the streets as he arrived.

The visit was intended to show support for the reforms put in place

by Thein Sein's government since the end of military rule in November 2010.

Activists have warned that the visit may be too hasty - political prisoners remain behind bars and ethnic conflicts in border areas are unresolved.

On Monday another prisoner amnesty was announced, with about 50 of the 66 inmates freed reportedly political detainees. About 200 political prisoners remain behind bars, activists say.

Mr Obama spent about six hours in Burma and did not visit the capital, Nay Pyi Taw. The highlight of his visit was a speech at Rangoon University, which

was at the heart of pro-democracy protests in 1988 that were violently suppressed by the military regime.

Addressing students, he said America would help to rebuild Burma's economy and could be a partner on its journey forward.

Referring to his 20 January 2009 inauguration speech in which he pledged the US would extend a

hand to any country that was willing to unclench its fist, he said: "Today I've come to keep my promise and extend the hand of friendship.

"But this remarkable journey has just begun, and has much further to go.

"Reforms launched from the top of society must meet the aspirations of citizens who form its foundation.

The flickers of progress that we have seen must not be extinguished."

He called for an end to communal violence between Muslims and Buddhists in the western state of Rakhine that has left more than 100,000 people displaced. They are mostly Muslim Rohingyas who are stateless and face severe discrimination in Burma.

Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton with Burma officials touring Shwedagon Pagoda, within the heart of Rangoon

French vote marred by fraud allegations

A

vote to decide who will lead France's conservative opposition UMP has plunged the party into disarray and acrimony.

Both candidates have claimed victory and accused their rival of fraud and ballot-stuffing.

Only a handful of votes separate right-wing candidate Jean-

Francois Fillon (left) and Jean-Francois Cope

Francois Cope and ex-Prime Minister Francois Fillon.

A final result is expected later on Monday, but party grandees said the UMP had been damaged, and urged both candidates to end their war or words.

"The movement has emerged divided and thus weakened by this excessive confrontation," wrote the former prime minister and foreign minister, Alain Juppe, in his blog.

"Throughout the campaign, it has been less a question of the future of the UMP and more about the two candidates' obsession with 2017 the date of the next presidential election.

"We have to get out of this lamentable situation to avoid the implosion of our party."

Mr Juppe called on both Mr Cope, the party's secretary general since 2010 and Mr Fillon, prime minister under Mr Sarkozy, to "accept the decision of the electoral commission when it is delivered".

When initial results emerged late on Sunday, Mr Cope was narrowly in the lead, surprising political pundits who had expected the former prime minister to win. Opinion polls had consistently given Mr Fillon the edge.

The contest has been bitterly fought throughout by the two rivals and, even before the result came through in the southern coastal city of Nice, Mr Cope's team complained of fraud and demanded an investigation.

Colombian peace negotiators join FARC delegates in Cuba

C

olombian government negotiators have arrived in Cuba for landmark peace talks with left-wing Farc rebels.

The talks in Havana are aimed at ending five decades of conflict.

As he boarded a plane in the Colombian capital, Bogota, chief government negotiator Humberto de la Calle said it was time for the rebels to show whether they were really "willing to reach concrete and realistic agreements".

The Farc delegates have been in Havana since last week.

The negotiations were due to begin last Thursday, but were pushed back by four days as both sides said they needed time to work on "technical details to ensure the

participation of civil society".

The peace talks were officially launched at a ceremony in the Norwegian capital, Oslo, on 18 October.

The negotiations will focus initially on the issue of land reform in Colombia, as it was a major reason for the uprising that brought about the establishment of the Farc [Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia] in the early 1960s.

Four other points will be discussed: the end of armed conflict; guarantees for the exercise of political opposition and citizen participation; drug trafficking; and the rights of the victims of the conflict.

"This will be a rapid and effective

process. A process of months, not years," said Mr De la Calle.

He travelled to Havana on a

Colombian Armed Forces plane in Bogota with four other government negotiators.

Chief Colombian government negotiator Humberto de la Calle addresses the media as the delegation leave for the first direct peace talks in a decade

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

PAGE 35

Real-life sleeping beauty, slept 64 days in a row T

his 17-year-old teenager from North Fayette, Pa., has a rare condition called Kleine-Levin Syndrome -- or "Sleeping Beauty Syndrome" -- that makes her sleep 18 to 19 hours a day.

And when she does wake up, she is often so tuckered out that she is in a sleepwalking state and doesn't remember doing basic things like eating, according to KDKA-TV. Nicole's somnambulant state has been so severe that she once slept through the holidays, awaking one day in January when she finally opened Christmas gifts alongside her family, according to ChartiersValley.Patch.com.

"She's never really adjusted to it," her mother, Vicki Delien told the website. "She's 17 now and it really upsets her. She's missed out on a lot."

Delien told talks show host Jeff Probst that the teen has at times slept 32 to 64 days in a row, waking only in sleepwalking mode to eat.

Kleine-Levin Syndrome is incredibly rare, only affecting about 1,000 people worldwide, and very hard to diagnose.

In Nicole's case, it took 25 months for doctors to diagnose her, according to ChartiersValley.Patch.com, and

Nicole Delian

Man accused of shooting cows in face and rump

J

ustin DeLoach had a beef with some cows that repeatedly broke into his property and ate his horse's feed, but the way that police say he dealt with the conflict is utterly disturbing.

Authorities in Flagler County, Fla., say DeLoach, 23, shot six cows in the face, rump, ribs and shoulders, causing them to bleed profusely, according to WESH-TV. DeLoach told police that he fired into the air, intending to scare the animals so they would move, UPI.com reported.

Two of the cows suffered

Justin DeLoach

everything from a virus, to epilepsy to West Nile was bandied about, including, unfortunately, the possibility she was faking it for attention.

When a typical episode of Sleeping Beauty Syndrome begins, the patient becomes progressively drowsy and sleeps for most of the day and night, waking only to eat or go to the bathroom, according to the Klein-Levin Syndrome Foundation website. "When awake, the patient's whole demeanor is changed, often appearing "spacey" or childlike. When awake he experiences confusion, disorientation, complete lack of energy (lethargy), and lack of emotions (apathy)."

Patients also report that everything seems out of focus, and that they are hypersensitive to noise and light. Some patients also have intense food cravings and/ or uninhibited hypersexuality.

The Delians did not say whether Nicole has experienced these symptoms.

There is no known cure, but Nicole's family is using a combination of epilepsy and narcolepsy medication to minimize the incidents to just two a year.

moderate to severe injuries to their faces, and the other four suffered injuries to their ribs, shoulders and rumps, Klare Ly, public information officer for the 7th Circuit State Attorney's Office, told the New York Daily News.

"The owner heard gunfire near his house," Ly told the Daily News. "So he went outside to investigate and noticed that a few of his cows were missing from his property. He went around the yard and noticed the gate was open. That's when he found some of his cows bleeding."

The cows' owner, who, at this point, is only identified as "Adam," reportedly tried to talk with DeLoach, but the suspect didn't answer the door, even after deputies arrived.

The next day, DeLoach gave a written statement to the Flagler County Sheriff's Dept. saying the cows "busted" past his fence onto his land and ate all of his horses' feed, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reported. DeLoach also said he tried to chase the cows off, but when that didn't work, grabbed a shotgun and fired birdshot into the air to frighten the cows.

"Justin stated that he has been dealing with the cows coming onto his property for years," according to the paper.

Zoo burglars beat monley to death

A

break-in at Zoo Boise early Saturday left a Patas monkey dead from blunt force trauma to the head and neck and police were analyzing blood found at the scene to determine if it came from the monkey or one of two human intruders.

Two males wearing dark clothing were spotted by a security guard at 4:30 a.m. outside the fence near the primate exhibit, police said.

Both fled, one of them heading into the interior of the zoo. Boise police used a thermal imager in searching the 11-acre zoo grounds but didn't find the person.

Police said late Saturday that a grey baseball cap with a distinctive skull design found near the site was probably left behind by one of the intruders and it might help in tracking them down.

"I've been here for 15 years and we haven't had anything like this happen," Zoo Boise Director Steve

Burns said. "It's unfortunate that we have to let kids know that something like this happens. Monkeys are always among the most favorite animals here."

Patas monkeys, often called the military monkey, have reddishbrown fur with grey chin whiskers and distinctive white moustaches.

They are widely distributed across central Africa south of the Sahara Desert and can live more than 20 years in captivity.

During a search of the zoo before dawn, Burns heard a groan that at first he thought sounded human. It turned out to be an injured Patas monkey barely moving near the perimeter fence.

The zoo's veterinarian was called, but the monkey died just before 6 a.m. as it was being examined. A necropsy later determined that blunt force trauma was the cause of death, police said.

An inventory done by zoo staff

found no other animals missing or injured. The zoo has one remaining Patas monkey - another male - but it's unclear if it will remain at the zoo or will be sent to another zoo where it can socialize with other Patas monkeys, Burns said.

"They're not endangered in the wild, but there are not many in zoos in the United States," he said.

"Monkeys are social animals. We only have one."

The two Patas monkeys came to Zoo Boise about three years ago from Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo in Florida.

They had an outdoor enclosure during the summer in Boise but were moved indoors to the primate building when colder weather arrived.

Burns said the monkeys hadn't been given names, and he didn't know their ages. The monkey that was killed was about 2 1/2 feet tall and weighed about 30 pounds, Burns said.

A Patas monkey in the cage where his cage mate was killed dy blunt trauma to the head.

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

Smoking in praegnancy tied to lower reading scores B

abies exposed to their mother’s cigarette smoke in the womb later perform more poorly on reading comprehension tests, according to a new study.

“It’s not a little difference - it’s a big difference in accuracy and comprehension at a critical time when children are being assessed, and are getting a sense of what it means to be successful,” lead author Dr. Jeffrey Gruen of Yale University told Reuters Health.

In the study, researchers found that children born to mothers who smoked more than one pack per day struggled on tests specifically designed to measure how accurately a child reads aloud and if she understands what she read.

On average, children exposed to high levels of nicotine in utero — defined as the minimum amount in one pack of cigarettes per day — scored 21 percent lower in these areas than classmates born to non-smoking mothers.

The difference remained even when researchers took other factors — such as if parents read books to their children, worked in lowerpaying jobs or were married — into account.

Put another way, among students who share similar backgrounds and education, a child of a smoking mother will on average be ranked seven places lower in a class of 31 in reading

accuracy and comprehension ability, said co-author Jan Frijters of Brock University in Ontario, Canada.

Previous studies have found smoking during pregnancy is linked to lower IQ scores and academic achievement, and more behavioral disorders. The authors found no reports so far that zeroed in on specific reading tasks like accuracy and comprehension in a large population.

The team, which published their results in The Journal of Pediatrics, pulled data from more than 5,000 children involved in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPC) study that began in the early 1990s in the UK. Only data from children with IQ scores of 76 and higher were used. An IQ score of 70 and below can be the sign of a mental disability.

UK researchers collected questionnaires from mothers before and after giving birth.

This helps make the self-reported data more trustworthy, explained Sam Oh of the University of California, San Francisco, who wasn’t involved with the work. If mothers knew their child’s reading scores beforehand, they might subconsciously report more or less smoking.

“To me, this study suggests that the effects attributed to in utero smoking can in fact be

attributed to the intrauterine environment, and not due to environmental differences that the children grow up in,” Oh told Reuters Health by email.

Large observational studies like this one call attention to patterns, but do not prove a direct cause-effect relationship between cigarette smoking and low reading scores.

Despite public health

initiatives to discourage smoking, as many as one in six pregnant American women still light up, according to national surveys by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

“That is a lot of children,” Dr. Tomáš Paus of the University of Toronto told Reuters Health.

Paus added that the study tied

the effects of low test scores to nicotine in cigarettes, which also produce other harmful chemicals and carbon dioxide.

Either way, smoking while pregnant seems to put a baby at risk for negative health outcomes.

“We should not be happy with those rates. Smoking during pregnancy is preventable,” Paus said.

Source: Reuters.com

Forget popping vitamins, meditation could stave off colds and flu Millions of us pop vitamins or herbal remedies as ‘insurance policy’ to stave off colds and flu.

But new research suggests that meditation could be very effective at preventing the winter ailments.

Adults who meditated or did moderately intense exercise, such as a brisk walk, for eight weeks suffered fewer colds than those who did nothing, according to a study from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Previous research has found that mindfulness meditation may improve mood, decrease stress, and boost immune function.

The 149 people in this new study were divided into three groups. One performed mindful meditation, a type of meditation that essentially involves focusing the mind on the present.

Another group jogged regularly for eight weeks while the third group did nothing.

The researchers then followed the health of the volunteers through the winter from September to May, although they didn’t check whether or not people carried on exercising or meditating after the eight–week period.

The participants were

New research suggests that meditation could be effective at preventing winter ailments

observed for cold and flu symptoms such as a runny nose, stuffiness, sneezing, and sore throat.

Nasal wash samples were collected and analysed three days after the s y m p t o m s began.

The study, found that meditators missed 76 per cent fewer days of work from September through to May than those who did nothing.

Those who had exercised missed 48 per cent fewer days during this period.

In addition, m i n d f u l meditation can reduce the duration or severity of acute respiratory

infections such by up to 50 per cent, and exercise by up to 40 per cent.

And according to the website Scientific America, those who had exercised or meditated suffered for an average of five days; colds of participants in the control group lasted eight.

In addition, tests confirmed that the self-reported length of colds correlated with the level of antibodies in the body, which indicate the presence of a virus.

‘Nothing has previously been shown to prevent acute respiratory infections,’ said lead author Dr Bruce Barrett, a family medicine doctor and

associate professor at the University.

‘A lot of previous information suggested that meditation and exercise might have prevention benefits, but no high-quality, randomised trial had been done.

‘Flu shots are partially effective, but only work for three strains of flu each year. The apparent 40 to 50 per cent benefit of mindfulness training is a very important finding, as is the apparent 30 to 40 per cent benefit of exercise training. If this pans out in future research, the impact could be substantive indeed.’

Source: Dailymail.co.uk Adults who meditated for eight weeks missed 76 per cent fewer days of work than those who did nothing

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

PAGE 37

Nigerians want autonomy for state Assemblies, LGs-Akume INTERVIEW

Y

ou chaired the C o n s t i t u t i o n amendment public hearing in the North Central.

What is your impression about the exercise so far?

I want to say that there is no document or book that is perfect except the Bible and the Quran.

Therefore, even the Constitution, which is a very sacred document, must from time to time come under a review in view of the dynamism of society. Human society is dynamic, new challenges arise, which may warrant a rethink.

The constitution, being a wise document also recognises this fact and it says, if you want to amend me to meet exigencies, this is the procedure. It is against this background that we have gathered Nigerians in all the geopolitical zones of this country to take a second look at the constitution to see if we could affect further alterations.

The 6th National Assembly along with legislatures in the states were able to do a feat, now, the 7 th National Assembly and state legislatures are also in the verge of doing another feat. You saw the turnout, it was massive and attendance was very impressive.

We want to congratulate Nigerians, especially people from this geopolitical zone for finding time to participate in a very meaningful and purposeful exercise. We took over a lot presentations and they bordered on a number of critical areas, which in their wisdom, require further alterations.

So what major issues came up at the hearing?

One of such is the issue of devolution of powers. People believe that the Federal Government is saturated with so much power, therefore, there is need to devolve powers to the states and the local government in order to spread development in all parts of the county. In this way, we will reduce bitterness and rancour as people struggle to control the very strategic position of the President of this country. We are also mindful of the fact that if you want to devolve power, you do it in such a way that the Federal Government still remains strong because it remains the unifying factor in the country. So, among the three tiers of government, the Federal Government must be sufficiently strong to hold us together. Of course, this depends on the way we allocate responsibilities to each tier of government without diluting the

Senate Minority Leader, Senator George Akume, chaired constitution amendment public hearing in the North Central. In this interview with newsmen, Akume gives an insight into the feelings of Nigerians on some of the major issues even as he expresses fears over the handling of the forthcoming Local Government Elections in Benue state. Richard Ihediwa was there. Excerpts: powers of the federal government.

People also mentioned creation of states. They are still passionate about state creation. There are divergent views. Also the issue of autonomy of state legislature came under very serious scrutiny.

While governors may say no, the Conference of Speakers is very firmly committed to financial autonomy of the legislatures.

They feel that this will ensure balance and fairness. If you will recall the presentation of most of the people outside the government framework, they were of the opinion that we have to grant financial autonomy to state legislatures. They argue that if the National Assembly, which is also a law making body should enjoy that, why do you deny it to state legislatures? Every tier of government is important, whether federal, state or local.

Again, every branch, whether executive, legislature or judiciary should also be independent to a large measure in order to ensure that each branch is able to do its duty well. Therefore, there is need to grant financial independence to state legislature.

We also talked about indigeneship and citizenship. The people’s belief is that wherever you reside, that should become your state of resident and by implication, your state of origin.

But some suggested the time frame within which such a person would be conversant with the culture of the people. I think this is not a bad idea, we are all Nigerians. The situation in the United States is a little bit different in the sense that there is commonality of language and shared values as it were. You move from one part to the other, you are still an American citizen because you are a citizen.

With this hearing, I have seen democracy at work. We prefer to talk. The essence of democracy is to talk and where the situations are so tough, we build up a consensus with a view to finding a lasting, workable and acceptable solution. So, we are at the verge of doing history again and we must commend the leadership of the Senate for this initiative. I wish all Nigerians a very successful outing as far as this responsibility is concerned.

You are a leader in the ACN. How prepared is your party in the on-coming local

Senator George Akume government elections in Benue state?

ACN is a very strong party in this state. You recall the performance of ACN in the last general elections. We believe strongly and rightly that we won that elections but the Nigerian factors robbed the ACN of major victories. Even in the state House of Assembly, we would have been controlling if some of the cases have gone through the court, but again, the Nigerian factor came in. Even at that, we have ten members. That is a strong showing. The party has a Senator at the National Assembly and three members in the House of Representatives. This is not something you take for granted.

For the forthcoming elections, our worry is that some of the people who are sponsored are carrying guns and threatening to destroy the polls. That is dangerous to democracy. Also remember my comment, that the threat to democracy is not even the military but the action of the electoral bodies. If they play by the rule of the game, democracy will grow.

We in Benue state on the platform of ACN believe totally in democracy. We are fully prepared and continue to campaign in spite of massive

provocation from the other party.

We have been attacked by some of these guns trotting youths; our vehicles have been broken and people have also been arrested in a most unserious manner for doing nothing. We were attacked a few days ago in Makurdi; we reported the case to the Police but they ended up arresting our own people. It is a reminiscence of what used to happen in the apartheid South Africa. A white man will slap a black man, he will go and report to the Police but the Police will turn back and arrest the black man but it was just a matter of time. What happened? ANC took over.

So, God is always on the side of the Just. My appeal to ACN members is to continue to work very hard. Whosoever comes to Benue knows that we are very strong on ground; the people of Benue know that we are very strong. I am sure, given the massive support from the people, we are going to win. My appeal is that security forces should rise to their responsibilities. Their job is to protect people and not to work for a particular political party. All of us are Nigerians and are entitled to protection by the security agencies irrespective of party or religious affiliation. We want peace; we want free and fair

elections. That is the true taste of a democracy.

The whole world is watching us. I also want to appeal to other political parties to show lots of responsibility and maturity as we approach local government elections. Where the party is strong, let it win election, where you lose gallantly, you know you have tried and you prepare better but to continue to say ‘we are going to announce results in Makurdi, we are going to write names’, that is not democracy and democracy that is built on fraud will fall.

Some people are calling for the scrapping of state INEC. Ahead of the elections, do you have any confidence in the Benue state electoral commission to conduct free and fair elections?

First, we are talking of devolution of powers and if we are to be judged by those very strict cannon of democracy, we should understand that having state INEC is not antithetical to democracy. It is expected to enrich democracy. In other parts of the world, states conduct even presidential elections. The problem in this country is not getting the right people in the right position. There are some of these folks, in the Benue Electoral Commission who are associated with PDP. How can they be impartial in the conduct of election?

There are people who are worried that given the composition, we might not get the correct result. The challenge is in the court of the electoral body.

Most of them have tentacles in the PDP and those of us in other political parties are shouting foul because we think they might not do a good job. Everybody is entitled to his conscience. So let me say that they will do the correct thing and I am appealing to them to do the correct thing in the interest of the people. We believe in the sanctity of human life, we believe in sanctity of ballot box. If we want to grow democracy, let the state electoral body show that we can depend on them to deliver, otherwise, the clamour for scraping will continue. I pray God to touch their hearts and let them see the plight of Benue people and behave in line with the yearnings and aspirations of our people.

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

Court refuses to strike out insanity suit against Aregbesola

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

A

L-R: Hon. Justice B. A. Adejumo, Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Senate President David Mark, during a book launch and Public Presentation on Legislative Drafting in Plain English, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Reps summon NNPC over shortfall in revenue

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he House of has resolved to summon the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to appear before it for 7 consecutive days to explain the shortfall of N7 billion in government revenue from the Corporation from 2006.

The House Committee on Public Accounts chaired by Rep Solomon Adeola at the weekend said it would equally be querying other agencies including the Directorate of Petroleum Resources (DPR), the Petroleum Pipelines Marketing Company, the Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and the Ministry of Petroleum over the issue.

Adeola who spoke to newsmen at the weekend also disclosed that it would be instituting a comprehensive probe into the operation of the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) which according to him has not remitted any revenue into government coffers after operating in the country for the upward of 7 years.

The lawmaker said the budget proposal submitted by the government to the National Assembly does not reflect revenue expected from gas even as he added that it would unacceptable to the House for the Presidency to lump it up as revenue coming from other sources.

He also disclosed that the committee is working hard to ensure that the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation gets its

budget as a first line charge from the Federation Accounts for it to be actually independent for it to be able to discharge its responsibilities judiciously.

Speaking on the resolution of his Alimosho Federal Constituency in the ongoing Constitution Amendment process, Adeola said his peoples, who are more than 3 million in population, are demanding for the creation of two additional local governments for the area.

He also disclosed that his constituents kicked against the creation of more states just as they also rejected constitutional roles for traditional rulers. According to him, the people, like their South West kith and kin are skeptic about the motive behind the proposal for federal recognition for traditional rulers.

Lagos politician assassinated, buried From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

A

former Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Lagos, and ex Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola on Health during his first term in office, Toyin Hamzat, has been assassinated by yet to be known gunmen.

Hamzat was shot in the head along Shagamu expressway around 9.00pm Sunday night. He was on his way from his country home he just declared opened about 6 weeks ago before he was cornered by some wicked gun totting assassins.

The suspected assassins reportedly touched nothing in his car. Former governor of Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu described Hamzat's death as sad. He said "I received the shocking and sad news of the death of one of our most illustrious sons and progressively minded politician, Mr. Toyin Hamzat. It is an irreparable loss not just to the family and my heart goes out to them but also to our party, Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN and the people of Ogun and Lagos states.

"The insecurity on our roads, in our homes and offices is appalling. Our lives are

not secured. Our homes and offices are not safe. Toyin Hamzat's death, like many that occur daily in similar circumstances must serve to reawaken our leaders and security agencies to be more alive to the challenges of security of lives and properties. Government on its part must step up action on enforcing security," he stated.

Tinubu again described Amzat's death as "numbing and painful and prays that such tragic deaths will not occur again. Toyin was

a reliable hands and a trusted ambassador of our party; he was faithful in his assignments."

Hamzat, a Pharmacist, was a pioneer member of the Alliance for Democracy, AD, Action Congress, AC and Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN. He was the Chairman of Ikeja Local Government between 1999 and 2002 and later became a Special Adviser on Local Government Affairs to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday refused to grant an application brought before it by Governor, Rauf Aregbesola of Osun state seeking to dismiss the insanity suit instituted against him by a Non Government Organisation, the Egalitarian Mission Africa, The trial Judge, Justice A. R Mohammed, in his ruling on the application, said, “The court cannot entertain the 1st defendant’s application seeking the striking out the suit, because hearing notice was not served on the plaintiff as ordered”.

Governor Aregbesola’s counsel, Mr. Ebuka Nwaeze, while moving the application seeking to strike out of the suit, told the court that there was no sign of the plaintiff and its legal representatives, even when they are aware of the hearing date and urged the court to apply Order 19 Rule 3 of the federal high court procedure to strike out the matter.

When contacted over his absence in court, the plaintiff’s counsel, Mr. Kayode Ajulo, a human right lawyer, told reporters that he was before the Court of Appeal, Ibadan division and sent two legal representatives led by Mr. Emeka Amadi to court six for the hearing, but wondered why the court was re-numbered court seven instead of the court six where the case was assigned previously, without official communication from the court to him or his client.

“I detailed two lawyers led by Mr. Emeka Amadi to handle the matter while I was away, but upon reaching court Six, they were told that no case was before the court in that name, if the court had informed us of the numerical changes, we could have attended today’s hearing” Ajulo stated.

“On the last adjourned date of 24th October, 2012, we were told that the Judge assigned to the case had been transferred, so how does that translate to want of diligent prosecution? The inability of the court to inform us about the numerical changes of the courts overnight cannot translate to want of diligent prosecution on our part” he added.

Ajulo said the plaintiff is ready and committed to prosecuting the case it instituted against the governor, noting that Amadi, had been detailed to hold his brief before the court and the inability to communicate the changes in the court’s numbering was responsible for the inability to hear the matter yesterday.

“It is our contention that the Governor in recent time has exhibited some behaviour that requires inquiry into his sanity. We want the court to determine whether the mental health and sanity of the governor is of public concern”, he stated. The matter was adjourned to December 10, 2012 with an order that hearing notice to be served on all the parties in the matter, including the plaintiff.

Kayode Eso is incorruptible, says CPC

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has expressed shock over the demise of Justice Kayode Eso, describing him as an incorruptible judge during his lifetime.

In a statement issued yesterday by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Rotimi Fashakin, CPC said that a sage and elderstatesman that had labored, very assiduously, for the good of the society has

gone.

While admitting that he was deserving of rest, as it is appointed for all mortals, the party noted that it is something of regret that the incorruptible Judge would cease to be around in flesh and blood.

CPC said that Justice Kayode Eso, in his life-time, showed the way in judicial courage and uprightness, adding that he never pandered to the majority at any time to do what he felt was unsupportable with available evidence and the dictates of his

conscience. “It was little wonder that his judgments bore the imprimatur of intuition, brilliance and unassailability.

This easily explains why, in retirement, his services were still sought anywhere there was need to search for Truth and Justice,” CPC stated.

It therefore commiserated with the immediate family, the Nigerian Judiciary, noting that another beacon of hope has been lost, praying God to grant them fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

PAGE 39

PDP berates Falana over criticism of FG’s $7bn loan From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

T

he South West Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the National Assembly to ignore Lagos lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana on the proposed Federal Government $7 billion loan.

The party in a release by its Zonal Publicity Secretary, Kayode Babade stated “Obviously, Falana is a hypocrite, who as a political errand boy of Bola Tinubu and his Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) party can do anything no matter how unreasonable”.

The party said it was time for Falana to be told to stop his shameless hypocrisy just as it added that “a man who kept silent when local council workers, including primary health workers were on strike for seven weeks and his kinsmen in Ekiti state were dying of cholera while children were unable to get immunisation does not have moral rights to speak in the gathering of sane minds”.

Babade stated further “If in the thinking of Falana, it was right for the Kayode Fayemi-led ACN government in Ekiti, his (Falana) home state, to have borrowed N25 billion and lavished the fund on irrelevant projects like laying of asphalt on already asphalted roads, installation of generator powered street lights, planting of flowers among others, he should just keep his mouth permanently shut on the Federal Government proposed $7 billion loan.

“It is becoming glaring that this man, Femi Falana, has taken his noise making to a ridiculous level and it is time that we tell him to stop his hypocrisy because Nigerians can no longer be fooled by his fake pro-democracy and human rights activism.

“ACN governments in the

South-West State are the highest borrowing States in Nigeria today, with Lagos State (with N25 billion internally generated revenue) as the highest debtor State in the country.

“Ekiti under Fayemi is owing N30 billion and will borrow another N20 billion very soon.

Osun under Rauf Aregbesola is owing over N120 billion, Oyo under Abiola Ajimobi is on the verge of borrowing N50 billion while Ogun under Ibikunle Amosun is set to take N100 billion.

“Has Falana said anything about these reckless loans being obtained by the ACN governors?

Or has he been out of Nigeria?

“Again, this same Falana, who is the National President of a registered political party, National Conscience Party (NCP) has been taking brief from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). If the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur is a lawyer and he represents INEC in election petition case, won’t Falana run to the rooftops, to cry blue

murder?

“Here is a Falana, who calls himself a human rights and prodemocracy activist, representing INEC in election cases despite the fact that he is the National President of a political party and a sympathiser of the ACN. Yet, he still believes that he has the required moral standing to criticize the Federal Government for wanting to obtain loan.

“Obiviously, the man, Femi Falana is a shameless hypocrite and his hypocrisy must stop.”

R-L: Nrienwelana II, Ezenri His Majesty, Eze Obidiegwu Onyesoh with Dr. Peter Danladi Deshi, after conferment of Ezinwanne na Nri on the latter in Anambra state yesterday.

Constitution Review: S/West calls for state creation, LG autonomy From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

A

gitation for creation of 5 more states in the South West region of Nigeria and financial autonomy for Local Governments took center stage yesterday at the ongoing Zonal Public hearing on the proposed review of the 1999 constitution.

The zone however rejects power rotation and six year single tenure for public office holder.

The Senator representing the zone received about 50 memoranda from stakeholders present which bordered on Gender Equality, State Police and devolution of power from the center.

Speaking at the hearing, Senator Ganiyu Olarenwaju Solomon, who chaired the

proceeding said that the constitution amendment process has no hidden agenda. He said the Senate will not be arm twisted on the process, assuring that every view aired in the meeting will inform their stand at the green chamber.

While agitators called for the creation of Lagoon, Ijebu,

Igbomina, Oluwa, Ibadan and Toru Ede states in the region, chieftain of the Afenifere Renewal Group, Asiwaju Bisi Adegbuyi, cautioned that the country does not need more states, but should rather return to regional system of government.

He argued that under the

regional government, the people will feel the impact and dividend of democracy, adding “all over the world where a federal system of government is being run, the challenge is how to make the center work, we have strong center and week states, we should return to regional government.”

Cleric warns Lawal’s family against politics From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

A

prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Habeebullahi Adam Al Ilory, has advised members of the immediate family of the late former Kwara state governor, Alhaji Mohammed Lawal not to join partisan politics.

In his lecture at the sixth remembrance lecture, Al Ilory noted that the children were still relatively young to dabble into the politics of Kwara, notwithstanding their privileges in life.

“To the children of the late Lawal, I have this to say; don’t take anyone as your enemy or your father’s enemy; don’t dabble into issues of ethnic divisions within Ilorin because the best thing for Ilorin is to remain as one united entity.

“We should stop identifying ourselves as Fulani, Afonja, Gambari and so on because in the real sense, we have lost those identities.

“Please don’t create enemies for yourselves but work closely with those who have stood with your father’s ideal all these years and who are still walking with the vision. And for you Hakeem, don’t joint politics now please.”

The cleric who lamented the loss of prominent Ilorin sons like Lawal, Major General Adisa, General Tunde Idiagbon and just last week Dr. Olusola Saraki, said from history, it will take the community another century to get their likes.

The heir of the late former governor, Mallam Hakeem Lawal, who spoke with newsmen after the prayer session and lecture organised to mark the sixth year anniversary of Lawal’s death, said his late father taught all the family that he had no enemy and they too should have none.

Hakeem also commended the restoration of the name of the Golf Club in the state capital after his father, saying it was a step in the right direction.

The sixth year anniversary was attended by prominent figures including immediate past Chief Judge of the state, Justice Raliat Elelu Habeeb, Alhaji Alarape Salman (SAN), Justice Salihu Mohammed of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Dr. Amuda Aluko,Tafida of Ilorin, a former member of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Yinusa Yahaya and Alhaji Razaq Lawal as well as members of the legislative house and state executive council during the tenure of the late former governor.

Delta Assembly begins public hearing on proposed security Bill

D

elta House of Assembly yesterday, opened public hearing on a Bill seeking to establish the State Peace and Vigilante Commission.

Declaring the public hearing open in Asaba, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Victor Ochei said that security was very critical to the development of the state.

The Speaker, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Basil Ganagana said that the proposed law was in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

Ochei cited Sections 4 and Subsection 2(b), 7 and 14 as relevant sections of the constitution that support the bill.

The Chairman of the Committee

on Peace and Security, Mr Benjamin Essien-Okiemute said that the bill was introduced by the House.

According to him, it is to enhance peace and security as well as carry out security surveillance services throughout the state.

Okiemute said that the bill when passed into law, would also help in the investigation of security threats and breaches in the state.

In their brief presentations, representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps said that the position of the constitution on security issues should be looked into.

They observed that there was already an existing ``Private Guard Company Act'' of the National Assembly that was being regulated by the Corps. (NAN)

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

Politics is not madness, says Maku

By Etuka Sunday

M

inister of Information, Hon. Labaran Maku has said that politics should not be equated to madness and therefore anybody who seeks political position should pray to God and not to kill, maintaining that no official position is worth taking the life of another.

The minister, who made the statement at the weekend during the Harvest and Thanksgiving

mass at St. Sylvester Catholic Church, New Nyanya, Nasarawa state said any act that promotes evil in the name of religion cannot be said to have come from God since God is love.

Maku said that there are people who seek powers from the devil, lamenting that people don't trust God enough to know that God is more powerful than what they worship.

"They think that for them to make progress they must go to the devil. Today you see so many

families belonging to different evil societies which are shameful to the country and humanity."

According to him, it would be difficult for the country to develop unless Nigerians decide to leave the part of evil and follow the part of truth. He said the country needs transformation and advised Nigerians to accept and support its transformation.

He said that the country would record a progress that would shock everybody if Nigerians return to God, therefore called on all the

politicians to return to God in spite of their short comings and accept him as the only source.

He also asked the Church to come out clearly to challenge evil and ensure that there is peace and love in the country. He asked everybody to pray for the President, leaders and Nigeria as a nation. The occasion also had other important dignitaries in attendance including Sen. Solomon Ewuga, Sen. Patricia Naomi Akwashiki and Mrs. Regina Akume.

Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo (left), briefing journalists after meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Anti-corruption group tasks leaders on integrity

T

he National AntiCorruption Volunteer Corps (NAVC) yesterday in Abuja urged Nigerian leaders to imbibe the spirit of integrity in their dealings.

The Coordinator of the corps in the FCT, Mr Gabriel Onwe, made the call during a rally to commemorate the group's first anniversary.

The anniversary, which has ``Integrity as The Bedrock of Every

Leader'' as its theme, is scheduled for Nov. 19 and Nov. 20. ``We have not seen any meaningful impact on the corruption fight; instead the issue is getting worst day by day. There is the need for our leaders to imbibe the spirit of integrity for the generation unborn. ``We are here to preach the message of anti-corruption. At the end of this rally, we hope to pass the message of

`Do It Right' to all concerned.

Mr James Anejo, the Head of Anti-Corruption Transparency Monitoring Unit (ACTU), stressed the need for government to tackle the issue of corruption for real development to take place.

According to him, corruption is the major issue retarding the development of the nation.

Mr Edem Okon, a member of the corps, said 70 per cent of

Nigerians were living below the poverty line, ``and corruption is the major cause.''

He said ``the rule of law is no longer working and plea bargain is another thing that is making the fight on corruption ineffective. ``The fight against corruption should not be an option but a priority.''

He called on the judiciary to show transparency in the discharge of its duties at all times. (NAN)

LG poll: Adamawa SIEC distributes non sensitive materials

T

he Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission (ADSIEC) yesterday commenced the distribution of non-sensitive election materials ahead of Saturday's local government elections.

The Chief Information Officer, Mr Biryani Wilson, who made this known in Yola when he gave update on the election, said that already, recruitment and training of ad-hoc staff for the election had been completed.

He added that 14 political parties would participate in the polls, adding that only four of them:

ACN, ANPP, CPC and PDP fielded candidates for chairmanship election.

Wilson explained that ACN and PDP fielded chairmanship candidates in all the 21 Local Governments while CPC did so in 12 and ANPP in three.

Meanwhile, the state PDP stakeholders group, which kicked against the list of candidates submitted by the dissolved state party executive, had threatened to sue ADSIEC for contempt of court.

A member of the group's legal committee, Dr Umar Ardo, made this known when he addressed newsmen on the matter in Yola.

He said in spite of an existing court injunction restraining ADSIEC from organising and conducting the council elections, the commission insisted on going on with the exercise.

Ardo listed the release of time table, and announcement for screening of candidates, screening of candidates as some of the actions taken by the commission in violation of the court order.

According to him, the commission also violated the order by recruiting ad-hoc staff for the election "We will not allow this flagrant abuse of court order to go on, we

have decided to act and will act within the ambit of the law,'' Ardo said.

He said that his group was also against the list of PDP candidates submitted to ADSIEC because no party primaries were conducted for the nominations.

Ardo said reports that the problem was resolved during a meeting of the party stakeholders in Abuja was false.

"I also want to tell the people of Adamawa State that there was no truth in the current rumours going round that the issue of PDP candidates in the election has been resolved. (NAN)

Kogi LG workers set for showdown over unpaid salaries

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

L

ocal government workers in Kogi state are now poised for a show down with the Laison Officers running affairs of the council in the state over alleged unpaid salaries and allowances in the past six months.

The workers who accused some of the Liasion Officers of gross incompetence in finance management, highhandedness, intimidation and mal administration are threatening to shut down the councils in the next one week unless their salaries are fully settled.

They alleged that local governments in the state have been thrown into confusion and turned upside down since June when the state governor Captain Idris Wada appointed the Liaison Officers as caretaker chairmen.

The council workers in their petition accused governor Wada of short changing them by paying them half salaries in spite of regular monthly financial allocation from Abuja. In one of the petitions from Adavi Local Government, the claim of the Liaison Officer, Hon Hassan Sadiq that the state government was over deducting the council fund through the joint account was rejected by the workers.

The petition was signed by the chairman of the Local Government Staff Welfare Association, Comrade Mohammed Jamiu Dende who alleged that Adavi was receiving N112 million monthly. In the petition attached with the allocation papers, the Liaison Officer was accused of playing over the intelligence of the workers and taking them for a ride on the ground that the council has been having between N32 million and N34 million left every month unaccounted for after the payment of salary.

The petition alleged that Hon Hassan Sadiq resorted to intimidating the workers with sack threats when confronted to account for the monthly excess fund of the council. Besides, the Liaison Officer was also alleged to have vowed not to pay the inherited three month salary arrears owed the workers in spite of the warning by the National Union of Local Government Employee.

Contacted, the Liaison Officer confirmed that 19 out of 21 local Governments in the state are owing workers and admitted that he had been paying half salaries since June and blamed it on low allocation from joint account and the huge work force.

He said that he needed about N70 million monthly to pay workers while he has been collecting less than N60 million as monthly allocations.

According to him, only Lokoja and Okene councils out of 21 are paying full salary.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

PAGE 41

Barcelona must fall in Luzhniki says Emenike

E

mmanuel Emenike has said home team Spartak Moscow must beat Barcelona in today’s encounter to stay alive in the Champions League.

Spartak are bottom Group G with three points from four matches, but they could improve their chances of going past the group stage with a win over the Catalan giants

President peace and unity football competition hold today’s in Abuja Stories By Albert Akota

T

he Final Match of the President Goodluck Jonathan’s National Peace and Unity Male Youth Soccer Tournament is expected to hold in Abuja today, the organisers said in a statement.

Kunle Olubiyo, Secretary, African Youth Sports Federation (AYSOF), the tournament organisers, said in Abuja that the championship was to commemorate the 55 th birthday anniversary of Jonathan.

It said that the Bala Mohammed Babes of FCT would take on Tanko Almakura Babes FC of New Karu, Nasarawa State, at the Old Parade Ground.

The statement said the tournament was dedicated to the enhancement of peace and unity in the country, as well as capacity building of sporting skills and constructive engagement of the Nigerian youth.

It said the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr Anyim Pius Anyim, was expected to lead other top government functionaries to grace the event.

The “epoch making final’’ would also be attended by stakeholders in club soccer from all over the country, it added.

President Goodluck Jonathan

Barcelona who they almost upset at Camp Nou in September before they lost 3-2.

“Our game at home on Tuesday against Barcelona is a must-win game for us to boost our chances. I will do my best to get in the goals that will help us beat Barcelona,” Emenike said.

“We lost to them at Camp Nou narrowly. I am sure we can beat.

“The home loss to Celtic was a big setback for us, but that’s in the past and getting past Barca is my target.”

He added: “Beating Celtic and

Barcelona are the only remedies for us to be part of the next round. We can do it for the fact that Celtic beat Barca, we also can beat both of them.

“We can’t be written off, this is football and anything can happen in our next two games.

And we just need to stay positive and give our best.”

Spartak final group game will be on December 5 away at second-placed Celtic, who shocked the top Russia club 3-2 in the reverse fixture early last month.

Emmanuel Emenike

We are battle ready for Juve – Mikel

M

ikel Obi has stated that Chelsea cannot afford to lose their “most crucial” Champions League tie at Juventus today.

Both teams played out a 2-2 draw when they first clashed in London in September.

The Nigeria midfielder said that the outcome of this match in Turin would most likely determine their fate in the competition they won in May. “As I said after West Brom game, we were disappointed to lose, but that is in the past now, we have a very crucial game at hand in the Champions League, it means a lot to us, we have to go there and

T

he President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Aminu Maigari, has taken a swipe against the Malian Football Federation (MFF) for allegedly parading ‘old men’ as teenagers against the Golden Eaglets in Sunday’s 2013 Under-17 African Junior Championship qualifier in Calabar.

Maigari, a member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Organising Committee for the African Nations Championship, said the action of the Malian FA is inimical to the overall development of football on the continent, adding that the NFF would follow the protest against the eligibility of such clearly over-aged players in a cadet competition to a conclusive end. ”I was ashamed of the Malian FA when I saw their players and it was glaring that these are not Under-17 players,” a clearly angry Maigari said after a hard-won 2-0 victory by the Nigerian youngsters. “This Malian team

avoid losing to better our chance of making it from the group,” Mikel said.

“The game against Juventus will be difficult, the group is tough and tight but if we avoid losing in Turin, we are good to go.

“We are ready to do battle and our target is to win. This is the right time and right game for us to bounce back to winning ways.

We all know the importance of the game.”

Chelsea is second in Group E with seven points same as leaders Shakhtar Donetsk, while Juventus are third on six points.

Nordsjaelland are bottom of the standings with a point.

Maigari Blasts Malian FA Over age-cheats that was paraded against the Golden Eaglets could pass off as the senior national team of Mali but it is good that we beat them fairly here.”

The NFF’ President said he was not confident that the Golden Eaglets would eventually qualify ahead of the Malians even as he has requested CAF to be vigilant to the despicable attitude of some of its affiliated countries.

He said: “I want to urge all African football federation to desist from the shameless attitude of the Malian FA because it would jeopardise the future of the game on the continent on the long run. I believe CAF would look at the merit of our case because this is just not a healthy

competition Meanwhile, Maigari has further commended the coaching crew of the Golden Eaglets for a job well done so far, adding that the NFF would give them the backing all the way to succeed in their assignment.

“We at the NFF are real proud of this set of coaches we have with the Under-17 team and without any doubt, they are the best of all our national teams,” he noted. “I’m saying this with all sense of responsibility that the Golden Eaglets coaches are the best we have today when we look at all the national teams and I’m confident they would guide the Golden Eaglets to the 2013 African Under-17 Championship in Morocco.”

Aminu Maigari

Enyimba sign NPL highest goals scorer

T

he Nigeria Premier League’s (NPL) highest goals scorer in the 2011/ 2012 season Sibi Gwar, has put pen to paper; to play for Enyimba in the forthcoming 2012/2013 season.

The club’s Chairman, Felix Anyansi-Agwu disclosed this in Aba yesterday, that with the signing of the prolific striker, the club is set to make its mark.

The former Niger Tornadoes FC of Minna 25-year-old goal

predator scored 16 goals last season to top the scorers chart.

The striker, who had previously played for Enyimba in the 20052006 and the 3006/ 2007, will be making a second return to the club he left five years ago.

“This is one of our most important signings, Sibi has been a very consistent striker and I believe he will add a lot to our team.

“He has been here before and

was a disciplined and talented young man, so we are going to enjoy having him here for the second time,’’ he said.

Sibi will be likely fill the role vacated by, Uche Kalu, who is currently plying his trade in the Turkish league.

Meanwhile Sibi has declared that he would definitely build on his 16 goals tally from last season, through the support of the club’s players and technical crew.

“I have been here before so I am

familiar with everyone, and I look forward to working with, Coach Salisu Yusuf whom I worked with in Lobi Stars.

But I can tell you that I will score more than 16 goals next season judging from the calibre of midfielders the club is assembling.

“As a striker, you are only as good as the midfielders you play with, so I’m very pleased with the players I have seen here because I will do a lot in the team,”Sibi said.

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

Lobi has quality players for continental challenge-Iorfa

V

ice Chairman of Lobi Stars, Dominic Iorfa has boasted that he has a quality team that will represent the country well at the Confederation Cup in 2013.

Mr. Iorfa who exude this confidence during an interview with sportswriters in Makurdi,

said the bulk of the players who executed the league as well as the Federation Cup which the team finished as runner-up to winners, Heartland FC, of Owerri are intact.

He added that the team has recruited few attackers for the continental campaign, maintaining

that they are working on them to blend with the rest of the players.

“When the real competition starts, you will see a different Lobi Stars. So far I am impressed with the team’s performance. We have played three (3) build up matches and won two (2)

against Nasarawa United and Apa United of Otukpo and drawn one against JUTH. We will play more games to assess the players”, he said.

The ex-Eagles’ star who also bared his mind on the chances of the Super Eagles at next year’s Nations cup, noted that there are no

minnows any more in African football and warned the national team to be wary of this.

“If Cape Verde could stop almighty Cameroun from participating in the Nations Cup, then the Eagles have a lot of work to do. But thank God we qualified”, Iorfa added.

Dominic Iorfa

Bayelsa appoints Bosso as technical adviser

F

ormer Nigerian champions, Bayelsa United have announced the appointment of Isaa Ladan Bosso as the club’s technical adviser.

Bosso joins the Yenagoa club on a one-year contract following his departure from Nigeria Premier League (NPL) club, Wikki Tourists.

The deal between Bosso and Bayelsa United was sealed last week with the former Under20 national coach taking charge of the team’s friendly game against Federation Cup champions, Heartland on Saturday.

A member of management board of the club, Laye Julius who confirmed the development to supersport.com said

T Ntiero Effiom Ntiero

Malians can’t stop Eaglets, says Ntiero

F

ormer Super Falcons Coach, Ntiero Effiom Ntiero has said Golden Eaglets will beat the Junior Eagles of Mali for the Morocco 2013 ticket.

The Eaglets edged the Malians 2-0 in the first fixture final round African Under17 championship qualifier at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar on Sunday.

Wilfred Ndidi and Alhassan Ibrahim scored for Nigeria in their lowest scoring games since the start of the qualifying race for Morocco 2013.

The decisive fixture comes up in Bamako, Mali in a fortnight with the winners qualifying for the biennial cadet showpiece in Morocco.

Effiom said the Eaglets are good travelers and will stun the Malians in their backyard.

“The 2-0 scoreline is a good one at this stage of the qualifier, Mali want to qualify and came with a game plan to earn a decent result hoping to finish it up at home. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out the way they planned it.

The Eaglets have scored a total of 19 goals so far and conceded just one.

The Nigerian team defeated Niger Republic 10-1 and Guinea 7-0, both on aggregate before seeing off Mali 2-0 in the first fixture of the final round of qualifying on Sunday.

PUBLIC NOTICE IRETI OGO OGBOMOSO KADUNA UNION THE GENERAL PUBLIC HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE ORGANISATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) TO BE REGISTERED AS AN INCORPORATED TRUSTEES UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.SAMUEL O.OJO CHAIRMAN 2.EZEKIEL A. EJIDIRAN SECRETARY 3.EZEKIEL O.OKEWOLE 4.JAMES AREMU 5.JACOB AYINDE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.TO PROPAGATE UNITY AND DEVELOPMENT OF MEMBERS LIVING IN KADUNA. 2.TO FOSTER LOVE, UNITY AND GENERAL WELLBEING OF MEMBERS. 3.TO RENDER ASSISTANCE TO MEMBER WHEN NEEDED AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF OGBOMOSO TOWN. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420,TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED S. D. OLADIPO 08027094476

he Former Chief Coach of the Super Falcons Kadiri Ikhana, has blamed top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), for the failure of the country to retain their African Women’s Championship (AWC).

Ikhana quit his post after the team finished a disappointing fourth at the recent AWC in Equatorial Guinea.

The former Enyimba and Kano Pillars handler has now said a top official in the NFF technical department failed to secure the release of star strikers Desire Oparanozie and Francisca Ordega for the tournament.

According to a 10-page report by Ikhana, the head of NFF technical department failed to push for the release of Desire Oparanozie and Francisca Ordega.

Ikhana also pointed out that it was wrong for the FA to have issued transfer papers for both players to move to a top Russian club on the eve of the AWC. The federation has already disbanded the Falcons following their poor showing in Equatorial Guinea.

According to the NFF secretary general Musa Amadu, “I will not say we are shocked at Ikhana’s

Bayelsa United are convinced Bosso has the “right track record” to pilot the ship of the club in the 2012/13 season.

“We were alerted of Bosso’s availability after he left Wikki and we duly made our move for him. We believe he has the right track record to take us to our planned destination,” Laye told supersport.com.

The club chief also took the time to outline the objectives of the club in the coming season.

“We have been given a mandate by our sponsors to take the club to the continent this season. We have made a number of astute signings and we believe we will achieve our ambitions next season,” he said.

Ikhana blames top NFF officials for Falcons crash resignation because the Falcons had an awful outing at the AWC. “But it’s not just the coach who is to blame; the players also share in the

blame.

We have disbanded the team because we feel there is a need to build a new team.”

The Falcons failure in

Equatorial Guinea is the second time the Falcons would lose the AWC. It was also the country’s worst ever performance at the AWC.

Kadiri Ikhana

Coulibaly backs Mali U17 to beat Eaglets

W

arri Wolves Malian defender, Adama Coulibaly, is confident Mali’s Under17 national team can stop Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets in the qualifiers for the African Under17 Championship.

Manu Garba’s Golden Eaglets defeated their Malian counterparts 2-0 in the first leg played in Calabar and both sides will converge on Bamako for the decisive second leg with the winners qualifying for the African championship in Morocco.

“Nigeria won the first leg 2-0, so Mali can win the second leg 3-0 and qualify for the championship,” the

Wolves defender said.

Coulibaly expressed surprise at reports in the Nigerian media that the Malians were physical and bigger than their Nigerian opponents.

“Malians are naturally big and most youngsters come through the Centre Salif Keita (CSK). “Top Malian stars like Mahamadou Diarra, Seydou Keita, Dramane Coulibaly, Mahamadou Dissa and Cheick Diabaté are products of CSK,” he said.

Coulibaly has since become one of the best defenders in the league since his arrival from CD Duugouwolo Fila Bamako in 2009.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

PAGE 43

Barcelona on defensive ahead of Spartak tie

B

arcelona travel to face Champions League rivals Spartak Moscow with a prolific forward line led by Lionel Messi but concern continues about the state of their defence.

Celtic earned them a memorable 2-1 victory over a side which has won the Champions League twice in the last four years.

Carles Puyol

Barca has suffered from a series of injuries at the back and they have already conceded 15 goals in the league.

Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique were able to play together for the first time since mid-September in the 3-1 weekend win over Zaragoza as a result of a series of injuries while regular full-backs Jordi Alba and Dani Alves have also

been in the treatment room.

Defence is an area where Barca lacks cover and they have resorted to fielding Javier Mascherano and Alex Song, both more comfortable in central midfield, as their regular centre-half pairing.

Spartak manager Unay Emeri noted Movgorod were good value for their point and added that that

“seriously worries me ahead of the match with Barcelona,” particularly with No 1 goalkeeper Andrei Dykan still out with a shoulder injury.

Spartak will also be without their Argentinian full back Nicolas Pareja, who misses the Barcelona game after being red, carded in Spartak’s previous encounter with Portugal’s Benfica.

Valencia set to end Bayern run

V

alencia has won all three Champions League matches since its opening-round loss to Bayern Munich, and the Spanish side would like to keep the momentum when last season’s runner-up visits today.

Bayern can take confidence in the knowledge that it has lost only once in eight encounters against Valencia, with four draws.

It beat the Spanish side on penalties to lift the Champions League trophy in 2001 but Valencia has two draws and the one loss (3-0) in 1996 in the Uefa Cup against Bayern.

Valencia is unbeaten in its last eight matches at home in the competition.

Neither team will secure advancement if BATE Borisov beats Lille in the other Group F match. Lille must win

by a greater margin than 3-1 to have any hope of overtaking the Belarusian team for third place.

With two matches remaining, Valencia and Bayern lead the group on nine points, with Valencia ahead by a goal. BATE has six and Lille is still without a point.

BATE won in Lille and beat Bayern at home, its first victories in the Champions League.

Bayern is coming off a 6-1 thrashing of Lille at home and Jupp Heynckes’ team wants to win the group.

Dutch winger Arjen Robben was ruled out for at least two weeks after returning from international duty with a torn muscle, while defenders Jerome Boateng and Holger Badstuber are recovering from a groin injury and torn thigh muscle, respectively.

There are also question marks over Franck Ribery, who missed the game in Nuremberg with a hip injury.

UCL: Last 16 test awaits Juve, Chelsea today

J

uventus’s hopes of challenging among Europe’s 16 best football teams could be decided by their penultimate Group H clash against Champions League holders Chelsea today.

Antonio Conte’s side managed only three draws before finally hitting form with a 4-0 rout of Danish champions Nordsjaelland in Turin two weeks ago.

Chelsea’s late winner against Shakhtar, has left Juventus third in Group H one point behind the English giants and second placed Shakhtar.

Although both Chelsea and Shakhtar are delicately poised, Juventus, whose final group match is in the Ukraine, are in the unenvied position of hoping results elsewhere

go their way.

Juventus suffered their first league defeat in over a year two weeks ago in a 3-1 defeat to Inter Milan and since then have been a mission to make amends.

Juve hammered Pescara 6-1 last week and should have put several goals past Lazio on Saturday before the Biancocelesti held on for a scoreless draw.

Defeat would prove a hammer blow to Chelsea’s title defence and while their record in Italy is far from illustrious it is arguably their current dip in form that is giving Juve most hope.

Chelsea have only once before won in Italy in the Champions League – a 4-0 group stage success over Lazio, a team for which Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo once played.

With Juve trailing 2-1 at Stamford Bridge at the start of the group phase, Quagliarella came off the bench to score a fine equalizer to level the scores 2-2.

Franck Ribery

Ferguson drops Rooney, van Persie for Galatasary trip

M

anchester United has left a number of senior players, including Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie, behind for the trip to Galatasary.

Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Patrice Evra and David De Gea also miss the Champions League game.

The squad includes seven players yet to play in Europe: Nick Powell, Larnell Cole, Davide Petrucci, Joshua King, Marnick Vermijl and Ryan Tunnicliffe.

Striker Rooney missed Saturday’s defeat at Norwich with tonsillitis while keeper De Gea had his wisdom teeth removed, but both trained yesterday.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson appears to have taken the decision to give some of his players a rest with qualification to the knockout stage secured with two games to go.

Full squad: Sam Johnstone, Anders Lindegaard; Rafael, Alexander Buttner, Phil Jones, Tom Thorpe, Marnick Vermijl, Scott Wootton, Michael Carrick, Davide Petrucci, Larnell Cole, Tom Cleverley, Darren Fletcher, Anderson, Nick Powell, Ashley Young, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Javier Hernandez, Joshua King, Danny Welbeck, Federico Macheda.

Robin van Persie

UCL FIXTURES

Pirlo

Eden Hazard

Spartak Moscow v Barcelona BATE v Lille FC Nordsjaelland v Shakhtar Donetsk CFR Cluj-Napoca v Braga Benfica v Celtic Juventus v Chelsea Galatasaray v Man Utd Valencia v Bayern Munich Tomorrow Zenit St Petersburg v Malaga Anderlecht v AC Milan Ajax v Borussia Dortmund Schalke 04 v Olympiacos FC Porto v Dinamo Zagreb Dynamo Kiev v PSG NSC Man City v Real Madrid Arsenal v Montpellier

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

Froch wants rematch with Mikkel, Ward

Davis Cup final: Czech Republic edge out Spain in Prague

T

hree-time world champion Carl Froch said he is “in his prime and ready for anybody” after his third-round defeat of Yusaf Mack in Nottingham.

Froch, 35, is now targeting rematches against Mikkel Kessler and Andre Ward - the only two fighters to have beaten him in a 32-fight career.

He said: “I have not won every single fight every time I have stepped through the ropes but I don’t get outclassed. I lose close points decisions but I can put it right against Kessler and Ward - I know I can.

Froch defended his IBF super middleweight by flooring his opponent in the first round before leaving Mack on the canvas again in the third.

It was the Cobra’s easiest night’s work for a while as Mack, who struggled to make the weight after moving down from the lightheavyweight division, looked well short of the world-class standard of opposition that Froch has shared the ring with in previous fights.

None of the 9,500 people inside the arena will have been shocked by the third-round knockout, but there was surprise at how long Mack lasted as he soaked up a tremendous amount of punishment before succumbing to a devastating combination to body and head.

Froch’s promoter Eddie Hearn is now hopeful he can secure the three fights in 2013 that Froch craves.

He wants to fight Lucian Bute, Kessler and Ward again - and Hearn remains hopeful, although he admits a fight with the mandatory challenger, Canadian Adonis Stevenson, may be more likely than a clash with Bute in Montreal.

R

adek Stepanek was the hero as the Czech Republic won the 100th Davis Cup final against Spain in Prague.

It all came down to a deciding fifth rubber, with Stepanek seeing off world number 11 Nicolas Almagro 6-4 7-6 (7-0) 3-6 6-3 to give his nation a 3-2 win. David Ferrer had earlier brought Spain level at 2-2 with a 6-2 6-3 7-5 victory over Tomas Berdych.

While Czechoslovakia won the Davis Cup in 1980, this is the Czech Republic’s first victory as an independent nation. Berdych had needed nearly four hours to beat Almagro in the second singles on Friday and then played in the doubles win on Saturday, so it was no surprise that he ran out of gas against Ferrer in Sunday’s first singles match.

Spain’s world number five has enjoyed the best year of his career and had too much for Berdych, winning in a little under two-and-ahalf hours to bring the defending champions level.

A world ranking of 37 suggested the 33-year-old Stepanek was a considerable outsider against Almagro, six years younger and ranked 26 places higher.

The Czech surged into a 3-0 lead in the fourth set and kept his nerve superbly to hold on and convert his second match point, sparking scenes of wild celebration as his team-mates raced onto the court.

The result means the Czech Republic are the first nation to simultaneously hold the Davis, Fed and Hopman Cups.

Carl Froch

India win first test on final day

I

ndia dismissed any chance of a famous England escape by wrapping up a nine-wicket win on day five of the first Test in Ahmedabad.

Alastair Cook (176) and Matt Prior (91) kept England alive on day four, but when they both fell to Pragyan Ojha, the tourists were on the way to defeat.

England was bowled out for 406 before lunch as Ojha finished with 4-120.

Josh ponders retirement

B

ritain’s number two tennis player Josh Goodall is considering retiring from the sport next summer because of financial concerns.

Goodall, 27, is ranked at 232 in the world; a massive 229 places lower than number one Briton Andy Murray.

Goodall’s career earnings are £258,969, which is dwarfed by Murray’s career haul of £15.6m.

Murray earned £333,000 from his first two tournaments of 2012.

Goodall, who mainly plays on the Challenger and Future tours, has improved his ranking by more than 200 places since last summer and filled in for Murray in the Davis Cup match

Josh Goodall

against Belgium in April.

The system is geared towards keeping players in the game longer and gives them extra money based on their performance.

Without the extra £10,000 he earned from the LTA this year, Goodall admits he might not have been able to continue.

Goodall reached a career high ranking of 184 in July 2009 and his only ATP win was a 6-4 6-1 victory over Japan’s Tatsuma Ito at Eastbourne in the same year.

He made the final of the doubles at the Nottingham Open with Ross Hutchins in 2007 but they were beaten in three sets

by Eric Butorac and Jamie Murray.

Set 77 to win, India lost Virender Sehwag, but Cheteshwar Pujara took them to victory inside 16 overs.

Pujara, opening in place of the absent Gautam Gambhir, added 41 to his first-innings double century as he and Sehwag raced towards their modest target.

Sehwag was well held by Kevin Pietersen at long-on off Graeme Swann, leaving Virat Kohli to drive Swann down the ground and seal England’s

seventh loss in 12 Tests this year.

The home side fully deserved their lead in the four-match series, having had the better of all but two sessions in the match, while England must improve in all departments when the second Test in Mumbai begins on Friday.

The efforts of Cook and Prior, who shared a sixth-wicket, stand of 157, just about kept England competitive after their firstinnings collapse to 191 all out.

Between them, the captain

and wicketkeeper scored 356 runs in the match, while the rest of England’s frontline top seven Pietersen, Nick Compton, Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell and Samit Patel - managed only 114.

The failure of the majority of England’s top order had echoes of the3-0 Test series defeat by Pakistan and the failed defence of theWorld Twenty20 in Sri Lanka, when they struggled to deal with high-quality spin on slow, Asian pitches.

Wada wants lengthy bans for drugs cheats

T

he World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) plans to double the length of bans handed out to athletes found guilty of serious doping offences from two to four years.

If the draft proposal is passed, the bans would come into force from 2015.

Athletes are currently suspended for two years for a first major doping offence and banned for life if they test positive again.

“There is a strong desire to strengthen the sanction articles in the code,” said Wada president John Fahey.

“This second draft has done that, doubling the length of suspension for serious offenders and widening the scope for anti-doping organisations to impose lifetime bans.”

Fahey also revealed that Wada’s funding would be frozen for a second successive year at approximately $28m (£17.5m).

The four-year bans would be handed out for serious doping offences such as use of anabolic steroids, human growth hormone, masking agents and trafficking.

The British Olympic Association has welcomed the move and spokesman Darly Seibel said: “There has been broad consensus that a two-year sanction for a serious first-time doping offence was insufficient and did not send the right message as a deterrent to those who might consider breaking the rules.

That ruling in turn led to the British Olympic Association being forced to overturn its own Olympic ban on drug cheats, such as sprinter Dwain Chambers and cyclist David Millar.

The proposed ruling will undergo further review up until March 2013 before a final draft is sent for ratification at the world anti-doping conference in Johannesburg in November of that year.

Dwain Chambers, cyclist David Millar

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

PAGE 45

PICTORIAL 1/FIFA rounds up the action from Thailand 2012, where A Seleção clinched the world title for a fifth time after overcoming old foes Spain in the final.

2/IBF super middleweight champion Carl Froch says he wants to fight either Mikkel Kessler or Andre Ward.

3/Hurricane Fly wins the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown, while Wishfull Thinking claims victory in Cheltenham's Shloer Chase.

4/India dismisses any chance of a famous England escape by wrapping up a nine-wicket win in the first Test in Ahmedabad.

5/Radek Stepanek is the hero as the Czech Republic beat defending champions Spain 3-2 in a thrilling Davis Cup final in Prague.

6/ Egypt's Al Ahly won an emotional seventh African crown in stunning fashion at the expense of defending champions Esperance, to secure passage to the FIFA Club World Cup.

1

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has hinted he is ready to drop misfiring striker Fernando Torres for today’s crucial Champions’ League Group E clash against Juventus in Turin.

2

5 3

4

6

PAGE 46

Ricky Hatton is one of the greatest British boxers in history. He was a two-division world champion and retired with a magnificent record of 45 wins and just two losses, to alltime pound-forpound greats Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

If Hatton had has his way, however, he would have earned fortune and fame with his feet rather than his fists.

His father and grandfather were both footballers, and Ricky, a skilful midfielder, was on the books of his beloved City as a teenager. Hatton was ultimately released by the club, but his love for them and football has remained as strong as ever.

As the 34-year-old readies for his return to the ring for the first time in three years later this month, when he will battle Ukrainian standout Vyacheslav Senchenko in Manchester, he took time off from training to speak to FIFA.com about coming from a footballing family, being on the City terraces as a youngster, the team’s recent success, having Wayne Rooney carry his belt out and who he think should win the FIFA Ballon d’Or.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

FIFA Ballon d’Or. British boxer, Hatton, thinks Ronaldo has edge over Messi

R

icky, you come from quite a footballing family. Please tell us about that…

My granddad played for the City B team and my dad was a regular in the reserves when they had the championship-winning team, with Malcolm Allison, Joe Mercer, Franny Lee, Mike Summerbee and all the old City legends. And as a 15-year-old I was at Man City’s school of excellence.

We’re mainly a football family, we’re not quite sure where the boxing came from (Ricky’s younger brother Matthew is also a boxer). My dad thought I was going to follow in the family footsteps and become a Ricky Hatton footballer.

I was actually in the same class in the school of excellence as the Whitley brothers (Jim and Jeff), who went on to play for the first team which was really good to see.

When I was Richard Hatton, before anyone even knew Ricky Hatton, I always came out to Blue Moon and had the City colours and the badge on my shorts. My first season ticket was as a 14-yearold on The Kippax at Maine Road. I’ve not just jumped on the footballer bandwagon to get the numbers.

You’ve had Wayne Rooney in your dressing room before fights and carrying your belt out to them. What lift has this given you?

Someone like Wayne Rooney doesn’t need the publicity, just like I guess I don’t need the publicity having become a world champion.

But having a fellow sportsman, who is at the top of his game, wanting to carry my belt in gives me a massive boost.

I’ve had several people carrying my belt in loved ones and little James Bowes, the poorly little lad and a lot of people say Wayne’s only carrying it for publicity. It’s not, it’s (for) motivation. That someone at the height of his game respects me in the manner that he does, it gives you a huge boost. And me asking him to carry my belt in, I was obviously doing it because of the respect I have for Wayne as a footballer, so it’s a double-edged sword.

In 2008, you walked out to Blue Moon, Manchester City’s theme song, to fight Juan Lazcano at the City of Manchester Stadium. That must have been a dream for you…

I think some people go down the football route in order to build their fan base, but it wasn’t the case with me. From my early professional days, when I was Richard Hatton, before anyone even knew Ricky Hatton, I always came out to Blue Moon and had the City colours and the badge on my shorts.

My first season ticket was as a 14-year-old on The Kippax at Maine Road. I’ve not just jumped on the footballer bandwagon to get my numbers up.

What you see is what you get.

I still have my season ticket at Manchester City. It’s not just a publicity stunt. I am a massive football fan. I am a massive Manchester City fan. I wanted to box at Maine Cristiano

Road (City’s former home) years ago, and the fact that I was able to achieve so much in my career and ultimately box at Manchester City’s stadium, it was just a dream come true.

When I go and watch City now, there’s 45,000, 48,000 there.

When I boxed there, there was 58,000 talk about the stuff dreams are made of! I see the City players from time to time. They actually know me as that little 14-year-old who had the season ticket at The Kippax! (laughs) Knowing the players, being able to have a chat with them, and the way I’m treated in and around the club when I’m there, it’s living-the-dream stuff.

Who were your heroes from your time at The Kippax?

We had a lot of good players at the time Niall Quinn, Uwe Rosler, Peter Beagrie, Peter Walsh but it would have to be Georgi Kinkladze.

Every time he got the ball well, you didn’t go to the edge of your seat because it was all standing at The Kippax but you felt something was going to happen. He was a massively exciting player.

Nicky Summerbee, who’s been a pal of mine for a number of years now, he was in the team at the time and he was friends with a boxer called Steve ‘The Viking’ Foster, who I used to train with as a youngster.

(Summerbee) brought Kinkladze to the gym one time to watch us train. Granted, I was only a nipper, he wasn’t watching me train he was watching Carl Thompson, who fought Chris Eubank around the time. But to see your idol walk in the gym, it was a dream come true. Colin Bell and people like that are regarded as City’s best-ever players, but the best player I ever saw live was Kinkladze, and one minute he walked into our gym!

After many years of suffering for City fans, you must be delighted to be champions of England and playing in the UEFA Champions League…

It’s brilliant. I couldn’t be happier for the club and the fans. We’ve had one of the best supports in British football for years now always packed houses, even packed houses when we went down to the second division. And that’s while we’ve had to endure the disappointments with the enemy down the road winning everything. Having your neighbours become the most successful British club of all time wasn’t pleasant for us, so you have to say that we’ve earned our stripes as supporters.

What’s your prediction for City this season?

It can’t be any closer than it was last season, (settled by the) last kick of the game. I think Chelsea will be up there, United will be up there and City will be up there. My heart will be with City, but if you had to put a bet on now you’d just toss a coin.

I think it’s going to be so, so close. Goal difference won the league last season, so even at this early stage, every point is so massive. I’d like to think City will do it, but I think it’s between those three. I think City, United and Chelsea will be the top three, but it could be in any order.

Who do you think will win the FIFA Ballon d’Or for 2012?

I think the best two players in the world are obviously Messi and Ronaldo, as much as I don’t like to admit Ronaldo is a great player.

The only reason I don’t like Ronaldo is because he played for the enemy, but ultimately he’s one hell of a footballer. Those two will be up there again. Maybe Ronaldo this year, he seems to have started the season a bit better than Messi.

Would you have Ronaldo at City?

Without a doubt. City have got the type of money that could bring players like that to the club. They’re the best players in the world and they want to be winning the best trophies, such as the Champions League.

City have still got a little way to go before we can start thinking about signing players like that, but we’re in the Champions League and won the Premiership. To be mentioned in the same breath as players like that, it’s not as daft as it would have sounded a couple of years ago.

Lionel Messi

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

PAGE 47

Say what?

All in the saying: Ugley, in Essex, is commonly pronounced as 'Usley ' Source: dailymail.co.ok

Quick CrossWord (73)

FACTS * Grapefruit scent will make middle aged women appear six years younger to men. The perception is not reciprocal and the grapefruit scent on men has no effect on women's perception. * The world's youngest parents were 8 and 9 and lived in China in 1910. * The colder the room you sleep in, the better the chances are that you'll have a bad dream. * There are more people alive today than have ever died.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

* Women's hair is about half the diameter of men's hair.

Source: Weird facts

SUDOKU

ACROSS 1 Casual discharge of a gun (3,4) 5 Lucky piece (5) 8 To such time as (5) 9 Jealous (7) 10 Men’s youth (7) 11 Mallicious (5) 12 Sturdy (6) 14 Based in medieval practices (6) 18 Grilled slice bread (5) 20 Take the lid off (7) 22 Beef, eg (3,4) 23 Tax of one tenth (5) 24 Supplementary (5) 25 Well-behaved (7) DOWN 1 Pipe fitter (7) 2 Threadbare (5) 3 Sanctifies (7) 4 Modish (6) 5 Municipal (5) 6 Chosen formally (7) 7 Very untidy (5) 13 Boldly confronted (7) 15 Aroused (7) 16 To a great extent (7) 17 __ Stories, tales by Rudyard Kipling (4,2) 18 __ firma, solid ground (5) 19 Step, walk (5) 21 One who enjoys the right of suffrage (5)

Getting Started Each sudoku puzzle is a 9 by 9 grid of horizontal and vertical rows, evenly separated into 9 squares with 9 spaces each. Instead of word clues, each puzzle’s solution is determined by the pattern of the numbers already filled in you. You solve the puzzle by filling in the missing digits so that, when completed, each row and each square will have all the number from 1 to 9; each number will appear in exactly nine spaces within each puzzle.

Yesterday’s answer

Siswi the orangutan shows off a fine set of teeth as she gets to work cleaning them. The 34-year-old amazed staff at a wildlife refuge when she picked up a toothbrush. She now gives her choppers a good brushing nearly every day after tucking into her meals of fruit, leaves and bark.

Source: TheSun.co.uk

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

. . . putting the people first

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

SPORTS LA TEST LATEST

Shevchenko turns down Ukraine manager role

A

ndriy Shevchenko has turned down the chance to manage the Ukraine national team as he feels he is not yet ready for the job.

Shevchenko, 36, who retired from football after the Euro 2012 to pursue a career in politics, was offered the role last week. The post has remained vacant since Oleg Blokhin's departure for Dynamo Kiev in September.

"I consider that taking over the national squad will be a bit too hasty a move for me," Shevchenko said. "I hope that the FFU will accept my decision with understanding.

"I'm really grateful to the FFU and our football chief Anatoly Konkov for their toplevel trust in me which they showed by offering me the post of the national manager."

The decision comes as a blow to Konkov, who was hoping Shevchenko would be able to draw on his experience as a player and replicate the success of Josep Guardiola at Barcelona.

He said last week: "Shevchenko has experience of playing in great clubs such as Dynamo Kiev, AC Milan and Chelsea under the management of legendary coaches Valery Lobanovsky, Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho. He had a unique opportunity to adopt their methods, their knowledge and talents.

"Just remember that unknown young coach Guardiola has achieved tremendous results in just several years. I'm confident Shevchenko is also capable of achieving serious heights as the national team's manager.

"He has enough experience and character for it.

The federation, meanwhile, will provide him with all the necessary help in his work."

Managerless Ukraine is struggling in attempting to qualify for the 2014 World Cup, sitting fifth in Group Eight with just two points from three games.

ADVERT: BUSINESS: NEWS: LAGOS:

0803 0805 0803 0805 0803

QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE If you think the attack on Odi had solved the militancy in the Niger Delta, then Yar'adua's government in which I was Vice President wouldn't have initiaited the Amnesty Programme.

–– President Goodluck Jonathan ruling out full military action against Boko Haram

Education reform: What are we afraid of?

E

veryone can testify to the spectacular jump in human knowledge and its applications particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries. There is no doubt that the future will continue to bring about new challenges and higher levels of exertion as mankind continuously struggles to convert the unknown to the known. This is the very basis upon which we understand our immediate environment and the awesome universe in which we find ourselves. While with enough money in our treasury we can facilitate quick fixes for critical hard infrastructure such as roads, rails and energy, the same cannot be said about fixing our educational system.

Building the necessary infrastructure for our schools might amount only to what can truly be referred to as “baby steps”.

Developing a functional pool of trained intelligence that will drive the building of a sturdy nation is a daunting and time consuming exercise which unfortunately never ends. It is amazing that our mediocre education has taken us this far, if we can call where we are far. But how much farther can it take us in an ever competitive world.

It should be clear to us by now that what we have in the name of education is a mockery.

No country can truly develop by limping on a defective education system. We must see education as the world saw it way back in 1948, when the United Nations proclaimed education to be a fundamental human right that should be free and compulsory at the elementary level, and include access to technical, professional, and higher education.

This is not just a goal which is nice to achieve so that we can belong to the comity of nations, but it is a goal that will define the very essence of our existence now and in the years to come. In his book, “The Organization of Thought” written way back in 1917, author Alfred Whitehead while pleading for continuous reform in education said, “In the condition of modern life, the rule is absolute; the race which does not value trained intelligence is doomed. Not all your heroism, not all your social charm, not all your wit, not all your victories on land or at sea can move back the finger of fate. Today, we maintain ourselves, tomorrow science will have moved forward one more step, and there will be no appeal from the judgment which

311 689 606 327 454

7458 1765 3308 1969 0344

GUEST COLUMNIST Philemon Adjekuko

Education Minister, Prof.

Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i will be pronounced on the uneducated.”

The detailed analysis of our educational system released some time ago by the Federal Ministry of Education is so sobering that it is depressing to repeat here. What is evident is that the system as it is today cannot take us to our nearest desired economic destination.

Nowhere else is the rot in the system more evident than in our tertiary institutions; institutions that feed the pool of the manpower required to build our economy. And just as it is said, you can not give what you do not have. Therefore, it is no surprise that we are where we are today.

What was it that informed regional governments setting up universities many years ago? What was it that informed the Federal Government taking over these

institutions and setting up new ones? What was it that informed state governments and later private individuals and religious bodies establishing their own universities? Was it just a jamboree of some sort or a need to provide the required knowledge base for our dear country?

What became of the beautifully conceptualized first generation universities compared to similar institutions set up elsewhere in the world about the same time? What went wrong? What went wrong with our first generation tertiary institutions; institutions that should have evolved into our own Harvard, our own MIT our own Oxford. But alas, here they are many years after, a mere shadow of themselves and struggling to keep what is left of their reputation of years ago via a silly fight about name change.

What is the way forward?

Shouldn’t these universities be wholly autonomous with their governing councils driving their academic and development strides?

Shouldn’t government as matter of strategy set up endowment funds to complement these institutions’ internally generated fund?

Shouldn’t we find a way to nurture our own “brooders-stock” institutions; institutions that will serve as a nursery for the best of our brains; institutions that will serve our industries, financial systems and national security with the best of research; institutions that will continuously lift us and keep us right at the centre of modern technology? Shouldn’t we?

“

What became of the beautifully conceptualized first generation universities compared to similar institutions set up elsewhere in the world about the same time? What went wrong? What went wrong with our first generation tertiary institutions; institutions that should have evolved into our own Harvard, our own MIT our own Oxford. But alas, here they are many years after, a mere shadow of themselves and struggling to keep what is left of their reputation of years ago via a silly fight about name change

I cannot just fathom the reason why reforming education remains a nightmare. We continue to wrestle even with the very basic secondary school curriculum. In the last twenty years we have rearranged the chips and never gotten the puzzle right. Many years ago, we have technical colleges with unbelievable quality of education and killed them. We introduced polytechnics with great reputation and killed them. We introduced junior and senior secondary schools education system and killed them.

Now I hear we are going to once again tinker with our secondary school structure. What do we want to achieve with this new plan.

At the tertiary level, things are getting frighteningly difficult for our young ones. More and more prospective university students are finding it difficult to either get admission or get a place in their preferred courses. Those that can’t get admission in their year of graduation from high school gradually get pushed out of the race by fresh grandaunts. It was only recently that we managed to resolve the problem of graduates queuing for between one or two years to do their national service.

We are subliminally building a society of frustrated youths. The problem of graduates not getting jobs is still unresolved. According to a recent report in Tell magazine, PHD holders now apply for truck driving jobs in big corporations.

Are we really convinced that education holds the key to economic development and we cannot but get things right in that sector? Or are we just fooling around again as we have done in the past. Every time university lecturers go on strike and abandons our children to an uncertain academic year, my heart bleeds. Every time the Federal Government goes back on its agreement with lecturers, my heart bleeds.

Education is supposed to be fun.

Higher institutions are supposed to be the play ground for kids that are hungry for great things, not where they learn about how dysfunctional their government is or how uncertain their future will become.

If President Jonathan really considers himself a transformation agent he should do something urgently about the education sector. If nothing is done, the country will be facing a major crisis in the years ahead.

Philemon Adjekuko can be reached on Twitter@opnpublish.

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Kano office: Plot 3, Zaria Road, Opposite Kano State House of Assembly. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos. Tel: +234-09-8734478. Cell: +234 803 606 3308. e-mail: contact@peoplesdaily-online.com; pmlnewsdesk@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141