Peoples Daily Newspaper, Tuesday, February 21, 2012

4 dead, houses, vehicles burnt as NURTW thugs clash in Lagos

PAGE 3

Vol. 7 No. 78

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Rabiul Awwal 29, 1433 AH

N150

INSIDE

Bombing: Motorists stranded on Abuja2 Suleja road

Again, FG delays power sector 3 privatisation

Alleged N20bn fraud: Reps threaten to arrest 6 NAPEP boss

CBN commiserates with Madalla bomb blast victims

By Abdulwahab Isa

T

he Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi yesterday led the bank’s management team and other executives to Madalla to commiserate with Saint Theresa’s Catholic Church over the Christmas day bomb blast.

Governor Sanusi informed the leaders of the church and other parishioners that the management of the bank was there to commiserate with the Contd on Page 2

L-R: Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Catholic Bishop of Minna, Most Rev. Martin Igwe Uzoukwu, and Parish Priest of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, Rev. Isaac A. Achi, during a visit by the CBN management to the church to commiserate with victims of the Christmas day bomb blast, yesterday in Madalla.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Jonathan back-pedals on subsidy palliatives

By Lawrence Olaoye

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday back-pedaled on the palliatives promised the citizenry which was premised on the complete removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol.

Though the President did not disclose details, pledges contained

To sack 2015 campaigners in a programme called SURE (Subsidy Re-Investment Programme) specifically listed establishment of new refineries and rehabilitation of existing ones, provision of infrastructure such as roads, water as well as

enhancement of power and transport sectors among other areas for intervention.

However, the President said yesterday that since the Federal Government could not achieve 100 percent deregulation as

planned, it would be difficult for his government to raise the funds needed to fulfil the promises made in the SURE document.

Making the disclosure at the 58th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the ruling

WWW.PEOPLESDAILY-ONLINE.COM

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday, President Jonathan buttressed his point by ordering the withdrawal of a document earlier circulated at the meeting containing the SURE deliverables, from the public.

He however assured that a new document, reflecting the economic reality of the country Contd on Page 2

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

CONTENTS

Bombing: Motorists stranded on Abuja-Suleja road

News

H

2-11

Editorial

12

Op.Ed

13

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-17

Business

19-22

S/Exchange

23

S/Report

24

Newsxtra

26

Defence

27

Agriculture

29

By Abdulwahab Isa undreds of people returning from the city centre of Abuja to Madalla, Suleja and Kaduna road axis after the close of work yesterday were stranded on the highway, caught unawares by the imposition of 6pm to 6am curfew.

The curfew, our reporter gathered was a fallout of the Sunday morning explosion which rocked the Morocco area of Suleja town, which has been under a state of emergency since December 31, 2011.

A victim narrating his experience yesterday, told this reporter on phone that he got to Zuba by 5pm unaware of the

curfew, but was forced to join the grueling “sit-down on the floor” order by soldiers while at the same time, the entire highway was sealed off.

The spate of frequent bombings in Suleja, Niger state, a border settlement to the Federal Capital Territory has upped the presence of security checks in Madalla,

Uncertainty trails Saturday’s Cross River governorship poll

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

F

eelers in Abuja yesterday, indicated that a Federal High Court, has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from conducting Saturday's governorship election in Cross River state. A source disclosed to our reporter that Justice Abdul Kafarati issued the order following an application filed and argued ex-parte by Mr. Nmerengwa Alozie, counsel to the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and its governorship candidate, Dr. Obol Patrick Okomiso who are the plaintiffs.

Although, efforts to obtain the said order as at press time proved abortive, findings revealed that Justice Kafarati abridged the time for INEC to appear before him to defend the

suit. He ordered the electoral body to come to court on Thursday February, 28th for its defence. The plaintiffs had argued that INEC did not have the power to reschedule the election to less than 48 days to the initial date fixed for the said election. According to them, the election had been earlier scheduled by INEC to hold on the 14th of April, 2012 in view of the mandatory timetable set by the Electoral Act for submission of names and addresses of party candidates for that election.

The plaintiffs have filed the application asking for an order of interim injunction restraining INEC from proceeding to conduct the election into the office of Governor of Cross River State on the 25th of February, 2012

pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed in the proceedings.

They also asked the court for an order directing INEC to maintain the status quo, that is as at 15th of February, 2012, to refrain from taking further action or steps regarding the revised timetable for the conduct of the election into the office of Governor of Cross River State of Nigeria pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed on February 15, 2012 in the proceedings.

In an affidavit attached to the application, ANPP said that INEC's reason that it brought the election forward because of the judgment of the Supreme Court which removed five state governors from office was not tenable in law.

Zuba, Suleja axis.

Meanwhile, the police yesterday announced the arrest of five suspects in connection with Sunday’s bomb blast in Suleja, Niger state.

10 killed in Ibadan road crash

T

en people were killed yesterday when a Lagos bound 18-seater commercial bus rammed into a stationary articulated vehicle on the IbadanLagos highway.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accident occurred at the Isara-Sabada area of the highway at about 6pm.

A NAN correspondent, who visited the scene of the crash, reports that nine persons died on the spot, while one died later in the hospital.

Eight other people injured in the accident were rushed to Olabisi Onabanjo Teaching Hospital, Abeokuta for treatment.

The bus is registered KEBBI AA 189 AUG, while the stationary articulated vehicle is numbered XV 512 BKY. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Ogun, Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi confirmed the story, but said the cause of the crash was yet to be determined.

Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were at the scene controlling traffic, to avoid gridlock. (NAN)

Jonathan back-pedals on subsidy palliatives PDP holds national convention March 24, Page 3

International 31-34 Strange World 35 Digest

36

Politics

37-40

Sports

41-47

Columnist

48

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

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

Phones for News: 070-37756364 09-8734478

Contd from Page 1 would be produced and circulated even as he cautioned that the old one could send a wrong signal to the public.

The President said “I think as I came in I saw this SURE book being distributed, we are withdrawing it, this is the old one, we developed this with the expectation that we are going to completely deregulate the Downstream of the oil industry; the 100 percent removal of subsidy, you know we could not achieve that though there is increase in the pump price.

“So this is to be adjusted, I don’t want this thing to be distributed, it will give a wrong impression when we said that Jonathan

government you promise this, what have you done? We are working on a new document based on the reality, but we don’t want to promise what we will not achieve. Those who have it please withdraw it, we cannot realize the money that are stated there, but we will still come up with a document base on what we get,” he assured.

Jonathan equally warned that those who are already engaged in campaigns for 2015 should desist from doing so. He said campaigning at this period was not only ill-timed but premature.

He said the activities of those campaigning for any position in 2015 constitute a distraction to political office holders.

While congratulating the governors of Kogi, Adamawa, Bayelsa and Sokoto states for their victory at the recent governorship polls, Jonathan warned that anyone caught campaigning in his cabinet would be sacked.

The President equally pleaded for the unity of the party members just as he charged the stakeholders to always remember that they were one big political family irrespective of the positions they hold.

He said “I plead that the unity of the party and the cooperation of all of us is paramount and we should not fight ourselves because it will not translate to dividend of democracy, because for PDP to be regarded as a party that has succeeded that means that the

governors will perform, the President and the states will perform. What we want are roads, good roads, health facilities, power and so on, not people wearing boxing gloves and doing shadow boxing in different forms.”

He also advocated party supremacy and discipline saying “We belong to the same party, we must believe in that party and that party must discipline us including Mr. President; we must emulate what happened in South Africa, because ANC is a strong party. Even Mr. President feel he is bigger than the party they will push him out from the party. So, nobody should be bigger than the party, the party must insist on that.”

CBN commiserates with Madalla bomb blast victims Contd from Page 1

Church and the Madalla community who were affected by the unfortunate incident.

He stated that what happened was despicable, in that it took place at a holy place and on a holy day- Christmas.

According to Malam Sanusi, “When you bomb a church on a Sunday or Christmas day and a mosque on a Friday or Eid day, such actions have implications far beyond the immediate faithful or community”.

Malam Sanusi stated that as a responsible corporate citizen, the CBN in 2006, came up with a policy framework on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) which

was approved by the Board.

Thus, in keeping with this policy, the Committee of Governors met and took a decision to donate in order to alleviate the plight of those affected in Madalla and Kano.

The CBN governor said that the CBN management went to Kano on Friday, and planned to be at Madalla the next Monday, but was told on Saturday that the Bishop of Minna, Most Rev. Dr. Martin Igwe Uzoukwu was away to Owerri.

According to Malam Sanusi, the church fixed Thursday last week for the visit, but because he would be out of the country for an assignment, the bank

requested for Monday to ensure that the governor was personally present at yesterday’s event rather than send a representative.

He then announced a donation of N25 million, noting that even though money could not compensate for lives, it was a token contribution to help the victims of the attack within and around the church.

The Bishop of Minna Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Martin Igwe Uzoukwu thanked the CBN Governor and the Management of the Bank for their good gesture, stating that the CBN’s contribution will go a long way to help the victims.

Earlier, the Parish Priest, Very Rev. Father Isaac Achi recounted the unfortunate incident on that Christmas morning that took the lives of 44 people, with many sustaining severe injuries. He stated that the coming of the CBN governor was a testimony of the concern the governor and his team have for the well-being of all Nigerians.

Some top members of the CBN management in the Governor’s entourage were the Deputy Governors, Operations, Economic Policy, and Corporate Services, Mr. Tunde Lemo, Dr. (Mrs.) Sarah Alade and Alhaji Suleiman Barau, respectively, and other executives.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

PAGE 3

4 dead, houses, vehicles burnt as NURTW thugs clash in Lagos From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

Y

ouths suspected to be Area Boys belonging to the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), in Lagos Island, yesterday clashed

with a rival group leaving about 4 people dead.

Trouble started about 2 am Monday morning when youths from Idungaran in Isale Eko area stormed Isalegangan Street (Onola) with dangerous weapons,

including AK 47 rifles, knives, cutlasses and gallons of petrol, burnt down a two-storey building at 28, Isalegangan Street and 20 vehicles packed on the street.

The rampaging youths also vandalised about 30 cars on

Agarawu Street, Isale Agbede, Aroloya and Tom Jones at Idumota.

The youths who were said to be sympathetic to two chieftains of the NURTW, Alhaji Akanni Olohunwa and Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya (a.k.a. MC Oluomo), contesting the chairmanship of the union in the state, attempted to destroy an ATM machine located inside New Star Photo Studio at 28, Isalegangan Street but did not succeed.

The renewed clash was between youths in Isale-Eko and Onola/Agarawu/Itafaji boys over the ongoing leadership crisis in NURTW. Eyewitness said many other residents of the areas sustained serious injuries during the clash and were rushed to the hospital

where four yet to be identify persons were feared dead.

Eyewitness said residents alerted the police but they did not come early and when they eventually did, the havoc had been done by the invading miscreants.

During our correspondent’s visit to the scene, armoured personnel carriers belonging to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), were stationed at Itafaji, Idumagbo Avenue and Tom Jones areas of the Island after the police had succeeded in quelling the riot.

Meanwhile Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Joseph Jaiyeoba could not ascertain the the casualty figure as he was still awaiting information on it, adding that more policemen had been drafted to the area to maintain peace.

PDP holds national convention March 24

By Lawrence Olaoye

L-R: Director-General, Nigeria Governors Forum, Mr. Ashishana Okauru, Delta state governor, Mr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, and Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum and Rivers state governor, Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, during a dialogue on oil and gas management, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday came out with new guidelines which stipulate that the National Convention of the party would be held on the 24th of March while

Again, FG delays power sector privatisation

By Aminu Imam and Abdulwahab Isa, with agency report

T

he Federal Government has again pushed forward the timeframe for selling off the assets of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), as the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) yesterday issued a fresh timetable for the conclusion of the last phase of the privatisation process.

According to the revised bid timeline issued to investors by the BPE, the announcement of the preferred bidders for the 17 successor companies"... will be made on/or before October 23, 2012”.

The BPE said revised legal documents are to be issued to the bidders on March 30, 2012 while April 20, 2012 is the deadline for

receipt of comments by bidders on the legal documents. The distribution/issuance of final bid documents is on May 11, 2012 and the deadline for submission of technical and financial bids is July 31, 2012.

The revised transaction timeline reveals that the evaluation of the technical bids will take place between August 14 and 28, 2012, while the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) will approve the results of the technical evaluation on/or before September 11, 2012.

The deadline for the shortlisted bidders for generation companies to submit their letters of credit, according to the BPE, is September 18, 2012 while October 2, 2012 is for shortlisted bidders for distribution companies. The NCP approval will pave way for the opening of financial bids of the

shortlisted investors.

In a letter to the prospective investors, the acting director (electric power) at the BPE, Malam Ibrahim Babagana explained that the revision to the transaction timetable became imperative in order to address the concerns raised at the Transaction and Industry Review Conference, which was held in Abuja on November 28 and 29, 2011.

Said he: “In view of the foregoing, we have been working diligently to create a bankable package of transaction and industry documents based on your feedback.

Potential bidders for the distribution companies are expected to be existing power distribution companies or core investor groups with power distribution companies as longterm technical partners.

Successful bidders will be responsible for operating the distribution companies, making the necessary investments to improve the distribution network and customer service in line with the objectives of the Federal Government of Nigeria set out in the National Electric Power Policy (NEPP.) It could be recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan unveiled power privatisation plans 18 months ago as a major flagship policy and pledged that country's power generation and distribution assets would be sold off last year.

However, several government deadlines on privatisation have been missed and this would be viewed as another setback for the administration’s power sector reforms which investors had hoped will unlock the potential of Nigeria’s economy.

the hand-over process would be completed by the 31st of March, 2012. This formed part of the deliberations at the emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party held in Abuja.

The Acting National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, equally disclosed that the congresses that would culminate in the emergence of the new national officers of the party would commence with the Ward Congresses by March 3rd.

Also, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party yesterday succeeded in making the NEC extend its tenure which was billed to end by March 8 to the end of the month.

NEC equally extended the tenures of ward, local government, states and zonal executive committees to terminate in line with the revised time-table for congresses and national convention.

Explaining the reason for the request for tenure elongation, Baraje stated that the protests that followed the removal of fuel subsidy in January charged the political environment and therefore made it difficult for the political transition process in the party.

Asked why the NEC refused to ratify the party’s zoning arrangement as planned, the National Publicity Secretary, Professor Rufa’i Ahmed Alkali, in a press briefing said the issue of zoning and other burning issues would be addressed at the next NEC meeting scheduled to hold at the end of the month.

JTF, Boko Haram gun duel claims 8 in Maiduguri From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

T

he popular Baga market in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, was shut down yesterday afternoon following a gun duel between personnel of the Joint Military Task Force, (JTF) and members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect, which left eight armed bandits dead.

Our correspondent reports that the market had recently suffered several attacks, allegedly carried out by Boko Haram gunmen, which claimed many lives, even as the latest incident Acame four days after traders had apprehended a gunman, while attempting to shoot some people.

Spokesman of the JTF Lt. Col. Hassan Mohammed, told newsmen that the gunmen who

stormed the market at about 12.00pm had detonated five improvised explosive devices, (IEDs) in various locations, before shooting into the crowd, wounding three yet to be identified civilians.

According to Lt. Col. Mohammed, the attackers raided the market when law abiding citizens were carrying out their legitimate commercial activities and detonated explosives, before

firing sporadic shots into the crowd.

He stated that men of the task force, who were alerted over the incident, immediately arrived in the scene and engaged the gunmen in a fierce gun battle, which left eight suspects dead, with no casualty recorded from the military side.

The spokesman further explained that at the end of the confrontation, the blasts did not result in any casualty, as three

other IEDs ready for detonation and several weapons were recovered from the suspects, while the three injured persons were rushed to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.

As a proactive device to quell further attacks, he said all roads leading to the scene of the incident were cordoned, while soldiers have commenced extensive search inside the market for possible recovery of exhibits.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

PAGE 4

2 PHCN equipment vandals arrested in Jos From Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

T

wo suspected vandals of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) equipment were recently arrested in Anglo Jos area, in the state’s capital following a distress call by the community to the police.

Confirming the development to newsmen in Jos, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company in charge of Plateau, Benue, Bauchi and Gombe states, Mrs. Vivian Osuhor said that the residents of Anglo-Jos area alerted the police which led to the arrest of the two vandals. According to her, the suspects were in police custody.

Meanwhile, the state Public Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Samuel Dabai said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Anglo Jos denied receiving such case in his division and challenged anybody with such claims to come forward and prove it.

From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

F

ormer governor of Oyo state, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala yesterday appeared before an Ibadan High Court with a fresh prayer that the court should quash the fraud charges leveled against him and two others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Alao-Akala and his erstwhile commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Hosea Ayoola Agboola, who is currently a Senator and Deputy Whip in the Senate as well as an Ibadan-based contractor, Mr. Olufemi Ademola Babalola of Pentagon Engineering Services were docked at the State High Court No. 2, Ring Road, Ibadan.

Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) with a team of three Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) and 23 other lawyers, prayed the trial judge, Hon. Justice Akintunde Boade to quash the 11-count charge leveled against his clients for lack of convincing evidence.

It would be recalled that the EFCC had slammed the trio with an eleven-count charge of conspiracy, contracts scam and other criminal acts to the tune of N25 billion.

But the EFCC swiftly reacted to the accused persons’ fresh applications upon which the antigraft commission raised a

Akala, 2 others want EFCC charges quashed preliminary objection on the basis that the applications were incompetent.

The prosecution counsel, Mr. Godwin Obla told the court that even though the case was scheduled for hearing at the day’s sitting, the lawyers to the accused persons had filed some fresh applications praying that the charges against their clients be quashed adding that the EFCC, in turn, had already filed preliminary objections attacking the competence of all the applications.

In this regard, the EFCC counsel urged the court to take holistic look in handling the

matter because, according to him, “justice is a two-way traffic, for the accused and for the state.”

“This is a public interest case, and for good case management, parties should be enjoined to file written addresses”, Obla further told the court.

Responding, the lead counsel to the accused persons, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) agreed that there was need for written addresses by the two parties but asked for short adjournment since he had just been served the preliminary objection by the prosecution.

Fagbemi said: “There is no need to rush the court and we

R-L: VicePresident Mohammed Namadi Sambo, walking with Kaduna state Governor, Mr Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, after they met with President Goodluck Jonathan on the state of the nation, at the State House, yesterday, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye.

Bauchi lawmaker charged for alleged certificate forgery From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

A

member representing Bauchi central constituency in the state House of Assembly, Alhaji Yakubu Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been charged before a Chief Magistrate Court IV in Bauchi for allegedly forging his primary school certificate.

The suit was filed by a former member, who represented Bauchi central in the Assembly, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulkarim Angale of the Congress for Progressive (CPC) who accused Mohammed of presenting a forged primary school certificate for the purpose of the last general election.

It would be recalled that a From Francis Iwuchukwu, Lagos

J

ustice Lateefah Okunnu of an Ikeja High Court, yesterday admitted some exhibits tendered by the prosecution in the trial of Akolade Arowolo, who allegedly killed his banker-wife, Titilayo Arowolo.

The exhibits admitted by the court included a kitchen knife which was allegedly used to murder the deceased, four mobile phones and photographs taken by the police.

Arowolo, is standing trial before the court on a one-count charge of murder.

He was alleged to have stabbed his wife to death on June, 24, 2011 at their 8 Akindeinde Street, Isolo Lagos residence.

The Lagos state Directorate of Public Prosecution led by its Director, Mrs Olabisi Ogungbesan

cannot sacrifice justice on the altar of speed. We are asking for time to respond effectively because the accused persons are facing very serious charges which, if proved, may curtail their liberty. We do not want to come back and be asking for an extension of time. We don’t even know the content of the additional proof of evidence just filed by the prosecution as it was handed over to us this morning.”

The trial judge adjourned hearing in the case to April 26, 2012 while urging the two parties to file their written addresses within the court’s time frame.

Court of Appeal had declared Mohammed as winner of the last election held in the constituency and nullified the election of Angale for violating the electoral Act 2010.

Barister B A Oyefeso who appeared for the plaintiff, told the court that the accused person must be in the court even if the court in its wisdom deem it fit not to take his plea.

In his response, counsel to the accused person, Barrister Muktar Abubakar opposed the application, saying that it would amount to an illegality for the court to grant such prayers.

The presiding magistrate, Garba Inuwa Sambo adjourned the case to March 5, 2012 for ruling.

Court admits exhibits against ‘killer’ husband called their fourth and fifth witnesses to testify against him.

The fourth witness, Saidu Husseni, a security man at the residence of the Arowolo’s said he was at the house on the day of the incident.

Husseni told the court that Akolade and a friend had driven into the compound around midday and spent about an hour in his apartment before leaving hurriedly.

The witness further alleged that he saw Akolade washing blood from his hands while urging him to hurriedly open the gate.

“I saw him cleaning his hands which was filled with blood and he was telling me to open the gate quickly so that he can drive out”, he said

Husseni further claimed that he later saw a blood soaked cloth and some irons stained with blood near the Arowolo’s apartment in the four storey building.

According to him, the accused after driving away in his Honda Accord car did not return to the house on that day.

The fifth witness, ASP Titus Ogbonna, from Homicide Section, CID, Yaba , Lagos said he led the investigation after the matter was transferred to them from Aswani Police Station.

Ogbonna said: “ When we got to Aswani Police Station where the accused vehicle was being kept as exhibit, we observed that there was blood stains on the wheel steering, on the driver’s seat and on the floor of the driver’s side.

“We also discovered a N100 note stained with blood at the floor of the car which was recovered and kept as exhibit.

He said a police photographer; Gift Eneche took photographs of the car and at the Arowolo’s residence when the team later visited the place for further investigation on that same day.

The witness said: “The house was a two-bedroom flat in an eight apartment building. The kitchen wall was stained with blood.

“We observed that two items were missing from the kitchen rack and that there was no knife there.”

According to him, there was also blood stain on the floor of the parlour while furnishings were scattered all over.

Ogbonna said: “At the bedroom where the deceased was allegedly killed, we saw that the mattress was soaked with blood. “ There was blood on the floor and scattered clothes which we suspected must have been a sign of struggle.

“We recovered a short knicker soaked with blood and a lump of flesh suspected to be that of the deceased which was later taken to a pathologist for investigation,” he added.

He told the court that some of the exhibits recovered were still with the police, adding that they would be tendered before the court when located.

The matter was adjourned to March 20 for continuation of trial.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

PAGE 5

Lagos may cremate corpses soon From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

I

f members of the Lagos state House of Assembly eventually pass the Cremation Bill 2012, burning of dead bodies (cremation) will become legal in the state.

The bill titled: “A Bill for a Law to Provide for Voluntary Cremation of Corpses and Unclaimed Corpses within Lagos State”, came out of the state House

of Assembly’s findings that inability of relations to claim corpses has contributed immensely to overfilled mortuaries which could also lead to epidemic in the state.

The bill would establish a crematorium to take care of unidentified and unclaimed corpses and for voluntary cremation of corpses within the state. This would also solve the

problem associated with getting land for mass burial and decongest the mortuaries.

Section 6 of the bill, seeks to permit a child or children of the deceased; a close relative of the deceased; an undertaker and an agent/legal representative to cremate upon formal application.

Section 8 of the bill authorises the Medical Director of the state hospitals to order for the cremation of

unclaimed bodies in their respective mortuaries after six weeks of deposition, with the consent and approval of the Commissioner for Health.

Under Section 10 of the bill, the cremator in charge of a crematorium must not dispose the ashes after a cremation except in accordance with written instructions of the applicant.

“However, the cremator in charge may bury the ashes in a burial

ground if, within one year after the cremation, the applicant does not give reasonable written instructions for the disposal of the ashes.

“Before burying the ashes, the cremator in charge must give the applicant at least 28 days written notice of intention to bury the ashes. The notice must be sent to the applicant’s address for service on the permission to cremate,” the bill stated.

EFCC will not fail the nation, says Lamorde

By Lambert Tyem

T

he Executive Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, yesterday assured Nigerians and the international community of the preparedness of the Commission to deliver on its assigned mandate of combating economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption.

Lamorde said this while receiving the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Andrew Lloyd who paid him a courtesy visit at the corporate headquarters of the Commission in Abuja.

According to the Acting Head, Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCC Chairman appreciated the envoy for being the first to pay him a courtesy visit since his confirmation by the Senate last week and expressed his commitment to the realisation of EFCC’s mandate.

“We are aware of the expectations of Nigerians and the international community. We shall not betray the confidence. We shall deliver on our mandate and justify the confidence reposed on us”, he promised.

He appreciated the support which the Commission has, over the years, received from British agencies such as the Department for International Development, DFID, the Metropolitan Police and the Serious Organised Crime Agency, SOCA. In response, Lloyd promised greater support for the EFCC. “We would be looking to support in whatever way we can, if the EFCC succeeds, the international community and international investors win”, he said.

He also commended the National Assembly for making Lamorde’s appointment a reality.

“It is a significant appointment because what you represent is a clear sense of direction and progress for the Commission”.

Others who accompanied Lloyd on the visit were Julius Court, Team Leader, on Governance, DFID and Hooman Nouruzi, Political and Press Secretary.

L-R: Senate President David Mark, Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, during the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) 58th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, yesterday, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Oil hits 8-month high, nudges $121 per barrel

By Aminu Imam, with agency report

O

il prices rose yesterday, with Brent crude oil briefly hitting an eight-month high above $121 a barrel, as Iran said it was halting oil exports to British and French companies ahead of a European Union embargo.

Reuters reported that monetary policy easing by China and hopes for a Greek bailout also buoyed prices.Brent crude was up 87 cents at $120.45 a barrel by 1603 GMT, having hit a session high of $121.15 earlier, its highest

since June last year.

In euro terms, Brent crude is nearing the record hit in summer 2008, according to Reuters data.U.S. crude reached $105.44 a barrel, up $2.20 and its highest since May last year. By 1603 GMT, the U.S. crude contract was up $1.91 at $105.15. Volume was moderate due to a public holiday in the United States.

Iran, OPEC's second-largest producer, ordered a halt to its oil sales to British and French firms on Sunday in retaliation against tightening EU sanctions as ties with the West remained strained over its disputed nuclear

Management consultants set to raise industry standards

By Augustine Aminu

T

he Institute of Management Consultants (IMC–Nigeria) is determined to create, maintain and extend high standards of consulting practice in Nigeria.

The President of the Institute, Prof. Addison Wokocha, who disclosed this in Abuja, also said IMC-Nigeria is being galvanised to work with global partners in over 50 countries to sustain parity of

standards across borders.

Wokocha spoke in Abuja at the IMC Round-Table Discussion organised to set the fees for consultancy services as well as sharpen the skills of practicing consultants as part of the IMC continuing education and professional development programme.

Over 50 consultants participated in the continuing education programme which held simultaneously in Lagos and Abuja.

programme.

But the announcement came after European oil buyers had already made big cuts in purchases from Iran months ahead of the sanctions. Britain has imported almost no oil from Iran over the last year, EU data show.

"Banning the tiny quantities of exports to the UK and France involves very little risk for Iran indeed quite the opposite, it catches the headlines and leads to a higher global oil price, which is something Iran is very keen to encourage," said Caroline Bain, analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit.

Fears of supply disruption in Iran and upbeat economic data from the world's largest oil user, the United States, have pushed oil prices up over the past month.

JP Morgan Chase raised its 2012 price forecast for Brent crude by $6 to $118 a barrel on supply risks and rising economic growth. It also raised its forecast for 2013 to $125 a barrel, up from $121.

Political issues in Iran, Syria, Sudan/South Sudan, Nigeria and elsewhere are creating increased demand for crude stocks, analysts led by Lawrence Eagles said in a Feb. 19 note.

Hard times: Zamfara urges FG to revive agric weekend.

Yari observed that if the sector From Salisu Zakari Maradun, Gusau

F

ederal Government has been urged to give all the needed attention to the agriculture sector and ensure the utilization of all the natural resources, in order to improve the economy of the country.

Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara state made the call in Gusau, the State Capital while chatting with newsmen over the

was recognized, the current importation of food from foreign countries, would not have happened despite its fertile landmass.

He explained that the sector, which was most reliable economically, should not be allowed to die.

The governor stated that his government is currently in consultation with the relevant departments of the state on how to revive agricultural activities in full force.

PAGE 6

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Reps threaten NAPEP over N20bn fraud T

By Lawrence Olaoye

he House of Representatives yesterday threatened to issue a warrant of arrest on the management of the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP), for shunning its invitation to explain the alleged mismanagement of N20 billion.

The House Committee on Public Accounts chaired by Rep Solomon Adeola had summoned the dormer Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on poverty alleviation and the coordinator of NAPEP severally to answer 33 audit queries issued by the Auditor-General of the Federation.

Adeola who briefed newsmen

after the botched meeting, stated that the committee would again invite them and if they fail, the committee would be left with no option than to issue a warrant of arrest against the coordinator over some queries raised by the auditor general.

The lawmaker maintained that for over six years, the AuditorGeneral raised over 33 queries

against NAPEP and following this development, the committee decided to summon NAPEP management to appear before the committee and address those issues raised; but NAPEP refused to appear before the committee.

He explained that the committee yesterday resolved that the agency should appear before the committee within two

weeks with all the relevant financial documents, revenue profile and the documents on the award of contracts since 1999. He threatened that should the NAPEP officials fail to honour the invitation, the House would invoke its constitutional powers to order the arrest of Dr Magus Kpakol and other management staff involved.

ECN partners Cometrobby on energy efficiency From Lawal Sadiq Sanusi, Kaduna

T

L-R: Registrar, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Mr. Felix Atum, an official of Engineering Staff College of India, Mr. Gopal Ojha, and Chief Consulting Engineer, EON Designers, Mr. Arvind Jaiswal, during COREN’s five-day international workshop, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

Reinstatement of Chief Judge: Kwara govt notifies CJN over compliance From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

T

he Kwara state government said it has complied with the judgment of the Supreme Court which reinstated the Chief Judge of Kwara state, Justice Raliat Habeeb-Elelu after three years of her removal by the Bukola

Saraki administration.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Kamaldeen Ajibade who confirmed the compliance to the order at the press briefing yesterday, noted that the action of state government then was in line with section 292;1(a)(ii) of the

1999 constitution.

“The administration of the state government respects the rule of law and will not by any means encourage the flouting or outright disobedience of the judgment of the apex court of our nation.

“To confirm the aforesaid, I have been directed by His

Excellency the Governor of Kwara state, Alhaji Abdulfathah Ahmed to write to Hon. Justice Elelu Habeeb to immediately resume office as the Chief Judge. The office of the Chief Judge had since been vacated by the occupant and has been made available for the use of the Chief Judge accordingly”.

Daily diet soda may increase risk of heart attack, stroke - Study

D

iet soda may benefit the waistline, but people who drink it every day may have a heightened risk of heart attack and stroke, according to a new US study.

Although the researchers, whose work appeared in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, found that older adults who drank diet soda every day

were 44 percent more likely to suffer a heart attack, their research did not, however, prove that the sugar-free drinks alone were to blame.

There may be other things about diet-soda lovers that explain the connection, said lead researcher Hannah Gardener, of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, and her team.

“What we saw was an association. These people may tend to have more unhealthy habits,’’ she said.

Gardener and her team studied 2,564 New York City adults who were 69 years or older at the study's start.

“Over the next decade, 591 men and women had a heart attack, stroke or died of

cardiovascular causes including 31 percent of the 163 people who drank a diet soda daily at the start of the study”.

“I don't think people should change their behaviour based on this study”, Gardener said, noting that further study is needed to confirm a connection between diet soda and cardiovascular trouble.

(Reuters/NAN)

Unilorin VC urges Kwara govt to develop Owu waterfall From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

T

he Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof.

Is-haq Oloyede, has appealed to the Kwara state government to construct a good road to Owu Waterfall from Owa-Onire community in

Ifelodun local government area of the state to develop tourist centre.

Oloyede who made this appeal at a dinner he hosted in honour of the Nigerian Commonwealth and Bilateral Agreement Scholars who were in the university for the first

orientation/ acculturation programme in Nigeria, noted that the tourism sector in the country is underdeveloped.

While tasking the commonwealth scholars to think about what they could also contribute to the development of Nigeria as an act of appreciation

for her contribution to the betterment of their lives, Oloyede urged them to see themselves as a bridge between Nigeria and their various nations by becoming good ambassadors of the country, which has always been given negative media coverage.

he Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) in collaboration with Cometrobby Investment Limited has commenced a nationwide sensitisation project on the use of energy efficiency bulbs.Flagging off the North-west zone of the project in Kaduna, the Director General and Special Adviser on Energy to the President, Prof.

Abubakar Sani Sambo disclosed that the energy bulbs besides their efficiency, also save money and conserve energy use.

Prof. Sambo who was represented by the Scientific Officer in the commission, Mr. Joshua Yari Garba, also stated that the ECN in collaboration with CUBA and ECOWAS had a project in 2008 and 2010 during which about one million compact florescent lamps where used to replace the incandescent bulbs in some selected estates in Abuja and schools, adding that, after the replacements, the analysis showed that the country has saved about 45mega watts of energy.

According to him, “With 60 watts of 10 ordinary bulbs, it will amount to 600watts but when you use compact florescent lamps which is 8watts, 10 of it will amount to 80watts thereby saving about 520 watts which can be channeled to another house or another use”.

“I will like to call on people to always check out for the power rating to authenticate its efficiency both for domestic and industrial use while purchasing or sourcing energy”.We have tried it and it worked, he added disclosing that the UNDP brought in a project of energy efficiency which is presently domiciled at the commission and that more projects for sensitising the public was on the pipeline.

He said the commission will not relent in its efforts in the area of strategic planning and policy making in the field of energy, both in terms of electricity, oil and gas and renewable energy.Earlier in his address, the chairman and chief executive officer of the Cometrobby Investment Limited Mr Robinson Anunobi also disclosed that only five percent of incandescent bulbs produce light while 95 percent produce heat and consumes energy.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

PAGE 7

Mark congratulates Wamakko, calls for unity

By Richard Ihediwa

S

enate President, David Mark has congratulated Sokoto state governor-elect, Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko on his election in last Saturday’s governorship poll.

Mark in the message to Wamakko, said his election was a manifestation of the peoples’ trust and confidence in his leadership.

He therefore implored the governor-elect and his team to map out strategies for the overall transformation of the state adding that his re-election should be seen as a platform to further strengthen the peaceful co-existence and unity within the state and beyond.

While encouraging the governor-elect to bring everybody on board in the task of developing the state, he, in like manner urged the losers in the election to accept the result in good faith and cooperate with the winner in the interest of the people of the state.

A statement issued by Mark’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Paul Mumeh quoted him as saying; “You have all done your best and the majority of the people of Sokoto state have decided. Besides, only one governor will be on sit at a time.

All hands must be on deck in order to consolidate the gains of the past and move the state to greater heights.”

He told Wamakko to build on his past foundation that would improve on the infrastructural development of the entire state.

Interior minister expresses worry over youths behaviour

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

T

he Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Morro, has lamented the rate at which productive young men engage in criminal activities, saying such trends which have “beclouded the country in recent times are disastrous for the future of its people”.

Comrade Moro who stated this during an on- the -spot assessment of Koton-Karfe Prison in Kogi state, to ascertain the level of damage done to the prison during last week’s prison break claimed by Boko Haram, added that such dastardly act was unnecessary.

According to a statement signed by the minister, he expressed worry over the moribund nature of the prison, which he said, are “not punishment places but correctional and reformation centres where inmates could learn various vocations that will help them to be productive”.

Meanwhile, the statement added that the Moro also visited the office of Kogi state governor, Capt. Idris Wada, where he sought the state government’s assistance in improving the prison’s facilities and for the relocation of the prison to its permanent site.

L-R: President, Academy of Science, Professor Oye Ibidapo-Obe, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, Dr Dere Awosika, Director-General, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Professor Olusegun Adewoye, and NASENI principal consultant, Professor James Momoh, during a stakeholders meeting on harmonisation of strategy to reposition the agency, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

Kano police assures residents of protection of lives and properties From Edwin Olofu, Kano

T

he Kano state police authorities have urged the public to go about their daily activities without fear of attack or molestation from any group as the police are fully prepared to protect lives and property.

The state command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Musa Magaji Majiya who was speaking to newsmen in a Press Conference at the Kano state Press Centre yesterday, said normalcy has returned in the state and charged citizens never to hesitate from reporting criminal cases and other related issues that have to do with maintaining peace and order to the police.

He debunked insinuations that

police in the state have abandoned their constitutional duties of maintaining peace and order due to the Boko Haram attacks on some police stations within the metropolis, saying all police formations are fully operational.

“All the police stations are fully

T

he Chairman of the Taraba state Taskforce on Petroleum Products, Hamman Adama Tukur, has said that any petrol station found selling above the government approved price of N97 per litre will be closed.

Malam Tukur who said this during an interactive session with newsmen in Jalingo yesterday said the taskforce would be going round the state to monitor petrol stations to ensure that they sell at the approved pump price.

He observed that when government announced the removal of oil subsidy, all the filling stations immediately sold the commodity between N150 to N200 without waiting for any government circular to that

Officers across the state and any DPO found wanting in his place of duty would be seriously sanctioned. Things have fallen into place once again and the police in Kano are ever ready to protect the lives and property of citizens,” Majiya stated.

Youth minister commissions NYSC distress call centre

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Minister of Youth Development, Mal. Bolaji Abdullahi, yesterday, commissioned a new Distress Call Centre set up by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), scheme to respond to the security needs of corps members nationwide.

The Minister while commissioning the Call Centre

Taraba petroleum task force chair warns against sharp practices From Yusha’u Alhassan, Jalingo

operational and we urge members of the public to feel free to visit any of our stations to lodge their complaints.

“I must tell you that the Commissioner of Police has set up a special squad to monitor activities of Divisional Police

effect and wondered why the filling stations were claiming not to have received any circular from the government.

He regretted that independent marketers who are indigenes of the state were in the habit of exploiting the people in any slightest opportunity and urged them to have sympathy on the people.

He warned any petrol dealer that was not ready to sell at government approved price to stop selling the community or be prosecuted.

He assured that the Committee would take necessary action to ensure that all petrol dealers in Athe state comply with the new pump price of N97 per litre and sop smuggling of the products to Cameroon.

at the NYSC Headquarters in Abuja, deplored how corps members are exposed to violence and attacks, noting further that the security of the corps members was the responsibility of everyone including the corps members.

He also revealed that as policy makers, they have a responsibility to ensure that lives of corps members are adequately protected as according to him “no goal or objective is worth the life of any corps members.”

He therefore congratulated the Director-General of the NYSC, Brig. Gen. NT Okore-

Affia for ensuring the establishment of the centre, adding that the initiative was very apt and is in line with the ministry’s mission of an ITdriven youth development agenda.

Earlier in his address, the Director-General, NYSC, Brig.

Gen. NT Okore-Affia said the last three years have presented the management of the NYSC scheme with serious security challenges some of which threatened the very foundation of the scheme and which served as the rationale for the establishment of the Distress Call Centre.

Shema inaugurates Katsina radio, television board

By Mohammed Sada

K

atsina state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Shema has inaugurated an 11 member board of directors for the state’s Radio and Television Services with Malam Kabir Dangogo as its chairman.

In his maiden speech, the board chairman, Malam Kabir Dangogo, expressed the gratitude of the board to the state government for offering them the opportunity to serve and contribute toward its development.

According to him, “We see this appointment as a call to service and promise to uphold the mandate of the state broadcasting

stations, empower the employees professionally and govern by the rules in tandem with the spirit of His Excellency’s administration in the state”.

Members of the board, he said, are drawn from different backgrounds and varied professions that promised to enrich contributions and foster wide discussions on how to enhance the professionalism of the state radio and television, adding that “we see this as a challenge and a learning process”.

He said the board represents an unrepentant service to the people of the state and pledged to do all within their power to deliver the dividends of democracy to the state broadcasting stations.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

PAGE 8

Suntai orders arrest of Tiv leaders over death of herdsman From Yusha’u Alhassan, Jalingo overnor Danbaba Sunta of Taraba state has ordered the arrest of Tiv community leaders from Chanchangi in Takum local government area over the death of a Fulani herdman as he expressed the determination of his administration to give justice to all citizens of the state.

He made this known yesterday in Jalingo while addressing Tiv and Fulani communities from Takum.

Governor Suntai expressed dismay over the killing of a Fulani herdsman and the disappearance of another around Chanchangi in Takum assuring that perpetrators of the act must be brought to book.

The governor however said he ordered the release of the Tiv leaders from detention following the disclosure of the names of four suspects.

He also assured that government would revive cattle routes in the state to minimise conflicts among farmers and grazers in the state.

The governor appealed to the Fulani community not to take the law in to their hands following the incident.

Spokesman of the two communities commended the governor for the steps taken to resolve the problem and promised to maintain the peace.

Meanwhile, the Taraba state police command has intercepted a Toyota starlet car with 11 single barrel guns, one locally made pistol and 225 live cartridges along Wukari road.

G

L-R: Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama'Ila Muhammadu Mera, His Royal Majesty, Asagba of Asaba, Professor Chike Edozien, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Mrs. Fatima Bamidele and Minister of State for Health, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, during the National Nutrition Summit, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Boko Haram: Police apprehend four suspects in Benue From Uche NnoromA, Makurdi

F

our persons suspected to be members of Boko Haram sect were yesterday picked up at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church at High Level, Makurdi, the Benue state capital.

Peoples Daily correspondent learnt from a member of the church who refused to disclose his identity, that the four suspects had attempted to enter the church at the commencement of second mass (Tiv service) when they were stopped by some private

security men for interrogation.

Failure of the suspects who were said to be dressed in kaftan and rosary hanging on their neck, to answer questions by the security operatives satisfactorily, made them to alert police officers attached to the church who in turn invited members of the Special Rapid Squad, SARS who whisked them away to the state police headquarters.

“The suspects claimed to have come from Kaduna state and were scheduled to have an appointment with somebody

whose identity they vehemently refused to disclose. Their dressing was very suspicious and the rosary they had was not convincing enough. So, the police officers who were attached to this place immediately put a call to their office and the four suspects were taken away”, the anonymous member said.

Confirming the arrest, the state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP. Alaribe Ejike however said that the people were not members of Boko Haram.

It would be recalled that

Governor Gabriel Suswam had penultimate Saturday at the Patron’s Night of Makurdi Club 1930, raised alarm that over 100 Boko Haram members of Chadian, Malian and Guinean origin were arrested by the state’s Immigration Services.

Following the alarm, the sState government and religious leaders in the state beefed up security in churches with heavy presence of security agents equipped with bomb detectors manning their gates every Sunday.

Archbishop urges police, judiciary to Hot weather: soft drink hawkers record sales boom hasten prisons decongestion

T

he Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke has urged the police and the judiciary to expedite action on awaiting-trial inmates as part of measures to decongest prisons in the country.

Okeke made the appeal after holding a mass for inmates of Onitsha Prisons as part of activities, marking the 10th anniversary of his ordination on Sunday.

He said the growing number

of awaiting-trial inmates should give well-meaning individuals cause for concern.

“I commend the Federal Government for taking care of a large number of inmates in prisons nationwide.

“There is a great need to expedite action on some of the awaiting-trial cases that have taken a long time as justice delayed is justice denied”, he said.

The archbishop, however, urged public-spirited

individuals and groups to contribute their quota to the reformation of the prison inmates.

“We should remember that these inmates would one day rejoin the society and they need reformation and correction,’’ he added.

In a homily, Bishop Martin Uzoukwu, Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Minna, Niger State, told the inmates to forgive anyone who dumped them in the “correction schools.’’ (NAN)

S

oft drinks sellers have been making brisk business in Mubi, Adamawa state, due to high demand occasioned by the harsh weather in the area.

The rise in temperature above 34 degrees Celsius in the past few days has exposed the people to excruciating heat.

The prevailing hot weather, coupled with the erratic power supply, have made life unbearable for the residents.

The situation has led to significant demand for soft drinks and cold water.

A check yesterday showed that

the prices of sachet water and soft drink, however, remained unchanged in spite of the high demand for them.

A sachet of cold water still sold at N5 while a bottle of coca cola and maltina remained at N70 and N120 respectively.

Some of the vendors, who spoke, expressed joy over the high patronage and hoped that the trend would be sustained.

Mr. Rufai Victor, a soft drinks vendor, said he now sells more than 1,000 sachets of water daily compared to less than 200 sachets during the harmattan season.

NCCE, McArthur Foundation train lecturers on family life

By Richard Ihediwa

S

elected teachers from six states and private colleges of education drawn from the six geo-political zones have benefited from an intensive training for effective implementation of the new Family Life and Emerging Health Issues (FLEHI) curriculum in tertiary institutions.

The workshop which

commenced on January, 29 and billed to end on February 24, 2012 in Akwanga, Nasarawa state was organised by the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) Abuja, under the sponsorship of an international agency, the McArthur Foundation.

Among other things, the workshop is aimed at giving the teachers a comprehensive training for onward passage to

others on family life emerging health issues especially those bordering on HIV and AIDS. In his opening address at the workshop, NCCE Executive Secretary, Prof. Muhammad Junaid, who was represented by the Director of Research and Statistics of the Commission, Dr. M O Ojo, said the workshop was meant to strengthen teacher education in the colleges of education and sharpen their skills

for effective implementation of the FLEHI curriculum in schools.

He expressed optimism that the training would equip the teachers to ensure the reduction of risky sexual behaviour among young people in their first few years in the schools.

Giving an insight into the main contents of the training, Professor Junaid explained that a new programme called e-FLEHI, the electronic version of the

course contents of FLEHI curriculum, has been loaded into their training.

Participants were drawn from Zamfara State College of Education, Maru; Muyideen College of Education, Ilorin-Kwara state; Bayelsa State College of Education-Okpaoma; Waka College of Education, Waka Biu, Borno State; Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa and Anambra State College of Education.

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Obasanjo heads AU-ECOWAS Mission to Senegal T

he ECOWAS Heads of State and Government has approved the appointment of former Nigerian president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the leader of a Joint AU-ECOWAS High Level Mission to Senegal.

The decision was contained in

a communiqué issued at the end of the 40th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja.

According to the communiqué signed by the 15-member ECOWAS countries, the joint AUECOWAS Mission to Senegal is to

engage political stakeholders on the forthcoming general elections in that country.

It mandated the envoy to engage relevant stakeholders with a view to promoting dialogue and ensuring peaceful, fair and transparent elections.

The communiqué, read by the immediate past President of ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Victor Gbeho, directed that efforts be intensified to strengthen democratic culture in the subregion.

The meeting directed the commission to assist ECOWAS member-countries in their electoral processes to ensure credible elections. (NAN)

Executive Chairman, Katsina state Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Ma'awuya Aliyu (right), administering polio vaccine to a child, during the flag-off of 2012 National Polio Immunisation Plus Day, at Unguwar Musa Ward at the weekend, in Funtua local government area of the state.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Do not enrich yourselves with public funds, warns Zamfara gov From Salisu Zakari Maradun, Gusau

T

he governor of Zamfara state, Alhaji Abdul-Aziz Yari has observed that only leaders who fear God and exhibit honesty among their people will be respected.

The governor made the statement in Talata Mafara local government area of the state at the occasion of the distribution of working materials by the former

governor of the state, Alhaji Ahmed Sani Yarima.

According to the governor, whatever a leader says or does, if it is not for the welfare of his people, there is no way he can succeed or be respected.

He explained also that his government, which had already promised the people of its readiness toward uplifting their living conditions, will not rest until all the promises he made are fulfilled.

FMC Jalingo battles Lassa fever outbreak From Yusha’u Alhassan, Jalingo

T

he Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, is making concerted efforts to control the dreaded Lassa fever in Taraba state.

The Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Inusa Wiza, made this known while speaking with our correspondent on the outbreak of the disease in Taraba state.

Dr. Wiza explained that the first case of the disease was confirmed in the hospital on third of February.

He said following the confirmation of the outbreak of the ailment, the management of the hospital held an emergency meeting on the matter and resolved to properly manage information on the disease to the staff and public without causing panic as well as involve the state government on strategies to contain the disease.

The medical director disclosed that immediately after the meeting, he released N1 million for logistics and transfer of patients to the National Institute for the Control of Lassa Fever at Irua in Edo state.

The director said on the same day, he went to Abuja and informed the minister of state for health on the outbreak of Lassa fever in Taraba state and requested for drugs and medical personnel from the Federal Ministry of Health to assist in controlling the disease.

He said his consultation with the minister bore fruit as he obtained 10 cartons of protective gear as well as four field epidemiologists from the federal ministry of health who already arrived the state and started work in the affected areas.

NASS Clerk turbaned Ciroman Keffi From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

F

or his positive contributions to the Keffi emirate, Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa, Clerk of the National Assembly, has been honoured with the title of Ciroman Keffi by Muhammadu Chindo Yamusa II, the Emir of Keffi.

In a colourful ceremony that held at the palace of the emir on Saturday, which was attended by members of the National Assembly, as well as prominent sons and daughters of the area, the

royal father stated that the traditional institution will honour only those who contributed to the development of the kingdom, the state and the country at large.

According to Chindo-Yamusa II, “those that are given traditional titles are people of proven integrity and as well as those who have showed concern to the development and socioeconomic wellbeing of the emirate”.

While observing that the honour was to encourage other people to live an exemplary life for the general good of the country,

the traditional ruler noted that the emirate would continue to recognise selfless service by its sons and daughters, adding that highly placed individuals should continue to bring development to the area.

Chindo-Yamusa II said also that the title is a recognition of the Clerk for his commitment to the unity of the people of the area and Nigerians, urging the recipient to use the title as a springboard to enhance social relationship between the people of the area and other ethnic groups in the country.

Mudashiru’s estate: Trustees want court to vary order From Francis Iwuchukwu, Lagos

T

rustees of the estate of the former military governor of Lagos state, late Air Commodore Gbolahan Mudashiru, have asked a Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere, to vary its order restraining G Cappa Plc from collecting rents from all tenants at a property situate at plot 1699 Sanusi Fafunwa Street, Victoria Island Lagos pending the final determination of a suit instituted before the court.

Justice Doris Okuwobi had in her ruling in a counter claim filed

by Foluke Asani Mudashiru, widow of the late military

governor, directed G Cappa to render accounts of all monies received by the firm as rents in respect of the disputed property from October 1, 2004 till date.

However, the 2nd-6th defendants (trustees) in a Motion on Notice brought under Order 39 Rule 1 of the High Court of Lagos (Civil Procedure) Rules 2004, filed by their counsel, Mr. Osahon Idemudia urged the court to set aside its order.

They argued that a Lagos High Court presided over by Justice Ayisat Opesanwo had in a judgement dated December 15, 2011 duly appointed them as executors of the estate of late

Mudashiru.

But Chief Robert Clarke, counsel to Mrs. Mudashiru submitted that the purported trustees are not entitled to the reliefs sought as they are not properly before the court.

He submitted that the 2nd-6th defendants are busy bodies as they were not the ones the order was directed at and therefore have no competence to bring the application.

He further submitted that there was no evidence before the court that probate has been granted on the Will of late Commodore Mudashiru under which the trustees claimed they

have been admitted to probate.

Justice Okuwobi had in her ruling directed that the money should be paid to the firm of Alonge Ogumoyero and Co, Estate Surveyors and Valuers who shall in turn pay it into an interest yielding account pending the final determination of the suit.

The court however refused Mudashiru’s request that the firm or any other persons be appointed as receiver/manager of the estate.

“From all facts and circumstances in this case, the claimant [G Cappa] may not be in a position to refund rents and damages which the Court may ultimately award in this case. I

therefore do not find the balance of convenience in its favour,” the judge added.

The counter claimant, Mrs. Mudashiru had through her counsel, Modupe Awe stated that she acquired properties with her late husband and that she contributed immensely to the acquisition of the property as she was running the family business.

She stated that they made a joint will in 1990 which was lodged in the court but added that she was surprised at her husband's demise to hear of a purported will made on June 24, 2001 and in which certain persons had applied for probate.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

PAGE 11

Rector warns students against bad associations

Kano police launches ‘Operation Restore Hope’

From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

T

he Rector of Kwara state Polytechnic, Alhaji Mas’ud Elelu, has called on the newly admitted students of the institution to shun any unregistered associations in order to protect their future careers from being unrealised.

The rector who stated this while addressing matriculating students of the institution in Ilorin, noted that they would be approach by many agents of the different associations to join their group, warning that the students should resist any move to lure them to unregistered groups in the school.

“Anyone of them who pressurises you to join them, make sure you report to the security immediately. We are here to protect you and your parent should be rest assured that you safe. We would not condone any act of indiscipline and that is why we also want you to shine your eyes and face your academic pursuit than issues of joining association that would ruin your life”.

Elelu while appealing to the general public to come to the aide of the institution to provide hostel facilities for the students, said the institution has a parcel of land that needed to be developed; stressing that only that way could hundreds of students d be able to settle down on campus for studies.

Indiscriminate dumping of refuse to attract prosecution in Oyo From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

G

overnor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state has warned that with effect from next month, anybody caught dumping refuse indiscriminately will be arrested and prosecuted.

The governor who stated this on Sunday at the maiden Maulud Nabiy celebration at the Government House, Ibadan, disclosed that mobile courts would be constituted to prosecute offenders.

He expressed regret over what he called apathy over the weekly environmental sanitation, which was started by his administration to keep the state clean and tidy, and which was widely embraced at the initial stage.

“We need discipline. We must be very neat. Islam is a neat religion. Therefore, all Muslims must appear neat and tidy”, he said.

The governor, who stressed the need for moral education, also said that Islamic and Christian religious studies would be made compulsory in all public primary and secondary schools in the state.

Gov. Ajimobi charged Muslims in the state to live to the true meaning of Islam which preaches honesty, integrity and discipline.

From Edwin Olofu, Kano

T

Niger state Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, administering oral polio vaccine (OPV) to a child during the flag-off of the third quarterly sensitisation campaign on polio eradication at the weekend in Zungeru, Niger state.

Lawyer wants court to stop deliberation on Salami’s reinstatement A

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

human rights lawyer, Barrister Noah Ajare has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to restrain the National Judicial Council (NJC) from deliberating on the recommendation of the Justice Mohammed Uwais led Judicial Review Committee which recommended the reinstatement of the suspended President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Isa Salami.

The lawyer, in a motion on notice is seeking an order of the

court restraining the NJC from deliberating on the said recommendation while Salami’s suits challenging his suspension is still pending.

The trial judge, Justice Abdul Kafarati fixed March 1, 2012 for hearing on the motion which is praying for an order of interim injunction restraining the council and the panel from further holding meetings, discussion and all recommendations for the reinstatement of Salami pending the hearing of the substantive matter.

The council had fixed 29th

NOA boss advocates adoption of national anthem stanza 2 as national prayer

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

T

he Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, has called for the adoption of the second stanza of Nigeria’s national anthem as standard prayer at all national official events.

Omeri, made this call when the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abuja council, visited his office to congratulate him on his appointment as NOA DirectorGeneral. He said the agency had earlier called for the adoption after a recent retreat and considered it imperative to emphasise it until it registers in the psyche of

Nigerians.

A statement issued by the Assistant Director, Press, in the agency, Fidel Agu, explained that the hitherto practice of taking both Christian and Muslim prayers at public functions tends to emphasise religious differences; saying the National anthem has already provided Nigerians with a national prayer in its second stanza.

Earlier, the acting chairman of NUJ Abuja council, Malam Abdulkareem Abdulrasheeed, pledged the support of journalists and promised that NUJ would mobilise its members to assist the NOA in achieving its objectives and programmes.

February, 2012 for its meeting to discuss the panel’s recommendation and for members to vote on whether the advice of the Uwais’ panel should be taken or rejected.

Ajare’s originating summons is seeking a declaration that all meetings, discussions and the recommendation for the reinstatement of Justice Salami by the NJC on the recommendation of the Judicial Reform Committee must be put on hold as it is illegal, unconstitutional, null and void, as the matter is sub judice.

he Kano state Police Command has launched a programme tagged ‘Operation Restore Hope’ in its effort to reposition the force in the state.After a crucial meeting with top police officers, the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Idris underlined the need for the police in Kano to wake up to the challenges of fighting crime.

The police boss insisted on his resolve to stamp out corruption, corrupt practices and undue gratification and favouritism within the force in the state.

Among the measures, he said include war against corruption and abuse of office and authority, including harassment at checkpoints, indecent assault of innocent citizens at stations, extortion, among others.

Idris charged officers and men of the command to take the task of redeeming the battered image of the police seriously and to ensure at all times that the core values of law enforcement, which guides official duties are maintained.

“We should collectively decide henceforth to curb the system of undesirable elements and as supervisors take immediate and appropriate action to curb these negative tendencies by few in our midst”.

Idris also called on heads of departments, area commanders, divisional police officers (DPOs), PMF squadron commanders, sector commanders and supervisors at all levels in the command to vigorously join the battle of redeeming the image of the police so that together the police can provide all citizens professional service.

Gombe gov’s wife trains 285 women From Auwal Ahmad, Gombe

I

n effort to empower women, wife of Gombe state Governor, Hajiya Ummi Adama Dankwambo has organised a twomonth skills acquisition training for 285 women across the eleven local government areas of the state.

The co-coordinator of the programme, who is also the Special Assistant to Mrs. Dankwambo on Special Duties, Malam Hassan Adamu, disclosed this to our correspondent in Gombe over the weekend. He said the programme is under the Women Empowerment Initiative of the governor’s wife.

He added that it is a pilot

scheme aimed at training women on various skills in tailoring, hair dressing and fish farming for two months after which working materials would be provided to them after graduation.

The special assistant further revealed that, the governor’s wife initiated the programme with the aimed of assisting women to learn hand trades in order to keep themselves and sustain their families rather than running from office to office seeking for petty jobs.

He explained further that there is a mechanism of monitoring the trainees true a performance evaluation system on daily basis, including a weekly allowance of N1, 000 to the trainees for their transport.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

Kogi prison attack: The Boko Haram claim

T

he February 15 attack on a prison at Koton Karfe, Kogi state, was as dramatic as it was surprising. Dramatic because that attack had all the ingredients of drama: action, surprise and violence. Gunmen stole up on prison workers including wardens, blew up the gate, killed one guard and forced the cells open, enabling 93 of the facility’s 115 inmates to escape. “The invaders came at about 7.15 pm on Wednesday and we suspect they used explosives to bring down the gate of the prison and the roof and thereafter set free 119 inmates”, Hadiza Aminu, spokeswoman of the prison authority explained. However, 31 have since been recaptured.

Boko Haram, the fringe Islamic sect that has been spreading terror all over the North, claimed responsibility for the attack and also said it had in its custody seven inmates that it said were its members. “We staged the operation to rescue seven of our members there and Allah made it possible for the operation to be successful”, said a man who claimed to be Abul Qaqa, the same spokesman of the sect believed to have been captured by security forces a fortnight ago in Kaduna.

However, Mr. Abba Moro, Minister of Interior, who visited the facility two days later, faulted Boko Haram’s claim, instead believing that armed robbers attacked the prison to free their members held there. According to him, no Boko Haram suspects were detained in the prison. He said the government had learnt a lesson from

the incident, assuring there would be no repeat. The question is how certain was he that there were no members of the sect in the prison, more so that there is nothing that sets them apart from the rest of us?

The attack was a surprise because it was the first time that the sect, if indeed it facilitated the jailbreak as it had claimed, had extended its reach outside

“

Has it occurred to the people in charge of our security that they have only succeeded in making the vehicles and their passengers that pile up behind the barricades sitting ducks for anyone mad enough to throw bombs into the pile? so-called the core North. Even here, the violence had been carried out largely in the North-east and lately the Northwest. Again it is a surprise that the authorities at the Nigerian Prisons Services (NPS) never, for once, thought Boko Haram might attack the prisons, after what happened at Bauchi in September 2010 and the attacks by the sect on military targets on February 11 in Kaduna.

Two things the Koton Karfe incident

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”

has revealed about Boko Haram and the level as well as quality of intelligence gathering by our security forces. Before now, the sect has left us in no doubt that it is in a position to dictate the pace and scale of its insurgency. So far, it has proved this by staying several steps ahead of the security forces. As usual, this time they were forced into action only after the sect had struck. Over the weekend, there had been increased security presence around prisons in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, which is a mere 100 kilometres from Koton Karfe.

Of late more security checkpoints have been raised on major highways across the North, thereby reducing traffic to a snail-speed. There is no stopand -search, so what is the purpose of the roadblocks? Has it occurred to the people in charge of our security that they have only succeeded in making the vehicles and their passengers that pile up behind the barricades sitting ducks for anyone mad enough to throw bombs into the pile?

Meanwhile, Boko Haram has not been stopped in its track by these tough measures; instead they have increased the agonies of travellers in the Northern states. As it is, this country is under virtual siege by not Boko Haram but our military - which shouldn’t be the case. The time has come for our security forces to rethink their strategies, seeing they have failed to deliver the killer punch on Boko Haram.

OUR PEOPLE

OUR VISION

CHAIRMAN MALAM WADA MAIDA, OON, FNGE EDITOR, DAILY AHMED I. SHEKARAU

DIRECTOR/ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF RUFA’I IBRAHIM CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ALI M. ALI

ACTING EDITOR, WEEKEND RICHARD IHEDIWA

GM PUBLICATIONS ABDULAZEEZ ABDULLAHI MANAGER, ADMINISTRATION HASSAN HAMMANYAJI

HEAD, ADVERT/MARKETING HUSSAINI ABDULRAHMAN, CNA HEAD, SPECIAL PROJECTS ABDU LABARAN MALUMFASHI

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

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

By Peter Claver Oparah

I

n the heat of the annoying crisis engendered by the Jonathan administration’s increment of petroleum products’ prices on January 1, I had maintained that the albatross of the government was that nothing new in the form of the enrichment of the argument was being brought to the table. The same reasons the Babangida regime employed to cause increments in the price of petrol some neon years back, remained the same arguments the Obasanjo regime employed in his countless tampering of fuel prices.

Sadly, it is still the same reasons the Goodluck Jonathan government used to muzzle its way to a thoughtless increment of petrol price to over a hundred percent on January 1, 2012. It seems that the country has ran into a diktat with successive regimes on this issue such that every government duplicitously sells the lie that it would collapse if it does not tamper with the prices of locally consumed petrol, even with the many negative fallouts of such action and even with the expansive cash cow it has in the form of huge crude exports.

Whether you term it fuel price increment or deregulation or removal of fuel subsidy, the goal had been one – to raise more cash for the operatives of government to play with. It has got nothing to do with the parlous state of the entire oil industry, the deprecation of infrastructures in the oil industry and the unleashing of corruption wild cat that ravages the industry and ensures it remains a wellhead of graft for operatives of successive governments. No increment, no matter how it is termed, has ever led to the improvement of anything and the Jonathan

PAGE 13

When the government chose to play deaf government has not convinced anyone that it will fare better than its notorious predecessors that have only approached the problem of the Nigerian oil industry from the prism of imposing higher fuel prices, which in turn, visit the citizenry with increased hardship, widen the incidence of mass pauperization and inflate the incidences of official stealing, which has seized Nigeria in a deadly grip at present.

Even in its argument on removal of fuel subsidy as a cureall panacea to the myriads of problems that whack the country at present, the Jonathan regime fared worse because it commands the least citizen’s faith on its capacity to plug the corruption loopholes that are responsible for the decrepit state of the country’s oil industry, direct the abundant resources of the country towards improving the standard of lives of Nigerians, lead a renaissance of the oil industry as an efficient, less corrupt and responsible cash cow that can grow the economy. The regime suffers from a terrible lack of trust that are as a result of its well known penchant to lie comfortably in the same bed with putrefying corruption, shovel under the corrupt acts of its operatives and handmaidens and its annoying addiction to nauseating profligacy. It convinced no one that its almost suicidal commitment to increase the price of petrol was complimented by any modicum of good faith except for

its notorious proclivity to finance the elephantine greed of government officials.

In the rancorous debate leading to the unilateral decision to impose a higher price regime on petrol, this government was confronted at every corner by Nigerians’ loud complaints of the government’s own wastes, the unwieldy size of government that has ensured that the country spends almost all it has on financing the ostentatious life styles of those in government, in detriment to capital and wealth generating investments, the ravaging corruption that reign supreme in the oil industry, among many other myriads of complaints. The government and its agents never gave any satisfactory response to these demands and complaints.

Rather it waxed so monotonous of how much it was spending on the questionable subsidy on petroleum importation-which is considered an insulting aberration by the Nigerian citizenry in the first instance. It spoke of the abundant life it will secure with the increment, which is a staid rehash of the worn-out and unrealizable promises that informed several past increments.

What more, the government chose to play deaf to critical demands by Nigerians that it should carry out a drastic reduction on the size of government as well as the huge overheads in financing recurrent expenses, radically carry out an

audit on the finances and operations of the oil industry with a view to cleansing the heavy stench of corruption that has succeeded in grounding the industry and made Nigeria a laughable contrast that depends on importation of petrol, when it should be a net exporter of the product. The argument was that the entire subsidy mantra is built on the wrong precepts of total dependence on imported petrol, pleading inaction to the ravaging influence of corruption in the industry and makes maximum protection to the forces that have sustained heavy graft in the industry and visit untold punishment on the masses, which are grand misnomers.

With the audacious increment of petrol prices sparking the kind of mass revolt it stirred in Nigeria, there was no doubt that Nigerians know the facts of the issue far more better than could be acknowledged by their leaders. Among the many questions that arose from the prurience with which the government reeled out projects it hoped to achieve with the increment in petrol price in a desperate effort to placate a peeved citizenry, was what the government did with similar increments in the prices of diesel and kerosene. This poser remains unanswered till date and showed without doubt that there were no serious plans to ensure the recent price increment will positively improve life in Nigeria and not go

the way of similar exercises in the past.

Buoyed by the loud protests of Nigerians against the attitude of government to corruption in the oil industry, which is alleged to have sustained the huge corruption complex in the oil industry, the House of Representatives has launched into a probe of the operations of the oil industry in general and the subsidy regime in particular. The probe is as revealing as it is confirmatory of the allegations of Nigerians that there is a clear cut official connivance in the big rot in the oil industry. What is even most curious in the entire probe is the cacophony of voices and statistics on the industry, as being reeled out by those that should be trusted to give the true picture of what is happening in the Nigerian oil industry. It is as if every government official has his or her own statistics on the oil industry in Nigeria. Let us take a glimpse;.

On the question of Nigeria’s daily petroleum consumption, there were varied answers as there were queried officials. From the Minster of Petroluem Resources, Diezieni Allison Madueke: 52million Liters, from the NNPC Managing Director: 35m liters, from the DPR: 43m liters, from the PPPRA: 24M liters, from the Minister of Finance, Ngozi OkonjoIweala: 40 million liters.

Peter Claver Oparah can be reached on www.saharareporters.com

Okorocha: A new dimension to leadership

By Chamberlain Chinaka

I

t goes without saying that lack of quality leadership is the bane of the Nigerian society.Despite our country’s enormous human resources we are still in want of a crop of individuals who possess, albeit at minimal levels, the attributes of transformational leaders. From the success stories of western societies to the recent developments in south-east Asia, the quality of leadership has always defined the path of development of a given society.

Though many pundits have come to argue that Nigerian problems cannot be completely blamed on poor leadership, that the ability of a leader to remain focus to his promises depends on the willingness of the followers to constantly gauge his actions. No doubt, quality leadership requires an active and participatory followership. However, effective and purposive leadership remains the engine on which societal development revolves. This is because leadership is a complex process and there is a deep reservation as to what extent certain set of qualities, standards or competencies can effectively

encapsulate the nature of what makes certain leaders successful and others less successful.

The only practical way to define leadership, therefore, is by making references to leaders whose actions have impacted positively to their followers. Afterall, the whole idea of leadership will be an effort in futility if the people remain in precarious economic situation.

On the 29th of may 2011 Imo state was divinely given a new breed of leader, one whose leadership idiosyncracies remains unmatched by his contemporaries. Governor Rochas Okorocha, a man of few words but greatly endowed with the characteristics of what defines leadership. leadership is all about empathy; knowing where the shoe pinches.

Governor Rochas Okorocha has never failed in putting smiles on the faces of Imo people because he knows where the shoe pinches.

During his electioneering processes, governor Rochas Okorocha pledged to transform Imo state to be the envy of other states and to surpass the achievements of his predecessor, the highly revered Sam Mbakwe of blessed memory. Let me quickly

give a recap of the governor’s promises to Imo people to enable me underscore his achievements within his few months in office. In the course of his campaign the governor stated that his government will revolve around emploment generation, environment and tourism, security, housing, education, science and techonology, youth development, women empowerment and religious harmony. Within few days in office governor Rochas Okorocha paid off all pension arrears, declared free education, free feeding in schools, provision of school uniforms, reduction of Imo state University students’ school fees and commenced the construction of all major roads in the state.

In the area of employment creation the governor has started very well, first by ensuring that the state has a conducive environment necessary for businesses to strive. Many roads have been built and many others upgraded.The government has also put inplace various programmes aimed at encouraging entrepreneurship.

First is the introduction of practical Education System (PES) which will help develop such creative

areas such as mechanic, carpentry, fashion designing,film production, craft making etc. All these are operational at the Imo Vocational Village established in the three senatorial districts.

No doubt, Imo state is the entertainment hub of south-east and south-southern Nigeria. Mere coming to Owerri, the Imo state capital, on a typical weekend will automatically convince you that the entertainment industry in the state is booming. All these wouldn’t have been possible without an environment where nature lives in harmony with human beings.Imo has been variously adjudged as the cleanest and most peaceful state in the federation.

Also, within his few months in office governor Rochas Okorocha has shown clear determination to transform imo state to be the epicenter of learning in modern Nigeria. From his free education programme upto the university level to the proposed expansion of the state owned university. This means that a child can go to school from nursery to the university without paying a dime. For Imo university student of Imo state who is currently studying in an Imo state owned institution, each will get N100,000 per school year, out

of which 70,000 will be the bursary for the school fee and 30,000 as loan/grant from the state. After graduation and the graduate starts working, then the graduate can pay the 30,000 grant to Imo state coffers. This is a laudable initiative.

The whole idea of education resolves around the learner and the first thing is to ensure that the learner has a better frame of mind to undertake academic pursuit.

This, the governor has done by ensuring that students, irrespective of their family background, will have enough fund to finance their studies. This is done every where in the world.

Most of the educational models being currently articulated by Rochas are derived from the advanced societies of Japan, Singapore, south-korea etc.

It is my conviction that Everybody is supposed to be given the opportunity to be educated, even up to the university level.

There is nothing wrong in every body getting university education contrary to what some people might want us believe. It is erronous to assume that not everyone is expected to go to the university. What is actually Continued on page 14

PAGE 14

By Abe Ojo

B

oko Haram has swept off two IGPs and has caused the promotion of AIG Abubakar to the exalted position of acting IGP. Consequent upon these (cosmetic) changes in the topmost echelon of the force, the public should have expected some fundamental changes in the approaches and the way that the police perform their duties based on the leadership qualities of these different IGP personalities. To the amazement of many of us, the leadership direction and the fundamental general performances of the police remain static and in fact, actually declining further south to an all time unbecoming of a Police Force!

This write up is not about all the necessary transformation expected of the Nigerian Police Force and the current leadership but specifically concerned about and focused on the increasing occurrences of intentional killing of innocent citizens at police checkpoints all across the country.

Not too long ago, a police officer killed someone in Osun state

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Now that we have a new IGP allegedly because he did not offer at close range!

Without them with the “black garment” the “traditional bribe” expected compassion! Without any feelings! called police uniform? Are these automatically from taxi drivers Without recognizing that he, as a officers Nigerians who live among and road Nigerians?

Do transporters they have families and users. and have their A n o t h e r own families? k i l l i n g There is a need Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text occurred with for fundamental messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written the LASTMA shake-up in the contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 police, who rank and file of the words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and pulled a bus Nigeria Police a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed conductor from top to unto the road bottom, not just to: and was at the top. We subsequently, need officers who The Editor, crushed to know the true Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, death by a meaning of “to 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. trailer truck. serve and to Email: let ters@peoplesdaily-online.com Of recent protect”. We need SMS: 07037756364 concerns the officers who have suppressed blood running riot in Onitsha (Anambra State), police officer is there in the first through their arteries and veins. where a police officer followed, place, to preserve the law and We need re-orientations of the traced a public taxi bus to where protect the lives of citizens! fundamental philosophies of the What has gone into the brains Nigerian Police Force. The public the officer finally butchered down the driver of the bus, in public, for of these human beings in the police image makers of the police must not given ordinary twenty force? What type of training do be able to admit publicly without naira!!!! In public! In the neck! Shot they undergo before adorning making up stories when their

WRITE TO US

officers commit crime. It is always obvious. So, why is it that the Police PROs always come up with lies such as “accidental discharges” and labeling of victims as armed robbers when the true situation clearly shows that the Nigerian Police Officer erred and have committed a crime? Can we get a leader, an IGP that can fundamentally change the culture and practices of the Nigeria Police Force? Can we get for once, an IGP that can transform the police into a true community police, crimeprevention trained police and officers who are welcomed in the community, willing and ready to protect and to serve? More importantly, we need Police Officers that will stop killing innocent citizens at “wetin you bring for us” road blocks! Can these police officers just change and do something good? Can the leopard change its spots oh God? Abe Ojo wrote in from Lagos.

The magical Chipolopolo of Zambia T

heir name, ‘Chipolopolo’ which means copper bullets.The Zambian players who are little known, except for their long standing dedicated captain, Chris Katongo(Most Valuable Player of the 2012 AFCON), pelted the Ghanain and Ivorian teams with bullets, even ‘shooting out’ the biggest African players such as Asamoah Gyan, John Mensah,

By Ugochukwu Raymond Ogubuariri

O

nly recently, the President of Nigeria’s Senate, David Mark, while delivering his Eid-el Maulud message, stated as follows: “I will defend Nigeria’s unity with the last drop of my blood.” Few weeks earlier, the former President Ibrahim Babangida, announced quixotically that “I will call a tailor, take my measurement, get back into khaki to go and fight even at 71.” In apparent reference to the

Didier Drogba and current African footballer of the year, Yaya Toure in the semi-finals and finals of the competition. The Zambian footballers had played together for several years, the likes of Chris Katongo, Kennedy Mweena, Joseph Musonda, Rainford Kalaba, Clifford Mulenga and others having played in the last four CAF African Nation’s cup.This

enabled them to understand themselves and play as a team instead of appearing as a disjointed side with players of individual brilliance.

Indeed, these underdog players proved the book makers and analysts wrong. They did not need to be playing top-flight football in Europe and parade six figure earning players who have won many laurels before they

could get to the top of African football.

Their story is a testimony of dedication, determination and a ‘never say never spirit,’ after the pain that the Zambian nation felt in April, 1993 as a result of their loss of a generation of promising footballers of the national team in an air crash soon after the aircraft conveying 30 passengers including 18 players exploded

after taking off from a stop in the Gabon capital of Libreville en route a world cup qualifying game with Senegal. 19 years after, the memories of the huge loss were still at the back of the minds of Zambians including the Chipolopolo players, many of whom were school boys when the sad event occurred.

Okey Egbuluche wrote in from Lagos.

indivisibility of the country, the former leader had hinted that he would also be willing to spill his blood to maintain Nigeria’s unity.

To all intents and purposes, it would appear that Nigeria’s governing (and out-of-power) elite are commonly united in their conviction that the only expedient way to dramatize their commitment to the country’s fragile unity is by corrupting the

citizenry with the “vow” of doing the impossible. While it has become fashionable for Nigeria’s rulers to luxuriate in the fantasy of pledging to fight and die in defence of the country’s unity, the citizens, on the other hand, seem to have become patronizingly bewitched by their rulers’ heroic pledge that they hardly raise any interrogation about the character of “Nigerian unity,” its real and

supposed beneficiaries as well as the political and economic interests which it is configured to serve.

Some elucidation on the whole idea of “unity” will be in order at this juncture since it has become one of the most abused and vulgarized concepts in Nigeria’s political discourse. The term “unity” basically refers to mutual agreement; a state of oneness; or the quality of completeness. It is a situation in which a group of people work together agreeably for the achievement of a particular purpose. It therefore logically follows that the unity of an entity can only be functional if it is fashioned by consensus, driven by purpose and predicated on social inclusiveness.

One of the salient contradictions of Nigeria’s unity is that it is neither consensual nor purpose-driven. It is a unity that is constituted as an end in itself rather than a means to an end. At such, it hardly offers its citizens any plausible sense of belongingness, no prospect of self-actualization and, worst of all, no allowance for equity and social justice.

Nigeria expresses itself as a conundrum that stands in diametric opposition to the solemn interests of ordinary citizens.

Invariably, it mandates a relentless erosion of their humanity. It is therefore not

surprising that after 51 years of political independence (and much lengthier decades after its illegitimate procreation by a British adventurist – Lord Lugard), Nigeria’s individuality and statehood as an independent, sovereign nation is still largely embryonic, inchoate and indeterminate.

Nigeria has remained essentially a country marooned in the wilderness of truncation, arrested development and aborted dreams.

Politically, we have contrived and nurtured a brand of politics which renounces the norms of civilization and embraces the lure of barbarism. We have promoted an idea of politics that is literally constituted as warfare and prosecuted with every conceivable weapon, including bombs! With corruption so deeply entrenched and leadership incompetence so pervasive, the country has suffered progressive retrogression and has become a classic metaphor of a stillbirth. While pretending to be united in one indivisible entity, we have enshrined the practice of perceiving some sections of the country as “certified infidels” ineligible to aspire for plum positions in the land, including the Presidency.

Ugochukwu Raymond Ogubuariri can be reached at nigeriavillagesquare.com

The wisdom of a David

...A new dimension to leadership Continued from page 13

wrong in making everyone attend the university if i may ask?

Nothing absolutely. The problem only lies in the failure of the Nigerian leaders over the years to create opportunities where people can effectively utilise the skills and knowledge they learnt at the university towards the development of the society. The Japanese trained engineers, scientists, economists etc wouldn’t have done much if the government did not create the right atmosphere that enhances inginuity and creativity. The university is a place for intellectual awakening, and there is nothing wrong in ensuring that every body passes through this mental transformation process.And on this the Imo state governor

deserves commendation.

The precedent set by governor Okorocha is something every Nigerian leader has to emulate, especially the state governors. He is a transformational leader, one whose leadership capabilities transcends ethnic, regional and religious compartments. These are the attributes of great leaders like Awolowo in the old western region, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ahmadu Bello etc. These qualifies are also exemplified by such rare leaders like Nelson Mandela of southAfrica, Lim kuan yew of Singapore and Mahathir of Malaysia.

Thomas Carlyle observed in his Great Man Theory that the traits of leadership are intrinsic, maintaining that great leaders are born and that great leaders will rise when confronted with appropriate

situation. Why I do not subscribe completely that leaders are born not made it will be appropriate to state here that Governor Okorocha combines both the features of the Great Man theory and the characteristics of the transformational leader.

Good leaders are rare to find and often difficult to maintain without being carried away by the arrogance that comes with power.

Therefore, if Nigeria wants to find its feet on the ladder of development and a voice in the comity of developed societies, leaders such as Governor Okorocha need to be given every support to enable them to stay focused on the Nigerian vision.

Chamberlain Chinaka wrote in from Owerri, Imo state.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

PAGE 15

Important lessons from elsewhere V

ery few people will argue the fact that the kind of leaders Nigeria has had over the years are indeed a rare breed. A breed that seems only adept at self aggrandizement and self perpetuation at the expense of the majority for whom living has become a constant struggle. Our leaders have regularly proved that their own concept of leadership is quite different from the textbook definition that sees it as a platform to serve the people.

This selfish disposition partly explains why there is a dearth of heroes and role models especially among the political class in the country. Since the passing of what could be described as the first generation of leaders after the first republic ,very few public servants can qualify as role models after whom the younger generation of Nigerians would aim to shape their lives. To look for such kind of people who have distinguished themselves in leadership positions we mostly have to look outside our shores.

In this month alone, three public office holders in Germany, Romania and Greece again proved that public service is all about meeting the expectations of the people – earning their trust in the process - and once it gets to a point where that cardinal principle cannot be upheld, the public office holder has no business remaining in office. Here in Nigeria, however, it seems, for many, public office is all about an opportunity for self enrichment and perpetuation at

all costs.

Last Friday, the German President, Christian Wulff, resigned from office after coming under pressure from political opponents and prosecutors who claimed he accepted bribes during his tenure as the governor of Lower Saxony. He was also alleged to have received financial favours including gifts and sponsored vacations which were in clear violation of German laws and code of conduct for public officers.

His resignation paved the way for prosecutors to launch criminal investigations against him, having lost his immunity. In announcing his resignation, Wulff said: “I had lost the trust of the German people, making it impossible to continue in a role that is meant to serve as a moral compass for the nation. For this reason, it is no longer possible for me to exercise the office of president at home and abroad as required”.

If Wulff were a Nigerian, he probably would have clung to office and continued to heap blame on imaginary political opponents for his travails rather than do the honourable thing. The whole idea of resigning from office seems to be an unheard of concept in this part of the world. How else can one explain the continued stay in office of the Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani AlisonMadueke, who even before her

reappointment was dogged by all manner of allegations about her involvement in shoddy deals in the ministry. If this was not enough to make her bow out gracefully, her inglorious role in

TUESD AY TUESDA with

Abdulazeez Abdullahi azizab40@yahoo.com 0805 100 0558 the fuel subsidy removal earlier in the year and the glaring incompetence she displayed during the public hearings by the House ad hoc committee on fuel subsidy where she proved to all that she has not kept abreast of the goings on in the nation’s petroleum sector were enough to make her leave the stage. She neither knows the nation’s daily fuel consumption figure nor does she know how much was spent on fuel subsidy last year. Now she has gone into a frenzy setting up task forces and, therefore, committees that are duplicitous and unlikely to achieve much.

Much earlier this month, the Romanian Prime Minister, Emil Boc, also resigned after facing mass protests against International Monetary Fund {IMF} backed austerity measures. The IMF had

granted Romania a 20 billion euro loan in 2009 with the condition that the government implement severe cuts in spending. In addition to the cuts, the government raised taxes which made life difficult for many Romanians who also complained of widespread corruption in government.

In his farewell speech, Boc said: “I took the decision to release the tension in the country’s political and social situation, but also in order not to lose what Romanians have won”.

Faced with a similar situation during the fuel subsidy protests, our own President Goodluck Jonathan not only sent troops to Lagos to break the protests, his security forces threatened to charge those calling for his resignation with treason.

Rather than see the protests as a clear policy error which needed to be reversed quickly, the president chose to blame defeated political opponents for orchestrating the protests.

Amid the sad news of the harsh economic situation that Greece has found itself in, a cheering bit of news came last Friday which showed that despite the people’s anger with their reckless leaders whose actions have plunged that country into a near economic abyss, there are

leaders who do take their jobs seriously. The Culture Minister, Pavlos Geroulanos, tendered his resignation after armed men broke into a museum and made away with dozens of antiques that were up to 3,200 years old. The antiques which dated from the 9th to the 4th century, were stolen from the museum of the ancient games of Olympia and because of the proud history and heritage of the Greeks, Geroulanos felt he has let down a nation by his inability to provide adequate security for its treasures, hence his resignation.

There is a glaring failure of leadership at all levels in this country but our leaders seem unperturbed by it to even contemplate resigning from office. To them, leaving public office before one’s time is perhaps the ultimate admittance of failure and encouraged by an increasingly materialistic and docile society, they get away with the more important failure of delivering on the objectives of their office. Our situation is also made worse by the kind of politics we play which ranks ethnic or regional loyalties above all else. On many instance, corrupt public officials have been left off the hook because their kinsmen have risen to their defence and lobbied vigouriously to get them off the hook.

Until this changes and we have a leaders who inspire confidence by maintaining the highest ethical and morals standards in office, we may wait a long while for that equitable nation we truly deserve.

Romanticisation of our once shoeless Jonathan

By Taju Tijani

T

he romanticisation of President Goodluck Jonathan’s shoeless past and the ongoing spin on his underclass and underdog antecedents have gained the sympathy of many Nigerians. But beyond the overkill, we have the unconvinced advocates of pessimism who see Jonathan as a fraud, temporizing and uncertain. The pessimists can easily and rightly satirize Jonathan as flaccid, dithering and a kind of front office manager. Another summary might echo Jonathan as the innocent variant of the vermin called mafia, cartel or cabal – the very antithesis of our progressive dream.

In a nation where professional cynics are being bred like maggots through the nightmarish experience of our revolving door polity, pray, where are the happy, optimistic, bleeding- heart liberals the president seeks in his dream to transform the Nigerian dinosaur?

Paid acolytes of the president are still perfecting the art of colonising, no, invading, both our public and private domains and asking for kinship loyalties to an Itueke journeyman who started out from humble deprivation.

The emergence of Jonathan as our president foreclosed our old, timid and porcine accommodation of our leaders’ inanities. From the wasting era of Babangida’s atomization of society to Obasanjo’s do-or-die, to Yar’adua’s slow motion tenure and now Jonathan’s, Nigerians have truly waited for

their political universe to be transformed. We have all made a stand. The stand is never again to normalize the unthinkable and the abominable. Enough is enough!

Once Jonathan assumed the mantle of scholar-leader as opposed to his predecessor’s servant-leader, he began to roll out a new political orthodoxy. The first brain box of Aso Rock downloaded a new vocabulary. He divorced from the old, tired and outworn clichés we were used to.

Jonathan, riding on the crest of popularity began to build interest in us for his new politics. Do-or-die and 7 point agenda were PDP’s jaded, juvenile mantra no longer fit for the redoubtable chamber of our democratic space. In his desire to keep faith with the power of a networked world, Jonathan bought into a transformational agenda. Here, I must confess that I am one of his apathetic and lawabiding citizens who are clueless as to his newfound political selfindulgence of transformation. Even the select group of highly literate minds I spoke to was of the opinion that the transformation on its own sounds lofty and inspirational, but the holistic renaissance it promises is buried deep in confusion and occultism.

What does the president want to transform? Does he want to transform Nigeria and take it back from the rapacious hands of elitist politicians? Does he want to transform the shameless reduction of our democracy to electoral fraud as we saw in many stolen mandates that led to gubernatorial reversals?

Would Jonathan be able to transform our pretentious sectarian politics of identity where the Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa will cohabit in a patriotic capsule of tolerance, unity and collective dream? Can we wager our last coin on his transformational agenda as the perfect harbinger of equitable law and justice, transparency, eradication of corruption, provider of stable electricity, reformed Police, Army, Navy, Custom and FRSC, education, employment, good roads, housing and direly needed infrastructures like hospitals, industries and refineries?

The Nigerian public needs clarity and proper articulation of Jonathan’s transformational whammy. The rhetoric from the misinformed divide is accusing Jonathan of shrouding his transformational creed in the realm of darkness. Most of what are being grind out by media advisers, willing intellectuals and paid demagogues are merely calming words about the president’s benign and altruistic motive while the essential mission of educating, informing and encouraging intelligent exchange with the governed are lost in disputatious politics of mere sound bite. We still have unbelievers, roundly educated by experience and prescience, who see Jonathan’s transforming agenda as a charter for the warped-minded. It is perceived as a load of sentimental guff devoid of hard sense. Why transformation agenda when Nigeria needs a draconian, even, merciless swing of baton against

corrupt, lazy, empty-brained, phoney, dodgy, unpatriotic set of greedy fattened mice we called politicians? They reckoned that transformation agenda will soon be swallowed up by that implacable Aso Rock animal called dumb inaction. Of a truth, Jonathan must understand that he presides over a nation of grumbling bunch of impatient citizens. Citizens who are lining the cyber highways and holding banners of pain and disappointments, all, calling for change.

Frustrated and revolutionaryhungry Nigerians are spoiling for a fight if transformational timeline exceeds their capacity to bear. They want to see transformation not as a nebulous and archaic sound bite crafted to deceive, but as a retooling hardware for the dismantling of our usual dinosaurs. They want transformation to morph into a retooling hardware for the dismantling of our vexing anxieties like official high corruption, greed, tribalized impunity, political sacred cows, oil industry perfidy, antipeople constitution and the systematic stripping of government assets by political cronies.

However, Jonathan must guard against his transformational agenda being reviled as an intellectually bankrupt creed that has nothing to contribute to the triumphal progress of our democratic renewal. I still remember a time when we were serenaded by the patriotic vision of one Prof. Dora Akunyili to rebrand Nigeria.

If the ethical articulation of a dour Dora had been a success, the endless scandals of our nation would have been minimized. If dour Dora could not rebrand the dinosaur, can a transformer come out of Itueke?

This land still faces the challenges of policy failure and somersault. If the president is promoting himself as the chief transformer of a transforming government, Nigerians want to see action. Transformational agenda cannot exist in silent manoeuvre and official brick wall. We need to see action on the reports of all the constituted committees.

We want to see radical and disrupting incursions into where the angels feared to tread. We cannot transform Nigeria by not naming, shaming, prosecuting and jailing saboteurs, thieves, terrorists and blood sucking vampires.

It is hoped that Jonathan will rise from the dark dungeon of complacency and transform the sickening mores of our society. It is hoped that he will unhinge our paralyzing chains of business as usual and carve a tunnel of hope through the dark mountain of half century of disasters, disappointment and documented failures. Mr. President has to be bold, brave and brash. He needs to be heckling and provoking. The peoples’ ambivalent feeling is crying for a president who will take a principle stand without being timid, defensive and prevaricatingold Jonathan alter ego. Let the new transformer from Itueke confront the dinosaurs.

Taju Tijani can be reached through tajutijani@hotmail.com

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Mararaba residents resort to fire wood, charcoal as price of kerosene goes up

R

esidents of Mararaba, a densely populated settlement in Nasarawa State near the FCT, have resorted to the use of fire wood and charcoal for cooking, as price of kerosene continues to increase.

A survey carried out by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in the area on Monday, showed that the prices of firewood and charcoal had equally increased as a result of the high demand for them.

Malam Mohammed Kabiru, a dealer in charcoal at the Mararaba main market, told NAN that “a 500 kilogramme of charcoal was being sold for N1, 500.”

“We witnessed an upsurge in patronage of our charcoal since January as the price of kerosene went up,” he added.

Mrs Faith Wilson, who operates a firewood and charcoal depot on Elisha Dachor Street, Mararaba, told NAN that she sold five smaller pieces of firewood for N200.

“Three sizeable pieces of firewood is sold for N300, while a pack of charcoal goes for N50 depending on the size and type of fire wood.”

“The best type of firewood is the one called “Madiki” used mostly by Hausa residents to cook and it is always in high demand than others.

“A DYNA van of firewood, brought in from Kaduna costs N20, 000 and we have to pay N3, 500 to “Paskere,” the local breakers of the firewood to break them into smaller pieces.

“All these expenses add to the cost of the firewood. I am saying this because as a house wife, I am also affected,’’ Wilson further

told NAN. Another firewood seller, simply identified as Mama Promise, said that four smaller pieces were sold for N100, while a pack of charcoal was sold for N50.

However, Malam Murtala Isa, one of the firewood breakers, locally called “paskere” in Hausa language, told NAN that he charged N3, 000 to pieces a DYNA van of fire wood.

When NAN visited “MURAHAT” and “MRS” filling

stations in Mararaba on Monday, Kerosene attendants on duty said that the commodity was being sold for N140 per litre.

NAN reports though that a litre of kerosene is officially put at N50,consumers hardly get to buy the commodity at that rate.

Mr. Precious Bright, an attendant at “MRS” filling station, expressed concern over the high price of the commodity.

“We are not happy about the increase in the price of kerosene

because we are also feeling the pinch,’’ Bright lamented.

He, however, denied that the station had adjusted its meter in order to cheat on consumers.

NAN findings further revealed that Kerosene is being sold for between N180 and N200 per litre at the black market in Mararaba.

Efforts to speak with managers of the two filling stations were abortive as they were said to be out of their offices.

(NAN)

T

he management of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) has expressed regret over the unwholesome attitude of some residents, particularly street hawkers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) who harass and molest officials of the agency in a bid to prevent them from carrying out their duties.

The AEPB Director, Isah Mohammed Shaibu who stated this in an interview explained that though the task of keeping

Minister solicits support of House Committee on FCT councils for devt

By Josephine Ella

T

A rickety van overloaded with cow and people, along Gwagwalada road, Abuja, recently.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

AEPB boss laments harassment of officials

By Adeola Tukuru

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

Abuja clean as a model city in Africa was not easy task, but promised not to be deterred from their given mandate until the city is made clean and tidy.

“It has not been easy for us here, let me tell you that some of our vehicles have been vandalized while my men were brutalized and are now in hospitals. It has been rough. I prefer not to make news from every situation. “It has gotten to the level where about four of our vehicles were last week vandalized while some of my men on duty were seriously

wounded and rushed to Garki general Hospital, this happened at about 2am.

“It seems physical combats is the only language street hawkers in FCT understand and we are ready to give them firefor –fire” he emphasized.

Shaibu who admitted some gray areas in his men’s conducts, explained that it was because of suspicion raised against some of his men and officers on allegation of bribery that made him to personally swing into action by making sure that vehicles were provided for field

officers to take them to their respective beats and before he retires back to office.

He disclosed his board’s readiness to commerce full scale investigation on the activities of some staff that have been accused of collecting bribe noting that those found guilty would be sanctioned appropriately.

Responding to questions on the sudden disappearance of mobile courts from major streets in the territory, the Director promised to reintroduce them in places where their safety can be guaranteed.

he Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oloye Olajumoke Akinjinde has solicited for the support of the House Committee on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters for development of the area councils and satellite towns.

Akinjide, who made the call yesterday, while receiving members of the committee who were on oversight visit, emphasised that development should not be centralised or concentrated within the city centre alone but the area councils and satellite towns as well.

Hence, she urged the committee to assist the administration with the needed resources to drive home this objective.

Akinjide stressed that the FCT administration and the Area Councils would continue to count on the wise counsel and guidance of the committee in the year 2012.

She also urged the committee to facilitate the passage of the pending bills affecting the area councils in the House, especially the bill for an Act to provide for the system, structure, composition, functions and finance of FCT Area Councils.

The minister expressed optimism that the passage of the bill would enhance the statutory position of the Area Councils and strengthen their revenue base.

This was even as she charged the Committee to keep the various challenges confronting the area councils in mind when the House considers the annual appropriations of the Area Councils.

The partnership of the federal legislature and the FCT

FCT HOTELS GUIDE POLICE HOTLINES IN FCT Abuja Sheraton Hotel & Towers Ladi Kwali Way, Transcorp Hilton Hotel P.M.N 143, Abuja Maitama District, Tel: 09-5230225-224 P.O. Box 51, Abuja, Fax: 09-5231570-1 Tel: 09-5231811-40 Chelsea Hotels Plt 389, Cadastral Zone A Central Area, P.M.B 487, Garki, Abuja.

Tel: 09-2349080-98 Fax: 09-2349074

Maitama - 08038485123 Central Police Station - 08033568389 Lugbe - 08077657371; 08037882321 Wuse - 08053088102 National Assembly - 08065777706; 08045317637 Asokoro - 07028134449 Nyanya - 08046115181 Utako - 07055888119; 07038621264 Karshi - 08023565354

Wuye Karu Gwarimpa Karmo Garki Life Camp Kubwa Gwagwa Zuba Dutse Alhaji Bwari Kuje

- 08023314440 - 08036249825 - 08059113555 - 08033773129 - 08033560903 - 08058036613 - 08036134478 - 08035537989 - 08075804475 - 08053089999 - 08075804475 - 07030800531

Kwali Ruboci Gwagwalada Abaji

- 080 33062496 - 08060568342 - 08057467369 - 08037209328

FCT HOTLINE AEPB 09 - 4603600-9

08065560315

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Police deploy more men to beef up security in FCT

T

he Police in FCT have deployed additional personnel to beef up security throughout the city in its bid to maintain peace.

This was contained in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja and signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Police Command, Mr Jimoh Moshood.

The statement urged the residents to go about their businesses without fear and apprehension.

It said the police were working with other security agencies and security posts in border states of FCT to sustain peace in the territory.

“The command will continue to work together with other security agencies in FCT and those of other states sharing borders with the territory to further strengthen and sustain the present level of security in the FCT,’’ the statement said.

It said that all entry and exit points in the territory have been fortified, and urged the public to report any suspicious persons or incidents to the nearest police station or call 08032003913 or 08061581938. (NAN)

PAGE 17

AEPB to parley with traditional rulers on sanitation

T

he Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) has concluded plans to collaborate with prominent traditional rules in all the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to ensure a successful implementation of

Environmental Neighborhood Association (ENA) that was conceived by the Board with the sole objective of keeping the city clean and diseases free.

In an interactive session with newsmen yesterday in her office, the Deputy Director of Environmental Health and

Safety in the Board, Mrs. Adebayo Aishat explained that her department was ready to penetrate all the area councils in order to sensitize residents on reasons why houses and its surroundings must always be clean and tidy.

In her words: “We have

Court dissolves 7year-old marriage

A

ahead of commencement of rains for the year.

He further explained that preparations to ensure that drainages are evacuated expanded as well as construction of new ones where necessary will be adopted by the council.

“Sometimes, when forecast are made by experts like this, people tend to ignore it but for us in Kuje Area Council, we will take the prediction very seriously to see that measures are taken to avert problems.

“First of all we will start by enlightening residents of the council on the prediction so as to enable them have firsthand information of the expected

heavy rains for the year.

“Secondly, the council will take proactive measures by ensuring that drainages are evacuated with new ones to be constructed where necessary before commencement of the raining season,” he said.

Zhin therefore called on the residents to ensure that issues bordering on environmental sanitation were taken very seriously in view of the 2012 prediction.

He said the council would not condole any act that would undermine its efforts at ensuring that flooding was prevented in the council adding that offenders would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

n Abuja High Court on Monday dissolved a sevenyear-old marriage between an Abuja-based lawyer, Chief Nkereuwem Akpan, 42, and his wife, Blessing, 34.

Akpan, who accused Blessing of abandoning and deserting him, filed a suit in January 2009, for the dissolution of the marriage, citing “irreconcilable differences’’ between him and his wife.

He also urged the court to grant him custody of their three children aged 12, 9, and 7, but Blessing, a businesswoman, told the court that it was her husband, who deserted her since July 2007.

“My husband has not been caring for me and the children as he packed his things on July 28, 2007, following an armed robbery attack in our estate then.

“Since the day he packed out of our house in Gwarimpa and moved into his office in Wuse II, I have been responsible for the upkeep of the children,’’ she said.

She alleged that Akpan, who claimed he was afraid of another attack in the estate, came back after two weeks to pack his belongings.

Blessing, therefore, urged the court to dissolve the marriage and grant her custody of the children.

Justice Abubakar Umar, in his ruling, said the court had tried in the last three years to reconcile the estranged couple, to no avail.

He noted that divorce could be more painful for the children than the couple, saying “this is one of the most difficult cases in my career as a judge.’’ (NAN)

market face a lot of problems from these officials. They however agreed that they have been warned to desist from hawking on the walkways outside and inside the market but they could not comply with the directive because they have to make ends meet.

The officials assigned for the job of preventing the hawkers from plying their trade are said to fall into different groups within the same organization.

In a conversation with our reporter, one of such traders who gave his name as Alhaji, a petty

trader that hawks rice on the walk way, made it known that though he was violating the rules set by the AMML but has no option since he has to feed his family and that he cannot afford the prices for the leasing of shops or little spaces usually allocated in front of the shops to people.

According to him; I do not have money to rent a shop because it is too expensive, even the little space, they say we should pay 30,000 Naira every month. Where do I get that kind of money? On how he copes with harassment from

officials when they come around, he said he has learnt not to display his goods until late in the evening when the officials were usually off duty for the day.

One Musa at the market supports the organization for trying to put a stop to the hawking but advised the officials to do it in a more civilised manner; adding that the officials in charge of monitoring taxi drivers have invaded the market, arresting people at will, which is outside their jurisdiction, accusing them of causing more harm than good.

Street hawkers displaying their wares, yesterday along Abuja-Keffi road .

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Woman Kuje boss warns against improper waste disposal bags 4 months for T adultery

By Adeola Tukuru

A

n Upper Area Court in Gwagwalada in the FCT on Monday sentenced a 25-year-old woman, Mary Haruna, to four months imprisonment for adultery.

The police prosecutor, Insp.

Modupe Musa, told the court that Haruna brought one Ebenezer Kure, 35 into her matrimonial home and committed adultery with him.

Musa said the incident took place on Feb. 14, in the house of one Baba Sabo, Haruna’s husband and a resident of Abattior, Abaji, Abuja.

Ebenezer Kure and Haruna were charged with trespass and adultery but Haruna pleaded guilty, while Kure pleaded not guilty.

The Judge, Alhaji Babaginda Hassan, consequently sentenced Haruna to four months imprisonment with an option of N20,000 fine.

Hassan directed that Kure, a resident of Gada Buke Nassarawa should be remanded in prison till March 21 for continuation of hearing. (NAN)

departments and sections that are doing the same work in all the councils, but what we intend doing is that we shall collaborate with all of them to ensuring that FCT remain the cleanest and finest model city in Africa.”

She disclosed that adequate plans by her Board to recommend and give awards to houses with the best set standards on sanitation will soon be put in place.

he Chairman, kuje Area Council, Danladi Etsu Zhin, has cautioned against improper disposal of waste especially the act of blocking drainage systems without considerations to free flow water.

Zhin noted this in an interview with newsmen as a reaction to forecast by meteorologists that heavy rains should be expected across the country in 2012.

According to him, proactive measures would be taken by his council administration to ensure that residents were enlightened on the forecast

Hawkers at the mercy of AMML Officials

By Morufat Ojulari

H

awkers in Wuse market, Abuja are at the mercy of officials of the Abuja Markets Management a subsidiary of Abuja investment Limited (AICL).

The association incorporated in August 2004 was given mandate to take over the management of the markets and neighbourhood shopping complexes.

These hawkers who go around their daily activities with their goods on their heads in the Wuse

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

PAGE 19

amunuimam@yahoo.co.uk 08033644990

T

he National Bureau of Statistics yesterday said Nigeria’s consumer inflation rose to 12.6 percent in January, compared with 10.3 percent the previous month, as a partial removal of motor fuel subsidies pushed up consumer prices.

Food inflation rose to 13.1

INSIDE - Pg 21 Cement investment: 10 govs court Dangote

Inflation rises to 12.6 %, says National Bureau of Statistics

percent, up from 11 percent in December, figures published by the bureau showed.

Analysts polled by Reuters expected January headline inflation to rise to 11.75

percent.

“The biggest contributors to the consumer inflation were the high prices of some food items, liquid fuel and transport fares, and other miscellaneous goods

and services which need liquid fuel and or transport fares for providing their services,” an NBS document said.

Food inflation, the biggest contributer to the headline figure, rose to 13.1 percent, up from 11 percent in December, NBS said. The partial removal of the fuel subsidies push food triggered a spike in food prices in The CBN kept its

benchmark interest rate on hold at 12 percent for the second time in a row last month on expectations that any upward movement in inflation from the removal of fuel import subsidies would be short-term.

The apex bank expects inflation to increase to around 14-15 percent in the first half of this year, before moderating towards single digits by the end of 2013.(Reuters)

Naira sustains rally as dollar demand falls

T

L-R: MD/CEO, Airtel Nigeria, Rajan Swaroop, and GMD, First Bank Plc, Bisi Onasanya, exchanging pleasantries after the signing of MoU on Mobile Money Service between the two companies, recently, in Lagos.

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

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

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

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

IRS AIRLINES

Lagos shuts two popular markets over environmental abuse From Bimbo Ogunnaike, Lagos

T

he Lagos state government at the weekend shut down the popular Alamutu market located at Idi-Oro, and Gotankowa Market in Oke-Odo, Abule Egba area of the state for constituting nuisance to the state environment.

Peoples Daily learnt from a reliable source that the markets were closed down on the order of the state Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello after inspecting the markets.

According to Bello , it was regrettable that most of the markets have not yet buy-in into the vision of the state, particularly in the areas of environmental sanitation and proper discharge of waste generated in their respective markets.

At Alamutu Market in Idi-oro, EXCHANGE RATES

CBN CFA • £ RIYAL $

LOS -ABJ: 9.45, 11.45, 2.45

15th Feb, 2012 BUYING 0.2932 204.3044 243.9935 41.4356 155.4

SELLING 0.3132 205.6191 245.5636 41.7022 156.4

PARALLEL RATES

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

he Naira sustained its rally against the U.S dollar on the interbank market yesterday as demand for the dollar fell at the central bank’s bi-weekly auction.

The local currency closed at 157.60 to the dollar on the interbank, stronger than the 157.70 to the dollar Friday’s

• £ RIYAL $

BUYING 210 255 42 158

SELLING 212 257 44 160

the drain constructed beside the market has been turned into a refuse bin. “I have personally visited the area twice, to appeal to them to desist from this unsanitary habit.

Similarly, meetings have been held with them, all to no avail. The state government is left with no option than to close the market in order to prevent an epidemic outbreak, and flooding when it rains.” Bello stated.

At Oke-Odo Market, the traders, rather than trade within the confinement of the existing market area, took over the entire stretch of the newly constructed road. The traders dump refuse indiscriminately in all the side drains as well as cause serious traffic snarl on the road similar to what happened at Mile 12 Market.

His words: “It is sad that most of our market men and women are still guided with the old traditional belief that rain is a blessing that must cart away refuse any time it rains. One of the most topical issues of discuss all over the world today is

climate change.

While stating that the developed nations witness unprecedented flooding and Lagos been a coastal state is susceptible to flooding, which is the more reason why the time to act is now, before the rainy season, the commissioner added, “The traders have constituted a nuisance in those areas where the market are located. The traders will peel their plantains and yams and dump the refuse on the drainage channel that the state government is using heavy amount of tax payer’s money to clears ahead of the rains.

Bello, who said the state government has declared zerotolerance for environmental degradation which is a threat to our continuous existence, however, used the opportunity to appeal to all market leaders in the state to urge their members on the need to complement the ministry’s flood free Lagos exercise or risk a closure of three months.

closed.

At Monday’s foreign exchange auction, the central bank sold $145.27 million at 156.10 to the dollar, less than the $250 million it initially offered. The regulator sold $350 million at 156.40 to the dollar at the previous auction on Wednesday.

“The naira was cheaper at the interbank market than the central bank’s effective rate at some point, so it does not make sense for customers to buy at the official window,” one dealer said.

Traders said there was also a decline in dollar demand from fuel importers in the wake of a parliamentary probe into government spending on import subsidies.

“Fuel importers have drastically cut back on their dollar demand since the probe into discrepancy in fuel subsidy payment by government started, this has also help reduce pressure on the naira,” another trader said.

Increased dollar sales by local units of multinational oil companies and state-owned energy firm NNPC added to support for the naira.

Traders said with the prevailing increased dollar liquidity, expected month-end sales by some oil companies and subdued demand for hard currency, the naira should strengthen further in the coming days. (Reuters)

Management Tip of the Day

R

Embrace Distraction

ecent studies have revealed the productivity cost of interruptions. But as the world gets more distracting, can we truly uphold the ideal of undivided attention? Not all disruptions are negative.

Gazing out the window allows your brain to come up with new ideas or process information. Logging on to Facebook for a few minutes can give you a much-needed break so you return to work in a better, more productive

mood.

Instead of barring things that take your attention away from work, try creating and embracing positive interruptions.

Source: Harvard Business Review

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS

Omatek assures shareholders of improved returns on investment

I

nformation and Communication Technology (ICT) firm, Omatek Ventures Plc, at the weekend announced plans to restructure the company as part of strategies to improve return on shareholders’ investment

NCC seals two phone companies over standards

T

he Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has sealed off the offices of two mobile phones companies at the popular Computer Village in Lagos at the weekend.

South African firm invests $200m in local content development

S

outh African Television company – DSTV and its products subscription management company, MultiChoice Nigeria Limited said that over N31 billion ($200 million) was invested in the development of local skills, technology transfer, use of local content development.

WAUTI to establish regional tax institutes

T

he West African Union of Tax Institutes (WAUTI) has instituted a Technical Committee that would assist in establishing tax institutes within the West African sub-region.

Govt plans vehicle recycling plants for Abuja, others

V

ehicle recycling plants may soon be established across the country, under a financing deal with Japan International Co-oporation Agency (JICA) and United Nations Industrial Organisation (UNIDO).

Nigeria’s low rating on economic indices worries govt

T

he Federal Government has lamented the country’s inability to improve on its trade performance and reverse the severe deterioration in economic and trade indicators, despite its numerous resources.

Hygeia HMO Appoints New Operating Officer

H

yegia HMO, a subsidiary of Hygeia Group has appointed a Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Ramesh V. Kurup, to oversee the entire operations of Hygeia HMO.

Etisalat Nigeria: Expanding market frontier With a subscriber base of over 10 million in just three years in the market, Etisalat Nigeria has won for itself the brand as the fastest growing Global System of Mobile Communications (GSM) company in the country. Bamidele Alao writes on the phenomenal rise of the telecomms brand.

W

hen Etisalat Nigeria announced its berth on the country’s burgeoning telecommunications market in October 2008, not a few subscribers gave the company a chance to survive.

Reason? There have been established players in the market with not less than eight years experience.

How then, can a brand like Etisalat compete with such old players? So, the arrival of the brand was greeted with cynicism. But, marketing egg heads at the company seemed to know the right marketing strategies to deploy for a perceived late entrant.

The marketing strategists realized early enough that music is a great avenue to explore to sell the brand. The brand’s initial code, 0809 penetrated the hearts via the musical lyrics of popular musician, Banky W. The notable commercial by Banky, “0809ja’ for life,” beside introduction of innovative products and services, appeared the magical wand that drove traffic in volumes to the network.

Recently, in its continued attempt at satisfying its subscribers and further grow its subscribers base, the telecommunications company, unveiled data roaming services for prepaid customers The service, which is in addition to voice and SMS services will enable all new and existing prepaid subscribers enjoy affordable and uninterrupted access to emails, chats, blackberry services, internet browsing, audio and video streaming with their Blackberry device or internet enabled phones and tablets while roaming in any of its prepaid data roaming destinations.

Prepaid data roaming is available to prepaid subscribers by default and customers simply need to switch on their devices on arrival in the roaming destination and the networks name or code and type of data technology supported, will appear on the handset. This could either be GRPS, EDGE or 3G which must appear in uppercase to start enjoying data services.

Explaining the new service, Chief Commercial Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Wael Ammar, said the introduction of the Prepaid Data Roaming service provides the subscriber with two options-Data roaming plans and Pay as you go.

According to him, “The pre-

paid roaming plan has been designed to enable our customers purchase data with ease and manage costs before embarking on their trips or whilst they are already abroad. This unique service also provides the flexibility of 3 different plans to suit the customer’s data needs”.

With the pay as you go option, all customers need to do is load airtime on their lines before travelling and on arrival abroad; they will be connected to the internet. This option provides flexibility and cost control as customers pay for only what they use. Customers can recharge their lines before travelling or whilst in the roaming environment and also receive e-top up and balance transfers.

The data roaming plan, another first of its kind, enables all prepaid customers manage their roaming costs by providing the flexibility of pre-purchasing

reality show, tagged ‘Giving Voice to Your Dreams.”

Justifying the sponsorship at a press briefing on the maiden edition of the reality TV show, the Chief Commercial Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Wael Ammar, while expressing delight at the sponsorship, said their desire was to enable Etisalat customers achieve their dreams and aspirations.

He said, “The sponsorship of Nigerian Idol is one of the many ways we choose to empower the youth of our nation. We have assured our consumers from the onset that we intend not only to be their preferred telecom operator but also their partner for life.” ”Through this platform, young Nigerians can give a voice to their dreams not just the contestants but also the host of talented men and women who are directors, content developers, producers, make up artists, voice coaches, dance instructor amongst others who will develop and execute this concept from start to finish and also utilize this platform to express their talent and in turn realize their dreams,” he added.

Another weapon in the armoury of the telcom company is, Cliqfest. Cliqfest is Etisalat’s annual campus tour, an initiative spearheaded by Etisalat’s easycliq package designed to entertain and

“

Etisalat Nigeria, with a subscriber base of over 10 million customers is one of the 18 operations of the Etisalat Group that spans across Africa, Middle East and Asia serving over 135 million subscribers data before travelling abroad or whilst abroad. Usage of the purchased plan will only commence when the customer arrives in their destination abroad as well as giving customers the best data roaming rates of as low as 23 kobo per KB when they purchase the 100MB plan.

Customers who wish to also enjoy blackberry services on any of our prepaid data roaming options must ensure that they have an active daily, weekly or monthly blackberry plan, which can be purchased before travelling or whilst in the roaming destination, as this will enable them access the blackberry services with their devices.

The data plans are valid for use in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Republic of Benin, Ivory Coast and Central Africa Republic.

In addition, the brand has exploited sponsorship as a marketing platform.

Its sponsorship of the Nigerian Idol, is a case in study.

For two years running, the brand has been sponsoring the

educate Nigerian youths and undergraduates who are the core target of easycliq.

Last week, Etisalat kicked off the 2012 edition of the special programme tagged ‘cliqfest’ with a motivational seminar at the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Ojere, Abeokuta, Ogun State, offering exciting and unprecedented experience for customers in its youth market segment.

Etisalat Nigeria, with a subscriber base of over 10 million customers is one of the 18 operations of the Etisalat Group that spans across Africa, Middle East and Asia serving over 135 million subscribers; and “it is committed to delivering innovative and quality services to its growing subscribers.”

Meanwhile, Etisalat, has emerged winner of the ‘African Telecoms Deal of the Year 2011’ at the 13th Euromoney/Project Finance Magazine Awards in London.

This deal, one of the largest project finance transactions in Nigeria in 2011, was signed on the 10th of March 2011 between

EMTS and a consortium of banks - First Bank, Zenith Bank, , Access, Fidelity Bank,UBA, Oceanic Bank (now Ecobank), GTB and Bank PHB (now Keystone), .

Other key stakeholders who contributed to the success of the deal include financial advisers, Citi and Aelex, Banwo & Ighodalo and Norton Rose, legal advisers.

Etisalat also benefited in this transaction from the unwavering support of its shareholders: Etisalat Group of the UAE, Mubadala, the investment arm of the emirate of Abu Dhabi and Myacynth, the consortium of Nigerian investors.

Managing Editor of Project Finance Magazine, Mr. Sean Keating while presenting the award to Etisalat and partner banks commended the achievements of the relatively new company and the trust exhibited by the banks. He said, “Etisalat’s $650m financing shows that even comparatively new entrants in a fiercely competitive market can assemble a healthy bank following.”

Responding after receiving the award at the presentation dinner, Acting Chief Financial Officer of Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Abhulime Ehiagwina expressed appreciation to the organizers of the Project Finance Awards as well as the partner banks. Mr. Ehiagwina said, “This award recognizes the aggressive expansion strategy of Etisalat made possible by the transaction being celebrated today. It is yet another sign that we are on course to achieving our goal of being one of the top telecommunications operators in Nigeria”.

Also speaking at the event, Mr Reginald Ihejiahi, Managing Director/CEO Fidelity Bank Plc, one of the eight arrangers, expressed sentiments echoed by all the partner banks present. He said Fidelity Bank is excited at Etisalat’s winning of the African Telecoms Deal of the Year 2011.

“This is a large transaction and more importantly it shows that there are great possibilities in the Nigerian banking industry and attests to the belief Fidelity Bank has in Etisalat. We look forward to more deals of such magnitude in the near future”, he concluded.

The Project Finance Deals of the Year Awards is organised by Project Finance Magazine, a publication of EuromoneyInstitutional Investor PLC. The Project Finance awards are for innovation, deal repeatability, best practice, problem solving, risk mitigation, value for money and speed of delivery in financing infrastructure projects, large or small.

Representatives of First Bank, Access Bank Fidelity Bank, , UBA, Ecobank and Keystone Bank were at the event to join Etisalat in receiving the award in addition to other parties to the deal including Citi - financial adviser on the deal and Norton Rose – international legal adviser on the deal.

The award ceremony held at the Grand Connaught, Central London was for Europe, Middle East and Africa and had 36 awardees.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

PAGE 21

Cement investment: 10 govs court Dangote

By Aminu Imam

F

ollowing the s u c c e s s f u l commissioning of the Dangote Cement’s new 6 million tons per annum capacity Ibese plant, no fewer than 10 state governors have expressed desire to lure the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote to invest in their respective states.

Speaking with newsmen at the weekend, the governors, who were among the dignitaries at the opening ceremony commended the business ingenuity of Alhaji Dangote and said they would do all within their power to prevail on the business mogul to consider investments in their states, saying that would be the only way to grow the economy of their people.

The governors, who were particularly conscious of the job potentials of such a huge investment described

the new Ibese cement plant which will generate an estimated 7, 000 direct jobs and another 4,000 jobs indirectly.

Some of the governors who claimed to have opened discussions with Alhaji Dangote said lack of gainful employment among the people was a major challenge being confronted by them in the task of providing good governance to their people and explained that Alhaji Dangote has proved more than able to help in this regard to achieve their economic agenda.

Governors who expressed the desire to drag Alhaji Dangote to their States include, Mr Peter Obi, Anambra State, Isa Yuguda, Bauchi State, Adams Oshiomhole, Edo state, Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti State, and Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State among others.

With the commissioning, Dangote Cement’s Ibese Plant, the

company’s total capacity will be 20.25m metric tons of cement per annum with Obajana Cement producing 10.25 million metric tons and Gboko Plant with four million metric tons.

The opening of the Ibese cement plant, reputed to be the largest in Africa, would not only satisfy domestic demand, but also put Nigeria as a net exporter of the commodity.

President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, had said his organisation was taking up the challenge to lead the way in making the nation self-reliant in cement production and, consequently, reduce its huge foreign exchange on imports.

According to him, Dangote Cement intends to move away completely from import of certain commodities, of which cement is one, by strengthening the local production capacity.

Nigerians bemoan hike in electricity tariff

By Mohammed Sada

S

ince last week, when the Federal G o v e r n m e n t announced a planned 88 per cent hike of electricity tariff, Nigerians are already bemoaning their fate over some of the recent policy.

Most of those who spoke to Peoples Daily about last week’s disclosure lamented that the planned hike coming on the heels of the controversial subsidy removal programme, describing it as another of government’s policy meant to further push Nigerians to the wall.

According to a Nigerian lady based abroad but currently residing at Asokoro Abuja, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity said, “It is too high and a lot of people will suffer especially the low income earners. the service is bad, it is substandard and has a negative effect on the nation’s

economy; let them bring about foreign and other companies to compete with the PHCN in managing the sector.

“This hike should come in the next ten years when it is much more improved, in fact currently the clients of the power providing company should be refunded for damages and inconveniencies caused by the present condition of power supply in the country.

Generators are taking over in power production and it has a lot of health hazard, especially to the children,” he stated.

Also, a Nyanya businessman, Mr. Godwin had this to say: “It is worth it if they will implement the promised reforms and investments, but in Nigeria, normally one finds it hard to believe the promises of the government. But advisably, the Federal Government should upgrade the current service before increasing the tariff.”

Others who spoke indicted the government for its lack of proper insight into ending the perennial and embarrassing power failure.

They pointed out that the problem with the electricity problem is not that the PHCN was not making enough profit to run the establishment and even fund itself. The problem, they averred, is that the money as with so many sources of revenue does not go into government coffers.

The chairman of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), responsible for creating sanity in the sector, Dr. Sam Amadi had however explained in a recent interview that the increase in tariff would not cut across board as customers are now classified into 14 classes which includes the R1 R2 R3 R4, the special customers, hospitals, street lightning, general service customer, and bulk metering, based on their energy consumption level, the type of metering and cost of service.

Seme Customs Command generates N461m revenue

T

he Seme Border Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) generated N461.2 million revenue in January.

The Area Comptroller, Alhaji Sadiq Sahabi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Badagry yesterday that the amount was generated from duties, levies, taxes and Value

Added Tax (VAT).

Sahabi said that the command recorded seven seizures during the month whose Duty Paid Value (DPV) was N3.5 million.

He said that some of the items seized included textiles, assorted wine, vehicles, poultry products and leather wears.

Mr Ernest Olottah, the Public Relations Officer of the

command, attributed the low revenue for the month to the strike on removal of fuel subsidy and the usual dull business activities in January.

“The fuels subsidy strike in January, which took place for over a week, affected business activities and above all January is always very dull of activities,” he said.(NAN)

PAGE 22

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Kaztec has track record of excellence in project delivery– Emeka Offor Long before the local content law was enacted, Kaztec Engineering Ltd, an indigenous company that provides specialised engineering, procurement and construction services to oil and gas companies, opened shop in Nigeria. Seven years down the road, its Executive Chairman, Sir Emeka Offor, relates the success story, challenges, and vision of the company. Excerpts:

W

hen was Kaztec Engineering Ltd ( K a z t e c ) incorporated and what is the company’s profile in terms of milestone project accomplishments in the Nigerian oil and gas industry?

Kaztec was incorporated in Nigeria in June 2005. By the special grace of God it has grown to be a leading EPCIC contractor in Nigeria. It is a subsidiary, Chrome Group. Kaztec had performed well over the years because it has satisfied the requirements of its clients and continues to do so. In the 2 ndquarter of 2007, it was awarded a 24 inch X 107 kilometer Calabar to Adanga Pipeline EPC contract. Again, in the 3 rd quarter of 2009, it was awarded another contract – Pipeline Integrity Assessment and Metering Station Rehabilitation and Upgrade/ Expansion of Metering Facilities.

In the 1st quarter of 2010 Kaztec won another contract – TB: 1921 Call Off contract for the Installation of Subsea Pipelines and Topsides for Addax Petroleum Development Company Ltd. These projects are all on-going and have reached various advanced levels of completion.

As a matter of fact, the Pipeline Integrity Assessment and Metering Station Rehabilitation and Upgrade/Expansion of Metering Facilities will be completed by April 2012. In the TB: 1921 contract for instance, which we are executing for Addax, Kaztec is currently in the 3 rd phase of a 3 year major pipeline installation / topsides setting and tie-in program.

As a leading indigenous EPC service provider, what would you consider to be the strongest selling point as far as engineering procurement and construction is concerned for Kaztec?

Kaztec has been able to put together a first class Procurement and Construction organization.

We have procurement offices in Lagos and Dubai.

Our Procurement Staff is highly experienced and are tasked with providing equipment and materials for construction operations, barge supplies for pipe-lay and lifting operations.

Kaztec has acquired assets that are fit-for-purpose such as DLB Ekulo Cheyenne with 800tonnes fixed Manitowoc Crane, capable of meeting a good percentage of lifting needs in the West African

sub-region, in addition to pipe lay capability. We also believe that we have a modest but successful offshore pipe lay and hook-up experience in the last one year. Kaztec also provides a turnkey EPC capability with emphasis on project management and engineered installed solutions. It provides all the components of EPC contracting, but the value is often defined by the engineering to reduce the time and cost of the offshore construction.

In terms of shareholding structure, management and staff expertise, how Nigerian is Kaztec?

Kaztec is 100% Nigerian owned. Management is also fully Nigerian. In terms of Staff expertise less than 20% expatriate staff is engaged in the offshore installation jobs. It may interest you to note that all our onshore installation is handled entirely by Nigerians.

Which project do you consider as the most challenging in terms of conception and execution?

The Addax TB: 1921 contract is the most challenging in terms of coverage, variety and duration. It is a multiyear contract and covers the installation (including commissioning support) of numerous subsea facilities including pipelines, risers, spool pieces and other seabed equipment. It also involves the installation of platforms, structures and topside facilities and the hookup of above water facilities in various locations offshore Nigeria.

There will be many campaigns during the life of this contract, which is expected to last at least three years. It is challenging because it involves five separate and different offshore construction spreads, and many ancillary support vessels to complete the work, in a variety of water depths that require ROV, air and saturation diving in the current Campaign.

Kaztec, like most EPC providers, operates in the Niger Delta terrain where issues of host community agitations have remained intractable for so long. What has been your experience in this regard?

We regard and treat our host communities as partners in progress, and therefore take them along in whatever projects we are involved in the community. This way we are

close to our host communities and carry them along too.

However, community agitation is still prevalent in the Niger Delta region and indeed widespread in certain areas of the region. To mitigate the adverse effects of community restiveness, we developed a Community Relations Policy aimed at truly treating host communities, as key stakeholders and engaging them on a continuous basis.

Kaztec enters into Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMOU) with them which are aimed at improving or providing infrastructure, engagement of community members into the workforce, direct financial payments to key community projects or groups. These are done in addition to contractor’s responsibility to preserve the environment.

So far, Kaztec has only experienced minor issues with host communities. Even so, we are proud to report that 100% of those issues have been resolved.

Kaztec has a full time community relations staff focused on continuous engagement, mediation, prevention and resolution of crises if, and when they occur.

From its incorporation, Kaztec set out to achieving indigenous participation in the oil and gas sector at a period when the issue of Nigerian Content was not on the table, what propelled the company to follow such path?

Kaztec believes that the secret to success in the oil and gas sector is ones’ ability to deliver products in a safe, suitable, cost efficient and timely manner. These factors are universally preferred. We created an indigenous company specialising in oil and gas services in Nigeria at a time when Nigerian Content was in its infancy. Our vision was to create an indigenous EPC capability, covering both onshore and offshore where few other indigenous companies ventured.

This vision I believe is dynamic, and will continue to grow to encompass new capabilities leading the company to become a major player in the West African Oil and Gas industry.

What would you say are some of the limitations confronting local oil service companies like Kaztec under the current local content regime?

“

We strongly believe that Nigerians will be exporting technology and services to other African countries and regions, in the near future.

Sir Emeka Offor

The single largest limitation is non- availability of funds in amounts and with terms that ensure we remain in business.

Despite these obstacles, Kaztec has been able to establish a level of trust with our customers and subcontractors that allow us to function in a profitable manner.

Companies like Kaztec have many challenges under the local content regime. These include the necessity to employ local staff in senior positions when there is a dearth of qualified manpower in the Nigerian oil and gas industry that have the requisite expertise and skills set.

This is not unique to Nigeria; it is a common challenge that can be found in many countries around the world.

Flexibility in enforcement in the early years and extensive training of staff will enable more people to gain the necessary level of experience and expertise that is needed to sustain effective operations.

Kaztec is participating at the 2012 NOG in Abuja as well as the 2012 Offshore Technology Conference in Houston Texas billed for late April, what does Kaztec intend to achieve in these exhibitions, and what is the central message in this regard?

Kaztec expects to be able to present concrete proof of its ability to deliver offshore oil and gas projects. We will bring Write-Ups, Pictures, Movies and Key Personnel prepared to share our story with attendees. Kaztec will participate in the NOG in Abuja for the first time in 2012. Kaztec has successfully completed projects and sub projects in recent years and has developed a track record of onshore and offshore construction successes.

Looking forward, what is the size of Kaztec’s dream?

How far can the company go in its drive to achieving as well as sustaining its dream of local content and global vision?

Our current capabilities include onshore pipelines and stations, EPCIC and offshore subsea pipelines and platforms.

Going forward, we will extend these capabilities to larger projects with enhanced EPC capabilities. We expect to move into deep waters offshore Nigeria and then other West African countries. In addition to these, we will expand into new capabilities covering onshore pipe corrosion and concrete weight coating, onshore platform fabrication, onshore supply base (for the offshore fleet), a free zone port and other capabilities in the coming years.

We strongly believe that Nigerians will be exporting technology and services to other African countries and regions, in the near future.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

PAGE 24

PAGE 25

The PTDF Nigerians knew before is no longer the same – Exec Sec The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), has continued to improve the fortunes of the oil and gas sector by contributing to the development of Nigerian expertise. In an exclusive interview with our team of editors, the Executive Secretary of the agency, Engineer Muttaqha Rabe Darma outlines how the fund is expanding its home-grown avenues for developing talents for the nation’s oil and gas industry. Excerpts.

“

...the industry keeps changing, and because of that we, the people within the industry need to change to catch up with the changes in the system.

Engineer Muttaqha Rabe Darma

W

hat has been PTDF’s major achievements so far since you assumed office as Executive Secretary?

Its been three years and three months since I assumed this position and since then we have recorded lots of achievements and principally, we have been able to achieve 3 times what the Fund achieved in 8 years, in terms of everything, whether on programmes or scholarships award, discipline, new

programmes design and also on research and project .

The mandate of the PTDF is to develop the petroleum technology, as the name implies, so first of all, understanding petroleum technology is very essential towards attainment of the mandate.

Petroleum Technology means science and engineering of petroleum resources, that is science and engineering of hydrocarbon and it is hydrocarbon that translates into petroleum resources.

So, if you are to develop science and engineering of petroleum resources you have to understand what petroleum resources are and what the industry is all about. The industry is so complex and this complexity arises from the fact that it is hi-tech, it is capitalintensive and also dynamic; dynamic because of the intricacies of the industry itself.

Today, the industry keeps changing, and because of that we, the people within the industry need to change to catch up with the changes in the system. For Nigerians to work in the industry, they have to be skillful enough; they must have the necessary qualifications, they must be competent enough to work in the industry, but there must also be the necessary infrastructure to always catch up with the changes within the industry.

The industry changes every second, because of so many things that are happening in the industry as the industry captures the attention of the world.

What is the current position of PTDF with regard to its training programmes, especially the popular Overseas Scholarship Scheme (OSS)?

Human capital development is our first priority in PTDF. That is why you see us giving scholarship;

that is why you see us developing trainings that are pertinent to the activities of the oil and gas industry, like welding, fabrication and other skills for the low cadre in the oil and gas industry. But then we said, If you keep on training people overseas to the best institutions in the world which are here in Nigeria, it means , the more you have people, the more you take them overseas to train them.

Now, the question is: would you continue to have resources to take these people to the United States, UK or other European countries to train?

Obviously, the answer is no, so, because of that we now provide a means of institutional upgrade and institutional development that will pave way for human capital development for the oil and gas industry.

As at now, we have upgraded 26 Nigerian universities, that is 26 different departments in 26 Nigerian universities all across the 6 geo-political zones. And we have started the development from the scratch; some institutions, like the first oil and gas Polytechnic that I know of in the entire Africa and the Middle East, it is about 65 % completed now in Bayelsa state.

We now have another institution that I know of the only one existing in the entire world, a Polytechnic for gas

technology and environmental sciences; we have a similar institution in Canada but it is not called Polytechnic, I think they call it technical institution but it gives diplomas just like the Polytechnics we have here.

This Polytechnic we have here is in Bonny, there are only two similar Polytechnics in the entire world.

We have also started skills development and training centers for the oil and gas. The first after a similar center, which is in Nuremberg, Germany, owned by the United Nation. That is the center I know of which we are modeling the one in Port Harcourt after. It is a center that, even if you don’t have any formal education at all and you think you have some skill that you want to develop and make it useful, come to the center. We will evaluate your skill and then put you through formal training that will qualify you as competent personnel with certification by the United Nations (UN) to pursue that trade.

Is that applicable to only the Petroleum industry?

Yes, only with regards to the petroleum sector. In fact, as far as I am concerned there is nothing that cannot be linked to the oil and gas. That is why in PTDF, we categorize oil and gas training, in terms of core oil and gas courses and then supporting oil and gas courses. If we are taking 90 people for core oil and gas training, we also recognize that there are 10 people we must take to support oil and gas training; for instance in scholarship, if you are awarding 100 people scholarship, then we expect 90 should be science and engineering, while 10 should be in the oil and gas finance because an engineer will not be the same person to do the

PTDF Executive Secretary elaborating a point finance the books.

Thirdly, we also support systems and institutions to see to the advancement of the oil and gas industry. These are already established systems that are either professionally established or systems that are there to ensure that even if you do belong to a different profession you are in the same vocation; NUPENG for instance, you could have drivers, machinist, people in different categories but they come together as NUPENG. PTDF also collaborate with these people and support them.

The fourth thing we do is that, we also help in the development of some of the oil and gas materials and manufacturing processes.

Either in the form of research and development or in the form of the actual business development or anything that has to do with the oil and gas industry.

Apparently, there are few schools helping to develop but they are not enough to cater for the large number of applicants who want to work in the petroleum industry. Is it not too hasty to put a ban on the overseas training while the education sector has not been fully developed?

I was a member of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), so I know that some of the demands ASUU make all the time is that there is

inadequate funding of the universities which include funding of research, funding of infrastructures developing the universities and human capital development of the university.

Presently, we have 26 departments in 26 universities that we have already upgraded. In the process of upgrade, we take a department and look at it holistically, from the angle of infrastructure, that is: are they up-to-date, do they support teaching and research, and do they support learning and scholarship? If they don’t, then we link up with the university, that is the members of the faculty and the technical staff of the department to ensure there is adequate infrastructure development to support teaching - learning research and human capital development in the department.

In all the universities, we

develop their entire departments from scratch, by providing classrooms for lectures, seminar rooms, high degree laboratories for research , workshops if need be, providing staff rooms and segregation between the senior and junior lecturers, we also provide all the equipments that the department need.

Again, we link up the department virtually with any department of its choice in any university in the advanced world. We pay the yearly subscription so that the department will be able to access research materials in Nigeria from universities in the United States or United Kingdom.

Most importantly, we also upgrade the skills of the lecturers because we try to ensure that we provide these universities with what will make them to be at par with those universities we take our scholars to outside Nigeria. The only other thing we cannot

provide is to stop the lecturers from going on strike. (General laughter) If these universities are provided with all these required materials, why should we be taking Nigerians to the United States? So, it will even be better to give Nigerians scholarship to these universities so that the process of the scholarship is adding value to the funding of the universities that the Federal Government is doing.

When I first came here, there were 3,000 people who applied for PTDF scholarship but 1,200 were qualified to sit for the examination and I remember very well in the North West zone, there were only 54 candidates who sat for the exams, in seven states. But last session, 11,000 people applied for the scholarship, and out of these people, we have close to 6,000 that qualified to sit for the exam. So you can see that if the number continues to grow, you wont have enough resources to give these people scholarship to go outside the country.

Again, if you do a statistical analysis of the descriptive distribution of the data, out of the 1,200 people, 300 were given scholarship, that is more than 30%. Now, 7,000 people sat for the exams, 500 were given scholarship, that is five per cent. So, the more they grow in number, the more it becomes difficult for you to provide scholarship for.

“

....since that time, we have been able to achieve 3 times what the Fund achieved in 8 years, in terms of everything, whether on programmes or scholarships award, in terms of discipline......

The PTDF boss

There have been complaint from prospective scholarship beneficiaries that Satellite and Communications engineering course is not among PTDF’s approved list of MSc courses. What is the true situation?

No, maybe for this year.

You see, our scholarships are done based on the demands of the industry. We normally do a survey every two years, the last one I think was in 2011.

The survey looks at the existing gaps in the industry that have not been filled; secondly, it looks at vacancies that had been occupied by nonNigerians and we train people so that they can come back and take over. Thirdly, we look at the on-coming job requirements, if there are new fields that will come on board.

The next survey will be in 2013.

As a technical assistant and consultant to the committee of the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), what specific processes have PTDF put in place to ensure transparency in the industry and what role can you the play in this initiative?

Yes. I will want to say that we comply with all the requirements of transparency and financial regulations in the industry; we also comply with all the requirements of regulatory authorities holding

the economy, which are all guidelines and policies that you comply with to be transparent in whatever form. We also institute in-house policies to make whatever we are doing in PTDF transparent. Of course I can’t say we are perfect but people should understand that the PTDF Nigerians knew in the past is no longer the same. This is a reformed PTDF that will try as much to comply with all rules as well as institute internal controls you hardly find anywhere.

The upgrading of the Petroleum Training Institutes (PTIs) is one of the priorities of the PTDF. What is the stage of the upgrade of the institutes in Delta and Kaduna states and what plans do you have for infrastructural development in the years ahead?

The two Petroleum institues (PTIs) are two different things altogether, with the one in Delta meant to cater for middle and some senior management , while the one in Kaduna is meant for those that have attained the general manager level The one in Delta has been completed 100 per cent, but the only thing is that we need to commission it, and we are looking at the second quarter of the year, that is after some of the equipments that we have purchased are installed and tested and we are sure that they’re working. The Kaduna center is about 68 per cent completed.

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2011

Why the man behind the biggest royal security breach in a century broke into the Queen’s bedroom

Revelations: Michael Fagan has spoken of the night he broke into the Queen's bedroom in 1982 for the first time in many years

H

e is responsible for the big gest royal security breach of the 20th century.

It was in 1982 when Michael Fagan scaled the 14ft wall of Buckingham Palace and wandered into the Queen's bedroom while she was sleeping.

And now, as the Queen celebrates her Diamond Jubilee, Mr Fagan has spoken of that incredible night for the first time in a number of years.

Speaking to The Independent on Sunday, Mr Fagan, who was 32 at the time, told how it was the scariest night of his life as he recalled pulling back the curtains on the Queen's fourposter bed.

'Then she speaks and it's like the finest glass you can imagine breaking: "Wawrt are you doing here?!"

Mr Fagan reveals how the Queen was sleeping alone in a double bed in a single room.

Despite insisting that he has 'great respect for the Queen', Mr Fagan says the Queen was wearing a 'Liberty print' nightie which was down to her knees.

Reports at the time of the incident - which shocked the nation - told how the Queen held a long conversation with her intruder to stall him while security guards were summoned.

But this is disputed by Mr Fagan.

'Nah! She went past me and ran out of the room; her little bare feet running across the floor.'

Once the Queen had summoned help, an unarmed footman watched over Mr Fagan until the arrival of the

Worrying: Mr Fagan says when he broke into the Queen's bedroom she went running past him and ran out of the room to get help

police.

According to Mr Fagan, he took him to the Queen's pantry across the landing and took a bottle of Famous Grouse from the shelf and poured him a glass of whisky.

Before he woke the Queen, Mr Fagan had walked around the Palace and triggered the alarms twice.

Police officers turned the alarm off, assuming the warnings were errors.

The then Home Secretary Willie Whitelaw offered his resignation to Her Majesty following the resulting scandal.

But despite the scandal following the break-in, it was not the first time Mr Fagan had been inside the Palace.

Just a month earlier he broke in and managed to spend most of the night inside before leaving undetected.

He revealed that while inside on that occasion he urinated on the corgi food and drank some 'cheap Californian' wine from Prince Charles room.

Despite the many years which have passed since the extraordinary incident, Mr Fagan cannot explain why he decided to break into the palace.

One view he has is that he did it because he put too many magic mushrooms in his soup five months earlier.

'I forgot you are only supposed to take a little handful. I was high on mushrooms for a long, long time.'

But despite what happened, he is still delighted the Queen is celebrating her Diamond Jubilee.

He says he hopes she lives to be 100, before adding: 'If she does, I'll send her a hundredth-birthday telegram.'

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Extraordinary: Mr Fagan cannot still fully explain why he broke into Buckingham Palace, pictured. However, he says it could be because he was high on magic mushrooms

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

BY EMMANUEL IRIOGBE

PAGE 27

Foreign envoys commend Nigerian military

emmacopi@yahoo.com 08026125552

Ojukwu: A hero or a villain?

C

ome next month, March 2012, Late Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu will be buried in his home town of Nnewi in the South Eastern part of the country. The question on the lips of most Nigerians is whether he was a national hero or a villain.

This question is germane because of the role he played in the formation of the Nigerian state while he lived.

Those who would like to cast him as a hero point to his nationalist attributes. They point to his refusal to support the 1966 coup carried out by men and officers of Eastern extraction as a pointer to that fact.

Others say his decision to join the ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN) instead of the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP) which had his fellow Ibo man, Nnamdi Azikiwe as leader on return from exile in 1983 as another pointer to the fact that he was truly a detribalized Nigeria.

However, those against this belief feel that the man should be viewed more like a tribalist than as a national hero for daring to lead a secessionist attempt against the Nigerian state. They point to his role as the leader of the short lived Biafria republic that sought to break from the Nigerian state as a pointer to the fact that the man was more of a sectional than a nationalist.

Though there is great rush especially by people from the South East to be part of his burial ceremony, no many people are fooled by the fact that the man never realy enjoyed a great followership from his people while he was alive.

A pointer to this is the fact that he lost his senatorial ambition in 1983 to an obscure man of the then NPP. His support for the All Peoples Grand Alliance in the run up to the 2003 general election did not stop the Peoples democratic Party from sweeping the South East in that election.

Even his title of Ikemba was hotly contested by his kins men when the title was bestowed on him.

Also, the Nigerian state did not help issues when it refused to accord the man that rank of a general after the war. His fellow kinsman who presently is the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihegerika only recently at the graduation ceremony of recruits from the army school in Zaria referred to him as late colonel Ojukwu.

It took 41 years after their disengagement from the Nigerian army for him and 63 other Biafran soldiers to be paid their pension and gratutities by the Nigerian government under the leadership of Late President Umaru Yaradua in 2008.

At the presentation of cheques at the ceremony, it was vintage Ojukwu who out of anger exploded; “It’s an insult for people to address

me as a Lt Col, I want everybody to remember that the leader of the Confederate Army in the United States that we always choose to copy, Gen. Robert Lee, was made a General on the Confederate side.

Ever since then, he is referred to with honour for those of you in uniform as Gen. Robert Lee,” he said.

Talking more firmly, Ojukwu expressed his anger at being referred to as a Lt.Colonel.

“It gets a bit annoying to see a little boy look up at you and call you Lt. Col. It is a pity. I am a General, four-star, in the Biafran Army. I agree it is not the Nigerian Army but the Biafran Army. Anybody who has worn that uniform knows what that means. There is no way you listen to certain things and you don’t feel that there are deliberat e insults.

And if deliberate insults continue to be heaped on you, reconciliation becomes very difficult.

Concerning his burial, the senate turned down request to grant Ojukwu a state burial and instead told governors in the South East to make sure they give the elder stateman a befitting burial and in the opinion of a retired General of the Nigerian Army and former military governor of old Oyo State, Gen. David Jemibewon, the refusal of Senator David Mark led-Senate to approve a state burial for the late Ikemba of Nnewi, Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu, was in order.

According to him, the late Ojukwu does not deserve a state burial by the federal governmnt because he didn’t hold any office such as a head state, head of the Nigerian army or equivalent in other fields of human endevour in the country adding he was a separatist who at a time took arms against the Nigerian state.

“I give kudos to all members of the Nigerian Senate for turning down the request to so honour the late Ojukwu in a state burial. As his contemporary in the army then, Ojukwu I know had all it takes to be a great because he had a rich family background coupled with education so, these factors influenced his independence.

“He wasn’t a head of state at any point, he was a war lord and our law doesn’t have provision for so honouring such a person. We believe so much in sentiments in this country, it beats my imagination someone could make such request. Let his handwork immortalise him because such is what I prefer to naming monuments after the dead. If I die, let my handwork speak for me. I congratulate the Senate for refusing the request.” Jemibewon stated.

No matter the divide one finds himself on the issue of Ojukwu, the fact remains that the history of the nation cannot be written without mention of the role he played.

Nigerian peace keepers

E

ven with security challenges in the country, the Nigerian military had cause to celebrate Thursday after encomiums were poured on their roles in keeping the peace in the country and on the African continent.

The commendations came from such countries like, the United States of America, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Gulf of Guinea Commission, who all assured of assistance in its antiterrorism fight.

The USA Senior Adviser on Darfur, Ambassador Dane Smith in company of the Ambassador of USA to Nigeria, Ambassador Terence P. McCulley, made this commendation at the ministry of defence in Abuja, when he led an entourage of its officials to office of the minister of defence.

Smith, in his speech, said the purpose of the visit was to commend officers of the Nigerian army in the fostering of peace within the African region.

Also, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea said the goals of vision 20-20-20 could only be attained in a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere encapsulated transformation agenda of the current administration.

The Korean Ambassador, Jang Hak Se noted that there was no doubt that officers of the Nigeria army has performed creditably well in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria, he therefore called on the minister of Defence to fast track the MoU on security pact between the two countries.

He observed that both countries, in the last 30 years, have been of help to each other both economically and politically stressing that the relationship was equally capable of solving some of the problems facing the country, especially insecurity if the potentials of the union are fully harnessed.

Meanwhile, the executive secretary, Gulf of Guinea

Commission and his deputy, Miguel Travoada and Adenike Ukanga respectively also commended the role of Nigeria military officers and called on the minister to formulate a comprehensive method on how to solve African problems.

After all the encomiums, the Minister of Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed said was aware of the numerous problems confronting the sub region and assured the visiting envoys of the resolution of the present administration to foster both internal and external peace among African countries.

The minister, however, expressed displeasure over the attitude of Sudan government in frustrating peace keeping officers in its country.

On the spate of Boko Haram, the minister added that officers of the military have tried by ensuring that their nefarious activities were restricted to avoid widespread of the violence while also expressing confidence in halting the phenomenon soonest.

Gen Isa returns to familiar terrain

T

hough Maj. Gen. Raphael Isa, the immediate past Director, Army Public Relations (DAPR), performed creditably well as the spokesman of the army while he held forth, there is however a consensus that the general is returning to familiar terrain as the new Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army.

This is because all his years in the military before being seconded to the information department, he has remained a military policeman. As a policeman in the army, his duties include discipline erring men and officers of the army. Juxtaposed with his secondment to the information arm, some say negates his original calling.

However, it must be observed that he is not going down as the first military police to speak for

the army. Late Maj. Gen. Solomon Giwa-Amu a man generally referred to as a soldier and a gentleman was also a military police. The irony of it all is that these two gentlemen performed excellently well as army spokes persons. The question on every lip right now is; which department of the army is the next director of army public relations going to come from.

Maj. Gen. Isa replaces Maj. Gen. Yusuf Pyeng.

On the marble

Therefore those who win every battle are not really skillful-those who render others' armies helpless without fighting are the best of all.

—Master Sun, The Art of War Gen. Raphael Isa as DAPR

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Why GOC 1 Div was redeployed M

ore facts have emerged on why the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Maj Gen Joseph Shoboiki, was moved to Defence Headquarters as Director of Policy (D Pol) and former Director Training at the Army Headquarters, Maj Gen Garba Ayodele Wahab replaced him.

According to very reliable source in military circles, the recent bombing of the headquarters of the 1 Div, a formation regarded in army circles as next only to the army headquarters in Abuja in ranking was seen by the top military hierarchy as negligence on his part.

Also, the shooting of the Director of Finance in the government office of Kaduna state by security operatives attached to government house was seen as something that could have been averted if the GOC was in control of the situation in the state.

To add to his woes, the inability of the army division to arrest the insecurity in Kaduna metropolis and its environs which continue to degenerate by the day was pointed out as a reason for his replacement with somebody capable of tackling the threat posed by the Boko Haram sect in the state.

In other postings by the army, Maj Gen JO Nwaogbo is now the new GOC for 3 Division, while Maj Gen Sunday O Idoko is leaving the 82 Division to become the Chief of Logistics (COLOG) at the Army Headquarters. Maj Gen OO Oshinowo of the Special Task Force (STF) Jos is takes over from him as GOC 82 Division The Commander, Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery (NACA), Maj Gen Emmanuel Etim Bassey has been appointed as the Chief of

Administration at Army Headquarters. Maj Gen MB Ibrahim formerly of Defence Headquarters now commands the Special Task Force (STF) Jos. In the same vein, Maj Gen AT Jibrin and Maj Gen U Buzugbe have been confirmed as Director of Military Intelligence (DMI) and Military Secretary (Army) respectively. The Director of Army Public Relations, Maj Gen Raphael Ishaku Isa, is now the Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army,

while the new Commander of the Nigerian Army Peace Keeping Centre (NAPKC) Jaji, is Maj Gen JS Zaruwa. Maj Gen AS AghaOkoro who until now was at the Department of Army Training and Operations (DATOPS) at the Army Headquarters is now the Director Legal Services (DLS).

Other new appointments include the Commander 3 Brigade, Brig Gen II Abbah; Commander 31 Brigade, Brig Gen Ilouga; Commander 21 Brigade, Brig Gen

RO Bamigboye anaaf of Staff at the 81 Division, Brig Gen CO Okoro, is now Sector Commander/Nigerian Contingent Commander of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), while Brig Gen MA Koleoso has been appointed the Sector Commander/Nigerian Contingent Commander for the United Nations Mission in Dafur (UNAMID).

Twenty-nine Major Generals and 43 Brigadier Generals are affected in the redeployment.

CAS visits housing minister, solicits support

H

ousing problems for serving and retired personnel of the Nigerian Air Force will soon be a thing of the past as the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal M.D. Umar is poised to making sure that officers and men of the Service are decently accommodated.

The Chief of Air Staff was at the Honourable Minister of Land, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs Amal Pepple office recently to seek for her assistance and support on how to provide affordable housing to NAF personnel.

Air Marshal Umar congratulated the Minister on her well deserved appointment and declared "I am in support of your laudable vision of providing shelter for Nigerians. Your vision too is one of our key drivers which is also part of the government transformation agenda".

Responding, the Honourable Minister commended the Chief of Air Staff championing the cause of his personnel and assured him that her ministry would assist him to realize his dream of providing decent accommodation for his personnel. In her words, "We will assist you to realize your vision and that of other Nigerians".

Prior to the Chief of Air Staff visit to the Honourable Minister, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) signed Memorandum of Understanding with the NAF for the development of NAF 120 hectares land situated at Abuja.

On the Chief of Air Staff entourage to the Minister were Branch Heads, Managing Director NAF properties Ltd and Directors.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal M.D. Umar (4th from right), District Head of Dawakin Tofa, Alhaji Ibrahim Chigari (4th from left) in a group photograph with AOC TC and Branch Chiefs

District head of Dawakin Tofa commends NAF for siting school in Kwa

T

he District Head of Dawakin Tofa, Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf Chigari, has commended the Nigerian Air Force for establishing the Air Force Comprehensive School, Kano in his domain. Alhaji Ibrahim gave the commendation when he paid a courtesy call to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar at the Headquarters Nigerian Air Force Abuja.

Alhaji Ibrahim said he was at the Air Force Headquarters to register the appreciation of the entire people of Dawakin Tofa in particular and Kano State in general to the Nigerian Air Force for establishing the Air Force Comprehensive Secondary School in Kwa town which took off in of 2011. He disclosed that the relationship between the Nigerian Air Force and the people of Kano

State has been very cordial since inception of flying activities in the state. He therefore wished the Chief of the Air Staff God's guidance, protection as he continue to anchor the affairs of the NAF. In response, The Chief of Air Staff said that I School would admit the wards of both Air Force personnel, the host community and other Nigerians, Air Marshal Umar thanked the

District Head allowing the Nigerian Air Force to develop the parcel of land on which the school was built. He attributed this to the Kano State people's love for developing their State. He reiterated the Nigerian Air Ft commitment to improving the living standard of their host communities and to compliment government's effort by providing them with social amenities.

NAFOWA commission’s cancer diagnostic centre

N

AFOWA, the acronym for Nigerian Air Force Officers' wives Association last week commissioned its cancer diagnostic and treatment centre in Abuja.

At the commissioning ceremony which took place at the Nigerian Air Force Base, NAFOWA President, Hajiya Aisha Uwani Umar said the association procured medical equipments that will cater for the health need of both men and women regardless of their geographical location.

According to her "We procured state of the art equipment for cervical cancer screening, a health

challenge noted to be mostly prevalent in Northern Nigeria.

Also, equipment for breast cancer screening was procured to cater for this health issue which is more common in Southern Nigeria.

"We considered it appropriate to provide for our men without whom we couldn't have taken these giant strides" Justifying the rationale for locating the edifice in Abuja, Hajiya Aisha said as the nation's capital city, Abuja was considered apt since it is also located in the heart of the country.

On continuity, the NAFOWA President revealed that

comprehensive measures had been put in place to foster continuity and operational effectiveness. She disclosed that the centre will be handed over to the 108 NAT Hospital to operate while NAFOWA will oversee the centre's activities" In his remark at the occasion, the Chief of Air staff (CAS) said the commissioning was another millstone achievement of NAFOWA. "Over time, available statistics have shown that in Nigeria, cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer in women, after breast cancer, particularly

among those within the age bracket of 15 and 44 years. It must also be stated that it is not only women who are at risk of cancers as men and children have become victims of this deadly malady too" The CAS stated.

He assured NAFOWA of the necessary support required to sustain the project Air Marshal Umar, used the occasion to disclose that plans were at top gear to revive the abandoned Aero-medical centre at Kaduna within the shortest possible time.

The occasion attracted dignitaries from all the Air Force formations nationwide.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

PAGE 29

IFAD to establish country offices to Poultry farmers in Bwari tackle vet officials enhance partnership in Nigeria, says DG

P

oultry farmers in Bwari Area Council of the FCT have criticised what they described as “poor attitude to work” by some veterinary officials in the area.

The Proprietress of Sweet Chicken Farm, Mrs Rifkatu Tanko, who spoke on behalf of the farmers in Bwari, in FCT recently, expressed concern over the poor response of some of the officials whenever they were called to render medical services to their birds.

“There is need for the veterinary officials to be up and doing while performing their official duties, to curb the spread of poultry diseases and there is need for them to respond quickly to calls to vaccinate or provide medication to our birds,” Mrs Tanko said.

Tanko criticised some of the officials for making certain requests

which poultry owners sometimes found difficult to fulfil.

“They often request for the provision of vehicles to convey them to and from farms; they also complain of the bad state of roads to our farms and short notices,” she said.

She, therefore, solicited the support and cooperation of the veterinarians to prevent their birds from dying.

Tanko urged Nigerians to eat more of chicken than beef or other red meat to avoid heart disease, gout, cholesterol and other related sickness.

She stressed the need for both the government and the private sector to invest in poultry production to generate employment, increase economic activities and encourage healthy living. (NAN)

T

he International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) said recently that it would open country offices with full complement of staff as part of its plans to enhance its partnership in the country.

The Director-General of the organization, Mr Ides Willebois, made this known during a courtesy call on the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala, in Abuja.

“It is very important to focus on country offices and my policy from now on is that the entire large portfolio we have, there would be

full compliments of staff that will be based in country so that we have country programmer managers in the country,” Willebois said.

“A larger county also an associate country programme manager, country officer and of cause an assistant, as well as other full time staff to cover the portfolio would mean that IFAD is much closer and nearer to you; you don’t have to fly in fly out to the mission,” the DG explained.

“We will drop some of the initial mode of operation starting with the mode of this our interaction with

yourself and other partners both for design and supervision.”

According him, IFAD Nigeria’s country office will be fully operational in the next few weeks to focus on the partnership.

He said that a host agreement has been signed by the IFAD and the Ministry of foreign Affairs to enable it establishe the country office with full accreditation.

The agreement, he said, would help to reduce the repeated mistakes made in designs of various projects carried out in the county.

(NAN)

Babura LG spends N5m on irrigation farming

T

he Chairman of Babura Local Government in Jigawa State, Alhaji Aminu Ahmed, has said that the council spent about N5.7 million to construct 125 tube wells to boost irrigation farming in the area.

Ahmed, who announced this recently in Babura, in Jigawa State, explained that the council, in collaboration with the Hadejia/ Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, under Fadama irrigation development, constructed the wells for irrigation farms in different communities in the area.

The Chairman also said the effort was to complement those of the state and Federal Government in the drive to ensure food security and improve agriculture through irrigation farming.

The council boss noted that each

well was constructed at the cost of N45, 000 in 128 villages.

He said it started with a pilot project at Kuzunzumi village where the council provided the farmers with water pump generators.

Ahmed said the council was encouraged to expand the project to various villages that had Fadama in their areas.

“The council therefore contacted the Hadejia/Jama’are River Basin Authority for support and professional guide and it obliged,” the Chairman said.

The Chairman, who said Dankarda, Garungudunya, Insharuwa, Kuzunzumi, and Rafintsamiya were among the benefiting communities, however, commended the Authority for its support and encouragement.

(NAN)

Fertiliser: Yari asks LGs to remit over N2bn

G

overnor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara state has directed Local Government Councils in the state to remit to the treasury, the over N2.45 billion realised from the sales of fertiliser during the last farming season.

Yari, who gave the directive recently in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, warned that failure to comply with the government directives would incur the wrath of the law.

The Governor also said the act was not only criminal but unacceptable, saying that “only N396 was realised from the sales of the fertiliser which was sold to farmers at the subsidised cost of N1, 000 per bag.”

He said: “It would no longer be business as usual for anyone who mismanage public resources in the state, adding; “we will not compromise fairness in order to satisfy some selfish interests.”

Yari announced that the

government would spend N4 billion to procure fertiliser for farmers during the forthcoming farming season, but warned that local councils that failed to pay for last year’s allocation would not get the commodity.

“Even if the commodity arrived at a defaulting local government, the council will not access it unless it settled its debts,” he said.

The governor, however, reassured that the government would continue to support farmers and other citizens of the state.

On the Supreme Court’s verdict which upheld his election, Yari said he would now concentrate in serving the people without distraction, “I have always believed in the ability of the judiciary to confirm that my election was the people’s mandate. With this development, I will now be more prepared to serve my people

Mechanised farming will boost food production in the country

Rice Production: FG, Taraba, Dominion farms sign $40m agreement

By Mohammed Kandi

N

igeria’s rice production has received a major boost following the signing of tripartite implementation agreement between the Federal Government, Taraba State and Kenya’s Dominion Rice and Integrated Farms Limited on the establishment of a 40-milliondollar integrated farm in the state.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, at the agreement signing ceremony said the production would be fully integrated in a 30,000 hectare farming area so as to rapidly transform the country’s moribund agricultural sector.

Dr Adesina also said that under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA), the Federal Government, was ready to reposition agriculture as a business that will create millions of jobs, grow the country’s foreign exchange and reduce dependency on food

import.

“Yes, food security is important, but given our immense natural resources, our goal is even bigger; we want to make Nigeria an agriculturally-industrialised economy and this requires that we change how business is being done in agricultural sector,” the minister stated.

According to him, through the project tagged “Massive Green Revolution on Rice”, Nigeria was expected to become self-sufficient in rice production within the next four years and the impact to be felt within two years.

The minister, who regrets huge funds being spent on food import, explained that “Nigeria spends over N1.3 Trillion importing just four basic food items; wheat (N635 Billion), rice (365 Billion), sugar (N217 Billion) and fish (N97 Billion).”

Dr Adesina declared that the Federal Government was making efforts to move Nigeria from a food

importing nation into a food selfsufficient and exporting nation, saying the project would save the country more than N54 billion in foreign exchange annually from the amount spent on rice importation.

He assured that in addition to some young Taraba farmers that would receive training in Kenya, over 14, 000 farmers would form cluster groups, while an additional 1,000 individual farmers would be created and all would be linked to a world class rice mill to be installed

by Dominion farms.

Also speaking, former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, charged African leaders on food security and a lasting solution to food shortage in Africa.

Obasanjo, who declared that a lot of Africans ware hungry, said quick attention at the highest political level by the African leaders must given to the agricultural sector, while calling on stakeholders in the sector to work hard towards the success of the project.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

PAGE 30

Alleviating poverty through modern agriculture in Ondo state P

roductivity and employment are issues that are central to the social and economic life of every country. While it is a fact that a country with high productivity is often characterised by a high capacity utilisation (optimal use of resources), high standard of living, low rate of unemployment and great social progress, unemployment, on the other hand, has been categorised as one of the serious impediments to social progress. It generates welfare loss in terms of lower output, thereby leading to lower income and well-being.

It has been argued that continuous improvement in productivity is the surest way to break the vicious circle of poverty which productivity and unemployment have generated in developing countries. Growth in productivity provides a significant basis for adequate supply of goods and services, thereby improving the welfare of the people and enhancing social progress.

Perhaps it is the realisation of this fact that made Gov. Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State to resolve to tackle youth unemployment in the state through massive investment in mechanised farming. To achieve this objective, Mimiko has established three farm settlements under his “Caring Heart” Programme as a pilot scheme. These are: Agric Village, Ore in Odigbo Local Government area of the state, Auga Farm City, in Akoko North East Local Government area of the state and Epe Farm Settlement in Ondo East Local government area of the state.

At the inauguration of the agric village in Ore, the governor enjoined the 1,500 graduate resident farmers, who are the first batch of over 10,000 youths that are expected to be accommodated in the first phase of the agric settlement, “to be focused and show seriousness to the task

Women peeling cassava tubers ahead of them”.

Mimiko expressed confidence that the project would serve as a model and a great motivation for Nigerians to accept agriculture as a profitable venture and veritable tool for reducing unemployment.

He noted that all necessary facilities, including accommodation, have been provided for the farmers.

“I want to encourage you all young graduate farmers that this is about you, it is about the future of this state, it is about a task to be chosen by a nation if it wants to get out of poverty. Through your activities here, I believe that Nigeria will come to learn that farming is a profitable venture and it is one avenue that we can

A farmer carrying out a manual irrigation

explore to ensure that we defeat youth unemployment in Nigeria.

“We’ve made this agric village comfortable for you so that you can also concentrate on your job.

The entire crop farming activities here will be tractor -driven, your weed control will be chemically done, and each of you will be empowered with facilities for crop farming, fish farming, poultry farming, mushroom farming and I’m sure this is a solution to our unemployment problem,” the governor said.

The second in the series of the Agriculture Villages in the state is located in Epe in Ondo East Local Government area of the state and it is nearing completion. Mimiko, during a recent tour of inspection,

expressed satisfaction at the level of work on the farm where the construction of accommodation for the over 1000 young graduates has commenced.

The governor disclosed that 1000 cows had been ordered for diary purpose at the farm, while about 250 fish ponds are expected to be built.

“Our dream is that there will be no graduate left unemployed in this state in a few years to come.

This settlement will be mainly for cattle rearing. We have ordered 1000 cows and I want to say that each house here will have a cow that will produce milk.

“We shall fight poverty to a stand-still. We have no cause for poverty in this state. Over 1000 of our youth are engaged already at our farm settlement in Ore. We are benchmarking employment generation for Africa, we are going to irrigate dry season farming, our strategy is to deliver quality job for our people.

“I can say with every sense of responsibility that we are delivering good services to the people of this state and we shall continue to use our local resourcefulness,” he said.

The Auga Farm City, which is the third farm settlement to be established by the present government in the state, covers about 4000 hectares of land and it is expected to focus mainly on cattle rearing.During a recent news conference in Akure, the state government announced that the first set of arable crops planted at the settlement were ready for harvest.

Chairman of the state’s Wealth Creation Agency (WECA), Mr Bisi Adegoke, told newsmen that Mimiko had also made available 300 male and female cows toward

the establishment of a cattle ranch in the farm.

According to Adegoke, work at various departments of the farm is at different stages of completion. He added that 68 young graduates had been engaged at the site. Adegoke said that the Auga farm had since moved beyond the teething problem of transporting materials for construction to recording tangible results.

“We have constructed 60 fish ponds and are also putting up residential buildings. Already, some of the participants have established their own irrigated vegetable farms which they hope will yield all through the dry season. It is also of note that each of the participants at the Ore Farm has been producing 20 crates of eggs per day,” he said.

The traditional ruler of Auga Akoko, Oba Samuel Agunloye, said that the entire Akoko people would eternally remain grateful to the government for citing the Agric village in his domain which he called an agrarian community.

The monarch, who promised to offer all necessary supports to ensure that the government achieves the desired result, said that the project had provided job for about 80 artisans in the community.

However, chairman of All Farmers’ Association, Ondo State branch, Mr Joshua Oyedele, was skeptical about sustainability of the projects. He was of the opinion that the young graduates would soon desert the farms for greener pasture in cities at the earliest opportunity. According to him, the projects will yield better results in the hands of experienced farmers and not the youths. (NAN)

PAGE 31

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Senegal’s petit-dictator is the West’s man (I)

Senegal President Abdoulaye Wade spurred protests upon announcing his plans to run for a third term [AFP]

ANALYSIS

K

ingston, Canada - While governments in Western nations are beginning to disassociate from Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, the unacknowledged fact is that he has served them dutifully. Wade certainly knows this, which is why he feels capable of playing his hand so confidently in his determination to stay in power and suppress opposition, which left six dead in the first week of recent demonstrations.

The changes Wade has made to the constitution, enabling his personalisation of the state, were ushered in alongside a number of other changes that served to further open the country to foreign investment. The fact that this is not discussed by opposition members leading demonstrations under the banner of the "M23 movement" is an indication of the limits of its ability to remove him from power - or to offer the kinds of changes desired by the population.

Media reports on growing opposition to Wade often mention the scandal that arose from the president's commissioning of a 49m (160ft) statue outside Dakar, Senegal's capital, costing $27m. Not only has the statue been considered offensive to Muslim values, but Wade takes 35 per cent of fees paid by tourists to see the statue, all merchandising profits and copyright, justified on the basis of it being his "intellectual property". As Wade is so closely

attached to the project, a closer examination of it helps one understand something about the nature of the man, whose increasingly dictatorial behaviour the world must now contend with. Its construction also provides insights into the political economy of Wade's rule, which is deeply inserted into the multi-polar global economy.

These connections have fuelled the rise of an internal business class working in tandem with politicians widely criticised for corruption and theft of government finances.

While Wade's ego certainly competes with those of Tunisia's Ben Ali and Egypt's Mubarak, the political strength of opposition movements in Senegal is much weaker by comparison. Senegal's "M23" and Y'en a Marre ["Had enough"] movements suffer from weak analysis, weak - perhaps even non-existent - ideological positions, and shallow connections with narrow segments of society. Y'en a Marre members are fortunately starting to express some dissatisfaction with the culture of the M23, which is dominated by figureheads, whose politics closely resemble those of President Wade. However, it remains to be seen whether they will generate a more powerful analysis and grassroots political practice.

The statue and Senegal's FDI 'renaissance' Wade's scandalous statue is called "The African Renaissance", formed in ideological association with former South African president Thabo Mbeki's

campaign. Launched in 1997, the campaign aimed for Africa to undergo a renaissance that, according to Mbeki, would include increasing social cohesion, democracy, economic growth and the establishment of Africa as a significant player in world affairs.

Mbeki, along with Muammar Gaddafi, then spearheaded a transformation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), folding it into the African Union (AU). Many have suggested that this process resulted in the abandonment of many pan-Africanist goals of social justice. The most obvious example of this has been the AU's adoption of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), a vehicle to expand the reach of neoliberal free-market economic policy throughout the continent. In short, NEPAD further opened the continent to foreign investment - enshrining property rights, treating foreign firms on par with indigenous firms, cutting taxes, enabling the expropriation of profits, creating tax-free zones, and limiting the rights of workers.

According to Senegal Interior Minister Maitre Ousmane Ngom

in 2009: "On the one hand, these reforms aim at improving the business environment, and on the other hand modernising the legal framework and the geological infrastructures to attract and develop foreign direct investments." Not surprisingly, international business interests have offered significant praise for Wade's government over the years. Ousmane boasted that the World Bank's latest "Doing Business" report ranked Senegal as the top reforming country in Africa, and the fifth in the world.

It is fitting, then, that Wade's "African Renaissance" statue was built by a North Korean firm, rather than by the Senegalese.

Larger than the Statue of Liberty, it depicts a bare-chested, herculean man facing Mecca with a child on his left shoulder, pointing - presumably into the future (which, oddly enough, is in the direction of Europe). On his right he holds a scantily clad woman literally falling off her feet in his grip, giving the scene a sense of forward motion - led by the strength of the African man.

The ideological lie here is that for at least 40 years, research has shown that women are responsible for the vast majority of labour

“

performed on the continent. If the statue were to depict something closer to reality, it might show a woman with a child on her back, firewood on her head and food in her hands, while a man maybe sits in the background waiting for a meal. This is not to suggest Senegalese men are not hustling for cash in a whole number of ways. Rather, unemployment rates of around 48 per cent mean they do so in a highly competitive and degrading fashion for wages whose purchasing power constantly diminishes.

Understandably, many feel a deep sense of despair and humiliation on a daily basis.

In examining the selfproclaimed achievements of Wade's government, it is difficult to figure out where he derives this muscular image of the African man venturing forth into the terrains of science, technology and the arts - surely essential to any "renaissance".

Wade's primary skill seems to have been signing cheques to foreign companies. By far the most significant achievement for Wade has been opening up mineral exploitation in the country's Toumbacounda region, facilitated by a $527m project to build the largest port in West Africa.

The port is being built in a public-private initiative with DP World - an affiliate of the Dubai World Group, a company that also took on an $800m deal to build and run a special economic zone, based upon the Jebel Ali free-trade zone in Dubai. The port facilitates the extraction of gold by a Canadian and Saudi company, Oromin Venture Group, and two other Canadian companies; Sabodala Mining and Lamgold Group.

They are joined by Jerseybased Randgold, and the multinational Arcelor Mittal.

Numerous other valuable metals are found in the area, such as copper, chromium, lithium and uranium. The quantities seem to be less significant than the rare properties they offer for blending in new metal composites.

These minerals will make their way to port via massive road rehabilitation and construction projects, which have been doled out to companies such as Swissbased SGS Industrial, and China's Henan Industrial Cooperation Group and APIX, the government investment agency.

Many Senegalese find it painfully insulting that, after 50 years of independence, they still cannot even build their own roads.

Source: Aljazeera

The changes Wade has made to the constitution, enabling his personalisation of the state, were ushered in alongside a number of other changes that served to further open the country to foreign investment.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

PAGE 32

Egypt fails to set presidential poll date

Zimbabwe’s new fees will cripple mines: industry

Z

imbabwe's new mine licence fees and resource rentals will significantly raise the cost of mining and threaten the sector's viability, with as much as 60 percent of mining revenues going to the government, an industry body said yesterday.

The southern African country hiked pre-exploration fees for most minerals by as much as 8,000 percent in January, with registration charges for platinum and diamond claims going up to $2.5 million and $5 million, respectively, in a move it says is meant to curb the speculative holding of mine titles.

Miners now must also pay annual ground rentals ranging from $500 per hectare for chrome to $3,000 per hectare for diamonds, according to a government notice.

The Zimbabwe Chamber of Mines told a parliamentary committee hearing that the new fees, coupled with royalty increases of 7.5 percent for gold and 10 percent for platinum announced in the 2012 budget, would seriously hurt miners who have yet to fully recover from a decade-long economic crisis.

"The fee structure is unworkable.

The industry is already overburdened by the totality of statutory charges, royalties, levies and commissions," the chamber's vice president, Allan Mashingaidze, told the parliamentary committee.

Chad’s anti-graft minister held on corruption

C

had's minister for morality and good governance has been sacked and charged with corruption, accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in funds meant for cracking down on graft, officials said yesterday.

Ahmadaye Al Hassan was sacked on Sunday night as the oil-producing Central African nation's anti-corruption minister before the state prosecutor and head of the judicial police read him his charges in person on Monday.

"They came this morning to tell me that I have been charged with fraud and stealing public funds, which I deny," Al Hassan told Reuters by telephone on Monday.

A policeman close to the investigation, who asked not to be named, told Reuters Al Hassan had been accused of diverting several credit lines and stealing some 360 million CFA francs that had been meant for corruption probes.

Egyptians have already elected a new parliament but need to replace their ruling military council [REUTERS]

T

he judicial committtee supervising Egypt's first voting since its revolution has set a date for nominations to begin for the presidential election but failed to follow through on a promise to announce when the election will actually happen.

The committee had been expected to announce a date on Sunday, but judges told a news conference the decision was being

delayed as they worked out how to ensure Egyptians abroad will have enough time to vote.

Farouk Soltan, the head of Egypt's highest court and the committee chief, said counting expatriate votes for the presidential election would be harder than during the parliamentary election since the vote would happen on one day, rather than over nearly three

months.

The military council that took over from President Hosni Mubarak in February last year has faced repeated street protests demanding a swifter transfer of power to a civilian authority. In response to protests, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) promised to hold a presidential election by the end of June.

"There was a lot of anticipation ahead of the scheduled announcement, with several leaks and statements that perhaps presidential elections would take some time in the first week of June," said Al Jazeera's Rawya Rageh, reporting from Cairo.

Rageh said the delay, whether intentional or not, would probably start renewed anger against the SCAF. Soltan said the nomination period would open on March 10 and close on April 8. He also pledged that elections would be held according to the military's timetable.

"The committee has decided to postpone announcing the schedule for elections until it can reach a solution that will allow Egyptians abroad to vote in a manner that will make their participation real," Soltan said.

Several prominent figures have already announced they plan to run, including Amr Moussa, Egypt's former foreign minister and Arab League chief and Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh, ex-Muslim Brotherhood member.

Egyptian media have also reported that Nabil el-Arabi, the current Arab League chief - a former foreign minister as well has met the Muslim Brotherhood and the ruling military council to discuss his own potential candidacy.

Election anger mounts in Senegal

T

he state-owned news service confirmed the death yesterday of a young man in a suburb of the capital Dakar as demonstrations intensified, and the opposition said they would organise more protests.

Several people have been killed since the street clashes began late last month after Wade's candidacy was validated by the country's top legal body.

The 85-year-old Wade, who came to power in 2000, is insisting on running again, despite the deepening unrest and calls from both France, Senegal's former colonial master, and the US to hand power to the next generation.

Wade will face more than a dozen rivals in the election, including

former allies Macky Sall and Idrissa Seck. A runoff will be held if no candidate wins more than half the total vote.

Adama Gaye, a Senegalese journalist, told Al Jazeera the situation in the country was "extremely serious" and branded Wade an "autocrat", adding that he is "power hungry".

"Nobody is going to accept what he [Wade] is doing," he told Al Jazeera.

Clashes took on a religious dimension in the normally tolerant West African Muslim nation on Sunday with hundreds gathering outside a mosque as religious leaders met to discuss an incident in which police used grenade launchers and hit the wall of a mosque.

Senegalese are continuing their protests against incumbent president Abdoulaye Wade's decision to seek a third term in office, erecting barricades and pelting police with rocks just days before a presidential election.

Second miner killed in S.Africa platinum strike

A

second miner has been killed in clashes between rival unions striking at Impala Platinum's flagship plant, deepening more than a month of labour unrest at the world's biggest platinum mine, police said yesterday.

Regional police spokesman Thulani Ngubane said a riot started on Sunday

when 600 men went house-to-house through a township trying to force others to join them in a vandalism spree at the mine, which accounts for 15 percent of world platinum output.

"Their intention was to take them to the mineshaft. The police struggled to disperse the crowd," said Ngubane.

The dead man had been shot, and

another was found with a bullet wound in the thigh, he added.

Tensions at Implats' Rustenburg operation, 120 km (80 miles) northwest of Johannesburg, have been high since more than 17,000 workers were sacked following an illegal stay-away by drill operators on January 12.

Striking miners fought running

battles with police last week, and a man was stripped naked and beaten to death by a mob for trying to report for work.

The industrial action has brought the mine to a standsill and is costing Impala, the world's second-biggest producer of the precious metal, about 3,000 ounces a day in lost output.

In ‘failed state’ Somalia, instability is lucrative for some

L

ife got easier for trader Siad Hussein when Somali Islamist militants pulled out the capital. He no longer pays a Jihad tax nor does he have to watch mortars kill his customers.

Small mercies, Hussein said in Mogadishu's frenetic Bakara market, under government control since al Shabaab withdrew its fighters from the city in August

under pressure from African troops, ending the almost daily artillery fire.

But the recent security gains in Mogadishu, where vines crawl out of blown out houses and famine victims squat under once majestic colonial facades, have not been matched by political progress, a headache for foreign powers and regional allies.

On a trip this month to the coastal city, British Foreign Secretary William Hague described Somalia as the "world's most failed state" as he drummed up interest ahead of a London conference on February 23 to tackle Somalia's festering turmoil.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon will attend the meeting London hopes will refocus and better coordinate the

international response to Somalia.

One reason for the lack of political progress is that war and instability are lucrative. Somalia's power brokers, pirate kingpins and business tycoons are reluctant to give up the status quo.

Diplomats say many players in Somalia's turmoil find that by spoiling reform they can continue to reap the spoils of war.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

PAGE 33

Iran set for talks with IAEA team A

delegation from the UN nuclear watchdog has arrived in Iran yesterday for talks aimed at defusing international tensions over the country's atomic programme.

"We hope to have a couple of good and constructive days in Tehran," Herman Nackaerts, deputy-director general of the UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said at Vienna airport as the five-member team prepared to depart.

"The highest priority remains of course the possible military dimensions of Iran's nuclear programme," he told reporters, making clear he wanted to see concrete results in the talks with Iranian officials.

Western diplomats have downplayed any hopes of a major breakthrough during the two-day talks, even though it comes just a few days after signs of a possible opening for diplomacy in the long-running nuclear dispute.

The outcome, after an

Iran says its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes [IRIB Iranian TV/Reuters]

A South Korean K-1 tank fires live rounds during a military exercise near the border with North Korea on September 30, 2011.

inconclusive first round of discussions last month, could determine whether the international standoff over Iran's uranium enrichment programme escalates further or offers scope to reduce tensions.

Iran denies Western allegations that it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons but its refusal to curb uranium enrichment work, which it says is for civilian purposes, has raised concerns.

Ali Akbar Salehi, the Iranian foreign minister said his country was keen to quickly resume talks with world powers, once a place and date were agreed.

The last talks collapsed in Istanbul in January 2011, but Tehran has responded positively to an EU offer to look at reviving them.

"We are looking for a mechanism for a solution for the nuclear issue in a way that it is win-win for both sides," Salehi said.

But he added that Iran remained prepared for a "worst-case scenario."

South Korea carries out military drill despite threats from North

S

outh Korea fired live artillery yesterday in a military drill near the country's heavily armed border with North Korea, which has described the exercise as a provocation.

The drill Monday involved howitzers, mortars and attack helicopters, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported. It took place on islands off the west coast of the Korean peninsula where tensions have flared in the past.

Seoul notified the North on Sunday of the drill, a regular live-fire exercise that lasts an hour. About 1,000 island residents were moved to safe areas during the drill, Yonhap reported, citing military officials.

"This is a very dangerous play with fire to ignite a war against the North as it is a clear declaration of war against it," Pyongyang's state-run Korean Central News Agency reported Sunday, citing a bulletin from the Secretariat of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea.

In late 2010, North Korea responded to a South Korean military

exercise in the same area by firing artillery at Yeonpyeong Island, killing two South Korean marines and two civilians.

"If the puppet warmongers preempt reckless firing despite our warning, they will not escape punishment thousands-fold severer" than the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island, the bulletin said. It identified "the puppet warmongers" as being South Korea and the United States, which has tens of thousands of troops in South Korea.

The death in December of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and the subsequent anointment of his son and chosen successor, Kim Jong Un, has created uncertainty about the future direction of the secretive regime in Pyongyang.

Further tensions over military maneuvers on the Korean peninsula are expected in the coming weeks.

There are two joint exercises planned involving thousands of U.S. and South Korean forces scheduled between February and April.

Eurozone set to decide on Greek rescue

E

Protests have been held in many cities across Europe in solidarity with the people of Greece [Reuters]

urozone finance ministers are expected to approve a $170bn second bailout package for Greece in order to prevent the beleaguered country from defaulting on its debt.

After weeks of difficult negotiations, the ministers are scheduled to start meeting at the EU headquarters in Brussels from 3:30pm local time (14:30 GMT) on Monday, bidding to greenlight terms on an exchange of bonds held by private investors.

Senior officials from eurozone finance ministries and the European Central Bank held a conference call on Sunday to go over the final details of the bailout, including a debt sustainability analysis critical to the International Monetary Fund [IMF].

For the caretaker Greek government led by technocrat Lucas Papademos, financial aid is needed to meet bond repayments of 14.5bn euros [$18.8bn] due on March 20.

Papademos flew to Brussels for lastminute preparations as thousands of demonstrators massed in the capital Athens' central Syntagma square.

Riot police shielded the national assembly, braced against a repeat of riots a week ago that saw buildings torched and looted across downtown Athens after a much larger rally involving tens of thousands.

There have been demonstrations in many cities across Europe in solidarity with Greek people who have been hit hard in the wake of massive austerity cuts.

Greek parliament last week passed austerity measures worth 3.3bn euros [$4.3bn] that included cuts in pension, salaries and tax increases.

There is still scepticism in Germany and other countries that Greece will be able to live up to its commitments, but officials said momentum was building for approval of the deal.

PAGE 34

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Pakistan-Afghanistan talks ‘end in acrimony’

A

fter two days of high-level talks with Iran and Pakistan, Afghanistan has failed to gain Pakistani support for its bid to advance its peace process with Taliban fighters.

Pakistan's foreign minister told Afghanistan on Friday against having "ridiculous" expectations of what Pakistan could do to help Taliban peace negotiations, as talks between the two countries on the process ended in apparent acrimony.

The minister, Hina Rabbani Khar, said it was "preposterous" to think that Pakistan could deliver Taliban chief Mullah Omar to the negotiating table as Afghanistan has asked in the past, despite the Pakistani government's alleged ties to the group.

The public comments were unusually harsh for the diplomatic world where such quarrels usually play out behind closed doors. Khar's words demonstrated the depth of the frustration between the neighbouring countries as the war in Afghanistan enters its eleventh year.

Her words indicated a setback for a peace process that the US is

strongly promoting as a way to end the Afghan conflict and allow it to withdraw most of its combat troops by 2014 without the country further descending into chaos.

Pakistan is seen as critical to efforts to reach a settlement to Afghanistan's conflict and is believed to have influence over Afghan anti-government groups.

"The talks were hard. But sometimes you need to have hard talks," Khar said after the meetings.

Before Karzai arrived in Pakistan, Afghan officials said he would press Pakistan to provide access to senior Afghan Taliban leaders belonging to the so-called Quetta Shura, named after the Pakistani city where it is said to be based.

Pakistan has consistently denied giving sanctuary to the fighters and denies the existence of any Quetta Shura, or leadership council.

"We are willing to look at anything. But if you have unrealistic, almost ridiculous expectations, then you don't have sort of common ground to begin with," Khar said.

"Deliver Mullah Omar? If that is the expectation, then there's no reality check then. Then they're not only unrealistic, but preposterous," she said.

Karzai told the Wall Street Journal newspaper in an interview published on Thursday that talks among his

government, the US and the Taliban had taken place in the past month.

However, a Taliban spokesmanm Zabiullah Mujahid issued a strenuous denial, saying: "The Taliban did not talk with the Kabul government anywhere," he said in a statement.

Tajjudin Millatmal, an Afghan analyst in Kabul, told Al Jazeera that Afghanistan would need Iran and Pakistan to agree to any decision it made towards achieving lasting peace.

"It is very important for the sustainable peace in Afghanistan that the neighbouring countries

US and UK urge Israel S Korea holds military drill defying North not to attack Iran

The leaders of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan met to discuss a range of regional peace efforts [Reuters]

T

he United States and Britain have urged Israel against any military action against Iran and its nuclear programme, after Iranian warships passed through the Suez Canal to dock at the Syrian port of Tartous, ratchetting up tensions in the region.

Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the US joints chiefs of staff committee, and William Hague, the British foreign minister, both said that an Israeli attack on Iran would destablise the entire region, and urged Israel to give international sanctions against Tehran more time to work.

In comments on Sunday, Dempsey said an Israeli attack would be "not prudent", and Hague said it would not be "a wise thing".

In an interview broadcast on CNN on Sunday, Dempsey said

Israel has the capability to strike Iran and delay the Iranians "probably for a couple of years. But some of the targets are probably beyond their reach".

He expressed concern that an Israeli attack could spark reprisals against US targets in the Gulf or Afghanistan, where American forces are based.

"That's the question with which we all wrestle. And the reason that we think that it's not prudent at this point to decide to attack Iran,'' Dempsey said.

Describing Iran as a "rational actor", Dempsey said he believed that the international sanctions on Iran are beginning to have an effect.

"For that reason, I think, that we think the current path we're on is the most prudent path at this point."

S

outh Korea has conducted live-fire military drills near the disputed Yellow Sea border with North Korea, despite Pyongyang's threat to attack.

The South Korean defence ministry said the Marine Corps, which guards "frontline" islands near the flashpoint border began the exercise at about 10am local time [0100 GMT].

Ties between the two Koreas plummeted following the 2010 shelling of South Korea's Yeonpyeong Island [EPA]

Japan posts record trade deficit as energy costs climb

J

apan -- battered by a strong yen, slowing global demand and increased oil and gas imports due to last year's Fukushima nuclear disaster -posted a record trade deficit of $18.7 billion in January, according to official figures released yesterday.

The record fall was stoked by greater energy imports of gas and oil following the March 11earthquake, tsunami and resulting nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant, which forced the closure of most of Japan's atomic power plants.

"The sharp increase of oil price could be the main reason of the sharp deterioration of trade balance," said Takahide Kiuchi, chief economist for Nomura Securities in Tokyo.

Currently, only five reactors

out of 54 in the country are in operation after officials allowed most to fall idle in the wake of the Fukushima disaster.

By April, if more reactors are

not brought online the country will have no nuclear plants in operation, placing more pressure on its energy suppliers. Liquid natural gas imports alone climbed

Japan began allowing its nuclear reactors to fall idle after the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster in March last year.

28.2% year on year, according to the ministry's preliminary report.

Last month, U.N. nuclear experts gave a thumbs-up to Japan's planned "stress tests" for its remaining nuclear power plants to test whether they could withstand another emergency.

The team from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recommended Japanese regulators improve communication with the residents around the plants and address plans for dealing with severe accidents more comprehensively in the wake of the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl in 1986.

Monday's record deficit comes after Japan posted in 2011 its first annual trade deficit in 31 years, and underlines the difficulties facing the export-driven nation as it looks to rebuild.

About 1,400 civilians living on the islands were evacuated to bomb shelters during yesterday's drill, a local official said.

South Korean military officials said they were ready to repel any attack, but there was no immediate military response from the North to what Seoul terms a "routine" drill, which ended after about two hours.

South Korean troops on the five islands fired artillery into waters southward, away from nearby North Korea, a defence ministry official said.

The North, which was notified of the scheduled exercise on Sunday, had called the drills a "premeditated military provocation'' and warned it would retaliate for an attack on its territory.

"We are monitoring every movement by the South Korean warmongers. If they provoke us, there will be only merciless retaliatory strikes,'' officer Sin Chol Ung from the North's Korean People's Security Forces told The Associated Press news agency on Sunday.

Early on Monday, Pyongyang repeated threats of retaliation. North Korea is fully prepared for a "total war",' and the drills will lead to a "complete collapse" of ties between the Koreas, the North's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea said in a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency.

Seoul's unification ministry, which handles crossborder ties, said the regular exercise was held to safeguard national security and was not related to inter-Korean relations.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

PAGE 35

Cute alert: Scientists discover world’s smallest chameleon in Madagascar W ith the ability to change skin colour to blend in with their surroundings, chameleons are the masters at avoiding detection and can be difficult to spot at the best of times. This one in particular, though, as it's the world's smallest.

This specialist of the species is smaller than the width of a fingernail, and could reasonably be likened to finding a needle in a hay stack.

Eagle-eyed scientists visiting the small island of Madagascar, just off the coast of Africa, rose to challenge admirably after discovering what is believed to be the world's smallest chameleon.

The minute lizard, found on one of the country's smaller peripheral islands, measures just 29mm and can stand comfortably on the tip of a matchstick.

Island researcher Frank Glaw believes the discovery supports the theory that such

extreme dwarfism is a result of the small habitats in which the chameleons live.

'It is not accidental that the smallest species of a given taxonomic group often occur on islands,' said Dr Glaw.

'It is a typical and well-known phenomenon.

'It is possible that the big island of Madagascar has

Britain’s biggest meteorite discovered after 80 years lying on doorstep

A

The micro-lizard is believed to be the world's smallest (Picture: Barcroft Media)

British climbers set record jammed upside down in a crevice

T

wo years training in a cellar followed by hanging upside down hundreds of feet above a rocky gully may not be everyone's idea of fun.

But that is what daredevil British climbers Tom Randall, 32, and Pete Whittaker, 20, put themselves through to become the first to complete one of the toughest rock climbing challenges in the world.

The duo travelled to the Canyonlands National Park in Utah to take on a geological feature known as Century Crack - a 49m (160ft)-long gap between two huge rock formations.

To scale the crack, Tom and Pete first had to take on a 37m (120ft) horizontal stretch which meant they dangled perilously, often upside-down, above a rocky gully. And they did so without pre-placed equipment.

Tom, from Sheffield, said: 'All the work is done by our hands and feet. Feet work well because they're around the same width as the crack whereas, with our hands, we had to stack them together in all sort of bizarre shapes.'

The pair had already completed an arduous training programme using a replica of Century Crack built in Tom's basement.

They completed 5,300m (17,500ft) of horizontal, upside-down climbing, 42,300 pull-ups and bicep curls, and almost 16 hours of static abdominal holds during their six-days-a-week regime.

produced the general group of dwarf chameleons and the very small island has produced the tiny species.'

Four new species were found in total by the research team, who have raised their concerns over illegal logging in the area that they believe is having an adverse effect on the microcreature's vulnerable habitat.

Little by little: Tom Randall inches his way through his ascent of the crevice (Pic: Alex Ekins)

rock that lay on a doorstep for at least 80 years could be the biggest meteorite ever to fall in Britain according to experts.

Tests have shown the 90kg (200lb) rock, which is 49cm (1ft 7in) in length, fell to Earth 30,000 years ago.

The meteorite, which lay outside a house in Wiltshire until 1991, was taken to be examined by experts when the homeowners decided to sell the property.

Planetary science professor Colin Pillinger believes that the meteorite must have landed near a glacier which helped keep the space rock intact for such a long period.

'It's very unusual to find a meteorite this big in Britain,' he

said.

'They are very unstable, they contain a lot of metallic iron which oxidises and the meteorite falls to pieces.

'So the only logical explanation of how such a big meteorite may have survived being on Earth for 30,000 years is that it fell on or near a glacier and was in a deep freeze for 20,000 years.'

The giant rock was then picked up and moved by druids looking for interesting artefacts on Salisbury Plain according to the professor who said he was '99.9 per cent' sure the meteorite fell in Britain.

It is currently on display at the Royal Society in London as part of the Objects in Space exhibition until March 31.

Meteorites usually fall to pieces upon impact (Picture: Reuters)

Hanging tough: Pete Whittaker tackles Century Crack upside down (Pic: Alex Ekins)

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

So that’s why those new specs are giving you a headache...

F

irst, it was the blurry train timetables on my daily commute, then the fuzzy specials on the blackboard at a local pub. But the last episode of BBC’s Sherlock was the final straw.

Long before the closing credits were rolling, all I could concentrate on was not the clever plot, but the aching, straining sensation behind my eyes.

Almost instantly after leaving my optician, Dollond & Aitchison, three weeks before with new shiny black frames and higher prescription lenses for my short-sightedness, I’d felt something was wrong with my glasses.

I was squinting to focus at anything in the distance. Put simply, I’d spent £350 on glasses that seemed no better than my old ones.

But during a return trip to my optician (or optometrist, to give the specialists who test our eyes their proper title), I was assured my glasses were correct. They didn’t like to ‘over-prescribe’ (make the glasses too strong), I was told. And the headaches? I should just ‘move closer’ to the TV. Confused and not-so-quietly fuming, I sought a second opinion from a rival chain, David Clulow, a few weeks later.

It recommended a huge increase in my prescription, from -9.5 dioptres (the unit used to measure how much your eye sight varies from the norm, i.e, 0) to -11.

Though my eyes are far worse than average — I’m granted free NHS eye tests at the grand old age of 27 because I’m so severely short-sighted — the difference seemed huge. So who was right and who was wrong?

Well, what might come as something of a shock to the 68 per cent of Brits who wear glasses is that the answer was neither.

For I was to discover when I turned to the experts that eye exams are not the objective test we might think.

To investigate, I had five eye tests in a month, and every prescription came back slightly different. Dollond & Aitchison remained the lowest and David Clulow the highest, while Specsavers, Vision Express and Boots recommended prescriptions in between the two.

What’s more, I discovered that the most ‘accurate’ prescription is not even necessarily the best.

According to research from the journal of the College of Optometrists, an estimated 2 per cent of spectacle wearers — 400,000 of us a year — return to our opticians unhappy with new lenses.

The true figure might be higher still, as it’s thought that many people simply revert to old glasses if they are unhappy with new ones.

The chances are that many of these people, like me, weren’t given the right prescription for their needs — or at least an explanation of what the optician was doing.

‘The difficulty with prescriptions is they can vary a little from one day to the next,’ says Dr Susan Blakeney, of the College of Optometrists.

‘If you had your eyes tested by the same person over several weeks, or by a number of optometrists on the same day, you’d probably get slightly different results each time. The right prescription is the one the patient is happy with.’

So, if it’s not an exact science, how does your optometrist come up with a prescription for you?

The answer lies in a combination of the eye test and a discussion about your lifestyle, work, hobbies and eyesight needs.

For instance, some people — those who work in an office, for example — might not need perfect distance vision.

In fact, if you’re short-sighted, in your late 30s or 40s and working, it can often be beneficial to have slightly weaker glasses than you might ideally need — this won’t give you perfect distance vision, but will allow you to focus on things close to you more easily, such as the computer screen or a book.

This practice of deliberately giving weaker lenses than your full prescription is known as ‘underprescribing’.

As Dr Blakeney explains: ‘If your glasses are made up to your “correct” prescription to make the distance vision clear, your eyes have to focus intensely to see close up. Some people can’t tolerate this; they find it too strong and will get headaches from having to focus all the time.’

However, there is another situation where a lower prescription may be given on purpose: that is, where your vision has substantially changed to the extent that your eyes may be unable to cope with the large jump in prescription.

Instead, your optometrist may recommend a strength of lenses somewhere between your old and new ‘true’ prescription so you can get used to the change gradually.

This is known as ‘partial prescribing’ and, according to Professor David Elliott, of Bradford School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, is often a tool used by more experienced optometrists.

It may be used for people who are becoming more short or longsighted or who have trouble focusing as they get older. ‘You have to adapt to your new lenses, and the older you are, the longer it takes,’ says Professor Elliott. ‘A big change will affect the magnification of your glasses, so things will look smaller and

Difference of opinion: Jenny needs glasses for short-sightedness but got different prescriptions from different High Street opticians need a new prescription sooner, meaning a second pair of glasses or at least lenses to pay for.

On top of this, it can be hard to get the balance right. Giving too low a prescription can cause blurriness and headaches due to straining to see — as I experienced — and it can even be dangerous in some situations, such as night driving.

However, in certain circumstances — for example, if you drive for work — your optometrist may recommend your full distance prescription straight away, despite problems you may have adapting in the short-term.

This might explain why the second optician I saw recommended a large jump in prescription rather than a partial one.

It was the highest prescription of the five and would give me the b e s t distance vision, but would likely be hardest to adapt to.

T h e other four optometrists I visited recommended p a r t i a l prescriptions to avoid this leap — Eye test: Jenny discovered finding the right though it prescription is not an exact science further away or bigger and closer.’

What this can mean in practice is that giving you your true prescription straight away can result in a higher likelihood of falls and accidents — something that optometrists are clearly keen to avoid, particularly in elderly patients.

So, why don’t optometrists simply partially prescribe for everyone who has experienced a change?

First, according to Professor Elliott, one criticism that may get levelled at an optometrist for giving a partial prescription is that they are making more money by moving up people in increments — the customer may

seems the mistake that my regular optician Dollond & Aitchison made was failing to discuss a deliberately low partial prescription, which made my distance vision too poor.

More positively, Specsavers, Boots and Vision Express explained that my true prescription was up to 0.5 higher than the one they were giving, but that they wouldn’t be comfortable giving it to me as I’d likely experience headaches and spatial problems while I got used to it.

Having visited all the main High Street chains and learned about the process, I’ve opted for this middle ground. Yes, it’s frustrating to know I’ll have to pay for new lenses in another year or so, but it seems necessary for good sight.

Dr Blakeney advises finding a good optometrist — a member of the College of Optometrists — and building a relationship so they know your eyes. And always go back if you are unhappy with your vision.

A spokesman for Dollond & Aitchison says: ‘It is our policy to explain in detail what the customer is getting. We apologise if this is not what you experienced, and understand a full refund was given.’

WHAT TO ASK WHEN YOU HAVE AN EYE TEST DRIVING: Tell your optician if you will be frequently taking the car out after dark. Your distance vision needs to be very strong to make the task easier.

READING: If you’re shortsighted, not yet in varifocals and over 30, bear in mind a distance prescription might make it harder to read as your eyes have to focus more. Make sure your optician asks you to read something close up.

BIG CHANGES: If your prescription has gone up or down by more than 0.5-0.75 dioptres, talk to the optician about whether a partial prescription (somewhere in between your old and new one) might be more suitable. If you have a sudden, dramatic change of prescription, it could be a sign of diabetes so seek your GP’s advice.

SPECS POSITION: Ever noticed if you push your glasses closer to your face or further down your nose, your sight gets better or worse? This relates to the distance your lens is from your face, or ‘vertex distance’.

Your optician should always measure the distance the eye testing equipment is from your face, and adapt your prescription to your frames accordingly.

REFUNDS: Check the policy.

Legally, mistakes have to be corrected; however, if your prescription is within the right ‘range’, you might struggle to get a refund unless there’s a noquibble money-back policy.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

PAGE 37

‘We are poised to improve the lives of our people’ Alhaji Rabi'u Mohammed Ribah is the Chairman, Dank-Wasagu local government council, Kebbi state. He was a teacher, education secretary and council secretary before retiring to join politics. He spoke with our correspondent, Ahmed Idris, on his achivements, experience and other matters of interest since his assumption of office as the sole administrator of the local area council. Excerpts: INTERVIEW

Y

ou are well known in the state as a businessman and elderly man with integrity, what motivated you to go into active Politics?

I joined politics to contribute my quota towards changing the political attitude of my people as well as to transform the process of leadership. It is a big task for us to operate a good administration. We are desirous of changing the plight of the people. We want to lift them out of the doldrums of poverty, disease and political backwardness which has eaten deep into them.

One of our motives is to strengthen the socio-economic and political well being of the people of Danko Wasagu local government area of the state Alhaji Rabi'u Mohammed Ribah

How can you describe your office?

Thank God who made it possible for me to hold this position as Chairman Danko Wasadu Local Government. Although, the office is very demanding, we are trying our very best to ensure that the dividends of democracy get across to all nooks and crannies of Danko wasagu local government.

What raised your zeal to join the PDP in the state? Do you have the experience to move the people forward?

As far as I am concerned, and as a politician, PDP has the largest followership in Nigeria and it is the leading political party in Africa. I am proud that I belong to a party that is serious in development. We shall empower the people of Danko Wasagu this time around because they are ready for the transformation of the entire area.

My zeal to serve the PDP led government is for development of the area and also to provide my people the change needed to better their lives. The state must change for good.

However, I have the experience because after my retirement from the Ministry of Education in the state, I was Local Government Secretary, Educational Secretary

and was once elected Local Government Chairman before I was appointed as the sole administrator of the same local government. With this exposure before my retirement, I have full experience, and I am equipped enough to turn the lost fortune around. We are ready to set a good record in the administration of this council for others to follow when our time expires.

Can you x-ray some of your council's achievements?

In fact let me first commend my boss, the Executive Governor of Kebbi state, Alhaji Usman Saidu Dakingari for releasing funds to the council chairmen for the execution of the projects. A lot has been done for the development of the area.

Firstly, water provision. In consideration of the importance of water to human existence, even on

religious ground, the Dankowasagu local government council of Kebbi state is poised on massive portable water provision in the area.

In fact, before my administration the local government had a problem of portable water facilities.

During the past administration in the state there was a serious problem of water, some of the projects have been abandoned by the contractors handling the water projects in the area while, with the coming of the present administration, all the abandoned projects have been completed. At the council level, possible arrangements have been made to ensure that water is adequately provided for other areas of the Local Government.

The provision of portable drinking water now has made the

“

area, which was one time Guinea Worm Endemic Area, to be Guinea Worm Free one. This has made the Nigeria ex-Head of state Dr. Yakubu Gowan on Jimmy Carter Foundation to visit the area but now it is a thing of history.

In the health sector, a lot has also been done. Health is one of the cardinal focuses of this present administration. He (the Governor) constructed new general Hospitals; the governor also provided the Maternal and child Health care services free, including free drugs for expectant mothers and children of five years and below.

I also renovated rural health centers in Ribah including the staff quarters.

We constructed dispensaries at Unashi and Kanya and also did not record any case of polio in the area.

In the education sector, I

The provision of portable drinking water now has made the area, which was one time Guinea Worm Endemic Area, to be Guinea Worm Free one. This has made the Nigeria ex-Head of state Dr. Yakubu Gowan on Jimmy Carter Foundation to visit the area but now it is a thing of history.

renovated secondary and primary schools in the area. You know that education will be my major priority because I am a one time teacher so I did a lot to ensure that conducive environment for learning was being provided.

While for the Agriculture sector, you know Danko Wasagu has been described as one of the Food Baskes of Kebbi state and in Nigerian North-West geo- Political zone. The council presently serves as facilitator through moral supports and institutions.

Though the Kebbi state government disbursed tractors to the farmers and assorted seeds or grains for them through loan which can be paid instrumentaly, the local government is also employing the service of Agricultural Extension workers to coach her farmers on modern agriculture techniques as a form of agricultural technology transfer.

I also empowered youth in the area; provide the security and generate more revenues in other to boost the state revenue generation.

The Local Government is highly populated and it is currently receiving the highest Federal Statutory allocation in the state.

With the rate of corruption today, how have you been able to avert sharp tendencies in your council?

The issue of corruption is a wide spread demon. It has been there for long and local governments are affected. We can only reduce it through proper planning and prudence in management of scarce resource for development. But Inshallhau, we will try our best to reduce it through the able leadership of the Governor Alhaji Saidu Usman Dakingari with his good policy thrust of good governance in the management of affairs of the state . We are taking after him.

After your administration what do you intend to do?

Well, if my people want me again I will contest but if they don't want me, then I will go back to my business.

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Lamido swears-in 27 LG chairmen From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

T

housands of people gathered at the Muhammadu Sunusi arena in Dutse, the Jigawa state capital, to witness the swearingin of winners of last Saturday's elections in the 27 local government areas of the state. All the newly elected chairmen are

of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The mammoth crowd which yesterday defied the scotching sun alongside tight security measures put in place every where in the state capital, chanted political slogans of the various elected council chairmen.

The chairmen whom were reelected for the third consecutive

time were successful after the state ellectoral law allowing for only two terms was ammended by the state House of Assembly.

While swearing in the 27 council chairmen and their deputies, Governor Sule Lamido admonished them to be upright in the discharge of their statutory responsibilities to the electorates that voted them into office.

Lamido challenged them to justify to the world why they were re-elected through massive executions of programmes that would have direct bearing on the lives of the populace.

He told the chairmen to see themselves as not only ambassadors of the PDP, but also as respective leaders of other political parties.

PDP supporters jubilating over Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko's victory, on Sunday, in the Sokoto governorship election. Photo: NAN

Bayelsa PDP primaries: Jonathan, Sylva’s aides in war of words

By Lengnaan Tobias Dapam

T

he hitherto cordial relationship between President Goodluck Jonathan and the erstwhile governor of Bayelsa State, Timipreye Sylva, has taken a new dimension following the non inclusion of the former in the PDP primaries, creating a stage for their aides to engage in war of words on behalf of their bosses.

Special Adviser to the President on Communication and Media, Reuben Abati, was the first to set

the stage for the war of words, when he sought to justify Mr. Sylva's exclusion from the Bayelsa State gubernatorial race.

However, the former governor's media aide, Doifie Ola, in a statement, accused Mr. Abati of "cheap prevarications" and "lamentable imitation of truth and irresponsible misrepresentation."

The statement said "Abati would need a lot of seminars and lectures to interpret his principal's 03 February "metaphor" in the language Nigerians will understand and, perhaps, exorcise

him of the evil burden and guilt of "stoning" to conquer his home state," the statement said.

Ola revealed that "Since the beginning of the Bayelsa governorship crisis, which the President attempted to exclude Sylva, we have been very careful not to drag the presidency into it, considering the institution of the Nigerian Presidency," the former governor's aide added.

"But the point at which President Jonathan tended to forget that he was the president and became so partisan and petty that

Adamawa: Election tribunal yet to receive petition

T

wo weeks after the Adamawa governorship election, the tribunal sitting in Yola has yet to receive any petition on the election.

The Secretary of the tribunal, Malam Adamu Mohammed, who confirmed the development to Monday in Yola, said there was still time for any candidate or political party wishing to challenge the election to file its petition. ``We still have up to Feb. 26 for any aggrieved party to file its

petition, so for now, we have to wait and see if there will be any development before then" Adamu said.

Recalls that Murtala Nyako of PDP was declared winner of the Feb. 4 election scoring 302,953 votes out of the 658,253 votes cast.

Marcus Gundiri of ACN who polled 241,023 votes, and Buba Marwa (CPC) with 107,546 votes, rejected the results, but Ahmad of ANPP and Zainab Kwonchi of ADC who scored 3,885 and 2,846 votes, accepted the outcome.

In another development, the acting Chief Judge of Adamawa, Justice Batimawus Lawi, has fixed March 14 for further hearing in the case filed by the removed Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Sadiq Ibrahim and his deputy, Wale Fwa, challenging their removal.

Counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr Ayo Akams, had sought the adjournment to enable the lead counsel, Mr Kanu Agabi to appear in person. (NAN)

Aliyu urges Wamakko to run all-inclusive government

G

ov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger has congratulated Gov. Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto and PDP on the party's victory in Saturday's election.

A statement issued by Aliyu's chief press secretary, Malam Danladi Ndayebo described Wamakko's reelection as well-deserved.

Aliyu urged Wamakko to use the

fresh four-year term to consolidate on the good work he started during his first tenure.

He advised the PDP-led government to extend a hand of fellowship to those who were defeated at the poll, saying ``only an allinclusive government can bring about the desired change for a better a state.''

Aliyu thanked all PDP supporters in the state for their continued belief in the party and its leadership, urging them to continue to keep faith with the party.

He urged those who lost in the election to join hands with Wamakko in the overall interest of the party and the development of the state. (NAN)

he jettisoned virtually all known principles of objectivity to celebrate lawlessness and anarchy, we had the responsibility to call him to order. And that was what we did.

He said that the governor was not interested in engaging anybody or telling lies against anyone despite the various insults against him, adding that the president was the one who belittle himself in to the drama in the state, forgetting his failed promises and disastrous legacy he left in the state.

The statement debunked Abati's claims about a "law-abiding regime" of Jonathan, saying that the whole system is militarized with legions of security operatives, "who were unleashed on the eve of an illegal party primary election deliberately to wage a psychological warfare against the people and pave way for their anointed candidate to without a contest."

"Why would you talk of a lawabiding regime when the President openly declared at the rally that "nobody can stop us"? It wondered the threats such statements constitute and wondered whether such threats also referred to the judges who are yet to rule on the matter before them.

"Most disastrous in all these, perhaps, is the fact that President Jonathan is dividing Bayelsa State for his self-aggrandisement, and he has done so in a very crude way.

One would have thought that no matter the "sins" of Sylva, the president would have found a way to manage the situation since this is arguably our best time for development, so that there can be unity of purpose on all sides to develop the state, the statement added.

Enugu guber: Court to decide Chime’s fate April 24

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

A

federal high court yesterday in Abuja slated April 24, 2012 to deliver judgement in the suit challenging the election of Governor Sullivan Ihenacho Chime of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu state.

The trial Judge, Justice Adamu Bello gave the date for the judgement after all the parties involved in the suit argued and adopted their written addresses.

A governorship aspirant in the state, Chief Alexander Chukwuemeka Obiechina, is praying the court in the suit to nullify Chime's nomination as the candidate for the April 16, 2011 governorship election on the ground the primary that produced (him) Chime did not comply with the electoral law.

He asked the court through his counsel, Oba Maduabuchi, to declare that the purported primary held on January 12, 2011 which also purportedly produced the 3rd defendant (Chime) as the governorship candidate of the 2nd Defendant (PDP) for the governorship election in Enugu State and which was accepted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the 1st Defendant, did not comply with the Electoral Act 2011 as amended and that his purported nomination and acceptance by PDP (the second defendant) should be declared null, void and of no effect.

While adopting his written address yesterday when the matter came up, governor Chime had through his counsel, Mrs. Justina Offia (SAN) asked the court to strike out the suit for lack of jurisdiction.

Offia, along with other Defendants in the matter collectively challenged the locus standi of the plaintiff to institute the action, saying that the matter has since become an academic exercise and should be dismissed.

The governor has further challenged the mode of the commencement of the matter by originating summons rather than by a writ of summons since according to him; the issues raised by the plaintiff are contentious in nature.

In his submission, counsel to the Plaintiff, Maduabuchi argued that the Section 87(9) gives the plaintiff the locus standi to initiate the suit, adding that the action of the Plaintiff is proper because he came within the ambit of the law.

He urged the court to declare that Governor Chime was not validly nominated, not validly elected as such his election should be nullified.

In his originating summons, the plaintiff wants the court to, among other issues determine: "Whether the second defendant can validly hold special congress called primaries in Enugu State for the purpose of nominating its governorship candidate for April 16 general elections without complying with sections 85 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

PAGE 39

PDP National Chair: SouthSouth groups urge PDP to consider Alkali

Conflicts inevitable in a democracy, says Al-makura From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

N

From Lawal Sadiq Sanusi, Kaduna

G

roups from the six states of South-South geo-political zone, under umbrella of SouthSouth Coalition Groups, have urged members of People's Democratic Party, PDP from the zone to support and elect Professor Ahmed Alkali as the National Chairman of PDP. The coalition said it arrived at the choice of Alkali after careful study of the situation of his role when held the office as PDP National Publicity Secretary, particularly in the area of information management and uniting party members across the country.

Chairman of the SouthSouth groups, Udoh Ufot who spoke at a press briefing held at Le Meridian Hotel, PortHarcourt, Rivers State at the weekend also stated that considering Alkali Nationalist inclination and detribalized nature, there was need to elect someone like him, who can use his expertise as an academic to address the issues threatening the peaceful coexistence of the country.

According to him, PDP as a ruling party deserve to have a leader whose background and personality has not only been tested, but also proven to be trustworthy.

Ufot how ever, requested that President Goodluck Jonathan should as a matter of urgency consider the security challenges and party's image when deciding on who to be elected to steer the affairs of the party as National chairman. "it is important that the party members look out for a leader that would make the party and cement the unity of the country and an individual with questionable character the would mar the appreciable harmonious coexistence". Ufot noted.

L-R: Edo state Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Woman Leader, ACN, Edo state chapter, Mrs Modino Emovon, during the ACN women sensitisation programme for the 2012 governorship election, at the weekend, in Benin City.

Sokoto guber poll credible, says INEC T

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that the Feb. 18 Sokoto governorship election which was won by the PDP was ''free, fair and credible''.

Mr Kayode Idowu, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

He said INEC's ability to improve the conduct of elections with the Sokoto experience was as a result of knowledge gathered during governorship elections in

Kogi and other states recently.

According to him, there is no reason why any contender in the election should describe the poll as unfair and unreliable.

He assured that the commission would continue to make improvements in the conduct of future elections. ``I am waiting to see how anybody will contravene that; even the contenders during voting acknowledged that the elections were transparent and were credible.''

Idowu pointed out that the commission took pro-active

measures in collaboration with security agencies to overcome security challenges that could have marred the success of the elections.

The immediate past governor of the state, Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, was declared winner of the election, beating 29 other contestants.

Wamakko polled 518,247 votes to beat his closest rival, Alhaji Yusha'u Ahmed of ANPP, who polled 131, 048 votes.

The CPC candidate, Alhaji Abubakar Yabo, came third with 7, 323 votes. (NAN)

…UNPP lauds peaceful conduct

T

he National Secretary of United Nigeria People's Party (UNPP) Mr. Zanna Usman, has applauded the peacefully conduct of the Sokoto governorship election which was won by PDP's Magatakarda Wamakko.

Usman made the commendation on Monday in Abuja.

He said although he was not there to monitor the process, UNPP observers said the election was conducted under a free and fair

atmosphere.

Usman said that there was constant communication with observers of the election from the party and their reports showed that the election was hitch-free. ''I called them, I asked them how the election went and they said as far as they were concerned the election was considerably to a very large extent peaceful. ''Even though some arrests were made here and there but

they were not such that they would affect the outcome of the election, and that as far as they were concerned it was okay. ''So as far as UNPP is concerned, my people are there and they said it was free, fair and credible so I'm going by what they said.''

Zanna said that although the election was not perfect as application to all elections, the result was acceptable to the UNPP. (NAN)

asarawa state Governor, Alh. Umaru Tanko Almakura has that operational conflicts are inevitable in a presidential system of government as practiced by Nigeria.

Almakura stated this yesterday at the opening of a retreat for Government officials held in Makurdi. Hen noted that such conflicts which the state is not an exception to, take the semblance of muscle-flexing and even mistrust, adding "they we must such disagreements as necessary for the functionality of the principles of checks and balances which is wholesome for the efficacy of democracy".

He explained that the retreat would avail government officials the opportunity to sharpen their intellect, broaden their horizon as well as strategize on policy trust of his administration.

Governor Al-makura also noted that it would afford them the chance to have a full grasp of issues of development of the state for service delivery and good governance, maintaining that the elements of transparency, accountability and prudence in management of public funds will be the focus.

Furthermore, he said it is aimed at enhancing relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government.

"We will take a look at the working relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government for service delivery to the Nasarawa people. No government can achieve any meaningful development if there is no cordial relationship between the executive and legislature. The legislatures must be seen to be flexible to ensure checks and balances", Al-makura said.

He assured that his government would continue to work assiduously for the development of the state.

In a goodwill message, Governor Gabriel Suswam who was represented by Speaker of the state Assembly, Hon. David Iorhemba noted the harmonious relationship that exist between Benue and Nasarawa states, while also commending the steady development going on in the solid mineral state within the short period of Al-makura's administration.

"If this momentum is sustained, then Nasarawa would be an investors' haven", Suswam said.

Fuel subsidy probe: House will not compromise-Rep From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

T

he Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Defence, Hon Bashir Adamu has described the current leadership of the House as people oriented, saying therefore that no amount of pressure or intimidation will coerce members to go against the popular interest of Nigerians.

Hon. Adamu gave the

assurance in an interview with Peoples Daily in Dutse yesterday while attending the swearing in ceremony of the newly elected local government chairmen in the state.

While reacting to the fears expressed by many Nigerians that the report and findings of the ad-hoc committee probe into the fuel subsidy management may be suppressed the same way reports of previous probes, especially with the alleged

pressure on the committee, the lawmaker urged Nigerians to be patient.

"We are fully behind the Farouk Lawan probe committee, and you know he is a high ranking member in the Chamber and would not risk to drag his image and integrity in the mud; that is why all should believe that something would be done after the exercise".

He further assured that, the House cannot close its eyes on

the misappropriation of trillions of Naira in the name of subsidy and the mismanagement of the country"s petroleum sector that was evidently being perpetrated by a few individuals.

Bashir who is the member representing Kazaure, Roni, Yankwashi, Gwiwa federal constituency, further reiterated that the House will do everything possible within its

powers to ensure that any company, individual or officials indicted by the committee were made to face the wrath of the law.

He added that the leadership of the House under its Speaker, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, is not one that some unpatriotic and unscrupulous people can intimidate and force to deviate from discharging its primary responsibility.

PAGE 40

South-west PDP strategize to receive Ladoja, other Accord Party chieftains From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South West zone at the weekend finalized strategy to receive the former governor of Oyo state, Senator Rasheed Ladoja and other chieftains of Accord party back to the ruling party.

The National ViceChairman of the party, SouthWest Alhaji Tajudeen Ladipo disclosed this to newsmen shortly after a closed door meeting held to finalize the return of Ladoja and others back to the mainstream party.

The meeting at private residence of the standard bearer of Accord party in the last general election had notable members and chieftains of Accord party in attendance such as former speaker, Adeolu Adeleke, serving deputy speaker, Olaniyan David and members of PDP from the zone among others.

Alhaji Oladipo described the meeting as one of the most successful meetings ever had saying Ladoja is back.

"Ladoja was part of us, he is crowd puller, we want him back and we are ready to celebrate his return along with other members of Accord party in the South-West."

Ladipo said.

He further explained that, South West PDP has lifted ban on any aggrieved member of the party adding he has mandate to facilitate the return of all defected members back to the party.

Fielding question on rancour between Ladoja and his deputy, Adebayo AlaoAkala, the party chieftain declared the former governor Alao Akala as the leader of the party in Oyo state based on the constitution of the party.

In his comment, Senator Rasheed Ladoja confirmed that his readiness to return to PDP after due consultation with other members of Accord party.

According to him, any step taking would be in the interest of Accord Party describing the party as a disciplined party that pursues progress.

Ladoja however denied ever had any grudges against the PDP saying the party by no means offend him described his relationship with the former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his Adebayo Akala as very cordial.

Senator Ladoja further described the meeting as success adding that this might be the last meeting before his final return.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Indigenous Bill will preserve collective heritage, says Senator S

By Bimbo Ogunnaike, Lagos

enator Gbenga Ashafa, representing Lagos East Senatorial District, has noted that the Indigenous Bill if passed into law would engender the preservation and promotion of the nation's indigenous languages as well as harmonize the overall educational and cultural policies of the Nigerian state.

The Senate had on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 deliberated on the lead debate on the second reading of the bill to establish the National Agency for the Promotion and Preservation of Local Languages in Nigeria which was delivered by Senator Ashafa.

However, it was stood down based on an order raised on the floor of the Senate by Senator Abaribe Harcourt representing

Abia South Senatorial District who informed the lawmakers that there is an existing institute (National Institute for Nigerian Languages) located at Aba and established by Decree No. 117 of 1993. The institute is said to be affiliated to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

But, Ashafa, who sponsored the Bill, explained that the intention of the Bill was to ensure

L-R: Alhaji Umaru Kyafe, congratulating Sokoto state Governor-elect, Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko over his victory in the governorship election, on Sunday. With them is PDP Chairman, Alhaji Tukur Bodinga (middle).

Photo: NAN

that the Agency cut across 774 Local Governments in the country, adding that the Bill if passed into law has the capacity to promote indigenous languages across the federation.

His words: "The central aim of this bill is not to replace English as our lingua franca but to preserve our collective heritage and not to be accused of indirectly assassinating our cultural inheritance. It is simply a bill that seeks to establish an agency for the preservation and promotion of our indigenous languages in order to implement and harmonize the overall educational and cultural policies of the Nigerian state."

Ashafa, explained that if the bill if enacted, it would encourage the speaking of indigenous languages, stimulate publication of books, production of films, documentaries and educational materials in those languages and put in the front burner the need to respect the cultural heritage.

"Our indigenous languages are part of our culture and if we do not do something about their preservation with the massive push for universal basic education which has English as its pivot, we stand a danger of losing some of these languages. To compound things, we all know that some of our children do not speak any language other than English or pidgin these days, not even the three major languages are spoken these days in an average Nigerian home." Ashafa said.

My victory is the will of God - Wamakko

T

he winner of Saturday's governorship poll in Sokoto State, Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko, said Sunday that he would do his best to serve the people.

Fielding questions from the News agency of Nigeria (NAN)Wamakko said this while responding on the outcome of the result. Said he would take peoples' views and aspirations into consideration in executing development programmers for the progress of the state.

INEC on Sunday declared Wamakko of the PDP winner of the election, having scored 518,247 votes to beat 29 other contestants.

Wamakko, who thanked God for the victory, implored his opponents to regard his success as the will of Allah and urged them to join him in his efforts to move the state forward. `` I appeal to them to accept the will of Allah and join me to develop

the state. They should regard my victory as theirs and come together to take the state to the next level.''

Meanwhile, hundreds of PDP supporters have thronged the residence of the governor-elect to celebrate his victory, amidst pomp, shouting and jubilation.

NAN correspondents at the residence report that the PDP supporters, who rode on motorcycles and cars, chanted the winning party's slogans and victory songs to welcome the

``return of Alu to power''.

Similarly, people in the town were seen celebrating Wamakko's victory and thanking God for making it possible for him ``to return and continue with the good work he started.''

NAN further reports that although there were complaints from the opposition parties on the conduct of the poll, the seat of the caliphate remained calm and peaceful, as people went about their normal businesses. (NAN)

``We patriotically implore all contestants that had cause to test their popularity in the election to, in the spirit of good sportsmanship, concede defeat

and extend the hand of friendship to the Governor-elect,,'' the statement said.

They said it was natural that in each contest, there must be a

winner and a loser.

They appealed to the Governorelect to ensure that he ``is fair and just to all manner of people, without fear or favour''.

...26 contestants accept governorship election result

By Umar Mohammed

T

wenty-six out of thirty political parties, who contested the Sokoto State Governorship election held on Saturday, said they have accepted the outcome of the poll in good faith.

In a statement jointly issued in Sokoto, the political parties said they affirmed the election ``to be free and fair'' Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko, PDP's candidate, was on Sunday declared winner of the election.

The statement, which was read by the Chairman of the state chapter of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Alhaji Abba Sidi, implored all contestants to accept the outcome of the election.

Cleric rejects calls for Sovereign National Conference

A

cleric, Pastor Effa Emmanuel, on Sunday dismissed calls for a Sovereign National Conference outside the confines of the National Assembly, describing such calls as abnormal.

The cleric rejected the calls when he spoke to journalists at a church service organised to mark the fourth anniversary of the World Royal City Church in Abuja. ``I think it is a misnomer when you say Sovereign National Conference and you are having it

outside the confines of what the constitution provides for you; you are tacitly trying to tamper with the sovereignty of the nation. ``If you want to have a national conference, you need to call the House of Representatives and the Senate who are already representing us, in addition with local chiefs.''

Emmanuel, nonetheless, stressed that the current challenges facing the nation could be effectively tackled by the National Assembly, which ``represents the totality of

Nigerians.''

He, however, canvassed a specific role for the Church in the House of Representatives. ``The House of Representatives is not complete; I think the Church ought to have representatives in the House because the Church is an agent of social cleansing and transformation ``Besides, I think different ethnic groups and social institutions need to be represented in the National Assembly,'' Emmanuel said. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

PAGE 41

NFF or NFA: Court adjourns ruling to April 19

J Aminu Maigari

ustice Donatus Okorowo has adjourned till April 19 hearing on the stay of execution appeal by the Nigeria Football Federation over a January 20 judgement that declared the body illegal.

Counsel to the plaintiff, Chigbo Ugochukwu, had drawn the attention

of the court to the filing process of the appeal, noting that he only received the motion yesterday.

“Like I said in court, we were only served this morning and we are not comfortable with the filing process of the stay of execution but as agreed we begin argument on the case in

Garba begins screening of 40 Eaglets

M

anu Garba began the screening of prospective members of the Golden Eaglets yesterday in Abuja ahead of the country’s CAF U-17 qualifying game soonest.

In the training cum screening yesterday, 40 lads, who were selected across the country by members of the technical crew, were on display as they worked hard to impress the coaches who watched on with a view to penciling down those with prospect.

Speaking before commencing the screening exercise, the Head Coach, Manu Garba urged the players to conduct themselves well throughout the exercise, adding that they should consider themselves lucky to be given the opportunity to compete for a place in the

Maigari backs Keshi’s plans

T

he president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Aminu Maigari, has thrown the weight of the federation behind Super Eagles Head Coach Stephen Keshi, who has vowed not only to rejig the team but restored the nation’s pride in the comity of world football.

Keshi, who vowed to rebuild and return the team the top 20 in FIFA rankings as against the 53rd which is Nigeria’s worst since the ranking was came to being, has equally initiated rebuilding processes which centre of domestic league players and discipline.

“It is early days yet, but we have confidence in Keshi to take the team to new heights”, stated Maigari, as Keshi announced his determination to take Nigeria back to the top 10 on the FIFA Ranking.

“Yes, we expected a drop in the monthly Ranking because our team did not participate at the 2012 African Cup of Nations. But we have a Head Coach who is equally ambitious and is already looking forward to taking the team back to the top,” he said. Keshi’s toughest day on the road comes in Kigali against the Wasps on Wednesday next week but Maigari believes there is nothing to be anxious about. “With the kind of work Keshi and the technical crew have done on the home boys and the fact that only the very active foreign-based players have been invited, the Super Eagles will go to Kigali to win, no less,” he assured.

Further, he said, “The important thing is that the team has vital psychological meal to go on with, following the victory in Monrovia.

Of course, there will be a number of foreignbased players added to the team, and that can only improve the team’s output in Kigali”, observed Maigari.

It would be recalled that the Eagles trounced the Lone Stars of Liberia 2-0 in Monrovia last Wednesday. Also, Keshi has called up 11 foreign-based players to team up with their home-based counterparts for the qualifier.

national youth team.

“The fact that you are here is an indicative of your good quality, and you must considered yourselves very lucky too because there are so many players out there waiting for such opportunity too,” Manu told the visibly excited players.

“You must show us why you have been

selected by putting in your best and justify the reason you are here,” he added.

The team is expected to train daily at the practice pitch of the FIFA Goal project located within the Abuja National Stadium.

Meanwhile, other players that would make up the 50 called for the first phase of the exercise are expected in camp today.

April,” he said.

On his part, counsel to the defendants, Akin Olujimi, maintained that his clients can go about their business insisting that they followed due process in filing the appeal. “We will argue the case on April 19. But what the law says is that my clients can go about their jobs,” he explained.

Last month, Justice Okorowo ruled on the case brought before him by Sam Sam Jaja contesting his unjust disqualification from the May 8 2010 election into the board of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL). The Federal High Court justice declared NPL and NFF illegal, noting that NFA and NFL were the legally recognised entities by the laws of the land.

Nations Cup qualifier: Super Eagles train under scorching heat in Abuja Stories by Patrick Andrew

T

he scorching sun did not deter the Super Eagles from training yesterday afternoon at the National Stadium Abuja as the team intensified preparations for the Nations Cup qualifier against the Amavubi of Rwanda.

The 19 players in camp sweated under the scorching sun even as the technical crew kept a watchful as they primed them ahead of the February 29 clash which is expected played in a similar weather condition.

Peoples Daily Sports recalls that the Rwandan FA had informed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) that the match will be played at about 3pm which is equivalent to 1.30 pm in Nigeria.

According to report from the Nigerian Embassy in Kigali, the weather condition in this time of the year there is intense and would require players who are used to such harsh weather condition to cope with the scorching heat.

Media Officer of the team, Ben Alaiya disclosed that head Coach Stephen Keshi, first psyched up the players by telling them that he hates scorching heat but that he had to adapt because of the necessity of doing so.

He later led the players and the members of the technical crew along with other officials to begin training at about 1.15 pm.

Meanwhile, midfielder Gabriel Reuben said he was getting set for the encounter and was sure that his teammates will adapt to the weather before the team jets out to Kigali for the qualifier.

Striker Sunday Mba and goalkeeper Chigozie Agbum spoke in similar vein, with a strong conviction that the only thing on their minds at the moment is victory in Rwanda.

All the 19 players in camp took part in the initial light work out before the Heartland of Owerri duo of Bathlomew Ibenegbu alias Mosquito and Kabir Umar, were excused because they both played in the Nigeria Premier league clash against Rangers International on Sunday.

The Eagles’ sunny training continues today under the watchful eyes of Keshi, who has again challenged the players to prove that they’ve got what it takes to play at the highest level of international football.

Vincent Enyeama of Lille

Keshi

PAGE 42

Cooreman resumes today as Wolves coach

V

ersatile Belgian coach, Maurice Cooreman, is to resume today as the new helmsman of Warri Wolves. The former Kaduna United manager was appointed head coach/technical adviser of the team yesterday.

According to a statement from the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) club, Cooreman replaces Paul Aigbogun who is returning to England because of, “due to personal family commitments.” The statement further revealed that Cooreman has signed a deal to take charge of Warri Wolves for the rest of this season.

“The management of Warri Wolves FC have secured the services of Kaduna United tactician, Maurice Cooreman, to stand in for Paul Aigbogun and lead the club in the remaining part of the season. “The experienced Belgian is expected to resume duties on Tuesday in Warri,” the statement from the Premier League club yesterday. Speaking to a wire service, Aigbogun confirmed his sudden resignation and added that his departure was by mutual consent between him and the club. “ I’m leaving (Wolves) but on personal grounds,” he said yesterday. Wolves stated that Aigbogun officially wrote to the club to “ask for a brief break.”

Aigbogun’s last duty at Wolves was Sunday’s NPL game away to Enyimba, which the club lost 2-0. Last season Aigbogun guided Warri Wolves to third place to Maurice earn them a ticket to vie Cooreman for the 2012 CAF Confederation Cup.

Egypt’s Al-Ahly back in training

E

gyptian club side Al- Ahly started training yesterday for the first time since the Port Said tragedy that took place on February 1st.

Al-Ahly resumed playing football by observing a minute of silence in remembrance of the tragic event. Ahly’s Portuguese manager Manuel Jose led a light training session as the players try to regain their physical and technical fitness levels after a long break.

Jose also arranged another the team training session to be conducted after the first one as the country tries to get back to football after an indefinite stop to all football following the Port Said tragedy. About 74 fans were killed and hundreds injured in a post-match riots when Ahly played hosts Al-Masry in Egyptian Premier League.

Ahly were expected back in training last Friday, but the players asked for more time and Jose decided to give them further 48 hours of rest before the team resumed training yesterday. Al-Ahly are expected to travel to Qatar or UAE this week for further preparation.

Ahly voted African Club of the Century are getting ready for their 2012 Orange CAF Champions League campaign. The Egyptian side will meet the aggregate winner of the encounter between Comoros’ Coin Nord FC and Ethiopian Coffee FC. Meanwhile it’s still unclear whether midfielder Mohamed Barakat will continue his career with the team after he announced his retirement due to impact of the tragedy.

Although Barakat attended yesterday’s training but he didn’t take part instead had a closed meeting with manager Jose, football director Sayed Abdel Hafiz and team psychiatrist Dr. Mohamed Fikry afterwards.

The player refused to speak to press, while Abdel Hafiz said that they are trying to convince him to carry on playing and come out of retirement.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Dolphins upbeat after massive win in Malabo

Chipolopolo negotiating Azingo Stars friendly

igeria’s Dolphins are upbeat after trouncing hosts Sony ela Nguema 3-0 in Malabo at the start of their CAF Champions League campaign. The victory seems to have spurred them on as they have given themselves higher challenge in the championship.

The Nigerian Champions, who were in total control of the game posted victory in Malabo courtesy goals from Emmanuel Nwachi, Chidi Osuchukwu and Ifeanyi Egwim.

“We hope to beat them by a wider margin in the return leg. This was a massive victory no doubt, it was a good way to start the competition. We were in control of the game and took our chances well,” goal scorer Nwachi said after the match.

The preliminary round return leg match will be played at the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt on Sunday, March 4.

In Madagascar, Zambia’s Power Dynamos eased past hosts Japan Acutel 5-1, also in the Champions League.

Two braces from striker Felix Nyaende and midfielder Mukuka Mulenga handed Power a comfortable lead into their March 3 return leg match at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.

Mulenga gave Power a 1-0 first-half lead with the game’s opening goal in the 15th minute before completing his brace on the hour after he finishing off a Kennedy Mudenda cross.

Simon Bwalya made it 3-0 in the 65th minute before 55th substitute Nyaende, who had replaced ineffective new boy Graven Chitalu, added Power’s fourth in the 70th minute.

egotiations for a friendly in Libreville, between the Azingo Stars of Gabon and new African champions, the Chipolopolo of Zambia are on.

The match, which is at the instance of the champions, who want to return to the site of this month’s Nations Cup triumph, comes up on Feb. 29.

“For us Gabon is a special place.

Firstly we would like to go and thank the people there, they looked after us very well,” Zambia FA spokesman Enock Mwanza told reporters in Lusaka yesterday.

“We won our first African cup there.

We lost an entire team there,” he said in a reference to their Nations Cup final triumph against Ivory Coast on Feb. 12 and the 1993 air crash in Libreville where 18 players from the Zambian squad died.

Zambia had no plans for a friendly for next Wednesday’s FIFA date before their success in the Nations Cup but now have several invitations for a hastily-arranged match in the wake of their unexpected triumph, with Gabon top of the list.

“A friendly against Gabon would be symbolic. Zambia upset the Ivory Coast on penalties after a 0-0 draw in Libreville,” Mwanza added..

Gabon co-hosted the Nations Cup with Equatorial Guinea.

N

Mario Baraki got Actuel’s lone goal a minute later, but Nyaende made sure of Power’s emphatic away victory two minutes from time.

Power need just a draw at home in a fortnight to see them book a first round, first leg meeting at home with four-time African champions TP Mazembe on March 24. TP Mazembe are on a preliminary round bye.

Egyptian side Zamalek will be pleased with their 1-1 draw at Tanzanian side Young Africans that gives them the advantage going into the return leg.

Gabonese team Missile caused a surprise when they beat Africa Sports from Cote d’Ivoire 3-2 in their home tie.

Zimbabwe’s Platinum FC won 4-2 at Swazi side Green Mamba, while Ghana’s Berekum Chelsea are in control of their tie as they won 2-0 at LISCR in Liberia, even as Liga Muculmana won by the same scoreline at Zanzibar’s Mafunzo.

But it was not a pleasant story for Orlando Pirates who suffered a humiliating 3-1 home defeat in their preliminary round, first leg, clash against Angolan champions Recreativo Libolo on Sunday.

Pirates’ campaign looks to be over before it has even really begun after being sunk at home by the vastly superior Angolans.

Maieco Domingos Henrique bagged a brace for Libolo, before Henri Camara netted a third. Pirates gave themselves a glimmer of hope for the return leg as Rooi Mahamutsa scored a late consolation for the home side.

They now need to score at least three goals to advance to the return leg on March 4.

N

CAF Champions League results: ASFA Yennenga (BUR) 0- 0 ASO Chlef (ALG) Vita Club (COD) vs Athletico Olympic (BDI)* DFC Arrondissement (CAF) 1-0 Astres Douala (CMR) Young Africans (TAN) 1 -1 Zamalek (EGY) Missile (GAB) 3- 2 Africa Sports (CIV) Ports Authority (SLE) 0- 0 Horoya (GUI) Foullah Edifice (CHA) 0- 0 JSM Bejaa (ALG) AFAD Djekanou (CIV) 1- 0 Diables Noirs (CGO) Tusker (KEN) 0- 0 APR (RWA) Coin Nord Mitsamiouli (COM) 1- 0 Coffee (ETH) ASGNN (NIG) 0- 0 Tonnerre (BEN) Orlando Pirates (RSA) 1- 3 Recreativo Libolo (ANG) Revenue Authority (UGA) 3- 0 Correctional Services (LES) Mafunzo (ZAN) 0- 2 Liga Muculmana (MOZ) Brikama Utd (GAM) 0- 1 US Ouakam (SEN) Ela Nguema (GEQ) 0- 3 Dolphins (NGR) LISCR (LBR) 0- 2 Berekum Chelsea (GHA) Green Mamba (SWZ) 2- 4 Platinum (ZIM) Japan Actuel (MAD) 1- 5 Power Dynamos (ZAM) *Postponed to March 10.

Doha bid offers October Olympics to beat heat Leaders of Doha’s bid for the 2020 Olympics are proposing to hold the games in October to avoid the searing summer heat in Qatar.

The Doha bid calls for the Olympics to be held from Oct. 2-18 and the Paralympics from Nov. 4-15.

The dates were disclosed Monday as organizers released details of the bid file that was submitted last week to the

International Olympic Committee.

A statement from organizers says the October dates would “ensure ideal conditions” for athletes and spectators.

Doha is competing against Madrid, Tokyo, Istanbul and Baku, Azerbaijan.

Qatar, which will host the 2022 World Cup, has tried to ease fears about the heat by promising air-conditioned stadiums and other areas.

Christopher Katongo of Zambia

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

PAGE 43

Triumphant in three of the four FIFA World Cup competitions in which he appeared, Pele’s appetite for the greatest footballing show on the planet remains undimmed at the age of 71.

An enthusiastic and sprightly ambassador for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, Pele is eagerly awaiting the chance to welcome the world in two years’ time, his passion for the game burning as brightly now as it did when he was in his magnificent prime.

Holding court in an exclusive chat with FIFA.com, O Rei Pele gave his view on the upcoming tournament, Brazil’s hopes of emerging with the trophy, Barcelona’s style of football and the secret behind his amazing career.

Barcelona’s style blueprint for future football, says Pele

P

ele, the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil is approaching. How do you feel about it?

Pele: It’s a very special time and a very important one for me personally, no question. The World Cup is finally coming to my country.

I supported the tournament in South Korea and Japan, in the USA where we saw one of the best organised competitions ever and then South Africa. Now it’s my country’s turn, and I want to be part of the team, even if it’s off the pitch (laughs).

What’s the feeling in Brazil ahead of the tournament?

Brazil eats, sleeps and drinks football. It lives football! There’s a huge sense of expectation and ambition to match. As everyone knows, there were a few problems to begin with, but that’s all been sorted out now.

It’s all in order. President Dilma Rousseff is working very hard to ensure that the tournament’s a success and that everyone’s pulling in the right direction.

It’s a great opportunity, and not just in footballing terms. Brazil has to show the world what it has to offer. A lot of people will be coming and we need to make the most of this chance to grow as a country. The economy’s doing really well but we need to seize this opportunity so that we can push on even more.

Let’s

talk

about

A

Seleçao. Do you think there’s going to be too much pressure on key young players like Neymar and Ganso?

It depends what you mean by ‘young’. They’re 20 years old but I was only 17 when I played in my first World Cup. They’re not kids any more (laughs). There’s a lot of pressure on them because they’re the stars of the moment. It’s not just about individuals, though. The most important thing is that the team performs as a unit. Brazil’s always had great players, both at home and abroad, but we need to put all that talent together and mould a team out of it. And we’ve still got time to do that.

Brazil had some big-name players at my last World Cup in 1970: people like Rivelino, Tostao and Pele. But we were very well organised too and we worked hard as a team. It was a very strong unit and I think that was the key.

you only get that with teams that are really well organised.

That’s the way Barça play today and that’s the way my Santos played. I was very lucky.

But your success was down to talent, not luck.

My father used to say to me: ‘You were born to play football. You’ve got a gift for it. But if you don’t work at it and you don’t practice, then you’ll be just like the rest.’ He was absolutely right, but then again, I was born to play football, just like Beethoven was born to write music and Michelangelo was born to paint.

I’ve been watching this Barça side a lot lately and they’re like Santos were in my heyday, or the great Benfica, Ajax, AC Milan and Real Madrid sides. They all set the standard in their day and, like I said, the key to their success was the fact they had settled line-ups over a long period of time

Do you think the team’s heading in the right direction?

I hope so! The good thing is that the coach has got our backing and that we’re giving him time to get his philosophy across. If you change the coach, then the new guy goes and changes the players and that’s not good. You have to remember that Brazil have a tremendous responsibility because they’re at home and the fans will be expecting an awful lot of them.

Which of the more experienced players do you think can help meet that challenge?

We’ve got some big names but there are still two years to go. It’s a long-term job and we need to have a proper plan in place and be very, very disciplined. The players have to get used to playing together, which is the way forward, as we’ve seen in recent years. The Netherlands, Spain and Barcelona are all teams that have been together for a long time.

Talking of Barcelona, were you surprised by how comfortably they beat Santos in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup? No, not really. I’ve been watching this Barça side a lot lately and they’re like Santos were in my heyday, or the great Benfica, Ajax, AC Milan and Real Madrid sides. They all set the standard in their day and, like I said, the key to their success was the fact they had settled line-ups over a long period of time. And don’t forget that Barcelona is the core of the Spanish team. There’s a connection there, just as there was between Ajax and the Dutch national team all those years ago and between Santos and Brazil.

Is their style the future of football?

That’s the football people want to see and I really hope it’s the blueprint for the future. I really hope skill wins out over strength. Look at Germany. They play a much more technical game today, and that’s the football we want to see. We want to see the ball moving, not the players, and

Pele

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Xiang routs Robles at British Grand Prix C

hinese star Liu Xiang beat Cuban rival Dayron Robles at the British Grand Prix Indoor in Birmingham over the weekend in the first clash of the hurdlers since their controversial World Championship showdown last year.

Liu blasted to victory in the 60m hurdles in a world best time this season of 7.41secs while Robles was a distant second in 7.50, with America’s Dexter Faulk third in 7.54.

Robles, the reigning Olympic champion, was stripped of his 110m hurdles gold at the World Championships in Daegu last August after being adjudged to have fouled Liu as the two dashed for the line.

The disqualification saw Jason Richardson elevated to gold while Liu won silver. However many felt Liu winner of gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics would have won had it not been for Robles’ actions.

In Birmingham on Saturday the 28year-old from Shanghai had no such problems, leading from the start and clearing every hurdle smoothly as Robles struggled in his slipstream.

The result was the perfect confidence-boost for Liu, who is preparing for the upcoming World Indoor Championships in Istanbul as he attempts to win back his Olympic crown from Robles later this year.

In other events Saturday, Asafa Powell suffered a surprise defeat to

compatriot Lerone Clarke as Jamaican sprinters dominated the 60m final.

Commonwealth Games 100m champion Clarke swept home in 6.47secs, the fastest time of the year, ahead of another Jamaican, Nesta Carter in second with 6.49. Powell trailed in third with 6.50.

In the finale to the day, Britain’s 5 000m world champion Mo Farah had to be content with a second place finish in a race over two miles, the Somalia-born distance runner clocking 8min 8.07secs behind winner Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya.

Uganda’s Moses Kipsiro finished third

Samson Oni

Liu Xiang

Meseret Defar

Karoki wins Kenyan championship

J

apan-based Bedan Karoki won the men’s Kenyan cross country championship on Saturday over 12 kms ahead of Timothy Too in a sprint finish. Karoki clocked 35 minutes 19.2 seconds to Too’s 35:25.0 with Vincent Kiprop third in 35:37.0.

The women’s eight kms race was won

by Joyce Chemtai in 26:08.0 ahead of another cross country veteran Margaret Wangare, who clocked 26:09.4.

World marathon champion Edna Kiplagat finished third in 26:12.8 and the 2010 world cross country champion Emily Chebet was fourth.

Several leading runners opted to miss the championships after the world governing body’s decision to make the world championships a biennial instead

of an annual event. The world championships will not be staged this year.

Saturday’s race will instead decide the team to compete at the Africa cross country championships in Cape Town on March 18. The men’s race failed to attract defending champion, Geoffrey Mutai, who is also the New York and Boston marathon champion.

Twice world marathon champion Abel Kirui and Commonwealth Games steeplechase champion Richard Mateelong also stayed away.

Double world champion Vivian Cheruiyot, former 10 000 world champion Linet Masai and Dubai marathon champion Lucy Kabuu were absent from the women’s race.

Powell dares Bolt for Rome’s Samsung Diamond League 100m gold

A

safa Powell, the former 100m World record holder, has joined the 100m field for the Compeed Golden Gala, the third stop of the 2012 Samsung Diamond League series, where he will face compatriot and current 100m standard bearer Usain Bolt.

Powell is no stranger to the eternal city, where he lived and trained in the early years of his career.

Nor is he a stranger on the Stadio Olimpico where one year ago he nearly upset Bolt in the 100m, coming just 0.02 seconds shy, 9.91 to 9.93. The match boosted an unforgettable 2011 edition of the Compeed Golden Gala, one cheered

by 47,732 spectators.

This year Powell will try again during one of the first top-class 100m sprint matches of the Olympic season, and just a little more than two months prior to the London final, set for 5 August at 21:50 local time.

Powell has been competing this indoor season and has put up some impressive numbers. Last Saturday he clocked 6.50 at the AVIVA Grand Prix in Birmingham, a personal best over 60m.

It was the third best result in 2012; only compatriots Lerone Clarke (6.47) and Nesta Carter (6.49) have run faster this season.

Mohammed Aman

Genzebe Dibaba

Shana Cox

Women Pole Vault 1. Holly Bleasdale (GBR) 4.70m, 2. Anna Rogowska (POL) 4.70, 3. Nicole Buchler (SUI) 4.41 60m hurdles 1. Jessica Ennis (GBR) 7.87secs, 2. Danielle Carruthers (USA) 7.91, 3. Phylicia George (CAN) 8.04 800m 1. Angelika Cichoka (POL) 2mins 01.90secs, 2. Elisa Cusma (ITA) 2:01.99, 3. Marilyn Okoro (GBR) 2:02.62 60m 1. Tianna Madison (USA) 7.07secs, 2. Ivet Lalova (BUL) 7.14, 3. Ezinne Okparebo (NOR) 7.17 Long Jump 1. Shara Proctor (GBR) 6.80, 2. Karin Mey (TUR) 6.66, 3. Jessica Ennis (GBR) 6.47 3,000m 1. Meseret Defar (ETH) 8:31.56, 2. Helen Obiri (KEN) 8:35.35, 3. Gelete Burka (ETH) 8:36.59 400m 1. Shana Cox (GBR) 52.18sec, 2. Denisa Rosolva (CZE) 52.44, 3. Nadine Okyere (GBR) 53.03 1,500m 1. Genzebe Dibaba (ETH) 4:01.33, 2. Hannah England (GBR) 4:09.79, 3. Anna Pierce (USA) 4:11.85.

Men Long Jump 1. JJ Jegede (GBR) 8.04m, 2. Luis Meliz (ESP) 7.91, 3. Godfrey Mokoena (RSA) 7.89 High Jump 1. Robbie Grabarz (GBR) 2.32m, 2. Michal Kabelka (SVK) 2.26, 3. Samson Oni (GBR) 2.23 800m 1. Mohamed Aman (ETH) 1:45.40, 2. Marcin Lewandowski (POL) 1:45.41, 3. Boaz Lalang (KEN) 1:45.75 400m 1. Nigel Levine (GBR) 45.71secs, 2. Chris Brown (BAH) 46.17, 3. Rabah Yousif (SUD) 46.85 1,500m 1. Nixon Chepseba (KEN) 3:34.70, 2. Bethwel Birgen (KEN) 3:34.88, 3. Gebremedhin Mekonnen (ETH) 3:34.89 60m hurdles 1. Liu Xiang (CHN) 7.41secs, 2. Dayron Robles (CUB) 7.50, 3. Dexter Faulk (USA) 7.54 60m 1. Lerone Clarke (JAM) 6.47secs, 2. Nesta Carter (JAM) 6.49, 3. Asafa Powell (JAM) 6.50.

Two miles 1. Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) 8:07.39, 2. Mo Farah (GBR) 8:08.07, 3. Moses Kipsiro (UGA) 8:08.16.

Samsung Diamond League - 2012 Calendar Doha, QAT - 11 May Shanghai, CHN - 19 May Rome, ITA - 31 May Eugene, USA - 2 June Oslo, NOR - 7 June New York, USA - 9 June Paris, FRA - 6 July London, GBR - 13 / 14 July Monaco, MON - 20 July Stockholm, SWE - 17 August Lausanne, SUI - 23 August Birmingham, GBR - 26 August Zurich, SUI - 30 August Brussels, BEL - 7 September.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

PAGE 45

4

3

Pictorial Pix 1: Arsene Wenger believes a top-four finish would be like winning a trophy this season after Arsenal's mid-season revival suffered two serious setbacks this week.

Pix 2: Sir Alex Ferguson says he intends to walk away from management on a "winning note" added that he will likely remain at Manchester United in some capacity.

Pix 3: Leicester skipper Geordan Murphy lands a last-gasp drop-goal to beat Saracens 20-19 and inflict their first Premiership home defeat in more than a year.

Pix 4: Great Britain's divers will be among the first athletes to compete at the Olympic Aquatics Centre at this week's Diving World Cup in London.

Pix 5: Ricky set to make announcement on international future after being dropped from Australia's one-day side.

Pix 6: World number three Roger Federer sweeps aside Juan Martin del Potro in an hour and a half to win the World Tennis Tournament.

Pix 7: German prosecutors say David Haye is suspected of grievous bodily harm and Dereck Chisora of malicious injury after their Munich brawl.

5

2

6

1 7

PAGE 46

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

UEFA Champions League

Napoli relishing edging Chelsea tonight G iant killers Napoli are relishing their prospects of edging out embattled Chelsea from the Champions League as they clash in the first leg at San Paolo today.

Though Andre Villas-Boas is familiar with the territory having scouted Serie A opponents for Inter Milan as an assistant

to Jose Mourinho, he will not be under any illusion as to the threat Napoli pose Napoli’s rise has been one of the major talking points of this season’s Champions League. Re-founded following bankruptcy in 2004, it is nothing short of remarkable that, in less than eight years, they have gone from Italy’s third division to the last

Edinson Cavani

Ezequiel Lavezzi

Musa debuts as CSKA face rampaging Real

N

igeria’s lively winger, Ahmed Musa, will debut tonight in a dream Champions league clash favourites Real Madrid.

Albeit, CSKA Moscow coach Leonid Slutsky has surrendered victory to his counterpart Jose Mourinho of Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 tie, Musa is likely to grab the opportunity of playing against top flight stars with both hands to exhibit his qualities.

His manager Slutsky named the runaway La Liga leaders as huge favourites against CSKA, playing their first competitive game in almost two-and-a-half months. But it may be a different ball game on the pitch.

Slutsky may have to hand starting roles to two debutants, Swedish midfielder Pontus Wernbloom and Nigeria striker Ahmed Musa, after they were signed during the last transfer window.

Musa, who joined from Dutch side VVVVenlo, will have big shoes to fill following the

Ahmed Musa

Xabi Alonso

departure of Brazilian Vagner Love, their talismanic forward who left for Rio de Janeiro’s Flamengo last month after spending seven seasons with the army side and scoring the club’s record 117 goals.

CSKA’s Japan midfielder Keisuke Honda and Chile winger Mark Gonzalez are also unlikely to feature in Tuesday’s game as they have not fully recovered from knee and hip surgery respectively.

If he plays, Musa will partner Ivory Coast’s Seydou Doumbia the Russian league’s top scorer with 24 goals last year in CSKA’s attacking formation.

The Russians have been concerned about Doumbia’s lack of match practice as the powerful striker had watched most of the action during the recent African Nations Cup from the bench.

However, CSKA’s biggest worry is the goalkeeping position with first-choice Igor Akinfeyev still out following knee surgery and experienced Vladimir Gabulov joining big spenders Anzhi Makhachkala during the winter break.

That leaves Slutsky with untested Sergei Chepchugov and 16-year-old Sergei Revyakin, both of whom have yet to play on the international arena at the senior level, to face the Spanish giants.

CSKA will also miss defender Kirill Nababkin and midfielder Pavel Mamayev through suspension for the first leg.

Similarly, Real, who have won 27 of their last 30 matches in all competitions suffering only one league defeat against Barcelona, and a draw and a defeat against their arch-rivals which put them out of the King’s Cup last month, also have several key players missing.

Winger Angel Di Maria, who returned from injury and scored a goal against Racing Santander on Saturday, has suffered a bruised muscle, Hamit Altintop has a torn calf muscle while fellow midfielder Lassana Diarra is out with a back complaint.

But they have Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi Alonso, Sergio Ramos Sami Khedira Muesut Ozil and in-form Karim Benzema plus Kaka to deploy against the Russians.

Today’s matches CSKA Moscow V Real Madrid Napoli V Chelsea Wednesday FC Basel V Bayern Munich Marseille V Inter Milan

16 of the Champions League.

The club’s reputation as football’s equivalent of Lazarus was only enhanced by their emergence along with Bayern Munich from the so-called Group of Death , which also included Premier League leaders Manchester City and Villarreal.

It’s without precedent in Italy. No team has come so far so quickly.

Searching for a comparison, La Gazzetta dello Sport could only think of one better: Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest, who earned promotion to the top flight in 1977, won the old first division in 1978 then lifted the European Cup in consecutive years in 1979 and 1980.

The pink paper has since revised its opinion finding more in common with Rafael Benitez’s Liverpool in 2005. They finished fifth in the Premier League, but still reached the Champions League final in Istanbul and came from 3-0 down to overcome AC Milan against all odds .

Chelsea supporters remain haunted by that year. They were eliminated by Liverpool in the semi-finals after Luis Garcia’s controversial “ghost goal” in the second leg at Anfield. Whether it crossed the line or not is still subject to fierce debate today.

Up until now, Walter Mazzarri’s Napoli have followed a similar pattern to that Liverpool side. When the spotlight is on, they have risen to the big occasions, tasting victory over City, Milan and Inter, as well as drawing with Bayern Munich and Juventus. The impression is that they can beat anyone on their day.

Getting up for the smaller teams has, however, proven a problem. Tipped for the title after spending £37.2m on a team that finished third last season, defeats to Chievo, Parma and Catania plus the draws they’ve been held to by Novara,

Fernando Torres

Bologna, Siena and Cesena have seen them fall out of contention.

The 3-0 victory at Fiorentina on Friday was their second in a row. It moved Napoli up to sixth place in Serie A and served as a reminder to Chelsea of what the team is capable of. Their ‘Three Tenors’ up front; Edinson Cavani, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marek Hamsik were all on song.

Cavani scored his 21st and 22nd goals of the season, while Lavezzi ran the length of the pitch in the 91st minute to get on the scoresheet.

Napoli’s unorthodox 3-4-2-1 formation and their fast-break counter-attacking style will ask questions of Chelsea - whose penchant for defending with a high line plays right into their opponent’s hands.

Villas-Boas can ill-afford to get this tie wrong.

Speaking after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Birmingham City in the FA Cup fifth round, when he was forced to deny “ridiculous” claims Didier Drogba had given a team talk in the tunnel at halftime, Villas-Boas said he had the “unconditional” support of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich despite a run of four games without a win.

Today’s result against Napoli might still prove decisive for his future. Lose and he could be out. “If he leaves Chelsea, he’ll be the next coach of Inter Milan,” VillasBoas’s former boss, Porto president Pinto da Costa told La Gazzetta dello Sport last week. That suggested current coach Claudio Ranieri’s future is in grave doubt.

While that would mean he would have come full circle, let’s not jump to conclusions. Villas-Boas won’t be treating this as an audition, but rather as another appraisal of his work so far at Chelsea and passing a test like Napoli will not be easy.

Didier Drogba

…But coach cautions against complacency

N

apoli coach Walter Mazzarri has told his players that they must not take their status as favorites for granted when they face Chelsea in their Champions League round of 16 tie.

The two sides square off in the first leg tonight with many tipping the Serie A outfit for a win against Andre VillasBoas’ floundering side.

However, Mazzarri has urged caution, saying that complacency is an issue that will affect his players, should they believe the hype.

“It is funny that we are considered favorites, but we are proud of that.

However, there will be trouble if we really believe that we are. We are not favorites. “My players have impressed me with the way they have grown over

the last two seasons,” he said during a press conference yesterday.

The 50-year-old went on to urge his men to give their best possible performance, saying: “We know of the difficulties that we will come up against.

If I look at their squad then we have to be alert to all of their players. It’s important that we don’t concede,” he added.

Mazzarri will watch the game from the stands, having been dismissed in Napoli’s final group game against Villarreal, but has promised that Nicolo Frustalupi will be a competent replacement.

“Frustalupi will be on the bench. He’s a really good coach and I guarantee that he’s tactically better than me.”

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

PAGE 47

Haye, Chisora risk prison sentence over brawl David Haye

G

erman prosecutors have confirmed that British boxers, David Haye and Dereck Chisora, are being suspected of committing offences that could carry prison sentences following their brawl in Munich, Germany last Saturday.

In the brawl which has generated international condemnation, Haye is suspected of causing grievous bodily harm - a crime which, if proven, carries a prison sentence of six months to 10

years, the prosecutors said.

Also, Chisora is under suspicion of malicious injury, which equally carries a jail sentence of up to five years, and a “threat”, a lesser offence punishable by a fine or imprisonment of up to one year.

The duo had clashed after Vitali Klitschko defeated Chisora to retain his WBC heavyweight title on Saturday night.

Chisora was arrested at the Munich airport on Sunday morning just before he boarded for home and was detained for few hours to help the police in their investigations. But Haye was no where to be found.

Prosecutors say Haye left the country on a plane before he could be questioned by police.

However, Haye said in a statement yesterday he would, if requested, “happily assist the boxing authorities with any

investigation they wish to launch”.

“I realise I am no angel - and don’t mind a bit of professional trash-talk to help raise boxing’s profile - but, during my 21 years in the sport, I have never been involved in, or even witnessed, such a serious fracas,” he said.

On top of a police investigation, the British Boxing Board of Control General Secretary, Robert Smith, says Haye and Chisora could face life bans from the sport.

“It’s a possibility,” Smith told BBC Radio 5 live. “The board has many powers. They can fine, they can suspend and they can withdraw a licence.”

The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) said a misconduct investigation had been opened into Chisora’s “behaviour... prior, during and after” the Klitschko fight.

“A further statement will be issued once the stewards have decided on what action will be taken,” the BBBofC said.

“With regard to Mr David Haye, Mr Haye is not a licensed boxer with the British Boxing Board of Control and therefore no longer under our jurisdiction.”

Although Haye has retired from the sport, the board could choose to effectively ban him by denying him a licence if he seeks to fight again.

The scenes unfolded after Haye showed up at the news conference to confront Klitschko, who he believes changed his mind on a potential fight between the pair.

But that sparked a verbal exchange with Haye and Chisora squaring up to each other before a brawl ensued.

Chisora accused Haye of “glassing him”, before saying

Dereck Chisora

at least four times that he would shoot the former WBA heavyweight champion.

Chisora has had part of his fight purse withheld by the World Boxing Council after slapping Klitschko at the prefight weigh-in on Friday.

Chisora spat water towards Klitschko’s brother, Wladimir, moments before Saturday night’s bout began. More controversy followed when Chisora exchanged words with the Klitschko brothers after the result was announced.

Quedraogo wins ECOWAS cycling tour

B

y Richard Ihediwa The winner of the 2nd ECOWAS International Cycling Tour, Rasmane Quedraogo, said he dedicated his victory to God and his teammates, adding that he could not on his own accomplish the task in the gruelling four-stage race across five countries.

The Burkinabe pooled a cumulative 104 points to emerge the overall winner of the tour covering 450 km from Lagos, Nigeria to

Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Speaking after the last lap of the race in Abidjan, the 24 years old cyclist said that the event went beyond a mere race because his compatriots at home would have accepted nothing less.

“The country invested so much in me. I have been in Switzerland training not just for this event but for other competitions. For us in Burkina Faso, cycling is like a religion,” he said.

Quedraogo said they tried

to size up other country’s riding skills and devised a means to counter them.

“I must say that our team spirit saw us through. We were there for each other. For me, good team spirit did it for us. The tour was tough and competitive. We knew we would encounter obstacles like bad roads and strong winds but that propelled us to go all out,” he said.

The two other Burkinabes, Seydou Bamogo and Oumarou Minoungou, also

helped to ensure that Burkina Faso dominated the top three spots.

Bamogo, winner of the first stage from Lagos to Cotonou, notched up 94 points to come second, while Minougou posted 86 points for the third position.

The closest Nigerian to the top was Caleb Kalazibe, who had a cumulative 27 points to claim the 13th spot.

Other Nigerians, Qodiri Ajibade, with 19 points placed 16th, and Samuel Eyo,

Sports, panacea to ethnoreligious conflicts, says Mark

By Richard Ihediwa

S

enate President David Mark, has again harped on the need for the governments and private organizations to collaborate in the development of sports stressing that it has proved to be a strong tool for peaceful co-existence and unity between and among the diverse ethnic and religious groups in the country.

Speaking at the closing of the 4th edition of Governor Gabriel Suswam Annual Pro-AM golf tournament in Otukpo, Benue State at the weekend, Mark was optimistic that sports, like deep affection conquers all grievances or aggression.

“I am convinced that with sports, there would be healthy competitions between and among our people. The occasional ethno-religious outbursts would be addressed because sports speak only one language “friendship, peace, love and togetherness.

“In the good old days of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, the language was Nigeria and Nigeria. There was no ethnic or religious coloration. It was one love Nigeria. The same spirit could be rekindled today if we develop all aspects of our sports and promote healthy competition rather than the contrary”, he said.

In his remark, host Governor Suswam expressed

appreciation to the Senate President for promoting sports and contributing to the socio- economic development of the state.

“The Otukpo Golf Course has placed Benue state on the International tourism map and so I have no doubt in my mind that the first set of future Tiger Woods will come from Benue state”, Suswam said.

Mr. Emos Korblah the Otukpo resident Professional emerged the overall winner with a gross of 288. Ideriah Solomon of Port-Harcourt golf club emerged category one winner with 310 while Amina Wilfred of Kano Golf club clinched the Ladies trophy with 177 points.

David Mark

who garnered four points, came in 29th.

In the general classification, Burkina Faso was also placed ahead of the others, followed by Cote d’Ivoire in second and Senegal in third place. Ghana and Mali were fourth and fifth, while Nigeria clinched the sixth position.

Some 66 cyclists started the race but only 49 completed it. While some were disqualified, a few took ill and pulled out of the race.

QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE God does not comf or comfor ortt us to mak e us comf or ta ble make comfor orta tab le,, but to mak e us comf or ter s make comfor orter ters — J. H. Jowett

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

SPORTS Of blank cheque and its dangers (II) LA TEST LATEST Rwanda change Eagles match venue

T

he 2013 Nations Cup qualifier between Rwanda and Nigeria will not be played at the Amahoro Stadium, but a smaller facility also in the capital city of Kigali, officials have disclosed.

General secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Musa Amadu confirmed that he has been officially communicated by his counterpart from Rwanda FA that the February 29 match will be played at the Stade Regional de Kigali.

"We have been informed that the match will be played at a different stadium because the Amahoro Stadium is under renovation," Amadu disclosed.

Further investigations have revealed that the new match venue is more compact and has a capacity for 22,000 fans and, like the Amahoro, has an artificial pitch. It is also the home ground of the country’s biggest club APR. The Amahoro Stadium, on the other hand, is Rwanda’s national stadium and has a bigger capacity of 30,000.

The Eagles should therefore now expect to play in a noisy, crammed arena with the home fans playing as the 12th man for the Amavubis.

In the meantime, the Eagles began getting set for the heat they are expected to encounter on match day in Rwanda by training in Abuja by 1.15pm local time Monday.

The tropical heat will also mean the artificial pitch is hot and so make the players’ boots also unbearably hot.

The training lasted for about two hours with the players expressing their readiness to fight for victory no matter the discomfort they may face.

"Guys, bear the heat because Rwanda would be hotter than this on the match day," warned Keshi as his players struggled with the early afternoon heat.

"This is your business and you must be good and ready.

ADVERT: BUSINESS: NEWS: LAGOS:

0803 0805 0803 0805 0803

W

hether by design or accident, most of the JTF members now operating in Borno and Kano are of southern origin and Christians. There are even suggestions from some quarters, as well as strong hints, though no real evidence, that many of the JTF soldiers in Borno today are former Niger Delta militants hurriedly given a few weeks military training and posted there.

Maybe it is the standard practice in our armed forces that officers and men from one part of the country are sent to other parts on operations such as this. One recalls, for instance, that it was mostly soldiers of Northern extraction that were sent to the South-west during the Abacha days when NADECO was, to the authorities at the time, a real pain in the ass.

Ordinarily, these shouldn’t be much problem with Nigerian soldiers of whatever background serving anywhere in the country to keep the peace. Soldiers, after all, are supposed to be above politics, and to conduct themselves and discharge their duties with the detachment of trained professionals, guided only by the military ethics and codes of conduct. Unfortunately, this is hardly the case with our armed forces these days. Our military may still boast some appreciable level of professionalism. But the last traces of neutrality seem to have long been bleached from it – the result largely of its decades of direct intervention in politics and the problem of totalisation of political influence in Nigeria. More to the point, in this particular case of Boko Haram insurgency, the military commanders have been presenting the problem, to both the public and the soldiers, as being essentially ethno-regional, and one requiring the field soldiers themselves to demonstrate their loyalty to the commanders by siding with them.

When the problem is simplified and presented this way, and against the backdrop of growing tension, fears and suspicions between the nation’s diverse groups, there are bound to be problems. And giving the soldiers a blank cheque to kill and destroy whole neighbourhoods becomes, in such a situation, an open invitation to genocide.

Consider, first, the most obvious problem. These soldiers and policemen operating in Borno and Kano have little or no real understanding of, and even less regard and respect for, the cultures, religion and sensibilities of the people they are supposed to be protecting. They are behaving like an army of occupation in a conquered territory, holding the

311 689 606 327 454

7458 1765 3308 1969 0344

FOR THE MASSES

By Rufa’i Ibrahim ruf585@hotmail.com

Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika local population in utter contempt and visiting on them all manners of impunity, violence and brutality. How, given all this, can the JTF hope to win the support and cooperation of the local people, without which it will be completely impossible to fight and defeat insurgents fighting an asymmetric war?

In many neighbourhoods in Borno especially, these JTF soldiers have been making it impossible for the residents to perform their prayers in congregations and at the prescribed times. They arrest and detain people at random and for no just cause other than that they have the guns and the power to do so. They force all those in their detention camps, no matter their religion or custom, to drink and bath with urine – presumably to break any spell or “juju” that the detainees may have. They force innocent passers-by near their numerous check-points to do frogjumps or roll back and forth on the hot tarred roads. They subject women to all sorts of indignities as well. And even the dead are not spared the soldiers’ indignities.

Corpses are not released to relations for the usual religious rites on time.

It seems these soldiers are sent on such important and sensitive assignments without any civilized codes of conduct and proper rules of engagement. If our military has such codes of behaviour and rules of engagement, it is doubtful that these have been given and/or taught to the field soldiers in Borno.

If the soldiers have been given and taught these codes and rules of engagement, then it is clear that these codes and rules have not been understood and internalized, much

less entered deeply within the consciousness of the field soldiers.

If, however, these codes and rules have been taught to and properly understood by the soldiers, then one thing is obvious: the soldiers know, from official nods and winks, that non-compliance attracts no adverse consequences and that what the commanders actually expect, and reward, is the observance of these codes and rules in the breach.

Now, in any case, the blank cheque given to the soldiers has changed the entire game plan and purpose of the JTF operation from one of containment to one of killing for its sake. And the soldiers are living up to their commanders’ expectations, killing at random.

Between January and December last year, for instance, official records at the Maiduguri University Teaching Hospital showed that the JTF deposited 635 brought-in-dead (BID) bodies to the hospital. This number does not include other BID bodies deposited

by JTF in other hospitals in Maiduguri and other towns in the state. The 635 BID bodies deposited at the teaching hospital alone give us an average of 60 dead bodies per month, killed extra-judiciously, victims of a brutal and bestial force.

In December last year, the JTF brought to the teaching hospital bodies of 35 people who, this time around, were all hanged till they died. The hospital authorities made public announcement calling on people to come to check to see if their missing relatives or friends were among the dead, most of whom were young and able bodied.

Hanging certainly isn’t part of Boko Haram’s methods. So, the JTF could not blame the atrocity on the sect. And no one was in any doubt as to who to blame for the senseless murders.

Then there is the case of the 11 young men pulled out of their houses by the JTF men at about 3.00 am and who were all found killed later in the day – which the JTF blamed on in-fighting between Boko Haram factions. But, given that there is a curfew in Maiduguri which is being strictly enforced by the JTF itself, no one was fooled by soldiers’ claims.

The fact is that we have a serious problem in the country.

And the sooner the authorities realize this and change gear the better it will be for all of us. Boko Haram constitutes a serious challenge that puts to test our leaders’ ability to manage crises and conduct our affairs in ways that promote understanding, unity and peace. But the state’s oppressive conduct constitutes, in my view, an even bigger problem.

Largely because of the state’s oppressive conduct, Nigerians are now caught between two extremes – none better than the other. On the one hand, there is Boko Haram, and other criminal gangs, bombing, shooting and killing at random. On the other, we have the state itself, whose coercive forces, no less murderous than Boko Haram, have also been killing and destroying at random.

It ought to be clear to the authorities that the JTF is not making any appreciable headway in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency. By its conduct, the JTF has been amassing not friends but enemies. It is not winning the hearts, or getting the support and co-operation of the local population.

It is, instead, driving the population into the hands of the insurgents. It is creating a situation whereby most residents, if they have to choose, would prefer living with Boko Haram to living with the JTF. With the former, a resident could be relatively safe unless he or she crosses the sect’s path or happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. With the JTF, however, one couldn’t be sure when the soldiers would visit the neighbourhood and what would make them pull the trigger on defenceless people, or arrest and detain people and subject them to all sorts of torture, for no good reasons.

The state’s oppressive conduct, as represented by JTF activities, remains the biggest impediment to the resolution of the crisis we face.

There is now talk everywhere of the need for dialogue between the government and the sect. Which will be quite in order. For, as they say, a tolerated voice is a quieter voice. But how can there be any meaningful dialogue of the kind that will bring about a solution when the state remains obdurate in its oppressive conduct?

The biggest problem now, though, is that, with the blank cheque now given to our soldiers to kill, main and destroy, the grounds for a full genocide have been laid.

The authorities should be careful.

For, a blank cheque like this makes things easier for those who may want to file petitions at the International Criminal Court for war crime trials. People are watching and documenting everything.

Concluded

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos, Tel: +234-09-8734478. Cell: +234 803 606 3308. e-mail: contact@peoplesdaily-online.com ISSN: 2141– 6141