Peoples Daily Newspaper, Saturday, April 21, 2012

VOL. 1 NO. 89 SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

JIMADAL ULA 30 - 31, 1433 AH

N150

Airforce plane fires missile into civilian building · Resource Control: Page 2

North Vs South

Who blinks first?

As NASS begins fresh Constitution amendment

·

Pages 3, 9, 10 & 11

Clark

Gov. Aliyu

Prof. Abdullahi

Gov. Amechi

Butchers at war in Edo· WWW.PEOPLESDAILY-ONLINE.COM

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

News

Butchers at war

How politics among Edo butchers claimed 15 lives From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

S

ince last Tuesday, residents of Ikpoba area in city of Benin, Edo state capital have been living in fear following the bloody clash among butchers which led to the dead of 15 persons.

The butchers, whose trade may have apparently taken away the normal human feelings towards bloodletting descended on themselves like ferocious beings as they locked up in a bloody leadership tussle that resulted in the dead of some of them while many others sustained serious life threatening injuries.

Trouble started when rival groups disagreed on the process for the election of a new executive for Edo state chapter of National Butchers Union of Nigeria (NBUN) last Monday.

The clash was said to have started as early as 5 am that Monday when some young men armed with cutlasses clashed amidst gunshots following alleged moves by supporters of a chairmanship aspirant who was

A survivor of the clash

said to have been opposed to the conduct of the election.

It was gathered that the aspirant had mobilized his supporters to the venue on learning that the National President of the union, Chief John Adun had set up an interim committee for the purpose of conducting the branch election.

This was also as the out-going branch chairman, Sunny Omokaro who was seriously wounded in the fight had secured the approval of the state government to supervise the same election.

At the heat of the tussle, butchers descended on butchers, matchetes clash with matchers; gunfire returned by gunfire. At

the end were tales of death, blood, tears and sorrow. Fifteen persons were killed while many others are now nursing their machete or gunshot wounds.

Since last Tuesday, there have been palpable fear and residents, especially those living at Ikpoba slope in Ikpoba-Okha local government area of the state, may be force to abandon their homes for safety.

On its own part, the Edo state Police Command has remained on high alert. This is especially as there are reports of sporadic shooting in the nights by some suspected butcher factions.

Investigations reveal that friction between the rival groups started with the setting up of a caretaker committee by the National Chairman, Chief John Osamde Adun to run the affairs of the union ahead of a substantive election of executives which was billed to hold on Saturday April 14, 2012.

A perceived move by the authorities to impose a candidate on the union may have aggravated the situation. While the friction continued Omokaro is

insisting that, ‘Article 8 section 3 of the Butchers Union Constitution empowers the National President to play a supervisory role. But the same law does not allow him to influence or interfere on any election.

Omokaro alleged that those who attacked his group with gun and machetes included a task force chairman, whose name he did not mention.

However, refuting the allegation, Adun claimed that he was given a mandate by the state government to take over the union.

But another butcher, Ambrose Odigie gave a twist to the crisis. He said the controversial butchers union was illegal adding that those at the helm of affairs were oppressing the butchers with heavy levies. The crisis, he said was a protest against the self imposed leaders.

It was gathered that the interest of the two groups are stemming from who controls the daily revenue collection running into millions of naira generated by the union which is mostly dominated by women is largely responsible for the crises.

Airforce plane fires missile into civilian building Sylva loses

A

Nigerian Air Force helicopter on routine patrol in Port Harcourt, River state capital yesterday fired a rocket into a building in Woji district of the city.

Residents of the area were forced to run for their lives when the missile hit the building and a Toyota Camry car as they thought they were being attacked by terrorists.

Speaking to newsmen, Commander of the Nigerian Air Force Base, Port Harcourt, Air Vice-Marshall Abba Zannah, said, that the rocket, which fell from its helicopter on patrol on Friday, destroyed a building in Woji, Port Harcourt.

In his words, “This morning, a rocket flew out of the Nigerian Air Force helicopter and destroyed a building at No 98 Woji Street, in Woji Town, Port Harcourt.''

“The helicopter was on a routine patrol of the Niger Delta creeks”, the incident occurred about 6.30 a.m. on Friday, and that no life was lost.” ?

"It was a technical error which was unusual in the

system. But we are glad that no life was lost in the incident.”It was not a normal thing in the Air Force system and the

outcome of the investigation will allow us take certain measures,'' The building, hit by the missile is still under construction

was unoccupied at the time the missile landed on it and there were no casualties from the damage.

at Supreme Court

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

F

A Nigeria Air Force helicopter

ormer governor of Bayelsa state, Chief Timipre Sylva’s hopes of returning as governor have been dashed as the Supreme Court threw out the suit filed by Sylva challenging his ouster from the 2012 gubernatorial race in Bayelsa state.

Sylva had approached the Federal High Court Abuja to stop PDP from replacing him having won the primaries for the governorship contest much earlier.

However, the embattled former governor has grudgingly accepted the Supreme Court ruling as: ‘Dark Day for Democracy’. A statement signed

by Doifie Ola, his media aide, further said: “As a democrat, Chief Timipre Sylva accepts today’s ruling of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. He however considers the decision of the apex court as dark for democracy and justice in Nigeria”.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

News Resource Control:

North vs South: Who blinks first?

As National Assembly begins fresh constitution amendment

By Richard Ihediwa

D

emand for fiscal federalism by the oil rich South South to pave way for total resource control of oil resources has polarised the country along the north and south divide ahead of the commencement of the fresh round of constitution amendment by the National Assembly.

The issue is believed to be one of the major items that would be thrown up at the amendment exercise as the leaders from the south south, including state governors as well as state and federal lawmakers from the region had already reached a consensus on the matter.

On the other hand governors and leaders from the northern state had called the bluff on their southern colleagues saying that north can survive without the oil resources from the south.

Sources in the National

Assembly hinted that the issue has already started splitting members of the National Assembly along sectional lines ahead of the commencement of the review in the next few weeks.

The Senate on Thursday said it is set for the amendment and had fixed July 13 to finish the job.

It was gathered that federal and state lawmakers from the south south have already started rallying their colleagues from other southern states to support the bid.

The position is fallout of the Monday meeting of south south governors, state and federal lawmakers, federal ministers and other leaders in Uyo, AkwaIbom state capital where the region canvassed the entrenchment of fiscal federalism in the country to enable it have total control of its oil resources.

In the communique, issues at the end of the meeting and read

by Cross River state Governor

Lyel Imoke, the regions also questioned the non-exploitation of the mineral deposits in other parts of the country.

The south south governors had rejected the demand by the northern governors led by Niger state Governor Babangida Aliyu for a review of the Revenue Formula so as to allocate more money to states.

The south south had instead insisted on the demand for total control of the oil resources and challenged other states and regions to develop their own resources.

Peoples Daily Weekend gathered that federal lawmakers from the north are now putting their heads together to adopt a common front on the matter especially against the backdrop of the position of the northern leaders that the region can survive without the south.

The northern leaders, who met under the aegis of Arewa Elders Forum (AEF), on

Wednesday also told southerners who are agitating for the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) that the North can survive if the country divides.

“We know this is an old call; it’s been long for over 20 years, they have been saying this corporate existence of the country, that the federal system is faulty”, said Prof. Ango Abdullahi, a chieftain of the forum and aide of the former President Olusegun Obasanjo, “They are keen in sitting down to discuss what kind of arrangement would be conducive for Nigerians. This is an old call and it is not a new thing. Some people are hiding under the guise of this agitation to show that they are tired of staying in a united Nigeria,” he said.

Professor Abdullahi said northerners would not cause Nigeria’s break-up, adding that “if, however, others decided that

the country be divided and they insisted that Nigeria break up, we won’t say no, because we realised there is nothing we are getting in the current arrangement that other sections of the country are not getting.”

There are however feelers that the National Assembly may work out an acceptable soft landing to end the disagreement. Sources hinted that the leadership of the National Assembly and the Constitution Review committees of both chambers are working out a template that may result in increased allocation to states as well increase in the derivative formula for the oil rich state which may get to 50 percent.

This position is coming against the backdrop of the fact that the north has more voting population in the National Assembly and might use this to frustrate the south, a situation that might further heighten the already tensed situation in the country.

NCC registers 110m SIM cards FG, states, in Nigeria, says spokesman councils share N497.731bn T

he Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said a total of 110 million SIM cards have been registered and collated by all the GSM service providers operating in the country.

Mr. Reuben Muoka, NCC’s Public Relations Officer, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja yesterday.

Muoka said that the figure was based on the data collated by the commission from all the GSM providers.

He said that the registered SIMs were more than the estimated number of lines on the network.

Muoka said that the commission would soon commence the verification of all GSM registered SIM cards.

“By March 2012 we had finished uploading all the data registered from the exercise and it amounted to 110 million plus.

You know in the network we have about 90 million lines.

“Then you will asked how comes we now have 110 million lines, it means that people registered twice, people probably registered one number in three different locations, people may have registered five lines repeatedly in several areas”.

The NCC spokesman attributed the multiple SIM registration to inconsistent information from the GSM operators.

“In 2011 and early 2012 most service providers were still sending text messages to their subscribers asking them to register their SIMs even after some of them had done so. This

created room for multiple SIM card registration.

“That was why NCC advised subscribers who had registered their SIM cards to ignore such messages”.

“Now the next stage which the Commission is going to commence very soon is verification. You know during the exercise we were telling people even when your operator sends you a number telling you, you did not register well or you have not registered well, you should not bother, at the end of the day it is NCC that will determine the status of your data, so it is that stage that NCC is going to enter now.

“NCC will now issue a code where people can send text and verify if they have registered, that is the next stage and final stage”. (NAN)

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), met in Abuja yesterday and shared a total of N497.731 billion for the month of March.

The figure showed an increase of N95.540 billion or 23.77 percent from the February figure. Out of this amount, the Federal Government got 235.163 billion (52.68 percent), state governments received 119.278 billion (26.72 percent) and local government councils got N91.

958 billion (20.60 percent). 13 percent derivation for oil producing states was put at N49.

Gunmen kill eight in Borno, Yobe

By Richard Ihediwa with agency report

G

unmen suspected to be members of dreaded Boko Haram sect have killed at least eight people, including a policeman, in separate attacks in Borno and Yobe states within the week.

The attacks, which also wounded a policeman, occurred in three different cities, with most of the violence in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state in Nigeria's northeast where Boko Haram has

been based.

"Five people were killed yesterday by gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram, in a bakery. All five were labourers in the bakery, located in the Polo area of Maiduguri," Borno state Police Commissioner, Bala Hassan told reporters.

According to him, two gunmen stormed the bakery with guns concealed in a sack and shot the five dead. The attackers fled before police arrived, he said.

Hassan also said a customs officer was shot dead on Wednesday at Gamboru market

in Maiduguri, while a water vendor was also killed in another area of the city on the same day.

In nearby Yobe state, police spokesman, Toyin Gbadegeshin disclosed that a policeman was killed outside his house in the state capital on Thursday.

"We lost a policeman to unidentified gunmen who trailed and killed him outside his house at Pawari neighbourhood of Damaturu," he said, adding that Boko Haram was suspected.

In yet another attack, a policeman was wounded by

gunmen who opened fire on him outside a petrol station in Kano, the largest city in Nigeria's north.

Boko Haram has been blamed for scores of shootings and bomb blasts, mostly in northern Nigeria, in an increasingly deadly insurgency that has killed more than 1,000 people since 2009.

The US embassy in Nigeria warned Wednesday that Boko Haram may be planning attacks against hotels or other targets in the Nigerian capital Abuja, but the government downplayed the alert and said there was no cause for alarm.

908 billion.

According to the Minister of State for Finance, Lawan Yerima Ngama who addressed the press after the meeting yesterday, the total funds available was N726.722 billion, which exceeded the expectation of the 2012 budget. He added that for two consecutive months, there had been no augmentation since the government had enough funds.

According to him, the figure was however lower than the 766.772 billion received in the previous month by N40 billion, “due to a decrease in crude oil export for the month as a result of several operational issues and safety challenges in Bonga, Brass, Bonny, and Qua Iboe Terminals.”

The committee also distributed a refund of N7.617 billion by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The total amount distributable for the month including VAT was 613.697 billion and this figure showed an increase of N7.041 billion or 1.13 percent compared to last month’s figure.

There was an exchange gain of N48.820 billion being the difference between the average prevailing exchange rate and the budgeted rate accumulated in 2011 which was also distributed.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

Photo News A passenger helping an okada rider to cross the road, along Kugbo hill, Abuja, yesterday

This young boy is packaging his pick at a public dustbin in Karu

Scavengers carefully selecting items at a public dustbin, in Nyanya, Abuja

Children having fun at Wonder Land, in Abuja.

Okada riders patiently waiting for passengers at Mararaba, Nasarawa state

Photos: Mahmud Isa

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 5

News

Jos Eid ground attacks: Gunmen kill vigilantes in Plateau Court adjourns sitting U A From Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

From Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

High Court sitting in Jos yesterday adjourned the case filed by Idris Malwa and 127 persons against Plateau state and the Federal Government, the Commandant of Special Task Force (STF) over last year’s attack on Muslims at Rukuba Road Eid ground in Jos to June 6th, 2012.

Others dragged to court are the Attorney General of Federation, the Armed Forces Council, the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force,

the Special Task Force and Nigerian Police Force, the Inspector General of Police, the Plateau state Commissioner of Police among others as defendants.

Our correspondent gathered that the presiding judge, Justice Ambrose Allagoa, was said to have travelled and all the cases billed for hearing were adjourned for June 6th.

Our correspondent recalls that 200 vehicles were burnt and several Muslim worshipers were killed in last Augusts’ at-

tack on Muslims during the Eidel Fitr prayer.

Malwa on behalf of 127 plaintiffs are asking the court to order the defendants to pay them the sum of N50million as special damages and another N50m as general and exemplary damages each.

The plaintiffs are also asking the court to declare that the defendants’negligence, inaction, failure and or default to protect the lives and properties of the plaintiff as unconstitutional and illegal.

Hajiya Aishatu Rufa’i Ibrahim is Garkuwan Azara From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

T

he wife of Malam Rufa’i Ibrahim, Editor-In-Chief of Peoples Daily and Peoples Daily Weekend newspapers, Hajiya Aishatu Rufa’i Ibrahim, has been crowned with the title of Garkuwan Azara, by the Emir of Azara, Alhaji Kabir Musa Ibrahim.

Hajiya Aishatu was among four others honoured by the traditional ruler for their contributions to the development of the area in a colourful ceremony which held at the palace of the emir.

Addressing the mammoth crowd that attended the function,

the Emir said the reasons for investing titles on the subjects of the emirate, included that such a person merits the title having made contributions toward the development of the emirate.

The emir observed that in awarding Hajiya Aishatu with the title of Garkuwan Azara, her various contributions to the society, particularly in helping youths from the area in seeking employment, as well as her lineage, was being recognised.

He urged other recipients of the award including Hajiya Hadiza Yusuf Agabi, (Sarauniyar Azara); Al-amin Aminu Safana, (Dan-Isan

Azara); and Yakubu Dalhatu Araf, (Wakilin Waje); not to rest in their effort to better the lives of the people.

In her response, Hajiya Aishatu said she is elated with the honour done her, adding that she felt motivated to do more for the community while thanking the Emir for the gesture.

Hajiya Aishatu Rufa’i Ibrahim was thrice commissioner as well as special adviser under the administration of former governor Abdullahi Adamu, and is presently the Coordinator of the National Agricultural Show.

nknown gunmen yesterday killed two members of the vigilante group in Riyas village opposite Plateau State University (PLASU) in Bokkos local government area of Plateau state.

The attackers invaded the village in the early hours of Friday at exactly 1:41 am when they started shooting sporadically which resulted to

the death of two members of vigilantes.

Our reporter gathered that a 35-years-old man, Mangut Dakwan and Magit Manesseh of about 25 years were killed in the shooting while many were left injured and are said to be receiving medical attention in a hospital in Bokkos.

Late Mangut Dakwan is said to be married with five children while Mangit Manesseh was married without a child yet.

PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA Whereas the person/persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the person(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of Administration of the personal property.

Notice is hereby that the said letter of Administration be granted to such person(s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT” the grant thereof is field in the probate Registry of the above named court within twenty-one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE DECEASED NAME & ADDRESS OKOH GODWIN EMMANUEL IRUKA Plot 104 NEPA Road, Kubwa, Bwari, Abuja Who died on the 3rd December, 2011.

APPLICANTS FOR GRANT OKOH V. CHUKWUNONSO and OKOH M. TOCHUKWU Plot 104 NEPA Road, Kubwa Bwari, Abuja The Sons of the said Deceased.

Dated at Abuja this 20th day of April, 2012 Signed: Mrs. O. C. Oleru For: Probate Registrar

PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA Whereas the person/persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the person(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of Administration of the personal property.

Notice is hereby that the said letter of Administration be granted to such person(s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT” the grant thereof is field in the probate Registry of the above named court within twenty-one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE DECEASED NAME & ADDRESS ALI BARKA N.Y.S. C. Headquarters, Abuja Who died on the 23rd July, 2011.

2 L-R: Member of United Action for Democracy (UAD), Mr. Gbenro Olajuyigbe, National Convener of UAD, Mr. Jaye Gaskiya, and Chairman, Joint Action Front (JAF), Mr. Ezenwa Nwagwu, during a press briefing with a titled “Tackle Corruption and Impunity to End Poverty: A Call to Action”, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

APPLICANTS FOR GRANT HADIZA ALI B. Guardian to Umar Ali and NANA HADIZA ALI Kukwaba Chief House Kubwa, FCT, Abuja The Widow, Son and Daughter of the said Deceased.

Dated at Abuja this 20th day of April, 2012 Signed: Mrs. O. C. Oleru For: Probate Registrar

Zamfara to sack two hisbah officials From Salisu Zakiri Maradun, Gusau

T

wo officials of the Zamfara state Hisbah Commission may lose their job following their involvement in the camping of some female suspects in Gusau, the capital of the state.

The officials, Alhaji Lawali Maradun and Umar Idris, were arrested and arraigned before a Gusau Higher Shariah Court for allegedly camping the said women.

After they arrested the ladies while on patrol, they refused to hand them over to the police as has been the tradition, and in-

stead allegedly diverted them to an unknown place.

In the first hearing of the case, the judge of the court, Alhaji Lawali Sani adjourned the case until May 3, 2012.

Alhaji Lawali A. Sani directed that the two accused be remanded until the date of adjournment.

Akinjide indicts FCTA of project duplication, lopsidedness

By Josephine Ella

T

he Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide on Thursday, acknowledged that there has been duplication or lopsidedness in the location of projects in the territory.

Akinjide, who admitted this while delivering a keynote address

at the opening ceremony of a twoday retreat on the harmonisation of the FCT budgets with the FCT area councils in Minna, Niger state capital, observed inconsistencies in programme implementations by the FCT administration.

According to her, the anomalies in the development of Abuja have the tendency to impact negatively on the pace of development of grassroots communities in the

FCT. She said: “The need for synergy and collaboration in the delivery of the dividends of democracy.

She expressed hope that the retreat would evolve an expenditure framework that harnesses scarce resources and ensures effective utilisation of statutory allocations to ensure a greater welfare benefit for the people.

PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA Whereas the person/persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the person(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of Administration of the personal property.

Notice is hereby that the said letter of Administration be granted to such person(s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT” the grant thereof is field in the probate Registry of the above named court within twenty-one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE DECEASED NAME & ADDRESS MRS. NSIBAN UDOH Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja Who died on the 7th June, 2007.

APPLICANTS FOR GRANT CHRISTIANA UDOH and EMMANUEL UDOH House No. 8, Ogbomosho Street, Garki, Abuja The Daughter and Son of the said deceased.

Dated at Abuja this 20th day of April, 2012 Signed: Mrs. O. C. Oleru For: Probate Registrar

PAGE 6

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

News Reps to conduct public hearing on National Housing Fund

By Umar Mohammed Puma

C

oncerned by the housing problems faced by Nigerians working in both public and private sectors of the economy, and the several resolution, recommendations and suggestions made in the past geared towards solving the acute housing problems of Nigerians, The House of Representatives during the week mandated its committees

on Housing and Habitat, Finance, Banking and Currency to conduct a public hearing in order to ascertain the contributors, the amount of money contributed and whether or not employers remit same, how much fund is invested and the management and general compliance with the National Housing Act. The motion which was read by Hon. Innocent Z. Tirsel (Plateau), stated: “it is with the view to

checkmating, ameliorating and or solving our Housing problems that the Federal Housing Act Cap. 45 were enacted in 1992”.

The provision of the said Act makes it mandatory for employers in both public and private sector of the economy who have in their employment employees earning a basic salary of N3, 000 and above per annum to deduct 2.5% of the monthly salary of their employees as contribution to the

fund.

The House is worried that some unscrupulous employers had milked the fund dry to the tune of N100 billion which has adversely affected the National Housing Fund, and that the employers have religiously made deduction from employees’ salaries, and no visible and tangible result is seen as the Housing problem is on the increase with unquantifiable hardship visited on Nigerians.

Uniabuja crisis: Civil society condemn call for sack of VC

By Augustine Aminu

T

h e coalition of civil society for transparency in governance has condemn strongly the recent call by the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) for the sack of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. James Sunday Adebowale, following the recent crisis that engulfed the institution.

While the group hailed all efforts by the Federal Government in restoring academic activities to the institution, it said it is disappointed with the call being made by ASUU Speaking to journalists yesterday in Abuja, President of the coalition, Comrade Ibrahim Atah said the action of a faction of the union in calling for the sack of the VC would further polarize the existing peace and harmony being

enjoyed by both students and lecturers of the institution.

The group insisted that it demand for the sack of Prof Adebowale was based on frivolous allegations and such should be disregarded by the authorities.

According to him, the action of the faction of ASUU was inimical to the progress of the institution and the welfare of the students adding that it was high time stakeholders should desist from

such actions.

Trouble started in the institution when the Ministry of Education suspended some faculties for lack of certain facilities.

The group said it has however become pertinent that the Ministry of Education sets up a panel to harmonize the position of all stakeholders in the University of Abuja in order to maintain a peaceful and conducive environment for learning.

Zuru emirate PDP protests non conduct of ward and council congresses

T

h e Zuru Emirate Forum for Political Reform (ZEFPR) has protested the non conduct of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ward and Local Government congresses in Kebbi state that were slated for 7th and 14th April 2012 respectively in the four Local Government Areas of Zuru, Danko/ Wasagu, Fakai and Sakaba in Zuru Emirate.

The protest is contained in a letter signed by 104 members of the Forum and addressed to the

Kebbi state Governor, Saidu Nasamu Dakingari with copies sent to the State Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Mansur Shehu and the Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC in the state.

In the letter, the Forum asserted that, “nomination forms were denied the contestants while officials boycotted the voting centres but at the end, Certificates of Return purported to be the result of the congresses, were given to people selected

from Birnin Kebbi to fill.“This flouts PDP’s constitution and zoning arrangement. We protest and frown at the flagrant abuse of the party’s constitution and call for the immediate conduct of congresses in these areas in accordance with the PDP’s constitution and guidelines”, the group stated.

The Forum added that to engender cohesion and unity in the PDP in the state and especially the Zuru Emirate, the anomalies must be corrected

forthwith otherwise opposition parties would take over the Emirate.

It also challenged the marginalisation of the Zuru Emirate in the appointment of political offices in Kebbi state and the imposition of candidates on the Emirate by the PDP in the state.

The forum particularly protested the imposition of the Kebbi State Deputy Chairman of the PDP from a minority tribe on the platform of the Zuru Emirate and decried plans to elongate his tenure.

Senate did not interfere in pension probe —EFCC

By Lambert Tyem

T

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied reports in sections of the media alleging that the Senate had directed the Nigeria Police to probe its former chairman, Mrs. Farida Waziri and the incumbent, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde for perceived wrongdoing in the ongoing pensions probe.

EFCC further said it was also reported that the Commission has

been directed by the Senate to hands off further investigation of pension matters.

According to Wilson Uwujaren Ag. Head, Media & Publicity of the Commission, "These assertions which made banner headlines in some national dailies were gross misrepresentation of what transpired at the public hearing of the Senate Joint Committee on Investigations into Pension Administration on Tuesday April 17, 2012.

"The Commission wishes to

state that, at no time did the Senate committee or the Senate as a whole order the police to probe the chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde and his predecessor, Mrs. Farida Waziri...

“EFCC was not the only law enforcement agency involved in the biometric exercise. There were officers from the ICPC, Code of Conduct Bureau and the SSS, which gives the assignment an inter agency outlook.

Unfortunately attention is focused only on the EFCC and the person

of Lamorde!...

“All EFCC investigators scheduled to go on pensioners’ verification exercises abroad, duly travelled, contrary to the reports that the Commission’s employees collected and pocketed estacode for work not done. Their travel records can be verified from Nigerian and their host countries’ immigration services and also from various Nigerian embassies abroad where the exercises were conducted...”

Jonathan urges German investors to expand interest in Nigeria

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan has urged German investors to invest in Nigeria especially in such sectors as power, energy, technology transfer and human resource development.

The President assured German investors of high return

on their investments which he said they could wholly own under the prevailing laws in Nigeria.

President Jonathan who spoke at a breakfast meeting with representatives of the private sector and German Business Association in Berlin yesterday, said Nigeria was an investors' delight on account of its favourable investment climate

which he advised them to explore.

The President therefore remarked that he would like to see German investment in Nigeria expanded to include technology transfer and human resources development with the aim of equipping young and educated Nigerians with skills, knowledge and access to information that would make them globally competitive.

"I would like to see the acclaimed 'German machine,' the euphemism for competence and effectiveness, replicated in Nigeria," he declared.

The meeting was attended by selected Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of German corporations many of who spoke about the need to reduce factors inhibiting foreign investment in Nigeria.

Mark commiserates with Belgore ...condoles Delta State over Okumagba

By Julius Ogar

P

r e s i d e n t of the Senate, Senator David Mark, has sent a message of condolence to the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, (CJN) Alfa Belgore over the demise of his wife, Hajiya Fatimah.

Mark in the condolence message to the government and people of Kwara state, described late Fatimah as a distinguished public servant, a dutiful wife and caring mother who left a legacy of selfless service.

A release signed by Paul Mumeh, Chief Press Secretary to Senator Mark noted that late Fatimah exhibited humility and an unquestionable record of excellent service as a former Deputy Matron of the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital.

Also yesterday, Senator Mark sent a message of condolence to the government and people of Delta state over the death of HRM Benjamin Okumagba, the traditional ruler of Okere-Urhobo kingdom in Warri South local government of the state.

Senator Mark noted that late Okumagba lived a life of service to society and humanity.

Senator Mark remarked that late Okumagba would be remembered as a very resourceful President of Urhobo Progressive Union, (UPU) who placed the interest and welfare of his people above self.

We’re no security outfitAmnesty office

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

T

he Presidential Amnesty Office yesterday said its mandate in the Niger Delta region does not include curbing crime and enforcing the laws.

The Amnesty Office was reacting to what it called ‘the penchant for some persons to pick on the Presidential Amnesty Programme over occasional security breaches in the Niger Delta.’

According to a statement signed by the Head of Media and Communication, Henry Ugbolue: “Yes, it is true that the Presidential Amnesty Programme has aided the stabilisation of security conditions in the Niger Delta by successfully overseeing the disarmament, demobilisation and currently reintegrating the entire 26,358 Niger Delta ex-agitators who accepted the offer of amnesty and enlisted in the Amnesty Programme in two phases; however the Amnesty Office has neither the powers, competences or wherewithal to stop any person who willfully decides to commit crime in the Niger Delta”, the statement said in part.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 7

Strange World 72 year old woman who married her grandson

P

earl Carter is positively glowing with joy. She has a handsome new boyfriend, is enjoying an active sex life after many years of celibacy and, amazingly, is preparing to become a mother again. But the retired grandmother isn’t carrying the baby herself.

She and her young lover have spent a staggering $54,000 hiring a surrogate to help them with their dreams of having a child.

What makes Pearl’s decision to become a mum again even more shocking is that her new boyfriend is her biological grandson, 26-year-old Phil Bailey.

Phil is the son of Pearl’s daughter Lynette Bailey, and the pair is braving public horror and even prison by breaking one of the last taboos ? incest.

However, the pair makes no apologies for their controversial plan to start their own family.

‘I’m not interested in anyone else’s opinion,’ Pearl says. ‘I am in love with Phil and he’s in love with me. Soon I’ll be holding my son or daughter in my arms and Phil will be the proud dad’. Phil adds, ‘I love Pearl with all my heart.

I’ve always been attracted to older women and I think Pearl is gorgeous. Now I’m going to be a dad and I can’t wait.

‘Yes, we get laughed at and bullied when we go out and kiss in public but we don’t care. You can’t help who you fall for.

- Oddee

Man marries his dead girlfriend

2

Pearl and biological grandson, Phil

wedding as planned and married her.

During her funeral in Surin, Thailand, Chadil Duffy placed a ring on his deceased bride’s finger. It thus turned out a wedding/funeral ceremony, one of the rare events in the world. - Oddee

Burned Chinese boy left without a face

A

Chinese boy left trapped behind a mask of scar tissue after a fire burned his face and hands off is to get the first of a dozen operations to try and restore some of his features.

Wang Xiaopeng has an almost featureless face after the horrific accident two years ago. His

The woman who married a snake

A

9-year old Sarinya Kamsook and her 28year-old boyfriend, Chadil Deffy, were to be married this year. Sarinya Kamsook unfortunately died in a car crash, just days before the big event, so Deffy decided to go on with their

woman, who claimed to have fallen in love with a snake got married to the reptile as per Hindu rituals at Atala village of Orissa’s Khurda district.

The unusual marriage had over 2,000 people taking out a procession to celebrate the event. Attired in a silk saree, 30 year-old Bimbala Das was seen sitting for around one hour as priests chanted mantras to complete the ritual.

The snake which lived in an ant hill near her home, however, was not around and a brass replica of a serpent was kept by the side of the woman instead. Bimbala said: “Though snakes cannot speak nor understand, we communicate in a peculiar way.

Whenever I put milk near the ant hill where the Cobra lives, it (the snake) always comes out to drink.” When Bimbala disclosed her idea of marrying a snake, villagers reportedly appreciated it saying the marriage will bring good fortune to the area. They also came forward to offer a grand feast for those who came to attend the marriage.

- Oddee

parents spent all their savings and took out loans to pay for three months of treatment but cannot afford to pay for any further surgery.

Mail Online readers around the world were shocked to read of the young boy’s plight and called for a fund to be set up to help him.

In response a special appeal has been created by the British charity Journalism Without Borders, who will make sure donations will go towards the youngster’s medical bills.

The five-year-old has been without hair, lips, eyelids, and toes since an accident in November 2010. He went up in flames after he accidentally set light to some corn stalks near his home in Yinchuan in China’s Ningxia Province.

His parents rushed him to Ningxia Medical University General Hospital where he managed to pull through.

However, he was left severely disfigured and the couple could only afford to pay for three months of treatment for their beloved son.

They spent their life savings and sold their house and land to cover the 150,000 yuan bill equivalent to around £15,000.

They now live on a tiny plot of 0.2 hectares.

His father Wang Yougiu, 32, earns just £200 (2,000 yuan) a month as a dairy farmer, while his mother Zhengwei Xiu, 30, is a housewife.

Xiaopeng’s injuries make it

T h e C h i n e s e youngster only has a few friends who have become used to his appearance A journalist from the B r i t i s h c h a r i t y Journalism Without Borders said: ‘We are collecting money for the family to pay the medical costs but they already have enough to start the process.

Wang Xiaopeng with his mother. He lost most of his ‘We also facial features in an accidental fire two years ago difficult for him to see while all of his fingers were amputated from the second joint.

He does not go to school, as no schools will admit him, and he only has a few friends who have got used to his appearance.

Now at last there is good news for the young boy after Journalism Without Borders set up an appeal to pay for his medical care.

want to help him with a teacher, so he can make a start on his schooling that will fit around his medical appointments.’

Doctor Li Jinning, from Ningxia Medical University hospital, said Xiaopeng needed a minimum of three surgeries to get an at least ‘human’ look and probably much more to do a proper job.

- Dailymail

PAGE 8

Focus

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

Sagging

What’s its origin?

What do Nigerians think?

By Richard Ihediwa and A’isha Biola Raji

S

a g g i n g ! A fashion considered by many to be silly and crazy has continued to tighten its grip on the society. Of course, it is not native Nigerian. It came from the outside but now it is a fashion that is cutting across the country, holding fast on its victims irrespective of gender, tribe or age.

Every day on the streets, one is confronted by young people wearing trousers and shorts below the waist line revealing much of their under wears and upper and middle buttocks in a manner that keeps onlooker gaping especially when the wearer is female.

How did Sagging start? Why has it become a vogue? There are several reports on how it all started however, all of them point that it started in the United States prisons.

One of the reports by Greg Mathis has it that sagging started when it was adopted in the US prisons where belt were prohibited basically to keep prisoners from using them as weapons or in committing suicide by hanging themselves. Mathis held that the style was popularised by hip-hop

artists in the 1990 and have become a symbol of freedom among the youths or a symbol of their rejection of the values of mainstream society.

Another report by Babara Mikkelson, to which Mathis agrees, has it that sagging had a

sexual connotation. In the prisons, those who pulled their pants down the lowest and showed their behind a little more raw signaled invitation for homosexual sexual relation with anyone that cared.

Many people who wear

sagging on the streets belonged to street gangs and most times they used the sagging clothes to conceal weapons from rival gangs. Though an American trend, sagging has crept into Nigeria and its presence is attracting a lot of reaction from Nigerians.

Even in the US, sagging is seen as inordinate fashion. Many local governments, school systems, transit agencies, and even airlines have passed laws and regulations against the practice of wearing sagging pants, and federal and state have banned the practice.

However, in Nigeria, there are no such laws yet though there are laws against inordinate dressing but they do not outrightly condemn sagging.

However, it appears that though the society does not approve of it, it has allowed it to stay Many people including US President Barack Obama, think this way. Speaking just prior to the 2008 US Presidential Election appeared on MTV and stated that laws banning the practice of wearing low-slung pants that expose one's underwear were "a waste of time". However, he did follow that up with the statement: "Having said that, brothers should pull up their pants. You are walking by your mother, your grandmother, your underwear is showing. What's wrong with that?

Come on. Some people might not want to see your underwear. I'm one of them."

In Nigeria, sagging which was mostly seen in institutions of higher learning has gradually spread to the streets and is now seen in all parts of the country.

Investigations have revealed that many of those who

showcase sagging in Nigeria do not know of its origin. Ogbonna Eze, an SS1 student told Peoples Daily Weekend that he wore sagging because he does not want his peer group to think he is not civilized. "I don't want them to think that I am not civilised" he said.

A member of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), Ademola Olalekan, who was asked his reason for drawing his trousers below the waist said, "I know it is the trendy fashion in town, it gingers my swagger when my underwear is exposed like this".

More like fad, there is the problem of peer pressure among many who wear sagging. A 23 year old shop keeper in Utako, Abuja said he sags because everybody in their compound does. "Sagging is what everybody does", he said.

However faith based organisations in the country and traditional institutions condemn the fad insisting that it is out of place with the culture of decency.

Mr. Paul Inua, an elder in a Pentecostal church in Abuja maintained that sagging was according to him, "from the pit of hell" to debase the young ones and lead them astray. He said parents must guide their children from such fashions.

Also commenting on the fad, Mrs. Chinyere Ubi, a civil servant described it as a dirty habit adding that the nation should make laws to ban the trend. "It is a dirty thing to do by showing your underwear to the public and the country needs to do something to stop it", she said.

Be it as it may, it appears that sagging has come to stay though it is obvious that fads and fashions come and go.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 9

Cover New Constitution

NASS walks tight rope On the table: *State creation* State police, Revenue formula* Fiscal federalism* Citizenship* Role for traditional rulers, others

By Richard Ihediwa

O

n Wednesday, the Senate at a news conference told Nigerians that all is now set for the commencement of the next round of constitution amendment. It fixed July 2013 to finish the job and give the nation another version of the apex law that would further reflect the wishes and aspirations of the people.

Already, the Senate Committee on Constitution Review headed by Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu has

started sitting and has started going through the issues already before it.

If the next round of amendment sails through, the nation would have had the 1999 Constitution altered the third time to further reflect the interests of the people.

Critics however fear that the current amendment may become a tight rope for the National Assembly as lobbyists have already started besieging the committee with demands for critical changes in the constitution.

Though the Ekweremadu

committee has not disclosed the issues that are on the table, it was gathered that they include creation of new state, derivative formula, revenue formula, fiscal federalism, state police, citizenship (abolition of indigene/settlers dichotomy), local government autonomy, tenure of office of executive, statutory role for traditional rulers, provisions on land use among others.

Currently, there are anxieties that debate on the issues, especially those of state creation and fiscal federalism might become very contentious as stakeholders are already divided

on them.

Despite the anxieties, the Ekweremadu committee had remained convinced that there would be some amendment and it has already started building consensus with the Deputy Senate President saying the doors were still open for more memoranda on the issues.

Stating that the Senate now has the benefit of experience and history as well as goodwill from Nigerians, having successfully amended the 1999 Constitution twice, the committee informed that lines of communication have been opened for wider

consultations with critical stakeholders such as the Governors’Forum, state houses of assembly, traditional rulers, labour fronts and the general public for inputs.

In the last amendment, the National Assembly used the instrument of consensus building to alter certain sections of the 1999 constitution including the granting of operational and financial independence to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), determination of period, methods and order of elections, time line

Contd on Pages 10,11

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

Cover New Constitution

NASS walks tight rope Contd from page 9

for registration of voters, determination of tenure of office of the President and governors, clipping of executive powers to disqualify candidates and transfer of executive powers to subordinates, determination of population among others.

Political analysts believe that the National Assembly may find itself in a tighter corner than in the last amendment as the issues currently on the table are more controversial than those in the last amendment.

Already some of the issues especially, those of fiscal federalism and state creation are fast polarizing the nation with powerful lobbies already arguing along northern and southern lines.

Fiscal federalism (Resource control) This is seen as the major issue that may become very contentious if allowed to surface in the current amendment exercise.

This is because, the idea has already pitched political leaders from the south against their northern counterparts as some elements from the south are now mounting pressure for a review of relevant sections of the constitution so as whith the federal control of mineral finds in the country.

This agitation is coming against the backdrop of insistence by the South especially the South South, where crude oil, which contributes 70 percent of the federal earning, that it must be allowed to have absolute control of the find.

While the constitution currently vests the control of mineral find in any part of the country on the Federal Government which also oversee the sharing among the federating states based on a revenue formula, some southern elements are demanding a situation in which all states are allowed to control their mineral finds and pay royalty to the Federal Government.

On Monday, leaders from the South South including the governors of the six states in the geo-political zone, all National Assembly members from the zone, all state House of Assembly members from the zone and the representative of the President rose from a meeting in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom state capital demanding that true fiscal federalism and resource control should be introduced.

The call which was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a one-day meeting also called on each state in the federation to develop and control its natural resources as oil presently found in the region, may soon dry up.

The South South leaders had rejected the call by northern governors for a review of the nation’s revenue formula insisting that ‘’the issue to be addressed was the introduction of fiscal federalism’’.

The meeting attended by South-South Governors, members of National Assembly, Speakers of the state Houses of Assembly of South South states questioned the rationale of not exploiting other mineral deposits in different parts of the country while the depleting crude oil and gas reserves of the South-South region.

Critics believe that this is one of the key issues agitators for the Sovereign National Conference want to push to the fore ahead of the next amendment of the constitution.

In a swift reply to insinuations that the

Senate President, David Mark

region was being parasitic of the south, leaders from the north had called the bluff saying the region can survive even without the oil revenue from the south. In fact, the leaders went ahead to declare that the north can survive even if the country breaks.

The body of elders in the North, who met under the aegis of Arewa Elders Forum (AEF), on Wednesday told southerners who are agitating for the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) that the North can survive if the country divides.

“We know this is an old call; it’s been long for over 20 years, they have been saying this corporate existence of the country, that the federal system is faulty”, said Prof. Ango Abdullahi, a chieftain of the forum and aide of the former President Olusegun Obasanjo, “They are keen in sitting down to discuss what kind of arrangement would be conducive for Nigerians. This is an old call and it is not a new thing. Some people are hiding under the guise of this agitation to show that they are tired of staying in a united Nigeria,” he said.

Professor Abdullahi said northerners would not cause Nigeria’s break-up, adding that “if, however, others decided that the country be divided and they insisted that Nigeria break up, we won’t say no, because we realised there is nothing we are getting in the current arrangement that other sections of the country are not getting.”

Commenting on the issue Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu in a lecture he delivered recently on Nigerian federalism described it as “deformed” and “feeding bottle” fiscal federalism saying such cannot guarantee growth.

Ekweremadu, who made the observation while delivering the Sixth Annual Oputa Lecture at the Osgoode Hall Law School, York University in Toronto, Canada, last week regretted that the brand

Speaker Aminu Tambuwal

of fiscal federalism in place today looks every inch that of master and servant relationship and is therefore killing industry, initiative, and creativity, while promoting indolence, bad governance, and rentierism.”

Senator Ekweremadu said the resurgence of debate on Nigeria’s fiscal federalism underlines the fact that the nation needed to “move away from the current military-imposed ‘feeding bottle’ federalism to enthrone one predicated on self-reliance, hard work, enterprise, resourcefulness, and ingenuity to catalyse development”.

He also faulted the current power sharing formula which he said laid the foundation for the nation’s distorted federalism as the centre appears to have amassed more powers that it actually needed or could manage.

As the debate continue to gather steam, southern leaders have already started arrangements to introduce the demand for fiscal federalism as a major issue for debate in the next round of constitution amendment and this may overshadow the other issues such as review of the revenue formula and creation of new states even as there are fears that it could result in possible division in the National Assembly during the exercise.

Revealing the position of the lawmakers from the south, Senator Ayogu Eze (PDP Enugu) maintained that the entrenchment of fiscal federalism is the answer to the nation’s economic problem as according to him the problem with the country was over dependency on the federation account which he said has resulted in the inability of states to harness and utilise the mineral resources available in their territories in such a way that their comparative advantages are fully maximised.

In his words, “I think that what we should be doing is to look at our revenue

formula in a manner that will give states opportunities to take responsibilities for deposits and mineral finds within their geopolitical confines and pay royalties to the Federal Government. What has happened so far is that we have not tried to look at how we can maximise the potentials that our states have. I felt strongly about this issue and I felt I should come and make my personal opinion, speaking on behalf of my constituencies and like-minded senators and Nigerians who think like me”, he said.

However, as the two regions poised for the critical debate, the questions critics ask; is fiscal federalism actually the answer to the nation’s economic, social and political problems? Will it result in the much desired massive infrastructural development in the country?

It is the view of many analysts that the outcome of the debate on fiscal federalism will determine the position on other issues such as state creation since such would be predicated on the viability of the areas for the prospective and their ability to sustain themselves in a federal states being canvassed by the south.

Revenue Formula/ Derivative On the flip side of the argument for true fiscal federalism is the agitation for the review of the revenue formula in such a way that states and local governments would have more allocation than the Federal Government as presently obtainable in the constitution.

Those agitating for this wanted the states to get up to 42 percent of the federal revenue in addition to the devolution of some powers of the Federal Government in a way that it will be vested on the states and local governments to bring more development since they are closer to the people.

The agitators want the states and local governments to take care of matters such Contd on page 11

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 11

Cover New Constitution

NASS walks tight rope Contd from page 10

as education, health, provision of water, internal policing, agriculture, sports, transport, environment, commerce and industry, roads, housing, labour among other things, while the Federal Government should handle issues with national concerns and spread such as defence, aviation, foreign affairs, finance and monetary issues among others.

This agitation came to the fore when state governors cried out about the inability to pay the N18,000 minimum wage due to paucity of funds and as such needed a bail out from the center. Though the National Assembly approved the demand for the review, lawmakers and governors from the south appeared to have jettisoned that idea and are now calling for resource control instead.

There are however, feelers that the southern elements may actually be pushing for increase in the derivative from oil above other states but had to use the extreme position of total resource control to up the stakes. Critics believe that the southern elements may at the end of the day settle for such and jettison the cry for complete resource control. Some leaders from the South South have in the past demanded for an increase in the oil derivative to 50 percent.

This item might be used during the constitution amendment as a soft landing for the more volatile demand for fiscal federalism which many fear could tear the nation apart.

State creation The push for the creation of new states in the country has intensified with the resolution of the National Assembly to treat every demand equally based on merit.

Currently, demands for new states have hit 45 and the number may still go up.

If the National Assembly and the state assemblies grant the already tabled 45 demands in the next round of constitution amendment, the nation will have a total 81 states at the least.

A check by Peoples Daily Weekend shows that almost every clan in the country is clamouring for one political recognition or the other and the granting of new states is seen as a major step towards actualising such.

Currently almost all the existing 36 states of the federation have one splinter group or the other, seeking the decimation of the existing entity. These are especially areas which feel they are being marginalized by larger and more domineering groups in their states especially on issues of political appointment and development.

The reasons for the agitations vary.

While some are genuine and based on the legitimate aspirations of the people to bring governance nearer to them, others are products of ego trips by few individuals seeking political and pecuniary profits.

Commenting on the long list of demands, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who is also the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review listed minority fears, search for equity and speedy development as well as quest for political empires and influence by the elite class as some of the key factors responsible for the demands for new states .Some of the proposed states that are on the front burner include

Dep. Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu

Aba and Equity states proposed to be carved out from the existing Abia state; Njaba state from existing Imo and Anambra states; Oduduwa, from present Osun state, Hadejia from the present Jigawa state and Ibarapa, Oke Ogun, Ibadan and Ibarapa states from the existing Oyo state.

Others are New Gurara state proposed to be carved out of existing Kaduna state, Adada, from present Enugu state, Ahoda from present Rivers state, Anioma, from the present Delta state, Katagun, from Bauchi state and Ugwu Aku, from present Abia, Imo and Anambra states and Apa State from the present Benue state; Amana, from Adamawa state and Savana from Borno state among others.

Though the National Assembly has assured that all the demands would be considered based on merit, it is not clear what criteria it would use to determine issues of viability and sustainability for the proposed states.

This is especially as some proposed states are being backed up by very powerful lobbyists within and outside the government circles and are not willing to give in. Those supporting the creation of more states believe that such will bring governance closer to the people and reduce the problems of marginalisation faced by minority groups within certain states.

Those kicking against the creation of new states on the other hand, hold that such will further divide the nation and increase the already high cost of governance in the country. They posit that many of the existing states are not viable and might collapse unless they receive external bail out.

This position has been backed up by data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission that many of the states are in distress and cannot sustain themselves.

Be it as it may, the flurry of demands

Dep. Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha

for new states which cut across the country indicates that Nigerians may have reached a consensus that more states should be created and the National Assembly appears to look at the issue from this view point.

Tenure of office for executive Another issue that may come up is the tenure of office of the executive at the state and federal levels. Already there are feelers that the executive could forward a bill to alter the existing two terms of four years.

Options that might be thrown up include single term of five years or single term of six years. It is feared that this item might be thrown overboard, especially considering the outcry that erupted when the Presidency muted the idea last year.

Citizenship Another issue that will come to the fore is that of prevalent settlers/ indigene dichotomy in states across the country.

Social observers believe that this is one of the major causes of violent clashes in the country. Already some states have started taking steps to end the divisions but there are strong calls that such should be statutorily abolished and the National Assembly appears to be favourable to it.

Commenting on the issue, Senate President David Mark said in a recent event that a system that guarantees equal opportunities for all citizens whether indigenes or settlers must be entrenched in the country.

If the clause sails through, Nigerians would be free to live, work and exercise franchise in any part of the country as long as they abide by the laws of their host states.

LGs financial autonomy Agitation for financial autonomy for local government areas is another issue that could surface at the exercise. Already, the Senate has passed the bill seeking to amend relevant sections of the constitution to that effect through second reading.

The bill, seeks to end the State and Local

Government Joint Account, remove the local governments finance from the control of the states and vest such directly on the council authorities.

Statutory powers for traditional rulers The arrogation of statutory powers for traditional rulers is another issue that would come up at the review. Already the two chambers of the National Assembly appear to have reached a consensus on the issue.

Both Senate President David Mark and House of Representatives Speaker, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal had in various fora assured that traditional rulers would be vested with some specific responsibilities in the constitution. The move is coming against the backdrop of insistence by some groups that the traditional institution could play vital role in restoring peaceful coexistence and check the spate of criminality and violence across the country as they are closer to the people at the grass roots.

Already a memorandum spelling criteria for the role of the traditional rulers is already among those that have been penciled out for consideration by the legislature.

Though it is not clear yet the criteria that would be adopted in choosing the category of traditional rulers that would be given statutory powers and what authorities would be vested on them, it was gathered that those that would be inculcated include apex royalties as well as top class rulers across the country.

Be it as it may, as the nation prepares for another round of debate on the constitution, Nigerians are looking forward to a set of laws that would be operable and geared towards uplifting their lots as citizens. The fear is that it might become a walk on the tight rope for the National Assembly as agitators and lobbyists on the issues have already heightened the stakes.

PAGE 12

Interview

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

2012 budget: 70% will target common man, says Al-makura S

h o r t l y after accenting the Nasarawa state 2012 Appropriation Bill into law, you spoke of patronage in terms of contracts.

Considering that some politicians assisted you in one way or the other to get the people's mandate and so, expect to be compensated through award of contracts, what alternative measures are you putting in place to carry such people along?

On the passing comment on politicians and expectations of patronage, I was trying to clear certain feelings in the minds of people who view dividends of democracy as the provision of contracts, including those that you cannot even afford, or have the capacity to pay as well as those contracts that do not have any positive impact on the lives of the people. We have a kind of discipline in the way and manner we want to implement our budget. This government will not give any contract where money for such contract is not available. That is why you see the avalanche of contracts left behind by previous administrations everywhere, volumes of contracts everywhere when there are no sufficient funds to cover such projects. That is the type of mentality I want to change.

We will give contracts in a way that a contractor or service provider can go home and sleep once he has been given the work by this administration, and so long as the money to execute it is there. That is why we are not bothered about flamboyant projects, we will rather construct rural roads, which are less expensive but can positively affect the lives of many. Rather than embark on a small project that could cost over N200 m or N500 m but benefit only a few.

What is your opinion about politicians and politics?

There is nothing like professionalism in politics or professional politicians, it is a mark of laziness and lethargy. As far as I am concerned if you don't have any profession but politics, then you are redundant and have nothing to offer. A politician ought to have a vocation that he excels in, that you can provide service for yourself and community but when politics comes, you could bring your experience to bear in politics during politics and by so doing, you enrich it. Take for instance, without the risk of sounding immodest that I have not been in government but have always been a politician. I am not a professional politician, I am a realtor, trader and businessman and when politics comes I will play my part and afterwards go back to my profession(s). Whoever tells

Recently, Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura of Nasarawa state signed the 2012 Appropriation Bill amounting to N104 bn. Shortly after the exercise, he hosted some journalists to a chat where he opened up on issues pertaining to how his administration will ensure financial discipline in the implementation of the budget. Ali Abare Abubakar was there. you he is a professional politician is not serious and has nothing to offer. All he is doing is looking for money or ways to foment trouble and disappear.

How will you compensate or appreciate those who assisted in enhancing your mandate?

We have a way of appreciating others and all those that contributed to the emergence of this administration across the board, and across all political parties. Of these people, there are those who will not even execute a contract if you gave them. So there are appointments, committees, there are all kinds of favours and benefits that people are likely to get. I don't want people to continue to think that the only dividend of democracy is the award of contracts.

How can the layman understand budgeting process in your state?

When you tell the people that your government is guided by such principles as rule of law, transparency, accountability and the fear of God, but when you present a budget it is without a detailed breakdown, they begin to wonder where the transparency is.

It is not possible for the lay man to make budget analysis when there is no budget breakdown.

I know that a day after the budget is presented; the commissioner of finance gives a breakdown. Once a bill has not been passed it is subjected to reviews and when you make analysis of a breakdown and the legislature changes it or make amendments to it, then you will need to do another breakdown. So the essence of delaying the breakdown of the budget is for the executive to give the legislature time to analyze the document and make corrections where appropriate. Only after it has been signed into law can you talk of budget breakdown. In any case, in the next one week the commissioner of finance will give a detailed breakdown.

But not all your commissioners could confidently comment on details of the budget in their various ministries, secondly, the alleged budget for an airport, without a plan or design, how did you arrive at the figure earmarked for the project.

Project like the stadium which together with the airport could not possibly be completed in the

Nasarawa state Gov. Alhaji Tanko Al-makura

span of a year, how did your administration arrive at 1 Bn for the airport?

There are some assumptions I will like to clear. Really, my commissioners may not know the details of the budget and so, may not be capable of making categorical statements on the provisions and implementation. Don't forget that the commissioners took over from permanent secretaries who have been on ground and were part of the processes that led to the compilation of the budget. But the commissioners were properly briefed, not only that we have had more than 5 stormy sessions with each and all the commissioners put together where we discussed the details of the budget of every ministry. Call any commissioner; he will be able to tell you details of the budget provision for his ministry like the back of his hand. Secondly, the issue of airport, that is an insinuation you made and it is not correct. You assumed that the government just woke up and gave a round figure of 1 Bn for the airport. I think I need to correct that impression. I have received a lot of bashing on the issue of airport, people saying that when citizens are dying of hunger you are thinking of building an airport. But how about opportunity cost? There are certain

projects that even though they do not put food on the table for the common man, they are a template for the provision of greater things for the common man. For the airport, we have earmarked 1 Bn only and this amount, we assured ourselves after studying and visiting few airports around the country, we visited Gombe, Ajaokuta and quite a number of places, that we are not providing an airport that will cater for heavy airplanes, or heavy commercial flights. We are providing the airport to open the state to entrepreneurs and also simple aviation activities to make the state access facilities not yet available. You can call it an aerodrome. Iam not going to build an international airport, so with the partnership that we are having, N1 Bn will be quite enough. We are going to have three tarmacs like Gombe and how much is it going to cost?

Even if you double the cost of asphalt construction, how much is it? We will still build the tarmac and provide for facility building with the same amount. By doing that alone you will be able to allow even small jets to land. Iam doing this because there is so much talk about revenue allocation and generation. In fact, the other time I granted an interview and somebody analysed

my response out of context, if he had gone through the whole interview which I granted to Peoples Daily, he would not have given me that bashing like he did. However, I want Nasarawa state to be independent; we have all the necessary potentials for us to be independent. In fact, my resolve is further strengthened because Iam the only CPC governor in the country. And if I can win an election on the platform of my party and get the support of my people, Iam confident that whatever we plan to do so long as I get the support of my people and we have the prerequisite for that, there will be no problem.

Aside the airport, how else can you attract investors?

Solid minerals, we have large expanse of land that is contiguous to the federal capital. We have been receiving volumes of invitations by entrepreneurs, by investors from various parts of the world to embark on certain commercial engagement with the state. By providing an airport, we are further giving entrepreneurs or people who have interest to do business in the state the opportunity to link up with the state without hindrance. You will be shocked to realise, by the time the airport begins to operate, the amount of business that will be brought to Nasarawa which will far outweigh whatever money we have expanded for the construction of the project.

On the issue of the stadium, we have youth restiveness and some people are talking about skills acquisition. If you look at it, some of the acquired skills do not even have relevance to the needs of the youths of today. You want to teach them how to become a carpenter but that may not be the kind of vocation that is in line with the aptitude of the youth. We are looking for modern businesses, modern vocations that are not pedestrian such that any young chap will be proud to do, like POP setting, plumbing, repairs of GSM, etc. We want to subsidize sports, once you give all the necessary facilities for sports you would have reduced to the barest minimum the issue of restiveness. We are also getting partnership with certain foreign country that will come in to build a modern stadium and give our youths the opportunity to excel in their chosen fields. Iam not going in for a grandiose project or building an international stadium like the one you have in Abuja, No! Iam building a stadium that will just be okay for the state.

Signing Appropriation Bills into law has become a ritual across the country. This is your first budget and all along you have been the arrowhead in the quest for financial discipline in government spending.

How can your lieutenants help translate your vision and ensure financial discipline?

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

Issues

PAGE 13

Subsidy:

Exposing the underbelly of corruption in oil sector

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

h e fact that corruption is synonymous with the nation’s oil and gas sector is not news, but the magnitude of sleaze and financial malfeasance exposed by the House of Representatives investigations into the oil subsidy regime has the capacity to make someone run mad.

The ad-hoc committee under the Chairmanship of Rep Farouk Lawan expectedly did a thorough job and had last week submitted its reports which indicted major players in the industry.

The Committee recommended that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Commission (PPPRA), Oil Marketers and other affiliated companies be made to refund over N1 trillion. This alleged scam happening in a country where more than half of its population is living below poverty line is a marvel.

The committee in the report laid before the House plenary stated that the amount was sequel to several violations of extant laws by the players in the nation’s oil sector.

According to the reports, NNPC was to refund the sum of N310,414,963,613.00 on Kerosene subsidy; N285,098,000,000.00 for payment above made to itself PPPRA recommendation and N108,648,000,000.00 it rewarded itself as self discount.

All the marketers investigated at the public hearing are to refund the sum of N8,664,352,554; companies that refused to appear before the committee are to refund N41,936,140,005.31 while the PPPRA is expected to refund the sum of N312,279,000,000 as excess payment to itself.

The reports stated “The NNPC should refund to the Federation Account the sum of N310,414,963,613 paid to it illegally as subsidy for kerosene contrary to the Presidential Directive of July 29th, 2009 withdrawing subsidy on the product.

Critics have come to regard the activities of the indicted men and institutions as economic sabotage.

Economic commentators have submitted that the so called subsidy removal by the Federal Government on the first day of the year that ignited the violence which led to the death of scores of Nigerians across the country should be revisited.

The revelation that the NNPC, which is supposed to protect the interests of the people by making Kerosene available to the common man, pocketed over N300 billion of the subsidy without making the commodity available has made the

Hon. Faruk Lawan ...led the probe image of the behemoth to diminish in the estimation of the public. The continuous deduction of the Kerosene subsidy even when there was a Presidential directive to the contrary amounted to bureaucratic recklessness.

In spite of the artificial façade of financial buoyancy, the panel revealed that the financial health of the NNPC was suspect afterall as there were plethora of claims in billions of Naira and Dollars against the corporation. For instance, the Corporation is owing the Nigeria Customs the total sum of N46 billion; Nigeria Ports Authority, N6 billion and Transfigura and other international oils companies $3.5 billion.

The Corporations debt profile has made the committee to recommend that the NNPC should be thoroughly audited to ascertain its level of solvency. Failure to carry out extensive audits may lead to grave economic consequences as such could disrupt the supply and distribution of petroleum products in the country.

Although the committee has recommended that the entire management of the NNPC be overhauled and those found involved in series of infractions be further investigated and prosecuted, many Nigerians including the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) have clamoured for wholehearted implementation of the recommendations.

There are fears that the government may not have the political will to arrest and prosecute those involved in the corrupt deals in the oil sector as they include heavy

Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke political gladiators and economic movers in the country. The committee stated “The Executive Secretaries of the PPPRA who were the accounting officers, and under whose watch these abuses were perpetrated that led to the Government losing billion of naira, should be held liable.

Therefore, we strongly recommend that those who served as Executive Secretaries of PPPRA from January 2009 to October 2011 should be further investigated/prosecuted by relevant anti-corruption agencies.”

Although there are fears that the report of the investigations may go the way of others in the parliament, nevertheless, the people are at alert to ensure that those indicted within the period recommended are tried and possibly jailed for economic crimes against the country. A certain powerful individual, who had been at the helm of affairs in the ruling People Democratic Party (PDP) in the past, though not specifically mentioned, was involved in the scam. This is because he was one of the Chairmen of the PPPRA within the specified period.

Again, there are unsubstantiated claims that those fat-cats who were neck-deep in the subsidy scam were those who allegedly funded the expensive Presidential campaigns of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Analysts therefore confirmed that getting these men prosecuted by the government they helped enthrone may be difficult.

But, for emphasis on the need to prosecute the culprits, the NLC has called on the government to ensure that the resolutions of the House on

the subsidy regime’s probe are implemented to serve as deterrents to other.

The NLC in a statement signed by the Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Owei Lakemfa, stated that some of the findings of the House report clearly indicated criminality; just as he added that it was not enough for private and public organizations like the NNPC and PPPRA to be asked to make refunds, but that government has a duty to bring the officers of such organizations and their supervisors to justice.

NLC also requested that Ministers in the Finance and Petroleum Ministries and their lieutenants under whose watch the NNPC made unconstitutional deductions from the country’s oil income before dumping the balance in the Federation account be investigated for culpability.

It maintained further that the massive looting of the subsidy funds and the corruption in the oil industry were sufficient grounds for the N97 per liter cost of PMS (petrol) to be drastically reduced, advising the government to do local refining; stressing that the cost of PMS needs not be as high as the old price of N65 per liter.

According to NLC, the report was a mere tip of the iceberg because there was the need for further investigations. He noted that the recommendation that the Executive Secretaries of the PPPRA from 2009 till date be probed did not go far enough. “There is the need to probe the oil industry from the inception of civil rule after the rapacious military regimes had departed,” he asserted.

He said that the report of the House of Representatives ad-hoc Committee on fuel subsidy regime has revealed that the criminal looting of the nation’s resources resulted in the mass protest that greeted the subsidy removal policy of the federal government.

The House on its own has vowed to ensure that the resolutions of the House on the probe are implemented Asked how the House intends to do that, Chairman of the Committee on Media and Publicity, Rep Zakari Mohammed said “We cannot waste time and money and allow the reports to be thrown into the dust bin; the executive will come to us for something and we can make it a precondition for the House resolution to be implemented before we grant its request. The law is an ass.”

As clear as the process of indictment of the players in the nation’s oil sector seems to be, certain people have begun to plot its derailment as they have started to impugn the committee of sentiments in a bid to politicize the reports and rubbish the efforts of the panel. Rep Lawan disclosed that there were serious efforts by those within and outside government circles to subvert the efforts of his committee but that that the patriotic zeal of the members saw them through. Even now, there are moves ongoing from some of the indicted oil firms to lobby some of the lawmakers to kick against some of the recommendations, especially where they are being mandated to return funds into government coffers when the plenary resumes debate of the reports next week.

PAGE 14

Interview

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

TETFUND has sponsored 5,277 lecturers for post graduate studies —Prof. Mahmood Yakubu

A

s a university lecturer and now executive secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) how has the transformation been?

I have spent my entire life teaching, am on leave of absence from a university in Kaduna so I am on loan at the end of my term, I am going back to the best job in the world, I have not done any job for the last 32 years but teach. I started from the primary school in Bauchi after teachers' college. I am the first person from the university system to be privileged to serve as Executive Secretary, TETFUND. Over the years we have decried poor funding of education, what impact has the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), made on the nation's education system?

Let me first say this, there is always the problem of perception versus reality in TETFUND, we are assumed to be an agency that has come to solve all the problems in the education sector. By definition, and by law, we are an intervention agency as we merely assist and supplement the main budget by federal and state governments for their institutions because we merely fund public institutions.

Secondly, we are only given some moving targets.

How many institutions does the fund supplement or intervene in?

The funds available are insufficient but the numbers of institutions we are dealing with are growing. When the intervention started in 1999 we had only 37 universities but today we are funding 73, with the recent addition of Bauchi state university, with the proposal to establish 3 in states that have no federal universities, Borno, Jigawa, Zamafara, along with the establishment of Akwa Ibom state university and some are establishing more than one state university like Rivers state, with the university of education Rumuolumeni, and the recent North West university in Kano. But the resources are not increasing in tandem. We had 43 polytechnics in 1999, today we have 60. We had 60 colleges of education, now we have 63 and Gombe and Bayelsa are about to establish their state colleges of education.

What then is the role of states in the establishment of the institutions?

Some of the states absolutely relay on TETFUND for the funding of capital projects, so some states have absolutely adjudicated their responsibilities to a funding agency. One of the state colleges of education in the north central actually sent their letter to say that in the last five years they have not been allocated one kobo in capital, by the state government. So virtually all the capital projects

The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, in this interview during a Leadership Forum in Abuja, said 5,277 lecturers have been sponsored for post graduate training, while decrying the drab situation of convocation ceremonies in Nigerian universities and tertiary institutions.

He also spoke on other issues. Jamila Nuhu Musa, was there. you see in many of the state institutions, certainly not all, are actually ETF funded. There is no institution in this country, public tertiary institution where we have no ETF project.

But if the MDG is funding basic education why can't ETF fund the whole level of public education?

If the MDG is funding basic education, ETF can't fund all the levels of public education in this country and have impact.

Resources are inadequate for us to achieve what we are supposed to achieve. I have told the minister, we went to the president, federal executive council, minister of justice and the NASS on the 3rd of June last year the President assented to the amendment of the ETF Act, to become Tertiary Education Trust Fund, (TETFUND) in other words what we have done is to restore the original conception of the ETF back to what was negotiated between ASUU and the federal government way back in 1992 since we now have UBEC, for basic education which did not exist at the time ETF was established, and then we have the MDGs. So we now have 3 agencies doing the same thing.

As a university lecturer what would you say are the problems of universities?

We know what the problems are in the universities, and I always take a very practical view of the situation.

Walk into any university in this country and you will be confronted with the problems, libraries are empty, laboratories are empty, no water, no light, security is a problem.

Then there is also problem of governance, problem of ethics, municipal services, learning services so what you have is the problem of intellectual achievements. It is sad that after many years of independence, this country can showcase only one Nobel Laureate. And only God knows when last a Nigerian from the Nigerian university system wrote a book that is highly rated globally, intellectual achievement is low. I know that we complain in the corridors of the university that things are very bad, and therefore an opportunity to serve in TETFUND, is an opportunity for me to try and make some difference if not all the difference. And I have always said that I have a personal agenda in TETFUND to make the university system better because that's where am going back to.

What were the constraints in restoring universities?

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu After looking at the fund, I discovered that we will never achieve transformative intervention the way TETFUND was constituted, you can't have a funding agency that funds every level of public education in this country, it is simply not possible.

In 1992 when ASUU negotiated with the federal government it was for a higher education trust fund not an Education Trust Fund. It was IBB in his own wisdom in 1993 that said since it was the only funding agency it should fund every level of public education. So we are funding basic, secondary and tertiary, made of universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and the so called monotechnics, the single discipline tertiary institutions, most of them actually outside the federal ministry of education at the federal level. So I had a meeting with the executive secretary UBEC and the Senior Special Assistant to the president on MDGs to discuss the issues.

How did you disburse funds to meet demands of universities since some of them needed more funds than others?

Over the last 17 years, we have collected 463Bn in education tax.

Out of this amount, the sum of 178 Bn was collected between 1994 and 2007; 284.9Bn was collected between 2008 and 2010 under my watch. In order words, 61% was collected was collected under my watch in the last three years.

The increased allocation meant increase in the allocation to the

beneficiaries. When I assumed duty in 2007, each university was allocated 58.5m, but the last allocation to each university was 395m per university and we fund on equality of university.

University of Ibadan which is the oldest does not receive more than the Akwa Ibom state university which is the youngest that we are funding, it will be argued that Ibadan has more facilities to maintain but Akwa Ibom also needs to grow. We fund federal and state universities equally, federal and state polytechnics as well as federal and state colleges of education equally.

How did you ascertain judicious implementation of projects?

We had to refocus the intervention. When I assumed duty some universities use to fence their campuses and construct befitting gates from ETF intervention funds, but the law says we should focus on things that matter, the core business of institutions or the core mandate.

For instance, one of my friends from the university from the south south, confronted me and said NUC was coming to accredit and that we should give them special allocation because what they collected in the previous year they deployed to affairs around the campus and a beautiful gate, but I said "Prof we do not do palliatives", When NUC comes show them your gate and they will accredit you because that is your priority, they will see you for what you are". That

year, 23 courses were denied accreditation and I am happy to say two years later, the vice chancellor was able to address all the deficiencies and achieved 100% accreditation. In other words you need to push them to refocus for things to begin to happen. Every year since 2008, I have met with vice chancellors, directors and provosts; we call it the annual strategic planning workshop for us to discuss our experiences in implementing the intervention in the previous years. The EFCC and ICPC also attend our meetings including unions and civil organisatons.

The issue of training of lecturers is one of the agitations of ASUU, how has the fund assisted in solving this problem?

During one of our meetings with the VCs, I asked why our convocation ceremonies often looked gloomy, because virtually everyone wears the Academic gowns of the same institution. I asked what happened to the international quality and character of staff. Why were they not sending their lecturers abroad because one of the attractions for me to teach at the university of Jos, was the prospect of going overseas for post graduate studies and then in those days you organized convocation ceremony because the lecturers had gone to various universities around the world and it was a colourful ceremony indeed, but now it is an old woman look.

They said the problem was funding so we assisted with funds to train lecturers in the universities.

How much was committed to the training?

We made available that year, 50m to each university for academic staff training and development for young lecturers to go for post graduate studies, outside the country for science and technology because it is expensive, within the country for universities other than their own because there is too much of in- breeding. People do their first degree, second degree, doctorate and professorship in the same university. We increased the amount to 60m in 2009 and last year we increased it to 80m. In all, each university, federal and states funded on equality over the last 3 to 4years have received 240m for staff training alone, some that have gone for masters have come back and the scorecard is encouraging, we have so far sponsored 5, 277 lecturers for post graduate studies over the last three years. Out of this number, 1,204 have about now started or they have completed their studies and returned. From the average we have sponsored 1,759 lecturers from our public tertiary institutions for post graduate studies. This is the most aggressive training of lecturers in tertiary institutions in the history of higher education ever in Nigeria.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

Peoples Page

PAGE 15

My skills speak for me, says henna design expert the status of the customer and the design.

"I charge based on what the design is intended for; if it for a wedding occasion, I charge from N2000 and above depending on the person's status."

Aisha depends more on her creativity and skills as the materials used for the job are not very expensive.

"The money I spend apart from buying all the materials needed does not exceed N1000, apart from the levy I pay to stay inside Wuse market and wait for my customers who even contact me on phone. My customers look for me through my phone since I also go to Central Mosque Abuja at some times," she said.

She intends to have her business grow into a henna palour where she can also pass the knowledge to other people.

"I can't wait to see the day I will teach people the skill I love so much in a place of my own with all the recognition and respect."

Aisha doing what she knows how to do best introduced to achieve quick

By A’isha Biola Raji darkening; fertilizer mixed with s e d for thousands of ash was used to quickly darken years and surprisingly, the lalle.

Later came the introduction still making waves all over the world especially in India, of designs derived by drawing abstract forms on Africa and Middle East, henna, some also known as lalle taints the skin, insulating tape which are pasted leaving behind beautiful, on the leg before the application adorning organic design of black, of lalle. When it is dry and dark, brown or red colour that lasts for the tape is removed and the design is left behind which last about ten days.

Henna is a typical tradition for about two weeks.

Going down memory lane, in many places; it ranges from simple to complicated, pictorial, Aisha recalled that there was a conceptual or fanciful designs. time henna design was purely Many women in many parts of from lalle cooked with hydrogen the country, especially the peroxide.

"We use to cook powdered lalle northern parts, have their skins decorated with henna usually leaves with hydrogen peroxide to during weddings and festivities. get a kind of paste which is How is henna made? An administered on the desired part encounter with henna designer, of the skin", she said.

Currently, there is the Mallama Aisha Baba, a young energetic mother of three, who modern day henna designed has been in the trade for about which is industrially packed in a eight years now reveals a lot of convenient pack for easy exiting things about henna application.

Aisha has transformed from especially how the practice transited from the crude boiling the use of age-long design to of powdered lalle leaves to the modern day type which she modern day more sophisticated termed trendy. She said "I decided to move with time application and designs.

Aisha works at the busy Wuse because the new industrial Market in Abuja where she is package of henna is seriously in making brisk business with her vogue as non northerners too are creative skills which continue to in love with the trend. They desire the design on their skin draw more customers to her.

Earlier, lalle was used even when they don't know what traditionally in the northern it is called, they describe it using part of Nigeria for the gesture."

For Aisha, business is beatification of legs by women which appeared initially red and booming as many young ladies later turn black after continuous are returning to henna due to application with no form of art the very beautiful cotemporary designs. Aisha charges as much work.

Subsequently, fertilizer was as N2,000 or more depending on

U

A bride's leg designed with henna in preparation for her wedding

She even has the design underneath her feet

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

Tourism

Ibeno Beach: Crystal stretch in the sun

By Richard Ihediwa, with tourist reports

W

h e n you talk about beaches in Nigeria, most Nigerians think only of Lagos Bar Beach.

Most people do not know that the country has one of longest, if not the longest sandy beach in Africa; the Ibeno Beach.

While there are many beaches in the country, the natural beauty of Ibeno Beach places it head and shoulders above the rest.

Ibeno Beach in Ibeno Local Government Area of AkwaIbom state stretches over 90 kilometers of natural white sand bar along the Atlantic coast line reaching two kilometers from the foaming ocean line. The beach is a sight to behold especially because of its all year-round un-flooded clean sand banks which beams with coral reefs making it very unique.

Part of the attraction is the white sand dunes. What makes the sand unique is that they are unaffected in spite of the movement of the waters and the waves of the Atlantic Ocean.

The waves are both gentle and turbulent depending on the season of the year. At flow tide, the waters can recede as far as 100 metres from the beach and can reach unimaginable elevation of 30 metres above sea level before it strikes the beach.

The beauty of this beach is the fact that the sands have been stable over the years without receding with the tide of the water. Ibeno beach presents a nature's gift, not only as a home for fishing but a relaxation spot for tourists.

The beach is the perfect place to go strolling and sunbathing. At the same time, it is ideal for swimming, scuba diving and other watersports.

There are also coral reefs in the waters, perfect for nature lovers. There is no entrance fee to the beach.

To get to Ibeno Beach, most tourists take the Uyo, AkwaIbom state capital axis then move to Ibeno Local Government Area from where any taxi can take you to the beach.

Archaeological and historical studies show that people first settled in the area sometime around 1200-1500 BC. Indigenious tribes of the area include the Anang and the

The sandy beach is excellent for picnic and relaxation Ibibio, who are the largest groups. The Ibibio dialect is part of the Benue-Congo. It is included in the Congo-Niger language.

The dominant religion is Christianity followed by traditional worship.

Experts believe that the beach is a potential haven for the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) and tourism-thirsty expatriates who cruise to and from Calabar, the premier EPZ which lies closely to the north of the beach.

Nationally and regionally, Ibeno Beach numbers among top 10 reputable resorts that are soothing and great hideaways. Properly developed, it is capable of commanding world tourist attention.

Picniker relaxing at the beach

Ibeno beach is always busy

Ibeno beach can also be serene and quiet

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 14 — SUNDAY 15, APRIL, 2012

Weekend

PAGE 17

Cocktail Brazilian hair and celebrity style — Page 32

I N S I D E:

F

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

Relationship Basic principles for good relationships

L

e t 's face it, relationships are difficult. They take time, effort and dedication and there is no guarantee things will work out in the long run. However, there are some basic principles, which help to keep relationships healthy and energized. The following is an overview, with more information on additional pages.

1 Talk to your partner Talking to your partner about all sorts of things, especially about how you are doing with each other is essential. There is simply no way around it. If you don't talk about yourself, your dreams, your gripes, your fears and your hopes for your relationship, how would your partner know about any of these things? Your understanding of your partner and yourself in the relationship can only grow through communication.

Otherwise it is easy to be left with your own worst assumptions, which are often based on difficult past experiences (see ego states).

2 Share power equally The best relationships are those in which both partners feel powerful and heard. Remember that you are working together with your partner as a team. You are not running a race against each other. You only win when both of you are happy. If you manage to out-run your partner all the time, so that you win and he or she loses, you will both lose in the end.

Relationships only work when both of you win. To make this happen, both

you and your partner need to have an equal say in what happens.

Dominating your partner or being dominated may feel safer in the short run, but will create a lot of problems in the future.

3 Be emotionally available We all want to feel supported and cherished in our relationships. For that to happen we need to allow our partner to make an emotional impact on us. We need to be open to each other, rather than cut off and be distant. For many people it is difficult to show their emotional sides, their vulnerabilities as well as their joys. If this is so for you, you may want to work on becoming more open to your partner. Being emotionally available means responding to your partner emotionally and practically. There's more on this under relational needs.

4 Experience good times together Relationships can get really serious and bogged down in difficulties.

When work pressure builds up, children need things constantly, and other duties are pressing, it is easy for a relationship to become a mere work arrangement. Relationships thrive on fun times together. Being able to laugh and joke together some of the time will build up emotional resources between the two of you for times when things get tough. Make sure you have some easy, relaxed and playful times together with your partner. They will become memories you will both cherish for a long long time.

5 Invest time in each other Our lives can be too busy, simply keeping up with work and all the necessary jobs that can take up so much time. Make sure you keep some time just for your relationship. You will need time with your partner to re-connect and to catch up with all the little things which are happening in his or her life. The time you spend together is precious, even if you end up arguing! At least the two of you are trying to get closer and to work things out. Having time for your partner is essential!

6 Respect each other's differences This is often a tricky one! When we fall in love with another person we may feel like they're amazingly similar to ourselves. But, as we get to know them and the hard work of the relationship really begins, we find out how totally different they really are.

We may try and change them to make them more like ourselves, but, in the end we have to accept that they are difference. Our partners will always be different to us, think differently, and do things differently and that needs to be OK with us. To feel loving and close to someone who is very different involves acceptance.

Honoring that difference and even cherishing it will bring respect and love into your relationship.

7 Stay emotionally separate The above statement may sound strange.

However, staying emotionally separate individual is

about not merging with your partner, but keeping healthy boundaries.

Ultimately, we are all separate individuals and we all need to be able to manage our emotions separately.

Just because your partner is feeling something doesn't mean you have to feel it or automatically react to him or her. Staying emotionally separate is the opposite of a co-dependent relationship where both partners need each other to regulate their emotions or self-esteem in some way. This type of enmeshed relationship is not healthy.

Staying emotionally separate means that you take full responsibility for yourself and your emotions. When we do this we are free to connect to our partners, because we want to not because we need to.

8 Be realistic about resources Many relationships would actually work a lot better if the partners weren't overstretching themselves. Running a life together is really hard work. There is your home to look after, cleaning, shopping, organizational tasks, possibly children, work, and so on...and on..... The list is endless. Remember that it may be an impossible task to do everything you think you have to in the time you have available! In our nuclear families there are only two adults to do all the jobs, which is often simply impossible.

Realizing that you may be asking too much of yourself and your partner may take the anger out of many arguments. Nobody is at fault when

things don't get done around the house if both of you are already doing all that you can! Why not consider getting help with various tasks or scale down your expectations?

9 Negotiate compromises This goes back to the principle of team work and being able to respect your differences. Quite often there will be times when you want different things. Instead of needing to have everything, or most things, your way, try and aim for a fair way of arranging compromises. Both of you need to feel like you are getting some of what you want. If one of you is the one who always feels like he or she needs to give up what he or she wants to achieve a compromise, things will not work long term. Compromises involve both people giving a little bit and gaining something in return.

10 Be physical time together We all have an inbuilt biological drive to relate. Additionally, we are designed to experience physical contact as highly pleasurable, reassuring and enjoyable. Spending time physically close together with or without sex is really important for bonding between partners. This could be any physical contact from holding hands, to hugging, to cuddling up somewhere together or to falling asleep in each others' arms. Make sure you do spend some time physically close to your partner. Both men and women need physical contact which isn't about sex as well as some which is.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 19

Beauty Tips 5 Beauty Tips for Teeth: Whiter, healthier smiles with home tooth products

1

. Tooth Care Basics Everyone Should Know Taking care of your teeth means more than brushing with a good toothbrush twice a day with a flouridated toothpaste, and visiting the dentist twice a year, but those are the basics for caring for your smile. As we get older, problems with bad teeth and gums start to show in terms of yellowing, chipping or sensitivity. With age, teeth lose their whiteness and begin to yellow: one sure-fire way to take years off your appearance is by whitening your teeth with a home or professional whitener.

2. Do Whitening Toothpastes Really Work?

Many toothpastes claim to be "whitening", but when you read the label, you'll see the only active ingredient is fluoride. Fluoride is necessary for preventing cavities, but it doesn't do a thing for whiter teeth.

Other over-the-counter

"whitening" products include baking soda and peroxide. Baking soda wisdom works by friction: it polishes stains from teeth. But, if your enamel is thin in places, baking soda can wear it further, exposing the dentin layer beneath the enamel. When that happens, you wind up with a brown spot or pit in the tooth. These spots often appear along the gemlike, where enamel tends to wear away naturally and is weak.

Whitening toothpastes can't fix worn enamel: it takes a trip to the dentist to replace the missing layer with bonding.

3.

How to Strengthen, Repair and Prevent Loss of Tooth Enamel Worn enamel comes with age: it also appears in younger people who grind their teeth, people who eat a lot of acidic foods, and people with bulimia whose enamel has been worn away by stomach acids. People with chronic heartburn or acid reflux disease may

also have enamel worn off by acid, but for bruxers (or people who grind their teeth), the enamel comes off because of the pressure exerted by the jaws. The enamel flakes or cracks off under the pressure. If you grind your teeth, your dentist will recommend that you wear a plastic night guard over your teeth at night.

Affordable Dental

Plans - Don't Break the Bank for a Great Smile A beautiful smile starts with great teeth, but genetics can create crooked teeth, under or overbites or even soft enamel prone to cavities.

Teeth may become chipped, abscessed or stained. But modern dentistry is highly technical and practically painless. Procedures that

once horrified our parents are now done easily and with little fuss: root canals, bonding, white fillings and even tooth replacements are simple dental procedures.

But if you're going to get a mouthful of teeth worked on, you're going to still need a pocketful of money. If you live in a city, there may be a dental school taking patients at lower cost, but otherwise, you will want a dental insurance plan that supports the health of your teeth.

Most employers don't pay dental insurance costs, and most health insurers will only cover accidental damage to teeth.

4. Natural Tooth W h i t e n i n g Ingredients in at Home Products Peroxide is the classic at-home tooth whitening ingredient. Toothpastes like Rembrandt contain peroxide in a dosage that, over a period of weeks or months, has a bleaching affect on teeth by six shades or more. Depending

on your teeth's sensitivity, you may prefer slowerworking toothpastes to quick-acting whitening kits. Bleach can make teeth sensitive, so if you try a tooth-whitener, go slow at first, and maybe pair it with a sensitivityreducing paste such as Sensodyne.

5. Whiten your teeth without a trip to the dentist If you don't want to spend several hundred of naira, you have other options.

Rembrandt has a new twohour whitening system (Rembrandt 2-Hour White from that uses trays and a gel to whiten teeth in a much shorter time than the usual two-week period needed for other whiteners.

You leave the trays on for 20 minutes, then take them out for ten minutes, alternating until the two hours are up. Or you can try other popular at home whiteners, like Crest White Strips, which take about a week to complete the whitening process.

Source: Free Beauty Tips

PAGE 20

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

Peoples Tech Tips for driving in the rain

By Richard Ihediwa with agency report

T

h e rains are here again. Driving during rainy season can be very tricky and one needs to be more careful to avoid rain related accidents.

Every year, rain is blamed for thousands of accidents which are largely preventable if the drivers were more cautious of effect of whether issues such as rains on road use.

Some of the major challenges are poor visibility especially during heavy down pours, slippery roads, engine failures due to contact with water among others.

Make sure your tyres lights and wipers are good When there is rain, the road becomes wet and the film of water on the asphalt causes vehicle tyres to lose traction making the ride very slippery. To ensure safety make sure that your tyres are good. This will help give some grip on the slippery road.

Make sure that your wipers are working and that the wiper blades are in good conditions. When it is raining, visibility is usually poor resulting in poor judgment by drivers leading to accidents. Good wipers help in poor visibility. Also your when it is raining, make sure to put on your lights as this helps other motorists to see you.

However, don't blast your high beams in the rain or fog. This will obscure your view further as the light will reflect back at you off the water droplets in the air. If your car is equipped with fog lights, you may find it helpful to turn these on as they throw a little extra light on the road while making your car easier to see.

Ensure that you make good use of your turn signals and track the signals from other vehicles Be cautious about applying brakes Most times, the problem comes during that application of brake as the vehicle sometimes get out of control when brake is applied on slippery road. Brake earlier and with less force than you would normally. Not only does this increase the stopping distance between you and the car in front of you, it also lets the driver behind you know that you're slowing down. Breaking with force can make your car skid and you can get involved in an accident if this happens. If you must apply brakes, then tap your padal to remove water from the system before the actual braking.

Reduce your speed. Give extra distance to vehicle in front of you Ensure that you drive in a way that nothing will make you need to apply your brake with force. One of such is to give extra distance to vehicles ahead of you, especially trucks and buses since you cannot see what is ahead of them to enable you pre-empt the actions of the drivers. Moreover, spray of water from the tyres of vehicles ahead of you could cause serious visibility problems.

Drive at reduced speed. You should plan to drive at a slower pace than normal when the roads are wet. Keep in mind that traffic is likely to be moving slower as well. There's also the possibility that your pre-planned route may be flooded or jammed. Whatever the case, rushing equals higher risk.

Be careful about junction, bends

Driving in the rain can be challenging

Beware of splashes from cars ahead and overtaking Reduce your speed when driving on a bend or at a turn. Be very careful at junctions. Look very well before you engage the road. Be very cautious about overtaking cars ahead of you. Some roads have ditches at the sides and some drivers are known to have run into them in the rain. Be on the lookout for such Don't use cruise control. If you hydroplane, there's the chance your car could actually accelerate. Cruise control also allows drivers to be less vigilant and to take their foot away from the pedals not a great idea when reaction time is so important. If you start to hydroplane, don't brake suddenly or turn the wheel, or you might spin into a skid. Release the gas pedal slowly and steer straight until the car regains traction. If you must brake, tap the brake pedal (unless

you have antilock brakes, in which case you can put your foot down).

Defog your windows Rain will quickly cause your windshield to fog up. Switch on both front and rear defrosters and make sure the air conditioning is turned on. Most cars' climate control systems will automatically engage the A/C when the windshield defrost function is selected. If you do not have A/C, then fix your windows with air press which allows you to keep a little space on your door windows without allowing water to enter the vehicle. Some dry cloths can also be of help to wipe the windshield.

Be careful about puddles If you see a large puddle up ahead, drive around it or choose a different route. It could be that it's covering a huge gaping maw into the front door of hell.

Well, maybe not, but water splashing up

into your car's engine compartment could damage its internal electrical systems. Also, a pothole may be hiding under the water, just waiting in ambush to damage a wheel or knock your suspension out of alignment. If you can't gauge the depth, or if it's covering up the side curb, try to avoid it.

Watch out for pedestrians.

An ordinarily observant pedestrian may become distracted by fiddling with an umbrella or a rain slicker. Plus, raindrops deaden sound, so the usual audio clues for measuring car distances become obscured. Keep a sharp lookout for people in the road.

Last Word If it's raining so hard that you can't see the road or the car in front of you, pull over and wait for the rain to stop or reduce.

PAGE 21

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

Healthy Living

Pregnant women's questions and answers (2) E

Exercising during pregnancy can make you feel great and help you develop the stamina needed for giving birth.

Yoga, swimming, and walking are all great options, but avoid highimpact exercises that involve jumping, bouncing, lifting, or situps.

Also avoid activities that can cause you to fall and injure your abdomen (like horseback riding, skiing, or contact sports). Scuba diving should also be avoided during pregnancy, since it can create gas bubbles in the blood of the developing fetus, which can be dangerous.

If you were a runner or cyclist before your pregnancy, you might be able to continue running or cycling, although you may have to modify your routine.

Experts recommend at least 150 minutes (that’s 2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderateintensity aerobic activity each week for “healthy women who are not already highly active or doing vigorous-intensity activity.”

If you were very active or did intense aerobic activities before you were pregnant, you can probably keep up with your workouts, as long as your doctor gives the OK. Keep in mind that as your due date approaches, you may need to modify your fitness regimen.

v e r since I became pregnant I have been drinking bottled water because I’ve heard that drinking tap water during pregnancy is unhealthy. Is that true?

Some studies have found that the chlorine used to treat public water can turn into chloroform when it mixes with other materials in the water, which may increase the risk of miscarriage and poor fetal growth. But it’s important to note that other studies have found no such links. Also of concern to some is the potential for the water to be contaminated by things like lead and pesticides.

If you’re concerned, contact your local water supplier to get a copy of the annual water quality report. If you have well water, you should probably have it checked about once a year by a statecertified laboratory whether you’re pregnant or not. You could also buy a water filtration system to help reduce lead levels, some bacteria and viruses, and chemicals such as chlorine. But read the product’s label thoroughly since some do more than others.

I recently found out that I’m pregnant. Can I continue exercising safely during my pregnancy?

While some exercises may be safe for some pregnant woman, they may not be safe for others.

Talk to your doctor about what’s best for you.

I’ve heard that I shouldn’t feed my baby honey. Is this true?

It’s true that honey should not be fed to infants younger than 1 year old. Clostridium bacteria that cause infant botulism usually thrive in soil and dust. However, they can also contaminate certain foods — honey in particular.

Infant botulism can cause muscle weakness, with signs like poor sucking, a weak cry, constipation, and an overall decreased muscle tone (floppiness).

Parents can reduce the risk of infant botulism by not introducing honey or any processed foods containing honey (like honey graham crackers) into their baby’s diet until after the first birthday. Light and dark corn syrups are thought by some to also contain botulism-causing bacteria, but no proven cases of infant botulism have been attributed to ingesting these products. However, check with your doctor before giving these syrups to an infant.

As kids get older, their bodies are better able to handle the bacteria.

Kids health

Carrots: The good and the bad

C

a r r o t s are an excellent source for carotene, which is converted to vitamin A in the human body. Carrots also provide a whole host of other essential vitamins, B1, B2, C, D and E which are antioxidants that reduce free radicals cell damage and heal and nourish the skin.

Carrots are extremely rich in potassium and contain magnesium, vitamin B6, folic acid, thiamine, and cholesterol reducing calcium pectate. Carrots also have small amounts of carbohydrates, essential oils, iron, copper, phosphorus and sulphur1.

Packed with all of these vitamins and minerals, carrots are a very healthy food.

Carrots have been used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes. They are thought by some to have healing, sedative, and diuretic (reducing body fluids and bloating) properties. The most nutritional way to eat carrots is by cooking or juicing them as the cellular walls of the carrot are quite tough. Cooking or juicing carrots breaks down the

cell walls and, when served alongside some fats, the body is then able to absorb over half the beta-carotene.

Dr. Xiangdong Wang has carried out studies on the use of lightly cooked carrots and has found that beta-carotene is changed by the human body into retinoic acid and is a widely used cancer treatment. There have also been studies carried out in America by Dr. Luis Cisneros, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station food scientist, which have found that by cutting carrots in the growing stage with a knife causes a form of stress on the composition of the carrot; "In this case, when you stress plants, you actually trigger a genetic response that causes the plant to synthesize chemical compounds.

You end up with a carrot that is healthier than the original carrot in a short period of time with a very cheap and easy stressor."

A natural way to build immunity against colds, flu, germs, and infections is to drink carrot juice on a regular basis. The

combination of vitamins A , C and silicon found in carrots also helps promote good eyesight. According to the University of Illinois, vitamin A is vital for eyesight, but unless there was a deficiency in the first place, it will not improve it. Beta-carotene converts to vitamin A in the liver. It is delivered to the retina via the blood stream where it is made into rhodopsin. Rhodopsin is a purple pigment necessary for nightvision.

Beta-carotene's antioxidant properties help protect against macular degeneration and the development of senile cataracts.

The chlorine and sulphur contained in carrots is a natural way to stimulate the liver to eliminate toxic waste from the body. The sulphur also promotes cleansing of the digestive system and bloodstream. It is also one of the main composites of insulin.

Calcium is an essential mineral to keep the heart healthy and strong, while vitamin E is used by muscles in the body.

Carrots are one of the most nutritious and healthy vegetables to eat as they are so very rich in vitamins and minerals whether eaten cooked, raw or juiced.

In spite of all the benefits, a person can eat too many carrots or carotene rich foods. There is the likelihood of the development of a condition called "carotoderma".

The skin takes on an orange hue from having too much carotene

in the blood. Scientists have not fully investigated other physical problems that might be associated with this condition. However, there may be "side effects". The way to cure carotoderma is to simply reduce carrot consumption. Also, carrots do contain some sugars, diabetics should check with their doctors before going on a regular regime of carrot consumption.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

With Aunty A'isha

PAGE 23

rajia39ishabiola@yahoo.com 08082071393.

Sights and sounds Taj Mahal one of wor ld's se ven w onder s orld's sev wonder onders Recently Taj Mahal topped the list of New Seven Wonders of the world.

Taj Mahal is a poem created in marble or an expression of true love. The Taj Mahal was built

by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his Begum Arjumand Bano better known as Mumtaj Mahal.

The construction of Taj Mahal started in 1631AD and completed by the end of 1648AD. For seventeen Years, twenty thousand workmen

forming an unequal octagon. The interlocking arabesque concept was applied in its creation, whereby each element stand on its own and perfectly integrates with the main structure.

The central dome is fifty eight feet in diameter and rises to a height of 213 feet flanked to its sides by four subsidized domed chamber.

The minarets, four in number are 162.5 feet each.

The Mausoleum that houses the grave of Queen

SHOR T ST OR Y SHORT STOR ORY

The Ant and the Grasshopper

O

n one fine summer’s day in a field, a Grasshopper was hopping about in a musical mood. An ant passed by bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest.

The grasshopper invited the ant to sit for a chat with him. But the ant refused saying that “I’m storing up food for winter”. “Why don’t you do the same?” asked the ant to the grasshopper.

“Pooh! Why bother about winter?” said the Grasshopper; we have got enough food at present.” But the Ant went on its way and continued its toil.

Finally, when winter came, the Grasshopper found itself

dying of hunger, while it saw the ants distributing corn and grain from their storage.

Then the Grasshopper understood that…

It is best to prepare for the days of necessity.

DO YOU KNO W THA T...?

KNOW THAT

R Taj Mahal is one of the main tourist attractions in India or we can also say India is also known for Taj Mahal. were employed daily. The accommodation of the fellow workers itself created a small town adjacent to the Monument and named after the deceased empress as Mumtazabad, now known as Taj Ganj.

Amanat Khan Shiraji was the calligrapher of Taj Mahal and verses on the tombstone was designed

by Poet Gyassuddin while the design was given by Ustad Ahmad Lahouri.

Taj Mahal stands on a raised square platform with four corners shortened

Mumtaj is entirely decorated with inlaid design of flowers and writing was done using precious gems like a gate, jasper, Jade and Crystal. The archway is chiselled with passages from the Holy Quran gives it a unique charm and adds to its beauty.

The Taj Mausoleum is a part of a vast complex of palatial buildings comprising the main gate, an exquisite garden to the front, a mosque to the left, a guest house to the right and the river yamuna behind it.

The best taj Mahal

ecycling is the process of turning used waste and materials into new products. This prevents potentially useful materials from being wasted as well as reducing energy use and pollution. ·Recycling is part of the waste disposal hierarchy Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. ·A wide variety of different materials can be recycled, including paper, plastic, glass, metal, textiles and electronic equipment. ·The idea of recycling isn’t something new, historical evidence shows that humans have been recycling various materials for thousands of years. ·There are different methods of waste collection.

These include drop off centers (where waste materials are dropped off at a specified location), buy back centers (where certain materials are exchanged for money), and curbside collection (where recycling vehicles are used to pick up waste material intended for recycling along residential streets). ·Powerful magnets are used to sort through different types of metals. ·Recycled paper can be made from three different types of paper; mill broke (paper scrap and trimmings), pre-consumer waste (paper

that was discarded before consumer use), and postconsumer waste (paper discarded after consumer use, such as old newspapers). ·Recycling plastic can be more difficult than other materials and plastics are not typically recycled into the same type of plastic. ·Different types of plastics are labeled by numbers (plastic identification code), for example polyethylene (PET) is number 1 and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is number 3. ·Recycling old aluminum

uses only 5% of the energy used to make new aluminum. ·Aluminum can be recycled from cans, bicycles, computers, cookware, wires, cars, planes and other sources. ·Glass recycling is often separated into colors because glass keeps its color after recycling. ·For every ton of recycled glass turned into new products, 315 kilograms of extra carbon dioxide that would have been released during the creation of new glass are saved.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 22

With Aunty A'isha

rajia39ishabiola@yahoo.com 08082071393.

CREA TIVITY CREATIVITY

AFRICAN TALES

The Tale of Jacob and the Beanstalk (II)

L

ittle Jacob found the idea of just sitting on money and not using it productively to be very strange indeed. He knew for sure that his mother or father would have plenty of very good ideas as to how the money could be put to work.

“Tell me, Mr. Giant, has the tribe of Corporate South Africa ever counted all the piles of money together? It must make a wonderful sum?”

“Oh, yes, of course we have counted it,” replied the giant.

“Counting it is about the only thing we can think of. In fact, we’ve counted it just recently and it comes to R520.5 billion.”

Little Jacob forgot his manners for a moment and whistled softly.

“Well, thank you, Mr. Giant, thank you very much that’s very interesting. And you really don’t know what to do with it? You have no exciting investment prospects?

No infrastructure projects? No offshore schemes in other countries?”

Jacob hadn’t told the giant that his mother had been reading him bedtime stories from an economics textbook, so he understood these things.

“No, we can’t think of a single thing,” the giant replied.

“The investment climate is dismal, there’s too much government red tape, the money market rates are at an all-time low and we’re

South Africa President, Jacob Zuma certainly not going to return it to shareholders. It’s all very depressing!”

Jacob thanked the giant again, turned on his heel and ran back to the hole in the cloud where he could just see the beanstalk. He started to climb down as fast as he could, and, as he did so, he grabbed a fistful of beans. He was at the bottom in a flash and, as soon as he had caught his breath, he started calling for all his friends.

“Abraham! Rob! Gwede!

Zwelinzima! Pravin... Pravin most of all, come quickly!”

Jacob’s friends surrounded him in moments and, as they did so, he gave each one a bean from the giant beanstalk.

“Quick now, go and plant it, and when it’s grown, which it will do very quickly, up you climb and we’ll all meet at the

DISCO VER Y DISCOVER VERY

How is steel made from iron?

I

ron is mined from the earth.

In its raw form it is unrefined, not pure iron.

The way to remove the iron is with heat in a process called smelting.

There are three ways to process the iron into a usable form. One of them is to make steel. This is the most refined metal that can be made from iron.

Most of the impurities are removed from the iron and it becomes a much stronger metal.

There are several methods to make steel. The most modern and commonly used method is with an oxygen furnace. Very pure oxygen blows through melted iron and lowers the levels of impurities. Chemicals are also added to clean up sulfur and phosphorus. At this stage, other metals can be added to create different kinds of steel. One kind of steel is called stainless steel, which is resistant to rust. Among other uses, stainless steel is used in surgical instruments.

top because I’ve had this wonderful idea that will bring wealth and prosperity to our village. It’s called prescribed assets and it’s only fair, because those silly old corporate giants are sitting on all that fabulous wealth and not using it, and we’re poor and we could think of many, many different ways of using it, so we’ll just take some of it away from them!”

Little Jacob’s friends all nodded their agreement and ran off excitedly to plant their magic beans.

The story of little Jacob and the beanstalk has a moral. If you’re a corporate giant, sitting on untold wealth, use it or lose it and don’t draw attention to it.

Also remember that fairy tales have a nasty habit of not turning out the way you remember them.

Holiday golf

I

t is holiday time! Time to play golf so get teed off with this happy homemade version of miniature golf! (And you won’t need those silly spiky shoes because it is rainy season!)

What you’ll need: * A ping-pong ball (or anything round that rolls, like an old plastic Christmas ornament) * cooking spoon, broomstick, back-scratcher anything you can use as a putting club * Two or more players (the more the merrier!)

The point is: To get the ball into the hole with the fewest strokes, or swings of your club, each stroke counts as one point, and the

person with the lowest score at the end of the game wins.

What to do: 1. be creative as you set up your course! You can putt around and under furniture, a toilet paper tube any place where a ball will roll. Create tunnels, ramps, bumpers, and obstacles (known as “hazards” in real golf) with books, toys, pots, and pans.

2. Use plastic cups, egg crates, and small cereal boxes for ‘holes.’ Lay them on their sides for the ball to roll in, or stand them upright if you build a ramp for the ball to jump down from. Create as many holes as you have room for. It’s tee time!

ACTIVITIES Name and paint the above picture with beautiful colour, show your work to your teacher for correction.

Cheers!

PAGE 24

Kannywood Stephanie Okereke and Linus Idahosa walk the aisle in France this weekend!

Femi Brainard is a Nigerian actor who came into limelight as an actor in 1997. In this interview, he speaks on his challenges on his first appearance on the set and many other issues.

Excerpts: Tell us your experience on the set as a first timer t wasn’t funny. I rehearsed my lines with Funso Adeolu and Jide Alibi then. They took me through the ropes, told me it was easy. I had gotten my lines. Only for me to see the camera, hear the word “action” and everything I had read grew wings. Uncle T was so mad at me. I got home that day feeling dejected because I had let everybody down. Little did I know about editing, only for me to see myself on screen that same day in the rested soap opera “Palace”. I liked it and made up my mind to shape up or ship out.

How many films have you acted in so far?

I don’t really have a count of all my films.

Which of your films brought you to the limelight?

It wasn’t a film that brought me to the limelight. It was the rested soap opera “Palace” produced by Tunji Bamishigbin, followed by Tajudeen

I

A

ward winning actress, Stephanie Okereke, will be getting married to her heartthrob, PR guru, Linus Idahosa in far-away France and are expected to share the marital vows in front of family, friends and colleagues. The ceremony which happens to be the most anticipated wedding in the country will hold in a 17th century Parisian Castle reserved for royalties this Saturday, April 21. It is rumoured that the new couple wish for guests to receive a unique kind of ‘touch’ from the experience.

The wedding will be a very private affair in celebration of the couple’s love, respect, admiration and appreciation for each other. Arik Air, the official airline for the wedding, is

playing a major role. With a chartered flight for select guests from Nigeria to France, Arik has proven to be a true Nigerian brand supporting one of its bests on their special day!

Air France, it is also learnt, is throwing its weight behind the couple; providing highly discounted tickets to guests from all over the world and sponsoring the couples’ honey moon trip to any destination of their choice abroad.

Everyone is curious to know what Stephanie would be wearing and all the fun and breath-taking details of the event. Magazines are already clamouring to cover exclusive details of the wedding but it is yet to be known which one will turn out to be the magazine of choice for the couple.

Adepetu’s Everyday people. My first film was Contractors 1&2 produced by Messrs Tunji and Ralph.

How has your movie career been?

It’s been wonderful, with a bit of ups and downs. Life is not a bed of roses.

Gone were the days when opportunities come in droves. Now, you have to create the opportunities via friends and loved ones. But it’s been fun. The beauty of being an actor is that you get to play the role of so many people, hence, the versatility of actors worldwide. It’s more interesting when you are on a set with like minds. It makes the job go faster.

Like minds being old and new actors.

You just finished a movie, love is not enough, what was it like?

It was fun being on that set. The

N

ollywood Movies has announced the inaugural Nollywood Movies Awards which will be celebrating Excellence, Outstanding Achievements and Diversity in the industry.

The Awards will celebrate both English speaking and Indigenous talents with a Nominees’ Party set to take place on Saturday 5th May 2012 at the Oriental hotel in Lagos, with the main awards ceremony holding on Saturday

2nd June 2012 at the Civic Centre also in Lagos.

The primary aim of the Nollywood Movies Awards (NMAs) is to honour and recognize

After the last Interview with Tchidi Chikere concerning statements he made about his wife and children, the Nollywood movie director Tchidi Chikere has come out to clear the air for the last time.

How did you feel when you first saw the controversial interview? felt like dying. I felt like I live in an unfair and mean world where people rub salt on already bleeding injuries. I felt like maybe God was too slow in meting out judgment on evil people like that and so they thrive and do more havoc. But then my manager came and spoke to me. He quoted the Bible in several places and I felt better.

I was reassured that God sees all our hearts and that at the right time he would fight for me while I hold my peace. He will not give me up to the will of my enemies and scoffers.

Once and for all, tell us how important your kids are to you.

I hold them sacred, second only to God. A lot of people believe you are

I

excellence in the Industry.

Furthermore, 22 categories have been created which include Acting, Pre and Post Production, which will help develop the industry.

The Awards will also focus on the highest achievements of films produced for the industry each year in order to motivate and encourage those who make them and inspire new entrants into the industry.

Nollywooduncut.com

PAGE 25

Nollywood

First time on set, I forgot my lines - Femi Brainard

My divorce with Sophia is affecting my career – Tchidi Chikere Linus and Stephanie

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21, — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

too arrogant. How will you describe yourself?

I’ m not arrogant. I just protect myself, because too many friends bring entanglements, distractions, trouble and betrayals. I don’t smile with everybody. I don’t believe in having friends upon friends because that wasn’t how I was brought up. I grew up basically in my room, reading novels and building worlds of fantasies around myself in my imagination. I love my own company.

I’m very close to my father though. I love my daddy to bits.

I would describe myself as a very deep person. What works for other folks don’t work for me. I guess that accounts for why a lot of people misunderstand me. And when you don’t understand something, there arises the need to make up stories to fill in the blank spaces. What people don’t understand is how deeply they hurt other people with these made up stories and how somehow somewhere in this life, they’d pay for every careless word, every careless lie. I have an unshakeable faith in God. I was brought up in a strict Catholic home.

I was an altar boy at mass and later thought I’d become a priest, but I guess the world of make believe stole me and kept me.

Is your divorce affecting your career in anyway?

I’m human and it has affected me.

I haven’t written a script in three

story is actually about a character (Ken) played by my humble self, who finds his true love in Adesuwa, but is still hunted by his past (ex-girlfriend – Patra). Patra jilted ken because he couldn’t foot her expensive lifestyle.

But out of the blue, she wants ken back – a battle ensues.

What will viewers learn from the movie?

Well, the first thing I learnt was and is to be contented with what you have. If God creates the chance for more, then go ahead and have some.

Otherwise, what you have at hand should be enough for you.

Basic challenges when shooting?

Apart from the usual not too conducive shooting environment, there are shooting elements such as: months. No one knows what I do when I’m alone in my room and take off the celebrity mask I wear in public.

Nobody knows how I hurt. We are talking about ten years of my life here.

But I’m not going to wear my sadness on my face and die so that haters will laugh. I find consolation in the fact that I still love and respect my family and whatever I do next will be as my happiness dictates. We are all solitary birds in this world, nobody will die with me, whatever will make me happy tomorrow, I will do it, but in all, to respect my family, even as I move on. That is why this will be my last and final interview on this matter.

What are your dreams for the future?

My plans for the future… I want to get a PhD degree if possible. I’ve had a master’s degree since 2001 and I’m beginning to really feel stagnated. I ‘m very academically inclined. That and other things I can’t say here, for obvious reasons.

You are rated as one of the best directors in Nollywood. What kept you on top for so long?

Femi Brainard artiste welfare, accommodation and non-availability of props are other things that hinder a smooth run when Among the best directors in Nollywood? People say I am, but I don’t know if I am. My mum thought me modesty, so I don’t know how to assume airs. I’m just doing my thing as best as I know it. I always want to be better.

So I guess by always trying to be better and not getting comfortable with where I am, I unintentionally stay relevant and solid.

So many people believe you are living with Nuella and that she is pregnant for you. Are you really living with her now, and is she pregnant for you?

On the issue of whether anybody is pregnant for me at the moment, I believe my publicist has issued a statement on that saying it is false and I have not moved in with anybody.

And that is same thing I’m telling now, the answer to both questions is” no, no” this is my second and final statement on this. And I ask that this be laid to rest and my privacy and that of my kids and Sophia be respected by all henceforth. I need to focus, I need to rest. Enough said.

Back to work, what are you working on now?

I no longer talk about what I’m working on next or not working on, because Nollywood is full of unhealthy rivalry and people who don’t want you to grow. So I’d rather just be a surprise package and not talk about my plans.

What you see is what you get. One thing I know is I want more, I hunger for more challenges, and I’m restless like the sea in turbulence.

Nigeriafilms.com

filming.

Another element is a poorly written script. Many people think that

it’s just about the money – they can then call artistes and crew to a location. Your first artistic point of contact with the production is the script. Many a “person” thinks that scripting is all about putting pen to paper and adding character names to it. It goes far beyond that. Scripting is artistic. Scripting has to do with thought processes, artistic prowess, play of words, emotional and “fantasy” imaginations. Majorly allowing whoever is reading to visualize what is being read. But presently you have half-baked people who think that by writing a line or two, they are script writers. What they fail to see is that badly written scripts puts a heavy burden on the actor who is supposed to interpret the role. He/she now has to mentally edit the badly scripted movie, then go on to deliver the lines.

What are you working on at the moment?

Presently, I just finished a shoot on the set of”Behind the Smile” – a soap opera, directed by Tunde Olaoye.

Anything else you want add?

Whatever you become in life, it’s because God has allowed it. Do not look down on your peers and always do your best possible in helping others.

Don’t ever ask for a return. You’ll surely get it back double fold – that is if you genuinely offer help from your heart.

What are your words to your fans?

I thank you for accepting me and my work because without acceptance, I am nothing. God bless.

Nollywoodgossips.com

Movie Star Family

Glamour Soap, ‘Catwalq’ now debuts on the airwaves

Monalisa Chinda, Joy Scrace & Memry Savanhu

A

fter a whirlwind year of shooting, editing and finally a Media screening at Sheraton Hotel & Towers, ‘Catwalq’ the glamour soap finally debuts on Nigerian television! ‘Catwalq is a sassy soap about three ladies, Kima, Paris and Wange who run a fashion magazine. The soap explores their lives, loves, relationships and work in the glamorous, exciting world of

Academy Media school who got to shine in their roles, in the movie.

The soap was also produced

by Emem Isong and directed

by Desmond Elliot who also acted in a few scenes.

Screenplay was written by Uduak Oguamanam, Bola Aduwo & Rita Onwurah ‘Catwalq’ has started showing at the following times

Uru Eke & Kenneth Okolie having it out in a scene in ‘Catwalq’

The Van Vickers

high fashion’ and features an international cast that cuts across Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, Jamaica and the United Kingdom.

The soap stars Monalisa Chinda (who also co-produced the soap) Memry Savanhu, Uru Eke, Joy Scrase, Kenneth Okolie, Susan Peters as well as a host of good looking guys and girls! It also features several students from The Royal Arts

on Nigerian television, TV Continental (TVC) Lagos Tuesdays| 7.30pm - 8.00pm, Cross River State Broadcasting Corp. (CRBC) Saturdays | 6.00 pm - 7.00pm, Akwa Ibom State Broadcasting Corp. (AKBC) Sundays | 7.00pm-7.30pm, and Independent Television Benin (ITV) Saturdays| 6.00 - 6.30pm There are plans to show on other channels including DSTV.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 27

Homes

Get a coordinated look with concrete tiles

W

ith technological advances that allow it to take on virtually any colour, texture or shape, concrete tiling is redefining its role on the residential landscape. Concrete's new flexibility has made it a leading player in a design process that puts increasing emphasis on outdoor space.

The only material with the ability to give a coordinated look to all of the home's exterior elements, concrete has become a powerful design tool for "homescaping."

That combined with its affordability, durability, and top-level performance in any climate, makes it the best choice for today's homeowner.

Exterior impact With the exciting new coloring and texturing technologies now at work, concrete can create a cohesive look that begins with driveways and pavements that coordinate with the home's exterior, and carries through into patios and retaining walls that blend naturally with their surroundings.

If you think concrete looks like a gray slab, you may be right. But more and more often, it also looks like a brick driveway or a flagstone pool deck because the incredible flexibility of concrete allows it to take on the colors, textures and shapes of other materials.

Typically, it's done at a fraction of the cost, and it offers superior long-term performance.

Colours Concrete can be cast in a wide variety of colors. Pastels and earth tones are produced by mixing mineral pigments throughout the concrete. For deeper tones, finishers use the dry-shake method - sprinkling powdered, prepackaged color-hardeners onto a freshly cast concrete slab, then toweling it into the surface. Precast concrete products, such as pavers and garden stones, are also available in the same full palette of colors.

Patterns Semi-hardened concrete can be

pattern-stamped with special tools to create the custom look and feel of slate, cobblestone, brick or tile. The patterns can help scale down large expanses of paving.

Textures An exposed aggregate finish gives traditional concrete a more natural look.

It's done by brushing and washing away surface mortar as the concrete begins to harden, so the stone or gravel in the concrete becomes visible. Any attractive stone can be imbedded into the surface marble, granite chips, pebbles, or even shells for beachfront property.

Built To Last Many people have been led to believe that in severely hot climates, major cracks in concrete are inevitable and pop-outs, scaling and spalling should be expected. That is however, simply not the case. When building in hot tropical climates like the sub-Saharan region, there are two secrets: specifying the right mix for the climate, and skilled installation.

Outdoor Living Whether it's a patio, pool deck, terrace, or courtyard, homeowners are planning on spending time outdoors.

Coloured and textured concrete can be used to convert outdoor rooms into the rest of the home. By coordinating a patio's color with the home's interior, it becomes a valuable extension of the home, rather than an afterthought. Concrete garden walkways and retaining walls further enhance the scene.

Affordability While concrete's initial costs can be higher than other materials, its life-cycle costs are much lower. Homeowners are well acquainted with concrete's durability, fire safety, and proven lowmaintenance.

Custom look It's true that decorative concrete is more expensive than plain concrete.

Colouring and texturing concrete so that it looks like brick or flagstone generally

doubles the cost. But using actual brick or flagstone is two to ten times as expensive as using decorative concrete.

Concrete tiles create the same custom look, and gives a better performance, for a fraction of the cost.

Inexpensive alternatives

There are plenty of concrete finishes that are ideal for homeowners and do not necessarily hurt your pocket. A simple rock salt finish adds an interesting mottled look, and an easy broom finish turns plain concrete into a design feature.

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

Cuisine

Pots & Pans

With Hajiya Ramatu Usman Dorayi

Appetizers: Finger foods before meal

Appetizers, also called finger foods are quite easy to prepare with difference ingredients. They are satisfying and enjoyable. A delicious appetizer helps to build up your appetite before the actual meal. Examples of appetizers below are also healthy diet recipes.

Toasted mushroom sandwiches

S

t a r t i n g the day with a delicious toasted mushroom sandwich is one great idea one should absolutely take into consideration when adopting a healthy diet. In addition to that, for all its healthy ingredients, and the easy-to-handle preparation, it is not just a great alternative for breakfast, but also a great appetizer idea too.

Sandwiches have made part of our culinary history since early times, or, to be more exact, since Neolithic times, when people used to wrap meat or various herbs between two slices of unleavened bread. If, at its beginnings, the sandwiches were a ‘male’ meal, shared by men when drinking or gaming late at night, nowadays the sandwich has its respected, specific social place in our lives. Besides being a very inexpensive dish, its quick preparation and wide variety of options for ingredients, make it one favorite item in the cooking area. This popular type of food gained its success throughout all the picnics, packed lunches or all the other occasions where it is served as an appetizer.

Sandwiches can contain lots of our favorite ingredients, starting with special bread

to various kinds of cheese, meat, sauces, vegetables, butter or mustard.

A toasted mushroom sandwich not only sounds delicious, but it actually is.

Combining the crispiness of toasted bread with the intense aroma of mushrooms, this specific sandwich can become one of your favorite breakfast ideas. Many traditional cuisines use mushrooms as a main ingredient in a wide range of dishes, especially the Chinese, the Japanese and other European countries.

One of the reasons mushrooms are so popular, besides their incredible taste, is their nutritional values: mushrooms are rich in fiber and contain vitamins like vitamin D, thiamine, niacin and ascorbic acid, commonly known as vitamin C. Mushrooms also have a great effect when treating the symptoms of excessive exposure to ultraviolet lights, and also contain some minerals, like potassium or selenium.

In order to obtain 16 delicious pieces of the toasted mushroom sandwich, here are the most essential ingredients: · 2 tbsp of butter · 1/2 pound mushrooms

· 2 tbsp of flour · pinch of curry powder · 1/2 cup milk or halfand-half · salt and ground pepper · 16 thin slices dense white bread · melted butter Take a sauté pan and melt in it the 2 tbsp of butter, then add the mushrooms, which need to be previously cleaned, stemmed, and finely chopped. Cook the mushrooms over medium to high heat, and stir until they reach a brownish colour. After about 3 minutes, sprinkle some flour and curry powder and keep stirring, for a couple of minutes. Now add the milk, and keep cooking and stirring, until the texture of this mixture becomes rather thick.

After seasoning with salt and pepper, spread this mixture evenly on one slice of bread. Top it with another slice of bread, then cut them into half. Each side of bread needs to be brushed with melted butter, then place them on a cooking sheet, then into the oven, about 5 inches from the broiler, and broil until each side of the sandwich turns gold, then turn on the other side. When ready, serve hot. It is incredibly tasty!

Sour cream, lemon and eggs Ingredients: -6 eggs -3 tablespoons sour cream -1 1/2 tablespoons mayonnaise -1/2 teaspoon mustard -1 teaspoon grated lemon zest -1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice -salt

-1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper -chopped fresh parsley Directions: Cook eggs in simmering water for 15 minutes and cool.

Cut hard boiled eggs in half lengthwise.

Transfer yolks to small bowl and mash with fork.

Mix in sour cream, mayonnaise, and mustard.

Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and cayenne pepper.

Add salt to your taste.

Spoon yolk mixture into whites.

Sprinkle generously with chopped parsley.

Cover loosely and refrigerate.

PAGE 29

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

Womanhood

Insecurity: How women can help Nigeria

By Miriam Humbe with online reports

T

he rising wave of terrorism, violent crimes, ritual killings, rape, prostitution and general moral laxity in Nigeria and around the world including lack of respect for elders and constituted authority, has been blamed on neglect for the proper upbringing of children.

More often than not, the blame is usually placed at the feet of the mothers who are saddled with the responsibility of inculcating in their young ones, morals which should make them grow into responsible citizens. As the wise saying goes; "a mother's lap is the first school for every child".

In view of the threat to global peace and tranquillity, the issue of the pivotal role of a woman as a mother and primary builder of character appears to top most avenues for discourse. A woman can very well inculcate values in the society and so she is only responsible for its rise or downfall.

We all are greatly influenced by our mothers. A mother plays the keystone role in bringing up newborns but her role is not limited to newborns only. Mothers tend play a vital role in the lives

of their children throughout their lives.

Apart from being in the membership of the National Council of Women's Societies, NCWS, women can form community women groups in their immediate environments with the aim of fostering the cause their communities by entrenching the need to caution their children and wards against bad company and acts of criminality. They should also give attention to the activities of vigilante groups in their areas and promptly provide adequate information to the security agencies who must in turn, give them protection as information sources. Rather than coerce their husbands into corruptive tendencies by being fully dependent on them as house wives, women should learn a trade and find work to do with their hands to augment the family's income. This will help them to cater for their children and keep them off the streets in the event of the death of their husbands.

The need for mothers to be proactive in present day context of insecurity by calling her children to order and preventing them from joining bad gangs is more prominent

as lawlessness and lack of value for life as we find today are roots of acts of terrorism which are spreading by the day. The gap between haves and have-nots is also increasing faster which leads to citizens who go for crimes for easy access to money.

Women must rise to the occasion and train their children on the need embrace the values of self worth and contentment.

The political leaders misuse their powers and adopt corrupt practices to grab power and wealth even as government employees also siphon public funds into private pockets at the expense of the hapless citizens. Thus we have today, a society that is more characterless and deviation from basic teachings of religion than ever before as no religion teaches to adopt wrong practice to garner wealth. As a result of this, development indices have been dwarfed leading to unemployment, disease and death from lack of health care facilities.

The resultant effect is frustration and bottled up anger in the hearts of the youths who are ever ready to hit the streets on the slightest opportunity.

In order to treat the problem from its roots and to save the next generation, women have to be educated in a well planned

manner and endowed with the wisdom, courage and faith that can fit them for the great responsibility of curing the social diseases that rests upon them.

She must prepare to teach the child how to live the sacred gifts: respect, humility, compassion, honesty, truth, wisdom and love as this child will become tomorrow's citizen. She should set high goals for her child, so that in future he or she can become a good and selfless citizen.

The child receives the earliest education of its life in the home and the earliest years are the most important. The first person to have wide contact with a baby is usually the mother. The role of a mother in bringing up children is greater than that of a father. She is responsible for their emotional, behavioural, and intellectual development. She is responsible for inculcating love in them, especially in the early formative years. She must enforce discipline over her children in personal cleanliness, in humility and hospitality, in good manners and acts of service. She must persuade the children by example and teach them to idolize elders and to give some time both in the morning and evening for prayer, exercise and silent meditation. There must be

involvement and support by family, relatives and the community. These circles of people tend to play a very important role in giving the child a sense of belonging and protection.

For a mother, nothing can be more exciting than keeping her baby nearby herself, listen to her baby's laughter and quickly meet his/her needs with promptness.

By doing so you will understand the needs, likings and disliking of your beloved child. Nobody can ever understand the feelings of a mother for her baby and nothing on earth can lessen the superfluity of love possessed by a mother in the depth of her heart.

The mother herself should look after the children during the early years instead of placing the child in the detention and care of baby sitters or servants.

During the most important time in a child's life, when the foundation of his personality, morals and attitudes are laid that he or she will build off for the rest of his life, it is not ideal for a woman to give her child to another person to mould. These are the foundation years that can either make or break the child for the rest of his or her life. rameshkumar.co.in

PAGE 30

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012 Do you have old pictures for memories?

Send them to peoplesdailyweekend@yahoo.com

From the archives From IBB’s Album

Current Adamawa state governor, Murtala Nyako, IBB and former foriegn affairs minister, Ike Nwachukwu at the opening of ICC, Abuja.

Babangida, late wife, Maryam with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Hafez Perez De Cueller and his wife in the 90s.

President Mugabe and Babangida with Maj.-Gen. Nwachukwu at the airport in Harare, Zimbabwe in the 90s.

Dr. Nelson Mandela meets President Babangida in Abuja for consultations - 5th November 1992.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 31

Learning Peoples Classroom F Compiled by Richard Ihediwa

Mathematics Lesson Solving Equations (3) Three-Steps (Type 2) Equations ax + ax+b=cx+d This week we are going to look at yet another type of equation, The three step (Type 2) Equations.

This type of equation can be simplified in such a way that it can be transformed into a twostep equation.

The procedure is similar to that mentioned immediately above, under solving three-step type 1 equations mentioned above, but with a slight twist.

Equations of this type have like terms too but these terms are on opposite sides of the equal sign. In order to combine them, we must target one of the variable terms and add its opposite to both sides of the equation. This will cancel a term from

one side and make the equation into a two-step equation.

For instance, let’s solve 4x + 3 = -5x + 21.

We must cancel a variable term, so let’s cancel the -5x by adding 5x to both sides of the equation. This gives us 4x + 5x + 3 = -5x + 5x + 21.

Simplifying we get, 9x + 3 = 21.

Solving the rest of the problem can be done following the procedure mentioned under solving two-step equations above. The result is x = 2.

Checking the solution can be done by substituting the solution into the original problem for all the x-values. This gives us 4(2) + 3 = -5(2) + 21.

Doing further work yields 8 + 3 = -10 + 21 and finally

11 = 11. Therefore the solution x = 2 is the correct solution.

Let’s try the same steps to solve -6x - 13 = 4x + 27.

Cancelling the 4x by adding -4x to both sides of the equation gives us 6x - 4x - 13 = 4x - 4x + 27.

Furthermore we can combine like terms to get -10x - 13 = 27.

We can use the procedure for solving two-step equations to get the final solution, x = -4.

This solution can be tested by replacing the variable with -4, which gives us -6(-4) - 13 = 4(-4) + 27.

Simplifying both sides of the equation using the order of operations gives us 24 - 13 = -16 + 27 and finally 11 = 11. This is proof that x = -4 is the correct solution.

ICT ESSENCE

o r most of computer users, (especially the awuf ones) keep in mind that free security software can leave you unprotected.

Free security software typically provides only basic protection, and is often offered to get you to buy more comprehensive products. Free anti-virus programs generally lack important features such as a firewall, website health checks, and automatic updates and so on.

To ensure the best protection against emerging threats, look for security software that provides real-time protection using data continuously updated.

Don't forget to check whether the security software installed on your new PC is only a trial version. If it is, remember to buy a subscription so that you have continuous protection against newly discovered threats.

Protect your data Consider a product that

Don't leave your removable storage device unattended since they are small and easily stolen.

Fake / Free (Scareware) Anti-virus Sofware Be aware of fake antivirus software.

Scareware tricks users into believing that the computer is infected to get them to buy fake anti-virus software and hand over their personal and

when clicking on unknown links and sites, potentially increasing the risk of threats.

If you have young kids or teens, limit their online access and the content they can view. Use a webfiltering tool that protects kids from accessing inappropriate content such as pornography, nudity, online hate groups, school cheating sites, and bad language.

offers data backup and restore features as well as advanced security that allows you to remotely lock your device and wipe your data in case of a loss.

A survey that was carried out in the US showed that from August 2011 found that 30 percent of people don't back up their files, and worse, that every three seconds, a hard drive fails. So don't take a chance on losing important personal photos, creative works in progress, or financial information.

If you have a removable storage device, such as a flash drive or portable hard drive, use technologies that will help protect your information.

Consider using a secure, encrypted USB stick, to scramble your information so it is unreadable if your device is lost or stolen.

financial details, usually via pop-ups.

Most especially, the free online antivirus tools.

Fake anti-virus has become a tool for cybercriminals. Don't buy anti-virus software through pop-up ads.

Always purchase your security software from a reputable vendor.

Family Online Safety Most families are prone to all these cybercriminals, educate them and pay attention to your children's online activities. Keep your computer in a common area and discuss which information is appropriate to share online and which is not, such as addresses, phone numbers, and other private information. Be aware that if your children are surfing the web, they may not be as prudent

Hey, what if your child knows how to turn off parental controls, you need to do extra work on that, always keep a close eye on their activities.

with

Bello Abdul’Azeez +234 805 113 0075 abdulazeez@ictessence.com www.ictessence.com

Useful tips for securing Internet connected devices (2)

English Lesson Tips for Essay writing (1) Tips for better performance (I) In this lesson, we will consider ways a writer can strive to eliminate errors and common mistakes in essay writing either for examination or for other competitions. Most essay writers appear to be in a hurry and as such make a lot of avoidable mistakes.

Some of the shortcomings include, error of facts due to poor understanding of essay topic, poor use of register, grammatical errors, poor syntax, spelling errors among others.

However, here are some tips that can help you write better essays for examination or other purposes.

Understand the topic Before you start writing, make sure you understand the topic and issues surrounding it. In most examinations, a list

of topics is usually given from which you are to choose. Take the topic you best understand and have more information.

This is because you write better essays on topics you have good information on. Also, you will have better command of the register of the topic and this will help you flow with ease.

Don’t be in a hurry, organise your thoughts Do not be in a hurry.

After you understand the topic and the scope you are expected to cover, settle your mind and organise your thoughts and plan the body of your essay, outlining your points. Make sure you capture those points in a manner that portrays cohesion and sequence.

Have the summary of the topic and the point you want to make at your finger tip.

Begin writing The next thing to do is to start writing. Do not spend too much time on preparation. Kick off with very simple and direct sentence, that make the point at the very beginning.

Examiners want to see that you know the issues and that you are organised and can deliver in correct sentences.

Ensure cohesion and sense When you write, keep your sentences as short as possible unless there is need for complex sentences.

Make use of simple words you are sure of their meanings. Choose the right register and do not muddle things up. It would be wrong for you to use the word “hammer” while referring the gavel used in the National Assembly. Simple sentences help you maintain correct syntax and grammar.

(To be continued)

“

If you have a removable storage device, such as a flash drive or portable hard drive, use technologies that will help protect your information.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 32

F Brazilian hair and celebrity style L

Compiled by Miriam Humbe

adies tend to look younger with Brazilian hair than with synthetic hair styles. Brazilian hair is curly or straight, long or short, depending on the inches and

according to your preference. It also comes in different colours giving its wearer the option of multiple choices.

Said to be made of 100 percent Human Hair, Brazilian hair extension is

capable of giving you that perfect natural look. It does not also tangle or matt. It will not dry out or give you a bird’s nest look when you forget to comb your hair. Brazilian hair remains soft and silky wash after

wash and lasts for many months especially when carefully handled or even for a year or more. The hair is worn by celebrities all over the world including models, musicians, athletes and actresses who are in the public eye.

Omotola Jolade Ekevvind

Freetress

Shakira, Waka Waka girl

Beyonce

Nicky Minaj

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 33

Business

Oil and Petrochemical Refinery, Kaduna, Nigeria.

Photo: Ingram Publishing

IFAD, FG spend N13.4 bn on rural farmers in Niger Delta

T

h e International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in conjunction with the Federal Government has spent N13.4 billion on more than 400,000 rural poor in the Niger Delta region.

Dr. Irene JumboIbeakuzie, the National Coordinator of the IFAD/ Federal Government/Niger Delta programme gave the figure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Port Harcourt.

The benefiting states are Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers, which have a total of 80 local government areas and 243 communities.

Jumbo-Ibeakuzie said that the programme, which had eight years duration starting from 2005, would be

funded by IFAD, FGN, state governments the local governments and NDDC. She explained that IFAD loan contribution was N2.37 billion, NDDC grant, N2.37 billion Federal Government's contribution, N1.61 billion, state and local governments, N1.30 billion and N5.06 billion respectively.

Jumbo-Ibeakuzie said that while the benefiting communities also contributed N695.20 million to the programme, which had impacted positively on farmers in the nine states of the region.

“So far, the calculation for the total fund received is about 37per cent while the implementation is 49 per cent.

“So with that, we said that we have fared well if we put the funds into consideration because the counterpart

funding is the major consideration in programme implementation,” she said.

Jumbo-Ibeakuzie said that a lot of the farmers had been trained in various areas of farming, adding that about 167 farmers were trained in Songhai farming alone.

She, however, said that the programme was calling for extension, as most of the IFAD funds were not drawn down because most local governments had not paid their counterpart funding.

“And even some of them that had paid had not paid completely. Even some state governments have not paid and as a result, they could not draw their counterpart funds,” Jumbo-Ibeakuzie said.

She explained that the IFAD counterpart fund was dependent on the counterpart contribution.

Augustine Aminu with agency report

T

h e Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Thursday announced plans to shore up the maximum daily regulation to 10 per cent.

NSEdailyregulationrefersto the maximum limit allowed brokers to raise or lower share prices daily at the Exchange.

The Exchange, since inceptionabout48yearsago,had operated the maximum limit of 5 per cent.

Mr. Ade Bajomo, Executive Director, MarketOperationsand Technology of the Exchange told the news men in Lagos that new pricing regulation referred to as “equities circuit breaker”, would begin in May. He said that the circuit breaker regime would come in place when the Exchange starts market making.

“We will actually kick it off when the market making starts at the Exchange and it will be in the next three weeks time,’’ Bajomo said.

He said that the circuit

NSE sets to introduce 10% maximum daily trading regulation breaker, at the initial kick off date, wouldbeextendedtoonlystocks, which market markers were working on.

He also said that the upward review was due to volatility of market making business and the need to enhance liquidity.

Bajomo,whoearlierunveiled the 2012 Annual Capital Market Conference, organised by the BusinessDay, said that the Exchange would also introduce a minimum acceptable technology standard for market operators.

Headvisedmarketoperators to ensure regular upgrading of their technology.

According to him, the Exchange would ensure strict compliance to rules and regulations by all stakeholders through surveillance.

Mr. LucaDel Conte, former Executive Director, Treasury & Capital Markets Medi Capital

BankPlc,London,remarkedthat domestic capital was paramount for the growth of any emerging market.

He pointed out that local investors should be encouraged to invest in the market with less emphasis on foreign investors.

He also said that investment banks, operating in the country, would be the major instrument for the success of market making introduced by the Exchange, as it involves a lot funds.

NSE D-G, Arunma Oteh

PAGE 34

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

Business News Maize farmers association targets 20m metric tones in 2012

T

he National Maize Association of Nigeria (MAAN) expects a national maize production of 20 million tonnes during the year.

Mr. TunjiAdenola, the National President of MAAN, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola on Friday that if farmers adhered to the advice of the Federal Government, they could produce 20 million tonnes of maize annually.

“If Nigerian farmers would do what we are recommending, the minimum any farmer should produce is not less than three to five tonnes per hectare.

“And with this development, we are expecting that within the next four years, we will be able to push production nationwide to between 18 million and 20 million tonnes per year starting from this year, ” Adenola said.

He said that under the current national agricultural transformation programme, six maize and soya-bean producing clusters would be established to facilitate linking farmers to input and output markets.

The president said Adamawa was expected, under the transformation programme, to cultivate 10 per cent of the projected 600,000 hectares of maize farm with a projected crop yield of 180,000 tonnes.

He said the Federal Government had approved 10 per cent of all demonstration and promotional activities for adopting new varieties of maize and soya-bean in the state.

Ademola said “a minimum of 120 youths will be trained in the operation of sprayers, threshers among others, to create jobs and enhance productivity among the teaming youth of the state. ” He said 150,000 farmers would receive support for maize and soyabean production and a minimum of six storage facilities, one in each cluster centre for grain collection and storage.

Adenola, who lauded the ongoing national farmers’ registration, explained that the gesture would go a long way in identifying and assisting genuine farmers in the country to boost their yearly production.

Corruption bane of revenue generation in Nigeria —Accountant-General

M

r. Jonah Otunla, the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), on Thursday night identified corruption as a major bane to revenue generation in the country.

Otunla made the observation in a paper entitled ``Revenue Management, Transparency and National Development’’, which he presented at the second award night of the Nigeria News Direct Newspaper in Abuja.

“Corruption is indeed the major problem of revenue generation.

“The matter is beyond punishment of offenders; government should look for ways

of inculcating moral values into the citizens as well as the love for our country,’’ NAN quotes Otunla as saying.

He noted that President Goodluck Jonathan had directed all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to remit 25 per cent of their gross income into the appropriate federation account.

To effectively implement the directive, he proposed the setting up of a monitoring team, comprising officials from his office and the Budget Office, to visit all relevant agencies to determine and collect all revenue due to government.

NAN reports that one of the duties of the Office of the

Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) is to receive and reconcile monthly revenue returns from the NNPC, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and CBN. However, Otunla identified lack of monitoring power by OAGF of some high revenue yielding agencies such as NNPC, as a notable challenge in accounting for and managing revenue.

“The monitoring efforts of OAGF have inadvertently excluded the majority of high revenue yielding agencies.

“Such agencies include the CBN, Nigeria Maritime Authority (NMA), universities and polytechnics, the Nigeria

Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education, NNPC, Nigeria Customs Service and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS),'' he said.

The Accountant-General, therefore, called for a review of all laws governing such establishments, to bring them in conformity with the relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution.

He also welcomed the report submitted by the Steve Oronsayeled Committee on the rationalisation of government statutory agencies.

Otunla said the committee’s recommendations, if implemented, would trim government expenditure. (NAN)

L-R: Secretary National Planning Commission, Mr. Sylvester Monye, Director-General, Budget Office, Mr. Bright Okogu, and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, during the public presentation of the 2012 Federal Budget, recently, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Zimbabwe's business law seen enriching black elite

T

he Zimbabwean government's drive to force foreign businesses to give 51 per cent of their shareholding to locals will benefit black elite and must be reviewed, Finance Minister Tendai Biti said on Thursday.

The controversial so-called empowerment law is already being implemented in the mining sector.

For instance, South Africa's Impala Platinum was forced to hand over majority shareholding in its Zimplats unit to a state fund, employees and local communities.

Speaking at the Atlantic Center, a public policy group, Biti said he agreed on the need for Zimbabweans to participate in the

broad economy.

But maintained that the initiative, spearheaded by President Robert Mugabe's ZANUPF party , would only benefit the black elite.

"The transfer is for value, which is good, but in a situation where the majority are poor, you are just transferring shares from rich white people to rich black people," said Biti.

"It wasn't well thought. Due process not being followed, we need to go back to the drawing board and say how can we empower our people.

“The best way to empower our people at this present moment in time is to expand our economy to

create as many sectors as possible."

The exercise is widely seen as a ploy by ZANU-PF to win votes in elections that must be held by next year with political reforms and a new constitution in place.

Mugabe was forced into a power-sharing deal with long-time foe Morgan Tsvangirai, now the prime minister, after the 2008 election, which Western powers said was marred by ZANU-PF violence and intimidation.

The government, which plans to have completed the empowerment program in the mining sector by the end of this month, has given no indication how much it plans to pay for any stakes in Zimplats.

Zimbabwe has the world's

second largest platinum deposits.

There is also pressure on the four foreign banks to hand over 51 per cent of their shareholding, which is being vigorously opposed by both Biti and central bank governor Gideon Gono.

To start a bank in Zimbabwe, the minimum capital requirement is 12.5 million dollars.

Therefore, anyone buying 51 per cent of any one of the banks' shares would need to pay about 30 million dollars.

"If you have 30 million dollars, why not just start your own bank?

The program has not been well thought out. ... How we are trying to do it is a disaster."

Biti, who was in Washington for

the International Monetary Fund/ World Bank spring meetings, told Media that the government did not have money to hold an election this year as being demanded by Mugabe.

"We didn't budget for elections, so there is no money for elections, we can't even pay our civil servants higher salaries," Biti said.

He also criticised the U.S. policy of non-engagement with Harare because of policy differences with Mugabe.

"Your foreign policy could be better, you don't deal with trouble states by disengaging. You must engage strategically to assist the people of Zimbabwe," he said.

(Reuters)

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 35

Business Market capitalisation rose by N117bn T h e market indices of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), on Friday recorded further appreciation as the market capitalisation rose by N117 billion.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the market capitalisation closed at N6.94 trillion as against N6.82 trillion posted on Thursday due to price gains by blue chip equities.

Also, the All-share Index, which opened at 21,388.87,

appreciated by 367.63 basis points representing 1.72 per cent to close at 21,756.50.

Analysts attributed the growth to impressive results and dividend pay outs announced by some quoted companies.

Similarly, the turnover volume of shares appreciated by 40.89 per cent with a total of 406.89 million shares worth N4.58 billion traded in 3,710 deals.

This was in contrast with

288.80 million shares worth N3.12 billion exchanged in 4,007 deals on Thursday.

Meanwhile, NAN reports that Total led the gainers' chart with N6.63 to close at N139.34 per share.

Nigerian Breweries followed with N5.20 to close at N109.20, while Unilever grew by N1.42 to close at N29.92 per share.

NCR appreciated by 71kto close at N15.05, while GlaxoSmithKline chalked up

55k to close at N20.50 per share.

On the other hand, Presco topped the losers' chart with a loss of 51k to close at N10 per share.

BOCGas trailed with 32k to close at N6.18, while Avon Crown dropped by 21k to close at N4.18 per share.

Eternal Oil depreciated by 19k to close at N3.76, while Cement Company of Northern Nigeria dipped by 16k to close at N5per share.

NAN also reports that the banking sub-sector remained the most active accounting for 374.24 million shares worth N3.98 billion traded in 2, 515 deals.

GTB was the most traded stock with an exchange of 116.27 million worth N1.80 billion exchanged in 502 deals.

FBN ranked second with 63.04 million shares valued N703.91 million traded in 781 deals.

Nigeria adds N474.3bn to excess crude account in 2 months —Minister Augustine Aminu with agency report

N

igeria transferred N474.34 billion to its Excess Crude Account (ECA) in February and March, Dr Yerima Ngama, the Minister of State for Finance, said in Abuja on Friday.

He told to newsmen after the monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee meeting that the balance of the account still stood at 3.6 billion dollars.

The minister said the Federal

Government transferred N173.93 billion in March to the ECA, a decrease of N126.48 billion when compared to the N300.41 billion transferred the previous month.

It would be recalled that the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala, raised concerns recently about the depleting excess crude account.

Okonjo-Iweala had said that the insistence of governors on sharing the nation's resources and opposition to the

establishment of the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) was responsible for the depletion of ECA. The SWF, which is supposed to replace the ECA, is aimed at saving money for the `rainy day'', finance infrastructure projects and provide a stabilisation fund in case of a fall in oil prices.

Ngama said that for two consecutive months, the Federal Government did not draw money from the stabilisation account because it had ``enough

funds'' in its budgetary provision to distribute to all tiers of government. .

Meanwhile, N613.6 billion was distributed to federal, state and local governments at the monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee meeting in Abuja on Thursday, for March.

The figure is a decrease of N7.041 billion or 1.13 per cent compared to the N620.7 billion distributed in February.

The Federal Government received total revenue of

N726.77 billion in March compared to the N766.77 billion in February.

According to Mr Jonah Otunla, the Accountant-General of the Federation, oil revenue was down in March because of a decrease in crude oil export caused by several ``operational issues and safety challenges'' in Bonga, Brass, Bonny and Qua Iboe Terminals.

Oil revenue slumped to N586.631 billion in March from N631.96 billion the previous month.

This week at the Exchange Bargain hunting returns to the bourse as ASI records +4.89% gain in the week

E

q u i t y Market resumed uptrend as bargain activities significantly outweighed sell pressure with market activities closing green in the week as against negative outlook recorded in the previous session while the Exchange marked 72 listed entities for sanction following the Non Rendition of their Audited Financial Accounts Statements for various reporting periods in its Compliance Report released during the week.

Furthermore, the key benchmark indices closed

negative by -0.10% to open the first trading day of the week downbeat as the bears return in style while the second closed green by +0.32% to resume uptrend while bargain hunters dominated trading activities after the day's session.

The third session also closed positive as NSE ASI firms up by +1.47% to maintain northwards movement due to continuous bargain activities while similar outlook was also recorded on Thursday with NSE Index recording +0.34% gain to close the fourth session

northwards.

Conversely, trading activities on Friday closed in the green zone as sentiments remained unchanged.

Consequently, the key benchmark indices inches up significantly by +1.72% while market closed the week with aggregate gain of +4.89%.

Further analysis on acquiring banks since transaction date showed that the share price of Access Bank Plc has recorded 21.01% gain, followed by FCMB with 41.28% gain while Union Bank Plc leads the chart with 79.43% gain.

However, Sterling Bank recorded -5.51% loss while ETI closed positive with +1.71% gain recorded. See the tracking table below However, the All-Share Index in the week under review moved up by +4.89% to close at 21,756.50 as against a decline by -0.95% recorded last week to close at 20,743.16.

In the same vein, the market capitalization in the week appreciated by N322.96 billion (US$2.15 billion) to close at N6.93 trillion (US$46.24billion) as against depreciation by N26.20 billion (US$174.67 million) recorded last week to close at N6.61 trillion (US$ 44.08billion).

The total volume traded in the week closed at 2.04 billion units valued at N15.73billion (US$104.87 million) compared with 1.60 billion units valued

at N9.26 billion (US$61.76 million) exchanged in 15,156 deals last week. The volume transaction in the week when compared with the previous week data moved down by +27.81% as against upwards movement by +38.80% recorded last week. Weekly value also went up by +69.81% as against positive position of +18.61% recorded last week.

The volume traded in the top ten most traded stocks for the week represented 74.48% of the entire market volume transactions and their total value accounted for 65.33% of the market value.

Financial Services sector emerged the most traded sector in the week in terms of volume.

The volume traded in the sector this week alone closed at 1.76 billion units, valued at N10.78billion and exchanged in 10,826 deals compared with

631.56 million units, valued at N4.27million and exchanged in 8,266 deals in the preceding week. The volume traded in the sector accounted for 86.20% of the entire market compared with 39.38% of the ratio recorded last week.

UBA Plc led the market volume for the week to displace Transcorp Plc as top traded stock on the transaction volume chart last week.

The sector's volume transaction was mainly boosted by trading in the shares of the companies in the top-ten category.

Consumer Goods sector followed with 113.97 million units valued at N3.64 billion and exchanged in 3,520 deals compared with 141.30 million units, valued at N2.63billion and exchanged in 2,474 recorded in the sector last week.

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

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”

OUR PEOPLE

OUR VISION

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

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HEAD, ADVERT/MARKETING HUSSAINI ABDULRAHMAN, CNA

MANAGER, ADMINISTRATION HASSAN HAMMANYAJI

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

Benchmarking productivity Nigeria Re: Sovereign wealthinfund

R

ecently, the minister of Labour and Productivity gave cheering news from the Federal Executive Council, with the announcement of the introduction of a national productivity policy to drive productivity in our public life. The policy which had been in the works for some time according to the minister, had inputs from various stakeholders including the labour movement.

Ultimately, with the crafting of the productivity policy and its successful implementation, pride of service will be restored in the country.

Productivity, even from the layman’s definition or point of view, is an effort that produces result. In the larger context and qualitatively, productivity entails the efficiency, the effectiveness, the economy of cost, the quality and quantum of output, the medium term result and the longer term impact of an effort.

In essence, productivity is the totality of value an effort produces in meeting the national goals and aspirations on development.

The valid question here is: what value deserves recognition or celebration (after all, part of the programmes of the productivity policy is the offer of recognition and awards to deserving individuals and corporate citizens for their contributions to the growth of the national economy and improvement in other indices of development.

Secondly, we ought to ask: what criteria should be used to determine productivity in our milieu? In answering these questions, we must also look at the enabling environment that will stimulate productivity and excellence which are related to the performances indicators and the standards in place as well the best practices on which they are benchmarked.

In implementing the productivity policy therefore, a number of sectoral assessments have to be considered: First, is the state of our informal sector. There is no doubt that the informal sector in Nigeria today is wider than the public and the organised private sectors. But the sector is not fully captured in the

WRITE TO US

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Email: letters@peoplesdaily-online.com productivity indices or the GNP of the country.

It is therefore difficult to measure the value or quantum of efforts in that sector, nor for the country to maximise the earnings from it. How do we capture these free fliers or riders and set measurable performance standards which can be monitored, not only for rewards but also for the benefit of the overall economy?

How can we checkmate the free riders who contribute little or nothing to the economy?

There is also the challenge of coordination in the private sector. Although the various players in that sector are wont to declare themselves as organised, hence the acronym of OPS, but we are yet to really see the impact of organisation in a sector where the law of the jungle seem to prevail.

Free entry and exit, compromised processes and requirements for

registration, and slack in regulatory activities give room for charlatans and ordinary traders and marketers to masquerade as industrialists engaged in productive enterprises without creating real value in the country.

But their impact is in the noise they make through deceptive advertisements, the musical orchestras they promote and the tokenisms of CSR activities they engage in to pull wool over our eyes.

In truth, most of them engage in round tripping and foreign exchange and import licence frauds, as they are responsible for capital flight or profit transfer from Nigeria to their home countries to create more wealth and jobs for their people. In a world that thrives on knowledge and innovation, the real beneficiaries of their investment are the expatriates who may even hold lower qualifications compared to their local counterparts.

Check the local content of their inputs,

“

In truth, most of them engage in round tripping and foreign exchange and import licence frauds, as they are responsible for capital flight or profit transfer from Nigeria to their home countries to create more wealth and jobs for their people.

and we find that the imported items weigh disastrously higher than what they source from Nigeria when they should have invested in the discovery of local alternatives which in many cases are of superior quality.

In the public sector, productivity is easier to define and measure. It is in the visible services provided by the state and its agents; it is in the quality and impact of policies made to translate the social contract between the elected and the electorate; in the outcome of the implementation strategies for the realisation of the fundamental objectives and the directive principles of state policies as contained in the constitution.

Those who are opportune to serve in government and are able to meet the benchmarks of development agenda within their terms or tenure to the satisfaction of the citizens are of course eligible for productivity excellence award.

Unfortunately, our political culture still needs more refinement to produce public servants who will truly serve in public interest; our public sector still needs to be smarter and more nimble to drive productivity and development.

We still need to see the utility of SERVICOM, the application of the code of conducts in the public sector and the efficacy of other reform tools for alignment and co-ordinating public sector organisations to reduce or cut waste, redundancy, duplication and overlaps and convert the savings derived from such reforms to tangible investment in the real sector to create new jobs and more wealth.

One other crucial factor that can promote productivity is the friendliness, effectiveness and efficiency of our system of taxation in order to block all loopholes but guarantee compliance with the various tax regimes, including custom and excise duties.

Many industries are known to have closed shops or relocated to other countries in the sub-region because of multiple taxation or high incidences of taxation.

Solanke can be reached at korewarith@yahoo.com

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 37

Opinion

James Ibori: From Excellency to ex-convict

By Ike Willie Nwobu

T

h e r e he stood, drooping and drawn, with his muggy face shrunk to twice its texture, amidst the fearful and uncertain look coming from eyes that have finally stooped low to the pangs of destiny, and of the just heel of the law.

With ignominy, the name which was hitherto a song on many a praise singer and stooge, which as well as bore the title of ‘chief’ and two-time governor, along with its attendant immunities and paraphernalia, was now pasted ordinarily on his chest, along with the serial number that told anyone who cared to see that he was now a government slave. How the mighty fall!

From all indications, it is clear that the fingers of Chief James Onanefe Ibori have, long before his advent into public limelight, obtained the undesirable light reputation.

His romance with crime and criminality have a pedigree

that is not at all short, having been convicted twice in the UK for stealing and misappropriation.

The fact that a man like Ibori was able to muzzle and meander his way in and out of Nigeria’s circle of importance, prominence and politics speak volumes of the peculiar nature of our polity, as our societal milieu is one among many that can hold and accommodate that level of intrigue and brigandage.

As is customary with most plunderers wearing the garb of public office holders, no recourse was made to adding some inkling of positivity to the whole gamut of trespass, by way of investing in viable and empowering ventures whether locally or in diaspora, as there were myriads of sectors and parastatals that would have been a lot better with a fraction of the fortune for which he was hunted all over like game and eventually rounded up.

But no, it looked better standing as lifeless assets of

edificial houses, posh cars and beautiful mistresses. Or better still, it was ploughed into power play and high-wire politicking, which made him a king-maker of sorts, who charged the simple fee of bootlicking and ego massage for favours.

Now, like a ship whose wind is gone from its sail, the falsehood and deception which characterised him and on which he rode to the crest of political throe could not take him far, and it also gave him the jaded notion his wits could outrun the law, foreign law at least. He now sits, tail between his legs, on the palms and mercy of that same law.

It is pertinent to note at this juncture that despite all the media battering and controversy surrounding him, James Onanefe Ibori is a man that is sure beloved of the Lord.

A closer analysis and incisive detailing of his sojourn would reveal the truism of this fact.

Right from his hey days to his high days, from the NNPC, to the UK, and back in the country,

with all the criminality, he still managed to find relevance in the country’s creamy level, like the legendary cat with nine lives.

This is just the latest in his long list of capers, which he constantly gambles away either due to carelessness or ignorance of the mercy that is copiously communicated to him.

There is nothing that is as cancerous to a man’s rise and sustenance in stardom as sexual immorality, and that is the root cause of his present predicament, and not just the corruption that is being generally trumpeted about. His frequent ward-rounds with women of easy virtue have made him look beyond his means to satisfy and empower them, and his position of prominence only provided a ready leeway to lay his hands on illicit funds to fuel and fan his vanity.

Another lesson on the futility of the promise of man is at play here. The calculations and projections of man will always collapse in the divine will of the Almighty, for He rules in the

affairs of men.

It is sad that this same cycle of nemesis continues time and again, with out anyone being able to draw useful lessons from it. It caught the former secondin-command to a president, who was also in jail, a former IGP, a former attorney-general and several governors, just the same way the wind will blow the way of many more.

Ibori should, as a matter of importance, cleave wholly to God, enlist as his soldier and campaigner, and he will be amazed at the speed of his healing and reinstatement.

He will also marvel at the clearer view he will have of the vanity of needless acquisitions and the whole concept of life in itself.

Zaccheus, Lazarus and the thief on the right hand of the Lord were all castaways who received not only forgiveness, but justification, instantly.

That is the only option open to him now.

Nwobu can be reach at: ikewillienwobu@yahoo.com

Tackling challenges of management development in Nigeria Public opinion and subsidy reversal

By Iheanyi Sunday

S

t a n d i n g tall in the management and research institutes in Nigeria is the Centre for Management Development (CMD). A federal government establishment set up to set standards for excellence in management development and economic administration. As a matter of necessity, training and retraining of the work force of any organisation or government cannot be trivialised. This is even more pertinent in this era of growing competition in every sphere of life. Quite often, something crystallises how rapidly the world is changing.

This change always has its effect on every aspect of human endeavour and as such, it becomes necessary to put in place robust management strategies capable of meeting up with the global management demands considering the fact that the growth and or development of any sector is largely dependent on the efficacy of its management.

In thorough consideration of the above reasons, the Federal Government established the Centre for Management Development as the operational arm of the Nigerian Council for Management Development. The Centre commenced operations in 1973, having derived its legal backing by Act No 51 of 1976.

Since then, CMD has never relented in its statutory role of

among other things being actively involved in the regulation of standards, development of managerial manpower for the country as well as building formidable capacity in the area of leadership for the attainment of the national economic goals. The CMD is also very proactive in the enhancement of professional standards comparable to world standard in order to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

In recognition of the fact that no government can achieve its goals without sound and robust policies, the Centre is mandated to formulate policies for the Federal Government as well as to coordinate managerial development for good governance in virtually all areas of government operations. It also provides management advisory and consultancy services to not only the government, but to the private sector. Apart from these indispensable roles, the CMD is also tasked to sponsor, promote and conduct researches into a plethora of relevant and critical areas of governance. These activities of the Centre traverse various sectors of the economy, including the private sector. The CMD goes a step further by making accessible these modern programmes through its scholarly research papers and publications in journals.

True to its calling, the Centre for Management Development

has carried out an array of research and consultancy assignments to enhance the management practice and general organisational efficiency of its clientele. To live up to its statutory expectation, the Centre undertakes job evaluation, performance appraisal, training needs identification, restructuring of small, medium and large scale public and private enterprises as well as general organisational development for various organisations.

With the assumption of office in 2010 of a seasoned and astute administrator, Dr. Kabir Kabo Usman as its Director- General, The Centre for Management Development has transcended its core statutory mandate by injecting fresh ideas in every area of its operation. With the aggressive but visionary approach adopted by Dr. K. K Usman, the Centre has now prioritised cross fertilization of management ideas in order to galvanise and sustain its leadership role in the research and training industry in Nigeria as well as being a reference point in the art of policy formulation and capacity building.

Accordingly, the CMD has collaborated with a large number of national institutions as well as individual authorities in various fields of learning in the pursuit of global best practices. Such collaborations have seen the CMD work with reputable

organisations such as Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, international donors, West African Management Development Institutes, the commonwealth secretariat, the Ford Foundation among so many others. Undoubtedly, these collaborations have not only deepened the Centre’s ingenuity in management and research exercises but have given the Centre an unsurpassed national and international profile.

In strict pursuance of a world class research institute, the Director- General has used his national and international connections to secure overseas trainings for staff in order to equip them for the gargantuan task of building a result- oriented workforce for the country. Last year, an appreciable number of staff took part in relevant trainings in various parts of the world. Similarly, plans have been perfected for another round of training this year in South Korea, Malaysia, China, India, Malta among others.

Going by the importance the Federal Government attaches to the actualisation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), The CMD has been selected through its supervisory Ministry of National Planning to articulate and implement critical areas of these development goals.

The CMD, in return embraced this task with vigour. To achieve its mandate in this important

area, the Centre has engaged in unprecedented capacity building through painstaking researches into critical areas to ensure that the country does not lack the needed manpower and machineries to drive government policies and programmes.

Since its inception in 1973, the Centre has designed and developed a good number of training packages and workshops as well as management consultancy services for various organisations such as the PHCN, NITEL, PENCOM, Nigerian Police Force, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, NNPC, CBN among others.

Expectedly, year 2012 promises to be replete with research and training activities in the Centre considering a barrage of activities lined up for implementation as well as additional responsibilities given to it by the Federal Government through the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme. As usual, the Centre has designed various training and development programmes to effectively cater for the needs of its numerous clients in these essential areas so as not only live up to its mandate, but to surpass it for a virile and productive Nigeria.

Iheanyi Sunday is the Public Relations Officer, Centre for Management Development

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

International Deposed Malian president flees to Senegal

M

ali’s deposed pesident, Amadou Toumani Toure, has left the country for Senegal along with his family, according to state radio.

The report said Toure, who sought refuge at the Senegalese embassy in Bamako after he was overthrown in March by junior army officers, arrived in the capital Dakar on Thursday.

“It was President [Macky] Sall who organised his passage to Dakar,” spokesman Abou Abel Thiam said by telephone. But it was not immediately clear whether Toure intended to stay permanently in the West African nation.

Toure’s departure came as the army released all senior political and army officials it arrested earlier this week, the army leaders behind the coup said on Thursday.

“I can confirm that they have all been freed,” an official

Amadou Toumani Toure had sought refuge in the Senegalese embassay in Bamako after the coup [EPA] in the CNRDRE, the group that seized power in the coup, told the Reuters news agency,

asking not to be identified.

The arrests of 22 officials by security forces had

Sudanese forces ‘liberate Heglig town’

S

udanese forces have retaken the main town in the oil producing region of Heglig 10 days after South Sudanese troops seized it, Sudan’s defence minister has said. “Our troops were able to liberate Heglig town by force, and captured it at 2:20 pm (1120 GMT) today,” Abdelrahim Mohammed Hussein announced on state television.

“The troops moved towards

Heglig carefully so as not to destroy what remains of the infrastructure,” he said, dressed in military fatigues.

“Our enemy suffered heavy losses in people and equipment.”

Earlier on Friday, South Sudan’s information minister said the country was withdrawing from Heglig and would begin pullings its troops out of the region in three days.

Barnaba Marial Benjamin told reporters in the capital Juba

the withdrawal was ordered by Salva Kiir, the president.

“The Republic of South Sudan announces that SPLA troops have been ordered to withdraw from Panthou (Heglig),” Benjamin said.

“An orderly withdrawal will commence immediately, and shall be completed within three days.” Benjamin said the ownership of the region would be decided by the court of arbitration.

Egyptians mass to demand army retreat from power

T

ens of thousands of Egyptians demanded on Friday that their military

Kenya, Somalia border row threatens oil exploration

A

row between Kenya and Somalia over their maritime border may deter multinational oil companies from exploring for oil and gas offshore east Africa, and a Somali official warned that the argument could escalate.

The two coastal nations disagree over the location of their boundary line in the Indian Ocean.

At stake are their legal claims to sell rights for exploration and collect revenue from any discovery.

Kenya recently identified eight new offshore exploration blocks available for licensing, and all but one of them are located in the contested area.

“The issue between Somalia and Kenya is not a dispute; it is a territorial argument that came after oil and gas companies became interested in the region,” Abdullahi Haji, Somalia’s minister of foreign affairs, told Reuters in Mogadishu.

rulers stick to a pledge to hand over power by mid-year after a row over who can run in the presidential election raised doubts about the army’s commitment to democracy.

Two leading Islamist candidates, one representing the Muslim Brotherhood who was seen as the frontrunner, were among those disqualified this week from a vote that starts on May 23-24, drawing a storm of criticism from supporters and the candidates.

Khairat al-Shater, the Brotherhood’s former candidate, said his ejection showed the generals who have ruled since Hosni Mubarak was ousted last year had no serious intention of quitting. The movement is now fielding a reserve candidate.

“We are all here to protect the revolution and complete its demands,” said Sayed Gad, 38, a pharmacist and Brotherhood member. He had joined a protest which attracted both Islamists and liberals to a packed Tahrir Square in central Cairo.

A council of generals, who stepped in 14 months ago after mass demonstrations in Tahrir and elsewhere sapped Mubarak’s

power, has led Egypt through a turbulent transition punctuated by spasms of violence and frequent protests against their handling of the move to democracy.

The army says it will stick to its timetable to hand power to a new president by July 1 and has promised to oversee a fair vote. But some remarks from military officials suggesting the army might also seek now to have a new constitution in place before that handover - an impossibly tight deadline for many - has added to popular worries about the military’s ambitions.

Western diplomats expect the timetable for transferring powers to hold but say the army which supplied Egypt’s presidents for six decades, including Mubarak, and which has built up sprawling business interests throughout that time, will remain an influential player behind the scenes for years.

“Down with military rule” and “The people want the execution of the marshal,” some protesters chanted, a reference to Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, Mubarak’s defence minister for two decades who now leads the ruling military council.

drawn broad international condemnation.

The coup leaders bowed to pressure by the regional bloc ECOWAS to pave the way for a return to civilian rule or risk heavy sanctions.

Toure, who was toppled with only months left to complete his second and last term in office, has since resigned from the presidency.

The speaker of the national assembly, Dioncounda Traore, is serving as the interim president while Cheick Modibo Diarra, Microsoft Corp’s chairman for Africa, has been appointed Mali’s prime minister.

The soldiers behind the coup said the takeover was triggered by government’s failure to rein in Tuareg rebels in the north of the country.

The rebels, a mix of separatist and Islamist fighters, have since seized Mali’s three northern regions

as government forces fighting on several fronts collapsed in the chaos that followed the coup.

Politicians have continued to criticise the military for not wanting to cede power and international organisations, including the UN and the African Union, condemned the wave of arrests.

All those held and freed this week were seen as close to Toure, who was due to step down before an April 29 election.

The coup shattered Mali’s reputation for stability in an otherwise unstable region and the retreat of government forces in the north heightened fears that groups linked to al-Qaeda could take advantage of a security void.

Toure had come under criticism abroad and at home for failing to tackle the growing insecurity in its largely desert north, an area larger than France.

Guinea-Bissau junta refuses to bow to pressure

T

he military junta that seized power in GuineaBissau last week has proposed a two-year timeframe for organising new elections, prompting crticism from neighbouring West African states calling for the immediate return of constitutional rule.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) “strongly condemns this illegal initiative,” a statement said following the announcement that a failed presidential candidate was chosen to lead the two-year transition.

The opposition and military rulers appointed Manuel Serifo Nhamadjo, a former parliamentary speaker and independent presidential candidate, to lead the interim government, in an accord signed late on Wednesday, without the participation of the country’s ruling party.

“This [accord] will allow us to peacefully organise voter registration in a biometric format, and to hold legislative and presidential elections simultaneously,” said Artur Sanha, a spokesman for the political parties.

On Thursday, the junta also ordered the re-opening of the country’s borders, as well as its

international airport and sea port, which were closed following the April 12 coup.

Thursday’s statement by ECOWAS said: “[The] Commission has learnt with surprise the announced establishment of a socalled ‘Transitional National Council’ by the Military Command Junta and 24 political parties in Guinea-Bissau to govern the country for a two-year period.”

The statement added the junta had given a written undertaking after a meeting with a high-level ECOWAS delegation in Bissau, the capital, to step aside and pave the way for the immediate return to constitutional normality.

The delegation, made up of ministers and chiefs of staff, visited Bissau on Monday to meet those responsible for the coup.

“The Commission wishes to reiterate its rejection of the usurpation of power by the Military Command, and to make it known that it will never recognise any transitional arrangement emanating from the Junta,” the statement said.

ECOWAS is due to hold an emergency summit next week to discuss the situation in Guinea-Bissau, it added.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 39

International Suu Kyi and others unlikely to attend Myanmar parliament next week

T

he Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and members of her party are unlikely to attend the first session of parliament since their election amid a dispute over the wording of the oath that lawmakers have to take, a party spokesman said Friday.

Suu Kyi and 42 other candidates from her party, the National League for

Democracy, won seats in byelections on April 1, a result welcomed by countries like the United States and Britain as a sign of progress toward democracy in Myanmar after decades of repressive military rule.

Following the elections, Suu Kyi and other newly elected opposition members were invited to attend the session of

Aung San Suu Kyi’s party has asked that the wording of an oath altered. parliament next week in the wording of the oath to say that parliamentarians will “abide capital of Naypidaw.

But they have requested by the law” rather than that the wording of an oath “protect the constitution.”

In a letter to the NLD, the that lawmakers have to take be changed. The NLD asked the government didn’t respond authorities to adjust the directly to the request, it said

Police: Video is of escapee who tried to kill Pakistan's former president

A

uthorities were still searching Friday for hundreds of inmates that were freed after Taliban militants raided a northwest Pakistan prison, including Adnan Rashid who was convicted of trying to murder former President Pervez Musharraf.

As the search continued, a video has surfaced of a man that police say is Rashid.

In the video, the man says he is feeling fine after getting out of the prison and confirms that he was convicted of trying kill

Prisoners escape from Pakistan prison

Taliban claim responsibility for downing helicopter in Afghanistan

T

he Taliban claimed responsibility Friday for downing a Black Hawk helicopter in southern Afghanistan.

“Yesterday (Thursday) evening Taliban fighters shot down a helicopter and killed all its passengers in Khanashen Dewalak area near Garmsir, southern Helmand province,” a Taliban spokesman wrote to CNN.

The helicopter’s four crew members, all of them American, are believed to be dead, a U.S. military official said. The copter was flying in bad weather, the official said Thursday. “We cannot yet rule out enemy action,” the official said. Fatal helicopter crashes involving members of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force are not unprecedented in Afghanistan,

with some of the aircraft brought down by enemy fire while others crashed for mechanical reasons.

The single deadliest loss for U.S. troops since the Afghan war began in late 2001 happened in August when 30 U.S. service members died as a helicopter carrying them went down while they were reinforcing other troops, officials said. Seven Afghan troops died in that same crash.

Colombia’s FARC denies plans to surrender

T

he leader of Colombia’s leftist FARC rebel group has denied that proposed negotiations with the government imply the guerrillas intend to surrender any time soon.

The statement on Thursday from Timoleon Jimenez, leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), countered recent comments from President Juan Manuel Santos, who said the FARC sought peace after nearly a halfcentury of conflict.

“For our part, sitting down to talk does not indicate any kind of surrender or submission,” said the statement from Jimenez, also known by the alias of Timochenko.

The statement - which was dated

April 14 and posted on the website of the Anncol news agency - followed one allegedly signed by Timochenko last month which said he was ready to “begin working on reconciliation and peace”.

Jimenez, who has led FARC since November 2011, accused Santos of a “double standard” for saying when he took office in August 2010 that he was willing to negotiate with FARC but later sending troops to attack guerrilla outposts.

The leader of Latin America’s largest remaining guerrilla group said the rich-poor divide in Colombia needed to be one of the issues on the table for future talks.

In February, FARC leaders announced their decision to cease

kidnapping for ransom as a form of combat - one of the conditions Bogota had set for talks.

The rebels also said they were willing to negotiate with the government.

This month, the guerrilla group released its last 10 police and military hostages, but FARC is believed to be holding more than 100 civilians in captivity.

Santos said FARC’s decision to stop kidnappings for ransom was a positive step, but not enough, demanding the release of all rebel prisoners.

The FARC, founded in 1964, is believed to have about 9,000 fighters in mountainous and jungle areas of Colombia, according to government estimates.

Musharraf. The smiling man said he was supposed to serve a life sentence for the 2003 conviction.

Waqar Ahmed, a senior police official, confirmed that the man in the video is Rashid and also investigators have concluded that Rashid may have been the target of the weekend jailbreak.

Some 384 inmates escaped the prison Sunday morning after hundreds of Taliban militants raided the facility.

The attack took place in the city of Bannu in northwest Pakistan, an area known for a heavy militant presence.

2 women killed after bears escape in northern Japan park

T

wo female employees were found mauled to death Friday after six bears escaped their enclosure at a park in northern Japan, a local fire official told CNN. The bodies of the women, 69 and 75, were recovered after a group of local hunters “killed all of the bears,” said Inoru Ogasawara, control officer for the Kazuno Fire Department.

A third park employee called police after escaping the attack.

Roadblocks were set up around the mountainous community in Akita prefecture as authorities appealed to residents and children to stay indoors.

The privately owned bear park held 33 bears and is open to the public during summer. It was closed to the public when the bears escaped. Police are questioning park officials about security at the facility, and talking to the park owner about how the bears escaped.

It was not immediately clear if the women were feeding the bears at that time of the attack. NHK, Japan’s public broadcast network, reported that snow had accumulated overnight and was high enough near the iron bars that separate the bears from humans to allow the bears to climb out.

that lawmakers have to take be only that the parliament session next week would be a continuing session, so there would be no oath taking ceremony, said Nyan Win, a spokesman for the NLD.

China says India is a ‘partner, not rival’ after missile launch

C

hina downplayed India’s successful missile launch this week, saying that the two sides are not rivals but cooperating partners.

“China and India are both emerging countries, we are not rivals but cooperation partners,” said Liu Weimin, China’s foreign ministry spokesman, on Thursday. “We believe the two countries should cherish the hard-won momentum of sound bilateral relations, promote bilateral friendship and cooperation and make active contributions to regional peace and stability.”

India’s government touted the successful Thursday launch of the Agni V missile — with a range of 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles) capable of hitting cities as far as Shanghai — as a milestone for the country.

“This launch has given a message to the entire world that India has the capability to design, develop, build and manufacture missiles of this class, and we are today a missile power,” VK Saraswat, chief of the Defence Research and Development Organisation, told India’s Economic Times.

The Agni V missile is a 17.5meter-tall (75-feet), three-stage missile designed to carry a 1.5-ton nuclear warhead and is expected to be ready for use by the armed forces in 2014 following a series of tests, the report said.

India’s major media outlets touted the launch as India’s entry into an elite club of countries, including the United States and Russia. But China’s state-backed Global Times newspaper reported in an editorial that, “India shouldn’t overestimate its strength.”

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

Wellness Zone Starting an exercise programme

H

ello friends, I hope and thank God it's Saturday! Its time to get cracking so we are getting down to the real deal. While getting your trainers and sweatshirts ready as well as loads of water, let's look at the most important factors to consider prior to starting an exercise programme.

Prior to the commencement of an exercise programme, get a clearance from your doctor to avoid complications.

Here are some guidelines from the American Heart Association to help you decide.

See your doctor if: You are pregnant.

You are middle aged or older.

You have a heart condition and your physical activity should be medically supervised.

You are on medication for your heart and/or blood pressure.

You develop pains in your chest, left side of your neck, or your left shoulder or arm when you exercise.

Your chest has been hurting for about a month.

You suffer from fainting

spells.

Mild activity leaves you breathless.

You have an orthopedic condition that could be aggravated by exercise.

You have insulindependent diabetes .

Your doctor, after examining you, may want you to take an electrocardiogram stress test 4 FACTORS OF E X E R C I S E PRESCRIPTION *Mode *Frequency *Duration *Intensity MODE - The prescribed exercise program should focus on one or more modes, or types of cardiovascular endurance activities.

Traditionally, the activities prescribed most frequently are: Walking, Jogging, Running, Hiking, Cycling, Rowing, and Swimming.

Because these activities do not appeal to everyone, alternative activities have been identified that should promote similar cardiovascular benefits.

Aerobic dance, box or bench

stepping, most racquet sports or any type of activity that is steady, nonstop and uses large muscles (arms and legs) have also been shown to improve aerobic capacity.

Aerobic exercise may be the center place of the exercise program but it is still only a piece of the total program. The exercise program should also include flexibility training (stretching) and resistance

training (weight lifting).

FREQUENCY -The frequency of exercise participation, though certainly an important factor to consider, is probably less critical than either exercise duration or intensity.

Research studies conducted on aerobic exercise frequency show that 3 to 5 days per week is an optimal frequency. This does not mean that 6 or 7 days per week won't give additional benefits, but simply for the health related benefits, the optimal gain is achieved with a time investment of 3 to 5 days per week of aerobic exercise. Exercise should initially be limited to 3 or 4 days per week and increased up to 5 or more days per week only if the aerobic activity is enjoyed and physically tolerated. All too often, a person starts out with great intentions, is highly motivated, and exercises every day for the first few weeks, only to stop from utter fatigue or injury. Obviously, additional days above the 3 to 4 day frequency are beneficial for weight loss, but this level should not be encouraged until the exercise habit is firmly estabished and the injury risk is reduced.

Resistance training (weight lifting) should be done two or three days per week and never two days in a row. Resistance training can be done on the same day as aerobic exercise or you can work with the weights on the days you are not doing aerobic activities.

Flexibility training (stretching) can be done every day if you like.

Probably the best time to stretch is after exercise as part of the cool-down.

DURATION -Several studies have demonstrated improvement in cardiovascular conditioning with endurance exercise periods as brief as 5 to 10 minutes per day. More recent research has indicated that 20 to 30 minutes per day is an optimal amount. Exercise

Phyllis Ogo Ogah phyllisogoogah@gmail.com +234 80 58425746 (sms) only

duration cannot be discussed appropriately without also discussing exercise intensity.

Similar improvements in aerobic capacity are gained with a short-duration, high intensity program or a longduration, low intensity program if the minimal threshold is exceeded for both duration and intensity.

Similar benefits are also gained whether the daily endurance training session is conducted in multiple shorter bouts (e.g., three 10-minute bouts) or a single long one (e.g., a single 30 minute bout).

Resistance training should take no more than 30 to 60 minutes to complete.

Flexibility exercises can take as little as a few minutes or up to a half hour depending on your preference and time.

INTENSITY -The intensity of the exercise bout appears to be the most important factor. How hard must you push yourself to gain benefits? This depends on your current state of fitness.

The more fit you are the harder you will have to push yourself to improve your fitness. When you are just

beginning a fitness program don't worry about trying to push yourself hard. Over a period of time you can gradually increase the intensity of exercise.

There are several methods used to determine your aerobic exercise intensity.

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that most healthy people exercise somewhere between 60% to 90% of their maximum heart rates. The problem with this method is determining your maximum heart rate.

Another method to determine aerobic exercise intensity is what is called "The Rate of Perceived Exertion". To be working at the correct level of intensity of aerobic exercise you should feel that you are working hard enough to demand deep breathing, but not so hard that you have to gasp for air, while you should be able to carry to chat during aerobic exercise. You should also be able to maintain your pace of exercise for at least 20 to 30 minutes.

Flexibility exercises should be performed slowly and gently to avoid pulls or spasms.

Resistance training does require a rather intense momentary effort to build strength, but when you first begin to lift weights it is very important to start out easy.

You have to give your body time to adapt to the stress of resistance training; if you push too hard you will be sorry the next day .

HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK

Post exercise stretching is an integral component of every workout

If you feel hungry, drink a glass of water and wait for 20 minutes. If you are still hungry, then eat.

KEEP MOVING

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 41

Weekend NPL logs Golden Stars vs KwaraUtd Lobi Stars vs ABS Rising Stars vs Enyimba 3SC vs Kaduna Utd Kano Pillars vs GombeUtd Sharks vs Tornadoes Sunday Akwa Utd vs Rangers Warri Wolves vs Heartland Wikki Tourists vs Sunshine Stars Ocean Boys vs Dolphins

Kano Pillars vs ABS in one of their first stanza matches. Pillars, who take on Gombe United, would to extend their lead on the log especially if Rangers drop points in Uyo.

Pillar s ba ttle R ang er s, other s ffor or lea gue Pillars battle Rang anger ers others league ks of shield, as second stanza kic kicks offf

By Patrick Andrew

O

ne may be tempted to declare that the second stanza may be Kano Pillars’ home run. But football like it is often said is no mathematics where universally one plus one adds up to two.

Pillars have been in splendid shape but so have Rangers, who are determined to break a 28-year trophy drought. It was the reason Okey Emordi was called up by the Enugu State government and he has had no little impact as testified to by the results.

Pillars will count on Super Eagles’ papa Idris, Reuben Gabriel, Victor Namo, Musa Musa, Sani Haliru, Shagari Mohammed, Abubakar Baleria, Umar Zango, Shehu Abdullahi among others to remain fixed on the top spot. Coach Baba Ganaru will see about that. This weekend they host Gombe United whose

major weapon lies in the prolific boots of Mustapha Babadidi.

Ma su gida, as Pillars are called by their fans, currently lead the standings on 32 points, same as Rangers and Dolphin, who are second and third respectively but have inferior goals difference.

Pillars have the venom to sting and go clear, but so do others especially the likes of Dolphins and Sunshine Stars two teams that are domestic stars-studded clubs.

Aside Warri Wolves, the duo parade the most visibly Super Eagles players in addition to vast continental experiences.

But here is where Enyimba stand tall and could be counted to flex its muscles when it matters most. Enyimba are desperate for continental rebirth and the league offers them that opportunity to return to the top scene where they took Africa by storm by breaking the strangulating grips of the North African teams in the CAF

Champions League.

They won back-to-back in 2003/4 but have had no little struggle to return to form and Pos Team 1 Kano Pillars 2 Enugu Rangers 3 Dolphins 4 Enyimba 5 Akwa United 6 Sunshine Stars 7 Warri Wolves 8 Gombe United 9 Wikki Tourists 10 Lobi Stars 11 Heartland 12 Sharks 13 ABS FC 14 Kwara United 15 Kaduna United 16 3SC 17 Niger Tornadoes 18 Ocean Boys 19 J/Golden Stars 20 Rising Stars

‘It’s an offside’. ‘It’s not!

Understanding the rules of soccer offside Page 45

P 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19

character that brought them fame. They took are in fierce contention for the diadem as would Akwa United- the selfW 9 9 10 9 8 8 7 8 9 8 7 8 7 7 8 6 6 5 6 4

D 5 5 2 4 5 4 7 4 1 3 6 3 5 4 0 5 4 6 3 6

L 5 5 7 6 6 7 5 7 9 8 6 8 7 8 11 8 9 8 10 9

GF 23 22 22 19 18 24 20 24 17 20 19 19 23 18 16 13 16 13 12 8

GA 12 13 18 12 14 17 16 21 21 17 17 23 18 19 23 19 22 24 24 16

styled ‘Promised Keepers’, but whom many regard as pretenders.

So there will serious dogfight with the 2006 champions, Ocean Boys in the fight for survival alongside 3SC, Jigawa Golden Stars, Niger Tornadoes and Rising Stars Meanwhile, one couldn’t agree less with Edema Fuludu, the Director of Football of Warri Wolves FC, who has urged the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) to provide adequate security for match officials to forestall incidences of hooliganism.

That had been obvious especially towards the dying moments of the first stanza and there is that tendency for teams to become as the league peters to its conclusion. The measures adopted by the NPL such as fines and banishment of teams plus sanctions on officials and players have not deterred them for committing sundry immoralities.

Such gross acts of poor officiating and hooliganism are the reasons some have agreed that a severer punitive measure like handling any culprit to the Police and encouraging them to charge the offenders to court remains the strongest option to dissuade violently inclined persons in the league.

Fuludu, who called on the NPL to be decisive in its decisions against persons held bent on tarnishing the image of the league, wondered when the domestic league would make away wins possible.

“Its usually difficult for teams to win away games; most away victories are mostly won when teams have being banished from their turf, when they play on neutral grounds,” he said stressing that the NPL must act to halt the win-home-syndrome.

GD 11 9 4 7 4 7 4 3 -4 3 2 -4 5 -1 -7 -6 -6 -11 -12 -8

Pts 32 32 32 31 29 28 28 28 28 27 27 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 21 18

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 42

Chelsea test bulging strength against Arsenal C

helsea are in high spirit even more so Arsenal who seem to be in the form of their lives despite losing to Wigan 2-1 on Monday. Both are in battle not only for a third place on the log for pride.

One though may be tempted to give it to Chelsea considering their remarkable victory over UEFA Champions League defending champions Barcelona on Wednesday in the first leg of the fiesta.

Today, they take their soaring form to Emirates where Arsenal , in third, lead sixth-placed Chelsea by seven points but have played a game more. Chelsea may want to capitalise on the Gunners’ slip up against Wigan Athletic which meant that there are four teams seriously competing for third and fourth places and Champions League qualification.

Arsenal will be without Mikel Arteta who has an ankle injury and that’s no little blow considering the inspirational performance the former Everton midfielder brought to bear in his LOGS PosTeam 1 Man Utd 2 Man City 3 Arsenal 4 Tottenham 5 Newcastle 6 Chelsea 7 Everton 8 Liverpool 9 Sunderland 10 Fulham 11 Norwich 12 Swansea 13 West Brom 14 Stoke 15 Aston Villa 16 Wigan 17 QPR 18 Bolton 19 Blackburn 20 Wolverhampton LOGS Pos Team 1 Real Madrid 2 Barcelona 3 Valencia 4 Malaga 5 Levante 6 Osasuna 7 Athletic Bilbao 8 Atletico Madrid 9 Sevilla 10 Espanyol 11 Getafe 12 Real Betis 13 Mallorca 14 Rayo Vallecano 15 Real Sociedad 16 Villarreal 17 Granada 18 Real Zaragoza 19 Sporting Gijon 20 Racing Santander

Robin van Pierce

John Terry game for his new club.

Chelsea have had reasons for joy after demolishing Tottenham 5-1 in the second semifinal clash in the FA Cup and climaxed their incredible form by beating Barcelona in spite being outpossessed of the ball.

Again, Chelsea will hope to revenge the 2-1 loss they suffered against the hosts. Robbin Van Pierce was not only the linch pin but the sole executor that inflicted pains on them as he did against

P 34 34 34 33 33 33 33 33 34 33 34 34 34 33 33 34 34 32 34 34

W 26 24 20 17 17 16 13 12 11 11 11 11 12 11 7 8 8 9 7 5

D 4 5 4 8 8 9 8 10 10 10 10 9 6 9 14 10 7 2 7 8

L 4 5 10 8 8 8 12 11 13 12 13 14 16 13 12 16 19 21 20 21

GF 82 85 67 57 50 56 38 40 42 43 47 38 40 32 35 33 38 36 45 34

GA 28 27 43 38 42 38 34 36 41 43 58 44 47 45 48 58 57 65 73 73

GD 54 58 24 19 8 18 4 4 1 0 -11 -6 -7 -13 -13 -25 -19 -29 -28 -39

P 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33

W 27 25 14 15 14 11 11 12 12 12 12 12 10 12 10 8 10 8 7

D 4 6 10 6 6 13 12 9 9 9 9 6 10 4 9 12 6 7 7

L 2 2 9 12 13 9 10 12 12 12 12 15 13 17 14 13 17 18 19

GF 107 96 50 49 47 37 48 44 40 43 38 40 35 49 40 34 30 29 33

GA 29 24 42 46 46 53 44 41 38 43 44 45 41 58 49 47 49 59 63

GD 78 72 8 3 1 -16 4 3 2 0 -6 -5 -6 -9 -9 -13 -19 -30 -30

14

15 24

52

-28

33 4

Liverpool.

Roberto Di Matteo then will throw in a squad purposeful in intent and daring in execution.

Here Fernando Torres, Flaurent Malouda who were left on the bench against Barca should have a major especially since lone-goal hero Didier Drogba is out of the game.

True, Arsene Wenger may not have Mikel Artate in the middle of the pack to direct and drive the Arsenals offensive play, but the ‘Professor’ has never lacked innovation.

He likes Pts introducing players with 82 impact and in the Gunners just 77 any player could be re-jigged 64 to fit into that role.

59 59 57 47 ionel Messi and Cristiano 46 Ronaldo’s record 43 goalscoring form looms as 43 the decisive factor when Spanish 43 league leader Real Madrid play 42 at Barcelona today in a crucial 42 “clasico” that will effectively 42 determine the destiny of the title.

35 Madrid have seen a 10 point 34 lead over three-time defending 31 champions Barcelona whittled 29 down to just four points over the 28 past month, and a loss at the 23 Camp Nou would see the advantage sliced to just one point Pts with four more games 85 remaining.

81 Madrid may be the hunted, 52 but of the two teams, it is 51 Barcelona that can least afford to 48 lose. Coach Pep Guardiola, who 46 has only lost once in 10 games 45 against Madrid, said “if they win 45 (the league) is over.”

45 Ronaldo’s 41st goal of the 45 season - and 53rd overall - last 45 weekend saw the Portugal 42 forward surpass his record mark 40 of 40 goals set last season. Messi, 40 not to be outdone, scored a pair 39 nearly two hours later to match 36 Ronaldo and take his overall tally 36 to 63, the best since Bayern 31 Munich’s Gerd Mueller scored 67 28 during the 1972-73 season.

Both players, and both teams, 26 will be looking to recover from

Whatever the result, the battle for the third and fourth place and Champions League slot will be tasking and likely to go to the wire until the very last games.

Fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, on a miserable run of form of late, travel to QPR in the Saturday teatime game. It’s a big game for QPR as well. They stand fourth bottom, two points clear of the relegation zone.

Fifth-placed Newcastle, meanwhile, are at home to Stoke City.

The battle for the title is confined to Sunday. Manchester United, who play in the lunchtime game against Everton, could have stretched their lead to eight points by the time Manchester City face Woverhampton Wanderers later in the afternoon.

As City defender Joleon Lescott said, though, the key battle is likely to come on April 30 when the sides face off at the Etihad.

Liverpool take on West Bromwich Albion in Sunday’s other fixture. Well, going by Liverpool’s poor home run, little is to be expected except that Alexander Doni is due to return since he has served out his onematch ban.

With Wolves all but down, the relegation fight becomes about two from four. Wigan, having won four

of their last five are five points clear of the drop zone and could all but guarantee their safety with a win at Fulham.

Third form bottom Bolton Wanderers host Swansea City, while Blackburn Rovers, a point further back, are at home to Norwich City.

Aston Villa, a point ahead of Wigan, could conceivably be sucked in to the battle and are at Sunderland.

FIXTURES Saturday Arsenal v Chelsea Aston Villa v Sunderland Blackburn v Norwich Newcastle v Stoke Bolton v Swansea Fulham v Wigan QPR v Tottenham Sunday Man Utd v Everton Liverpool v West Brom Wolverhampton v Manchester City Tuesday Aston Villa v Bolton LA LIGA Mallorca v R/ Zaragoza Sporting Gijon v R/ Vallecano Barcelona v R/Madrid Sevilla v Levante Sunday R/Sociedad v Villarreal Granada v Getafe Santander v Athletic Bilbao Atletico Madrid v Espanyol Valencia v Real Betis Monday Osasuna v Malaga

Real, Barca meet in crucial El Clasico

L

sub-par European performances in midweek. Real Madrid lost 2-1 at Bayern Munich while Barcelona were beaten 1-0 at Chelsea in the first legs of their Champions League semifinals.

In head-to-head duels dating to Ronaldo’s time with Manchester United, Messi has scored seven goals to Ronaldo’s five, while the Argentina forward has struck 10 goals in his past 14 meetings against Madrid.

Madrid can set a new mark for goals scored in a season by netting against its Catalan rival. Last weekend, Madrid matched their own record total of 107 goals scored during the 1989-90 season.

Gerard-Pique

Jose Mourinho’s tactics will be a key to the game. The Madrid coach may opt for a conservative approach knowing a draw will go a long way to securing the title. But that tactic has always failed against Barcelona in a series of ill-tempered and acrimonious games.

Mourinho opted for a defensive display in a 2-1 Copa del Rey loss in January that left him under pressure from a usually staunch section of supporters. In the return leg, Mourinho unleashed all of his talented forwards, including Kaka and Mesut Oezil, and Madrid were unlucky to only draw 2-2 in a rare match in which Barcelona were outplayed on its home ground.

Kaka did not feature in Wednesday’s loss at Bayern, when Mourinho went conservative again.

Madrid’s trio of Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain have combined for 107 goals in all competitions this season.

Both teams are expected to have fully fit squads available for a match that slips in between Champions League semifinals.

Racing Santander could become the first club to be relegated if they lose to Athletic Bilbao and both Granada and Villarreal win their games. That would also cause problems for second-bottom Sporting Gijon, who play Rayo Vallecano.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 43

Mares, Morel exchange punches in weekend fascinating fights T

his weekend will throw up several fascinating boxing fights across the world including a WBC junior featherweight title bout.

Abner Mares of Mexico and Eric Morel from Puerto Rico will meet for the vacant WBC junior featherweight belt in El Paso, Texas, on Saturday night on the same card with Anselmo Moreno, who is scheduled to make the tenth defence of his WBA bantamweight title against David De La Mora.

The WBC title became vacant when Japan’s Toshiaki Nishioka was stripped and made “Champion Emeritus”.

Mares, whose record stands at 23-1, including 13 knockouts, drew with IBF bantamweight champion Yonnhy Perez in May 2010. In December the same year he won on a split decision against former flyweight and super-flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan.

He won the IBF bantamweight belt in August last year when he outpointed Joseph Agbeko. In a return bout four months later he again won on points and then moved up to the junior featherweight division.

The 36-year-old Morel, with an impressive record of 46-2; 23, has been a professional for 16 years. As a flyweight, he won the WBA title in August 2000.

He made four defences before losing the belt to Lorenzo Parra in December 2003.

In March 2005 he challenged Martin Castillo for the WBA super-flyweight belt but lost on points over 12 rounds – his second loss as a professional.

He also won the WBO bantamweight belt in February 2010, beating Gerry Penalosa by split decision. He never defended

Abner Mares

Eric Morel

Jose Cabrera

Omar Narvaez

Lack of funds stalling growth of Fives in south, says Chairman

T

he Chairman, Lagos State Fives Association, Nasiru Mohammed, on Thursday said that the major constraint in promoting the sport, especially in the southern part of the country, was lack of funds to build facilities.

Mohammed said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the

National Stadium, Surulere, venue of the association’s twoday championship aimed to take the sport to the grass roots.

The games in Fives are Abula, Kokowa, Ayo, Langa and Dambe. Eighteen clubs are participating in the competition.

“The competition is organised based on the need to

NOC targets corporate organisations for Olympics values

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he Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) says it plans to take the Olympics values of excellence, fair play, team work and respect to corporate organisations in the country.

Kemi Obidahunsi, the NOC Project Coordinator, Olympics Value Education Programme (OVEP), said in Lagos that the programme was to inculcate and extend the values to corporate organisations.

“We do not want to limit the programme to schools alone, we know that the youths are the leaders of tomorrow, we also want individuals in the corporate world to benefit from these values.

“When individuals embrace these five values and make them a habit, they would be successful in whatever they do. If implemented, it would help corporate organisations and the country by reviving lost values.

“We want to make them realise that the Olympics values are not for sportsmen alone, it can make them successful career people.’’

According to her, the modalities for executing the programme are still being worked out.

“The modality has to be worked out because it has to agree with the project before it can be embraced but I am optimistic that they will love the

idea.’’

The five values are the spirit of fair play, friendship, excellence, respect and teamwork.

Obidahunsi disclosed that the fourth edition of the OVEP in schools would hold at the Greensprings Schools Lekki, Lagos, between May 2 and 3, to impart the values of the Olympics in their students.

“We thought that it was necessary to teach their students the importance of these values not only because of the Olympics but because it would add to their lives.’’

The Olympics Charter which comprise the values was created on June 23, 1894.

popularise the sports and make people at the grass roots to embrace them because they are not well known, especially in the southern part of the country,’’ Mohammed said.

He said their was a need for sponsors to come to their aid for the sports to gain prominence as it was in the northern part of the country, adding that it was an international sport.

“We don’t have courts in Lagos state, we need funds to build courts and we need to rebrand in order to source for sponsors who can help us to organise regular competitions.

“In Kaduna and Abuja there are lots of Fives Courts, but in all Kaduna is a home of Fives in Nigeria, Even the Emir of Kaduna plays it,’’ the chairman said.

Mohamed said that Fives originated from England and that it had been in existence for 90 years now, debunking the insinuation that the sport was local.

“Fives is not traditional sports, London has invited us for the Mixed Double in Abula but we could not go due to visa issues.

the belt and moved into the junior featherweight division.

The 26-year-old Mares, who fights out of Montebello, California, should have the edge in hand speed and power and is expected to win.

Moreno, who is from Panama, has a professional record of 32-11, with 11 knockouts. De la Mora, a Mexican, stands at 24-1; 17.

The champion, a southpaw, was recently promoted to “super champion”. His only defeat was by split decision to Ricardo Molina. He also drew with Javier Tello.

The 23-year-old De La Mora, an aggressive fighter, is ranked seventh by the WBA and is regarded as a bantamweight prospect . However, the champion is the favourite.

De La Mora’s only loss was against Koki Kameda in a challenge for the WBA bantamweight belt in August last year.

After a poor performance against former bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire in October last year, Omar Narvaez returns to the super-flyweight division this weekend.

The Argentine veteran, who has a professional record of 35-12; 19, will defend his WBO title against 25-year-old Jose Cabrera (20-2-2; 8) in San Juan, Argentina.

The southpaw from Cordoba has also held the WBO flyweight belt and in seven years has made 16 defences of his titles.

Cabrera, from Tampico in Mexico, has not fought at the same level as the champion and may struggle to counter Narvaez’s experience.

In Schwerin, Germany, Karoly Balzsay makes the first defence of his WBA “regular” super-middleweight belt when he faces Dimitri Sartison on Saturday night.

Balzsay (24-2; 17) is from Hungary and Sartison (29-1; 18) from Kazakhstan.

The champion’s only defeats were close decisions against Eduard Gutknecht and Robert Stiglitz.

Sartison’s only loss was to Mikkel Kessler in June 2008.

In Morelia, Mexico, former IBF flyweight champion Cristian Mijares takes on Eddy Julio for the vacant WBC super-bantamweight silver belt.

Mijares, a Mexican, goes into the bout with a record of 44-6-2; 20. Colombian Julio stands at 133-1; 11.

On the same card, Mexican Marvin Quintero (24-3; 20) and Al Sabaupan (18-01; 13) from the Philippines meet in an IBF lightweight title fight eliminator over 12 rounds.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 44

We sacrificed 4-Nation tourney for China fiesta, says NBBF boss We are billed to head to Australia where we would put finishing touches to our training programmes before going to London for the Games,” he said.

Umar said the federation declined to send the team B mainly because the organizers insisted on our main squad and because of the financial implications involved.

By Albert Akota

N

igeria opted out of the 4Nation Invitational Basketball Tournament in Tunisia in order to prepare for an inter-continental fiesta scheduled to hold in China shortly before the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, (NBBF), Alhaji Tijani Umar, said this yesterday while speaking on the efforts to get the D’ Tigres in tune for the Summer Olympics billed for July 27 through August 22.

The President disclosed that the federation received several invitational tournaments but said opted for China because D’ Tiger will have the opportunity of playing Chinese Basketball Association, (CBBA) and Chinese national basketball teams.

Umar said that the federation has secured a training camp in China ahead of the London Olympics adding that camping there offers them opportunity of training with and playing against the Chinese team which is very strong. He said participating in the Tunisia 4- Nation Tournament that had been meant to involve hosts Tunisia, Angola, Ivory Coast and Nigeria would be a counterproductive because Nigeria would have to return from China to feature at the

Sports Festival: Lagos powerlifters target gold medals

T

D’ Tigers of Nigeria tournament and then return to the Far East again.

“The invitation comes at the wrong time because I was with the Tunisia basketball president in USA and I told him that we can’t honor the invitation because we have already secured a training

camp in China and friendly matches.

“Tunisia 4-Nation Tournament was billed for June 23th to 26 th while the China friendly duels were equally scheduled to run simultaneously with that. So we had to decide

between both which would be more beneficial.

“We have chosen China where we can have access to new technology of the games and also move to USA where we are billed to play friendly matches and meet some of our foreign-based players.

Brazil’s Murer eyes pole position in London

P

ole vaulter, Fabiana Murer, lived in world record holder, Yelena Isinbayeva’s shadow for so long that finishing second became her main goal, but now she hopes the London Olympics will give her the chance to shine and bring the gold back to Brazil.

Indoor champion in 2010, Murer took gold at the world athletics championships in Daegu, South Korea last year but she knows Isinbayeva is still the only woman to jump over 5 meters.

While the Russian’s world record (5.06m) is 21cm better than her own personal best, Murer is confident she is getting closer to Isinbayeva and that this could be her year.

“A two-time Olympic champion, she is a very experienced athlete and I think she will be very strong for the Olympics. She’s training for that and she wants a third gold,” Murer said in an interview at her home in Sao Paulo.

“But today, I know that if I train well, if I gain confidence, if I can get close to 5 meters, then I can compete head-to-head with her. That is the objective, to try and improve so I can get closer to her and compete for first place.”

Murer is friendly with her Russian rival. They shared a coach for a while and trained at the same base in Italy. They even went shopping together.

But Murer admitted there was a time when Isinbayeva was so dominant she turned up at competitions thinking no higher than winning second place.

That changed in 2010 when Murer defeated Isinbayeva to take the world indoor championship in Qatar.

A year later she confirmed her position as a serious contender for Olympic gold when she won the world title in Daegu.

“Then I knew it was possible, I could see that she wasn’t so unbeatable,” Murer recalled.

“In an Olympic year, athletes improve, their personal bests improve. I need to beat my personal best to win a medal.”

Murer will not be the only one trying to unseat Isinbayeva.

Sveltana Feofanova, another Russian, has already won Olympic silver and bronze medals and wants to complete the set while Beijing silver medallist, Jennifer Suhr of the United States, is also gunning for gold.

Pole Ana Rogowska, German

Silke Spiegelburg and Cuban Yarisley Silva, are also serious contenders, while promising young Briton, Holly Bleasdale, recently jumped 4.87 metres indoors, to smash the British record and will have a passionate home crowd to roar her on.

Murer, one of only four women to clear 4.85 meters outdoors, must exorcise the ghosts of her last Olympic appearance to stand any chance of a medal.

The Brazilian went to Beijing in 2008 with a realistic chance of a medal but was caught up in controversy when organisers mislaid one of her poles.

Vaulters use different poles for different heights and not having a particular pole for a particular height is not only inviting failure, it can also be dangerous.

Murer lost concentration, at one point blocking the runway to prevent other competitors from jumping, then after entering the competition at 4.45m she failed to clear 4.65 and ended up teary eyed and in 10th place.

“I left there very upset because I felt that they had taken away my chance of a medal,” she said.

“I had the third best mark in the world that year.

For a month afterwards it was very difficult and I kept thinking: Why me?

“But then I thought, I need to be better prepared. That motivated me to keep training and improving.

“Today, I am calm about it. But I also pay more attention. The poles and the mat, they have to be at a certain height and a certain angle and when I compete now I examine them.

I always check that my poles are all there before I warm up. I am more careful.”

Murer has focused her entire training schedule on being in prime form for London, even missing out on the world indoor championship earlier this year to spend 40 days at a training camp in Portugal.

An Olympic medal is her only goal for 2012. In four years time, at the age of 35, she hopes to be competing for medals at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

“I think the only motivation that will keep me going until 2016 is that the Olympics will be in Rio. If it was anywhere else I wouldn’t even consider it, but the thought of competing before my home crowd is amazing,” she said.

he Lagos State Paralympics Association has said that it will select the best powerlifters who will win gold medals at the 18th National Sports Festival the state will host from Nov. 27 to Dec. 9.

The association’s chairman, Babatunde Awelenge, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at a two-day Lagos State Powerlifting Championships, which began on Wednesday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.

Awelenge, who said the physically challenged athletes were talented, added that the championships had offered them the opportunity to show their potential.

He also said their exhibition of skills gave him the assurance that the athletes would spring surprises at the sport festival.

“The powerlifters have exhibited skills that can guarantee gold medals at the sports festival, I am very confident of this,’’ Awelenge said.

He also urged the physically challenged athletes to channel their energies to the development of sports in the state, adding that they should beware of social vices that could bring them dishonour.

Awelengebe moaned the lack of competitions for the athletes, which, he said, could take them back to the streets.

He commended the government for sponsoring the championships, adding that if corporate organisations could assist with more sponsorship for them, it would help rid the streets of beggars and other vices.

“I appeal to corporate organisations to help in the sponsorship of competitions so that the physically challenged will be engaged and this will rid the streets of begging and other social vices,’’ he said.

The powerlifters are participating in 48Kg, 52kg, 60kg, 67Kg and 75kg in the competition for both males and females.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 45

‘It’s an offside’. ‘It’s not!

Understanding the rules of soccer offside play; Playing or touching the ball, interfering with an opponent Preventing the opponent from playing the ball by obstructing the player’s sight or intentionally distracting the opponent Gaining an advantage by being in an offside position Playing the ball after the ball has rebounded off the goal, the goalkeeper, or any opponent.

Since offside is judged at the time the ball is touched or played by a team-mate, not when the player receives the ball, it is possible for a player to receive the ball significantly past the second-to-last defender, or even the last defender (typically the goalkeeper).

Determining whether a player is in “active play” can be complex. FIFA issued new guidelines for interpreting the offside law in 2003 and these were incorporated in Law XI in July 2005. The new wording seeks to define the three cases more precisely.

Controversy regarding offside decisions often arises from assessment of what movements a player in an offside position can make without being judged to be interfering with an opponent. Bill Shankly made a famous quote: “If a player is not interfering with play or seeking to gain an advantage, then he should be!” This quote exemplifies why IFAB had to clarify what “gaining an advantage” means, as referees all over the world were considering almost anything as an advantage.

Offside rules date back to codes of football developed at English public schools in the early nineteenth century.

These offside rules were often much stricter than that in the modern game. In some of them, a player was “off his side” if he was standing in front of the ball.

Offside trap The offside trap is a defensive tactic designed to “trap” the attacking team into an offside position, pioneered in the early twentieth century by Notts County[9] and later adopted by influential Argentinian coach Osvaldo Zubeldía. [10] When an attacking player is making a run up the field with a team-mate ready to kick the ball up to him, all the defenders (except one, almost invariably the goalkeeper) will move up-field in order to put the attacker behind them just before the ball is kicked, hence putting the attacker in an offside position at the moment when the ball is kicked.

The tactic requires good timing by the defence. If the offside trap fails, the attacking player will have an almost clear run towards the goal.

Offside rules and practice have remained controversial just as the decisions of referees on what constitutes offside in the field of play

The two players in blue are offside.

Compiled By Richard Ihediwa with additional online report from Wikipedia

I

t’s offside’. It’s not! The argument goes on and on especially when a goal is scored and supporters of the losing team see the scorer as having had an advantage through an offside position of play.

Arguments about offside, come up in almost every tournament. Many football lovers do not actually understand the rules of offside and they tend to agree or disagree with the referee depending on which side his decision appears to have favoured.

Be it as it may, there are rules approved by FIFA on the determination of offside during play. The law of offside states that a player is in an offside position if he is closer to the opponent’s goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last defender (which is usually the last outfield player), but only if the player is on his opponent’s half of the pitch.

A player is in an offside position if three conditions are met: first, the player must be on the opposing team’s half of the field. Second, the player must be in front of the ball. And third, there must be fewer than two opposing players between him and the opposing goal line, with the goalkeeper counting as an opposing player for these purposes. It is not necessary that the goalkeeper be one of the last two opponents.

The 2005 edition of the Laws of the Game included a new International Football Association Board decision that stated being “nearer to an opponent’s goal line” meant that “any part of his head, body or feet is nearer to his opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent (the last opponent typically being the goalkeeper). The arms are not included in this definition.”

Regardless of position, there is no offside offence if a player receives the ball directly from a corner kick, goal kick, or throw-in. However, an offside offence may occur if a player receives the ball directly from either a direct free kick or an indirect free kick.

A player in an offside position at the moment the ball is touched or played by a team-mate is only committing an offside offence if, in the opinion of the referee, he becomes actively involved in play by: Interfering with

The player indicated by the blue dot (circled) is offside

PAGE 46

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

Democracy Watch From the Villa Scrap not the EFCC and do FRSC no harm

W

hile we admit that P r e s i d e n t G o o d l u c k Jonathan may have set up the Presidential Committee on the Rationalisation and Restructuring of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies for altruistic reasons, we also as stakeholders consider it necessary to contribute one or two notes to the issues so that government, while intending to take us to the Promise Land, doesn’t end up worsening already existing challenges.

In fact, this column believes that government has some good recommendations in the report just as it has to discard some of the recommendations or implement them more carefully than the Oransaye- led committee suggested. The ones on how to fix the education sector is recommended by this column.

One very brilliant assertion the report also made was that government should not always rush to establish agencies just because an existing government department or another agency is failing in its responsibilities.

Government should rather make the existing department or agency work rather than enact needless duplications. That is a lesson for the future anyway.

As for the scrapping and/ or merging of some agencies and commissions especially the avalanche of redundant ones we have under the Ministry of Education, this column suggests a reform, training and retraining of existing staff and transfer of staff where necessary and not a kind of reform that will necessary lead to job losses.

Even in cases where there are two or more people in a position where one person can cope, it is advocated here that government should not take decisions that could make anyone, from the biggest director to the smallest gateman, to lose his or her job. Reason, the economy, we don’t think, is sound enough for now to accommodate more jobless people. Of course, time may come in the future when people will lose government jobs and easily get gainfully engaged elsewhere.

As I write this, the President is in Germany, making contacts and meeting global business leaders as part of efforts to bring in more FDIs into the

THRILLER FROM THE VILLA

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem kingatoldtrafford@gmail.com 08098639161 country, which will surely create more jobs and reduce poverty in the country. We don’t need to recount here other measures government has recently put in place to solve the perennial problem of unemployment in the country; therefore, we can’t be solving a problem on one hand and be creating more on the other.

If there are people who are really too old or too unproductive to make impact in any of these agencies, they should be eased out and given their e n t i t l e m e n t s immediately. Even if it’s a pure water business they start and employ one or two more people, the country can only become better for it. But we warn against massive job losses especially among people who are still very vibrant.

Aside job losses, this column doesn’t particularly think EFCC and FRSC should be scrapped or merged with any government department. Reason, the EFCC has justified the basis of its establishment and one cannot ignore the efforts of Nuhu Ribadu and Farida Waziri (some may disagree about the latter but it is an issue for another day) in making the commission a source of fear and restraint for especially political office holder. The billions of naira recovered for the government since inception as well as the near eradication of Advance Fee Fraud (we all know how rampant yahoo boys were prior to its formation) are enough reasons to leave the commission on its own for now.

Save for the sometimes unreasonable revenue generation drive of the FRSC management, the corps has –in recent times especiallyjustified its formation. It campaign for safe driving practices and punitive measures on traffic offenders have been effective and the impact has been felt. The Corps under a department in the Ministry of Works as recommended by the committee can’t possibly be

as efficacious as this As for the ICPC and other agencies recommended to be wiped out, any reform that will not necessarily bring massive job losses is welcome.

As we have consistently argued, government should not always think of the nearest anti-people measure anytime it claims it wants to cut cost. The government should cut its own cost rather.

We have ministers of state everywhere but there is nothing working in the country, no stable power supply and billions upon billions have been sunk into the power sector. What do we need 40 ministers for?

The constitution is no Shariah; if it insists that we must have 469 lawmakers, we can amend it and say we only need 37 and we won’t pay them more than 30 percent of what the bunch of fat cats presently earn. These over-pampered people do not need all this money. They don’t.

We should not only amend the laws to suit selfish political agenda, we should instead do so to bring radical but positive changes. The TY Danjuma advisory council report that called for a reduction in the number of ministers, is still there, yet to be implemented.

Another problem we have in this country is policy inconsistency. Some of these agencies like EFCC and ICPC were created by the same party that may just scrap them now. What is the guarantee that any decision taken by the present government will not be reversed in few years time.

Of course we know that the PDP, the largest party in Africa lacks a clear cut focus and direction of where it is taking the country to. People just want to grab power for power sake and even brag that they will rule for 200 years without saying what they will do for the country within those years.

We have heard so much about transformation agenda but the real transformation is yet to start.

Hope it will start soon.

From the National Assembly

NASS, Boko Haram, corruption and the rest of us

By Richard Ihediwa

T

he two chambers of the National Assembly resumed plenary on Tuesday with the committee resuming sitting on various on-going probes including those on aviation as well as administration of pension by the Senate and that of the Capital Market by the House of Representatives.

While the committees continue to unravel startling frauds in the sectors, the Farouk Lawan led House Committee investigating alleged abuses and underhand dealings in the administration of fuel subsidy submitted its report on Wednesday in which it indicted a number of top officials in the sector.

The report of the Farouk Lawan’s committee came like a thunder bolt. Those indicted included Minister of Finance, Diezani AlisonMadueke, Gombe state Governor Ibrahim Dankwanbo who was Accountant General of the Federation as well as former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmadu Ali, who was Chairman of the Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA).

They were indicted alongside the Nigerians National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), PPPRA and some oil marketers.

Those indicted are to refund a total of N1.06 trillion naira which was said to have been siphoned from the coffers of government in the series of abuses that charaterised the subsidy administration.

The same Wednesday, the Senate took the bull by the horn to pass a resolution in a stormy session mandating President Goodluck Jonathan to recognise that those behind the terrorist attacks by the dreaded Boko Haram sect have declared war on the nation and as such should respond with all instruments of power at the disposal of government.

Senate’s position followed the adoption of a motion by Senator Mohammed Saleh (CPC Kaduna) and ten others who drew its attention to the recent attacks in Kaduna and other northern states.

The resolution, which came few weeks after the military high commands directed that the security formations should consider themselves to be at war with the Boko Haram sect appears to be the killer as some senators insisted that it would be criminal to negotiate with the insurgents as recommended by some quarters.

Lawmakers passed prayer five in the motion which specifically asked the “Federal Government to recognize that these terrorists have declared war on Nigeria which is to our sovereignty, existence and economic well being and response with all instruments of national powers at its disposal”.

The landmark resolution of the Senate came on the heels of arguments by some lawmakers the insurgents may be playing the script of some forces that are working to split Nigeria in 2015.

After a long debate, the upper house asked the Federal Government to flush out the sect , insisting that the activities of the group has remain the greatest threat to the existence of Nigeria .

Saleh’s motion got senators talking and showed the extent of fears they entertain about the situation as they called for immediate and decisive action against the insurgents.

They argued that the natural thing to do when somebody or group threaten the economy or social wellbeing of a nation or its corporate existence would be the use of maximum force including military power.

Another issue that came to the fore was lawmakers perception of conspiracy of silence on that that northern leaders. Lawmakers from

the south heaped blames on northern leaders, who they accused of not standing up boldly to condemn the Boko Haram problem the way the leaders from the South South and South East did to end the problems of militancy and kidnapping in the areas.

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the session, said the authorities must stand up and end the security problems in the country which he said was threatening the corporate existence of the nation.

Ekweremadu said; “This is moment when we need to act as a Senate, act as patriotic citizens of this nation, and I am happy that we did that. The issue of security borders on the existence of this country and if this country did not exist, then there will be no Senate, House of Representatives and there will be no governor.

“It is important that the Senate begins the initiative take the next necessary step to ensure that this thing ends as quickly as possible; we cannot watch our country go down because some irresponsible people wants it so. We need to reclaim our country,” Ekweremadu said.

However, Senate’s resolution has been seen as merely the stating of the obvious as finding the solution for the insecurity problem of the nation has been on the shoulders of the President. Nigerians are now watching to see the approach that would be adopted by the authorities to put an end not only the Boko Haram problem but the general factors that lead to deviant activities including corruption as seen in various probes in the National Assembly.

“

Saleh’s motion got senators talking and showed the extent of fears they entertain about the situation as they called for immediate and decisive action against the insurgents.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 47

From the Pulpit Protecting your heart against satanic invasion

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e live in the information age.

So much information is being made available to us through the radio, television, newspapers, magazines and books. There are all kinds of audio and video materials containing all forms of information not to talk of the internet through which one can easily and speedily access diverse resources from different parts of the world. The volume of information both positive and negative that is available and accessible by human beings in contemporary world is unprecedented in human history.

And because it is inexpensive to get and even own the means of accessing the large information being disseminated by all manners of people, it is extremely dangerous and destructive if one is not selective about the kind of information one exposes one's mind to.

Protect Your Heart One of the gates to your heart is your mind, and the Bible says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do." (Prov 4:23 NLT) You are largely a product of what you read, watch and listen to. If you feed your mind with dirty information through unwholesome music and literature, your life cannot be better than these pieces of information - in computer parlance, "garbage in, garbage out."

Dirty information that you daily allow into your mind will find its way into your heart and defile it. "And he said, that which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil KEEPING THE BLESSING The blessings of the Lord have been manifold upon us both as individuals and as a church during the retreat; He has been gracious to us during the retreat. Now that the Retreat is over, you will need to keep the blessings that you have received.

He wants us to keep those blessings.

Our desire and prayer is that we do not lose the blessings of God. We want these blessings to increase rather than decrease. Having experienced miracles, provision, salvation and deliverance, there is need for continuity. Having sung the song of praise, we want to keep the deliverance. Having eaten heaven's bread, we do not want to enter into a period of spiritual dryness.

Appearing before God regularly in services guarantees sustained blessings and spiritual progress from salvation to security, healing to health, deliverance to dominion, and sanctification to steadfastness, baptism of the Holy Ghost to the gifts of the Holy Ghost, miracles to signs and wonders. It will help you to move on from retreat blessings to regular blessings from the Lord.

1. FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST AND TRUE CHRISTIANS There is a fellowship with the Father, with the Son Jesus Christ and with the true believers who have the same blessing of salvation and

thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile the man." (Mark 7:20-23 KJV) It is sad to say that much of the music being produced today in CDs, VCDs, DVDs etc. and being broadcast on radio and television, though popular, leaves much to be desired.

It is even sadder that many of the artistes behind the unwholesome music dominating the entertainment world in our society today grew up in the church and many even sang in the church choir in the past where they developed their music skills. But they are now using their music skills to worship satan.

Satan's Discipleship Programme Much more embarrassing is the fact that many church people today patronize this nonsensical and hazardous worldly music either privately or publicly instead of feeding their spirit with anointed messages and inspiring music on tapes, CDs, VCDs, DVDs etc. Many of them know these nonsensical songs more than the Holy Ghost inspired church hymns and worship songs. In fact, some get carried away and hum and sing them in church! What a shame!

Many homes and many minds are living under the siege of the creative works of those whose Godgiven talents satan has hijacked and perverted to corrupt many more lives and disciple them for himself. Indeed, satan is living true to his name as the prince of the power of the air (Eph

2:2) because really, he is controlling the air wave at the moment as more popular music with unedifying lyrics are being aired than edifying songs.

Those who read dirty and immoral books and watch and stuff in their minds similar destructive information from music and movies cannot live a spiritually and morally healthy life and their future cannot bring glory to God. What do you expect from someone whose hobby is reading pornographic literature and watching x-rated films? He or she will become sexually perverted and violent. Disgusting words, lyrics and images in immoral publications, music and movies will hold people's minds captive and corrupt them.

I like what God's prophet, A.W.Tozer said. He said, "What can you say about the kinds of books and magazines you read? The things you read will fashion you by slowly conditioning your mind. Little by little, even though you think you are resisting, you will take on the shape of the mind of the author of that book you are reading.

You will begin to put your emphasis where he puts his.

You will begin to put your values where he places his. You will find yourself liking what he likes and thinking as he thinks.

The same thing is certainly true of the power of modern films on the minds and morals of those who give themselves over to their influences" Did you see that?

He said this many years ago but the truth is still valid, and will ever be.

Hear him again: "It is not overstating the case to insist that the kinds of music you enjoy will demonstrate pretty much what you are inside. If

GREEN PASTURES

By Pastor T.O. Banso cedarministryintl@yahoo.com GSM: 08033113523 you give yourself to the contemporary fare of music that touches the baser emotions, it will shape your mind and emotions and desires, whether you admit it or not." Think about that!

Take Heed Your life will be shaped by the information you allow into your mind, which it will process. Jesus said, "Take heed what you hear."

(Mark 4:24 NKJV) He said again "Take heed how you hear."

(Luke 8:18 NKJV) Don't listen to just any music. Don't watch just any film or movie. Don't listen to just any music. Don't read just any book or magazine. Don't say, "It doesn't matter" It matters. Be selective and guided by the Word of God. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just , whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Phil 4:8 KJV) Whatever you meditate upon will eventually be magnified whether it is the 'poison' from those junk movies, music, magazines and books or the life giving words from the Bible and Bible based materials.

The future God has planned for you and me is not one of disaster. But what you do today determines the type of future you will have. However, no matter how much you desire a glorious future, what you read, watch and listen to will determine a great deal the kind of future that you will get.

TAKE ACTION! If you are not born again, kindly say this prayer now: "0 Lord God, I come unto you today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and resurrected the third day. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour and my Lord and surrender my life to him today.

I invite Jesus into my heart today. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank you Jesus for saving me and making me a child of God" I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations!

You will need to join a Bible believing, Bible teaching church in your area where you will be taught how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar of Lebanon.

May you grow into Christ in all things becoming all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you.

Keeping the blessing (2) sonship with you. At the Retreat, you came into fellowship "with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ" through repentance. To get the abundant blessing of God in your life, you need regular fellowship with the Lord and to continue in fellowship with other believers of like precious faith. There is need for continuity in the life of a Christian.

You need to abide in the Lord and to spend quality time with Him in prayer and study of His word. Sins should not be seen in your life anymore. God wants you to grow in Him. To grow in Him you must devote yourself totally to the word of God - read, meditate on, practise, preach and defend the word of God. To keep the blessings, you need (1) daily observance of quiet time every morning, (2) daily special time for deep communion with God, (3) quiet meditation on the word of God, (4) regular worship with the people of God, (5) a conscious daily walk with the Lord, (6) constant practice of taking every problem to God in prayer, (7) decision and determination to walk by faith.

When you come to the presence of the Lord, you will find the fulness of joy, peace, blessing and satisfaction.

You can live in such a spiritual realm where God's blessings flow

By

Pastor W. F. Kumuyi continuously in your life.

2.

FAMINE WITHIN THE COMPANY OF THE CHRISTLESS Christians get into spiritual famine when they leave the company of the children of God, abandon prayer and consecration, and mix up with the christless community. The goodness and blessing of some people soon vanish "as a morning cloud, and as the early dew" because they do not continue in fellowship with the Lord. When you get mixed up with the world, your strength will be devoured. You will not be a

balanced Christian. When you get so busy that there is no time to read the Bible and fellowship with the people of God, you lose the grace of God and the power of God in your life. You become polluted again after you have been washed in the blood of the Lamb. You can be so busy spiritually to the point of not being able to take care of your spiritual life. When little, little 'foxes' of lie, hypocrisy, pilfering and dishonesty come into your life unchecked, those things take you back into the world. The careless, prayerless life separates himself from the source of the living waters.

He lives without joy or freshness.

There is spiritual dryness as the refreshing presence of Christ is withdrawn from him. He becomes a shallow shell without the divine unction and treasure coming from heaven. He remembers the days of blessings and a dream that are gone.

In vain, he seeks the presence of the Lord but he cannot find. The people that do not continue in fellowship with the Lord and the saints do enter into an experience of spiritual wilderness, famine and dryness. To escape such experience, you must forsake the christless and come to true fellowship with true Christians.

3.

FLOURISHING WITH CHRISTLIKE CONVICTION

AND COMPASSION To flourish, you need Christlike conviction and compassion. "Those that be planted in the house of the Lord‌" are those who are consistently abiding in the Lord and in fellowship.

To flourish in the house of the Lord, you need to allow the word of God to abide in you, to dwell in you richly. If growing in grace were not possible, He would not have commanded it.

Whatever levels you are at present, there is more from the presence of God. Our passage talks of a flourishing tree, flourishing Christian, fulness of grace and joy and a faithful life. In Christ, there is abundance and fulness.

To flourish in the blessings of the Lord (i) we must follow Christ fully and live like Him. (ii) We must maintain a firm conviction based on Scripture and live daily to glorify God. (iii) We must be characterised by the compassion of Christ (Proverbs 11:25). The key to the flourishing life is being Christlike righteous, kind, caring, loving, forgiving, humble and patient, merciful and compassionate, obedient and faithful unto God. A Christian with constant conviction will experience God's abiding presence and continuing blessing. If you are a faithful and fellowshipping Christian, then you will be fruitful and flourishing.

BIG PUNCH The full wrath of the law should be brought to bear on the people involved. What we have been having is a family affair. That is why this corruption has been recurring.

—Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, President, Campaign for Democracy on the report of subsidy probe by House of Reps.

SATURDAY 21 — SUNDAY 22, APRIL, 2012

Northern elders

'And remember David and Solomon, when both gave judgement concerning the field into which some people's sheep had strayed and grazed by night.

We were witness to their judgement. We gave Solomon insight into the case.Yet We gave sound judgement and knowledge to both of them.'

[Quran 21:78]

'Then there are those that insisted that as the Arab Revolution knocked over long established regimes and created movements for democracy, so those societies' religiosity would take second place to the new politics. It hasn't happened, as the strong showing of the Muslim Brotherhood indicates.

Religion is fundamental to those societies and if anything, in the foreseeable future, will become more so.'

[Tony Blair, Former Prime Minister, Britain]

T

h e passage of the Quran quoted above refers to an event which occurred between an illustrious father, Dawood, and an illustrious son, Sulaiman. For a general understanding of the passage, we quote the learned Sayyid Qutb. He writes: 'The story of the field over which David and Solomon gave judgement is detailed in some reports as stating that two men came to David. One of them had a field, or a vineyard according to some reports, while the other had a flock of sheep. The field's owner said: 'This man's sheep traversed my field at night, leaving it devastated.' David ruled that the owner of the field should take the sheep in compensation for his wasted crops. The sheep's owner then passed by Solomon and told him of David's judgement.

Solomon went to his father and said: "Prophet of God, you should have judged differently." David asked: "How should I judge?"

Solomon replied: "Give the sheep to the field's owner to benefit by them and give the field to the sheep's owner to tend until it is returned to its original state.

Then each man returns to the other his property. Thus, the field's owner will get his field and the sheep's owner his sheep."

David confirmed that that was the right judgement, and he ordered it to be carried out. Both David and Solomon judged according to their own discretion, but God was observing their judgement. He inspired Solomon to give the

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verdict that was fairer. David's judgement aimed to compensate the field's owner for the damage done to him, which establishes justice.

But Solomon's judgement added to justice a constructive dimension. Thus, justice became a motive to initiate constructive effort.'

The passage emphatically enunciates a principle. The youth is the fount of inspired wisdom, and of fresh and robust insight for a society that desires to make progress. Where there exists a severance of the old from the young in any given society, then that society is destined for an incontrovertible failure. Islam insists that wisdom must be embraced irrespective of its source. After all, some of the most momentous and definitive changes in human history have been those engineered by young people. Jesus Christ was a prime mover of human destiny: he accomplished his world shaking career in just three years, and lived for only thirty three years.

Alexander the Great, is another, albeit mundane, example. He nearly conquered the whole world, and according to Prof. Paul Cartlledge, (BBC) he 'is probably the most famous of the few individuals in human history whose bright light has shot across the firmament to mark the end of an era and the beginning of another.' Alexander the Great died at the age of thirty three. Our own Murtala Muhammed, the man who, according to Isichei, 'captured the latent idealism of Nigerians,' needed only six months to give Nigeria a new life, he died at the age of thirty eight.

This, in short, is the message for Northern Elders. Northern Nigeria is one of the few societies in the world which appears to believe that wisdom is concentrated only in age. As a result of this assumption, the region is also one of the few societies in the world where no long term planning takes place, where even no short term planning is ever made, and every thing is ad hoc and opportunistic.

Yet in a natural human society young people form the majority, and collectively they produce the predominant majority of new ideas, they imbibe and seek the realization of the idealism and vision of the society, they are the future. So you can not move forward into the future as an elder in isolation, without going along with those for whom the future is made. Northern Elders' behavior, always in self defeating denial, belies that reality. In the

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Dr. Olusola Saraki build up to the last election, several groups of elders emerged.

As it turned out, many of them, populated as they were by ad hoc leaders, by permanent, maximum sycophants, by 'sub humans' as Adamu Ciroma called them, by those who would invoke the name of God in vain were, in truth, mercenaries employed to surrender the future of their people for a fee.

If the elders would have the good sense and the humility to seek the views of their children, grand children and great grand children about many of the issues concerning Nigeria, they might find out that the future is truly the future, the future is not the past, it is different in every essential detail from the present which the elders seek to perpetuate. For example, if they were to ask a grand child of theirs, say, a ten year old 'northerner' about how to resolve the issue of oil in Nigeria, perhaps his answer might be as follows. 'God in his infinite wisdom has bestowed the bounty

of oil on the the people in the South South and a few other places. It is theirs, so let them have it. Let them enjoy it. God has never shut out any people from His benevolence. He has bestowed on us the land, millions upon millions of square miles of land of different hues and colors.

It is ours, and we determine its usage, we determine who lives on it, we determine who cultivates it, we determine who populates it. We own its soil, its rivers, its lakes, its dams. We own its infinite bounties, above and below, for ever. We live on it, we live by it, we thrive on it, we die in it. This land is ours, the eternal, inalienable gift of God.' Such perhaps is the perspective of the future, which the elders cannot grasp today and cannot comprehend, but which is sure to come. Perhaps all the argument about whether Nigeria should remain one or not, might not appeal to those born into the future. It might sound absolutely irrelevant, archaic, even silly.

Moreover the elders languish in a perspective of a Northern Nigeria devoid of Islam. In a recent meeting for example, they brought together an impressive array of Northern personalities, made up mainly of politicians, soldiers, business men, professionals and sundry other interests. Of course the youth of the North were not there. The women of the North were not there. The ulama were not there. Most important of all and that is the crux of the matter - Islam was not there. So the elders are making the gravest mistake by thinking that in any discourse about the North you can ignore Islam, you can avoid Islam or pretend Islam does not exist and does not matter. Yet the force that has thrust Islam to the fore in different parts of the world might be the same force that would be at play here in Nigeria.

Islam is defining the destiny of Muslims, and in the process it is at the same time shaping the very character of the whole world. Young Muslim men and women will most likely turn wholly and sincerely to Islam in their quest to take control of their own destiny. This might seem the natural and inescapable route for them. That the elders should miss this point is quite amazing. It means the elders are at odds with the future.

Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of Britain, has made a point worthy of consideration.

'But the basic point about the world is this: On every side, in every quarter, wherever we look and analyze, religion is a powerful, motivating, determining force shaping the world around us. It is this belief in a higher purpose, God's purpose for us and this yearning for spiritual as well as material fulfilment that draws people to profess their faith so strongly; and in an era of globalization particularly in the aftermath of the financial crisis, makes them assert the civilizing force of faith in the modern world. Humanity without Faith would be deeply impoverished, even if we materially advanced,' he observes in a speech in Milan on November 10, 2011. 'So the time has come to put away the delusions: that faith is diminishing; that religion is not really what it's about; that a debate about politics can be seriously conducted in the 21st Century without debating religion. And debating religion not as social science, foreign affairs or even psychology, but as religion.'

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