Peoples Daily Newspaper, Tuesday, August 21, 2012

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

Vol. 9 No. 7

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

. . . putting the people first

Shawwal 3, 1433 AH

Police, NPS Ocean surge: contradict selves Six more bodies on Edo jailbreak recovered

Maku dispels N5bn external debt fears >> PAGE 2

>> PAGE 5

>> PAGE 5

N150

Gunmen kill 2 in Adamawa >> PAGE 6

State Police: You are wrong, Gambo Jimeta tells IBB …Says military ruined Police Force

By Lambert Tyem

F

ormer Inspector General of Police under the General Ibrahim Babangida military regime, Alhaji Muhammadu Gambo Jimeta, has taken a swipe at those campaigning for the establishment of state police particularly, General Babangida, saying such a move would not be in the interest of the nation.

The ex-police boss, who spoke to newsmen at his Abuja residence to mark the Eid-el-Fitr celebration at the weekend, also blamed the military for the rot in the Police Force.

Jimeta, who said he had in the past differed with Babangida's position on some issues even when he was serving in his government, insisted that it would be suicidal for the nation to kowtow to what he described as ‘minority’ demand for state police especially given the nation’s peculiar circumstance with regards to the diversity of its population.

He said those who served in the police understand the workings of the system and from that point of view, will not support those canvassing for state police including Babangida.

Contd on Page 2

PD INDEX

18th Aug, 2012

CBN RATES $ £ • CFA RIYAL

BUYING 154.8 242.9586 191.0387 0.2704 41.2778

SELLING 155.8 244.5281 192.2728 0.2904 41.5445

PARALLEL RATES • £ RIYAL $

BUYING 201 256 40 162

SELLING 203 258 42 163

Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Suleiman’s horse riders, during a mini-durbar held to mark, Eid-el-Fitr at the emir’s palace in Bauchi on Sunday.

Photo: NAN

West created Boko Haram, says El-Zakzaky From Muhammad Adamu, Kaduna

L

eader of the Muslim Shiite movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibrahim ElZakzaky, has accused Western powers of creating the Boko Haram phenomenon as well as being behind the current insecurity situation rocking the country.

El-Zakzaky stated this when he

received a delegation of the Christian-Muslim Youth Peace Initiative of Nigeria (C-MPIN), a Kaduna based NonGovernmental Organisation, who visited him in his Zaria residence to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan at the weekend.

The cleric told the delegation that the current insurgency; bombings, killings and destruction of properties especially in the north was

perpetrated by the West to destroy the region's economy and create crisis in the country.

He said those working against the country were not interested in Christianity or Islam but were bent on destroying the nation's unity so as to pave way for the control and exploitation of the nation's resources.

“The West is not interested in Christianity or Islam. All they are after is to create chaos in any form

to milk the country's oil and other resources. The West are enemies of citizens of Nigeria and are never happy to see the country in unity”, he said.

He therefore urged Nigerians to follow their religions and not allow themselves to be used by the enemies of the country to achieve their selfish aims.

“I therefore urge the followers of the two religions not to allow Contd on Page 2

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

CONTENTS News

2-11

Editorial

12

Op.Ed

13

Information minister dispels $5bn external debt fears

By Aminu Imam

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-18

Business

19-20

Newsxtra

27-28

Discourse

29

Opinion

30

T

he Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku yesterday dispelled fears that Nigeria’s foreign debt profile of $5 billion could harm the economy.

“We currently owe $5 billion as foreign debt”, the minister said, while speaking with Nigerian journalists in London.

“If you compare that to our foreign reserves and our economic capacity, there is no problem as far as the country’s external debt is concerned”, he

added.

Maku, who noted that most developed and developing nations were not free from debt, however, conceded that debts should not be allowed to overwhelm the country’s capacity to pay back.

He stressed that in the last 13 years of Nigeria’s democracy, the country had been able to exit the debt trap.

Maku recalled that at a point in time, the country owed the Paris Club of creditors about $35 billion but was able to pay off a substantial part of the debt.

“What led to the huge debt

was that the money borrowed was used for things that were not productive”, he said.

The minister stressed that the “new” debts owed by the government were used to revamp the country’s infrastructure such as the railways and the power plants.

“These debts are privatesector loans, guaranteed by government, because the loans are given out at lower interest rates”, he said.

The minister said for instance, the Chinese Export Import Bank was currently negotiating a loan

to build modern rail tracks in Nigeria.

“They (Chinese) are already building one railway track between Kaduna and Abuja. Also, work has commenced on the railway line linking Lagos through Ibadan to Ilorin and Minna, while linking up with the one from Abuja to Kano. These are private sector projects that will develop the economy”, Maku said.

The minister expressed optimism that the “private sector” debts would propel the growth of the economy.

Sallah: Shettima donates food items to prison inmates From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

A Government alone cannot fight Boko Haram, says NYUAC Leader, Page 37

International 32-34 Digest

36

Politics

37-40

Sports

41-47

Columnist

48

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

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

Phones for News: 070-37756364 09-8734478

s parts of the ongoing Sallah celebration, Borno state governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima yesterday visited the Maiduguri Maximum Security Prisons and donated assorted food items to the inmates.

Items presented included 50 bags of rice, 100 bags each of millet and semovita, as well as 100 cartons of spaghetti.

Governor Shettima, who was accompanied during the visit by some government officials, also doled out two large cows to the inmates.

According to him, the visit and subsequent donations was aimed at extending a hand of fellowship to the inmates and to felicitate with them over the successful completion of Ramadan fast, which ushered in the Sallah festival.

“The essence of the visit is to come down here and celebrate with you as we did outside. The food items were also presented to serve as an avenue you to celebrate the religious obligation in a more convenient manner like others in the outside'', he said.

He expressed disgust over the large number of inmates

awaiting trial and vowed to adopt drastic steps to check the situation.

“Government is worried over the rising number of awaiting trial inmates and in a bid to tackle the menace, 10 additional judges were appointed. They comprised of eight High Court judges and 10 magistrates…”

The Deputy Comptroller of Prisons in charge of the facility, Alhaji Yusuf Garba who received the items, thanked the governor for the gesture and sought government assistance for the construction of parameter walls to guard the prison yard against possible attacks.

Gov. Kashim Shettima

State Police: You are wrong, Gambo Jimeta tells IBB Contd from Page 1 “The former Head of State was my boss and I served under him. I have also read his views on the issue of state police as reported in the newspapers. With due respect, there is a wide margin of disagreement between us operating in the force and people like my former boss while I was in office, we had differences.

“Nigeria presents a very peculiar situation with a vast number of tribes and if you want to keep Nigeria united, you require certain institutions to do that and it was agreed that a single police force, devoid of ethnicity and politics was needed”, he said.

Jimeta recalled that during the constitutional conference in the 1960s, it was agreed that some issues be made ‘residual’ and others ‘exclusive’, explaining that the police was one of such exclusive preserves of the Federal Government so as to guarantee a security force whose operations would be devoid of sectional or ethnic sentiments.

He said with the current legal framework guiding the activities of the police, neither the President nor the governor has the powers to use the police outside the provisions of the law.

The former IGP also hailed the

report of the Parry Osayande-led Presidential Committee on the Reorganisation of the Nigeria Police especially for recommending the scrapping of the Ministry of Police Affairs.

He described the ministry as a waste of money and another conduit pipe to fritter the nation's resources away.

The former IGP also accused the military of laying the foundation for the monumental destruction of the Nigeria Police, adding that policemen fared better in the First Republic.

“The military destroyed the police. We are doomed if anybody can be lobbied to truncate the truth. This is part of the national dishonesty we are talking about. It is a ploy to steal more money. It is criminal, the way and manner we handle the security of this country”, he said.

The former police boss also described as unhealthy, the continued proliferation of security agencies in the country, saying that if adequately funded, the Nigeria Police can handle all the functions which some new agencies or commissions have now been saddled with.

“There is now a proliferation of security agencies to the extent that if something happens, you would

not know which of the agencies to hold accountable”, he argued.

Babangida in an interview last week to mark his 71st birthday threw his weight behind the calls for the establishment of state police, saying that the fears being entertained in certain quarters for the creation of state police were unfounded.

“Left to me, the whole essence of governance is to provide adequate security for the people and in whatever way this is achieved, it is acceptable. I don't think what happened in the 50s

should continue to haunt us. We should try to move on.

“When we were there, we established the National Guards that was so vilified and was later dropped. Why should we think that what happened in the 50s when the regional police were used to intimidate members of the opposition political parties will continue to happen under the present dispensation? I don't think the incumbent governors can use state police to intimidate anybody.

Honestly, the fear is unfounded”, he said.

West created Boko Haram, says El-Zakzaky Contd from Page 1 themselves to be used by these perpetrators to achieve their selfish aims. It is only when Nigerians from the South and North are united that the country will survive various external attempts to disintegrate it and siphon the country's wealth while the citizens would be at the receiving end”, he said.

El-Zakzaky urged Nigerians to ensure that they live in peace adding that if God had wished,

he would have created Nigerians as completely Muslims or Christians.

He said since God allowed the two religions in the country, then Nigerians must understand that God has destined that Muslims and Christians should live together.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Mr. Diji Haruna, told the cleric that the group was out to propagate peace among the youth in the state.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

PAGE 3

Plateau flood: NEMA disburses materials to 10, 000 victims

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

A

Three passengers were rushed to the National Hospital in Abuja following injuries sustained when their vehicle somersaulted on the Muye Road bridge yesterday. The wreckage of the car is seen at the scene of the accident.

PHOTO: JOE OROYE

fter extensive assessment of the weekend flood that devastated communities in six local government areas of Plateau State, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA),has distributed relief assistance to more than 10,000 persons displaced by the disaster in Shendam, Wase, Mikang, Kanam, Langtang North and Langtang South local government areas of the state.

NEMA’s Director of Relief and Rehabilitation, Mr. Edward Maigida, who led the team, said that the items were delivered to provide quick relief, adding that further assistance may be considered after detailed assessment.

NEMA, in a statement, also said that the early warning alerts given about possible floods in some identified states including Plateau was real, and therefore warned communities living in the high risk

Sallah day attack: Kano police arrest one suspect From Edwin Olofu, Kano

T

he Kano State Police Command said they have arrested one among the fleeing suspects, who escaped with gunshot wounds after attacking a security check point near the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital on Sallah day, injuring a mobile police officer.

Confirming the arrest of the

suspect in Kano yesterday while briefing newsmen at the palace of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, the State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Idris, disclosed that security agents have spread their dragnet to track down other fleeing members of the sect who were hit by bullets during the confrontation.

“My men have arrested one of the suspects, with bullet injuries, while the search for others has

been intensified; we plead with members of the public, especially the medical personnel to report the presence of any patient with bullet wound to the police.”

Idris, who observed that the incident was over blown by the media, stressed that the sallah ended on a peaceful note, as security operatives repelled the attempt by the militants to attack a check point.

The police boss, who explained that he was at the Emir’s palace to not only thank the Royal father for his support to the police in combating security challenges but to also pay him sallah homage and wish many more fruitful years.

Spokesman of the Joint Task Force and 3 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Kano, Lt Ikedichi Iweha, said no military personnel were hurt in the confrontation.

Nasarawa set to deal with troublemakers From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

T

he Nasarawa state government has vowed to tame troublemakers bent on perpetrating acts capable of breaching the peace in the state.

Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura, made this known via a press release signed by the Director of Press Affairs (DOPA) to the governor, Malam Iliyasu Ali Yakubu, when the leadership of the

Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state paid him a Sallah homage at the Presidential Lodge in Lafia, yesterday.

While maintaining that all persons in the state were at liberty to observe their religious obligations, he appealed to the Christian community not to view an incident that occurred Sunday, among other incidents as a calculated attempt to cause disharmony, dismissing it as misguided.

Earlier, the state chairman of CAN, Bishop Miller Maza, apart from expressing support to the governor, prayed God to forbid any act that may lead to religious disharmony.

He also called on government to adopt measures that would encourage the existing synergy between Christians and Muslims in the state so as to avert any religious intolerance.

Peoples Daily recalls that

shortly after the Eid-el-Fitr prayer at the Shendam road praying ground, some misguided youths invaded the premises of the Zion Baptist Church, pelting worshippers with stones allegedly for drumming while the fitr prayer was in progress.

It reportedly took the intervention of members of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), who arrived the scene in time to disperse the rampaging youths.

Dana crash: We complied with regulations, says ATC From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

A

ir Traffic Controllers in Nigeria yesterday described as misleading and unprofessional, a statement credited to Group Capt. Ojikutu (rtd) on the crashed DANA airplane of June 3, 2012 saying the association complied with the provisions of air safety as laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organisation ICAO during emergency situations.

President and General Secretary of the body, Haske Jibrin and Martin Akujuobi

respectively said that the Officers on duty on the faithful day complied with the provisions of the ICAO Docs. 4444 (PANS-ATM), Annex 11 (Air Traffic Services), Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (2009) and other approved Local Air Traffic Control Instructions .

They affirmed that the rules include emergency response procedures approved and published for use by Duty Air Traffic Controllers at the Murtala Muhammad Airport Lagos in the event of aircraft accidents.

The body also questioned the

professional competence and experience claimed by Ojikutu on the grounds that information available to the association does not indicate that Group Capt.

Ojikutu holds any valid Air Traffic Controller License, though he trained and obtained a certificate in Air Traffic Services, which is a prerequisite for further on-the-job training that leads to the award of a Civil Air Traffic Controller License.

They said “the onus therefore, lies on him to furnish his listeners with his license number, ratings held and aerodromes of validation

during his historic twenty-six years sojourn as an air traffic controller as he has posted before the public.”

“His phraseologies as reported by the media houses do not in any way define him as an Air Traffic Controllers that he claims to be. For example, his call for the tape transcript of conversations held between the Pilot and Lagos and Kano Control Towers shows that he does not understand the Architecture, division of responsibilities, and transfer of control procedures within the Nigerian airspace.”

areas to relocate temporarily to safer locations in the remaining period of the rainy season.

While in Shendam local government, the council chairman, Mr. Nicholas Kemi who received the items on behalf of the affected persons, said about 65 communities were affected, and thanked the federal government for the kind gesture.

Also speaking, the Emir of Wase, Alhaji Muhammadu Haruna, who received the NEMA team at his palace, commended the agency for the timely response in the delivery of the assistance.

It would be recalled that the flood had resulted in the loss of at least five lives, submerged homes in many communities and washed away several bridges linking the local government areas.

Items distributed include bags of rice, millets, grains and tea.

Others were treated mosquito nets, blankets, clothing, mattresses, buckets, nylon mats, cups and spoons.

Zamfara court arraigns 3 girls over rape From Salisu Zakari Maradun, Gusau

T

here was a melodrama when last week, three middle aged girls appeared before a Sharia High Court in Gusau, capital of Zamfara state over the raping of a 23 year old Suleiman Abdulrahman, in the premises of a multi-purpose centre.

The suspects whose ages are between 19-23 years old namely Yahanatu Ibrahim, Wasila Hassan and Rukkaya Hassan, informed the court that they reside in the Government Reserve Area {GRA} of Gusau metropolis.

The prosecutor, Hashim Ibrahim told the court that the complainant who was a boy scout was posted to the ministry as one of the securitymen. He further told the court that the three accused persons came up to him on that fateful day around 9am before the commencement of the daily Ramadan preaching session which was usually held in the ministry and demanded he should take them to an office.

However, on getting to the said office, the girls forcefully pushed him inside the office and removed his trousers. One of the accused girls began oral play with his manhood while the other two watched.

After satisfying her desire, the prosecutor told the court, the two other accused persons also took their turns in the same manner before they raped him.

When the court’s judge, Sanusi Muhammad Magami, questioned the accused persons over the allegations, they all denied the charges.

The court judge adjourned the case to August 27, 2012, while the suspects were asked to bring their parents or relatives for bail.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

THE PAGE 4 REPORT

Abuja fuel scarcity: Is the subsidy cabal striking back?

By Abdulwahab Isa

O

n assumption of power in 2007, late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua made a bold and courageous decision. Daring the odds, he ignored pleas by highly placed Nigerians, including his benefactor and immediate predecessor, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, he revoked the sale of the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries sold the Obansanjo administration to Bluestar Oil Services Consortium, owned by business moguls Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Mr. Femi Otedola.

The duo, alleged to be business allies of the former president, formed the consortium to manage the plants. They staked about N92.3 billion ($721 million) to get the nod of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to run the refineries.

At the time the deal was sealed, some eminent Nigerians and organised Labour had faulted the exercise, alleging that it was not transparent.

President Yar’adua’s master stroke nipped in the bud what would have been the biggest oil cabal in the country with a control of about 98 per cent of nation’s oil.

That singular decision by Yar’adua instantly endeared him to most Nigeria.

Regrettably however, twelve years down the lane, oil cabal has staged a vengeful come-back feeding even more fat on the nation through the oil subsidy.

It all started on January 1st 20102. Determined to deregulate the downstream oil sector, President Goodluck Jonathan on 1st January 2012 upped the litre price of petrol (PMS) from N65 to N142. The action took Nigerians unawares.

It was instantly condemned universally, leading to the formation of the pressure group, Occupying Nigeria, with the active participation of the organised labour and civil society groups.

Nigerians’ sustained opposition to that unpopular move led to the setting up of probe panels to unravel the actual amount being expended by the government to subsidize the consumption of fuel locally.

The Farouk Lawal’s House of Representatives oil subsidy probe committee was raised to unearth firms that got paid huge amount of money in the name of subsidy without commensurate fuel supply. Lawal, the principal prosecutor got himself enmeshed in the tangle.

Another technical committee was set up by Coordinating Minister for the Economy/ Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Headed by the Managing Director of Access Bank, Aig-Imoukhuede, the committee submitted its report to President Goodluck Jonathan with pronouncement suggesting that huge fraud had

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala been perpetuated by some oil firms under oil subsidy.

Threatened by the government determination to go after those found guilty in the subsidy scam, they may have decided to strike back through a proxy war. This obviously this set the stage for the current wave of fuel scarcity limited to the FEDERAL Capital and its environs.

Using the platform of the Associations of Major oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) , Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria(IPMAN), Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association(DAPPMA) and Jetties and Petroleum Tank Farms Owners of Nigeria(JEPTFON), the affected firms, had in joint public advertorial, warned the federal government and the general public of an impending fuel supply crisis within seven days due to the alleged failure of the federal ministry of finance to reimburse its member companies their legitimate subsidy claims since January 20102.

The associations alleged that there was an outstanding subsidy claim of N200billion, even as they are paying a monthly interest charge of N3.7 billion on the bank facility at a minimum of 22 percent.

But the federal government said that companies that genuinely imported fuel had been paid their monies.

While addressing journalists last week on the issue, Minister of Finance Ngozi Oknojo-Iweala maintained that “marketers with legitimate and unencumbered claims have been paid and will continue to be paid”, backing her

claim with figures. “Between April and May 2012, Batches D/ 12 and E/12 involving 14 oil marketers with a claim of N17 billion were fully settled. In addition, since early July 2012, N25.6 billion worth of claims have been fully settled. In all, between April and August this year, in respect of 2012 PMS claims, N42.666 billion have been paid to 31 oil marketers.

“These are incontrovertible facts which confirm government’s commitment to ensuring that issues concerning genuine marketers with legitimate claims are dealt with expeditiously”.

But even as the impact of the on-going strike continues to bite bitterly with an acute scarcity of petrol in Abuja and its environs, the minister insisted that the scarcity was the handwork of few marketers hell bent on blackmailing the government to get paid for products that are not verifiable.

Reacting to the strike which is already crippling both social and economic activities, the Minister pointed accusing finger at those indicted in the fuel subsidy probe, saying: “It is clear that those behind the strikes are marketers being investigated for possible fraud. These elements have now resorted to hiding behind the unions to unnecessarily antagonize government and create hardship for Nigerians”.

Continuing, the minister said, “We want to make it clear that government will fully investigate their activities and if found guilty, bring them to book and recover all public funds fraudulently obtained, in the

Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Madueke guise of fuel subsidy claims. No degree of blackmail will stop the Government from doing its work.

Government will, therefore, pursue justice and ensure that those who are found guilty are appropriately sanctioned”.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Committee on Fuel Subsidy Payments led by Mr Aigboje AigImoukhuede, has identified 21 oil companies with sufficient evidence that they may have engaged in fraudulent activities under the fuel subsidy regime.

By Yesterday (Monday), the

fuel scarcity in Abuja and the environs was so acute that most filling stations did not have a drop to dispense to customers, giving rise to a booming but vicious black market where a four-litre gallon was selling in excess of N2000.

This is continuing even as Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, has appealed to the striking union to shelve its on-going strike, saying there is already an ongoing dialogue with government officials over their grievances.

The indicted firms in the oil subsidy fraud announced by the minster are: (1) ALMINNUR RESOURCES LTD,

(12) MENON OIL AND GAS LTD,

(2) BRILLA ENERGY LED,

(13) MOB INTERNATIONAL SERVICES,

(3) CAADES OIL AND GAS LTD,

(14) MRS OIL AND GAS LTD,

(4) CAPITAL OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY LTD,

(15) NASAMAN OIL SERVICES LTD and

(5) CONNOIL PLC,

(16) NATACEL PETROLEUM LTD,

(6) DOWNSTREAM ENERGY SOURCE LTD, (7) ETERNA PLC, (8) EURAAFRIC OIL AND GAS LTD and

(17) OCEAN ENERGY TRADING AND SERVICES, (18) PINNACLE CONTRACTORS LTD,

(9) LUMEN SKIES LTD,

(19) SIFAX OIL AND GAS COMPANY,

(10) MAJOPE INVESTMENT LTD,

(20) TONIQUE OIL SERVICES LTD and

(11) MATRIX ENERGY LTD,

(21) TOP OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT CO. LTD.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

PAGE 5

Monarch faults new system of fertiliser distribution

ABU’s 50th anniversary: VC solicits Yakowa's intervention

From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

Sympathizers at Area 1 bridge watching helplessly when a car plunged into the stream in Abuja yesterday.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Lagos Ocean surge: Six more bodies recovered R From Bimbo Ogunnaike, Lagos

escue teams yesterday, recovered six more dead bodies following last Saturday's ocean surge at Kuramo Beach, Victoria Island, Lagos which swept away about 16 people.

Four dead bodies, including a six year old girl, Miss Bisi Kolawole, were earlier recovered bringing to a total of 10 dead bodies and six still missing. One of the bodies was recovered after being dumped ashore by the ocean.

The male body, which was recovered at about 1:30 pm by the State Environmental Health Management Unit (SEHMU), was deposited at the state mortuary.

SEHMU recorded five retrieved bodies while other bodies were

recovered by divers and other rescue teams.

One of the officials of SEHMU, who declined identification, said that the body was recovered at the shoreline at the beach in the early hours of yesterday.

As at the time of filling this report yesterday evening, rescue teams were still searching for more bodies. When our correspondent visited the scene yesterday, the place that used to be Kuramo had been completely wiped out by the demolition team of the Lagos state government.

One of the occupants at the beach who simply identified himself as Mr. Bamidele, put the blame on the doorstep of the state government's Eko Atlantic City Project. His words: "For me, the blame came from the Lagos state government. Since

2009 when the state government commenced the construction of the Eko Atlantic City, the surge began to increase. And this year, the work got to Kuramo Beach. It happens yearly, especially from August to November, when the ocean current always rises. And because of the ongoing work at the Eko Atlantic City, the ocean current had nowhere to flow; instead and it flowed to the shore to demolish our structures.

Another occupant who gave her name as Mrs. Comfort Chukwu said: "I am moving my properties out of this place. I will be returning to Ijora axis of Lagos, where I came from to continue my business. There is no reason staying in this place anymore after the government has demolished our structures..."

Police, NPS contradict selves on Edo jailbreak

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

C

ontradictory reports trailing fleeing inmates following the prison-break at Oko, Edo state in the early hours of Sunday have opened up a rift between the Nigeria Police Force and Nigeria Prisons Service, following attacks by hoodlums which kept the host community

under siege for several hours.

Edo state Controller of Prisons, Mr. Jomoh Ewulo, said of the 12 inmates who broke out, eight inmates were at large, while four have been recaptured. He also said 'a device must have been used and we are still investigating the big opening in the wall'.

Asked whether the NPS has invited bomb experts to ascertain

the veracity, the Controller said: "We're investigating".

However, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olayinka Balogun who faulted media reports that the prison was bombed at a press conference, insisted that no inmate escaped; reaffirming that security has been intensified in and around the prisons environment.

AUN to flag off 2012-13 academic year

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he 2012/2013 academic year at the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, will be flagged off on Tuesday, August 28, at the Fall 2012 Convocation and Pledge Ceremony to be addressed by Dr. Kevin Quigley as keynote speaker.

A statement issued by the AUN's spokesman, Abba Abubakar Tahir, said Quigley is the president of the National Peace Corps Association, a major nonprofit organisation of

returned Peace Corps Volunteers in the United States.

The ceremony will launch the school year and include a recitation of the AUN community pledge and a plaque presentation to Dr. Quigley for his outstanding service to humanity.

The convocation and pledge ceremony will bring to an end a week-long orientation programme scheduled for firstyear students and their parents.

In another development, the university will open the

American University of Nigeria (AUN) Hotel & Conference Center, operated in Yola, tomorrow, August 22.

The institution partially opened guest rooms in the week of the university's fourth commencement ceremony last May. Also, the institution has concluded arrangement to welcome Robert Pastor to rejoin AUN board. Prof. Pastor of the American University in Washington, DC, is rejoining the AUN Board of Trustees after some years' absence.

he Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Sulaiman Adamu, has called on government at all levels to discard the present e- system of fertiliser distribution across the country.

The Emir made the call yesterday when he paid traditional Sallah homage to the Bauchi state governor, Malam Isa Yuguda at the Government House Bauchi, saying that government should device different means of distributing fertiliser to farmers because the e system is more complex.

The royal father faulted the present GSM method of fertiliser distribution across the state.

He explained that he received complaints with regards to accessing the commodity by especially farmers in rural areas who find it difficult to buy the fertiliser, saying that the present method is not feasible.

He then called on the government at all levels to look for alternative means of distributiing fertilizer to farmers across the state to enable them benefit. He also urged the state government to intensify security in the state as one of the best ingredients for development.

W

ith barely two months to the golden jubilee celebrations of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, the ViceChancellor, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, has appealed to the Kaduna state governor, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, to mobilise Nigerian governors, particularly alumni of the institution, to come to its rescue to ensure successful hosting of the anniversary.

The VC according to a statement signed by his media aide, Malam Waziri Isa Gwantu, made the appeal during a visit by the university's management, to the governor at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna, to intimate him on the state of preparations for the historic event.

Prof.

Mustapha, who informed the governor that ABU will be 50 years by October 4th, said a committee had since been set up to draw up a befitting golden anniversary programme slated for between the 4th of ctober-24th, November, 2012.

He said the celebration which will be climaxed by a special convocation ceremony and presentation of the 'Sir Ahmadu Bello Golden Award', honour past heroes and major supporters and to also unveil its plan for the future.

‌as Dass Emir enjoins Gaidam congratulates subjects to live in peace Muslims on From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi Eid-el-Fitr

T

he Emir of Dass in Bauchi state, Alhaji Usman Bilyaminu Usman, has enjoined his people to live in peace and harmony with one another irrespective of religious and ethnic differences.

The Emir, in a Sallah message marking the Eid-elFitr celebration, also urged the youths whom he described as leaders of tomorrow to shun any acts of brigandage, drugs abuse and other social vices and exhibit good virtues for a better society.

He explained that instead of engaging in nefarious activities detrimental to the society, the youth should venture into various profitable trades such as farming to boost food production in the state.

He appealed to parents to ensure that children are enrolled into schools, describing education as the bedrock of any meaningful development.

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

Y

obe state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, has congratulated Muslims in the state for successfully completing their fasting and urged them to celebrate the Eid-el-Fitr peacefully and praise the Almighty Allah for His endless bounties and blessings.

"As you are all aware, today is the first day of Shawwal 1433 A.H equivalent to Sunday 19th August, 2012signifying the day of Eidel-Fitr.

Gaidam who gave this message in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdullahi Bego, assured the citizens that his administration shall continue to remain focused and committed to the sustainability of developmental programmes aimed at making life more meaningful and appreciable to the citizens of the state.

PAGE 6

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

Fuel scarcity: FCT residents resort to black market A

By Muhammad Nasir

s the scarcity of fuel in the Federal Capital Territory intensifies, some residents have resorted to the black market for their needs.

After spending days and nights at petrol stations due to the face-off between the Federal Government and some oil marketers, most residents have resorted to patronising hawkers for the product.

When our reporter visited Yaman and Total filling stations at Area 3, motorists were observed to be buying petrol from black marketers who sold

10 liters of fuel (as at yesterday) for N3000 and 20 liters for N6000; in some quarters, 20 liters had gone up to N7000.

According to Mr. Dele, who sells fuel to motorists in jerry cans at Area 3, he buys the products from the outskirts of the FCT. "That is why we sell the products at high cost because we spend money to transport ourselves" He said.

Meanwhile at Conoil located in Wuse Zone 5, motorists were seen in queue waiting to buy the product. According to Mr. Ibrahim, a taxi driver, "most of them had been in the queue since 7: a.m.,

adding that the fuel attendants were only selling to some selected people in jerry cans. He added that most of the motorists packed their vehicles at home waiting for the situation to ease".

At the Total Filling Station opposite NNPC Towers at the Central Area, drivers who wanted to buy fuel were angered that despite their long wait, a convoy of a top government official with about five vehicles and two escort outriders drove into the station to refill.

Meanwhile, the situation has caused scarcity of commercial vehicles in and around Abuja

metropolis, leaving passengers waiting endlessly at bus stops while fares in major routes have doubled.

It would be recalled that last week, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Alison-Madueke who was speaking during the first meeting of the new NNPC Board in Abuja, had expressed deep concern over the reemergence of fuel queues.

Meanwhile, there seems to be no end in sight as both the government and unions do not seem to be shifting ground. NUPENG has threatened to make the strike nationwide by the end of next week if government fails to meet their demands.

Sallah: Muslims in Yobe attend Eid prayers under tight security

By Godswill Uche, Damaturu

M

uslim men and women, young and old braved the security situation in the state and gathered to observe the tworakaat Prayer at various Eid praying grounds in Yobe state on Sunday in fulfillment of their obligations.

In his sermon during the occasion, Malam Hamma Huseini who led the prayer at the state secretariat, Phase I in Damaturu, called on Muslims to fear God. He also urged them to reform their lives by applying the lessons of the Ramadan which include taking care not to break the laws of The Almighty and to continue applying the lessons throughout their lives.

Gunmen kill 2 in Adamawa From Blessing Tunoh, Yola

U

he caretaker chairman of Dass local government council in Bauchi state, Alhaji Mohammed Alhassan Sadiq, has appealed to the state government to evolve measures towards forestalling flood disasters in Dass, the council headquarters.

The chairman, who revealed that one person was killed as a result of recent flood in Dass, explained that floods are threatening some areas in the

township, hence the need for proactive measures to forestall eventual flood disaster.

Sadiq told newsmen in Dass that the local government has written to the state government seeking its assistance for the aforementioned problem, expressing optimism that the government will assist.

He explained that about 50 houses and 20 farmlands were destroyed in the recent flood in Dass which also washed away some feeder roads and bridges.

nknown gunmen killed two persons in Mubi local government area of Adamawa state yesterday in an attack which left one person wounded.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Mark Idakwo, confirmed in Yola yesterday, that two people were killed, while one was hospitalised following the attack in the Sabon-Layi area of Mubi.

Idakwo, who did not give details of the incident, also did not say whether it was a robbery attack or one of the recent waves of insurgency affecting the area.

He urged the public to give information that could assist the police to track the yet-to-beidentified gunmen who perpetrated the act on Sallah day.

An eyewitness who declined identification said six gunmen had stormed the area around 8 p.m. on Sunday and ordered everyone to lie down.

"They collected money and handsets from the people before shooting sporadically as they retreated, hitting four people in the process," he said. Most of the affected were said to have been visitors to the house of Alhaji Sahabo Jauro, PDP chairman for Mubi North local government area.

appreciated especially in the face of the increasing risk faced by the workers at the ever growing hotspots of disasters and armed conflicts across the world'.

A release signed by Manzo Ezekiel on behalf of the agency's Press Officer, quoted the DG as saying though Nigeria was less prone to the natural hazards of volcanic

eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis, there were other causes of emergencies that often result in human displacements that require "concerted efforts at raising awareness on effective humanitarian service delivery."

This, he said could only be possible when emergency workers have the confidence to provide for the needs

of the most vulnerable groups in the communities including women, children, the elderly and physically challenged".

The World Humanitarian Day is celebrated every 19th of August after it was adopted in December 2008 by the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly's 63rd session.

L-R: Director General, Nigeria Institutte of Advance Legal Studies, Professor Epiphany Azinge, receiving the "Do The Right Thing" plaque from the Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri during an advocacy visit by Nigeria Institute of Advance Legal Studies to NOA, on Friday in Abuja .

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

FG set to resolve fuel, PHCN, labour crisis

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Federal Government has disclosed that it is making serious efforts at averting the fuel scarcity resulting from the industrial crises involving NUPENG, oil marketers, Power Holding Company of Nigeria staff and the Nigeria Labour Congress.

A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe, said the approach taken by government at resolving this crisis is multi-faceted and multi dimensional.

According to the statement, the Ministers of Labour, power, and other high level officers of government have met with the aggrieved PHCN workers, adding that virtually all their demands had been resolved except the issue of severance benefits of workers.

"While the workers insist on their terms of employment, government's proposition is based on the Pension Act of 2004. However, this matter will most probably be resolved favourably within the

coming week by the Presidency."

The statement read in part.

It further revealed that the coordinating minister of the economy and Finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has relocated temporarily to Lagos in spite of the holidays where she has been engaging intensively with the aggrieved marketers, union members and other stakeholders in the downstream sector concerning the fuel scarcity.

By Mohammed Kandi

T

he Director-General National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Muhammad Sani Sidi, has solicited support and protection for emergency workers to provide assistance to people in distress.

The DG made the statement on the occasion of the 2012 World Humanitarian Day. He said 'for being neutral and bringing succor in distress, the services of emergency workers should be

Council chairman appeals for measures to impede flood From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

T

World Humanitarian Day: NEMA solicits protection for aid workers

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

PAGE 7

Journalist assault: NOA boss urges Lagos NUJ to seek legal action

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

A

s reactions continue to trail the battering of journalists in the line of duty in Lagos state, the Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri has called on the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to take advantage of all available legal means to seek redress.

Omeri, who made this call in Abuja while condemning assaults on journalists, added that attacking any professionals in the course of discharging their lawful duties is barbaric.

He called on all Nigerians to join in condemning such behaviour.

A statement issued by the

Chief Press Secretary of the agency, Paul Odenyi, said “It is most unfortunate that in this day and age when we ought to have totally moved away from violence and self help in our efforts as a people to maintain a free and just society, and despite the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act now in place, people still resort to very repugnant practices against the gentlemen of the press”.

He however cautioned the NUJ against resorting to any unlawful acts in their quest to redress the injustice. He urged the union to maintain its exemplary posture by remaining peaceful even in protest and to allow the law to take its rightful cause.

Flood victims in Yobe get N35.7m relief assistance From Godswill Uche, Damaturu

I

n an effort to cushion the effect of floods that devastated some parts of Nguru town in Nguru local government area of Yobe state, Governor Ibrahim Gaidam has approved the release of the sum of N35.7 million as financial assistance to the victims, which will be used to purchase relief

materials as well as cash donations to the victims.

This was contained in a press statement signed by the press secretary to the Secretary to the State Government, Alh. Shuaibu Abdullahi, which added that the governor has also approved the setting up of a committee to ensure a judicious distribution of the relief to those who are affected.

Nonpayment of salaries symptom of bigger problems in Kwara – ACN From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

T

he Kwara state branch of Action Congress of Nigeria, yesterday, threw its weight behind the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees’ (NULGE) 14-day ultimatum to the the state government to either pay its June/July salaries or face industrial action.

The party in a statement signed by its state chairman, Kayode Olawepo, stated that the non-payment of salary was “just a symptom of “political deceit, endemic corruption and mindless economic sabotage championed by the PDP-led state government in active connivance with the party’s leadership”.

“There could be no reasonable explanation for the habitual delay in the payment of salaries. We support in its totality the action and resolution of the NULGE in Kwara state on the issues of salaries and welfare. “There could be no reasonable explanation for the habitual

delay or refusal to pay workers every month.

“But we are quick to point out that the nonpayment of salaries is just one of the symptoms of the political deceit, endemic corruption and mindless economic sabotage championed by the PDP-led state government in active connivance with the party’s leadership…

“While some state governments (non oil producing states for that matter), have paid August salaries, Kwara government has not paid many of its workers June and July salaries.

“We have repeatedly said that Kwara’s funds including money belonging to local government councils is being used to redeem debts taken to sustain an anti-development political empire at the expense of the common man. There’s nothing on the ground to justify the state’s surging debt profile.

We repeat our calls on the antigraft agencies to vet the financial books of the state government”, the party declared.

Vice Chancellor, Tansian University, Umunya, Prof. Nduka Uraih (L), welcoming Prof. Akaneran Essien, Chairman, National Universities Commission’s (NUC) Forensic Audit Team to the University at Umunya, Anambra, on Friday.

Fire destroys primary school as police repel attack in Yobe

T

he police in Yobe state, yesterday, said a section of Damagum Primary School in Damagum local government area was gutted by fire from suspected explosions in the area.

Mr. Toyin Gbadegeshin, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, made the disclosure in

an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damagum.

He also said policemen yesterday repelled an attempted attack on Damagum Police Station by unknown persons.

Gbadegeshin said “at about 1:05a.m., attacks launched on Damagum Police station and a

Lamido calls for prayers to save Nigeria From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

G

overnor Sule Lamido of Jigawa state has called on Nigerians to embark on massive prayers and total submission to The Almighty for intervention on the present insecurity and other predicaments in the country.

The governor made the call in a speech he delivered while receiving the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Nuhu Muhammadu Sunusi when he paid him a Sallah homage at the

Government House yesterday.

Governor Lamido also called on every one to be just, patriotic and committed toward national development and also “supportive and understanding to leaders and their leadership”.

According to him, injustice, selfishness and poor governance is the major causes of the militancy, kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal acts being perpetuated in all parts of the country.

The governor congratulated the emirs and the people of the state for the successful completion of

Y

obe state deputy governor, Engr.

Abubakar Aliyu, has blamed the social media for amplifying rumours and speculations that led to the mass exodus of people

from Damaturu, the state capital.

He equally blamed a section of the media for worsening the situation by scaring people with frightening headlines in their news presentations.

The Deputy Governor who made the remark while speaking with government officials on Sallah

Ramadan fast and Sallah celebration.

Speaking earlier the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Nuhu Muhammad Sunusi, told the governor that he and the entire district, village and ward heads in the emirate were in Government House to pay him a traditional Sallah homage and reaffirm their loyalty to the government and governor.

The emir called on the government to revive and improve irrigation in the state in order to achieve food security, job opportunities and alleviate poverty.

Benue, Taraba work towards mutual harmony From Yusha’u Alhassan, Jalingo

T

he Taraba state government has reiterated its commitment towards sustaining peace between Taraba and Benue states.

Governor Danbaba Suntai of

Taraba state gave the assurance yesterday in Dan-anacha, Wukari local government area at a reception organised by the Taraba state chapter of the Tiv Cultural Association in honour of Governor Gabriel Suswan of Benue state.

Dep gov blames social media for scaring people away from Yobe From Godswill Uche, Damaturu

worship centre were successfully repelled by the police but no casualty was recorded while the gunmen fled into the bush”.

He said the explosion occurred few hours before the attack on the station but nobody claimed responsibility.

The officer said no casualty was recorded in both incidents. (NAN)

homage at the Government House, said people, particularly media practitioners, have the responsibility to persuade people to continue with their legitimate businesses in the state.

He described the peaceful Sallah celebration observed in the state

capital as a pointer to those who peddle unfounded rumours and speculations.

He then enjoined people in the state to love one another; pointing out that the spirit of togetherness will help do away with attitudes which are capable of disrupting peaceful coexistence.

Governor Suntai lauded the contributions of Governor Suswan for ensuring peace among the border communities of Benue and Taraba states, assuring that the two of them would continue to work together for enduring peace to prevail in the two states.

In his remark, Governor Suswan said he had approved of the reception as a way of fostering unity and greater ties between the two states in the interest of development.

Earlier, the Taraba state president of the Tiv Cultural Association, Philp Ihom, said the reception was aimed at strengthening greater ties between Taraba and Benue states.

PAGE 8

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

L-R: Chief Justice of Bauchi, Justice Ibrahim Zango; Gov. Isa Yuguda of Bauchi, Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu, Wazirin Bauchi. Alhaji Bello Kirfi and Galadiman Bauchi, Alhaji Ibrahim Jahun praying (hudba) during eid-el-fitri prayer at Central Mosque Bauchi on Sunday.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Chief Imam of Osogbo, Sheikh Mustapha Ajisafe, during the Eid-El-Fitr prayer at Osogbo Eid Praying Ground, OkeBaale, Osogbo State of Osun.

Muslims faithful during the special Eid-el-Fitre prayers held at the Rivers state Central Mosque prayer ground in Port Harcourt.

Cross section of Muslims praying at the Police College Praying Ground in Kaduna to mark Eid-el-fitr, celebration on Sunday

PAGE 9

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

Tourists shun Yankari Reserve over hiked charges

P

arents have complained that the upward review of charges at Yankari Games Reserve in Alkaleri local government area of Bauchi state has prevented them from taking their children to the facility to celebrate the Eid-el-Fitr.

Management of the reserve increased the gate fees from N300 and N200 for adults and children to N5,000 and N2,500 respectively, among other

charges.

Some parents told NAN in Bauchi yesterday that the increases were too much and beyond the reach of ordinary people.

“As a tradition, I always take my children to Yankari during periods of festivities. I have eight children, three of them above 17 years.

“By my calculation, I need at least N35,000 to visit Yankari

with the children, as against the former N2,000. I cannot afford it,” complained Adamu Muazu, a civil servant.

Amina Usman, a student of one of the tertiary institutions in the state, said she and most of her friends had wanted to spend the day after Sallah at the reserve but were taken unawares.

“We were about leaving Bauchi for Yankari when we were reminded that the gate fee had

been hiked to N5,000 and we were shocked.

“We simply cancelled the trip.

But for the fact that the person that drew our attention to the situation was a serious-minded fellow, we would have thought he was just trying to crack a joke,” she stated.

Malam Bello Mohammed, a Gombe resident, who usually visited Yankari with his family during holidays, said on telephone

L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, with the Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Kolawole Taiwo, during a Tafsir programme and Special Prayers for the nation, organized by the Lagos State Moslem Pilgrims Welfare Board in Mecca, Saudi Arabia at this year's Lesser Hajj (Umrah) on Wednesday.

Photo: NAN

Kuramo: Tourism expert faults security at beach resorts From Matthew Aramunde, Lagos

F

ollowing the monumental disaster that occurred at the Kuramo beach in Lagos when scores of fun seekers were swept into their watery graves, a tourism expert Olubukola Bolaji has heaped the blame at the doorsteps of the government and the managers of the facility.

In a chat with our correspondent at her Opebi residence in Lagos, the London trained tourism graduate bemoans the lackadaisical attitude of government to an industry that less endowed countries have been able to utilize to raise their GDP..

“It is indeed sad that fellow compatriots who had gone to

unwind at a leisure center in a stressed society like ours, are simply wasted by mediocres who manage an industry like tourism that is money spinning to those who have been able to maximise their scarce tourism potentials”, Bukola said.

The Director of Suru Suite and Hotels owners of Best Western Lagos Ikeja Hotel said adequate

security was expected in such facilities for visitors within the country and tourist from abroad Continuing ,she said such security measures should include the provision of literature and pamphlets at the point of entry that should be detailed in content, to provide an overview of what tourist and visitors stands to benefit.

Taraba Assembly urges We’ll bring Okene church victims attackers to justice – Wada relief for flood colleagues to support his motion From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

T

he Kogi state Governor Idris Wada has restated g o v e r n m e n t ’ s commitment to bring all those arrested in connection with the Okene crisis, to justice.

Wada stated this yesterday in Lokoja when working journalists in the state paid him a Sallah visit.

He noted that he was highly saddened by the murder of church worshipers saying that such act was alien to the people of the state.

According to him, immediately the incident occurred, he went to the scene to see the extent of the attack stressing that the dusk to dawn curfew imposed on Okene was yielding result with arrest of

some persons believed to be masterminds.

On the health of the state’s revenue, Wada said that he had constituted a committee of permanent secretaries to visit states with robust internally generated revenue.

He added that he was committed to transparency and accountability in government and determined to raise the IGR to a billion naira monthly within a short period.

He frowned at the present monthly revenue generation which hovers between N100 million and N150 million and promised to attract both internal and foreign direct investment, adding that his business trip to China to discuss agriculture and mining, would boost long term fortune for the state.

From Yusha’u Alhassan, Jalingo

T

he Taraba State House of Assembly has directed the executive arm of the government to immediately provide relief materials to the victims of flood in Dampar, Ibi local government.

The Deputy speaker of the House, Abel Peter Diah gave the directive following a motion moved by the member representing Ibi constituency, Muhammad Abdulkaim under matters of urgent public importance.

The member said the flood hao swept away more than half of the entire Dampar town occasioned by the heavy downpour brought about by the overflowing of River Wase and River Benue.

Abdulkarim appealed to his

considering the magnitude of the problem on the community.

He said victims of the flood were compelled to take refuge in either primary schools or under the shades, a situation he described as dangerous to human health.

In his contribution, Mark Useni of Takum two constituency sympathized with the people of Dampar and appealed that the House directive should include areas earlier reported by the National Meteorological Agency as floodprone areas this year.

The deputy speaker who presided over the sitting directed the clerk, Ismaila Tentason to communicate the resolutions of the House to the executive arm for necessary action.

that he was also saved the embarrassment of engaging in a futile trip by a friend.

Others who spoke to NAN, pleaded with the management of the facility to have a rethink over the increase, adding that the facilities on ground did not justify the increases.

“Nothing new has been added to the facilities at the reserve to justify the over 1,500 per cent hike,” Mr. Emeka Chinedu, a Bauchi resident, said.

The Bauchi State Commissioner for Tourism could not be reached for comment but Mr Ishola Michael, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Isa Yuguda, told NAN that there were reports of some people turning the reserve to a place for the exhibition of irresponsible behaviour. ”Some will get drunk, exhibit all manners of unwholesome behaviour and cause accidents while driving recklessly, all to the detriment of other responsible tourists.”, he added. (NAN)

Niger acting gov lauds traditional rulers for sustaining peace From Iliya Garba, Minna

T

he Acting Governor of Niger state, Alhaji Ahmed Musa Ibeto has commended the positive roles played by traditional rulers in the sustenance of peace and will continue to rely on them given that there is no development in an atmosphere of anarchy.

He made this known yesterday when he received the Emir of Minna, Dr Umar Farouq Bahago who paid him the traditional Sallah visit at the Government House, Minna .

“The state government will strengthen the Ministry of Religious Affairs to the extent that it will be in position to sustain the prevailing peace in the state”.

Ibeto said that the government would work with traditional rulers, religious leaders and teachers in public and private schools to ensure lasting peace in the state .

He however observed that the security challenges facing the country at the moment required that all Nigerians confess their sins and return to God for intervention, adding that Nigerians of different religious and ethnic backgrounds should have the interest of the country at heart.

The Emir of Minna, Dr. Umar Farouq Bahago in his address, commended the state government and security agencies in the state for the role they played in maintaining law and order especially during the eid-el fitri prayers on Sunday.

He asked for renewed dedication on the part of politicians and political office holders to restraint, and urged government to pursue its policies and programmes so as to reduce the sufferings of the people.

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

Group petition IGP over fresh plot against Daily Times From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

A

s arrangements are being concluded by the Management of Daily Times Plc to resume the publication of Daily Times Newspaper and other publications in the stable, the Attorney General of Lagos State acting in concert with other contending forces are allegedly perfecting plans to once again ensure that the dream did not see the light of the day.

According to information contained in a petition to the Inspector General of Police written by a pan- Igbo socio- cultural group, the South East Forum for Justice and Economic Empowerment (SEFOJE), the Lagos State Attorney General Mr. Ade Ipaye was being motivated by ethnic sentiments to see that Daily Times remains perpetually out of circulation.

In the petition signed by Desmond Ezuruonwu, a copy of

which was made available to newsmen in Lagos, the group said, “We have it on good authority that the Lagos State Attorney General have been approached by one Mr. Ikechukwu Obiora to once again drag the owners of DailyTimes Plc to court so that their concluded plans to roll out Daily Times, Business Times, Lagos Weekend and other publications under the Daily Times Group would be kept on hold again” “This is so because some

sectional interests have vowed in the past to ensure that Daily Times under the management of people from a particular geo- political zones would not see the light of the day,” Ezuruonwu said.

It would be recalled that an Ikeja High Court last this year dismissed a case instituted against the Anosike brothers on the sale of Daily Times of Nigeria (DTN) which their company Folio Communications Limited bought in the privatization of

public enterprises. Justice Habeeb Abiru in striking out the case said it was unfair for the prosecution to delay the case at the detriment of the accused persons who may suffer unjustly. “If your home is not tidy, why should the people outside suffer?” the judged had asked the prosecution which was represented in court by Mr. LA Sanusi of the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution.

Aregbesola appeals for peace From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

T

Peoples Daily Newspaper staff, Gideon Sopuruchi (left) and former Miss Tessy Ezinne (right), during their holy Matrimony, on Saturday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

FRSC returns accident victim’s N1m recharge cards T

he Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) on Monday returned N1 million worth of recharge cards, among others, to an accident victim, Mrs. Felicia Obanla.

The Ogun Sector Commander, Ayobami Omiyale, told newsmen in Ota while handing over the items to the victim that the accident occurred on August 17 at Ota, involving five vehicles.

“An articulated vehicle coming from Lagos to Sango lost control around Sango Ota Toll Gate and rammed into a Mazda bus,

marked, LAGOS XV 388 KJA. “This also rammed into a Nissan Pathfinder jeep, marked, TF 368 KJA, and this jeep seriously hit Obanla as she was about to come down from a commercial motorcycle.

“She lost consciousness immediately and the FRSC Rescue Team took charge of the scene and conveyed victims to nearby hospitals for first aid treatments.

Omiyale said although 17 people were involved in the accident, only five people were injured.

He said that N11,000 cash, a cell phone, ATM cards, deposit slip, keys, among others were also recovered at the scene of the accident.

He said it was difficult to locate Obanla because all the accident victims had been discharged from the hospital when the FRSC officials visited the hospital to hand over the materials.

“We started searching for her because of the worth of materials recovered and later found her at Medicare Clinic where she was receiving treatment.

CP clears alleged AIT ‘car bomb carrier’ From Mohammed Adamu, Kaduna

T

he Kaduna state Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Jinjiri Muhammad, over the weekend, cleared and released the alleged African Independent Television (AIT) Kaduna 'car bomb carrier' that caused heavy pandemonium in Kaduna on Thursday.

According to the CP, the man who is a wood seller at the Old Panteka market in Kaduna was forced to park at the premises when he got an emergency call that his son just had convulsion and was to be rushed to

the hospital.

He said investigation by his men confirmed that there was a traffic jam around the Ahmadu Bello way when he got the distress call to attend to his family emergency , hence he parked in the premises and rushed out on foot to get a motorcycle.

“We have also gone to the hospital and have actually confirmed that his son was actually ill at that time.

“We have also confirmed that the vehicle is not carrying any Improvised Explosive Device (IED) or incriminating material, so we had to let him go,” he said.

“Some people had earlier come to our office, claiming to be her relatives but we insisted that we want the handing over covered by the media,” he said.

Omiyale blamed the frequency of accidents in the area on bad roads and recklessness among road users.

Responding, Obanla expressed gratitude to the FRSC officials and confirmed that all the items were intact.

“I don’t know that Nigerians can be this honest, I am very proud of this country”, she said. (NAN)

he pursuit of unity and peace should be uppermost in the mind of every citizen if Nigeria is to retrace its step to the path of glory, progress, growth and sustainable development.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, disclosed this in a message sent to Nigerians on the occasion the Eid-el-Fitr celebration signaling the end of the Ramadan fasting.

Aregbesola, who spoke through the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, said as a nation, leaders and followers need to forge a harmonious relationship for the betterment of the country.

He called on the Muslim faithful to draw from the lessons of Ramadan, which include spirit of commitment, Spartan discipline, obedience and love of Allah, and apply them to fellow men irrespective of ethnic and religious differences.

He enjoined the people of the state to always be law abiding and worthy ambassadors wherever they are .

The governor also condemned the sectarian violence by the militant Boko Haram group in some states in the north.

“I am always miffed by the activities of those who claim they are fighting on behalf of Allah. The Prophet Muhammad fought for his right to practise his religion, he never fought to compel people to worship according to the dictate of Islam.

“We should therefore come together and iron out our differences and resolve with strong conviction to work together as peoples from diverse backgrounds but with a common destiny,” Aregbesola said.

Bauchi seals up private clinic From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

B

auchi State government has sealed off the premises of Aminci Clinic and suspended its operating license pending the outcome of investigations into allegation of professional misconduct leveled against its owners.

A press release from the office of the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ishola Michael Adeyemi contained that the Clinic which is situated on Yakubu Wanka Street within Bauchi metropolis was sealed up

Sunday.

According to the State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Sani Abubakar Malami, the action followed a complaint from one Abubakar Buba against the clinic that two of his kidneys were allegedly removed by personnel of the clinic during a surgery operation performed on him.

The release said the Health Commissioner who led other officials of the Ministry under tight security. advised patients presently receiving medical attention to vacate the premises in their own interests.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

Your Money Guide How to invest wisely in your 20's It is never too late to start investing. You can always invest for your retirement at any age.

It is always a good idea to start investing as soon as possible.

Starting in your 20's gives you the greatest chance of actually achieving your financial goals and become a millionaire. Let's take a look at how a twenty something year old should invest and what to invest in.

How much to invest Individuals in their 20's often do not have as much to invest as older individuals. That is because the average salary is lower than the average middle aged investor. Individuals in their 20's can however invest a larger percentage of their earnings than older individuals. Twenty something's should start with at least 20% of their income going towards investing.

This is a great percentage because it is affordable and will get you in the habit of putting your money to work right away.

It only gets harder to save and invest the older you get. Building smart financial habits in your early years will make it easier for you to keep investing in your 30's 40's, 50's, and 60's. Every dollar that you put away today is one less dollar that will have to save tomorrow.

Where to put your money Your investment portfolio in your 20's should generally be geared to seeking high risk and high returns. Your early working years are the years when you can take the most risk. This is because most 20 year olds do not typically have a ton of financial obligations and a family to support. Your money can go towards trying to position your portfolio for maximum growth so that you are set by the time you are in your 40's.

A young investor's portfolio should be heavily tilted towards stocks. Young investors can afford to place at least 90% of their portfolios in equities. This can be buy purchasing individual stocks, exchange traded funds or by buying mutual funds. Since common stocks offer the greatest price appreciation, young investors should have exposure to individual stocks.

Quote Because I’m thinking in a broader way, I feel like I am able to make better decisions - Takafumi Horie

MONEY SENSE

PAGE 11

How to make wise career decisions A good career decision includes the combination of your interest, your financial concerns and a complete job satisfaction. Your career is required to meet all your professional aspirations as well as takes care of your personal life concerns. And to help you make a wise career decision, following is a list of most effective tried and tested tips & techniques: Research online: Use the net data bank to research careers. You can discover such careers and opportunities, you may have never heard of. Start your search on the basis of job related needs, your preparation for the concerned profile. Thus the two aspects of this decision is what the career/job has to offer you and what do you have to offer it.

Choose a combination of your passion and requirements: Consider all the needs and expectations that you crave for, from your job to choose

yourself a career. At the same time you must also consider what the concerned career/job has to offer you in terms of financial benefits, etc. Nothing can be better than getting a job that meets your personal needs as well your passion & happiness.

Undertake aptitude test: Undertaking aptitude tests can help you know where your aptitude lies and thus help you better decide your career. You can easily attend these tests online or at colleges, being held for higher level students.

Surf yellow pages: Getting creative and surf through the yellow pages. Try flipping the pages of the phone book or yellow pages and do some random selection of the company, managers to try with.

Differentiate your career from a job: A job can be a part of your career or a step towards your career, or it could be an instrument to pay your loans or credit. While

your job is a source to your livelihood; your career is your overall long term professional plan.

Your career must include pleasure along with accomplishments for you in line with your education and experience.

Be open to new opportunities: The randomness and evolving nature of this world keeps bringing out newer opportunities. Similarly the scopes of present occupations also do keep expanding. So don't limit yourself with specific options and be open to the new opportunities coming your way. Just keep your eyes and ears open.

Prioritize: Write a list of considerable points for you.

Identify your major drive and rate your values, what do you want most from your job. Is it money that you love most? Or you want to travel to different parts of the world? Or love interacting with different people? Once prepared he list match it with the profession you

have chosen and make a final decision.

Make your own decision: Parents taking decision for their children's career many a times lead them ending on career saturation or dead ends. As it's your life so the career decision also has to be yours. When career meets interest and passion, success automatically comes your way.

Analyze the financial considerations: You career along with satisfying your passion also does needs to meet your financial needs and pay you well. Money is important for all to get the instruments and means of life & happiness.

Scan the market: While deciding your career it is as well important to scan and analyze the market conditions. Going by the market trend you find much better and broader options ahead.

(Source: Ventures Africa)

Napoleon Hill's 17 Universal principles of success (II) Principle 7: Build a Positive Mental Attitude Positive mental attitude is the right mental attitude in all circumstances. Success attracts more success while failure attracts more failure. To govern your life, your must be able to govern your mind, and that is the starting point of all riches.

Principle 8: Control Your Enthusiasm Enthusiasm is faith in action.

It is the intense emotion known as burning desire. It comes from within, although it radiates outwardly in the expression of one's voice and countenance.

Enthusiasm is a contagious state of mind that not only helps you gain the cooperation of others but, more importantly, inspires you to draw upon and use the power of your imagination.

Principle 9: Self-Discipline Self-discipline begins with the mastery of thought. If you do not control your thoughts, you

cannot control your needs. Selfdiscipline calls for a balancing of the emotions of your heart with the reasoning faculty of your head. It is the only thing in life over which you have complete, unchallenged and unchallengeable control.

Principle 10: Accurate Thinking The power of thought is the most dangerous or the most beneficial power available to man, depending on how it is used. The accurate thinker recognises all the facts of life, both good and bad, and

assumes the responsibility of separating and organizing the two, choosing those which serve his needs and rejecting all others.

Principle 11: Controlled Attention Controlled attention leads to mastery in any type of human endeavor, because it enables one to focus the powers of his mind upon the attainment of a definite objective and to keep it so directed at will. The highest form of selfdiscipline, the act of coordinating all your mind's faculties and directing their combined power to a given end.

Principle 12: Inspire Teamwork Teamwork is harmonious cooperation that is willing, voluntary and free. Harmony based on a definite motive, teamwork is the medium through which great personal power may be attained; the willing cooperation and coordination of effort to achieve a specific objective.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

Abuja’s crippling fuel scarcity T

he scarcity of premium motor spirit (petrol) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, entered the fifth day yesterday and is still counting. The shortage is not the result of a demand and supply differential, but it has been artificially created by greedy fuel importers used to having their way with a hugely compromised federal government. To that extent, we agree with Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, that what the importers have done amounts to blackmail and economic sabotage.

At the heart of it is the controversy over fuel import subsidy claims.

Members of four importers’ associations who, for long, complained over what they alleged was “selective payment “ of subsidy claims by the Federal Ministry of Finance, had served the government with a sevenday strike notice which expired Wednesday, last week, after the two parties failed to reach an agreement.

The importers’ complaint was that the government owed them N200 billion in outstanding payments. Meanwhile, they were paying N3.7bn interest monthly on the bank facility they obtained to import fuel at 22 %.

However, the government is contesting that claim. According to Okonjo-Iweala, genuine subsidy claims had been N42.66bn between April and August this year. She said the government “is committed to transparent disbursement of subsidy and dialogue with (genuine) oil marketers”. In other words, she is

saying that those who engineered the Abuja fuel scarcity are not real importers and she has rightly labelled them “blackmailers”. According to her, “we are a nation and few people can’t hold the nation to ransom.”

We at Peoples Daily, however, fear that the minister and the government she represents are wrong on that point about ransom. There can be no doubt now that the oil marketers, genuine or not, have succeeded in bringing Abuja to

“

It would have been tolerable to most Nigerians if the fuel imports fed domestic consumption, but they never did. Indeed, most of the fuel found its way out of the country, not only because the importers made more money from taking it out but also because the country simply does not have the capacity to store the imported fuel a standstill these past five days; the bureaucracy has been crippled because civil servants cannot report in their offices, just as private businesses have been paralyzed. Commuter bus and taxi fares have more than doubled and the strike has fuelled an insidious black market. Lamentably, as usual, the government seems incapable of finding a way out of this quagmire.

And how can it? Firstly, government

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”

(not just this Jonathan administration) has been to blame for encouraging fuel importation rather than local refining of crude of which Nigeria is a world producer/exporter.

This has bred a cartel of importers that is pampered and parasitic. These same cartel members managed to get the Obasanjo government to grant them licences to set up refineries but they never did because they saw easy money in importation.

It would have been tolerable to most Nigerians if the fuel imports fed domestic consumption, but they never did. Indeed, most of the fuel found its way out of the country, not only because the importers made more money from taking it out but also because the country simply does not have the capacity to store the imported fuel.

Worse, subsidy became, and still is, a way to distribute patronage to those who pumped money into the electioneering campaigns of elected public offices holders. The House of Representatives’ ad hoc committee that investigated the mismanagement of the subsidy regime said that much in its report that forms the basis of the prosecution of some suspects by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). That the matter has come to trial at all is not so much because the government wanted it but because the majority of Nigerians, through their representatives in the National Assembly, pushed for it. We believe that successful prosecution of the cases in court will help to break the stranglehold of the cartel on the nation’s oil-driven economy.

OUR PEOPLE

OUR VISION

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

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ALI M. ALI

HEAD, ADVERT/MARKETING HUSSAINI ABDULRAHMAN, CNA

ACTING EDITOR, WEEKEND JAMILA NUHU MUSA

MANAGER, ADMINISTRATION HASSAN HAMMANYAJI

HEAD, LAGOS BUREAU ADESOJI OYINLOLA

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

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

By Reuben Abati

I

t is no longer enough to participate in the Olympics.

Nations go to the Olympics to win medals, because an Olympic victory is an effective vehicle of national rebranding and assertion.

The Jamaicans have Usain Bolt.

They beat the Americans in the 4x100 men's relay. They won 4 gold medals, broke two world records, and grabbed a total of 12 medals.

All that raised the level of Jamaican patriotism a few more notches. It was a case of a country reaffirming its confidence in its ability to impress the world. The Americans, forever sure of their own supremacy, were again excited by their dominance at the London 2012 Olympics.

They came first with the largest collection of individual heroes: Michael Phelps, Missy Franklin, Gabrielle Douglas, Serena Williams and more. China again wrote its name in gold.

Britain, good old Britain, almost a second or third fiddle or a nonstarter in many of the games that it gave to the world, this time around, showed up on the final medals table in the third position, with many of its athletes including Andy Murray, and Jessica Ennis, posting historic feats. Andy Murray who lost to Roger Federer only a few weeks earlier at the Wimbledon Finals, took the shine off the world's greatest tennis player convincingly.

The London Olympiad brought Britain clear intimations, and affirmations of glory, not just on the field, but also in the overwhelming applause that its organization of the events attracted worldwide. The games are over, now. Jamaicans are walking tall. Grenada, (pop., 105,000) is celebrating its single 400m gold medal. The nations that won nothing are ashamed. In 1996, Nigerians remained awake as the country's football team won gold, and Chioma Ajunwa took a long

By Lawrence Chinedu Nwobu

T

here has been a lot of noise and groundswell of anger about a nation with a population in excess of 100 million not winning a single medal in the Olympics. But Nigerians need not worry; if they want to scoop up practically all the gold medals in the next Olympics they should ask the Olympics committee to include corruption in the contest, for that is the one contest where Nigeria is guaranteed to defeat every other nation in the world.

There is no better display of Nigeria's potential winning streak in the Olympics than the passing of the relay race baton of looting to the younger generation which was evident in the recent arraignment of the sons of many prominent Nigerians in the $6.8 billion dollars (1.3 trillion naira) oil subsidy scam. Having run their course in the relay race of looting, the elder looters have now passed the baton of looting to their sons and younger siblings ensuring the championship of misrule and looting continues into the next generation.

The arraigned scammers knew the system works to protect criminals, thus with so much arrogance and contempt they practically smiled and laughed their way out of court having passed through the usual

PAGE 13

Jonathan and the London Olympics

jump gold at the Atlanta Olympics.

It was an unforgettably fine moment.

In 2008, Nigerians again found cause for cheer with four medals in Beijing. In 2012, we have returned empty-handed, and with jeremiads by the Sports Minister, the National Sports Commission, athletes, and an angry commentariat.

President Jonathan was angry too, I can report. On Wednesday, August 15, council meeting had just ended, and it was time for AOB. Something about setting up a committee to prepare the White Paper ASAP, on the report of the Presidential Committee on Police Reform and the volunteered, additional report on police reform by the Retired Inspectors General of Police Forum. Everyone was in a relaxed mood, until the President said he was surprised that the Minister of Sports had not briefed Council about the outcome of the London Olympics.

"You are taking your time eh", he said jokingly. "Okay, don't worry, we understand."Peals of laughter.

Then, the President's tone changed.

"How can we possibly go to the Olympics and come back with nothing?," he asked rhetorically.

"Four years ago, we did better. It is something that we have to address.

Nigeria is a country of talented people. We must identify those talents, all over Nigeria, and begin to train them for the next major sporting tournament. This idea of starting preparations at the last minute and achieving nothing must stop. We must get the private sector to invest in sports and governments at all levels must also do their bit.

We are a country of gifted people.

We must identify those areas in which this country can excel and work hard at them. We must win medals and bring glory to our nation.

"And I don't mean going to the bus stop to recruit athletes. I mean serious business. We must get our acts together.

"I remember one man who won an Olympic gold medal in the past.

A Nigerian!. When the medal was announced, they said it belonged to Canada, because the fellow was representing Canada. We have to address that too," he said.

The Minister of Sports raised his hand. The President acknowledged him.

"Minister, I have provoked you to say something at last. Okay, go ahead."

The Sports Minister thanked Mr. President for his concern, and the interest that Team Nigeria's performance had provoked with a pledge that his Ministry was prepared to do everything possible to address observed lapses.

The President's clear message was that winning glory for the nation through sports is not always about finance and money alone. It is also about higher values, commitment, patriotism and the determination to excel by all persons and at all levels.

"I watch these things on television. I listen to the commentaries. We have to take the matter seriously," said Mr. President.

A keen sportsman, himself, he understands the transformative power of sports: its psychological impact, its physical value, and its economic potential, its political strength and its ultimate relevance as a tool of international relations and diplomacy. At least twice a week, President Jonathan plays squash. I have watched him play at the State House Squash court, and in Government House, Yenagoa. He also plays table tennis.

Each time he picks up the racket or the tennis bat, he tells his opponents.

"You play your game. Don't say because I am President I must win.

Just play a normal game." And he goes into the match, a completely different man, sweating for victory. And the aides who take up the challenge, actually play hard and ferociously as if they had been sent by the ACN or CPC. But it never matters. The President is a sportsman. Gracious in victory, magnanimous in defeat.

A compulsive reviewer of situations, after every event, every trip, he wants a post-mortem. He wants serious criticism and honest ideas. And he keeps warning:"don't tell me what you think I want to hear. That is not the purpose of this meeting. I want us to move this country forward."

If there is any lesson arising from Nigeria's performance in the 2012 Olympics, it is that certain issues must be addressed. In Nigeria, excellent performance in sports is perhaps the strongest symbol of unity. Nigerians love sports. They enjoy victory. They crave it. When their country fails, the people mourn. The situation calls for leadership.

Faced with our performance in London, President Jonathan believes that it is time to have a comprehensive rethink of sports administration in Nigeria with a view to working out a clear and implementable strategy for returning Nigerian sportsmen and women to winning ways.

As one who sees him up close and personal each day, I know the President will insist on a thorough review of our entire sports architecture. He will get all critical stakeholders and actors to sit together to identify what went wrong and the best way forward. If it means revisiting the past and reviving the culture of the private sector sponsoring yearly athletic

The triumph of corruption ritual of a bail after which like so many other cases, nothing will be heard of it again.

Those who remotely harboured thoughts of a better Nigeria in future should think again. It will definitely not happen without a fight. The future has already been mortgaged to the vampires of corruption as is evident with the passing of baton from one generation of looters to another.

Anybody who watched the Lagos fuel subsidy debate http:// w w w . y o u t u b e . c o m / watch?v=RLd8o8z-2CU would have noticed the revelations of mind boggling looting, how shipments of fuel are first logged in Lagos to ensure payment from the federal government then diverted to other African countries and resold. The sordid tales of massive theft that came out from the subsidy debate signals a nation

whose cancer of corruption has reached terminal stage.

Corruption in Nigeria has a long history. From the first republic, the hues and cries of corruption was already in the air, but the first republic remained largely free of deliberate and organized looting of public funds.

With the arrival of the military in the aftermath of the January 1966 coup, corruption commenced its slight but subtle accent. The second republic marked a significant departure from the hitherto modest levels of corruption. Under President Shehu Shagari, large scale corruption was birthed. The foster child and a prominent fugitive of the second republic reportedly stole in excess of 2 billion naira, consequently birthing the era of the 'billion naira loot' which has since progressed to the era of the "trillion naira loot."

“

The final act and nail on the coffin was provided by the regime of a former president in which era corruption became institutionalised. All government contracts, appointments and institutions became a means of patronage and settlement. The monumental institutionalization of corruption of that era was carried on into the next. By the time the democratic experiment began in 1999, Nigeria had been nurtured and indoctrinated into a system of institutionalized corruption that touched every facet of life for an unbroken period of 14 years from 1985 to 1999.

The democratic experiment of the fourth republic which some hoped would herald a turning point has turned out an unmitigated disaster. After 13 years of democracy and the longest oil boom in the nation's history,

Those who remotely harboured thoughts of a better Nigeria in future should think again. It will definitely not happen without a fight. The future has already been mortgaged to the vampires of corruption

meets like the Mobil Open and such like, then we must revive that. If it takes a reinvigoration of the InterHouse sports tradition in our secondary schools then it will be done.

If it means developing sports academies in every state, then that must be undertaken.

But certainly, what Nigeria must do is to properly utilize her sporting assets. Many sportsmen and women of Nigerian origin won medals for various nations including the U.S, U.K and Canada to mention a few. What makes them choose to fly another nation's colours? Is it remuneration? Is it alienation from Nigeria? Whatever it is must be identified and addressed.

These and other steps I see the President taking.

President Jonathan is determined to transform the country's sports sector. That is one silver lining to the clouds of Nigeria's Olympic 2012 defeat. What he requires, however, is not the cynicism of the commentariat, not the brittleness of the naysaying absolutists, not the one track-mindedness of the opposition, not the hypocrisy of sports bureaucrats, rather a national team spirit -that same spirit that propelled Nigeria to its Olympic glory in 1996 and the Flying Eagles to the miracle of Damman in 1989. What this moment requires is not rhetoric, but action.

Fittingly, when the Minister of Information went ahead to brief the press about Council's deliberations, the Sports Minister was not with him as convention requires. He had gone ahead as directed to begin the process of change in the sports sector.

Dr. Reuben Abati is the Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to President Goodluck Jonathan.

monumental corruption has continued unabated. Practically every stratum of government and society from the states to the federal government, the private sector to the judiciary and even religious organisations are steeped in massive theft. What has become obvious is that the fundamental problem of leadership and corruption has more to do with the character, values and quality of the leaders than with the system of government. Nigeria has had both military and democratic regimes all of which have been failures, whereas nations such as China, Qatar and others ruled by unelected dictators and monarchs have overseen the unprecedented development of their nations and provided some of the most accountable governance to their citizens.

With the daily reports of billions and trillions being looted without any consequence, it has become obvious that corruption has all but triumphed in Nigeria. It's time to stop pretending and consider renaming Nigeria the "federal republic of corruption" so that she can officially take her ignoble seat as the most corruption nation in the world and go on to win every Olympic gold medal in corruption.

Lawrence Chinedu Nwobu is reachable on lawrencenwobu@yahoo.com

PAGE 14

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

Limping home from the Olympics

By John Igoli

S

everal articles and commentaries have been written or statements made decrying our poor performance in the recently concluded Olympic Games in London. If medals were to be awarded to nationals who have been able to give reasons for their country's poor performance, Nigerians would have won the gold medal.

Unfortunately words are not enough to win medals in sporting events.

Our performance was not just disastrous; it was cantabulous as we limped home from the Olympics without medals.

As a young boy playing table tennis in Benin City, I never imagined that the word 'cantab' was not in the English Dictionary. 'Cantab' was a term used to describe a situation where a player's score is double or more than double that of an opponent. A

very good player will visitors would have cantabbed lives. The number of elected confidently boast of the athletes too. The amount leaders we did not vote for are cantabbing a weak one. It is a of money spent for the Games more than double the ones we humiliation and usually no was more than double the voted to win. Assurances one comes back from a number of medals won! The US given by governments are than double the cantabbed situation to win a basketball team more than more game. I believe it is time the cantabbed their Nigerian reassurances we get and the promises are word is much more considered for than double inclusion into t h e our lexicon or Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text fulfilments. else into messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written The number of games such as contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 t h e table tennis, words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and unemployed volleyball, a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed has eclipsed f o o t b a l l , to: the vacancies athletics available; it is especially in now almost long distance The Editor, 5,000 job races where Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, seekers to one the leading 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. vacancy now. runner has Email: let ters@peoplesdaily-online.com Dare advertise lapped the SMS: 07037756364 a promising slow ones! government or Nigerians were cantabbed in several opponents. Even Nigeria's agency job! The number of ways during the Games. First supporters from other nations corruption cases reported far the Nigerian born athletes were truly disappointed not to exceeds the number of competing for other countries see our football team playing prosecutions and convictions were more than double the in the Games. if any.

However we are used to this number we took for the games.

Years ago a lecturer Secondly our officials and situation in all aspects of our concluded that an evidence

WRITE TO US

for the belief that bad human beings reincarnate as lower animals is the fact that good people leave the bad countries and m i g r a t e t o b e t t e r o n e s while bad people from good countries will reincarnate in bad countries. Thus the number of good people in good countries will increase while correspondingly the number of bad people will increase in the bad countries. As far fetched as this logic might seem, the fact that our good athletes are competing for good countries and even the good ones that competed for Nigeria may not be returning 'home' to Nigeria is quite disturbing.

Soon the population of bad people in Nigeria will cantab the good people and the few good ones may not be able to influence the bad ones any longer. This situation may be here already!

John Igoli is reachable on igolij@yahoo.com

State police: See what governors have done to local govts

By Anthony Okosun

T

he raging debate on state police in Nigeria is interesting. Without a shadow of doubt, the Nigerian Police, as presently constituted, is an overstretched outfit that has completely transmogrified from the template of its original designers and founders.

Information available on the website of the Nigerian Police Force states: In April 1861, the British Consul in Lagos obtained permission from his principal in London to establish a Consular Guard comprising of 30 men. Two years later in 1863, this small body of men became known as the "Hausa Guard". It was further regularized in 1879 by an Ordinance creating a Constabulary for the Colony of Lagos. An Inspector-General of Police commanded this Force recruited mainly from Hausas and known as the "Hausa Constabulary". On 1st January 1896, the Lagos Police Force was created and armed like the "Hausa Constabulary". While the developments were taking place in Lagos and part of the Yoruba heartland, the areas now known as Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, River and Cross River States were declared the Oil Rivers protectorate in 1891 with Headquarters at Calabar where an armed constabulary was formed. In 1893 the area was proclaimed the Niger Coast.

Constabulary, modeled on the Hausa Constabulary, was formed. It existed for six years and featured prominently in the British expedition to Benin in 1896. In the Northern parts

of the Country the Royal Niger Company, which was granted a Royal Charter in 1886 by the British Government, set up the Royal Niger Constabulary in 1888 with Headquarters at Lokoja to protect its installations along the banks of the River Niger. It had a mounted company known as Carrol's Hoses. The Royal Niger Constabulary played an important role in British campaigns against Bida and Ilorin. When the British Government in 1900 following the transfer of administration from the Royal Niger Company proclaimed protectorates of Northern and Southern Nigeria, the Royal Niger Constabulary was split into the Northern Nigeria Police Force and the Northern Nigeria Regiment. In the South, the Lagos Police Force and part of the Niger Coast Constabulary became the southern Nigeria Police Force in 1906 while the bulk of the Niger Coast Constabulary formed the southern Nigeria Regiments.

It is very obvious from the above reproduced that the Force was founded and designed to help the British colonial overlords subjugate indigenous Nigerian Kingdoms and to help facilitate the establishment of British colonial rule and domination in the areas now collectively known as Nigeria.

The mission of the Nigerian Police Force as originally designed by the British founders was very narrow. Subjugate, conquer and rule.

Since the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates of Nigeria and the Colony of Lagos; the new geo socio-economic and political entity known as Nigeria has

been galloping upwardly, development wise, in every sector. In recent time and with the unprecedented advancements in science and technology, the world has become an information village.

The Pulitzer Prize winning writer for the New York Times, Thomas L. Friedman, described the modern world as flat. The flatness referred to by Thomas Friedman is about the world becoming very global in the way communities all across the globe now operate inter dependably. This new found inter dependency is a superstructure that is predicated on a newly evolved sophistication in every sphere of human engagement.

Invariably the Nigerian Police force that was founded to help entrench colonialism has now become so much overstretched in an attempt to reposition the force and make it potent and vibrant enough to fight crime and engage in other Police functions germane to an information age society.

Modern Nigeria is a behemoth. The responsibilities of a modern Police institution are now as sophisticated as they are varied. i.e Urban crime control, fighting terrorism, fighting narcotics trafficking, fighting cybercrimes, fighting money laundering et al. It would therefore be ridiculous to leave the duty of keeping Nigeria safe in the hands of the Nigerian Police Force as a single unitary institution. The problems of very low pay and lack of proper functional equipments to enable the Police carry out their functions is also very well known. All past Nigerian federal administrations have

all tried to deal with these problems; to no avail. Truth is: Nigeria is too huge and complex for a single police authority like the Nigeria Police Force.

At this juncture one would naturally begin to consider the option of state police. As attractive as that option is; one must thread that path very cautiously. In more advanced societies, there are federal police, that is, the American Federal Bureau of Investigation, State Police establishments, and City or County Police. Even very big institutions like Universities and Parks have their own Police outfits. The problem with Nigeria is that Nigerian State Governors would without doubt convert State Police outfits under their control to instruments for pursuing and executing their political whims, nuances and caprices.

Local government authorities should be autonomous and they are universally allowed to operate in an autonomous capacity even in communist China.

Governors have turned the local governments that should normally constitute the third tier of government, into extensions of state government institutions. The finances of local governments are usually subjected to redistribution by state governors. These same state governors jealousy protect their autonomous status when dealing with the federal government. Governors have the intestinal fortitude to dissolve duly elected local government councils at will and impose their cronies on the people who elected such

dismissed elected council officials.

Local government council chairmen are mere glorified "houseboys" of the governors.

They serve at the pleasure and will of the "almighty" governors who care less about local government autonomy and care even less about the people's right to elect their own local government representatives.

Governors have completely bastardized the local government system. It is against the background of the above reality that I harbour my reservation vis a vis the wisdom in allowing the states to keep their own Police institutions.

There is no question that home grown terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery, cyber-crimes et al have all eaten very deep into the very fabric of the Nigerian society.

However, we must very deeply apply caution as we consider the option of State Police and ensure that if and when implemented State Governors are checked and not allowed to turn such police institutions into their private armies for the persecution of political enemies.

As Nigeria considers the state police option, the issue of local government autonomy must be re-visited.

Local governments must also be allowed to maintain law and regulation enforcement para-military institutions.

Local governments must be delivered from the oppression and shackles of state governors before the States are allowed to maintain their own police force.

Anthony Okosun can be reached on tonyosun@yahoo.co.uk.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

PAGE 15

The plot against Akume and matters arising

By John Iyoryue Ukeyina

L

ast week, former Benue state governor, Dr. George Akume, survived a plot to unseat him as the Senate Minority Leader. In our nascent democracy, impeachments are not rarities, so even the plot against Akume may have passed as another such democratic commotion.

Except that in this case, the plot had a sub-plot; and the sub-plot was the main plot.

In other words, as strange as it may seem, it was the subplot that conceived the illfated plot and nurtured it. In reversed application, one can say although the voice was that of Esau, the hands, those malevolent hands, were those Jacob. It is one of those classic cases of the more you look, the less you see. Call it the illogic of depraved politics.

Looking back, one can only be thankful that the progressive formation of the political class, both within and outside the senate, overwhelmed its reactionary counter-point by effectively aborting the sinister plot, and with alacrity too.

Akume's party called a spade a spade when it placed the orchestration of the subplot squarely at the door-steps of the leadership of the Senate.

Put differently, the part believes that Senate President David Mark was behind it.

Of course, his office came out to counter the ACN position with a half-hearted

By Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa

D

aily Trust's editorial on de-registration of political parties, dated Wednesday, August 2012, lacks democratic essence, realism, balanced consideration, and is reactionary journalism.

On democratic essence, you seem to prefer political convenience to free formation and growth of political parties.

You seem to ignore relevant sections of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Government of Nigeria regarding the power of Nigerians (the electorate) to decide the fate of political parties and their election candidates.

Remember that limitation of the number of political parties and their election candidates were first introduced in Nigeria by the military as part of their impositions before the handover of power to civilians which led to the second Republic. The military was concerned about who they were handing over power to because they might decide to come back.

During the colonial time and the first Republic, there were no attempts to restrict

statement that sounded lame and unconvincing, to even itself. So to the discerning minds, the matter is as clear as day.

But to the undiscerning for whom the fine prints of this sub-plot are not so evident, it is recommended that they read between the lines. A trip down the memory lane will also be helpful.

George.

And on account of his admirable eight-year stewardship, made even superlative or spectacular by subsequent executive bunglings, Akume was elected senator in 2007 to represent Benue Zone B in Nigeria's most exclusive club. This was after he risked his political career and even his life to join the

“

With such liabilities, Akume's popular standing became a source of deep worry, and by 2009, the Akume-phobia in Abuja found support in Government House, Makurdi (GHM); thus crystallizing into the Stop-AkumeAt-all-Cost Movement.

As a foundation member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 1998, Akume competitively secured the gubernatorial ticket of the party in Benue state, and went ahead to decisively win the governorship election; thus emerging as the state's third executive governor.

George, as he is fondly known by his throng of admirers, went on to repeat the feat in 2003 when the Benue electorate chorused: It is still

nation-wide democratic movement that ultimately defeated ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo's obnoxious Third Term bid.

It is indeed ironical that when this consummate democrat went to the senate, he had the misfortune of sitting with some people with very brief democratic CVs; people of abbreviated political morality; but worse, people whose successiveelectoral wins derive, not from the

the number of political parties and candidates by fiat. The power was exercised by the electorate and hence fewer political parties and candidates survived. This was democracy and free formation of political parties and their growth.

On realism, how can any sound arbiter (which the DailyTrust editorial pretends to be), judge between the present so called big and "real bona fide parties" and others, when stolen public money and incumbency powers are the deciding factors in politics and elections and not self reliance, patriotism, and financial contributions of party members.

Financing of political parties by the government contributed to overregulation of politics and political parties, unwieldiness, illogicalities, bottlenecks to the conduct of elections, cumbersomeness, nuisance, and other nightmares of INEC which the editorial mentioned, as well as the incompetence and lack of independence of the

electoral management body.

In any case, financing of political parties by government stopped many years ago and it was just N6m yearly for each political party; hardly enough for a village head area in our money politics. Can you say that your "bonafide" political parties individually and, or collectively are changing the negative state of the Nation?

Why then bother to judge in

ballot box, but rather from serial subterfuges and executive, nay, presidential, IOUs. Dr. Akume was the popular candidate for the Senate Presidency in 2007, but then it was also time for the vengeful Obasanjo to exact his pound of flesh, and with his strangle-hold on the PDP as the chairman of its BoT, it was easy for him to thwart the majority will, using the instrumentality of the party apparatus.Once again, political IOUs, and not popular support, came into play.

And once again, consensus won and democracy lost.

Incidentally, if the Third Term Project had succeeded, the power-sharing formula would subsist, the senate presidency would remain in the South-East geo-political zone, and David Mark, from the North-Central, would not be the senate president. As it were, he became the chief beneficiary of what others laboured for.

In the queerarithmetic of Nigerian politics, Mark ate his cake and still had it.

With such liabilities, Akume's popular standing became a source of deep worry, and by 2009, the Akume-phobia in Abuja found support in Government House, Makurdi (GHM); thus crystallizing into the StopA k u m e - at - a l l - co s t movement.

Although this eventuated in the distinguished senator

dumping the PDP for the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), he emerged nonetheless better for it. Not only did he make a mockery of the so-called executive might by renewing his senatorial mandate with a landslide win, he was elected the Senate Minority Leader; albeit with temper tantrums from the high quarters of reaction.

It is in this context that one can locate and appreciate the sub-plot against Akume. But a thorough appreciation of the matter raises some posers.

What does Mark have against Akume? Why is he opposed to h i s p o s i t i o n a s Minority Leader? Is Akume's m e m b e r s h i p o f t h e se n a t e ma n a g e m e n t committee making him privy to certain information and discussions which is, in turn,making Mark and his entourage uncomfortable? Why is the PDP continuing its meddling in opposition affairs? Does it wish to colonize all the senate positions, to wit; Senate president, Majority Leader, Minority Leader etc?

Well, with the coup against Akume foiled and the ACN leadership expressing its unflinching support for him, perhaps, it is time for the Senate and its under-engaged leadership to re-direct its energies into more productive ventures.

their favour against the others?

You said in many mature democracies predominance of few number of parties is the norm. Is Nigeria a mature democracy?

What is democratic about the fundamental state of the Nigerian nation? Do these democracies deregister political parties? You should know better!

On balance, section 40 of the 1999 constitution of the

Federal republic of Nigeria makes it quite clear that a political party that has been accorded recognition by the commission cannot be deregistered. It says: "every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, and in particular he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any other association for the protection of his interests: provided that the provision of this section shall not derogate from the power conferred by this constitution on INEC with respect to political parties to which that commission does not accord recognition".

Is the editorial calling for underground political movements by other means to take care of the Natural rights of the aggrieved Nigerians where and when the rights are denied?

John IyoryueUkeyima wrote in from Garki, Abuja.

This is reactionary journalism

“

You said in many mature democracies predominance of few number of parties is the norm. Is Nigeria a mature democracy? What is democratic about the fundamental state of the Nigerian nation? Do these democracies deregister political parties? You should know better!

Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa is the National Chairman of the Peoples' Redemption Party and Conference of Nigerian political Parties (CNPP)

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

Demolition: Mpape traders count losses as thousands flee area

By Stanley Onyekwere

R

eactions have continued to trail last week’s demolition of the popular Friday market in Mpape district by the Development Control Department of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), contrary to August 31 earlier scheduled date for the commencement of the planned demolition of 19 settlements in the FCT, of which Mpape is one.

Some residents of the area have condemned the action, describing it as the height of cruelty and deception.

The traders, who described the action as most unfortunate, lamented the loss of properties and goods worth millions of Naira alleged that over 100 shops were destroyed by ravaging bulldozers of the demolition squad.

Some of the affected traders, who were seen removing their wares from the debris, alleged that their goods were looted by some ruffians while the demolition was still going on and after it ended as they were taken unaware, without enough time to evacuate their goods prior to the exercise.

Peoples Daily observed that when the demolition was going on, some residents living in shanties and houses near the market moved out their belongings from the area for fear that their homes might be pulled down in the process.

Most of the people who spoke to our reporter expressed

One of the shops demolished in Mpape recently dissatisfaction over the manner in which their only source of livelihood was razed and reduced to rumbles within a twinkle of an eye, despite that the planned demolition of the area is being challenged in a high court by affected residents.

This, they further lamented is coupled with several appeals and outcry

Residents of Mpape scampered for safety with their belongings.

from civil organisations and the public against it.

According to a trader, Ikemadu John, the damage done to the owners of the affected structures in the market cannot be quantified as most traders had stocked their shops with goods ahead of the market day being Friday, when activities there get to its climax.

Photos: Justin Imo-Owo

“I have laboured for years to build my venture and my only source of livelihood that got destroyed in split seconds along with my goods inside, bringing me now to point zero. Is this what democracy is all about?”, he expressed.

Similarly, another trader in the market, Musa Aliyu, said he was not able to remove all his wares as he was taken aback by the invasion and demolition of the market.

“Now that they (government) have destroyed our shops and driven us out of this place with the remnant of our hard earned ventures, I wonder where they expect us to relocate to and how to survive virtually with nothing”, he said.

Sadly, some of the traders told our reporter that they paid an undisclosed sum to some market officials to make use of the space allocated to them.

On his part, a cement retailer, Adekunle Oye, said he lost over 15 bags of cement in the process as the bulldozers descended on his goods and forced a handful of them opened, which could not be recover.

“Although we heard the demolition was supposed to come up sometime in August, some whose rent expired, decided to renew it and remain at the market, hoping

that the government would rescind its decision and handle the matter with human face, having the interest of the masses at heart; because most of us had nowhere to take our goods to”, he disclosed.

Meanwhile, our investigations revealed a continuous mass exodus of inhabitants of the area at the weekend as many residents in their thousands, were seen moving out of the area with their properties in trucks and heavy duty vehicles for fear of further surprises by the FCDA before the stipulated dateline.

According to an Engineer, Princewil Uzoma, who owns a workshop along the major road leading in and out of the area, since last Thursday’s incident, thousands of residents have continued to flee the area to other villages and towns in the FCT, including those in neighbouring Nasarawa and Niger states respectively for fear of being taken unaware by the FCTA bulldozers.

“Since I have been witnessing demolition and movement of settlers of demolished structures, I had never seen the kind of mass movement of people in thousands with their belongings immediately they concluded the exercise”, he said.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

PAGE 18

Nine year-old-boy electrocuted to death in Jikwoyi

By Josephine Ella

T

ragedy strucked yesterday morning at the State Security Service (SSS) Quarters in Jikwoyi as a nine year-old-boy, Hassan Sani Abubakar was electrocuted to death.

Abubakar, a twin and a lover of pet, had left his family house located in Jikwoyi, to the SSS quarters in

the area to feed his Pigeon when he met his sudden death.

An eye witness told our correspondent that late Hassan, a son of an Abuja based journalist, climbed an overhead water tank platform to feed the Pigeon when he slipped off.

The witness, who pleaded anonymity, said that in an attempt to regain balance, Abubakar unknowingly, held unto a naked electric cable belonging to the Power

Holding Company of Nigeria( PHCN) which electrocuted him to death.

Residents of the SSS quarters, who know the parents of the deceased on sighting him rushed to inform his father, Alhaji Sani Abubakar, who then mobilised able bodied men to bring down the remains of the deceased..

The father of the deceased, who is the Abuja Bureau Chief of Nigerian Newsday Newspaper and Vice

Chairman of the FCTA press corps while narrating his ordeal in an interview said his late son was an ardent lover of pets particularly Pigeons.

He said his love for Pigeon has often taken so much of his attention from other curricula activities including house hold assignments.

“Because of his addiction to the Pigeons , I had instructed my late child to remove them from the compound so that he concentrate. But unknown

to me, he kept the Pigeons at the SSS quarters which is not far from my house,” Sani explained.

Furthermore, he explained that: “late Hassan woke up early this morning and went straight to look after his pets. I was unfortunately woken up from sleep to be informed of the sad event and rushed to the scene”.

The deceased has since been buried according to Islamic injunction.

Sallah : NURTW doles out gifts to over 300 members

By Adeola Tukuru The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Area 1 branch in Garki, Abuja has distributed various gift items worth N300,000 to over 300 members of the association, who operate in the axis of Area 1 and Berger junction.

Unit Chairman of the association, Edo Jolly said that the gesture was part of the effort of the association to support members during Eidel-fitr celebrations.

Jolly told journalists that such welfare packages is aimed at promoting unity in diversity among members, who are Muslims and Christians in the country, adding it could help to foster national integration as well as curb insecurity and violence common in the country.

He expressed satisfaction with his members who have used the period of the fasting to pray for the national peace and security in the country, adding that it was in recognition of this that his unit decided to reward members for their sacrifice during the fast.

The chairman explained that such arrangement was part of the union’s strategies for recognizing drivers for their day to day contribution toward national development in the country.

He further stressed that if drivers pay their daily tickets as well as other levies, there was nothing wrong if they are encouraged through token gift items among other items, for them to do more for the union and the nation in general.

Jolly also called on other drivers who are not part of his union to as a matter of urgency rush in and register in order for them to benefit from many incentives available to those who are already members.

He also warned members against recklessness while driving, emphasizing that life has no duplicate, as he stressed the need for them to always obey all traffic rules and regulations as such was meant to protect their lives and those of their passengers.

Federal Secretariat deserted yesterday during the Sallah celebration, in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Insecurity: NGO tasks youth to shun terrorism

By Adeola Tukuru

A

non-governmental organization, (NGO) under the auspices of Unity in Diversity Initiative, (UIDI), has appealed to Nigerian youths to shun all forms of terrorism in the country, embrace peace, unity and tranquility.

The Chairman, Federal Capital Territory(FCT) chapter of the association, Rev. Benneth Mozie,

condemned the rampant bomb blasts in some parts of the country and appealed to the perpetrators to desist from such evil acts for the country to move forward.

Mozie also urged the youths to take advantage of every programs that runs in concert with Mr. President Goodluck Jonthan’s agenda, which he said would contribute immensely to nation development.

He further enjoined all Nigerians to exhibit spirit of nationalism and patriotism by appealing to them not

to be allowed to be deceived by unscrupulous elements, who for selfish reasons would like to take undue advantage of security in the country to plant ill-feelings in their hearts against any ethnic or religious groups.

He added that: “It has become more evident that the hostilities of the terrorist groups operating mostly in the North are neither ethnic, nor religious, but complexity of political and other considerations which the Federal Government (FG) is

tackling”.

The chairman further explained that the aims and objectives of the organization were to: promote love, trust and mutual respect and international organizations in order to promote international relationship and stable democracy.

He promised that the organization would be organizing soft loans and credit facilities for those in need to enable them become selfdependent.

Town Planners’ Day: Bala, Pepple to discuss challenges of Abuja on Thursday

By Josephine Ella

T

he Minister of the Federal Capital TerritoryFCT), Senator Bala Mohammed and the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ms Amal Pepple are among top government officials expected to brainstorm on building resilient cities within Abuja, the nation’s capital as focal point on Thursday, August 23, 2012.

As part of the activities being organised to mark the 2012 Town Planners’ Day, the discussion is expected to proffer strategies towards developing the necessary resilience to respond to various challenges in Abuja.

According to a statement by the organisers of the event, Town

Planners Association of Nigeria, Abuja must be resilient to various challenges and still be able to maintain essentially the same functions, structures, system and identity to become a world class city.

The statement noted that cities need to begin exploring effective

strategies for developing greater capacities for coping with the future shocks and stresses to its social, economic, technical systems and infrastructures as they confront the challenges of energy scarcity, climate and population changes, security concerns, natural and

human induced disasters, among others.

The immediate past President, Commonwealth Association of Planners Professor Cliff Hague from United Kingdom is expected as the guest speaker of the event slated to hold at Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

Man, 31,in court for alleged reckless driving

T

he police has arraigned Terna Tankyaa, 31, of Millennium Builders Plaza before an Abuja Magistrate’s Court for alleged reckless and inconsiderate driving.

The police prosecutor, Buba Irimiya, told the court that the offence was committed on Aug. 1 along Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway, Abuja, when the accused drove in a

very careless manner which resulted in an accident.

Irimiya said in the course of the reckless driving, the accused hit a BMW car belonging to one Adamu Abdulahi of Area 8, Garki, Abuja.

He said the offence contravenes Section 28 and 29 of Road Transport Authority.

The accused, however, pleaded

not guilty to the offence.

Presiding Magistrate, Musa Jobbo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 and a surety in like sum who must have a fixed and reliable address, and reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

Jobbo adjourned the case to September 19, 2012 for hearing.

(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

PAGE 17

Women and children relaxing at Millenium park, Abuja as part of Sallah celebration yesterday.

Abuja funs seekers, using the Sallah break to play local lottery, yesterday in Central Children taking advantage of Sallah holiday to catch fun at a recreational park in Abuja.

Area, Abuja.

A boy performing his Eid-el-fitri prayer, on Sunday, in Abuja.

NNPC filling station under lock and key, yesterday in Wuse 2, Abuja.

Photos: Justin Imo-owo

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

PAGE 21

‘Asusu’: A growing alternative to conventional banking N

o doubt, the nation’s financial landscape has evolved over time.

Since the debut of the first financial institution in Nigeria over ten decades ago, activities and various attempts at financial intermediaries have continued to grow in this part of the globe.

Interestingly, various developments and reforms witnessed in the sector have made competition among players keener, more competitive and interesting.

For instance, it is worthy of note that today’s banking is fast going beyond the banking halls.

In other words, unlike in the distant past when banking activities were limited to the banking halls, modern innovations and global trends are fast bringing banking to the doorsteps of the customers.

“No bank in this new dispensation expects to sit back and get results. They are gradually prospecting for customers. Hence, the intense aggression noticed among operators of late, are some of these strategies of shoring up their capital base,” said a banker, while speaking on the developments in the nation’s banking sector.

Undoubtedly, Asusu, a fund to which a group of individuals make fixed contributions of money at fixed intervals with total amount contributed by the entire groups assigned to each of the members in rotation, is becoming increasingly popular among individuals and corporate bodies, as a form of shoring up their financial fortunes and enhancing their economic powers.

Interestingly, unlike in the past when such a form of informal banking was limited to the unlettered individuals in the society, the bug is fast catching on with the elite and even corporate organisations that would, hitherto, not touch the idea with a long spoon.

“It is a reflection of the signs of the time. It is apparent that every attempt at reaching the unbanked in the society and empower them in the past had failed,” argued Abubakar Sani, a Business Administration graduate from Kaduna Polytechnic, who now runs a small business centre in Kaduna.

According to him, he had to resort to a weekly contribution with some other business owners within the complex, where his business is situated, since every attempt to improve his business fortunes through all the conventional banking initiatives had not yielded the desired results.

As intense as the competition to mop-up capital seems to be, not a few believe the nation's banks are still not really discharging their financial intermediary role effectively, a development which has given rise to factors that have re-defined the nation's banking landscape. Aminu Imam reports on the increasing popularity and acceptance of 'Asusu', a form of an economic institution common among traditional communities in Nigeria which has been ascribed as an alternative banking in the nation's financial sector of late.

“

Traditional 'Asusu' a great way saving small business funds “There was a time I opened some accounts with some micro-finance banks in the neighbourhood because I felt the micro- finance scheme was actually meant for businesses like mine, but unfortunately, the accounts I opened with the banks went down the drains because as promising as the bank looked then, it went under within few months of being in operation,” he stated.

However, Sani is not alone.

Raheem also decided to organise a form of informal banking with his friends, when there was a pressing need to meet some domestic projects.

“I wanted to change my vehicle and I knew it would be very difficult for me to save up the money. I had to enter into this Asusu banking initiative and within a few months, I was able to raise money to buy another vehicle; something that would have been impossible with the conventional banking,” he

stated.

A banker and finance expert, Mr. Biyi Adesuyi agrees with the fact that this unconventional form of banking is increasingly becoming popular in this part of the world.

This he attributed to lack of confidence in the nation’s conventional banks.

“Some people believe in the Asusu arrangement because they don’t require documentation for opening of an account, filling a form for deposit or withdrawal.

“Besides, they know themselves. So, it makes the informal arrangement very easy. Decisions are taken more quickly and it is easier for members to get access to funds to meet their needs than getting such funds at the conventional banks,” he said.

While he agrees that the arrangement is increasingly sweeping the rugs off the feet of the nation’s conventional

financial institutions, especially the micro-finance banks, he, however, believes that it is not without its own risks.

“It is easy to lose money and the victim would not be able to seek redress. While it is safer to organise such things among a group of friends, it is very risky to do so with those people that have their own Asusu organisations.

“We’ve witnessed cases where those mobile bankers who go out to collect such funds from their clients on a daily basis, make away with the money, leaving those that have contributed the funds gnashing their teeth,” he argued.

Adesuyi also believes that the implications of the growing number of these Asusu organisations for the economy are very grave.

“It is a reflection of the inadequacies of the formal banking system, in the sense

Interestingly, unlike in the past when such a form of informal banking was limited to the unlettered individuals in the society, the bug is fast catching on with the elite and even corporate organisations that would, hitherto, not touch the idea with a long spoon. that their services are not tailored to suit the unique needs of the people. And it also means that a huge volume of bankable funds go with this,” he stated.

Not a few believe that the regulatory authorities and the nation’s financial institutions would have to re-invent the products in their portfolio to be able to meet the needs of this type of people. This, they believe, is the only way to check the growing number of Asusu organisations competing for every micro-finance space with the conventional banks.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

PAGE 22

Kogi govt targets N1bn internally generated revenue monthly G

ov. Idris Wada of Kogi has set up a machinery to overhaul the state internal revenue generating mechanism to enable it to achieve a target of N1 billion monthly.

Wada announced the plan in Lokoja on Sunday while interacting with newsmen during the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

He described the state revenue profile of N200 million monthly as too little and unacceptable.

The governor said that considering that the state had very little resources, his administration on inception, set up a committee to assess the revenue situation.

He said the government later set up a committee of permanent secretaries to go round other states, including Lagos and Kano, that were doing well in revenue generation to learn from them. ''Where we see things happening we go there and learn, come back, modify what we learnt and apply it.

“My immediate target is

about a billion naira a month and we will get that very quickly,'' the governor said.

He said another strategy that the government had adopted to increase the revenue was to attract internal and external investments, adding that his recent trip to China was part of it.

He said that during the trip,

he signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the second largest government-owned private sector company in China for investments in mining and Infrastructure..

“I am creating an atmosphere of Good Governance, transparency, accountability and equity and people see my body language, they know my

antecedents and they are willing to come and establish in the state,'' Wada said.

He said the business environment in Kogi was conducive , adding, ''we want to encourage local investors because before foreign investors come to your country, they want to know what local investors are doing.'' (NAN)

Edo farmers lament unavailability of fertiliser

F

armers in Edo have decried the unavailability of fertilisers for their use, in spite of the operation of e-wallet system of distribution of the commodity as recently introduced by Federal Government.

They lamented that they had been without the cropenhancement farming input since the commencement of the current farming season, noting that they had gone through 95 per cent of the season’s activities without the fertilisers.

Coordinator of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in

Edo-North senatorial district, Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Auchi that the situation was discouraging to the farmers. ”We are in August and I can tell you that no farmer in this state has received one grain of fertilizer and we are at a loss on what to do”, he lamented.

He said that the e-wallet system, which the government said would be effective and timely in the distribution of the product, had failed to meet the expectations of farmers in the state.

Mohammed, who, however,

L-R: Director-General, Budget Office Bright Okogwu, Minister of Environment, Hajiya Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafiya and Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala after the economic meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye.

lauded the e-wallet system, remarked that many factors were not considered in its formulation.

He said that people who the ewallet system was meant for were not carried along while the policy was being formulated.

“When formulating a policy, government should always take into account the people whom such policy is meant for by planning with them and not planning for them”, he stated.

He admitted that some farmers in the area got phone alerts, which directed them to places where they could find fertilizers, but that the addresses given in the alert messages were “fake”.

According to him, the place we were asked to go for our fertilizers was a residential building in Auchi and not a warehouse as one expected and of course, the product was not in the premises.

“We were happy when we got the alert and we immediately rushed to the address, but to our surprise the address was not only residential, there was nobody in the building who knew about any plan to distribute fertiliser there.

“I have personally visited and re-visited the place to be sure we were not wrong.

“The painful aspect is that there is nobody to reach or discuss with on this issue in case of this type of problem, as the alert did not contain any telephone number.

“I even went to the state ministry of agriculture where I met the commissioner and his response was that the state was not involved in the new fertiliser distribution system”, he said.

(NAN)

Support FG’s policies on maritime, contractors advises

A

maritime consultant organisation, Dredge Skills and Marine Training Centre Ltd, has urged dredging contractors to support government policies aimed at checking project failures in the maritime sector.

A statement issued by the organisation yesterday said the call was necessary to remind various marine project handlers of the Federal Government’s determination to transform the maritime sector by promoting quality projects.

Signed by the National Coordinator of the organisation, Mr. Edmund Chilaka, the statement also urged contractors to involve increased level of local content in the execution of dredging contracts.

It said that the organisation would hold a dredging conference and exhibition in September in Abuja where it would confer awards on Westminster Dredging Nigeria Ltd and Nigerian Ports Authority, among others.

The statement said the award would encourage stakeholders in capacity development of younger Nigerian companies and individual dredging operators to achieve higher level of local content in the award of contracts.

It said the events would also feature tips on how to raise awareness of policymakers and government officials on the need to avoid project failures.

“The stakeholders will, at the end of the award, be able to articulate the gains of manpower training for Nigerian workers in the industry and the use of a credible registered association for local operators and contractors,’’ it added.

Speakers at the event, according to the statement, include Sen. Idris Umar, the Minister of Transport, and Mr Olusegun Aganga, Minister of Trade and Investment, among others. (NAN)

Stakeholders commends FG’s release of N300 bn for capital projects

S

ome Nigerians have commended the Federal Government for releasing N300 billion for capital projects in the third quarter of 2012.

The made the commendation in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos at the weekend.

Mr Eddie Osarenkhoe, a former President, Finance Houses Association of Nigeria (FHAN), described the decision as a right step that would boost cash flow in the economy.

Osarenkhoe explained that

it would trigger numerous capital projects which would generate economic activities.

He said that it would also facilitate the implementation of 2012 budget, stressing that the budget’s poor implementation in the first half of 2012 was due to lack of funds for the ministries to execute projects He, however, advised the government to ensure that the money allocated for specific capital project was spent judiciously.

“The ability of government

to properly monitor the funds will further lead to growth in the economy,’’ he said.

The General Manager, True Bond Micro Finance Bank Limited, Lagos, Mr. Wole Olowu corroborated Osarenkhoe’s view as he commended the release of the money.

Olowu said that if the fund was effectively utilised, it would revamp the infrastructure deficit and have multiplier effect on the economy.

According to him, there would be more roads, potable

water and adequate power supply, which would attract foreign investors into the country.

Olowu held that ineffective monitoring of budget implementation could negate the objectives of building infrastructure.

“The government should work toward ensuring that the money does not go to individual pockets,’’ he said.

He urged the government to ensure the money was spent on capital projects it was meant for so as to have positive impact on

the life of the people.

Mr. Ayodeji Fagbenle, the General Manager, Cash Craft Assets Management Limited, Lagos, urged the government to tackle leakages in the economy.

Fagbenle however contended that allocating more funds for capital projects would boost national development.

It could be recalled that Dr Ngozii Okonjo-Iweala, the Minister for Finance, announced the release of N300 billion for the third of 2012 budget on Thursday at a media briefing in Abuja. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

PAGE 24

PAGE 25

Benue: Claims to dwindling farmlands have turned the state into a theatre of war O

nly last month, the drums of war r e v e r b e r a t e d between Ado and Ngbo communities in Benue state; by the time they went silent 16 persons lay dead and properties worth millions had been destroyed.

The conflict between the two communities had raged for decades without any solution in sight. And just when the state government thought it was close to a solution to the problem, another war a fresh drumbeat was heard, this time, from the direction of Otobi people in Otukpo local government area and their Igede neighbours in Obi

Governor Gabriel Suswan

Benue state has been turned into a theatre of war as communities engage each other in fierce battles for control of land, writes Uche Nnorom local government area.

The communities are believed to be contesting the ownership of a piece of land at Ijegwu. Peoples Daily gathered that the land conflict has lingered for

several years now with both communities laying claim to it and resulting in a big strain in the relationship between the people who hitherto lived as brothers and even inter married.

Each party has a story to tell to prove they are the owners of the disputed piece of land called Ijegwu.

Chief Anmo Ejoga, the clan head of Aagboko in Upu Otukpo LGA, said both communities have lived in harmony for a long time and based on their cordial relationship, Otukpo people, out of magnanimity in 1963, allowed Chief Obaike Ode, their in-law who hailed from Odiapa, 10 kilometres m from Ijegwu, permission to make use of the land for farming.

Chief Ode subsequently lived on the land, farmed it and was later joined by Igede people. To further attest to their ownership of the land, the clan head said those who lived with Chief Ode paid taxes to Otukpo district, adding that they held Chief Ode in high esteem and he reciprocated.

“Our boundary with the Igede people starts from Otobonya and stretches to Agailga and then Okpikwu.

This supports our claim to the land currently occupied

by Ijegwu people,” Chief Ejoga said.

While narrating how the fresh crisis erupted, Chief Ejoga said that on Tuesday, August 7, 2012, his people woke up to find that a large portion of the farmland in Otobi-Akangwu had been cleared and freshly planted with young palm and orange seedlings.

He said when his people went to the land the next day, August 8, to observe, and later report, the newest developments on it to their elders and relevant government agencies, they were ambushed by a large number of Ijegwu youth, wielding guns, cutlasses, bows, arrows and other weapons who attacked

One of the many houses destroyed at Ojantele village. them. “Unprepared, my people could not defend themselves and in the process a lot of them sustained various degrees of injury, some were abducted and taken away by the Ijegwu youth”, he decried.

Continuing, the chief said that some of the abductees managed to escape and came home while others were rescued by men

of a state-funded joint security outfit known as ‘Operation Zenda’ and taken into safe custody at ObarikeIto, Obi LGA; three of the abductees died in the hands of their abductors.

He also decried the manner in which another onslaught was launched at his people by a group of heavily armed youth, numbering over 100 from

Opirikwu village led by one Jonah Ede and Onche Akpoo, describing it as a ‘coordinated Boko Haram’ styled attack.

The Otukpo chief regretted that while the guerrilla attack on Otobi Akangwu was in progress, the group invaded Ojantele village, 4 kilometers from Otobi- Akanagwu, razed to the ground the village,

destroyed farmlands, livestock and properties thereby rendering the people homeless, adding that the bridge linking the village to the Federal road was partially damaged and rendered impassable after all attempts to dismantle it failed. According to Chief Aagboko, investigation showed that planting of the economic trees at Otobi

Akangwu that triggered the conflict was traced to a former top state government official who hails from Obi LGA. Meanwhile on his part, the Chairman, Obi local government council, Mr. Moses Opila accused Otobi community of attacking his people, claiming that they were the ones who planted trees on the land when

efforts were being made by him to ensure that the situation did not escalate into a full scale crisis.

“It was the Otobi people who came and planted trees on the land,” he alleged.

“The police came there and dispersed them with tear gas but they refused to leave and at this point, the Ijegwu youths came in and fighting ensued during

which over 15 persons were injured from gunshots and machete. I did not shoot anybody. I do not even own a catapult”, the chairman claimed.”

Rather, he accused a state House of Assembly member of assaulting him, saying “I was driving and at Aliade I met my Otukpo counterpart in the company of Baba Ode. I stopped over to exchange pleasantries but Ode hit me on the chest and sent his boys to assault me”.

Embittered by the attack on his subjects, Chief Aagboko sent a petition to Governor Gabriel Suswam, Benue state House of Assembly Speaker, the Senate President, and the Inspector General of Police, appealing for a committee of inquiry to investigate the circumstances that led to the crisis and perpetrators to be brought to book.

He urged the state government to commence delineation of the boundary between Otukpo and Obi LGAs to forestall future occurrences as well as provide relief materials to displaced persons in Ojantele.

During a visit to the paramount ruler of Idoma kingdom, Och’ Idoma Agabaidu Elias Ikoyi Obekpa in his palace, Governor Suswam vowed to sack any traditional ruler from both sides if they failed in their responsibility as the custodians of their peoples’ value systems. ”If this occurs again, government will go after the traditional rulers and other stakeholders in these areas.

We do not want any crisis in our domain especially at this time when the nation is having to cope with bigger security challenges,” Suswam warned.

The Chief Idoma who also lambasted traditional chiefs from the warring communities for failing in their duty to restrain their subjects from fomenting conflict threw his support behind the warning of the governor to depose any chief found to fuel wanting of the crisis.

Meanwhile, the immediate concern is how to care for the many people now displaced by the conflict.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

PAGE 29

Religion has greater potential for good

By Emmanuel Sarpong Owusu-Ansah

T

he pros and cons of religion, or the question as to whether or not religion is relevant in the contemporary society, has been the subject of extensive debate within the fields of sociology and anthropology. The intention here is thus not to repeat what has generally been posited by academics, but to present a brief personal commentary on the issue. The decision to come up with this write-up is partially influenced by the philosophy contained in the documentary film, ‘Religulous’, which blatantly mocks religion and religious belief.

Please note, that the term religion, which of course has a very extensive connotation, is used quite narrowly in this piece to refer specifically to Christianity and Islam.

The Christian and Islamic religions are supposed to safeguard human dignity, and promote friendship, love, unity, harmony and righteousness. Ironically however, these two religions are fast becoming a much greater force for evil than they are for good in today’s society. The former has unfortunately come to be associated with promiscuity, money and deception; and the later, intolerance, violence and killings.

A considerable number of Christians and Muslims, as many are aware, are hiding behind a façade of religion to commit some of the mightiest atrocities in human history – crimes ranging from theft and sexual misconduct, through deceit and riot, to terrorism and genocide. Many of these are crimes that even the “non-religious” may not contemplate, let alone executing them.

The appalling comportment of members of these two major religions is inducing some people (chiefly agnostics) to pronounce that the world is safer and humankind is better off without religion. Even though I disagree with this school of thought, the evidence in support of its proposition is so overwhelming that convincingly contesting it becomes a colossal task.

Obviously religion helps humans to find answers or explanations to those phenomena that cannot be subjected to empirical investigation. Both Christianity and Islam

serve as a means of explaining the unexplainable; they provide answers for how we got here, why we are here, who brought our world into existence, and where we go from here. Even though their explanations might not be the objective truth, such responses give humankind a huge sense of relief, direction and purpose in life.

The contribution religion makes towards the socio-economic development of communities is supreme. It has played and continues to play a massive role in the areas of education, health, sports, science and technology, and even governance; not to mention the moral and emotional support it offers, as well as its unifying role.

But in the name of this same seemingly wonderful institution – religion, humankind has committed some of the most outrageous deeds in the history of humanity – sex crimes, manipulation and exploitation, persecution or torture, mass suicides/ murders, terrorism (i.e. suicide bombing, hijacking and kidnapping), and wars which ultimately lead to underdevelopment and poverty. Religion seems to be losing sight of its own principle of serving, helping, and living peacefully with others regardless of their personal beliefs and ideologies.

In Africa, religion has ironically become an anchor, holding people back from their marital and societal responsibilities, and from developing socio-economically. It seems to show no respect for basic laws and human life. Many people have been jailed or executed, particularly in Islamic countries for attempting to propagate a “rival” faith, Christianity. Others have been tortured or lynched, mainly by some so-called Christian religious figures, on suspicion of being witches and wizards.

It is probably this obnoxious behaviour of “religious people” that compelled the philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche, to declare that ‘God is dead’, and Mahatma Gandhi to make that paradoxical statement: ‘I love your Christ but I hate your Christians because your Christians are unlike your Christ’.

Nonetheless, calling for the ‘elimination’

of religion on the basis of its identified demerits is certainly an unintelligence cause to champion. Thus, it will not just be hasty and simplistic, but foolhardy of any group or individual to conclude that religion is a force for evil and should be rejected in human society. Humans, according to an Oxford University study, are predisposed to embrace religious concepts. One may not need religion but sound conscience to know the difference between right and wrong, but they will certainly need religion to constantly guide their thoughts and actions and to provide the needed moral impetus.

In the documentary film, ‘Religulous’, Bill Maher, like Rene Descartes, suggests, that ‘doubt’ is one of the most important human attributes; and that our ability to doubt and question things such as authority, existence or nature and society, is vital for human progression. But religion, according to him, suppresses doubt by replacing it with a false or unsubstantiated surety (i.e. God and heaven). He thus concludes that our authentic progression, which he believes is achieved through doubt, is often lost within religion.

I find his argument interestingly shallow, as he fails to convince his audience as to how he arrives at the conclusion that the ‘surety’ he claims religion has replaced with doubt, is false. He refuses to realize that, even though the veracity of that surety (God or Heaven) may not be compellingly proven; no one has also ever succeeded in convincingly demonstrating that it is not authentic.

Because neither the existence nor nonexistence of the Divine can be persuasively proven, each and every individual is given the freedom to decide whether to embrace religion or reject it. This is what the French religious philosopher, Blaise Pascal, calls a ‘wager’ or gamble, in which the chances of winning and losing are equal (50 – 50). So if Maher thinks ‘doubt’ is or leads to the truth, let him immerse himself in the pool of doubt; and if others believe that religion is or leads to the truth, let them stick to it. Pushing one’s ideologies down other people’s throats is certainly not on. After all,

gambling that God exists, is clearly the wiser option as one has all to gain and nothing to lose.

It is apparent that humankind is inherently evil, but sadly, some despondent folks are consciously or unconsciously using religion as an excuse to unleash the mischievousness (greed, lust, theft, fraud, hate, violence, etc.) in them. It is quite tempting to perceive therefore, that if religion didn’t exist, many people would find nothing as an excuse to commit crimes. But we should also have every reason to believe that even if religion did not exist, people would still hide behind the façade of other seemingly harmless ideologies such as environ-mentalism, individualism, hedonism, ethnocentrism, nationalism, etc. to commit heinous crimes as it is happening now.

No one can deny the huge number of entities and situations that religion has transformed from bad to good. It could, in fact, be argued that the wickedness and misery being witnessed on earth today would be twofold or bigger if religion didn’t exist.

The core principle, in fact, the substance of Christianity and Islam is love, human wellbeing, peace, unity and hope. But some miserable elements, out of selfishness, greed and/or the lack of understanding of the doctrines of their own religion, are committing serious crimes using religion as a defence. The problem therefore is not with that entity called religion; the problem is with the disposition of that group called followers of religion.

It follows, therefore, that religion, like almost all human institutions, has both merits and demerits, and individuals are affected differently by it. So the debate should not focus solely on the relevance or credibility of Christianity and Islam in today’s world, but also, and more importantly, on what could be done to make these religions reflect their true values and principles – love, hope, harmony and progress.

Emmanuel Sarpong OwusuAnsah can be reached at andypower 2002@yahoo.it

PAGE 30

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

Contribution of Muslim leaders to insecurity in Nigeria Contd. from Back Page

soon be met with the wrath of their emperor-governors. The JNI branches in the states are mostly dysfunctional, made up largely by ulama are that are too weak to stop crises when they are set to happen.

What happens to the ordinary Muslim under such situations when he has nobody to refer to for guidance and no one to fight his battle in the security councils at state and federal levels? Take the case of Plateau for instance. There is not a single Muslim in the entire security council of the state – not among its federal representatives like the Commissioner of Police, Director (SSS), STF commander, Commander of Civil Defence, and, of course, not among representatives of state government like the Governor, his Attorney-General, Permanent Secretary (Security), etc. But if Muslim officials elsewhere cannot come to their aid, how would they expect any of the above officials to protect their interests during any crisis situation?

Muslims, being left on their own, are thus pushed to taking the law into their own hand in many instances. And should they take any move to defend themselves, the security agencies will promptly pounce on them with arrests, torture and prosecution. The press for political reasons will twist their story and blame them. Since the crisis on the Plateau started, many Muslims have been convicted – like the eleven convicted Fulani after Dogo Nahauwa reprisal attack – or are awaiting trial in jails, but there has not been a single Christian prosecution. This kind of injustice does nothing but feeds Muslim anger and complete feeling of estrangement from government.

This takes us to another dimension when government and the Christian leadership in the country would compel Muslim leaders to condemn their followers or appeal to them to remain calm or keep the peace even in situations where Muslims are at the receiving end.

The result is a total disregard for the appeals of such leaders. Boko Haram is one such case. So much disconnect exists between Muslim leaders and their followers that their calls for dialogue and their condemnations have woefully failed to persuade the group to stop their attacks for a day. Two Emirs, the Shehu of Borno and the Emir of Fika escaped death from Boko Haram suicide bombers by a whisker. That was a powerful message.

And when Muslims suffer casualties or disaster, their leaders are the most unwilling to help them. In the donations we received for Fulani IDPs and the recent Jos Flood victims, apart from the Sultan sent a paltry sum of N2million to the flood victims through JNI, not a single donation came from a notable Muslim leader, top government functionary or politician even though hundreds of Nigerians including Christians and southerners sent in their donations.

What crop of leaders are these who cannot defend the interest of their people, be with them during crisis or assist them during disasters?. How can they command the respect of their followers with this blatant abdication of responsibility? Nobody is asking them to carry any sword as their grandfathers did. We are only asking them to speak out; yet that too is not forthcoming. Kai! The complacency of Muslim leaders

Alhaji Abdulateef Adegbite, NSCIA Secretary-General

when the rights of their followers are violated has thus become one the greatest sources of instability in the country. It has allowed the boat of our internal security to be pedaled by only one side – the Christian side, while Muslim leaders continue to keep their own pedals on their laps. No wonder the boat is tilting to the safety of one side, albeit temporarily. If Muslim leaders had pedaled their own side too, the boat would have moved straight in the desired direction of our collective safety when he government will be compelled to guard the rights of all citizens equally. Inevitably, the boat will capsize. In the end, the complacency they think is a service to government is turning out to be a great disservice to it.

Today, it is evident that most of them can no longer be relied upon by government to calm anybody.

The Muslim communities in Barikin Ladi and Jos are therefore on their own. I doubt if any of them is able to reach the Sultan, the governor, the IGP, the NSA or the President. But for how long would they continue to yield to the STF appeals at the expense of their right to worship, just because there is a “security report” claiming that there will be trouble if pray for not more than an hour on a ground they bought and have been using for decades now? For how long would they continue to remain passive without learning from their Fulani brothers? As I set out to write this article this morning, I was told that the Berom have killed three

Fulani and injured one as they were riding their motorcycles home from Barikin Ladi yesterday. I will not shade tears for them. I am sure the killings will not go unanswered.

And to Muslim public officials who toe the line of injustice by their silence and making themselves inaccessible to their Muslim constituency during crisis, we only need to remind them of the temporary nature of their seats. Boko Haram alone has brought down two IGPs and the most connected NSA in the Jonathan administration. With time the occupants of those seats will suffer the same fate. No amount of complacency will save them.

Back to Jos. If the STF commander, Major-General Ayoola, and his team are too weak to secure Nigerians in their place of worship for just an hour, I cannot see the reason why he should not be redeployed. This is incompetence at its worst. Some of the STF sector commanders are even conniving with the very Berom youths who instigate these crises. In the meeting yesterday, the STF commander was told about the connivance of the field commander of Sector 5 in Barikin Ladi, Col. Victor Ita. The Fulani have bitterly complained that he led the team of soldiers who demolished their houses using armoured personnel tanks just after a MOPOL was killed by an unknown assailant. He just could not wait to verify the murderer. Both the Fulani and Hausa accuse him of

“

I will appeal to civil rights groups to redouble their effort in fighting for the rights of the minority groups in Plateau State. Denying people freedom of worship is going too far: it could be a tipping point. Last year, at the Unguwar Rukuba ground, over forty Muslim worshippers were killed and cannibalized under the watchful eyes of the police. Despite the preponderance of the video clip, nobody has been arrested to date. This bias cannot be sustained. It will not yield peace.

supporting the Berom in every instance.

In the meeting between Muslims leaders and the STF commander yesterday, unknown to the STF Commander, Col. Ita smuggled two Berom youth leaders into the venue. The commander became clearly disappointed. Yet, I will swear by my honour that the sector commander will not arrest the assailants that killed the three Fulani in the area under his command yesterday. I will also not be surprised if he launches an attack on the victims’ community soon, should they retaliate in any form. How could there be peace?

Such a person is not needed to command our soldiers. If he wants to fight the Fulani or the Hausa, let him remove his uniform and join the Berom camp.

Then, I am as certain as my death that he will get a good run for his money. He thinks his actions are helpful to the Berom while in actual fact it is hurting them. It was his demolition of Fulani houses that led to the escalation of the crisis in many communities in Barikin Ladi and Riyom local governments last month. Many of the Berom have been living in self exile since then. They are too scared to return to their homes. If not for the aggression of Col. Ita, Senator Datung and House member Danfulani who lost their lives in that escalation would have been alive today.

I will appeal to civil rights groups to redouble their effort in fighting for the rights of the minority groups in Plateau State. Denying people freedom of worship is going too far: it could be a tipping point.

Last year, at the Unguwar Rukuba ground, over forty Muslim worshippers were killed and cannibalized under the watchful eyes of the police. Despite the preponderance of the video clip, nobody has been arrested to date. This bias cannot be sustained. It will not yield peace. The trend must be opposed by all well-meaning Nigerians.

The federal government, as I emphatically made it clear before the President at our meeting with him last week, must rise to protect the rights of minority Nigerians wherever they are in the country. It has for too long allowed its personnel to be used in the pursuit of narrow chauvinist agenda, especially in Plateau State. The hands of the chief architect of the crisis in the state – its governor, Jonah Jang – are very clear in every posting of security officials made to the state. The federal government in whose hands is entrusted our entire security and law enforcement apparatus must wake up to its responsibility.

Otherwise, it must be prepared to handle crises worse than Boko Haram soon.

And, finally, I turn to you Muslim leaders in your palaces and government offices. Contrary to your belief that your silence is helping matters, it is further subverting the security of Nigerians and allowing the tree of intolerance and hate to grow and blossom. It emboldens the aggressor and pushes the victim to the state of despair where he must, in compliance with the natural law of selfdefence, resort to his own devices. That is your despicable contribution to the insecurity of this country. I have come to your defence in the past when your name was unjustifiably dragged into the mud.

But not in this. You must wake up and serve the nation boldly by speaking against injustice.

Please accept this article as my Sallah gift to you. And what a pleasant one!

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

Men with short ring fingers may have a better chance of surviving prostate cancer

M

en with short ring fingers may have a better chance of recovering from prostate cancer, say scientists.

Tests showed cancer victims responded better to an antitumour drug if their ring finger was shorter than the index finger - next to the thumb.

Men with short ring fingers are thought to have lower levels of testosterone, a hormone that is known to help prostate tumours grow.

Doctors who tested the theory on 142 volunteers found those with short ring fingers responded better to dutasteride, a drug that fights cancer by blocking the effects of testosterone on the prostate.

Numerous studies show finger length is linked to the risks of conditions ranging from heart disease and osteoarthritis to depression and Motor Neurone Disease.

The difference between the two fingers is determined by exposure to testosterone while a baby is still in the womb.

Research suggests this can have a profound effect on health later in life.

Men tend to have a longer ring finger while women tend to have ring and index fingers that are similar in length. But it can

vary considerably from one person to another.

Nearly 40,000 cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed every year in the UK and 10,000 men die from it - the equivalent of more than one an hour.

The risks increase with age, with men over 50 more likely to develop a tumour, and there is a strong genetic element to it.

But the latest findings, by experts at Seoul National University in South Korea, suggest doctors might soon be able to predict who will respond best to treatment by measuring men's fingers.

Although the men in the study did not have cancer, they did have enlarged prostates or benign prostatic hyperplasia, a common condition in men over 50 where the prostate grows and blocks the flow of urine.

Dutasteride has been used for several years to treat BPH and prostate cancer. The volunteers took the drug every day for six months.

When their prostate glands were measured to see if they had shrunk, there was a much bigger reduction in men with short ring fingers.

In a report in the British Journal of Urology the researchers said: 'These results suggest finger length might predict the response

Men with short ring fingers responded better to dutasteride, a drug that fights cancer by blocking the effects of testosterone on the prostate, in a study to dutasteride treatment.'

Experts at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the US recently discovered women who have a short ring finger compared to the length of the index finger are much more likely to rely on satellite navigation technology to find their way round.

How meditation can help reduce loneliness and prevent Alzheimer

L

earning how to meditate can help reduce loneliness in the elderly, say researchers.

Teaching elderly people to live in the present and not dwell on the past or project into the future can prove beneficial, according to their study.

Many elderly people spend their last years alone as spouses pass and children scatter. But being lonely is much more than a silent house and a lack of companionship as over time, loneliness not only takes a toll on the psyche but can have a serious physical impact as well.

Feeling lonely has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, depression and even premature death. Developing effective treatments to reduce loneliness in older adults is essential, but previous treatment efforts have had limited success.

Now Researchers at University of California, Los Angeles say a simple meditation program lasting just eight weeks reduced loneliness in older adults.

Further, knowing that loneliness is associated with an increase in the activity of inflammation-related genes that can promote a variety of diseases, the researchers examined gene expression and found that this same form of meditation significantly reduced expression of

inflammatory genes.

In the current online edition of the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity, senior study author Steve Cole, and his team report that mindfulness meditation successfully reduced the feelings of loneliness.

They found it also altered the genes and protein markers of inflammation, including a protein that is a potent risk factor for heart disease, and a molecular signal that activates inflammation.

Inflammation is a natural component of the immune system

Feeling lonely has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease

But women whose ring fingers are a similar length or longer than their index finger have a greater sense of direction.

British research shows finger length can even dictate sporting ability.

Males with ring fingers that are longer than their index

fingers make better sprinters.

Boys aged up to 17 were tested and their fingers measured before being timed over a 50 metres sprint. The results showed those with longer ring fingers were faster at every stage of the race.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

and can help fight a wide variety of bodily insults, ranging from infections to a whack by a hammer.

But chronic inflammation is now known to be a primary player in the pathology of many diseases and psychological disorders.

'Our work presents the first evidence showing that a psychological intervention that decreases loneliness also reduces pro-inflammatory gene expression,' Cole said.

'If this is borne out by further research, MBSR could be a valuable tool to improve the quality of life for many elderly.'

In the study, 40 adults between the ages of 55 and 85 were randomly assigned to either a mindfulness meditation group or a control group that did not meditate.

All the participants were assessed at the beginning and the end of the study using an established loneliness scale.

Blood samples were also collected at the beginning and end to measure

gene expression and levels of inflammation.

The meditators attended weekly two-hour meetings in which they learned the techniques of mindfulness, including awareness and breathing techniques. They also practiced mindfulness meditation for 30 minutes each day at home and attended a single daylong retreat.

These MBSR participants selfreported a reduced sense of loneliness, while their blood tests showed a significant decrease in the expression of inflammationrelated genes.

'While this was a small sample, the results were very encouraging,' said Dr Michael Irwin, a professor of psychiatry at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA and director of the Cousins Center.

'It adds to a growing body of research that is showing the positive benefits of a variety of meditative techniques, including tai chi and yoga.'

Just last month, for example, Dr Helen Lavretsky, a UCLA professor of psychiatry, published a study showing that a form of yogic meditation involving chanting also reduced inflammatory gene expression, as well as stress levels, among individuals who care for patients with Alzheimer's disease.

'These studies begin to move us beyond simply connecting the mind and genome, and identify simple practices that an individual can harness to improve human health,' Irwin said Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

PAGE 37

Government alone cannot fight Boko Haram, Youths must join, says NYUAC Leader INTERVIEW As a youth, what are your major concerns about Nigeria? s a youth of this country, I continue to feel the pain of seeing fellow citizens suffer untoward distress; physical and psychological torment while the country continues to lose precious lives daily. As a youth of this country, I’m saddened when I see the outcome of long years of hard work and huge investments being destroyed daily; as a youth of this country I feel aggravated by the sight of apparent signs of the disintegration of our dear country manifesting in startling proportion daily. Uncertainty and despair is fast becoming commonplace in most parts of the country and the people are crying out for peace. As a group of youths united in action, we stand amongst a large and growing community of young people who have committed time and resources to the imperative task of re-examining what really are the underlying factors responsible for ethno religious crisis and insurgency in Nigeria. This review has left us appalled at the web of contradictions, the fragile “evidence,” the accountability denied and the seeming inability to tackle the menace of violence and terrorism.

How will you say the country got to this state of insecurity?

Under- development and poverty is getting accentuated at an alarming rate. It is instructional to note that Nigeria as a country has gone through difficult moments, characterized by the prevalence of ethno religious violence and, of course, political destabilization crisis that has resulted in the loss of thousands of

A

Abdullahi Abdulmajeed, President Nigerian Youth United Action Coalition (NYUAC) and convener of the first Multi-stakeholders Dialogue Summit speaks with selected Journalists on why the fight against the Boko Haram should not be left to the government alone among other youth related issues. Our Correspondent, Ayodele Samuel, was there. Excerpts: precious Nigerian lives, separation of families and the destruction of economic and social infrastructures. The reoccurring crisis amplified by the emerging trend of insurgency and terrorism has compelled thousands of Nigerians to abandon their places of domiciliation to seek refuge in their towns of origin or in neighboring states. While the country battles perennially with ethno religious and political crisis with the quantum of dismal and far reaching consequences on innocent citizens unabated, a new and more dangerous dimension of hostility and bloodshed has suddenly resurfaced in the annals of Nigeria affairs. Militancy, insurgency and several acts of terrorism are fast becoming the medium adopted by different segments of the country’s population to register some form of discontent, reservation, cry of marginalization or alienation of their ethno-religious groups or regions. Our major concern is that young people who are also the most vulnerable to the aftermath effects of these incidents are mostly used to power the uprisings ignorantly.

This crisis is gradually destroying our social fabric and threatening to paralyze our economy.

The activities of the Boko Haram and insecurity in general had been causing disunity in the country; how do you think the youths can come together to fight insecurity?

I will lend my credence from certain consultations in the cause of the grassroots mobilizations. As I

Abdullahi Abdulmajeed speak, I have visited about 26 states of the country in the course of this programme alone. I have held geopolitical zone consultations discussing with real youths. In the course of speaking with the people, we discovered that we have youths who say ‘see if Boko Haram come and recruit me to go and throw bomb somewhere, I will throw bomb if they will pay me good money, I don’t have a job and am even useless, so what is my life about.’ We can understand that the reason why this problem keeps on

in the air, aside political undertone, is socio-economic inequality. People are not empowered, not engaged; they cannot even provide food on their own table. They get enemies of the state recruited easily. That is why we are calling on the government to engage the youths so as to get holistic solution to the problems of the country.

Do you think Jonathan government is doing enough to tackle the insecurity in the state?

The government is spending resources in tackling the challenges

of socio-political crisis, insurgencies, militancies but little is being done to attack the underlining constant factors that are responsible for these problems that we have. We do not have appropriate constitutional settlement. The youths are largely unemployed, they under-engaged and not empowered; a lot of mutual distrust in the air. We required national reconciliation, integration, social harmony which government have not delegated required resource to. The youths cannot ordinarily leave the street, to say we want to engage the government to identity what are our problems, until the government show some sense of sincerity and ensure these people are empowered. Spending so much money on security is done just to contain it temporarily. Yesterday it was Niger-Delta, today is Boko Haram, tomorrow may be another sect from the Kanji Dam, hydropower producing communities may be agitating to cut off power from the country.

Do you back the call for the National Sovereign Conference?

Yes, I support the call for the national conference, but the word Sovereign is the major challenge that has made the conference difficult for the government to convene. What we are saying is that take the ‘sovereign’ away and call it a national conference that will bring people of the different ethnic groups together to decide how they want to co-exist and an appropriate way to live together as a country.

Blame politicians not Jonathan for insecurity –APF Chairman From Matthew Aramunde, Lagos The National Chairman of Advance Progressive Forum (APF), a political pressure group, has urged Nigerians at home and in the diaspora not to be unmindful of President Goodluck Jonathan’s efforts in addressing the disturbing issue of security in the country.

Speaking with our correspondent in Lagos at the weekend, the leader of the pressure group Otunba Joseph Onasanya averred that he was highly disturbed when certain Nigerians were mounting pressures on the President to resign from office in the face of the series of bomb attacks launched on the populace by the dreaded Islamic extremist often referred to as Boko Haram.

He said “I think most Nigerians are either not aware of those who should be blamed or they are falling for the deceptive antics of some mischief makers who are hell bent on discrediting all the efforts of the President.”

Speaking further, Onasanya said rather than blame the President, the politicians, who when campaigning to get into

office at all cost employ street urchins and miscreants who are dumped immediately after being elected should be blamed instead.

According to him, most people were shocked when they got to know that a former governor actually recruited and armed the sect only for him to dump them after achieving his political goals Onasanya wondered why

some people are still calling for the resignation of the President after having provided enough budgetary provisions to fight insecurity. He said that Jonathan should be rather encouraged to continue the fight against the malaise instead of calling for his resignation.

On the contentious issue of the establishment of States Police,

Onasanya posited that in the face of the rising rate crime in both the urban and rural areas, state police will be the appropriate instrument that could tackle the menace.

On the face-off between Edwin Clark and Ibrahim Babaginda, Onasanya urged the notable elder statesmen to sheath their sword.

FG, Anambra to name part of Onitsha-Enugu road after Ojukwu — Gov Obi

G

ov. Peter Obi of Anambra has said promised to rename the first three kilometres of the Onitsha-Enugu road in honour of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Ikemba Nnewi.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the first three kilometres of the road stretches from

the bridge-head in Onitsha to Upper Iweka fly-over.

Speaking at a memorial service in honour of Ojukwu at St. Michael Catholic Church, Nnewi, Anambra, on Sunday the governor said that President Goodluck Jonathan would perform the unveiling of the renaming.

“Anambra State has concluded

arrangement to name the most important road in the South East, namely entrance into Onitsha bridgehead to Upper Iweka after Ojukwu,’’ he said.

Obi also urged Nigerians to start the immortalisation of OdumegwuOjukwu now that the mourning period was over.

“We will keep the memory of Dim

Ojukwu alive by emulating his life, which was devoid of greed and unbridled acquisition of material wealth and he embraced the virtue of selfless service to the people,’’ he said.

In his sermon, Rev. Fr. Lawrence Anoyiba, the Vicar of the church, called on the people of the South East to uphold the legacy of the late Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

Group blasts Akume’s critics

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

F

ollowing media reports credited to some individuals and interest groups advocating for the removal of the Senate Minority Leader, Sen. George Akume, a group, Frontline Political Organisation based in Benue state has described those behind the plot as disgruntled element who were trying cause chaos in the party.

The group told journalists in

Abuja that the people behind the plot were working towards tarnishing the image of the country’s nascent democracy.

In their separate addresses, the National President of the group, Col. Awua Yese and the General Secretary, Comrade Ayoo Angwe Ayoo, said it watched with “dismay the deliberate and sustained attempts by the enemies of democracy to harangue, malign, impugn, and denigrate the person of the Senator representing Benue North-West

Senatorial District, otherwise known as Benue Zone B Senatorial District.

“For long, we have watched with restrained anger how desperate people with a morbid fear of the Senator’s rising profile have sought to distract attention from their political nakedness by making Akume a target of their cheap “Pull Him Down” tactics.

“We felt that with time, these avowed Akume’s bashers would give up on Akume, and begin to find solutions to national challenges

like insecurity, election rigging, corruption in the judiciary, political violence etc. But unfortunately, the attacks have graduated from political blackmail to media terrorism. And now, there is a grand plot to remove him as Senate Minority Leader”.

The group also said it did not intend to join issues with anybody, but to set the record that the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) is not the problem of Nigeria; neither is Akume the black stain on her democracy.

L-R: Chairman, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Ekiti State, Chief Jide Awe; Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr. Adewale Omirin, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Retd); Ekiti state Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; and National Director, Nigeria Pray, South-West Zonal Rally, Rev. Dr. Moses Aransiola, during an early morning church service, at the Government House Chapel, Ekiti state, on Sunday.

Council chairman calls for peaceful coexistence among Nigerians

T

he Chairman Kuje Area Council of FCT, Mr Danladi Zhin, has called for peaceful coexistence among different religious groups in the country.

Zhin made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja yesterday as Muslims marked Eidel-Fitr.

He urged Nigerians to be law abiding and restated the need for strong relationships among various religious groups.

He said “the cordial relationship between Muslims and Christians should continue while the government should play its part in ensuring peaceful and safe society.’’

The council chairman urged Muslims to use the occasion to demonstrate the virtue of being their brother’s keeper.

“I want to call on the people of Kuje, the Federal Capital Territory and Nigerians to celebrate this Sallah in a way that will show that we are our brother’s keeper,’’ Zhin said.

Meanwhile activities remained low as Muslims celebrated in low key in different parts of Abuja.

Many filling stations in the city remained closed while the streets were deserted as few vehicles moved around.

Some residents of the city expressed concern over the fuel crisis, which emerged before the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

They told NAN that the situation had restricted their movements and stopped them from sharing gifts and spending time with loved ones.

Mr Chidi Nwachukwu, a bank worker, said “people find it difficult

to move out but those that have really decided to move around are actually finding it expensive.

“Even those who have their own vehicles are equally finding it difficult because there is no place to get fuel,’’ Nwachukwu said.

However, some holidaymakers defied the difficulty occasioned by the fuel crisis and security concerns to visit recreation parks and gardens to relax.

Malam Muhammed Abbah, a business man, said in spite of the challenges of the fuel scarcity, he had every reason to celebrate.

Abbah said that since God gave him the health and strength to see the day, “I will celebrate.’’

However, Mr Samson David, a taxi driver complained of low patronage as customers failed to pay high fares for trips.

“I want this to stop, I don’t make

profit as I buy 10 litres of fuel from black marketers at N4,000 and make no profit out of it,’’ David said.

He said that he could not get fuel after spending three days in the petrol station.

David explained that some people had resorted to trekking to their destinations instead of patronising the taxis.

Mr Nnolim Frank, a supervisor at AP Petrol Station, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, said the station had been out of stock for a week.

“But the workers are still coming to work and it is seriously affecting the company,’’ Frank said.

He urged the Federal Government and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers to resolve their problem in order to alleviate the hardship experienced since the crisis began.

Wada promises punishment for killers in Okene church

G

ov. Idris Wada of Kogi has said that the culprits of the Okene Deeper Life Church attack will face punishment from the law.

Wada made the statement while interacting with newsmen during the Eid-el-Fitr celebration in Lokoja on Sunday and stressed that there would be no sacred cow in the matter.

“It is hard to believe that criminals could walk into a church where innocent and unarmed people were worshipping God, put off the light, start shooting sporadically and kill people.

“They will be brought to justice and the full weight of the law would apply to them. Under my administration, there will

be no sacred cows. ‘’Those who have been caught will be tried according to our law. There will be no room for manoeuvring. ‘’Our justice department will monitor the prosecution of these criminal elements and they will pay the price according to the laws of our land,’’ he said.

Wada appealed to the people

of the state to be peaceful and law abiding and stressed that ‘’There is nothing to gain by violence but there is a lot to be gained through peace.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that gunmen attacked a Deeper Life Bible Church parish in Okene, Kogi, on Aug. 6 and killed 16 worshippers.

Adesina, Alaafin charge Nigerians on religious tolerance From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

T

he former Governor of Oyo state, Alhaji Lam Adesina and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi have charged Nigerians, both Muslims and Christians, to imbibe religious tolerance concluding that it is only under such atmosphere that enduring peace could thrive in the nation.

The duo came out with the charge in their different messages to the public as the Muslim faithful across the country witnessed the end of the Ramadan fasting and celebrations.

Adesina while speaking with newsmen in his Felele, Ibadan residence, insisted that the Boko Haram fundamentalist sect had nothing to do with religion as, according to him, they were merely being used by some parochial interest groups for sociopolitical emancipation.

“They are not fighting for extension of Islam at all,” he said just as he maintained that the Boko Haram insurgencies in the country have to be resolved politically.

His words: “Corruption is affecting investment policy in the country. If corruption in the land is effectively tackled, people will be gainfully employed across the nation. So, therefore, President Goodluck Jonathan has to do something to tackle the menace headlong.

“The Alaafin of Oyo, in a press release signed on his behalf by his Media Assistant, Alhaji Azeez Fehintola, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, advised Nigerians not to allow the lessons of the period to just pass with it, but get it enshrined in their daily lives.

While congratulating Muslims across the country for the successful observance of the annual fasting, the monarch, who is also the Permanent Chairman of the Oyo state Council of Obas and Chiefs, said just as Islam preaches peace and obedience to constituted authority, people should always strive to live in peace and be their brother’s keeper for the sake of stability of the country.

“Islam is a religion of peace.

Period of fasting is for abstinence from all forms of sins and iniquities.

It is a period people should be righteous in all their dealings just as Mohammed preaches in the Quran.

“Much as Muslim faithful had subjected themselves to these teaching and virtues during the Ramadan period, I implore them to let it continue to be part of their way of life so that our society could be a better one for all to live in.

“Strive to live a righteous life style. Refrain from acts capable of disrupting the peace of your communities. Support your leaders, love your neighbours as yourself, and always work towards the growth and development of your fatherland”, the Alaafin advised.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

PAGE 39

Bring subsidy culprits to book now, ANPP tells Jonathan

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

A

ll Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to show a sense of urgency in bringing to justice on those indicted by the subsidy probe without further delay.

In a message issued recently by the party through its National Publicity Secretary, Emma Eneukwu, the party said Jonathan can only show a sense of seriousness in his anti-corruption crusade by ensuring that those indicted in the subsidy scam are prosecuted.

The party also noted that doing so will equally go a long way to

assuage the innermost yearning of Nigerians stressing that the sins of the people directly and indirectly connected with reaping Nigerians off their commonwealth through the petrol subsidy fraud, is a crime against every Nigerian citizen both born and unborn.

“Since the spontaneous national reaction to the insincerity and insensitivity of the government towards its citizens in January this year, all eyes, both locally and of the global society, have been on the Federal Government, waiting to see how it will unravel the abyss of corruption in the oil sector starting from the handling of the subsidy thieves,” the ANPP said.

The party recalled that recently, the federal government arraigned some oil marketers who allegedly defrauded the Nigerians of N304 billion in the oil subsidy scam at the Lagos State High Court in which some high profile citizens were also involved.

Against this background, the party regretted that contrary to expectations, the Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke,

in whose instance the arraignment of the accused was delayed till late to ‘enable him personally handle the cases’, was not in court to lead the prosecution team.

ANPP therefore lamented government’s nonchalance disposition to this high profile corruption case, warning that in a time such as the present, body language and perception is as

important as hard-core evidence, saying ‘Justice must not only be done, but must be seen to be done.’

It also calls on President Goodluck Jonathan to be quick and thorough not only in addressing the indicted companies, but in the completion of the prosecution of the Farouk Lawan and Femi Otedola saga, which has thrown dirt on the nation’s critical arm of government.

Pwajok, Jang’s Chief of Staff, to contest Senate seat

T

he Plateau Government’s Chief of Staff, Mr Gyang Pwajok, who resigned last week, is to contest the Plateau North senatorial by-elections to replace the late Sen. Gyang Dantong.

“Yes, I am in the race for the Senate seat and I am confident of picking the PDP ticket and securing victory in the election by God’s grace,’’ Pwajok told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos on Monday .

INEC has tentatively fixed Sept.

15 for the bye-election to replace Dantong, who died in a stampede after gunmen attacked mourners in Maseh, a village in Riyom Local Government.

Pwajok said that he accepted to contest for the Senate after much pressure from stakeholders and the constituents who adjudged him most suited for the job.

“I was just doing my work dutifully as Chief of Staff , but my people felt I should take up greater responsibilities; in fact, my principal (Gov Jonah Jang), accepted my decision to quit very reluctantly.

“I had to bow to the pressure because I was equally convinced that Plateau North senatorial district was in dire need of quality representation in view of its current security challenges,’’ he added.

Pwajok, a former political science lecturer with the University of Jos, said that he also viewed the people’s wish as a clarion call for further service because he believed that the Senate was a

platform where issues bordering on state/federal relations could be tackled.

“There has been some deep misunderstanding of the Plateau situation at the national level and I intend to work toward a better understanding and appreciation of the situation so as to shore up the image of Plateau before federal authorities.’’

Pwajok also promised to draw the attention of the federal authorities to the massive ecological devastation suffered by his constituents following several decades of mining activities, adding that he would work toward reparations that would address the damages.

“There are several ponds scattered round Plateau North; apart from the loss of farmlands, there is the radioactive effects my constituents have continued to live with. They sure deserve some compensation and a better deal.’’

While lamenting the colossal destruction following years of bloodbath in Plateau north, the aspirant promised to liaise with stakeholders to initiate a policy of reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation to heal wounds, restore mutual confidence and resuscitate development.

“My belief is that we cannot negotiate peace for the people. We must negotiate with them by first seeking and resolving what went wrong in the first place. That way, everyone would be made an active participant in the quest for harmony.’’

Speaker calls for peaceful co-existence in Ondo

T

he Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr Samuel Adesina, yesterday called on for peaceful coexistence among the citizens irrespective of differences in religious belief .

Adesina made the call in Akure in his Eid-el-Fitri message to the Muslims, saying no society could achieve development without peace and love for one another.

The speaker called on Muslims to ensure that the lessons they had acquired during the Ramadan fasting would endure even after the

fasting.

“Let us all continue to be in good behaviour, do the right things, love your neighbour, so that our state and the country can move forward,’’ he said.

Adesina said the state government would continue to embark on programmes and projects that would empower the people of the state.

“The state assembly will continue to act in favour of initiating projects and programmes aimed at improving the living standard of the people of the state,’’ the speaker said.

L-R: Late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu's daughters, Chinaza; Chineme, his widow, Mrs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu wife of Anambra governor, Mrs Margaret Obi, Gov. Peter Obi, Ojukwu's sons, Afam, and Nwachukwu, at the memorial service in honour of late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu at Nnewi, Anambra on Sunday.

Oke, Akeredolu are anti-progress, says Mimiko From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

T

he Olusegun Mimiko campaign Organisation yesterday lashed out at both Olusola Oke and Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, governorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) respectively in the October 20 election saying that they never meant well for the people of the state given their reckless utterances and predilection to destroy existing legacies in the state.

Specifically, the organisation enjoined the people of the state to reject the duo because both have no genuine plans for them but would take the fortunes of the state to the dogs if either of them is elected.

The Mimiko Campaign Organisation while giving this warning alerted that there were plans by each of the two candidates to destroy the massive developmental projects currently put in place all over the state by the Dr Olusegun Mimiko in the last three and a half years.

The Organisation in a Press Statement issued by its Director of Publicity and Media Relations, Mr. Kolawole Olabisi noted that utterances of the opposition candidates in recent times have shown that they both harbour sinister motives for the people.

Indeed, according to Olabisi, it was sad that Olusola Oke only last weekend vowed to, if elected, scrap amongst others, the world acclaimed Water Fountain in Akure, the Dew Spewer also in Akure and the Mega Primary Schools which had been lauded by the Federal Ministry of Education as not only the best in the nation but the first of its kind; the Ultra-modern markets, the novel Auto Mart, the ultra modern Mechanic Village amongst other projects which had attracted accolades from all over the world.

Oke, according to the Organisation, equally pledged to scrap the Democracy Park where he held his declaration rally despite the fact that it was built by the Mimiko government because, according to

him, it was ‘a mere cosmetic project and not worthy of retaining’.

“Similarly, Akeredolu had lamented that the ultra-modern markets which our mothers and sisters now trade with all the modern comfort, comparable to any in the world, were drains on government purse and as such would be scrapped and privatised because government must plug leakages. He equally vowed to scrap the electrification of the most important road in Akure, the Oyemekun/Oba Adesida road for being powered at night with generating sets and replace it with lightning from PHCN. “Akeredolu also, publicly condemned the Free Shuttle buses Scheme for school children in the State, not only rubbished the programme but vowed to scrap it and divert the buses to money making ventures rather than wasting public funds to buy fuel for the Shuttle Scheme thus robbing the children of the poor of this wonderful initiative of the Olusegun Mimiko Administration,” the Organisation alleged.

Gov Suswam wants proper demacation of the Suntai-led government and Benue, Taraba boundary stay in peace with other ethnic

G

ov. Gabriel Suswam of Benue has called for a clear demarcate of the boundary between Benue and Taraba to avoid further confusion among communities.

Suswam made the call on Sunday in Danacha in Taraba at a reception, held in his honour by the Tiv Cultural and Development Association.

He said that Tiv people in Taraba were indigenes of the state and warned them against running to Benue at the slightest communal clash with other tribes in Taraba.

Suswam thanked Gov. Danbaba Suntai of Taraba for honouring the formal declaration by former Gov. Jolly Nyame that the Tiv in Taraba were indigenous to the state.

He called on the people to support

groups in the state.

Also, Suntaisaid the Tiv people constituted over 50 per cent of the economy of Taraba and as such the state was proud of them.

“I don’t know what some people may feel but the truth is that the Tiv in Taraba form over 50 per cent of the economy of this state and if you remove them our economy will collapse,” the governor said. (NAN)

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

L-R Former PDP Chairman Dr. Ahmadu Ali, National PDP Chairman Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and Senior Special Adviser to the President on Public Affair Dr. Doyin Okupe discussing during their courtesy visit to the State House Abuja on Sunday.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Imo vacation judge escapes lynching over judgment

By Lawrence Olaoye with agency reports

J

ustice Ngozi Opara, a vacation judge in Imo state at the weekend escaped lynching by the whiskers by the irate youths of Oguta Constituency in the state after delivering a judgment considered offensive.

African Examiner, an online publication reported that the irate youths were up against a perceived injustice and flagrant abuse of the rule of law by the Judge.

African Examiner gathered on Sunday that Justice Opara, one of the vacation judges assigned to take charge while others enjoy their annual vacation, received an application for ex-parte motion from the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), a political party seeking an injunction to restrain Imo Speaker,

Ben Uwajumogu, from swearing-in Chief Eugene Dibiagwu, as member representing Oguta constituency in the state House of Assembly.

Dibiagwu, a candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) had scored 15,338 votes to floor candidates of the ruling APGA, Mr Walter Uzowunne, who scored 3401 and Henry Igbomeze, of the Action Congress Nigeria (ACN) with 2502 votes. The result was a combined effect of April 26, 2011 and August 11, 2012 results in the four out of 11 electoral wards of; Uwaorie, Ndiuloukwu/Umuowerre, Obudi/ Aro, and Mgbala/Uba. The national electoral umpire, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared elections in the four wards in Oguta inconclusive after the April 2011 general election.

However, barrage of litigation heralded the emergency of a representative for Oguta as parties headed to court to determine whether an outright cancelation be made in the 11 wards or to uphold results of 7 out of the 11 wards where some PDP believed results were successfully returned before the Supplementary governorship election in Imo. But the struggle ended June 25, 2012 following the decision of a Federal High Court sitting Owerri, and presided over by Justice Owo Ade who ruled that results of the 7 were valid. Bent on subverting the mandate of Dibiagwu which finally came on August 11, the ruling APGA party in Imo came up with an experte motion on Aug.16 with Justice Opara serving as vacation judge to halt the swearing in.

Opara after allowing counsel in the

matter to announce their appearances sat down without further talk and wrote for about 15 minutes before reading out to parties that he had re-assigned the application to the state Chief Judge. He also stated that the Speaker of Imo should not swearin Dibiagwu till the CJ resumes his annual vacation even when no debate was held on the application.

Opara attributed his action to allegation by Mr Blandyn Amajuruonwu, PDP state Publicity Secretary of an envisage compromise in handling the application by the judge which according to him was aired in a local radio.

Sensing danger on the mood of over 7000 youths from Oguta who attended the session, Opara quickly rose from his seat without the normal norm of knocking on the table to announce the closure of court and ran into his chambers.

Council chairman wants religious leaders to maintain relationship

T

he Chairman, Kosofe Local Government Council Area of Lagos state, Alhaji Babatunde Sofola, on Sunday in Lagos, implored religious leaders in the country to maintain harmonious relationships among their followers.

Sofola said this at Mende (Araromi) Central Mosque, Maryland, during an interview

with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

“I am always advocating for harmonious relationship among the two religious groups. Our leaders should preach peace and unity among followers.

“This year’s Ramadan falls on a Sunday when Christians are also worshipping in their churches. This shows that God actually want unity

among the two religions.

“Religious leaders, both Christians and Muslims, should have an avenue of meeting at least once in a month where they can dialogue on the peace and unity of the country.”

The council chairman urged religious leaders not to be selfish in their daily undertakings, adding, “this is the period we need to come together and discuss on unity and

peace of the country.“ Sofola advised muslims to continue to pray for the leaders of the country even after the festival so that Allah may direct them right in their assignments.

“I implore my fellow muslims to pray for the leaders that God would touch them and enable them to always have the interest of the people at heart.”

Clean up of Ibeno oil spill site yet to commence as Mobil, community disagree

T

he Clean-up of the Atlantic coastline in Akwa Ibom, contaminated by oil deposits, as ordered by National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) has yet to commence.

Although Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) said on Saturday that it has accepted to clean up the shoreline, the exercise had yet to commence as at Sunday afternoon.

MPN, an affiliate of US oil firm

ExxonMobil and operator of the Qua Iboe oil fields, said that it was still conducting tests on the oil samples to determine the source.

Mobil and members of its host communities in Akwa Ibom on Aug. 13, reported an oil spill to National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA).

Mr Irvin Obot, Zonal Director at NOSDRA said on Thursday that the agency had instructed Mobil to take

responsibility for the clean-up in line with the provisions of the law while investigation continues.

According to a statement from the oil firm, and made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Eket on Saturday, the oil firm will cooperate with local authorities in the clean up exercise.

“Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPN), operator of the Nigerian National Petroleum

Corporation (NNPC)/MPN Joint Venture, confirms it is assisting with the clean-up in cooperation with local authorities.

“The source of the hydrocarbon remains unknown as fingerprinting of collected samples is ongoing.

“MPN remains committed to ensuring that the health and environment of our neighboring communities are protected.”

Enang wants Presidency to dialogue with stakeholders on national issues

T

he Chairman of Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Sen. Ita Enang, has urged the Presidency to constantly dialogue with strategic stakeholders to strengthen national unity and stability.

Enang, who made the call at a news conference in Abuja on Sunday, decried the increasing tension in the country following volatile comments emanating from various sections of the country.

He urged the Presidency to hold strategic discussions with all the state governors, the National Assembly and state assemblies to resolve issues within some sections of the country.

“I will urge Mr President on a very honest note that the time to break the silence is now; he should meet with strategic groups.

“The president should use the period of the Ramadan, a festival of peace, to meet with the governors, leaders of the National Assembly, the state assemblies and the National Security Council.

“He should address them on questions arising from the constitution amendment at the level that will keep the country together and draw their attention to issues that are happening.

“It is action by one side that triggers reaction by the other side.

We should not wait for reactions that will lead to confrontation before we start dialoguing.

He urged Nigerians to go to court to seek declarations on the recent actions by the government of Bayelsa to determine whether they were within the confines of the law.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Bayelsa Governor, Mr Seriake Dickson, signed into law a bill for the state flag, coat of arms and anthem.

He said that as a seasoned lawyer, Dickson might have legal justification for taking those actions in a bid to deepen the practice of true federalism.

“He may be practising federalism at an advanced stage but I will urge the people to be prepared to go to court either to seek to nullify it or affirm it.

“It is the declarations of court, in this instance, that will enable us practice this federalism better.

“The public, the Nigerian Bar Association, the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and other interest groups could go to court to challenge the action to see whether or not it is within the confines of the constitution.’’

Enang said.

He appealed to the Presidency to speak up, especially considering the fact that these developments were taking place in the home state of President Goodluck Jonathan.

He appealed to Nigerians to support the government’s effort toward resolving the security challenges threatening the unity and progress of the country.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

PAGE 47

Quick CrossWord (11) ACROSS

DOWN

1 Actor’s last-minute fear (5,6) 9 Fill with delight (5) 10 Left on the plate (7) 11 Invent (5,2) 12 Declare void (5) 13 Bother, fuss (6) 15 Smother (6) 18 Islamic sacred book (5) 20 Carefully look at (7) 22 In transit (2,5) 23 Italian criminal society (5) 24 Indestructibel (11)

2 Journeys (7) 3 Sheen (5) 4 Drab and dowdy (6) 5 Lacking precision (7) 6 Suddenly come up with (3,2) 7 Genuflect (4,3,4) 8 Of significance in effecting change (11) 14 Sluggishness (7) 16 Fractious (7) 17 Movie theatre (6) 19 Broadcast again (5) 21 Syncopated dance from Brazil (5)

Yesterday’s answer

J O K ES NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT Nigeria government recently announced to pay men with five children 1million Naira monthly salary.

A man heard the news and said to his wife, Eunice! I have a kid with my girlfriend, I am going to bring him so we add him to our 4 kids to make 5.

When he came back, he saw only one of his kids remaining. He asked where are the others? His wife replied, you are not the only one who heard the news! Their fathers had come for them.

OBAMA INSTEAD OF GOODLUCK A young boy getting set to go to school for an examination had this conversation with his father.

Boy: Good morning daddy, I’m going to school to write my exams.

Father: Good morning my son, I wish you Goodluck in your exams (The boy angrily responded).

Boy: Daddy don’t wish me Goodluck please wish me Obama instead of Goodluck.

Source: Online Nigeria Jokes

FACTS 28. The brain operates on the same amount of power as 10-watt light bulb, even while you are sleeping. In fact, the brain is much more active at night than during the day.

29. Nerve impulses to and from the brain travel as fast as 170 miles per hour. Neurons continue to grow throughout human life.

Information travels at different speeds within different types of neurons.

30. It is a fact that people who dream more often and more vividly, on an average have a higher Intelligence Quotient.

31. The fastest growing nail is on the middle finger.

32. Facial hair grows faster than any other hair on the body. This is true for men as well as women.

33. There are as many hairs per square inch on your body as a chimpanzee.

34. A human foetus acquires fingerprints at the age of three months.

35. By the age of 60, most people will have lost about half their taste buds.

36. About 32 million bacteria call every inch of your skin home.

But don't worry, a majority of these are harmless or even helpful bacteria.

37. The colder the room you sleep in, the higher the chances are that you'll have a bad dream.

Source: Weird facts

PHOTO OF THE DAY

A Dutch millionaire has built a full-size replica of Noah's Ark after dreaming his hometown would be destroyed by a flood of Source: Metro.co.uk biblical proportions.

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

. . . putting the people first

TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE Without doubt, the terrorist acts being witnessed in states like Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Kano, Plateau and Kogi are against the teachings of Islam. Islam condemns all forms of terrorism adn exploitation...

— Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Abubakar on occasion of Eid-el-Fitr

SPORTS Contribution of Muslim leaders LA TEST LATEST

Mourinho still keen on EPL return

R

eal Madrid manager Jose Mourinho admits he remains keen to return to the English Premier League – as long as clubs interested in hiring him roll out the red carpet.

Mourinho has signed a new contract keeping him at Real until 2016 after masterminding the club's Spanish title triumph last season.

Whenever a managerial vacancy comes up at a big Premier League club, Mourinho is linked with the job and he remains the favourite to succeed Alex Ferguson at Manchester United or Roberto Mancini at Manchester City.

A return to Chelsea is less likely given the manner of his sacking in 2007 and owner Roman Abramovich's continued interest in former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola.

But Mourinho says he would consider any offer – if the club in question show him enough love and respect.

Asked if a return to Stamford Bridge was possible, Mourinho told BBC radio yesterday: "I will go where people really want me and, when that moment arrives, they show me they really want me.

"But I have to repeat always this: I am at Real Madrid. I like very much to be. I want one day to be back in English football, yes. I always said that."

Mourinho has enjoyed tremendous success wherever he has managed, winning the Champions League and UEFA Cup with underdogs Porto before moving to Chelsea, where he won the Premier League title in his first two seasons.

More Champions League success followed when Mourinho took over at Inter Milan and he became just the fourth manager to win the title in four major European leagues when his Real side ended Barcelona's reign as kings of Spanish football.

Result Man Utd

0

ADVERT: BUSINESS: NEWS: LAGOS:

Everton

1

0803 0805 0803 0805 0803

to insecurity in Nigeria A

t a joint meeting between the Special Task Force (STF) and representatives of Muslim communities of Jos and Barkin Ladi in Plateau state, the Muslims yielded to the appeal by the STF not to pray at their usual Eid prayer ground at Barkin Ladi.

A day earlier, the Izala group has also acquiesced to pressure from the STF not to pray at their Eid ground at Unguwar Rukuba, Jos, where many of its followers were killed and cannibalized last year.

Muslim prayer is becoming impossible in Plateau State. The impossibility is aided by a federal government outfit, the STF, which misdirects its appeal at the victim instead of the assailant. But this is not even our point of discussion today.

In my conversation with one of the Muslim representatives just after yesterday’s meeting with the STF, he expressed his distress over the unhelpful behaviour of top Muslim functionaries in government in the following words: “Honestly, our leaders at the top are not helping matters. We could not reach any of them since yesterday; neither the Inspector General of Police (IGP) nor the National Security Adviser (NSA).

Their lines have been switched off.

One cannot but feel helpless and abandoned in situations like this.”

I have noticed that there is always a deliberate attempt by Muslim leaders and top functionaries in government to distance themselves from their fellow Muslims whenever the latter are faced with a crisis, when they need them most for guidance and advice. One of the leaders the Muslim community in Yelwan Shendam told me the pathetic story of how they were failed by Muslim leaders.

Since 17 February 2004, Muslims expelled from the villages around Shendam started converging to Yelwa for safety.

Yelwa itself was eventually attacked on 24 February 2004.

The attack did not succeed as intended. The Muslims were able to chase and kill many of the attackers, including some who, the Muslims claimed, were using a church as a hideout. Since then, a dusk to dawn curfew was imposed on the town and it remained so until it was attacked for the second time on 2 May 2004.

Sensing the worst might befall them when they are attacked the second time, given the revenge that the then governor Joshua Dariye promised, Muslim leaders

311 689 606 327 454

7458 1765 3308 1969 0344

GUEST COLUMNIST Aliyu U. Tilde

Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’Ad Abubakar of Yelwa took the pain to tour the North for thirteen days after the first attack, appealing to Muslim leaders in the region to persuade the federal government to beef up security in the area. Among the several Emirs they visited, only those of Birnin Gwari and Dutse promised to take their complaint further. The Emir of Zaria outrightly dismissed them as incapable of living peacefully with their Christian neighbors, as if he is able to live peacefully with his Christian subjects in southern Kaduna. Blaming the victim is own way of escaping any involvement in the issue. The Emir of Kano consigned the Yelwa delegation to his Sarkin Fada, meaning that the matter did not even qualify for his attention. The Sultan was not in the country.

Babangida, according a member of the delegation, “played us his maradona, without committing himself to anything.” Etc. And the worst came.

When the end of 28 April 2004 approached and the campaign by the majority Christian tribes was about to commence, all policemen withdrew from Yelwa, saying that it has become “Afghanistan.” Only one Muslim police officer remained in the town. He was allegedly shot by a mobile policeman colleague when the attackers returned to Yelwa.

After they were informed that Christian forces were seen heading for the town, the soldiers stationed in Yelwa withdrew on 2 May 2004 – the first day of the second attack on the town – under the pretext

that they are going to seek for reinforcement.

They never returned. The Muslims were thus abandopned to their fate. Luckily, they suffered only eight deaths on the first day. If the military had stayed or returned with the reinforcement as they promised, the massacre that happened the following day would have been avoided.

Monday, 3 May 2004, the Muslims lost close to 570 lives.

Hundreds of their girls and women were captured from their hideout at the house of the Galadima by the Christian tribesmen. They were carted away literally into captivity and slavery. That day, it took the braveness of a youth who drove through the roadblocks mounted by Christian youtand to inform the soldiers at Shendam of the massacre that he left taking place behind him in Yelwa. If it were not for the intervention of one Col. Femi and his troops, the entire Muslim population of the town would have been wiped out. He had to “clear” a number of Christian youths at the roadblocks on his way to Yelwa. Thanks to another brave mobile policeman in the team drafted to the town after the crisis, most of the slave women were retrieved after they have been subjected to weeks of unprintable abuse that has been documented by many human rights groups. As a side note, I must say that nobody was arrested for any of these crimes.

Also, when the Fulani in Riyom and Barikin Ladi local governments were given a quit notice by the STF last month, I immediately got in touch with the Sultan, the supreme commander of the Fulani in Nigeria, to register my disapproval of the order. To be fair to him, he took me into confidence and said he would appeal to the President to withdraw it. Meanwhile, he agreed with me that the Fulani should disregard the order. I conveyed his stand to them.

The Sultan contacted the President, who was attending an AU conference, and the Vice President in the following hours.

We kept in touch until when it was clear by the evening of the first day of the quit notice that the Chief of

Defence Staff has resolved that the operation must be undertaken. It then became clear to the Sultan that there was no going back. What would he tell the Fulani then? He never got back to me to advise us on what to do. Twice i called my commander, and twice he refused to pick my calls. I have not heard from him since.

As God would have it, Saleh Bayari was released that evening and together with Miyetti Allah leaders in the State we visited the STF the following morning and began to sort out how the Fulani would vacate their homes in the five affected communities. We agreed on a number of things with the STF and headed for Mahanga with a detachment of some soldiers and its deputy Commander that evening to explain matters to them. The rest is now a story which I was updating my readers on throughout the period of the crisis.

The operation has ended without any casualty. We thank God that the plan to use the soldiers to drive the Fulani out of their communities forever or “finish” them when they refuse to vacate was carefully foiled by the vehement outcry of the Nigerian public, especially from the civil rights groups and international humanitarian organizations which instantly responded to the apprehension we expressed online.

As a result of that pressure, the federal government backtracked and instructed the soldiers not to kill anyone during the operation.

Throughout the period of that crisis, like in every other one during the past two and a half decades, not a single northern politician, traditional ruler, governor or government official – Muslim or Christian – made any public statement condemning the federal government for its actions.

In their silence lies one of our greatest security problems in the country.

Muslims in the country are always left on their own under such situations. Unlike the Christians who would trust the Christian Association of Nigeria to speak on their behalf (though many times its leader speaks only on behalf of himself), Muslims have no voice to echo their grievances. The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs are practically government mouthpieces because its core members – the Emirs – and their president – the Sultan – are officials of their respective state governments. They dare not say anything unpalatable to government otherwise they will Contd. on Page 29

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos, Tel: +234-09-8734478. Cell: +234 803 606 3308. e-mail: contact@peoplesdaily-online.com; pmlnewsdesk@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141