Peoples Daily Online

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

Vol. 9 No. 74

Thursday, November 22, 2012

. . . putting the people first

Gunmen kill five in Borno

No going back on Bi-Courtney sack — FG

Al-Muharram 8, 1434 AH

N150

Hamas, Israel agree on ceasefire in Cairo

I can contest in 2015, says Jonathan >> PAGE 3

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday told a Federal High Court in Abuja that contrary to the provision of the 1999 constitution, an incumbent president’s tenure of office extends beyond four or eight years.

Jonathan stated this in his response to a suit filed by a Port Harcourt based lawyer, and a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) card carrying member, Henry Amadi, that Jonathan is no longer viable to contest in 2015 on the grounds that by so doing, he would be spending more than the maximum period of two terms

>> PAGE 2

of four years envisaged by the 1999 constitution.

The suit is similar to another one filed by a chieftain of the PDP, Mr Cyriacus Njoku on March 20, 2012 before an Abuja High Court asking it to stop President Jonathan from contesting presidential elections in 2015 on the grounds that he is already in

>> PAGE 6

his second term in office.

Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi would have, on November 13, 2012 deliver judgement in Njoku’s suit but adjourned indefinitely following his trip abroad.

However, in the present suit, Amadi had named Jonathan and the Independent National

Electoral Commission (INEC) as co-defendants.

The plaintiff asked the court to stop Jonathan from putting himself forward or participating as candidate for election to the office of the President at the end of his current term of office in 2012.

Amadi also asked the court to Contd on Page 2

Lufthansa gets presidential reprieve till Jan.

By Aminu Imam

A

temporary reprieve has come the way of German airline, Lufthansa, as indications emerged yesterday that President Goodluck Jonathan has allowed the airline to resume its regular flights to Nigeria till January next year.

Peoples Daily yesterday exclusively reported that Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, terminated the MoU between the Federal Government

PD INDEX

19th Nov., 2012

CBN RATES $ £ EURO CFA RIYAL

BUYING 154.75 245.50 198.28 0.2797 41.26

SELLING 155.75 248.09 199.56 0.2997 41.53

PARALLEL RATES EURO £ RIYAL $

BUYING 207 255 42 157

SELLING 209 256 44 158

and the Lufthansa because of the failure of the airline to fulfill its own side of the agreement.

The airline consequently suspended its flights to the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

According to a reliable source in the Presidency, the president granted the extension to the airline to enable it pay the outstanding N2.198 billion ($14.8 million), being debt owed from non-payment of royalties to the Federal Government from its flight operations from 2009 to October 2011.

The source disclosed that the extension also covers the suspension of royalty payments by the airline, which has remained unpaid since 2009, and that Lufthansa would be allowed up till January, to fly the 14 flight frequencies allowed by the subsisting Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA).

Contd on Page 2

R-L: Sokoto state Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, presenting state Merit Award to Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, recently in Sokoto.

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

CONTENTS News

2-11

Editorial

12

Op.Ed

13

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-18

Business

19-22

S/Exchange

23

Report

24-25

Earth

26-27

Update

28-29

Explore other sources of revenue aside oil, Zamfara Senator tells FG, Page 37

Int’l

31-32

Digest Politics Sports Columnist

36 37-40 41-47 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

No going back on Bi-Courtney sack - FG

...as FEC approves N170bn for road construction he Federal Government has said there is no going back on its decision to terminate the multi-million dollar LagosIbadan express way contract earlier awarded to Bi-Courtney saying it is ready to meet the consortium in court on the issue.

Government had on Monday summarily terminated the contracted awarded since 2009 citing the lack of capacity of the company to execute the project.

Fielding questions from State House correspondents on the threat of Bi-Courtney to go to court, the Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen said after yesterday's Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, that the Federal Government was prepared for any legal battle as it observed the rules of disengagement as stated in the agreement having repeatedly written to Bi-Courtney to remedy the situation, to no avail.

The Federal Government announced the termination of the contract and awarded same to both Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and R.C.C Nigeria Limited who were given the marching order to commence work immediately on the reconstruction of the expressway.

While Julius Berger would handle section 1 spanning from Lagos to Shagamu interchange, RCC Nigeria Limited will be responsible for section II which is from Shagamu to Ibadan.

Onolememen reiterated that the termination of the concession was as a result of the serial breaches of the concession agreement by Bi-Courtney Consortium and especially the failure of the company to reach financial close as provided for in the agreement.

The Minister said: "That concession was governed by law;

the agreement is the governing instrument for that concession.

And the obligations of the parties were well spelt out in that agreement and at every point in time, every party was in the know as to what it was doing either in conformity with the obligation in the agreement or in breach of those obligations. As a party, the government at a time had to address a letter to Bi-Courtney detailing the serial breaches it has committed on that particular concession and inviting the company to remedy those breaches given the days of grace as provided for in the agreement, failing which government did not have to invite them again to another meeting to terminate it.

“It is one of the rights given to government as a guarantor in the concession to terminate when certain things go wrong in the section prescribed in the agreement. And that is precisely what government did. So they are free to go to court and government will meet them in the law court", he said.

In a related development, reports filtered out yesterday that Bi-Courtney, its Chief Executive Officer, Wale Babalakin may have been charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly helping to launder about N2 billion said to be part of the funds belonging syphoned by Delta state former governor, James Ibori, who is in jail in the UK for money laundering.

Though EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren said yesterday he was not aware of the charge, a source in the commission was quoted by on-line portals as saying that the charges were filed at the a Lagos Court sitting in Ikeja yesterday.

The case is said to involve the money meant for the construction

Contd from Page 1 direct INEC not to accept Jonathan’s nomination as candidate of the PDP by 2015 because by so doing, Jonathan will hoist illegality in the polity since the oath of allegiance and office he will take if he wins will violate the two oaths of allegiance and office stipulated by the 1999 constitution.

But in the counter-affidavit filed on his behalf by Mr Ade Okeaya-Inneh (SAN), Jonathan said the court should dismiss itself of jurisdiction to entertain Amadi’s suit saying the plaintiff is an ordinary individual who is not qualified to request court to stop him from contesting 2015 presidential election.

Jonathan said Amadi failed to disclose reasonable cause of action and that the plaintiff’s claim is hypothetical and academic.

Jonathan averred that he took the first oath of office on May 6, 2010 following the death of erstwhile President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, saying that: "The

question that arises for determination is whether, having regard to the facts of this case, he is in his first or second term.

“In other words, given that the constitution prescribes a maximum of two terms of four years each totalling a maximum of eight years as President, is he eligible to run for re-election in 2015?

“If yes, that would mean that, if he wins, he would be in office for a period of more than eight years.

On the other hand, if the answer is no, that would mean that he, for no fault of his, would be constrained to serve for a period of less than eight years.

“Given that between May 6, 2010 and May 28, 2011, he held office for the unexpired term of office of Yar’adua following the death of the later. Does the constitution contemplate that the period of about one year and three weeks would constitute his first term, a period of less than half of the constitutionally prescribed period of four years”.

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

T

of a stadium in Asaba which was alleged to have been diverted by Ibori.

Meanwhile, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved about N170 billion for roads construction across the country.

Briefing newsmen on the various projects, Onolememen said council approved "award of contracts for dualization of Obajana-Okene road in Kogi state to Messrs CGC Nigeria Limited in the sum of N11.6 billion with completion period of 24 months."

The minister said Council also approved Okene-Auchi road to Mothercat Limited in the cost of N11 billion to be completed in 42 months.

Other roads contract awarded are; Auchi-Ehor road to Dantata and Sawoe (N11.6 billion), dualization of Obajana junction to Benin to RCC Limited (N11.6

billion), Gashua-Bayamari road in Yobe state to CCECC (N6.5 billion) and Ugep-Ikom-Ogoja-Katsina Ala road to CCECC (N3.9 billion) with the total cost of the contract revised from N5.2 billion to N9 billion with completion period of 30 months.

Another major road contract awarded was the augmentation of the dualization of Kano-Maiduguri road section 1: (Kano-WudilShuarin) in Kano state.

The contract sum was revised from N37 billion to N55 billion in favour of Dantata and Sawoe while contract for Shuarin-Azare to Dutse was also revised from N35.8 billion to N65.3 billion. Contract for other sections of the road have also been reviewed.

Contract for construction of the flyover at Kundila roundabout in Kano was also awarded to Rocad Construction Limited in the sum of N2.4 billion with completion period of 18 months.

FG to acquire N3.5bn air ambulance for NEMA

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

I

n response to the natural disasters across the country, the Federal Executive Council yesterday approved the purchase of an air ambulance for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to boost its ability to rescue victims.

The brand new Air Ambulance branded Cessna Citation Sovereign Jet Aircraft is according to the Director General of NEMA, Mohammed Sani- Sidi, fully equipped and customised with emergency medical facilities.

It was awarded in favour of Messrs Sea Jewel Energy Ltd, in the sum of 23 million dollars as the

I can contest in 2015, says Jonathan Okeaya-Inneh further said that, "in resolving this issue, the court is invited to make a determination whether the period of May 6, 2010 to May 28, 2011 wherein Jonathan occupied the office of the president can in law be regarded as one term of office and relevance of the oath of office Jonathan took on May 6, 2010 in computing the tenure of office of Jonathan in line with sections 135 (1) and (2), 137 (1)(b), 140 (1) and (2) and 146(1) of the 1999 constitution’’.

He argued that it is better with the political situation of Nigeria for Jonathan to spend nine years in office than to spend less than eight years.

“This approach is also consistent with the time honoured canon of interpretation to the effect that if confronted with two interpretations, one of which would abridge a person’s right and another which would maintain or enhance a person’s rights, the former constitution yields to the later”, he maintained.

foreign currency content and N909 million as the local currency content with a delivery period of 32 weeks. The Council also approved over N1 billion for another set of disaster equipment and facilities for NEMA. The Council also approved N5 billion for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the United Nations Office building in Abuja in line with government promise to rebuild the structure after the bombing of August 26, 2011. The contract was awarded to Julius Berger with a completion period of 16 months.

FEC also approved the sum of N13.9 billion for a new terminal building, control tower and powerhouse for the Bayelsa International Airport, located in Yenagoa awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) with a completion period of 24 months.

Lufthansa gets Jonathan's reprieve till January Contd from Page 1

The source disclosed that it is only after the expiration of the grace period that a review of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the commercial agreement the FG entered into with German airline would be done and only then would the fate of Lufthansa be known.

It would be recalled that in May, Senate Committee on Aviation ordered Lufthansa Airlines to pay to the Federal Government N2.198 billion ($14.8 million), being debt owed from non-payment of royalty to the Federal Government from its flight operations from 2009 to October 2011 or face sanctions.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

PAGE 3

Budget defence: Reps threaten to arrest NAPIMS boss, summon IOCs’ CEOs

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he House of Representatives yesterday threatened to issue a warrant of arrest on the Group General Manager of the National Petroleum Investment Services (NAPIMS), Mr. M.A. Fiddi for his refusal to appear before it to defend the 2013 Cash Call budget.

This is coming as the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) summoned the Chief Executive Officers of the some International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating the Joint Venture Companies (JVCs) to appear before the committee to defend the 2013 budget.

Muraina who handed down the threat to arrest the NAPIMS boss said Fiddi never took the committee serious in spite of the fact that an invitation letter dated November 13 was duly served on Fiddi to come and defend the NAPIMS 2013 budget estimates and appraise its performance in 2012.

NAPIMS, a subsidiary of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, manages Federal Government investments in the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry.

Although, the management of the IOCs were represented at the meeting, they were turned back by the committee which insisted that their Chief Executives Officers

(CEOs) must appear in person.

To this end, the committee directed Managing Directors of Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Total Exploration and Production Nigeria limited, Nigeria AGIP OIL

Company limited, and Pan Ocean Oil Corporation, to also appear before the committee to defend the Joint Venture Agreement they entered into with the Federal government through NAPIMS. The committee chairman noted "By this letter as it is being done every year, the NAPIMS

management team are suppose to appear before us to give us performance on how they have spent Nigeria public fund in the production of crude, which we call 'cash calls' in the last one year. This is to enable our committee to look into their proposal for 2013, and approving same ones we are

satisfied.

"This letter in our usual practice was also written to all the JV partners who of course ordinarily ought to also submit their independent budget performance for the year 2012 and also be prepared to defend their 2013 budget proposals individually before this committee and same letter of invitation was written to all the JV partners", Ajibola said.

Gunmen kill five in Borno From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

F

The collapsed building at Jakande Estate, Oke-Afa in Isolo, Lagos state, yesterday.

Photo: NAN

Why we can’t defeat Boko Haram — NAF Commander

By Richard Ihediwa, Abuja and Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

Senate knocks IGP

There are serious questions over the ability of the Nigerian forces to tackle insurgency and terrorism in the country as the Commander, 335 Base Services Group at the Nigerian Air Force Base, Kaduna, Air Commodore Mudashiru Soladoye, yesterday said the nation lacks appropriate technology to effectively do so.

This is even as the Senate has lambasted the Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar saying he is not properly informed of the law governing the operation of the Police.

Soladoye said the nation is yet to combat the menace of the Boko Haram due to lack of appropriate technology, a situation he said has made the monitoring of the nation’s borders very difficult.

“A case in point is the quick succession of the Niger Delta militancy problem with Boko Haram and one way of achieving this transformation is the use of technology to combat insecurity and economic sabotage,” Soladoye said yesterday in Kaduna in a keynote address he presented during 15th National Engineering Conference, at the Kaduna Polytechnic.

According to him, with improved technological development, the country can witness improved security and economic growth even as he listed the United States of America, Mexico and India as some of the

countries which used hi-tech equipment to track down all manner of criminals at their respective borders.

As Soladoye put, “one area where the application of technology can ensure both security and economic growth is at our borders which are not properly secured. These porous borders have been used by economic saboteurs, cross border bandits and terrorists.

“While the protection of Nigeria’s borders may be difficult, the task is by no means impossible, especially if advances in technology are utilized.

For example, the US shares borders with Mexico that spans well above 3000 kikometres. The security of this border is premised on the need to protect America from illegal immigrants and the influence of the Mexican drug lords.

“In order to meet this need, the country’s borders are manned by hi-tech equipment. These include long range cameras, acoustic sensors, unmanned aerial vehicles and land-based radars. On the other hand, India has effectively utilized low cost airships fitted with surveillance equipment for border patrol.

“Application of such technologies in Nigeria will help to improve border security, check economic sabotage as well as prevent infiltration of both illegal

immigrants and terrorists”, he said.

At the Senate , the Inspector General of Police Abubakar Mohammed, came under fire as the Senate yesterday told him to settle down and work and stop giving excuses over the inability of the forces to combat terrorism and prosecute suspects in the country.

Senate was reacting to statements credited to the IGP that the Police have not been able to prosecute terrorism suspect because the National Assembly was delaying the passage of the anti-terrorism law.

Replying the IGP Senate through its spokesman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe said the National Assembly has since last year passed the Anti-Terrorism Act which was also signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan in June last year and wondered why an officer of the rank of the IGP was unaware of the existence of the law.

Abaribe said the bill had already made elaborate provisions for the prevention of terrorism and prosecution of suspects and charged the police boss to get himself properly briefed about the laws governing police and get down to work instead of giving unfounded excuses.

“Let me say that the Senate was very surprised and flagabasted that the Inspector General of Police

would say that there was no antiterrorism law. Actually, it is called Terrorism Prevention Act of 2011 and was passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on June 1, 2001 and on June 2, it was transmitted by the Clerk to the National Assembly to the President and to show how important it was to the President, he signed the law on June 3, 2011.

“I have the Bill here and it makes elaborate provisions for prevention of terrorism and for prosecuting those who have committed terrorism act. I think that the IG has not been briefed properly by his staff or legal staff of the existence of a bill that has been here for a year and five months after its passage”, he said.

Abaribe observed that the Senate finds it difficult to believe there was something wrong in the system adding that it was unthinkable that an arm of government could declare that it does not have a law that was signed by the President.

“We are going to send a copy of this bill again to IG. We find it very difficult to believe that an arm of government could say that it does not have a law that has been signed by the President more than a year ago. I think there is something that is wrong there.

“I am saying that there is a law, nobody can say that there is no law and I have shown you the law and I have told you when it was signed.

What I have here is a copy of the President’s signature on the law, signed on June 3, 2011. We don’t think that such should be an excuse. There is enough in our law to prosecute anybody who has committed a terrorist act”, he said.

ive persons were killed on Tuesday night when unknown gunmen carried out multiple attacks in Shokwari ward of Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.

The assailants had reportedly raided two seperate compounds and slaughtered their targets.

Residents of the area were also thrown into intense fear yesterday morning when heavily armed soldiers cordoned the entire area, firing sporadic shots into the air.

This caused confusion as people were forced to stay indoors, while shops and other commercial centres were shut.

Witnesses told newsmen that the incident occured around 7.30pm, when three men armed with AK 47 rifles drove into the area in a tricyle.

After entering each of the houses, the gunmen had reportedly ordered the occupants out of their rooms before selecting their targets.

"The attackers stormed two houses were both indigenes and non indigenes are living and directed everyone to come out. They seperated women and children on one side, while men were held at gun point, before the assailants selected the victims".

Two sisters killed as building collapses in Lagos From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

T

ragedy struck yesterday when a middle age woman named Mrs. Coker lost her only two daughters when a twostorey building collapsed at Jakande Estate, Ejigbo in Lagos.

The house located at House M20 LSDPC Housing Estate, eye witnesses said, collapsed around midnight.

An ambulance conveying the bodies of the two girls arrived the General Hospital Ikeja Lagos at about 2.30pm yesterday.

Mrs. Coker and her two daughters who were sleeping, got trapped in the collapsed building.

Mrs. Coker was rushed to the hospital where doctors are now battling to save her life.

Several sources in the estate said that the house had earlier been marked for demolition by the Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, and occupants asked to move out but Mrs. Coker and others who occupied the second floor did not heed the warning.

PAGE 4

ABU @ 50

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

Peace and standard are necessary for universities to grow – Arch. Usman

A

BU is 50, how has the journey been so far?

I would say it has gone far in terms of capacity and strength as well as academically, even though the ABU of yesterday is not the same as that of today.

Some of us that have passed through the institution some 30 years or so ago see it as a whole town now rather than an institution. Everyone will agree with me that it has grown much in size and quality.

You just said that the institution has gone far; is that the same as saying that the dream of the founding fathers has been justified?

One will answer that question with mixed feelings, because I believe the dreams of the founding fathers was to see ABU grow into a house hold name in Nigeria. Unfortunately, as we all know, it has passed through a lot of challenges. In fact, since the abolition of Interim Common Service Agency (ICSA), which was one of the main financiers of ABU, the institution has been faced by a series of challenges, especially in terms of funding. I have been privileged to participate in a couple of alumni activities of the institution and I know some of the problems of the university then and I know how much the alumni associations contribute.

Looking at it terms of size, you will say that the dream of the founding fathers has been realised. In terms of academic work, we still have a lot to cover.

A lot of institutes attached to ABU, such as the institutes of Administration, Education, Agriculture, etc have not developed to the level they should have by now. Instead of growing into campuses or even affiliate of the university, they are still crumbling as faculties within the university and I don’t believe this is what the founding fathers had in mind. Before now, the Institute of Agriculture was covering the whole of the northern states, giving agricultural advice, researches and education. Today, it is not like that.

How can you then compare ABU then and the one of today?

I wouldn’t want to see it as an individual institution but as part of the nation in terms of development, growth and the likes. If we look at it generally, we would say the country has advanced educationally but our level of advancement is only in size not academically. When I went to ABU in 1977 I didn’t know anybody, I only saw my name in the dailies that I was offered admission but today there is no way you can get admission in ABU without knowing anybody and also there is no funding for courses to expand. Facilities are over stretched and there are no new ones. If you go to the engineering faculty of the

Architect Abdul Usman, a seasoned lecturer, is an alumnus of ABU Zaria. In this interview with Maryam Garba Hassan to commemorate the institution’s 50th Anniversary, the erstwhile Secretary of the ABU Alumni Association, Borno state chapter, said his Alma Mata had not failed, notwithstanding the deteriorating state of education.

Architect Abdul Usman university, you see that all learning and teaching equipment there are grounded and students get practical education. The problem is not peculiar to ABU alone. Look at the case of University of Abuja where they have been running programmes for years without accreditation.

Nigeria’s universities have produced quite a sizable number of graduates, which is why we have unemployment problem. Sadly though, the many of the graduates cannot measure up to the required standard because the universities cannot train them to the required level.

Having identified some of the problems facing it, in what ways has the Borno state ABU alumni been able to contribute to its Alma Mata?

Well, I happened to be the first Secretary of the Borno state ABU Alumni in 1983. Unfortunately,

at that time most of us were not financially capable to put up a strong organisation, but we made a lot of financial contributions to the national body of the association under the leadership of Dr. Arab. We sent a reasonable amount when the alumni launched its appeal fund to erect more hostels and renovate some class rooms.

If the founding fathers were alive, what do you think would be their reaction to what ABU is today?

They will be very sad. But I don’t believe that if they are alive they will allow the university or even the federal government to go into the situation we are now.

Unfortunately, we veered off track in terms of our development in the country. In those days, we used to have five-year development plans.

But nowadays plans are not projected.

Today you find out we have

budget and in the middle of the year you will hear that there is going to be a supplementary budget and nobody will account for the initial budget. At the time I gained admission at ABU, all the structures I met that were under construction were completed before I graduated, but right now there are a lot of constructions left uncompleted because of lack of funds and commitment.

Can you tell us what role the university has played in the development of the country?

About 90 percent of people of Samaru, which is the main home community of the university, are either directly or indirectly economically involved with ABU. If you look at it politically I will say that over 75 percent of those who matter in this country graduated from ABU. If you look at it in that term, you will say obviously ABU has contributed

immensely to the development of this country.

As an educationist, what do you think can be done to regain the lost glory of an institution that has given so much to the country?

It is simple, but at the same time difficult. If there is commitment on the part of this government, ABU will come up and meet its inspiration and grow beyond what we think. Right now, every state has a university which makes it impossible for the Federal Government to be able to fund all the universities in the country simultaneously. But it can find a way of merging certain universities or allowing certain universities to specialise in particular programme. It will be easier for government to fund these universities in terms of government priorities in those programmes. The universities cannot regain their lost glory without the financial support of government.

ABU is believed to be established to serve the North, would you then say it has served that purpose?

It has to an extent. One will say without any contradiction that virtually the heads of almost all the northern institutions were products of ABU. The only question we should raise now is how much is the north paying back to ABU. In the past the university was ranked among the best in the world, but today it is not even among the best in African. What do you think is responsible for this?

A university is not a market place which is the situation with some of our universities today. We have turned our universities into centers of cultism and areas like juvenile centers where our children go and do all kinds of illicit activities. There is no way you will run a university without a standard and peace. Today there is no university in this country at you will proudly go and study because of its academic status as against proximity and other considerations which are the criteria people now take into account before they apply.

Without standard we cannot compete with other universities.

If you were to score the university, what percentage will you give it?

Unfortunately I am not a good scorer but objectively even with the deterioration in ABU it didn’t make it fail. ABU is still regarded and ranked among the best. If you look at other universities, the way they are ran will shock you.

PAGE 6

Reps query SURCON over budget utilisation

By Umar Muhammad Puma

T

he House of Representatives Committee on Works yesterday queried the Surveyors Council of Nigeria's (SURCON) inability to utilise the money accruing to the council in the 2012 budget.

Though the committee agreed that the council was underfunded, it demanded for explanations on why this money was not utilised to control desertification and floods that ravaged parts of the nation.

Speaking at the budget defense of the Surveyors Council of Nigeria, the registrar, Mr. Winston Ayemi, said Nigeria has 1, 900 surveyors, only.

According to him, late release of funds by the Ministry of Finance has been responsible for the continuous carrying over of capital projects of the council to another year.

He said that a lot of capital projects were ongoing, while saying that only 2.5 percent of Nigeria was documented.

On the performance of the 2012 budget, he said that out of the N307 million appropriated to the council for capital projects, only N151 million was released.

He explained that N137 million has been utilised for the funds released in various capital projects.

Ayeni said that all projects proposed were ongoing in line with the guidelines for the preparation of the 2013 capital budget.

"So far, N300 million proposed for capital projects in the 2013 budget was inadequate. The appropriation on the capital budget and the releases often appear unsatisfactory," he said.

He implored the committee to take a critical look at the proposal and adjust it accordingly.

The Council proposed N388 million for 2013 fiscal year against N 478 million appropriated to it in 2012.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

Reps grill Yuguda, other govs over proposed foreign loans

By Lawrence Olaoye

L

awmakers in the House of Representatives yesterday took time to grill the Bauchi state governor, Isa Yuguda, over his government's plan to obtain a $171 million foreign loan to finance Independent Power Plant (IPP).

They raised the fears that the loan will further expose the state to financial difficulties. The loan facility is being granted by Exim International Bank, China.

Speaking when Gov Yuguda appeared before the House Committee on Debts, Aids and Loans chaired by Rep Adeyinka Ajani, Rep Haruna Kigbu argued that Bauchi, being a state not known for financial buoyancy, was

not in a position to add more debts on itself.

Apart from that he reminded the governor that he was on his second and last term and that there are tendencies that his successor may not be willing to continue with the project.

The lawmaker also queried the choice of contractor for the IPP which Yuguda said was a Chinese firm. He argued that Chinese companies in recent times have had their contracts terminated, citing the Mambila Hydro Power Project that was hitherto handled by a Chinese firm but terminated for non performance.

Another member of the committee, Rep Solomon Adeola, reminded the Bauchi governor that

his state was yet to come out of some domestic debts even as he wondered why he was embarking on more borrowing.

Yuguda defended the decision of his administration to go for the loan on the grounds that providing stable power supply will help fasttrack development in the state. He also punctured the argument that his successor might abandon the power project. According to him it was wrong to reach a decision based on the behaviour of past governors on projects initiated by their predecessors.

The committee had invited Yuguda and the governors of 11 other states to defend their request for loans as captured in the 20122014 External Borrowing Plan of

Joyful youths after clearing the new site of the School of Agriculture, during the visit of the Bauchi State Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaji Bappah Azare to Kangere, Bauchi LGA, yesterday.

Photo: NAN

Nigeria to collaborate with UNDP on youths training

By Adamu Saleh

T

he Nigerian government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), for a junior professional officers programme

that will recruit young Nigerians to work in the United Nations for two years in order to acquaint them with the requirements of International civil service jobs.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Youth Development Inuwa Abdulkadir, at the 5th National Council on Youth

Development meeting held at new Chelsea Hotel from November 1921 in Abuja.

Abdulkadir, said that the programme will be fully funded by the Federal Government and recruitment for the programme will be based on merit when it takes off in January, 2013.

Hamas and Israel agree Gaza ceasefire at Cairo talks

I

srael and the Hamas movement which governs Gaza have agreed a ceasefire to end a week of violence in which nearly 160 people have died, Egyptian and Hamas officials say.

It is intended to come into effect at 19:00 GMT (21:00 local time), the officials say.

Similar predictions on Tuesday failed to produce a deal.

A bomb exploded on a bus in

the Federal Government.

Yuguda was the only governor that attended the session. He stressed that the state chose to borrow and invest in the power sector because of its capacity to trigger industrialisation and job creation in the economy. He said that the loan has a payback duration of 20 years with a six-year moratorium period.

However, there was confusion when the committee raised some discrepancies on the $171 million he said he was borrowing and the $75 million the Debt Management Office indicated. The governor claimed it was a typographical error but the Director General of DMO said it was the figure the Ministry of Finance gave him.

the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, leaving three people needing surgery.

At least 13 people were killed in Gaza.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Kamel Amr announced the ceasefire at a news conference in Cairo with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who joined negotiations yesterday.

The details of the deal are not yet clear, says the BBC's

Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen.

Israel has accepted the deal, according to a statement released from the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

For the truce to hold "the rocket attacks (from Gaza) must end and a broader calm must return," Mrs. Clinton said.

"Now we have to focus on reaching a durable outcome

that promotes regional stability and advances the security, dignity and legitimate aspirations of Palestinians and Israelis alike," she said.

Israel launched its current offensive a week ago with the killing of Hamas military leader Ahmed Jabari.

Militants fired more rockets at Israel, while Israel renewed its naval artillery bombardment of Gaza late yesterday.

"In the spirit of partnership, I wish to appeal to state governments and other stakeholders to compliment these initiatives by resuscitating and encouraging the establishment of school-based youth organisations like the Boys Scout and Girl Guides and their local variants which have a track record for highly successful community-based orientation courses all over the world that capture the attention and interest of the youths and channel their energies away from negative exuberance and anti social vices".

The minister stated that the meeting demonstrates the strategic imperative for partnership and linkages as well as active involvement of all major stakeholders in charting the course for timely and effective attainment of our common objectives for youth's development.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

PAGE 7

Dry season has set in, says NIMET

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L-R: Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Malam Mohammed Sani Sidi, FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, and Minister of State Niger Delta, Garius Ishaku, jointly briefing journalists on the recent flood disaster, yesterday at the State House, Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Poor implementation of Fulani/Tiv crises report, cause of lingering clashes From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

T

he secretary, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Benue state, Malam Garos Haruna, has blamed poor implementation of the report of the joint committee set up by government of Benue and Nasarawa states over the lingering crisis between Fulani herdsmen and Tiv farmers as responsible for the escalation of the crisis.

Haruna who gave the blame yesterday in Makurdi while speaking with newsmen, faulted the recommendations of the committee which did not provide for a security post to be mounted on the border between Nasarawa and Benue states, adding that both state governors did not even make an input in the report.

He also noted that the

report should have spelt out sanctions to be meted out to the ardos (chiefs) from both sides for any failure to protect their domains from infiltration by illegal Fulani herdsmen.

The Miyetti Allah scribe maintained that it is only through this way as well as forgiveness from both tribes that lasting peace can be achieved.

“Fulanis and Tiv are brothers whose relationship has spanned centuries. There is need for us to forgive each other for a sustained peace and harmony”, he said.

Garos also suggested that grazing reserves should be allocated to the Fualni herdsmen, regretting that the ones that had been marked which stretched up to Rivers state have been turned into farmlands.

He denied allegations that Fulani herdsmen often attack

Tiv farmers, contending that most of the attacks are carried out by other ethnic groups or criminals, intimating that a meeting was only recently held between the chiefs from Nasarawa and Benue states during which they were urged to register all persons who came into their domain to know their true identities.

According to him, over 9, 000 Fulani herdsmen have since been killed in these clashes even as he faulted the appointment of one Shettima by Governor Gabriel Suswam as Special Adviser on Fulani Matters – describing it is a misplaced appointment because he is a Kanuri man and not a Fulani man.

“The man is not a Fulani man. He does not even know the number of Fulani people in the state. We were not even consulted before he was appointed”, Haruna fumed.

Ilorin emir vows to challenge Saraki’s enemies From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

T

he chairman of Kwara State Traditional Council and Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, has declared his readiness to fight whoever attempts to divide the immediate family of the late Dr. Olusola Saraki.

Gambari, who recalled that he had several times in the past risked his position for the sake of the late politician, vowed to ‘personally fight’ anyone who takes step to rubbish the legacies left behind by the Second Republic Senate Leader who died last week Wednesday.

The traditional ruler made the comments while receiving

former Kwara state governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki who led the family on a thank-you visit to the traditional ruler as part of activities to mark the eighth day ceremony of their father’s demise.

Emir said: “I was sleeping when the senator called to inform me that Baba had passed away. I went into shock immediately and the phone went dead. It took me time to come back and I went to the toilet several times before I could adjust myself to the reality of the news.

“Everyone knew my relationship with Baba. I risked my position; I risked my job for him. Nobody should do anything

negative concerning the Saraki family, otherwise I will fight that person.

“My prayers is for the continued peace and progress of Ilorin and Kwara and I want all of you who are followers of Saraki to also toe the same path. Baba’s death is the beginning of a new era and I want to appeal to all of you not to fight yourselves. I release myself to the family in any way they might want to make use of my services”.

Dr. Bukola Saraki earlier in his speech, asked for more support from the traditional rulers in the state and noted that with the death of his father, all eyes are on the state to see what would happen next.

he Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) in Abuja yesterday said the country has come to the end of the rainy season for 2012.

It added that the country was gradually transmitting into the dry season except in the coastal areas which might still experience some rains before Dec. 15.

Mr. Wilson Mangi, the NIMET’s General Manager, Public Weather Services, made this known during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

“By the end of November, we should be talking about dry season when we usually have dusty haze.

“But the coastal areas may still experience rain up to Dec. 15, but we have virtually come to the end of the rainy season”, he said.

Mangi said people should be careful about how they use matches, lights, stoves, electrical appliances and other materials that could trigger fire in the home, office and the environment.

He also warned farmers and hunters to desist from unsupervised bush burning and in places with thatch and plank roofs.

“Presently, the temperature has increased and that is causing heat that may result in dehydration, heat rash and other ailments.

“We have to adapt to the condition because it is natural until the next rainy season when the earth surface will be wet and calm”.

Mangi said the coastal areas would begin to witness the next rainy season from early January, adding that it would gradually spread to the other parts of the country. (NAN)

From Iliyasu Garba, Minna

ambassador to Poland. As chairman Lavun Elders Forum, he was very committed to set out goals. I am really touched, because his last official function was as chairman, People’s Public Session on the 2012 constitutional review for Lavun/ Edati/ Mokwa, federal constituency... That was just two weeks ago. He participated actively and ensured the success of the event. It is a great loss to my constituency, Niger state and indeed Nigeria. His candid opinion and advice on national issues will be greatly missed”.

The representative condoled with members of the deceased family and the people of Lavun local government and Niger state over the death.

Ambassador Kolo worked for his people – Kutigi

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he member representing Lavun, Edati and Mokwa, federal constituency, Honourable Mohammed Sani Idris Kutigi, has described the late Ambassador John Kolo as a man, who worked for the good of his people.

Reacting to the death of Kolo which occurred on Tuesday, Kutigi said “the death of Ambassador John Kolo is a great loss to the people of my constituency, Nigerlites and Nigerians. I have lost an elder statesman, who has contributed immensely to the development of his immediate constituency; Niger state, where he was a Head of Service and to Nigeria, as former

Flood victims receive donation from NGO From Mohammed Adamu, Kaduna

V

ictims of the recent flood disaster in Lapai local government area of Niger state have received relief materials donated by a K a d u n a - b a s e d n o n g o v e r n m e n t a l organization (NGO), known as Love to the World Initiative.

The director of the organisation, Josephine Anubor, said victims of this year’s flood disaster which ravaged various communities across the country, farmers and the communities needed assistance to enable them make up for the loss because they had suffered a lot.

According to her, the floods that devastated Lapai local government area over the period could become more severe in the future,

threatening production and destroying the country’s natural beauty.

She told the Lapai Emirate Council which received the donation on behalf of the victims, that her NGO had already visited Kogi state where it presented relief materials to those effected in the area.

Receiving the items, senior emirate council official and Second Republic senator, Jibrin Salihu on behalf of the Emir of Lapai, commanded the NGO for the love extended to the affected flood victims who were displaced.

The senator who shared the same view with the director, called on the people to emulate Love to the World Initiative to love the people of the area by assisting the victims with the relief materials.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

PAGE 8

Police arrest, release father of missing 30-minute-old baby T

he Police in Umuahia, the Abia capital, said they have begun investigating the possible involvement of the father of a new born baby snatched inside a maternity Labour Room at Nkwoegwu, a suburb of Umuahia.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the baby was snatched barely 30 minutes after birth on Nov. 13, 2012.

Mr. Jonathan Amaechi, the acting Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abia command, told journalists in Umuahia that they were working on the possible involvement of the father of the baby in the crime.

The father, Mr. Clifford Ihezukwu, a 41-year- old radio/ television technician, had told newsmen on Saturday (Nov. 17) that gunmen stormed a maternity labour room and

picked up his 30-minute-old son.

Amaechi said that preliminary investigation revealed that the father of the baby came to the maternity ward but did not bother to see the wife after he was informed that she had delivered.

He said that the police arrested and interrogated the suspect before releasing him on bail.

He said that the Police was informed that as soon as the father of the baby was told that his wife had delivered, he frowned and left without bothering to see them.

“It was further gathered that 15 minutes after he left the maternity ward, the gunmen struck and took away the baby, not minding that it was still dripping with blood.

“The story before us is that one Eberechi Ihezukwu, at about 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 13, 2012, showed signs of labour and told the husband that she was going to have a baby and they left for the hospital..

“At the maternity, she was

taken to the Labour Room where she safely had her baby; surprisingly nobody knew why her husband did not see the wife before he left.

“Not quite 15 minutes later, two gunmen came and asked of the whereabouts of Eberechi

COAS conference to kick off in Asaba

By Joy Baba

T

he 2012 Chief of Army Staff (COAS) conference, an annual policy formulating and performance appraisal event of the Nigerian Army, is schedule to take place later this month in Asaba, Delta state, with the theme “Consolidating Nigerian Army Drive Towards Enhanced National Security”.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Director, Army Public Relation (DAPR) Brig. Gen Bolaji Koleoso.

The statement also said President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to grace the opening ceremony as the special guest of honour while Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta

T

R-L: Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, with Chief Representative of Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Mr. Seki Tetsuo, during the visit by JICA to the minister, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Northern governors’ wives implore Boko Haram to embrace peace

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he Forum of the 19 Northern Governors’ Wives, has called on the Boko Haram sect to embrace the path of peace by dialoging with the government.

The forum which met in Abuja to discuss crucial issues relating to women, children and other vulnerable groups as well the security situation of the county, reiterated the commitment towards supporting their husbands’ in addressing the challenges.

The meeting which was the last for this year was chaired by the wife of the Benue state governor and chairperson of the forum, Mrs. Yemisi Suswam and hosted by her Gombe state

counterpart, Hajiya Adama DanKwambo.

In her opening remarks, Hajiya Dankwambo, who lamented the security situation in the country, said the current security challenges sweeping the North have taken a heavy toll on night businesses in some of the worst affected states as well as affected the ways people relate with one another.

In her address, the chairperson, Mrs. Suswam, said the essence of the quarterly meeting was to discuss crucial issues affecting women, children and vulnerable groups as well as enhance and add value to the government of their husbands among others.

A communiqué jointly signed by the chairperson and the

secretary of the forum, the wife of the Katsina state governor, Hajiya Fatima Ibrahim Shema, respectively, called on Boko Haram sect to embrace the path of peace by dialoging with the government, and also resolved to produce and sponsor jingles and programmes on the need for peace.

It also called for the constitutional backing on the 35 percent affirmative action for women in all elective and appointive positions and resolved to lend its voice to the ongoing constitutional review.

Considering the devastating effect of polio virus in the North, the forum resolved to launch polio eradication campaigns in all the three geo-political zones in Northern Nigeria in the first quarter of next year.

state will be the guest of honour.

The weeklong exercise the statement further said will have as participants, principal staff officers from defence and army headquarters, general officers commanding, commanders and other senior officers from all over the country.

Nasarawa to build new general hospital in Lafia From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

By Maryam Garba Hassan

and went straight to the Labour Room where she was lying and snatched the baby who was still covered in blood,’’ he said.

The acting PPRO said that the state CID was investigating the matter “to find out who is saying the truth”.

The acting PPRO also denied reports that police collected N15, 500 as bail from Ihezukwu, adding the he was only questioned and released.

Meanwhile, the Nkwoegwu area where the incident happened has been calm.

(NAN)

he Nasarawa state government is set to build a new general hospital in Lafia, the state capital, to complement the Dalhatu Araf Specialists Hospital (DASH), which facilities have been overstretched.

Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura, stated this while delivering a speech during the inauguration of the state task force on routine immunisation and polio eradication, which held on Tuesday, at the Government House.

He explained that because of the influx of patients into DASH and the limited space for expansion which has resulted in the overstretching of facilities at the hospital, government has thought it necessary to build a new general hospital in Lafia, to cater for the health needs of the people of the state and to further decongest the specialist hospital.

Al-makura stated that two more general hospitals will be sited in Akwanga and

Nasarawa, with ongoing negotiation with members of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), with a view to taking over several primary healthcare centres built across the state but which have been abandoned; in addition to undertaking the rehabilitation of PHC centres across the state.

While inaugurating the 22member task force headed by state’s deputy governor, Hon. Dameshi Barau Luka as chairman, Al-makura noted that the number of children paralyzed by wild polio virus in the country has continued to increase astronomically and that if urgent measures are not taken by states otherwise free, such may be re-infected.

He implored the newly inaugurated committee to make good use of the opportunity by planning and implementing routine immunisation that will leave no child in Nasarawa state with disability or death due to either polio or any vaccine preventable diseases.

Aviation stakeholders urged to prioritise safety issues

By Ibrahim Kabiru Sule

P

resident of the Association of Foreign Airlines in Nigeria (AFARN), Kingsley Nwokoma, has called on the stakeholders in the aviation industry to make safety related issues their top priority so as to fully recover from the recent happenings in the sector.

The president dropped this hint while delivering an opening address at the First Safety Summit organised by the association at the Conference room of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Lagos, yesterday.

Nwokoma however expressed his optimism that the

recent challenges which confronted the Aviation industry in Nigeria are on the path of recovery, with adequate focus on safety issues.

“The time has come when we must stand for something we strongly believe in. Let us stand tall to re-double our efforts in institutionalising safety as a culture”, Nwokoma advised participants.

Towards this, the president commended the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah for her airport re-modeling, expansion and modernisation and urged her to look into the Cargo Apron expansion which would assist in the revenue generation drive.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

PAGE 9

Lack of electricity, other infrastructure halts industrialisation – NLC …urges NASS to expedite passage of PIB

By Muhammad Nasir

I

nadequate infrastracture and lack of power supply has been tagged as the major problem bedeviling industrialisation in Nigeria over the past decade.

This was contained in a communiqué presented yesterday by the Vice President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Isa Aremu in a rally organised to mark the Africa Industrialisation for boosting Intra-African Trade by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) Affiliates and Federation of Informal Workers of Nigeria (FIWON) with the support of the Friedrich Elbert Stiftung (FES) at Shehu Musa Yar’adua Centre, Abuja.

Aremu said despite recent improved growth performance of the Nigerian economy, key economic indicators revealed that industrial development is on the decline rather than improving, adding that Nigeria sets a target of generating 6,000megawatts of electricity by the end of 2009.

Worried by the declining performance of the manufacturing sector over the last decade, Aremu said the manufacturing contribution was a paltry 7% in the 1960s and 1970s before growing to its peak of 10.5% in 1985.”Since then, total contribution of manufacturing has been on a steady decline”, he said.

“It was also observed that

the composite employment data showed that the rate of unemployment surged to 19.7% at the end of December, 2009 from 14.6% in 2007 and by January 2010, the unemployment rate was 21.1%.

“Indeed, Nigeria’s Ministry of Youth and Development puts the estimates of unemployed youths at an alarming 68 million. It is also noted that for those in employment, the overwhelming majority operate in the informal sectors of the economy”, he added.

Aremu said that the spiraling youth unemployment and the dramatic rise in social unrest and crime including Niger Delta militancy, Boko Haram, and Jos Crisis among others signified the urgent need to provide employment opportunities in Nigeria.

Aremu urged the National Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) to enhance backward integration, local value addition and boost employment and the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) of the oil and gas sector.

He also called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts towards more efficient, better managed and transparent Public Private Partnerships(PPP) which is becoming increasingly popular in delivering physical and social infrastructure to the people.

Experts seek end to 40, 000 maternal deaths in Nigeria From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

E

xperts in the medical profession are seeking ways to end the death of 40,000 Nigerian women from childbirth each year.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) figure accounts for 14 percent of the 287,000 global maternal deaths.

Professor of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Friday Okonofua gave the indication at the 20th Nigeria Society of Anaesthesia Conference and Annual General meeting yesterday in Benin City.

Okonofua said, although “progress is being made by governments at all levels, more

rapid progress needs to be made if Nigeria is to meet the MDGs target in 2015’’.

According to him, India accounts for 56,000 with Nigeria’s 40, 000 maternal deaths accounting for one-third of global estimate of 358,000 maternal deaths worldwide arising from complications in pregnancy and childbirth.

The Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan was bestowed with the Anaesthetics award of excellence for enhancing maternal healthcare, particularly free delivery for women and treatment for children between 0 and 5 years old at the Delta State University (DELSU) since 2009.

L-R: Chief of Staff to the President , Chief Mike Ogiadhome , Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, and Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

CCB, ICPC to investigate Orubebe

By Umar Muhammad Puma

T

he chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Mr. Sam Saba, has said that the bureau would investigate a petition submitted to it by the executive secretary of the Anticorruption Network(AN) on the alleged abuse of office by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orobebe.

The chairman who made the remark while receiving the petition from Anti- corruption Network in his office yesterday, promised to investigate the allegation and send it to the code of conduct tribunal for prosecution.

Earlier, the executive secretary of AN, Mr. Dino

Melaye said the minister influenced the award of contract by accepting a palatial mansion on the property allocated to him on the Ministers’ Hill. Mabushi area, in Abuja.

He said the mansion was built and delivered to the minister by a contractor as gratification contrary to section 12 of the corrupt practices and other related offenses Act. He said Elder Orubebe granted an interview with Channels Television wherein he denied ownership of the mansion, claiming it to be a mere four bedroom apartment he rented. “ We humbly require your humble self to critically look

Kwara begins vaccination of dogs against rabies

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he Kwara state government yesterday began dog vaccination to stem rabies infection in the state.

Twelve of the animals were injected with anti-rabies vaccine in Omu Aran at the launch of a sensitisation campaign organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Rabies is caused by a virus that attacks the brain, and a person can become infected

through a bite from a rabid dog.

A veterinary doctor, Dr Ahmed Abubakar, said on the occasion that rabies virus was rampant in the state, especially in Omu Aran.

Abubakar said out of the seven dogs found to be carrying the virus in the town, two had been killed, two others had died, while three had escaped.

“We have just forwarded a report on rabies in Kwara State to Abuja and this informs the organisation of this particular

into this petition and the facts enunciated therein in order to take further necessary action as contain under section 30 and 31 of the Act in the prosecution of parties who have been privy to this illegal transaction, “ he said.

AN had earlier submitted the same petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission ( ICPC), urging them to take necessary action on the minister.

Receiving the petition on behalf of the chairman, the head of public enlightenment of the ICPC Mr. Mike Sowe, acknowledged the contribution of the group on the fight against corruption and assured them that their petition would be thoroughly look into. event.

“It is not compulsory for people to keep dogs but if you must do that, you should be ready to abide by the laid-down rules and regulations, especially when such animals become a threat to other people,” Abubakar said.

Abubakar urged the people to be careful in dealing with dogs suspected to be carrying the virus, saying that there was no cure for it, especially when the bite is on the nerves.

According to him, the disease affects the nervous system of livestock except poultry and are categorised into furious and dumb rabies.(NAN)

Group offers prayer for Saraki in Abuja

By Mohammed Kandi

A

group identified as Kwara Professionals yesterday convened an eighth day prayer session (Fidda’u) for the repose of the soul of late Dr. Olusola Abubakar Saraki in accordance with the Islamic principles, to opportune those who could not attend his funeral rites in his Ilorin residence.

Spokesman of the group, Muhammad Abdulkadir of the Nigerian Television Authority

(NTA), who addressed the press yesterday at the Abuja National Mosque, said the best way to immortalize “a political icon our is to offer him prayers consecutively for a life well spent.”

“He will no doubt be remembered for a very long time as someone who had touched many lives than one can imagine. But we give glory to Allah for a life of Saraki, which transcends political, religious and socio-economic

relations and within and outside the shores of this country,”Abdulkadir stressed.

According to him, the gathering was convened in honour and as a way of paying their last respect to the deceased, adding that, “Saraki has left his footprints on the sands of time and as a matter of religious righteousness as well as moral obligations on our own part, we are delighted to continue to offer him prayers until we join him.”

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER, 22, 2012

Army installs power transformer in Kaduna From Muhammad Kaduna

Adamu,

T

he Nigerian Army Tuesday installed a 7.5 Mega Volt Amp (MVA), otherwise known as 7500KVA electricity transformer at Ungwan Muazu, a suburb of Kaduna metropolis.

The transformers provided by the Presidential Committee on power is to be installed in all parts of the country by the Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers.

Speaking to newsmen at the installation site in Kaduna yesterday, spokesman of the 1 Division, Nigerian Army and Assistant Army Public Relation Officer, Colonel, Sani Kukasheka Usman said, the choice of the Army Engineers for the installation of the transformers was due to confidence the Federal Government has in the Nigerian Army.

According to him, the Army Corps of Engineers has carried out similar projects at the Sokoto International Airport and Makarfi in Kaduna state, adding that, the project was a continuous one.

"The Nigerian Army has been tasked with the constitutional responsibilities to give aids to civil authority. If you check section 217 of the Nigerian constitution, the Nigerian Army is vested with other responsibilities aside the provision of security ", Col. Usman said.

Federal police has failed Nigeria -Ajimobi From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

G

overnor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Tuesday justified the call for the establishment of state police, saying that the federal-controlled police has failed woefully in the maintenance of internal security in the country.

The governor is therefore calling for amendment to the 1999 Constitution to accommodate the establishment of state police in order

to effectively tackle the security challenges confronting Nigeria.

Governor Ajimobi made these submissions at a lecture he delivered at the Department of Political Science, University of Ibadan.

He said that the agitation for state police had become apt in view of the rising criminal activities in the country in recent times.

"It is suffice to say the Boko Haram uprising in the North, the kidnappings and mob killings in the

South East and South-South and ceaseless armed robberies and assassinations in the South- West have raised questions on the ability of the police to secure Nigeria.

He lamented that the current command structure of the police had hampered state governors from truly serving as Chief Security Officers of their respective states.

The governor also noted that the police had been subject to abuse by past federal administrations for

Jigawa builds female hostels for secondary school From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

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3, 896 law graduates called to Bar

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

T

he former governor of Osun state and the secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and 3,895 other law graduates were yesterday called to the Nigerian Bar having passed the 2012 Bar final examination.

A total of 5,449 students had sat for the August final examination out of which nine passed with first class, 195 had second class upper, 900 had second class lower and 2,783 had pass.

A total of 1,552 failed the examination and would have to resit.

Speaking at the ceremony held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, the Director General of the Nigerian Law School, Dr. Tahir Mamman urged the new lawyers to be job creators and not seekers adding that the knowledge which the Law school had impacted on them was enough to make them fulfilled lawyers.

The DG further stated that some young lawyers were caught impersonating during the examination adding that they are presently facing criminal trial.

In his speech, the chairman, Chief Idowu Sofola urged the new wigs to be prompt in court attendance and handle cases assigned to them diligently.

He also called on them to avoid trial by media and shun the habit of granting interviews on matters articulated in court rooms.

political ends.

He cited the arrest and deportation of Alhaji Shugaba Abdulrahman, the Majority Leader of the Great Nigeria Peoples Party (GNPP) controlled Borno State House of Assembly by the National Party of Nigeria-led Federal Government in the Second Republic.

The police, he said, also featured prominently in the manipulations of the 1983 elections in Oyo, Ondo and Imo States.

L-R : Cardinal John Onaiyekan, in handshake with the Chief Imam of Al-Habibiyya Muslim Society, Sheikh Fuad Adeyemi, during the leaders of Al-Habibiyya's visit to Cardinal Onaiyikan at the occasion of his elevation to the position of Cardinal, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Kano appeals to Ukraine embassy over students visa From Edwin Olofu, Kano

K

ano state governor, Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso has appealed to the Ukrainian Embassy in Nigeria to speed up the process of granting visas to indigenes of Kano state that were recently sponsored by the state government to study postgraduate courses in the country.

Kwankwaso who was speaking during a meeting with the Ukrainian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Valeri Vasyliev in his office in Abuja, Governor Kwankwaso said the delay in issuance of visas to the students will adversely affected their studies in the country.

He said because the government of Kano state attached high priority to education, it was willing to work with the government of Ukraine toward providing qualitative

tertiary education for its students.

Governor Kwankwaso stressed the need for closer cooperation between Ukraine and Nigeria, particularly Kano state in the interest of rapid socio - economic development.

Responding, Ambassador Vasyliev who said he was impressed by the commitment of the government of Kano state to education, promised to expedite action on the issuance of visas to the Kano state students.

In a related development, the new Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Ashraf Salama has stressed the need for closer ties with Nigeria particularly Kano state in the areas of agriculture, health, agriculture and pharmaceuticals.

During a courtesy call on Governor Kwankwaso at the Governor's Lodge in Abuja, the envoy said his country had for long enjoyed

cordial relationship with Nigeria, pointing out that both countries have vast human and material resources which could be exploited for mutual benefit.

Receiving the ambassador, the governor stated that Nigeria wills to work closely with friendly countries and development parties toward improving the living condition of the people.

Meanwhile, Bradford University, UK has signified intention to work with the government of Kano state toward development of education and sports in the state.

The project Coordinator of the Institution, Mr. Roonie Todd who gave the assurance during a visit to Gov. Kwankwaso in Abuja, told the governor that his university is an old and reputable institution in Britain that provides opportunities for students from across the globe.

he Jigawa state government has completed arrangement for the construction of female hostel blocks at Dutse International Model Secondary School within three months, the state Commissioner for Education Professor Haruna Wakili has said.

He said the decision was to reduce the problem of shuttling the students back and forth between school and homes everyday by parents.

Speaking at the Parents' Teachers' Association of the school meeting over the weekend, the state commissioner of Education Professor Huruna Wakili represented by the Director in the ministry, Dr. Ahmed Gimsau said government was aware of the problem and danger involved in the daily conveyance of the female students to and from the makeshift hostel about three kilometres from the school everyday due to the unavailability of hostels for them in the school as their male counterparts.

The Jigawa state government, he said, was determined more than ever before, to provide free education, good learning environment, suitable and conducive atmosphere for the students in the state to enable them read and improve their performance.

Also speaking during the meeting, a member of the parents teachers association and commissioner of Finance of Yobe state, Alhaji Kaigama Umar said he brought his child right to Jigawa state, because "from what I was told that the school is of international standard in addition to instilling discipline as well as impacting knowledge on the students, and I'm ready to give my quota for its development".

Meanwhil, a care taker committee has been constituted by the parents association under the chairmanship of the Registrar, Jigawa state Polytechnic, Alhaji Sadisu Buhari to take care of its activities for the next one month when the general election would be conducted by all members respectively.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

PAGE 11

How to make over N10million annually supplying water nylon bags W

aste water nylon supply business in Nigeria known as waste polythene recycling is another golden opportunity for serious entrepreneurs.

The essence of being an entrepreneur is the ability to discover opportunity and act on it promptly, and this business is just such kind of opportunity.

A good number of graduates in Nigerian are always quick to assert that there is no Job, and these believe keeps blinding everyone from seeing beyond job seeking and discovering some of the opportunities within.

Waste water nylon supply business in Nigeria could put an end to the seemingly endless complain of no job, no business, bad country, and bad economy cries among the jobless graduates and anyone who is looking for what to do.

All what you needed to go into this business is information even just as you need a job, business opportunity or ideas, and here is one, If you are hard working, you will need little or no money to start this business.

Information is the backbone of any ideas or better still information is said to be the mother of all ideas because without information there may likely be no ideas; information help you tap from what the successful people in any particular niche you want to go into are already doing and enable you do yours differently while staying in that niche because every business adventure need a focus niche.

In Nigeria, just like anywhere else in the world, you need to be creative to make money. Supplying of waste water nylon for recycling is a creative business, try it and you will have a testimony to share, companies, agencies, and even the government will be searching for you for investment.

You may be wondering, how is recycling possible? Let's go back to the essence of this article; in the science world, they said matter cannot die nor be destroyed but it can be transformed from one state to another. The above statement is exactly what happens in the world of waste sachet water and polythene recycling business. The waste nylon is transferred from waste to raw materials through recycling.

Whatarewastepolytheneand specific examples?

Waste polythene is polythene materials that has been used and

Quote If it really was a nobrainer to make it on your own in business there'd be millions of no-brained, harebrained and otherwise dubiously brained individuals quitting their day jobs and hanging out their own shingles. Nobody would be left to round out the workforce and execute the business plan.

– Bill Rancic.

discarded. Waste polythene can be transformed into useful raw materials through the process of recycling. such waste polythene include pure water sachet, black, white or coloured poly bags, polythene used in wrapping new electronics like computer, television sets, cellophane or pharmaceutical drugs, even bread wrappers, and all wrappers made of nylon.

Waste are nuisance, yes there are but are also hidden wealth. Nylon bags made from polythene can all be converted into raw materials that can still be used for production of product like bathroom slippers; plastic overhead tanks, same nylon, plastic leathers, plates, etc. now, let's zero in our attention to two types of waste polythene materials.

Two basic types of waste polythene Waste polythene in this context is categorized into two major types namely; • Low density e.g. bread nylon materials • High density e.g. pure water packaged nylon.

There are divest ways to identify and differentiate between the two, but how can one sorts out the materials and also convert these materials into non-stop cash flow into his/her bank account? That leads to the next topic How to earn six figure incomes from waste nylon For supplier: anyone can make

between N30, 000 to N300, 000 monthly supplying waste water sachet or waste nylon. The secret is to start small and gradually increasing your supplying channels or number of plants you supply.

A kilogram of water waste sachet is sold for N30 to N50, depending on where you supply. you can gather and supply about 200kg to 500kg daily, Let's say you are able to get just 200Kg daily, you will be making N30 x 200kg = N6,000. If only you can make N6,000 a day and work for only 20 days a month, you will

be making N6,000 x 20 = N120,000. Is it not something worth relying on? You may be wondering how a kg measured, it is similar with just the normal ones you know.

For recyclers and producers: Anyone can establish and start this business, as long as you have the capital. Normally, a small scale recycling plant cost at least N2,500,000 and to be located on at least a plot of land, while large scale take from N10,000,000 and above.

Small scale plants produce average

of 2 tonnes a day and 2 tonnes are sold US$953 in International market at US$1.05 per kg. From preliminary study the return on investment is about 60%.

For suppliers however, there is basically no startup capital needed except optional like transportation which is quite easy to avoid; locate recycling plants near you, visit them, negotiate, and finally start supplying them and start earning money.

Source: wealthresult.com

How to generate electricity through recycle system, without generator or solar energy (I)

T

his system is called recycling system because once setup it generates electricity 24/7, unless you switch it off, and it charges itself so that it produces electricity recurrently. Since there is a kinetic energy produced in the process, hence the system does not run down and no fuel, sun, public electricity or generator is needed to keep it working.

This is not inverter because inverter is one of the components nor is it solar because you do not need solar energy or panel which often time very expensive to purchase and manage.

This is a wonder of the century. It is so easy to setup and it cost you nothing to maintain unlike your solar system and

generator that you have to service almost every two months and unreliable public power supply where you pay bills for what you do not enjoy.

This system supplies current to your entire household or company once setup and it recharges itself simultaneously as long as the system is on.

Seven major components are needed to build a recycling system: • One inverter, Deep cycle battery-dry Cell, Car alternator, Charge controller-solar charge controller, Car , lorry or standing fan motor

• One extension box • 1mm cable wire.

Functions of the components Inverter: Inverter converts the direct current (D.C) from the deep cycle battery to alternate current (A.C) for the output of the appliances.

Inverter is of different sizes. Deep cycle battery (dry cell): Deep cycle battery supplies direct current (D.C) for power generation.

Normal car battery can be used but it is not as durable and does not last long as deep cycle battery. It is advisable to use the later.

Car alternator: As the inverter converts D.C produced by Deep Cycle Battery to A.C when in use, the battery is outputting and thereby power is being used up, hence charging is necessary. This is where Car Alternator comes in.

It recharges the deep cycle battery for constant flow of direct current. Car alternator replaces the function of solar panel and ensures that your system does not run out of direct current for inverter to convert to alternate current for outputting the appliances.

Solar charge controller: This is the regulator of the system. It regulates the charging of the battery.

It also regulates the Direct Current supplied by the Deep Cycle Battery to maintain stable and normal flow of

current that goes into the inverter for Alternate Current output.

It protects your appliances against thunder strike and other environmental or weather effect.

Solar Charge Controller as it is been really called comes in 12volts/ 24volts/48volts with different sizes of ampere. The volts and the ampere of your battery will determine the type of Solar Charge Controller that a particular project or sizing will require.

Car, lorry or standing fan motor: It energizes the alternator by rotating it to keep the Deep Cycle Battery charging. As long as the Fan motor rotates the alternator, the deep cycle battery will keep charging. This is very important for your system to keep producing current.

Take note, please, ensure that your alternator comes with capacitor. It is always attached to the end of the wires of the fan motor. If it is not there, make sure you ask for it or ask for another one that has capacitor. Capacitor determines the speed of the fan. So to have a required speed, you need a working capacitor. The bigger the capacity of the capacitor, the faster the fan rotates and the quicker the battery charges.

Extension: This is the place where you plug your appliances. It is recommended that you go for a very strong and durable extension box.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

F

The latest Hamas - Israeli face-off

our years after Israel almost destroyed the Palestinian city of Gaza, controlled by the Islamic resistance movement, Hamas, hardly had it been completely rebuilt when last week Israel again set out to reduce it to rubble. On November 14, the Israeli Defence Force (IDF), as its military is called, laid siege to Gaza city, hitting it with volleys of lethal weapons.

To be sure, Hamas has habitually launched ineffectual rockets into Israel and the Jewish state has always responded with a heavy pounding of the city. Since the latest fighting erupted last week, with the killing by Israel of Hamas’ top military commander, 159 Palestinians including children have been murdered. Israel has so far lost five persons in the rocket fire from the Hamas militants; the rockets now are reaching Jerusalem, a place they never previously reached.

In the face of the unrelenting Israeli bombardment of Gaza, the Arab world has embarked on frenzied diplomacy but without result so far. The Muslim Brotherhood-run administration in Egypt has expressed outrage at the Israeli offensive, recalling its ambassador in Tel Aviv and Prime Minister Hisham Qandil has paid a solidarity visit to the besieged city.

US Secretary of State, Mrs. Hillary Clinton, has interrupted a busy Asian tour with President Barack Obama to fly to the region to try to cool things

down. But Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu is talking tough, even threatening to move in Israeli ground forces massed at the border with Gaza. If Arab diplomacy and Washington intervention fail to produce result, things could get far worse than they are now.

We are appalled at the humanitarian disaster that the Gaza city has always been whenever the Israelis attack. Israel has always maintained that it is the provocative acts of Hamas militants who use

“

This conflict has cost much in terms of human suffering and deaths; we invite the moderates on both sides to weigh in with enlightened advocacy for peace civilians as a human shield that should take the blame for Israeli attacks. While Israel’s excuse of its heavy handed response to so called provocations is not sustainable, we, however, invite Hamas to re-examine its strategy of launching rockets that could hardly damage Israeli’s sophisticated military arsenal. To target ordinary Israelis is as reprehensible as the Israel’s furious fire power that kills Gaza residents.

Hamas in the past made good use of its rule in Gaza, running an

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efficient government, delivering basic services and eschewing the corruption that previously blighted the better known and more internationally recognized Palestine Libration Organization (PLO) that still runs West Bank, the other half of Palestine. We urge it to continue along that line.

We are alarmed at the impotency of Arab diplomacy. The regimes in the region who join the West in a conspiracy to bring down the former Gaddafi regime in Libya and are determined to do the same in Syria could not muster enough deterrence against Israel. Also, we bemoan the inability of the PLO and Hamas to mend fences and unify the Palestinian resistance movement.

The lethargy on the diplomatic front regarding the resolution of the festering Israeli/Palestinian conflict ensures that occasional flashes like the current one, taking a huge toll on the civilian population will continue.

Israel has always called its usually lethal military operation in occupied Palestine as defensive and Hamas justifies its occasional rocket launches into Israel as resistance to occupation of Palestinian territory. This conflict has cost much in terms of human suffering and deaths; we invite the moderates on both sides to weigh in with enlightened advocacy for peace because, at the end of the day, both Israelis and Palestinians are part of our common humanity.

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

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HEAD, LAGOS BUREAU ADESOJI OYINLOLA

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

PAGE 13

A revolution may yet be averted

By Samuel Akinyele Caulcrick

T

he argument for the common good has been lost in this country, and this maybe the reason why all is not well with the community (Nigeria). The moment we started erecting individual fences and burglar proof for personal security shortly after the civil war, we began to lose it.

Today, communities erect gates on streets to ward off undesirable elements at night. Look around us, only what are common to all of us are those that are not working as expected (roads, rail, public power, public schools, public hospitals, public water, security, etc).

To clean up this mess will require a strong argument, political will, resources and orientation. Has anybody ever sat down to calculate how much in resources, alone, it will take to fix all our roads, schools, rail, power, potable water, public transport, etc, and where those resources will come from?

Without self delusion, 99% of above the age of 12 years old in this country maintains an embarrassing balance that tilts toward self against that of the interest of the community. Is this a state of our intellectual development?

Every Wednesday the Federal

By Bayo Oluwasanmi

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in May 6, 2010 as Nigeria’s president. So far, his presidency has been an abysmal failure. We don’t need to catalog the unspeakable blunders that crippled two years of adventure in power.

Contrary to what the president’s media propagandists and attack dogs have bottled attractively and beautifully presented and displayed as achievements, the blunders and failures of the past two years are too glaring even for the myopic to miss the tragedy of political hypocrisy.

The bad news is Nigeria is clinically dead. But the good news is its death certificate is yet to be issued. Our wounded national pride has been further bruised and battered by the unending cascade of corruption inscribed into our collective institutional memory.

As the Jonathan administration rumbles unsteadily toward its third year, I believe it is necessary to dole out some nuggets of advice that may come handy for the administration to prevent a repeat of missed opportunities.

Having watched Dr. Jonathan for the past two years, I could not agree more with Aristotle’s ethos that goodness and morality provides a solid base for persuading others to follow you.

In learning to lead, leadership is best caught than taught.

Mr. President, if you want to be a truly effective leader, be an ethical and moral person. If you practice what you preach, people will trust you and believe you. But if they see

Executive Council meets to fashion out how to spend on isolated projects that leave jagged, disjointed, developments across Nigeria’s landscape, but they never deliberate on how to earn more to fund projects. As we pull in various directions with no coordination, we leave behind a distressed nation.

It is in the interest of the community to address the level of inequality in the society and justice for all. In capitalism, the issue of inequality is tackled through the tax code. The judicial system gives it the force of law; as tax payment is considered contributory to the survival of the community while tax evasion threatens that survival. In these regards, it would become imperative for the survival of Nigeria, and tax evasion will tantamount to crime against the state. This is the only way forward. Besides, tax has no religion, tribe nor is it sectional. Right now, tax is the last thing anybody wants to hear, but this is mainly due to ignorance. Tax, in a sense, is a revolving fund put in place, to run government for common good; as government spends and deplete the treasury; it is the tax that will refill the piggy bank.

Tax is also the most equitable route for a local currency to take to fund the public treasury.

Unless we entrench this route as the major way the naira takes to fund Nigeria’s public treasuries, we will continue to undermine our development.

Capitalism is defined as an economic system where private enterprise drives the economy in an enabling environment facilitated by the government of the day. This, in effect, means that the rights of the people are ceded, as a policy, to a few individuals, though through competition, for effective management of the country’s resources. This is a privilege that carries its own responsibilities; justifiably, for this privilege, the rich in the society, having won that right, must pay their fair share within the tax code for public good. For instance, if Dangote is one of the few licensed, through competition, to provide sugar for all of us, it is imperative that Dangote and the others are taxed adequately for common good; otherwise, we would mitigate inequality in the community.

This is an ingredient for sedition. Just as in business the economies of scale favour strong government with enough resources to provide the basic minimum for everybody.

Our economies of scale as they stand are skewed, and for that, I now spend more for less: I generate my own electricity,

provide my own water, ride on potholed roads, sleep with one eye open. The quality of life in general has decreased - I, just like millions of Nigerians, am stressed up; all because of the route the naira takes to fund the public treasuries. Mr. President, I appeal to you to take the issue of tax more seriously. I see it as a cure-all medicine. It should not matter if the individual’s wealth is legal or not, just tax it for common good. Corruption will diminish as the focus shifts to tax evasion on assets acquired legally or corruptly. Every Nigerian over the age of 18 years old would need to pay tax, no matter how small or gainfully employed or not. This same people still pay tithes to the pastor. We need to give unto Caesar what is due to Caesar’s.

The tax code will define what an individual pays, which could vary between N3,000.00 and N300 billion naira annually.

The public would need to be sensitized about the benefits of tax money, particularly as it benefits also the rich in the society. As the government spends to fulfil its social obligations, it is the rich and the elites that would capture it first either by government contracts or through various private services provided to Nigerians.

So, they will get their money

back somehow. The greatest benefit, however, is that it gives every Nigerian that pays tax, a sense of ownership with the responsibility to put his mouth where his money is.

Former President Obasanjo recently warned that the level of unemployment in Nigeria could lead to a revolution. This could be averted in a short term by this regime coming to term with the crazy level of inequality in the general Nigerian society, and on a longer term by working on a tax code that would make the rich and every other Nigerian pay his or her fair share of tax. A reformed tax code will secure government earnings and isolate Nigerian public treasuries from the general economy. I am of the opinion that this will provide investors, particularly foreign investors, the confidence that their funds are secured within the Nigerian economy - one of two key factors for foreign investment, the other being returns on investments. If revolution is in the offing, I hope we are not being plain deaf; otherwise we will all be consumed by it. I will keep harping on the tax theme, until people are willing to face reality.

Samuel Akinyele Caulcrick is based at West Palm Beach, Florida, USA.

you as hypocrite, your integrity and effectiveness are compromised.

In the history of mankind, we’ve seen that events shape destinies.

Therefore, events more than ability often thrust people into positions of prominence. You’ll agree that you’re a beneficiary of events that catapult you into the presidency.

Without Nelson Mandela, South Africa will still be under Apartheid.

Without Moshood Abiola, democracy in Nigeria will be a tantalizing mirage. Without Pastor Bakare and Wole Soyinka of the Save Nigeria Group, the Northern Mafia and Yaradua ultra loyalists in the National Assembly would have subverted the Constitution and robbed you of the presidency.

Many times, events supply the indispensable variables for effective leadership.

Now that you’ve found yourself willy-nilly I might add, inpresiding over the affairs of Nigeria, you have the unique opportunity to shape the destiny of this once prosperous country.

Seems to me you’re afraid of greatness. This is evident in the way you’ve handled responsibilities of your office and your responses to critical and urgent national problems.

Mr. President, you’ll find some wisdom in Shakespeare’s words.

Listen to him: “Be not afraid of greatness. Some men are born great, others achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”

Leaders possess different talents, abilities, and leadership styles. Some

are quiet, such as the erstwhile action governor of Lagos State Lateef Kayode Jakande aka LKJ, while others are flamboyant and bombastic.

Yet, some are eloquent while others find it difficult to express themselves. But one thing is common to successful and effective leaders: they mobilize people to achieve common good.

Mr. President, don’t run from the possibility of failure. Effective leaders are willing to fail. Their action is guided by the belief that it is better to attempt something and fail than not to try at all. Have the courage to take risks. Have the courage to fail!

One of America’s finest presidents, Teddy Roosevelt is talking to you. Hear him: “Service is rendered… by the man who… is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is not effort without error and shortcoming… (my emphasis) If he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never

be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

Majority as we now know is not always right. In fact, there is what is called tyranny of the majority.

As president, it’s your responsibility to listen to competing opposing views, but you should know when to act independently.

When Pastor Bakare insisted that the Constitution be upheld in matters of succession to the presidency, he was castigated by many of his colleagues. He was undeterred by their verbal attacks.

Instead, he acted independently.

Thanks to Pastor Bakare for his courage. Smooth succession to the presidency was assured.

Constitutional crisis averted.

If you want to succeed, exercise self-rule. Leadership position calls for discipline and good habits. Allow discipline and good habits to control the essential parts of your life in the matters of judgment calls, decision making, appointing people to high office, evaluating events and choices, setting national agenda and priorities.

First rate statesmen choose and

set the right priorities and then organize their lives to implement them in an orderly and expeditious way.

Self-rule also involves how to resist temptations. Self-rule will teach you how to rebuff corruption, and other evils associated with a corrupt system like the one your administration currently operates.

It also teaches you how to live above reproach. Self-rule will always guide and drive you toward moral excellence.

Mr. President be humbly hospitable. You can’t govern people successfully unless you know them.

Get to know Nigerians. I mean the poor majority. Be an up-close and personal leader.

Take time to see how and where Nigerians live, what they eat, the water they drink, the hospital they attend for medical care, visit the schools Nigerian children attend, travel on the roads which kill hundreds every day, spend a night in any city in Nigeria where black out is the norm.

You ought to know the people in a very personal way!

Mr. President, no lie can live forever. Your “transformation agenda” has not transformed anything in the past year. Crimson stain is visible on all the basics of life for Nigerians.

Colors of pain, sorrow, brokenness, frustration, etc., are the dividends of your first two years to Nigerians. This is the disturbing truth.

Bayo Oluwasanmi is reachable on Byolu@aol.com

Mr. President, learn to lead

“

Mr. President, no lie can live forever. Your “transformation agenda” has not transformed anything in the past year. Crimson stain is visible on all the basics of life for Nigerians. Colors of pain, sorrow, brokenness, frustration, etc., are the dividends of your first two years to Nigerians. This is the disturbing truth

PAGE 14

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

Between a Facebook post and vindictive Governor Yuguda

By Aliyu Tilde

I

sa Yuguda, the Bauchi state governor, deserves to be on Guinness Book of Record for being the first known governor in the entire world to dismiss a civil servant over sharing a post on Facebook. This inglorious record was set yesterday, Monday 19 November, when Abbas who was until then on suspension formally received a termination letter from the office of the Head of Service.

The letter read thus: TERMINATION OF APPOINTMENT I am directed to refer to the civil service commission’s letter No. CSC/PRO/S/001/T.V dated 1st November 2012 to convey the commission’s approval of your suspension and termination of appointment from Bauchi State Service with effect from 10th October, 2012 as your service is no longer required, please.

Signed: Ibrahim Shehu For: Head of Service The letter has exposed the vindictive nature of the regime, which, surprisingly, came to power partly as a result of Yuguda’s tales of victimization in the hands of his bosom friend and predecessor, Adamu Muazu. But it didn’t take much time before the world came to know who is more quickly given

Neither in court nor before the shared on Facebook. In law, to vendetta between the two.

From the content of the committee he appeared did such evidence provides a letter, it appears that the anyone requested Abbas to complete defense in a case of defamation. government is The Bauchi trying to s t a t e a v o i d government is controversy. a public body Thus it failed to Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text whose action provide any messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written could be reason for the contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 challenged in termination words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and court for other than the a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed violating the m e r e to: r u l e s expression of governing its discretion to operations. keep or fire The Editor, A b b a s ’ Abbas. It is Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, a t t o r n e y s h o w e v e r 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. should explore c u r i o u s , Email: let ters@peoplesdaily-online.com the possibility w h e t h e r SMS: 07037756364 of an appeal. under our Doing so will civil service rules, termination of service can provide any evidence to support greatly leap the cause of be slammed on any civil servant the allegations on the post he justice. The irony is that I have copied from another page and not read or heard the without resort to due process.

In the case of Abbas, he was gagged and kept under police detention for 10 days before he was granted bail by the court.

The irony is that I have not read or heard the government His arraignment in court was itself dubious as it violated every deny the allegations of corruption labelled against the letter and spirit of the penal code governor in the controversial Facebook post. Corrupt acts regarding defamation. It was, therefore, easy for the Nigerian by government is common knowledge in Bauchi. The Bar Association to throw administration also did not challenge Abbas to provide spanners in the charges and the case was summarily terminated. evidence. The world, however, will one day know who is Having failed in the courts, the telling the truth: Facebook or Yuguda. We are not in a hurry administration is resorting to impunity and arbitrariness.

WRITE TO US

“

government deny the allegations of corruption labelled against the governor in the controversial Facebook post.

Corrupt acts by government is common knowledge in Bauchi.

The administration also did not challenge Abbas to provide evidence. The world, however, will one day know who is telling the truth: Facebook or Yuguda.

We are not in a hurry.

I hereby reiterate the advice I once gave to my brother, Governor Yuguda. He should shun injustice and vendetta.

They are characteristics of a weak leader that cannot tolerate criticism. One expects that a person that will victimize someone for a simple Facebook posting will be strong enough to face Boko Haram. But Yuguda simply walked away after the sect threatened to kill him and literally abandoned Bauchi for a hideout in Abuja. This is very much unlike Fulani. I hope he listens this time. It is just two years left before his tenure as governor becomes history.

Many before him have come to Bauchi and left.

As for Abbas, I advise him to remain patient and steadfast.

He should follow his case to a logical conclusion. As he does so, I hope the public will support him by encouraging and sympathizing with him.

If Petraeus would fall for it why not you?

By Lewis Akpogena There is a sense in which sexual sin destroys a person like no other because it is so intimate and entangling, corrupting on the deepest human level –John MacArthur.

W

e all agree that adultery is wrong.

The problem is once you get caught in its grip, you find yourself so drunk with its intoxication, you start humming the Debbie Boone hit “This can’t be wrong, it feels so right.” A pastor friend whose wife left him and the children for another man in the church– who had also abandoned his family–told me some women from his congregation drove to a nearby state to try to reason with her. She rebuffed them.

“You are interfering with the will of God for my life!” (She came to see the severity of her mistake, but only after it was too late to repair her marriage.

She lives in regret.)

It can happen to you, friend.

If you question everything else that follows, do not doubt that.

Adultery can happen anywhere, to anyone. You do not have to be debonair, suave, handsome, articulate, successful, muscular, and every woman’s dream. You can be dull and overweight, unattractive and without a shred of a personality, and still be caught up in this firestorm we call an affair. And, you can be mighty in the Lord,

successful beyond your biggest dreams, and a warrior for Christ of the first dimension, and still be brought down by adultery. “Flee fornication.” (I Corinthians 6:18). Don’t argue with it, reason with it, discuss its ramifications with the object of your delight, and do not underestimate it. Just run as fast as your little legs will carry you. Get away, quick.

Even if the other person will be offended or misunderstand or get angry, nothing matters so much as putting miles between you and this temptation. Do not toy with temptation. Do not dream about it, fantasize about it, and vicariously give in to its delights through your reading and television/movie-watching.

All of that dismantles one brick at a time the defences you have built up against such grievous sins.

General Petraeus. What a man. Every patriot’s hero, I imagine. Strong and disciplined, a soldier’s soldier, a man’s man.

And he gets blind-sided by adultery. An attractive young woman interviewed him for articles which she turned into a full-length book. This required lengthy sessions with the general in which they talked about his life, his career, his philosophy.

Evidently, the woman was a great listener. My wife says listening is the perfect aphrodisiac. It works better than perfume. Proximity was at work here also. A man and a woman, each holding the other in high esteem, talking about personal stuff, shut up in a room together for hours on end–it was a disaster

in the making from the beginning. Adultery’s biggest lies.

“I deserve to be happy.” No, you don’t. You deserve to be faithful. “This is just between us.” What a joke. When someone in the ministry commits adultery, he/she betrays every person who ever believed in them, and abuses the trust in irreparable ways of his spouse and children. Everyone who ever heard him preach is disappointed and hurt. Even outsiders–the unsaved–will discount their earlier respect for the man and his message and say, “He’s just like all the rest.” “I can have all these wonderful blessings in my life and this forbidden fruit also.” This is one of the most popular lies of all.

Satan never tells you that this dalliance is going to cost you your family, your church, your friends, your job, everything.

But so many ministers who stepped across this line found out in a hurry the price for adultery was a hundred times what they

were prepared to pay.

“The rules apply to other people, not me.” This is the lie which celebrities of all kinds, not just in the ministry, fall prey to most often. “It feels so good, it has to be right.” This is the biggest lie of all. One’s feelings are no indication of anything, are influenced by everything, and can change at any time. To make them the barometer of truth is suicidal. Adultery is a sin so prevalent today, even among the Lord’s people as with the population in general, but with one big difference: No one speaks of it except in general terms. When was the last time you heard an adulterous minister tell his/her story?

Pastors who have commit adultery and are caught, pay a severe price for their mistake and (we trust) repent and do everything they can to be restored to their family. But they do not speak to other pastors about what they did and the lessons they learned. The shame of it silences them.

“

Once the judge finds himself fully immersed in this affair – with its lying, trysts, manoeuvring, sneaking, deceiving, and guilt – he becomes an object lesson for anyone considering violating his marriage vows.

Read it and you will feel the judge’s pain in such depth that you will wonder at his stupidity. All that effort just for a few hours of stolen bliss

Pastors who commit adultery and get by with it (and presumably end the relationship) cannot speak of what they learned. They are ashamed and protective of their loved ones and their ministry.

So, the subject rarely gets talked about. The Lord’s ministers then go blissfully on into each day giving no thought to protecting themselves against adultery. A book you might like to read.

Innocent is Scott Turow’s latest novel. It is a sequel to Presumed Innocent, written 20 years ago.

It is about lawyer Rusty Savich whose affair with a prosecuting attorney ended when the woman was murdered. Savich was accused and exonerated in an unusual twist at the end (which we won’t mention here for anyone who wants to read it). Now, Savich is a judge, highly respected, and still married to his wife of 30+ years.

And once again, he finds himself in an affair, only the second of his life. It’s not necessary to read the whole book for the part you need to see. Once the judge finds himself fully immersed in this affair – with its lying, trysts, manoeuvring, sneaking, deceiving, and guilt – he becomes an object lesson for anyone considering violating his marriage vows. Read it and you will feel the judge’s pain in such depth that you will wonder at his stupidity. All that effort just for a few hours of stolen bliss.

Dr. Lewis Akpogena can be reached on akpogena@yahoo.com

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

By Theophilus Ilevbare

G

overnor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has added his voice to the debate urging the National Assembly at the ongoing Constitution Review to implement the State Police as a veritable way of addressing security challenges across the country. Prominent Nigerians alike have echoed the same sentiments in support of State Police against the backdrop of rising insecurity and as a way of stemming the tide of Boko Haram attacks in the North.

In fact, to the ordinary citizen, the oppressive corruption of the country is epitomized in the NPF that harasses them constantly as they ply their routes, take bribes from hapless citizens in broad daylight, after obliging them with N20 or more but thanks to the Inspector General (IG) of Police, Mohammed Abubakar who ordered the dismantling of all Police check points nationwide, though a few obstinately remain in some parts of the country.

It’s a step in the right direction as most Nigerians believe the constant harassment by some men of the Nigeria Police for “egunje” under the watchful eyes of whoever cared was the height of corruption bedeviling the already tainted image of the force. More so, these check points were mounted at strategic

PAGE 15

Time for state police is now

locations along busy routes within major cities, towns and even on the expressway resulting in gridlock. The argument by those who think they help to check the nefarious activities of hoodlums is not valid. In other climes, it’s simply patrols in vans or cars along highways and in the city.

The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) as constituted by Section 194 of the 1979 constitution has failed in its responsibility of providing adequate security for lives and property but instead is now a bunch of corrupt, inept, lackadaisical, illmotivated and renumerated force men.

The antecedents of some expolice chiefs, Sunday Ehindero and Tafa Balogun who were both disgraced out of office and charged by the EFCC to court for embezzling funds meant for the force has in no small measure dealt a big blow to the image of the force.

The task of maintaining law and order has become somewhat a herculean task for the NPF made evident by incessant and devastating attacks by the Boko Haram, the activities of kidnappers, arm robbers and even civilians taking laws into their hands at the slightest provocation epitomised by the four UNIPORT students beaten and set ablaze amidst cheers and

video footage by some barbaric youths of Aluu Community in Rivers State.

Frantic efforts has been made in the past to reposition and rebrand the image of the force in areas such as funding, training, re-training, better renumeration, equipping and reorientation, though a better part of such allocation to the NPF has ended up in private pockets in the past. Some persons have even muted the idea of change of uniform for the force. All of these aimed at repositioning them for the challenges of policing a troubled and crisis-ridden Nigeria in the 21st century.

The failures of the NPF have necessitated the debate for the introduction of State Police, by the various states of the Federation, to support in all areas the inadequate NPF.

Abacha, Obiang and the other billionaires on the waiting list to die in the real Death Valley, must linger on in Africa and bring their loot home from foreign banks. Use it to establish what they denied the poor in their countries. They do not usually show up in the Forbes list of billionaires. Do not be fooled, there is a list of them here: http://www.forbes.com/sites/ mfonobongnsehe/2011/11/08/ who-were-africas-richestdictators/#.

There used to be a time when you can go to any African country, work hard even in the mines of Equatorial Guinea and come home to retire. No more, the cost of living has been driven up by ostentation of billionaire fathers and millionaire children clubs that rendered our hard earned money useless, especially if you live around cities of Kenya and Nigeria. The two most capitalist countries bereft of fiscal common sense in Africa.

The only way one could live comfortably in some of these African countries is to amass as much money as the children of the billionaires in Millionaires clubs. You have to be a hustler for contracts because no decent job would pay you enough. Most of the jobs that pay anything decent were already shared by relatives and friends of the recruiters. Your best bet is to live at home as long as your money allows, return after more “buru”.

There was the case of one local

billionaire with upstairs disease, a psychological disorder that was environmental and locally endemic with his class. He went to the Death Valley in California where they check his insurance to make sure he could pay for treatment. The relatives told them he had no insurance but were willing to pay whatever it cost to treat him. They started a barrage of test on him after they secured a heavy deposit. Ran up the deposit and asked for more.

Unfortunately, they told them his sickness could not be cured at the location and had to send him to a sister hospital to run up his money again. The family willing accepted. They found out it was not a physical brain disease as such but a “colo-mentality” that needed the incantation of a local Voodoo medicine man since the patient mumbled some curses put on him, deals he made to get rich and the repercussion of such wealth.

In short they were advised to take him back to the medicine man that understand his

“Nigeria, not ripe for State Police” was the screaming headline from a national daily recently. Those who share this sentiment argue that it’ll become a witch hunting tool for political enemies as well as a manipulative mechanism for orchestrating coordinated attacks against critics and opponents of State Governors and their allies. Am still waiting to hear a better argument as I asked myself, the NPF with its present formation, isn’t it used for the same purpose?

Commissioners of Police (CPs), though answerable to the IG, are they not loyal to the State Governors? Its advantages by far outweigh any demerit.

Maybe our leaders are waiting for the eventual collapse of this entity called Nigeria before doing the right thing. Sporadic

“

The task of maintaining law and order has become somewhat a herculean task for the NPF made evident by incessant and devastating attacks by the Boko Haram, the activities of kidnappers, arm robbers and even civilians taking laws into their hands at the slightest provocation epitomised by the four UNIPORT students beaten and set ablaze amidst cheers and video footage by some barbaric youths of Aluu Community in Rivers State

shooting in public places, terrorist and other activities by hoodlums is increasing exponentially as the capacity of the NPF to contain this spate of violence is decreasing geometrically.

In the United States, policing has been disencentralised even down to the numerous Cities that make up the United States. The effectiveness and efficiency of Police Departments (PDs) such as Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) in California State, Boston Police Department (BPD) In Massachusetts and New York Police Department (NYPD), to mention a few, has become the envy and model for serious minded Governments around the world who take the security of properties seriously and believe in the sanctity of human life.

In Britain, talk of The Scotland Yard and the London Metroplitan Police, the splendid work they do. It beats me hollow, how naïve our leaders are not to realize that the gains of State Police far outweigh its demerits if any.

We should practice true federalism; the police should be controlled by the states after all is the ‘federal police’ with its present formation any better?

Theophilus Ilevbare can be engaged on twitter @tilevbare.

Africa’s billionaires die anywhere but home

By Martins Farouk Aresa

T

he deathbeds of African elites hoping for miracle cure is anywhere but Africa. Other countries are competing to remove their voodoo curse. Africa is the only place that could bring them back from the “valley of death”.

Medical business is slipping away from our medicine men. They need to form a union that will order that any billionaire taken overseas for his final breath must not be allowed back into Africa.

It is not that we do not have cottage hospitals in African countries or simple mortuaries that could accommodate their useless dead bodies but they seek salvation in the bodies of young and vibrant people, looking for more years in comfort with their loot. Many of them made a deal with the devil to get rich by any means but when the devil came calling for his dues, they ran out of Africa trying to defy Nemesis.

If these Africans warm bodies cannot do any good to their countries, many of us are puzzled about the benefit of their dead bodies. In the first place, whatever money they looted would be wasted because we cannot trace it back except by the mercy of the foreign governments; if they decided to hand it back. Of course, it takes a lot of work by lawyers, accountants and bank managers deducting expenses before it can be retrieved.

Mobutu, Haile Selassie,

language and culture since none of the expert could translate his behavior or invocation into English or American culture.

One of the relatives knew the medicine man that had told them he had to honor the deal he made with the devil. Yet he was taken to China where acupuncture was administered to the “were” that is sicko-in-the head patient.

The Chinese, aware of the traditional medicine of bare foot doctors on which their healthcare system is based, had to advise the family to fly his medicine man in from Burundi.

He was lodged in the best hotel in China with hard currency to shop as he wanted. In his native language, the medicine man asked how many hospitals he built in Africa and how many women and children died of preventive parasitic and infectious diseases.

As soon as the sicko heard the voice of his medicine man, he opened his eyes and his family members jubilated thinking he

“

Anyone that thinks that all those curses rained on looters’ head by hungry bellies, pensioners dying on lines waiting for their money, students and workers protesting, the poor and wailing middle class asking for good roads, railway lines and simple clean water would not catch up with squanderers of African wealth, must think again. The day of hell is here on earth before they die

was coming back alive to his old self. They could have waited a little more to celebrate because he immediately slumped and died. The medicine man blessed him and told the family members that was the deal he accepted from him. As it was written, so shall it come to pass.

They family came back home and started spreading rumors that it was the curse of his enemies.

The amount of money spent trying to renounce the deal he made with the devil including the flight tickets of everyone involved, the air ambulance for only one man, not to mention hospital cost and specialists were enough to build one Neurological Specialist hospital, five Comprehensive Health centers and twenty Health clinics in his country. Enough to establish Health Technology training for 1000 children of traditional medicine men as Primary Care Health officers and nurses on a yearly basis.

Anyone that thinks that all those curses rained on looters’ head by hungry bellies, pensioners dying on lines waiting for their money, students and workers protesting, the poor and wailing middle class asking for good roads, railway lines and simple clean water would not catch up with squanderers of African wealth, must think again. The day of hell is here on earth before they die.

Farouk Martins Aresa is on Facebook.

PAGE 16

2012 Abuja Carnival: Residents express interest to participate

R

esidents of Abuja have expressed interest to participate actively in the city’s forthcoming 2012 national carnival.

Some of them, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) commended the theme of the 8 th edition of the carnival, saying it is suitable considering the need to promote peace in the society.

The carnival with the theme: “Carnival of Peace and Harmony’’ is scheduled for Nov. 24 to Nov. 27.

Some also said they look forward to making brisk sales as well as explore opportunities the event would offer for recreation purpose.

Mr Hamza Ibrahim, a resident of Wuse 2, said he would avail himself of the opportunity to witness different events at the carnival.

The carnival will feature masquerade fiesta, food fair, boat regatta, music fiesta and Durbar.

Others are street carnival, art work exhibitions, cultural night as well as primary and secondary schools performances.

Mrs Priscilia Nnachi, a civil servant said the carnival would afford her the opportunity to take her family members around the city to appreciate cultural displays and creativity.

She urged state governments to replicate the 4day carnival in their various states, noting that it would engage people in some recreational activities.

“It will also provide a platform for the youth to stay out of violent activities,’’ Nnachi added.

Mr Badmus Idowu said the event would afford him an avenue to make “some fortune in the area of selling his locally made fabrics.

“I am committed to making good sales; this is an opportunity to present to people my current designs in the business of making fabrics,’’ he said.

NAN reports that 12 countries have so far indicated interest to participate in the carnival.

They are Egypt, India, Trinidad and Tobago, China and South Africa.

Others are Cameroon, The Sudan, Botswana, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Senegal.

Chief Edem Duke, Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, said on Friday, that government intended “to use culture as enterprise to ensure that we escalate the understanding of the creative industry”.

Duke, however, pleaded for orderliness among participants to ensure a hitch-free event.

(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

Driver 33, arraigned for causing deaths of 17 persons T

he police yesterday arraigned a 33-year old driver, Ejeki Ugwuonyi, before a Chief Magistrates Court, Gwagwalada, Abuja, for allegedly causing the death of 17 persons.

Ugwuonyi, who resides at 1 College Road, Bukpa in Nsukka, Enugu State, was arraigned on a one-count charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

He pleaded not guilty.

The police prosecutor, Cpl. iliya Maji, told the court that the accused person drove a lorry with registration number XA 523 ENU in a dangerous manner and collided with a bus, registration number XA 347 AGL, carrying 17 passengers.

Maji said the accident happened on Abaji road in the FCT

and the identities of the passengers had yet to be identified.

He said the offence, which was committed on Nov. 6, contravened Section 37 of the Road Traffic Act. The prosecutor applied for an adjournment to enable him to produce his witness since the accused had denied the charge..

Chief Magistrate Lamido

Kabir granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000 with a surety residing within the FCT. Kabir said the surety must be a civil servant on GL 08 or somebody with permanent residence in the FCT. He also said that if the bail conditions were not fulfilled, the accused should be remanded in prison. (NAN)

A man carrying flour sacks, yesterday in Area 1, Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imoowo

Gwagwalada council embarks on capacity building for women

By Adeola Tukuru with agency reports

M

r. Nana Tukura, the Social Mobilisation Officer, Gwagwalada Area Council, Mr Nana Tukura has stressed the need for capacity building for women on Oral Re-dehydration Therapy (ORT) to save more children.

He spoke on Wednesday at the Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW) in Gwagwalada.

According to him, the 5-day maternal newborn and child health week with the theme: “package of care for a healthy family” is

primarily aimed at reducing newborn and child deaths”.

The social mobilisation officer said that women would be educated on effective hand washing, exclusive breast feeding and complementary food, immunisation, and HIV counselling and testing among others.

He gave an assurance that the services would be made available at every government health centres within FCT and the training programme would be organised twice a year.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that oral redehydration therapy is the cheap,

simple and effective way to treat dehydration caused by diarrhea.

Investigations showed that diarrhea occurs, when essential fluids and salts are lost from the body and must be quickly replaced.

Tukura said that many of the millions of children, who die every year in developing countries from diarrhea, could be saved if they were given ORT promptly.

The officer said that in the state’s training the National Primary Healthcare Development Board assured them of enough supply of ORT. “But coming to the field the council was only given two cartons of

it to be shared among the 10 wards in the council,”he said.

Tukura however said that there was not enough ORT for those mothers whose children may be having diarrhea.

NAN reports that in the three wards visited, namely; Paiko kore, Dobi, and Ibwa 1, the women complained of not getting the incentives promised them by the council.

NAN also observed that at Paiko Kore, the health centre was only given 12 sachets of ORT for over 100 participants while the two other wards of about 300 women and children suffered the same thing.

Livestock traders in Dei-Dei decry lack of basic infrastructure

By Usman Shuaibu

T

he Chairman of International Livestock market in Dei-Dei under the Bwari Area Council, FCT, Alhaji Inuwa Salisu, has called on the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to provide infrastructural facilities in the market.

He also urged the FCT Administration to fence the market to curb the insecurity challenges facing the market.

During an interview with Peoples Daily recently, he noted that the FCTA had neglected the market in the area of provision of basic amenities.

He explained that the international Livestock market De-Dei was built by the Federal Capital

Development Authority (FCDA) and was commissioned by the former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999 since then no structure had been put in place to boost socioeconomic development of the market.

He also lamented that despite the revenue being generated by the FCT Administration the market had failed to meet up with the International standard.

The Chairman appealed to the government officials to purchase Cows from the cattle breeders in the market instead of giving the contract to politicians to buy cows for them during the festivities.

Salisu accused the FCT Agriculture Secretariat of failing to live up to its responsibilities, as the market is directly under agriculture department of the (FCTA).

PAGE 18

Man charged for stealing wheel barrow, knives

By Amaike Beauty

A

n Abuja Senior Magistrates Court yesterday docked Jafaru Isah of no known address for steeling wheel barrow and two knives.

Prosecutor Adamu Abdullahi told the court that on the Nov, 11, 2012, Adamu Abdullahi of Gwari village Mpape Abuja came to the court and reported the case to the station adding that on Nov,16,2012 after work, the accuse stole his wheel barrow which valued N9,000 at his premises near Eco bank Mpape Abuja and absconded .

Abdullahi added that the following morning being Nov, 17, 2012, Adamu discovered that the accused have stolen the wheel barrow.

Meanwhile the accused when questioned admitted to the crime committed.

The Senior Magistrate Grace Adeboyo reserved the judgment on the accused and adjourned the case to Nov, 11, 2012.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

2 Diamond bank staff remanded in prison for forging customers’ signatures

T

wo workers of Diamond Bank PLC, Okoh Ebele and Charles Amadi, were yesterday arraigned before a Karu Chief Magistrates Court, Abuja, for allegedly forging the signatures of four consumers.

The accused persons withdrew N250,000 from one of the customer’s account.

Prosecutor Garba Mohammed told the court that the accused were arraigned on a fourcount charge of criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust by servant, forgery and theft.

He the offences contravened Sections 97, 314, 364 and 287 of the Penal Code.

Mohammed said that one Anthony Anaolu, a worker with Diamond Bank PLC, Area 11, Abuja, reported the matter at the Garki Police Station.

He said Anaolu reported that the accused persons were staff of Wuse Zone 4, branch,

entrusted with depositors’ money.

“The accused conspired among themselves and revealed the signatures of four different customers operating different accounts in the same bank.

“They scanned the signatures and sent to one Charles, whose surname is still unknown and now at-large, with the intention to withdraw the customer’s money deposited with the bank.

“In the course of their actions, they succeeded in withdrawing the sum of N250,000 from the account of one L.A Mittee, through one Amarachi Joshia, of Wuse Zone 5, Abuja,’’ he said.

Joshia is presently also standing trial for alleged theft in the same court.

He said that during police investigation, the accused persons admitted committing the offence.

The accused persons, however, pleaded not

guilty to the charges.

The Counsel to the accused, Charles Achillo, therefore, made an oral application for their bail.

The Chief Magistrate,

Ahmed Shaibu, refused the application for bail and ordered that they should be remanded in prison.

“The offence of forgery is a serious

crime. It has to come by way of motion and not an oral application.

“The case stands adjourned to Jan. 16,2013 for hearing,” Shaibu said. (NAN)

A young man eking a living with his wheel barrow, yesterday in Nyanya.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Okada rider, 29, docked for joint act, mischief

T

he police yesterday arraigned one Shamsi Yahaya of Lugbe, Abuja, before an Abuja Senior Magistrates Court for alleged joint act, trespass and mischief.

Police prosecutor, Paul Anigbo, told the court that the case was lodged at the Lugbe Police Station, Abuja by one Cletus Amaefule of Federal Housing Authority, Lugbe, Abuja on Nov. 17.

Anigbo said on that day Yahaya and his fellow ‘okada riders’ stormed Amaefule’s house and intentionally destroyed

his property.

“The rear windscreen of Amaefule’s Mercedes Benz car and a Toyota Camry car along with Amaefule’s gate and some windows, all valued at N79,000 were destroyed,’’ Anigbo said.

The prosecutor said that during police investigations, Yahaya claimed that his motorcycle was stolen in front of Amaefule’s gate by an unknown person.

He said that the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 79, 248 and 327 of the Penal

Code Law. Yahaya, however, denied the allegations leveled against him.

The Magistrate, Mr Tony Ubani, granted Yahaya bail in the sum of N30,000 with a reasonable surety in like sum who must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

Ubani said that the surety must have a fixed address and produce a water or electricity bill as evidence to the address.

Ubani adjourned the case to Nov. 27,2012 for further hearing. (NAN)

Man, 42, charged with driving without licence

T

he police on Tuesday arraigned one Adamu Abdullahi, 42, of no fixed address, before a Karu Senior Magistrates’ Court in Abuja for allegedly driving without licence.

He was also charged with driving with wornout tyres and dangerous driving that led to the destruction of another vehicle.

The prosecutor, Pascal Njoku, told the court that one Aloysius Akah reported the incident at

Jikwoyi Police Station in Abuja.

Njoku said the accused drove a vehicle with registration No. XE 323 KUJE and hit Akah’s vehicle near Rhodira Hotel and refused to take responsibility for the repair.

“The complainant parked his vehicle near the hotel and the accused drove carelessly and hit it from behind and the cost of repair was put at N181, 000.

“During police investigation, it was

discovered that the accused has been driving without a licence and that the four tyres were wornout,’’ he said.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Senior Magistrate, Christopher Oba, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 and a reliable surety in like sum.

He said the surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court and adjourned the case to Nov. 27, 2012 for further hearing. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

PAGE 17

An okada rider picking a passenger along Biazhym road, Kubwa, Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

FCT residents task borehole operators on dirty tanks

A

cross section of residents of Abuja and the suburbs have expressed concern over possible outbreak of waterborne diseases due to the fact that some borehole operators do not wash or disinfect the water tanks periodically.

The residents, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday complained that more often than not, consumers found particles in the water from these boreholes and fear that this can lead to waterborne diseases.

Mrs Angela Anunobi, a resident, said that some time

ago, she sent her child to fetch water from a nearby borehole only to find out that the water contained greenish particles. ''I was shocked and worried because the family had been drinking this water all through the day and this was not the first time I have noticed this kind of negligence by these operators. ''Sometimes, it is dirty particles you find in the water, and this is not just a particular borehole but a number of them are guilty of this,'' Anunobi said.

Another resident Mrs Bukola Atanda, said: ''most of the operators are just after the

money they will collect from the borehole, they are careless about the potability of the water they sell. ''Sometimes, even the surroundings of the borehole is usually an eyesore; really, we need an orientation on good hygiene in this country. ''Maybe the government should do a campaign on the benefits of good hygiene; it is like everything in our society is going into gradual but progressive decadence,'' Atanda said.

Mr Hammed Suleiman also decried the lack of care displayed by the borehole

operators. ''In the real sense, these people have really come to the aid of Nigerians by providing these boreholes since pipe-borne water is now far out of the reach of majority of people. ''But the fact of the matter is that they cannot give us water and afflict us with diseases that are avoidable; just observing simple hygiene as washing the tanks and keeping the environment clean will prevent this.''

In his reaction, one of the borehole operators, Mr Ezekiel Ishaya, admitted the allegation and even said that some do not

wash their containers at all from year to year. ''I agree that some operators do not take good care of their reservoirs but you will be shocked at the containers that some people come with to collect water. ''So,I think the problem is not just the operators but we, as a people in general have lost the sense of value in the things that make us unique as Africans; one of which is cleanliness. ''It's a wake up call for all of us to get back to the roots and find out where we are missing it and the change will start first from us as individuals,'' Ishaya said.

(NAN)

Man remanded in prison for stealing his brother's property

A

n Abuja Chief Magistrates Court has remanded one Araba Umbugadu, of Central Area, Abuja, for allegedly stealing his brother's property.

Prosecutor Yusuf Auta told

the court that on Nov. 13, 2012 , one Mathew Umbugadu of the same address wrote a petition to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 7 against the accused.

Auta said that on Nov.

19,2012 the accused entered the complainant's office and stole two laptop computers and two vacuum cleaning machines valued at N420, 000.

He said that during interrogation the accused

confessed that he stole only the vacuum cleaning machine.

The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Section 288 of the Penal Code.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Magistrate, Mr Azubike Okeagwu, ordered that the accused should be remanded in prison custody to prevent him from jumping bail.

Okeagwu adjourned the case to Dec. 19,2012 for hearing. (NAN)

Court jails driver for causing obstruction on high way

By Amaike Beauty with agency reports

A

Karu Senior Magistrates court on Tuesday sentenced a commercial driver, Okoye Augustine, 31, to two months imprisonment for causing obstruction on the highway.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Mohammed Garba, told the court that the convict who resides at No. 59 Popuku Street, Wuse 2, Abuja, was arrested by one AIG Ejemdu Wakama, of the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Garba said that the convict diverted his vehicle from his

lane to another one without proper consideration of vehicles behind him, leading to a build-up of traffic along the Ahmadu Bello Way, Abuja, on Nov. 19,2012.

The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Section 65 (3) of the Road Traffic Act.

The convict pleaded guilty to the offence.

The Senior Magistrate, Chinyere Nwecheonwu, sentenced him to two months imprisonment with an option of N5,000 fine.

“Why did you obstruct the traffic? You should have been patient enough to wait for

some minutes instead of breaking the law. See where your stubbornness has landed you to, in the court.’’

The magistrate ordered the police to make sure that the convict’s vehicle under their custody was released to him after serving his prison term or payment of the fine. (NAN)

BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

Email: aminuimam@yahoo.co.uk

PAGE 19

INSIDE

- Pg 20

SON approves 4 firms for importation accreditation

Mob: 08033644990

Nigerian Economic Summit holds in December

By Aminu Imam

T

he 18th Nigerian Economic Summit will hold from December 3 to 5 in Abuja, the Director-General of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mr. Frank Nweke Jnr, has said.

Hosted by the NESG in partnership with the National Planning Commission (NPC), the summit with the theme, “Deregulation, Cost of Governance and Nigeria’s Economic Prospects” will have participants from both the public and private sector come together to dialogue on the need to build on Nigeria’s successful deregulation of the telecoms, banking, insurance and aviation sectors.

Nweke said that theme of this year’s summit is consistent with the group’s commitment to continually focus on contemporary issues of public policy which constrain improvements in Nigeria’s public governance system, undermine economic development and the welfare and well-being of our people.

Bulk electricity trading company assures IPPs safety of their investments

By Muhammad Nasir, with agency reports he Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company Plc (NBET) has assured all Independent Power Producers (IPPs) operating in the nation's power industry of the safety of their investments.

The disclosure was made yesterday by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NBET, Rumundaka Wonodi in Abuja in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

"The NBET is the bulk trader, and its role is primarily to enter into power purchase agreement with the power generation companies and sell the power purchased from these generators to the distribution companies through the vesting contracts.

"That is the primary role, but the more fundamental strong role is the fact that we are a confidence booster for the electricity industry.

"NBET enters into bilateral Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with IPPs and this is backed by a payment security package that allows investors to actually make investments,'' he said.

T

The Governor of Kogi State, Idris Ichalla Wada (left) shakes hand with the Chairman, Board of Directors, Unity Bank Plc, Alhaji Nu'uman Barau Danbatta, who was in Lokoja Government House to commiserate with the state government over the recent flood which enveloped some parts of the state.

NNPC claims FG owes it N1.3trn subsidy funds

By Muhammad Nasir

T

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation ( N N P C ) , o n Tuesday revealed that the Federal Government owed it the sum of N1.3 trillion ($8.2 billion) in subsidy claims.

The development according to the NNPC, has left them struggling with their fuel import programme.

“As at today, the outstanding amount due to the NNPC on subsidy claims is in excess of N1.3 trillion. (The debt is) making things… difficult as we have been struggling to cope with our fuel import programme,” a senior NNPC official said.

The official further revealed that as at 2011, subsidy debt stood at N752.7 billion, but however rose to N1 trillion in the first half of 2012; adding that long queues of vehicles at service stations have become routine across major cities in the country

due to shortage of fuel.

NNPC has taken on sole responsibility for the provision of gasoline in the country after private companies withdrew following delays in the payment of subsidies in the first and second quarters of this year.

NNPC previously accounted for only 60 per cent of gasoline imports into the country. The government usually reimburses

importers as subsidies to cover the difference between the landing cost of the fuel and the fixed domestic pump price, but following the large-scale fraud that was discovered in the subsidy scheme, which gulped over N2.7 trillion in 2011, the Federal Government said it will only pay subsidy claims cleared by a presidential panel set up to verify import documents

Nicon luxury hotel awards postponed, says advisory awards committee

By Aminu Imam

T

he advisory board and awards committee of the Nigerian royalty awards after an extra-ordinary meeting convened by the board, agreed that the auspicious award event slated for Nicon Luxury Hotel be shifted from the 22nd to the 29th

November, 2012, at the same venue to accommodate all recipients' and a memorable celebration of the event.

A statement issued yesterday by the Head, Media and Publicity Committee,Omoniyi Gbadamosi noted that the National Coordinator, Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele, said the change of date

Management Tip of the Day New job? Only make the sacrifices you want to

E

very job requires giving things up, such as working long hours or spending time away from family. It’s important when considering a new job to know which compromises you’re willing to make: · Learn what’s really required. Ask the employer about hours and intensity. You may assume that a certain

level of commitment is necessary when it actually isn’t. · Set specific guidelines.

Identify the boundaries that will help you determine when to say yes or no. For example, you might decide you will always attend important events at your kid’s school, or work late on business trips to free up weekends.

· Start a discussion.

Based on the guidelines you’ve set, talk about hours, travel, and availability. Then listen to what your potential employer says. With this information in hand, you can decide whether you are prepared to make the necessary sacrifices.

Source: Harvard Business Review

submitted by companies.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday revealed that government would revisit the need to do away with subsidies and deregulate the downstream oil sector in order to attract private investors.

He expressed believes that fuel prices will become normal when investors build refineries in the country. was due to logistics reason coupled with the fact that as an A Class event all the various stakeholders must be carried along for an eventful outing. He also opined that with the passing away of the Chairman, Advisory Board recently, Amb. Segun Olusola, and the vacuum created, the board is to yet to find a suitable replacement believing that by the next date earmarked for the red carpet event, a Chairman will have been selected to oversee this years' event.

Meanwhile, this year's edition honours the Nigerian Woman of Distinction with the theme: "Nigerian Woman; Distinctively Unique, Celebrating Excellence, A Catalyst for National Development" while the Guest Speaker is the First Female Pilot in Nigeria and Rector/ Chief Executive of Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, Captain Chinyere Kalu.

Nigerian Royalty Awards is a biannual event which focuses on the promotion of the traditional institutions, socio-cultural values and grassroots development in Nigeria and conferred on individuals and corporate organizations with unique distinction in services to humanity.

PEOPLES DAILY,WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

PAGE 20

Compiled by Ayodele Samuel 08063727788

COMPANY NEWS Flourmills

F

lourmills of Nigeria Plc (Flourmills, the Group) released Q2’12/13 Group results for the period ended 30 September, showing Sales grow by 8 percent YoY to N137.5 billion from N127.9 billion as at Q2 last year, driven by price and volume (in the food, fertilizer and livestock feeds business segments).

The company’s also reported a 6 percent growth in gross profit to N20 billion from N18.9 billion, cost of sale dipped by 8 percent to N117 billion from N108 billion.

Profit before tax witnessed a 5 percent marginal increase to N10.4 billion from N9.8 billion, while profit after tax saw a marginal 7 percent growth.

Zenith Bank

Growing rice smuggling: Investigation indicate custom officers

T

he increasing wave of rice smuggling in the coun try has continue to raise concern among the Rice Millers, Importers and Distributors Association of Nigeria (RIMIDA ), saying as much as N1.7billion worth of rice is smuggled into the country monthly.

The rice smugglers mostly find their way to Nigeria through Benin Republic, via Seme -Badagry and Owode Idiroko borders despite heavy presence of Custom officials along the frontiers .

Peoples Daily investigation last week revealed that from Seme border to Iyana-Iba, about ten check points are manned on the highway by Customs officials extorting smugglers.

While on the Idiroko frontiers, about 11 Customs check points where sighted by our reporter, contrabands products, mostly rice and groundnut oil still find their way into the country with settlement of N1,000 bribe per trip.

A woman who deals in rice and oil importation said, “Once you can bribe them, there’s no problem. I carry my goods to Iyana-Iba with about N7, 000 for Customs but in some cases if their boss wants rice or anything the custom will not release your goods, their will carry it to Ikeja but before you get there you won’t see the goods again; just last week, I lost about 70 bags of rice to Custom”.

She lamented that Nigeria borders are too porous; “We

can’t enter Benin or Togo with goods because they will seize it but here anybody once you bribe your way, anything goes, because this products are cheap over there”.

She however deny knowledge of the legal procedure for importing the goods into the country.

RIMIDAN Chairman, Tunji Owoeye explained that the smugglers have been capitalising on the increase in levy on imported rice, as well as Nigeria’s porous land borders to smuggle rice, a situation, he said had dramatically driven genuine processors and millers out of business.

He said his members’ investment in plant and machinery as at mid 2012 was over N100 billion, with the

Z

enith Bank last month released its third-quarter (Q3) result at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), and following this development, analysts at both FBN Capital and Renaissance Capital made public their observations in relation to the bank’s Q3 financials.

A team of analysts at FBN Capital noted that “Zenith Bank’s Q3 2012 results reflected the impact of the central bank’s recent monetary tightening measures. Nonetheless, Q3 earnings were on par with the average quarterly run-rate in H1.

In their research titled: “Zenith Bank Q3 2012 results review: Modest tempering of FY expectations,” these analysts said: “We have reduced our 2012-14E EPS estimates by an average of 7 percent, and our price target by 4.4 percent to N18.2.

Visafone

T

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

The former managing director of Zenith Bank also promised that Visafone would set up emergency call centers across the nation in order to curtail future natural disaster like the flooding.

These huge commitments made Visafone the leading light among other telecommunications companies, as Ovia further assured of the company’s continued determination to effectively give back to the society and make Nigeria a better place for all.

An exhibition stand at the ongoing first world conference on Cocoa, on Tuesday in Abidjan. Photo: NAN

total number of people employed in the value chain amounting to about 4.5 million, saying all of these were being threatened by the activities of the smugglers.

“We complained severally in the past about the negative activities of smugglers of rice and the devastating effects on the nation’s economy. From records available to us, the total loss of revenue to the government from this unwholesome activity for the period commencing January 2012 till date is over USD$200 million, which, when converted to naira at the current rate of N158 is about N32 billion,” he noted.

Owoeye described the perpetrators of this act as unrelenting, thereby undermining the Federal Government’s policies and programmes directed at boosting local food production.

“No sector or professional group which makes as much commitment as we have enunciated above would keep quiet and not fight determinedly for the survival of this critical sector of the Nigerian economy.

Incidentally and in truth, these commitments and potential of the rice sector are being daily put at risk by the activities of these smugglers and their collaborators,” he argued.

Affirming that smuggling is also affecting the food security plans of the federal government, he called on the government to strengthen its mechanisms for policing the land borders especially, the Seme border flank as well as other related areas where much of the acts were being perpetrated, He, however, called on the Federal Government to increase its land border-monitoring so as to curb the activities of smugglers, since, as he argued, the efforts of the present government concerning growing the economy through the empowerment of its key components, are regularly being threatened by the activities of these smugglers.

SON approves 4 firms for importation accreditation

T

he Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has ap pointed four firms for accreditation of imported goods in line with the global best practices.

The Director-General of the SON, Dr Joseph Odumodu, announced this during the signing of agreement between the organisations and the firms in Lagos.

Odumodu said that SON appointed the new IAFs “to tackle the influx of substandard goods into the country.”

He stressed the importance of the new appointment as it conformed to the SON Conformity Assessment Programme

(SONCAP), describing SONCAP as a flagship programme of the organisation.

According to him, the SONCAP is in charge of regulatory activities of the organisation, critical to its campaign of zero tolerance on substandard products.

“We have successfully created necessary background for the stoppage of substandard products in the country and expectations of Nigerians have been heightened.

Nigerians are eager to see adherence to the zero tolerance of substandard products and we cannot afford to disappoint them.

It is the same way that the expec-

tation is high from the government to ensure that the country is rid of substandard products and ensure employment generation and wealth creation,” he said.

Odumodu urged the IAFs to strive toward desirable achievements of SONCAP by ensuring thorough inspection of imported goods, adding that SON would begin to issue the SONCAP certificate on goods coming into the country.

The Director-General listed two of the accredited firms as Intertek International Ltd. and Cotecna Trade Services, saying; “They have the technical competence to deliver the best ser-

vice to Nigerians.

The Chief Operating Officer of the Cotecna Trade Services, Mr Mattheiu Delorme, assured Nigerians of excellent performance in the monitoring imported goods. He said that in the old system, goods already checked were often substituted but that now, such goods would be sealed and confined on arrival in Nigeria.

“It is a big challenge to us, but we will work with the SON to block all loopholes as soon as we discover them. We intend to protect Nigerians with our new ideas just like we have been protecting other countries,” Delorme said.

PAGE 21

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

Cadbury Bournvita excites consumers with ‘Yummy Life’ promo Stories from Suleiman Idris, Lagos

L

eading manufacturer of food drinks in Nigeria, Cadbury Nigeria Plc, said it is set to excite and reward loyal consumers of its flagship brandBournvita with a consumer promotion tagged Cadbury Bournvita Yummy Life promotion.

Addressing journalists at a conference at the company’s Head Office in Lagos, Dele Anifowoshe, Marketing Director, Cadbury Nigeria Plc said “the Cadbury Bournvita ‘Yummy Life’ promo is a distinctive and a reward program as everyone who purchases either the 450g or 900g promotion jar from now till January 2013 is a winner upfront”.

He said “The Cadbury Bournvita ‘Yummy Life’ promo

is aimed at delighting, rewarding and providing a superior life for our consumers in Nigeria. All consumers will enjoy an instant 10 per cent extra free products and stand the chance of winning any of the ‘Yummy’ prizes worth over two hundred million naira.”

Speaking also on the promo

mechanics, Chioma Afe, Cadbury Nigeria’s Marketing Manager (Food Drinks), explained that consumers are expected to buy 450g or 900g jar of the Bournvita promotion pack, open it and peel off the foil to reveal a special code which will be sent via SMS to the short code

provided.

She advised consumers to keep the foil for authentication as prizes are redeemable only with valid promotion foil.

Afe said “Cadbury Bournvita will continue to demonstrate its leadership position in the food drinks market as the pride of the pack, offering consumers yummy

nourishment for non-stop vitality.

During the Cadbury Yummy Life promotion, 11 consumers will become millionaires winning N1 million Naira cash each, 11 others will win N250, 000.00 cash each, 65 consumers will win N100, 000.00 cash and 300,000 consumers will win N500 worth of airtime each.”

‘Most Trusted Brand’ awards to hold next month

B

randHealth Limited, organisers of the annual brand awards in Nigeria tagged Most Trusted Brands, said plans have concluded plans to host the third edition of the awards on December 5, in Lagos A statement by Mr. Emmanuel Udowoima, Chief Executive Officer of BrandHealth said that the

theme for this year’s edition is “Innovation as a Source of Trust” adding that in as much as innovativeness in product packaging and delivery seems to be the order of the day in the market place, brands hold it as a point of duty to earn the trust of their consumers.

The statement said “The Most Trusted Brand Awards is

perhaps the most transparent Awards in Nigeria as winners are chosen directly by the consumers and they do not have to pay anything to win the awards.

“As a people, we are increasingly losing our values by the day. People, organisations and brands are no longer trusted or trustworthy, promises are no longer kept. We know that men and women with conscience are worried. Our response to this negative trend is the only reason why the Most Trusted Brand Awards was instituted three years ago. It is meant to identify and celebrate brands that build and maintain sustainable relationships of trust with their consumers”, he said.

According to him, BrandHealth conducted a survey in 15 states of the federation with over 1,600 consumers participating to choose their most trusted brands for the year 2012. The results of the survey he added identify the Most Trusted Brand in each

product category and overall and the winners will be announced at an elaborate ceremony scheduled to hold in December at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers.

Among dignitaries expected for the award is the Registrar of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) who will be the Special Guest of Honour, Mr. Tony Chiejina, Head Corporate Communications, Dangote Industries Plc will be the Guest Speaker while Mr. Enitan Denloye, Director of Brands and Communications Etisalat Nigeria will deliver the key note address.

BrandHealth is a research agency dedicated to brands and their bonding with consumers.

In the last three years it has been in the forefront of conducting research which cut across many sectors to determine the brands that bond most with consumers in terms of usage, awareness, loyalty.

APCON to ensure stiffer measures to erring members in 2013

L-R: Speaker, Gombe State House of Assembly, Hon. Inuwa Garba, Gombe state Deputy Governor, Mr Tha'anda Rubainu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Investment, Alhaji Yusuf Daudu, and Commissioner for Science and Mineral Development, Alhaji Babagoro Abdulkadir, during a workshop on hydrated lime production, on Tuesday in Gombe.

Photo: NAN

NIPR makes case for practitioners in the public service

P

ractitioners of Public Relations in Nigeria public service has been promised a new lease of life if the request by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to have the Establishment Department of the Presidency fully scheduled and create a promotional cadre for the institute’s graduates in the civil service is endorse by the federal authority.

Addressing members at the NIPR 2012 convocation ceremony in Lagos, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of NIPR, Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi informed the gathering if its request is granted, it would

further ensure the full employment and promotion of holders of the institute’s diploma in both the public and private sectors.

He said the Federal Ministry of Information is also working assiduously with the institute’s governing council over the proposal, and told members that the National Council on Information had resolved to keep working with the institute until the new establishment cadre for public relations is fully implemented.

He adviced the new graduands to remain focused and aspire to rise to the pinnacle of their career adding that the

current trend globally is enhancing best practices in industry and governments and the acquisition of professional certificates in one’s discipline.

While congratulating the new members, Alhaji Abdullahi said ‘We believe that it is with the continued unity of purpose we have now that we can establish mutual understanding, inspire confidence and engineer relationships that can thrive even in the face of adversity.’

A number of 701 Professional Diploma graduates and 741 Certificate graduates were awarded certificates at the ceremony.

P

ractitioners in the m a r k e t i n g communication industry has been warned that failure to adhere the rules and regulation guiding advertising practice in the country, as spelt out in the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), code will the music in 2013.

Chairman of the apex regulatory body, the Advertising Agencies’ Association of Nigeria (AAAN) Mr. Lolu Akinwumi disclosed that the Lagos Advertising and Ideas Festival (LAIF) event, organised by AAAN. Mr. Akinwunmi, who expressed displeasure at the conduct of some practitioners, reiterated that the body would begin the full implementation of the advertising laws y January 1, 2013 in continuation of its reforms agenda which it started few years ago.

He said in spite of efforts by the regulatory body to sanitise the industry, in tune with global standards, some

practitioners were yet to imbibe the good governance culture in the industry.

“It is unfortunate that some even still practice advertising without duly registering with the body, while some registered members, still fail to submit their communication materials to the body for vetting before exposure.”

He said “The laws guiding all these are there in the first place, and what we are going to do as from January 1, nest year is to begin to implement and them. We believe if the industry is to move forward, those rules guiding the practice of advertising in the country must be respected by all.”

He commended the organisers of the LAIF Awards for coming up with the reward initiative, designed to raise the standards of creativity in the industry, and pledged the commitment of the body to support similar initiatives that would further boost marketing communications practice in the country.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

PAGE 22

UBA migrates to monoline commercial banking structure From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

U

nited Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, the PanAfrican financial services group has secured the approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to operate as a commercial bank. Subsequently,

a court ordered meeting has been scheduled to hold on December 13, 2012 to obtain the approval of shareholders for the restructuring.

Under the restructuring, all non-commercial banking businesses of the Group will be divested and held separately

from UBA Plc by the bank’s shareholders. The divested noncommercial banking businesses (except Africa Prudential Registrars and Afriland Properties that will be held directly by shareholders) will be consolidated within UBA Capital Plc, which today is one of the

Bank’s subsidiaries.

Besides UBA Plc, the restructuring will therefore result in the emergence of three separate standalone companies namely, UBA Capital Plc, African Prudential Registrars Plc and Afriland Properties Plc. Specifically, the Board has proposed that the capital of the bank be reorganized by the reduction of the Bank’s Accumulated Reserves by an amount equal to the aggregate value of the Bank’s investment in the non-commercial banking subsidiaries and the excess realty to be transferred to Afriland Properties Plc.

Explaining the rationale behind the restructuring, GMD/ CEO, UBA Plc, Phillips Oduoza said the restructuring will result in greater value and provide each entity with easier access to long term capital to finance growth thus protecting shareholders’ value.

“Both UBA Capital Plc and Africa Prudential Registrars Plc will eventually become listed companies on the NSE; hence, eligible shareholders will have the benefit of owning liquid stocks in these entities while Afriland Properties will be listed at a much future date,” he added.

Constitute taskforce on Pension Reform Act 2004, Prisons boss tells Jonathan

By Muhammad Nasir

T L-R: Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, Chairman, House Committee on Industries, Hon. Mohammed Ogoshi, and member, House Committee on Marine Transport, Hon. Yusuf Manu Swa, during the budget defence by the Ministry of Transport, on Tuesday at the National Assembly, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

By Ibrahim Kabiru Sule

I

n its quest for the diversification of Nigeria’s revenue sources, the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has reiterated its commitment to explore and develop the non-oil sector so as to serve as an alternative source of revenue for the development of the Nigerian economy.

This was contained in a goodwill message by the Commission’s Chairman, Elias Mbam during a two-day national seminar on the non-oil sector organised by the ‘PostMortem Sub – Committee’ of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), in Abuja.

Mbam then described the theme of the seminar: “New initiatives for Optimal Revenue Generation and Collection for the non-oil sector” as akin with the commission’s ongoing advocacy

RMAFC poised to explore alternative revenue sources and mass mobilisation programme for the diversification of the Nigerian economy.

“As a Commission charged with the constitutional responsibility of monitoring revenue accruals into the Federation Account, we shall continue to support the activities of the sub-committee which is aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in revenue collection and disbursement”, Mbam asserted The Chairman however stressed that the Post-Mortem SubCommittee of FAAC as an initiative of RMAFC was deliberately set-up to regularly reexamine the mechanism of revenue collections and

disbursements in line with global best practices and charged them to come up with new initiatives for sustainable revenue generation as well as efficient collection mechanisms.

Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Ngama who is the Chairman of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), had earlier called on the revenue collecting and monitoring agencies to imbibe the culture of information-sharing on revenue generation, remittances and disbursement to forestall inter-agency conflict, mutual distrust as well as ensure transparency and accountability in the management of the Federation Account.

Vitafoam positions to remain key player in capital market From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

T

he top management staff of Vitafoam Nigeria Plc had visited the Nigerian Stock Exchange as part of its strategic positioning to remain a key player in the Nigerian Capital Market.

The visit, led by the Company’s new managing director and chief executive officer, Joel Ajiga also reinforced the success story of Vitafoam Nigeria’s 50th Anniversary that was widely publicised.

Ajiga assured the Exchange’s management of the Company’s Commitment towards shareholder value and determination to furnish the Exchange with regular information of the company’s operations in line with the Post

Listing Requirements.

He commended the Exchange’s management for the on-going market recovery and introduction of market makers among others to create liquidity.

While interacting with the stockbrokers on the trading floor, Ajiga explained that Vitafoam Nigeria Plc places premium on Community Social Responsibility, citing the company’s assistance to some of the recent flood victims in many states. Ajiga who was accompanied by the executive director, Sales and Marketing, Peter Folikwe, technical director, Taiwo Adeniyi executive director, Finance, Brass Ogun, The company secretary, Lekan Sani and the National Sales Manager, Engineer Bamidele Sola Owoade

rang the symbolic closing bell.

In his earlier welcome address, the Exchange’s Executive Director, Operations and IT, Ade Bajomo who represented The Exchange’s Chief Executive Officer, Oscar Onyema expressed joy that The Exchange’s introduction of marker makers had impacted positively on the market while the Board of Trustees had been constituted for its Investor Protection Fund for enhanced investor protection.

Only recently, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc celebrated its 50th Anniversary with fanfare by rewarding the numerous key regional distributors. Many consumers of the company’s products benefited immensely in the promotion that characterized the anniversary.

he President of the Retired Prisons Officers Association of Nigeria (PRPOAN), Mrs. Titilayo Ibe has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to constitute a taskforce into the Pension Reform Act of 2004 with a view of bringing out the real intent which is to improve the condition of pensioners.

“We believe that a lot of things are wrong with the new Pension Reform Act of 2004. We therefore kindly request Mr. President to constitute a Taskforce to carefully look into the scheme with a view to bringing out the real intent which is to improve the condition of pensioners as this is not the case now”. Mrs. Ibe pleaded.

Ibe expressed the association’s apprehension about Pension Reform Act of 2004, adding that the intent of the Act has been defeated and demanded that the 53.37% salary review promised to civil servants should also be reflected in the salary of retirees from 1st July 2010 when it was paid to working civil servants.

She acknowledged the proworkers disposition of the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan and promised continued support of the association.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu also assured the Retired Prisons Officers Association of Nigeria (PRPOAN), that the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan will continue to cater for the wellbeing of Nigerian workers, either in active service or retired.

The Minister gave this assurance in his office recently when he received in audience the Retired Prisons Officers Association of Nigeria, led by its President Mrs. Titilayo Ibe Wogu added that all the agitations of the association will be thoroughly addressed as necessary recommendation would be made to the appropriate authority. “The issues are straightforward and we will study them and make a farreaching report and recommendation back to President Jonathan”.

Vodacom Business Nigeria brings M2M solutions to financial institutions

By Chris Alu

P

rovider of telecommunications solution, Vodacom Business Nigeria, has launched its Machineto-Machine (M2M) solutions suitable for the financial and the retail sector.

The new Vodacom M2M solutions are dual-SIM enabled, providing reliable, secure and a costeffective solutions for ATM, Point of Sales (POS) connectivity and backup applications.

The solution, which includes ATMLink, POSLink and 3G BackUp, according to Vodacom, represents a milestone in scalable M2M technology in Nigeria.

The firm explained that these next-generation solutions utilise the GSM data network to connect retailer’s POS to the central servers or to the Nigerian Interbank Settlement Systems (NIBSS) network and the ATM to the bank’s central servers, adding that it enabled seamless network failover to a secondary GSM network in the event of failure on the primary network and vice versa, in which

case, the user was oblivious to the network changeover.

The key concern among financial institutions and other retailers is data security, to which Vodacom has assured the market of the in-built security of its new M2M solutions.

Vodacom Business Nigeria Product Manager, Abu Etu said: “Our solutions are built on a secure network and all transactions are encrypted over the Vodacom MPLS network. We have put in place IPSEC tunneling, private APNs, SIM authentication and a host of security measures to provide much needed peace of mind.”

Ettu: “Vodacom’s M2M solutions are able to offer connectivity in commercial districts and remote locations across all 36 states of Nigeria. Using our extensive countrywide network and leveraging the reach of the GSM data networks do this.

At 99 per cent guaranteed availability, Vodacom’s M2M Solutions offer businesses the ability to improve service delivery and increase their competitive advantage”, he said.

PAGE 23

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

I only withdrew temporarily from attending emirate council meetings, says Shekarau From Edwin Olofu, Kano

F

ormer governor of Kano state, Ibrahim Shekarau, who is the Sardaunan Kano, yesterday, said he only withdrew temporarily from attending emirate council meetings - refuting reports that he resigned from the Kano Emirate Council.

Court gives November 23 date to rule on suit against IGP, APCON

Shekarau who disclosed this while addressing newsmen in his residence in Kano yesterday, said he was appalled by reports in the media that he has resigned from the Emirate council, contrary to the request he sent to the council that he should be excuse for a while from attending meetings because of political engagements.

He added that he felt dutybound to react to the reports because of the number of phone calls he has been receiving from within and outside the country by his well-wishers to seek clarification on the issue.

It would be recalled that Senior Councilor in the council , Alhaji Abbas Sanusi had in a parley with newsmen on

Tuesday stated that Shekarau had resigned from the council.

"It is now common knowledge that sometime last month my party, ANPP, assigned to me the onerous task of leading a committee formed and charged with the responsibility of contacting and discussing with opposition parties with a view to merging and forming a common front to provide Nigerians with alternative platform that will lead our dear nation to the promised land.

"No doubt this is a task that will involve a lot of travels and holding of meetings nationwide. I therefore felt that I will definitely not have enough time to enable me attend and participate fully in the emirate

council meetings.

Consequently, I wrote a letter to his Highness, the Emir of Kano requesting for permission to withdraw (temporarily) from attending the emirate council meetings, to enable me concentrate on the new national assignment given to me by my party. And His Highness has already replied accepting my request. This has nothing to do with my position and functions as Sardaunan Kano.

"I wish therefore to make it very clear that I, Ibrahim Shekarau am still holding my position as Sardaunan Kano, and will continue to exercise all known traditional rites, roles and functions associated with such traditional tittles", he stated.

From Adesoji Oyinlola, Lagos

A

Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, presided over by Justice Musa Kurya, yesterday, adjourned ruling to determine the suit brought against Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, by Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), till November 23.

Counsel for NPAN, Tayo Oyetibo, told the court that it would be improper for the substantive suit to begin without allowing the 2nd defendant (IGP) exercise his time completely, noting that the IGP had 30 days to reply.

"On the substantive suit, the 2nd defendant has up to today (Wednesday) for his case.

He was served on October 22, 2012 so they have up to the end of business. That being so, the substantive suit is not ripe for hearing so that the 2nd defendant can be given a fair hearing", Oyetibo said.

He argued that since it is a case instituted by originating summons and evidence is by affidavit, there is guidance by the Supreme Court that both the objection and substantive suit should be taken together.

NPAN filed the suit following a code enacted by APCON, which infringes on the right of members of the association to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinion and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.

It would be recalled that on June 7, 2012, a letter was issued by the Police to Vanguard, pursuant to a complaint by the 1st defendant (APCON) of the violation by the media House of Article 21 of the Code. And in the course of police investigation, invited persons were threatened with further arrest and prosecution for allegedly violating the provisions of the Code.

ABU ASUU chairman appointed deputy director, Arewa House

By Maryam Garba Hassan

C

hairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Dr. Muhammad Kabir Aliyu, has been appointed Deputy Director of Centre for Historical Research and Documentation, Arewa House, Kaduna.

A statement issued yesterday by the Media Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor Waziri Isa Gwantu, stated that the ViceChancellor of the University, Prof.

Abdullahi Mustapha, who approved the appointment, said the appointment was in recognition of Dr. Aliyu's commitment to the development of the university. According to the statement, the appointment which is for the period of two years and subject to renewal for another period of two years, takes effect from 1stNovember, 2012.

‌as SBRS gets new director

T

he Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof.

Abdullahi Mustapha has approved the appointment of Prof.

Ibrahim Khalilullahi Zubairu (alias Ibrakhaz) of the Department of Building as the Director of the institution's School of Basic and Remedial Studies (SBRS), Funtua.

The VC, in a statement signed by his Media Adviser, Waziri Isa Gwantu, said the appointment which is for the period of two years was in recognition of Ibrakhaz's academic and administrative leadership qualities.

Ibrakhaz has held several professional and academic responsibilities both in the university and outside.

L-R: Statistician General of the Federation, Dr. Yemi Kale, Guest Speaker, Professor Ode Ojowu, and UNDP Economic Adviser, Mrs. Colleen Zamba, during the 2012 African Statistics Day celebration, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

LG autonomy is futile with present revenue formula - Gov Aliyu From Iliya Garba, Minna

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he governor of Niger state, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, has said if the present revenue allocation formula remains as it is local government autonomy will be futile because they will not have enough capital to operate.

He dropped the hint yesterday in Minna while receiving national officers of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON). Aliyu said the decision of the governors to carry out a review of the submissions is to enable them speak with one voice on many of the proposed amendments submitted.

It will be recalled that the National Assembly recently carried out stakeholders' forum across the geo political zones and the federal constituencies in the country on the amendment of the 1999 constitution.

Governor Aliyu also disclosed that the Nigeria Governors Forum is to study all submissions from the states in respect to the proposed constitution amendment.

He reiterated the position of the Governors Forum to ensure that unnecessary acrimony and suspicions are removed from the planned amendment of the constitution and make the final document acceptable by

all Nigerians.

Governor Aliyu specifically said that the forum should take a decision on how to go about creation of local government areas across the country because previous efforts made by some governors did not receive the blessings of the National Assembly which has the last call on such issue.

Earlier the national chairman of ALGON, Ozor Nwabueze Okafor, had informed the governor that they were in the state to solicit for his support in the drive to have 'a strong local government system' in the country which he said if achieved, will profit the common man.

Court dissolves sixyear-old marriage over husband’s frequent beatings

A

n Upper Area Court in Mararaba, yesterday, dissolved a six-year-old marriage over frequent beatings and lack of proper feeding for the wife.

The petitioner, Salamatu Gambo, a housewife resident in Mararaba Gurku in Nasarawa state, reported to the alleged incessant assault by her former husband, Nuhu Audu, to the court on Nov. 19.

Gambo told the court that the marriage was blessed with two children but that there had been no peace since the inception of the union.

She alleged that herself and the children had suffered from lack of proper care.

The petitioner said the respondent beat her up at the slightest provocation and left her with no option than regrets and thoughts of leaving the marriage.

The Judge, VW Gwahemba, dissolved the marriage.

Gwahemba granted custody of the daughter to the father and the little boy, still been nursed to the mother.

(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

PAGE 24

PAGE 25

£230m in aid to Nigerian schools by the British government is feared wasted as pupils are left to play games because teachers fail to turn up, says report

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£230million British aid programme to boost schools in Nigeria has produced ‘no major improvement in pupil learning’, a study has warned. The Independent Commission on Aid Impact says UK-funded education programmes are struggling to make any difference to Nigeria’s chaotic education system.

Britain has poured £102million into education in ten of the country’s 36 states during the last seven years, and is due to spend a further £126million by 2019.

But the report raises serious questions about whether the Department for International Development is achieving value for money from the project. It found that around a third of the eligible children – an estimated 3.7million – were still not in school, while those that were received little by way of education.

The study also found many rural schools were affected by a chronic lack of teachers, with staff frequently not turning up for work. A researcher visited one Dfid-funded school in rural Nigeria to find almost all the teachers were absent, leaving the pupils to play football outside.

‘It was the only activity at the school,’ the report says.

‘A bell rang but none of the pupils moved towards the classrooms. When asked about the bell, the boys said that it signalled a break – the football continued uninterrupted.’

The report went on: ‘We are concerned by the very high numbers of out-of-school children and the very poor learning outcomes in nine of the ten states supported by Dfid.

‘Dfid’s education programme in Nigeria operates in a very challenging environment, with too few effective teachers, poor infrastructure and unpredictable state funding all contributing to poor learning outcomes for pupils in basic education.

‘Our review indicates no major improvement in pupil learning.’

The report warns that Dfid’s strategy of pumping resources into improving the overall school system was ‘not an appropriate strategy to tackle the most severe problems in the weakest schools’.

It also says there is a danger that the policy of

supporting secular teaching in Nigeria’s many Islamic schools could backfire, with pupils boycotting lessons in some areas in protest.

And concerns were raised about whether money is making it through Nigeria’s bureaucracy to the front line.

A trainee teacher told researchers that she and others were giving up because their scholarship money had not been released by the state government.

The report is embarrassing for Dfid, which has more than doubled the aid programme to Nigeria in recent years.

Britain is due to hand the country £1billion over four years, despite warnings that corruption is widespread.

But sources at Dfid questioned the findings of the watchdog, which was set up last year to report to Parliament on the fastgrowing aid budget.

A spokesman for the department said: ‘This was a limited inquiry in that the team only visited 1 per cent of schools, most of which were in only one state in Nigeria, and they did not take into account the most recent evidence of the projects’ progress.

‘However, we will carefully review the report’s recommendations and respond in due course.’

Meanwhile, ministers faced fresh questions on Tuesday over multi-millionpound aid programmes to Rwanda and Uganda, amid claims the two countries are supporting a murderous rebellion in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo.

I n t e r n a t i o n a l Development Secretary Justine Greening suspended £11million of aid to Uganda on Friday, and is under pressure

“

It also says there is a danger that the policy of supporting secular teaching in Nigeria’s many Islamic schools could backfire, with pupils boycotting lessons in some areas in protest

Serious questions: The study warns aid isn't getting to frontline staff - despite Britain pouring in £102m into educational schemes

'Waste': Britain has poured £102million, and pledged a further £126million over the next seven years to improve education in Nigeria's 36 states. (File picture)

to reverse her predecessor Andrew Mitchell’s decision to release £16million to Rwanda.

Both countries are accused of backing the notorious M23 rebels who have forced hundreds of thousands of people in the DRC from their homes.

Foreign Secretary William Hague yesterday warned British citizens to flee the city of Goma, in the DRC as it came under attack from the rebels.

In the Commons, shadow international development secretary Ivan Lewis said the Government’s approach to the region was ‘shambolic’. He called on Miss Greening to ‘stop dithering’ and suspend aid to Rwanda.

Miss Greening said she would review the evidence before deciding whether the next £21million payment should go ahead next month.

She said: ‘I will take a look at all the evidence on the ground, and indeed from all sources, when I come to make my decision in December and I’m not going to pre-empt that.’

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Chaotic: The study found teachers were allowing children to play football instead of attending classes. (File picture)

Trouble: Pupils face a struggle to get a good education, in part due to a lack of aid making it through to the frontline. (File picture)

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

EMERGENCY UPDATE

NEMA Lauds passage of SEMA Bill in Plateau

By Mohammed Kandi

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ational Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has expressed gratitude to the plateau State Government for passing into law a bill that will empower the state Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for effective disaster management in the state.

The North Central Zonal Coordinator of the Agency, Alh. Abdulsalam Muhammad, said with the passage of the bill, SEMA was now positioned to tackle disaster, noting that the flood challenges all over the country required preparedness by all stakeholders in disaster management, especially the State Emergency Management Agencies.

It will be recall that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had paid advocacy visits to the Plateau State House of Assembly to enable the bill to be passed into law.

A statement issued by North Central Zonal Information Officer, Audu Yohana, called on other states yet to have functional State Emergency Management Agencies to do same in order to make Nigeria a disaster resilience society.

Flood: Borno govt to construct 750 houses, lauds NEMA

By Mohammed Kandi

F

ollowing the flood disasters that devastated some parts of the country and destroying lives and property worth billions of Naira recently, Governor Kashim Shetima of Borno State has said that his government would construct 750 houses for flood victims in Damasak, headquarters of Mobbar Local Government Area of the state.

The Governor also commended the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for its swift

response, as well as the visit and effort being made to assess the level of damages in the area.

“The Director-General of National Emergency Relief Agency (NEMA) has just left for Abuja after seeing the gravity of damage caused by the flood. We are also in constant touch with the Federal Government with a view to securing further assistance for the victims,’’ Shettima said.

Shettima stated this while on an assessment visit to communities affected by flooding in the state and informed that the houses would be located in Dujji

and Kitir-Tiram.

“As a responsible government, it is our duty to assist our people in dire need, we have already mobilised resources to take care of their immediate needs.

“We are embarking on the construction of 750 houses to provide a permanent shelter for them,’’ he said, adding that the houses would be ready for occupation in few weeks.

He said that the government was also in touch with the Federal Government to explore possibilities of further assistance.

He said government was also

working on plans to provide some cash compensation to some of the victims who lost farm produce to the flood.

He said government would adopt a holistic approach to ensure that a permanent solution was found to the problem of flooding in the area.

“We are also working on plans to construct channels at the river banks to prevent a re-occurrence of the problem,” Shettima said Meanwhile, figures released

by NEMA indicate that about 5,000 people were displaced by the flood while 7,000 farmlands were also affected.

NEMA cautions Nigerians on dry season

By Mohammed Kandi, with Agency report

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s the rainy season reels out, the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) is now shifting its attention to dry season management, calling Nigerians prudence while considering copious challenges associated with the season.

The agency made the call at a sensitisation workshop recently in Ibadan, and charged Nigerians “to be adequately prepared for the challenges of the forthcoming dry season and its associated emergencies.”

Director General of NEMA, Alhaji Mohammed Sani-Sidi, while addressing participants at the workshop, specifically urged Nigerians to be wary of environment associated epidemics notably measles, cholera, Lassa fever and cerebral spinal meningitis, among others.

In attendance at the workshop were health workers, district heads and school teachers drawn from all the 33 councils of Oyo State.

The NEMA Director General, who was represented at the occasion by the South West Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Iyiola Akande, remarked that measles, cholera, lassa fever and cerebral spinal meningitis are among the 10 most critical health disasters associated with dry season, hence the urgent need for the public to guard against them with all seriousness.

NEMA officials displaying some newly acquired equipment

…affects 13, 857 persons in South-South

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he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), South-South Zone, has said that more than 13, 857 persons were affected by the flood disaster and camped in about 94 camps in the zone.

Mr Umesi Emenike, the Coordinator, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Monday that the number of camps did not include private camps.

Emenike said that 52, 563 of the victims were children, while 35, 289 were women and 24, 544 were men.

He said that out of the six states affected in the zone, Akwa Ibom and Cross River did not have any camp while Bayelsa had 40, Rivers, 26, Delta 20

and Edo, eight.

Emenike explained that the reason why there were no camps in Akwa Ibom and Cross River

NEMA D-G, Mohammed Sani-Sidi

states was due to the peoples’ culture.

According to him, “when we got there to set up camps for the displaced, we were told that if we set up the camp, after one or two days, we will not see anybody..

“We were told that the people prefer going to their relations to stay instead of subjecting them to camp life.

“That is why there was no camp in those two states and the places we have camps, goodspirited Nigerians are helping a lot to see that the victims eat daily even if it’s not three square-meal,“ he said.

Emenike said that the government was working out a strategy to ensure that the

victims did not go back home feeling as if they were still in camp.

He commended the conduct of the people in the camp, urging them to continue managing as their plight would soon be over since the water was receding.

“Disaster does not select where it is going to happen or select the individuals; it can affect anybody; people should not take it as if it is the end of their road.

“It is one of those things that can come up in life and this kind of disaster is one of those challenges you face or live with along the coastal areas. We should take it in good faith,” Emenike said. (NAN)

PAGE 29

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

EMERGENCY UPDATE L-R the representative of japan international coorperation Agency . Mr. Tetsuo Seki the ambassador of Japan to Nigeria Mr.Ryuichi Shoji ,Director -General ,national emergencymanagement agency (NEMA) Alhaji Muhammad Sani,director planning and forecasting NEMA Dr. Charles Agbo. during the handing over ceremony of the Emergency relief good to fiood victims by Japanese Government, held recently in Abuja.

YOUTHS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY

By Abubakar Jimoh abujimoh01@yahoo.com

Rising deaths from generator fumes (I)

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he soaring and rapid cases of deaths and diseases associated with generator related accidents are in the last few months in Nigeria becoming a daily phenomenon.

Apparently, many citizens have optioned for the alternative means of power supply using generating sets of different kinds despite its horrible and lifethreatening implications, given the irregular or outright failure in power supply in the country by the authorities, particularly, the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). In fact, almost every home in the country’s urban areas is identified couldn’t survive without generating sets.

Also, the death arising from dangerous fumes is not only found in homes as the National Toxicology Program (NTP), United States, has confirmed that exposure to generating fumes is widespread in the modern world.

While exhaust from generating sets brings a complex mixture of soot and gases to roadways, cities, farms, and other places exposing individuals to health related problems such as cancer, lung (respiratory) and heart diseases.

Among the cases of death from fume poising in Nigeria is that of the awful incident of July, 2012 when nine members of the same family died mysteriously in their home in Imo state. Three weeks after, the death of another family of seven at Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi state was broken to the nation. Of course, Nigerians would not forget that a few days following the Uburu’s case, Urum in Awka North local government area of Anambra state was thrown into confusion with the death of four persons in their rooms as a result of suspected fumes from a generating set.

Subsequently, another family of four comprising a man, his wife and two children was completely wiped out by generating fume at village of Nkwere- Ezunzka in Oyi local government area of Anambra state.

Moreover, Nigeria is not alone in this tragedy. For instance, in October 2006 in the New York, as many struggled to get by without power on the East Coast following Hurricane Sandy, no fewer than nine deaths were recorded from some who turned to portable generators to provide basic electricity to their homes. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that the misuse of the portable power sources has killed at least five people and sickened dozens more after Hurricane Katrina in October, 2005.

According to the Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention, the above five deaths were among 51 cases of carbon monoxide poisoning reported in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama after the hurricane.

In effort to avoid the needless deaths and other health implications from generating fumes, the Youths Against Disaster Initiative (YADI) in collaboration with National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) under the leadership of the Director General, Alhaji Muhammad Sani-Sidi have proffered some useful recommendations deducted from the views of both national and foreign safety experts.

Following these recommendations, individuals are advised to never use a generator indoors or in an attached garage. Only operate a generator outdoors in a wellventilated, dry area, away from air intakes to the home. It is an internal combustion engine that exhausts a deadly gas called carbon monoxide.

It is important to stress the fact that there is need for effective sensitization campaign in part of the environmental and health ministries at both federal and state levels to enlighten the general public on the danger surrounding the use of generators, and how they can be safely used.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission has noted that connecting a generator directly to your household wiring can be deadly. A generator that is directly connected to your home’s wiring can back-feed into the power lines connected to your home. The correct way to use a generator is to connect a heavyduty, outdoor-rated power cord to the generator. Then, appliances can be connected to the power cord, and ensure that the outdoorrated power cord has a sufficient wire gauge to handle the electrical load.

Besides, if you wish to hardwire a generator to your home, it should be installed by a licensed or experienced electrician with an approved cut-off switch that will automatically disconnect the home from the power grid when the generator is being used.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the use of generators at least 20 feet away from homes, since there is no enough ventilation within garages and basements or near open windows to prevent fatal poisoning.

Installations of battery-powered alarms are also necessary to warn residents before carbon monoxide reaches dangerous levels.

To be continued

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

Collapse building: FG committed to development of water resources, says Perm Sec. Occupants he Permanent Secretary, Water Resources yesterday in Lafia, Agenda, of which the water sector council meeting.

Federal Ministry of Water Nasarawa state capital. is key component and particularly He added that, if such ignored safety Resources, Dr. Godknows Igali pointed out that the in view of flood disaster that have memoranda were approved warnings – LASEMA Igali, has reiterated government’s meeting was very important ravaged many states across the during the meeting, implementing

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eneral Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Mr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, said that occupants of a two-storey building that collapsed in Lagos yesterday had ignored government‘s safety warnings.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a two-storey building, Block M20, Jakande Estate, at Church Street, Oke-Afa, Isolo, Lagos, collapsed shortly after midnight, killing two sisters.

Oke-Osanyintolu, who made the disclosure in an interview with NAN in Lagos, said that the state government had conducted series of structural tests on the building.

He explained that occupants had been repeatedly informed of its distressed state and the dangers in their continued habitation of the building.

“This is the kind of disasters we have always tried to avoid, but unfortunately, some residents are not just co-operating with the state government at the expense of their safety.

“The results of the series of structural tests we conducted on the collapsed building showed that the structure was weak and not fit for habitation.

“We had repeatedly warned the occupants of the dangers and asked them to leave but unfortunately, they ignored these warnings.

“This disaster is preventable. It would not have happened this way if the occupants had complied,” he said.

Oke-Osanyintolu said some of the buildings that collapsed in the metropolis were due to residents’ defiance to government safety warnings.

He urged residents to subject their buildings to routine structural tests by government to ascertain their state of habitation.

“We cannot open our eyes and allow all of these to go on.

Henceforth, we will begin strict enforcement of evacuation order on distressed buildings.

“We are not going to wait for occupants to leave because some will not just leave. We are concerned with the safety of lives and properties,” he said.

The General Manager said emergency response officials had been mobilised to the site of the incident to ensure safe evacuation of all occupants. Oke-Osanyintolu said that building would be demolished to avert further disasters.

Meanwhile the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has advised the Lagos State Government to conduct comprehensive assessment of buildings in all its housing estates.

Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, the South-West Zonal Information Officer of the agency, gave the advice in an interview with NAN on Wednesday in Lagos.

He gave the advice at the collapsed building that killed two sisters in Isolo, noting that the structure was erected during the tenure of Alhaji Lateef Jakande as the governor of Lagos State —1979 to 1983. (NAN)

commitment to the development of the country’s water sector.

Igali stated this while opening the technical session of the 21st meeting of the National Council on

considering the recent flood that ravaged most part of the country.

“This meeting is apt and timely in line with the present administration’s Transformation

country,” he said.

He explained that the purpose of the technical session of the meeting was to generate memoranda for discussion at the

World leaders deliberating on climate change recently in Brazil

them would improve the water service delivery across the country.

He therefore, urged all stakeholders in the water sector to collaborate and create an enabling environment that would attract private sector to invest in the Water resources Development and management.

Mr. Samuel Allu, Nasarawa State Commissioner for Water Resources in a remark, expressed gratitude for the choice of the State as host for the council meeting.

Allu noted that the technical session is the engine room for the achievement of the entire council Meeting and urged the participants to come up with meaningful resolution that would assist in achieving sustainable water sector for the nation.

Meanwhile, this year’s meeting of the council with theme: “Effect of Flooding on Sustainable Water Resources Development” had in attendance all State Commissioners of Water Resources.

Others were the Permanent Secretaries and their desk officers from the 36 States and FCT as well as other Stakeholders in the Water Sector. (NAN)

Climate change: World leaders still looking for solutions T here are only two ways out of the impasse arising from the climate change effects on humanity. The first is to disrupt the psychological status quo: bring leaders and their negotiators face to face with the financial and human reality of changing climate, thus injecting a sense of crisis and stronger leadership into the UN process.

The second is to bypass the talks altogether and achieve sufficient progress on the ground such that disaster can be averted.

What, then, might turn Barack Obama or Mitt Romney, Angela Merkel and David Cameron, Manmohan Singh from India, and the new Chinese leadership into passionate advocates? What would persuade them to storm the UN climate talks in Qatar in November and refuse to leave until a deal had been agreed?

Theory suggests that some combination of rational and emotional drivers will be needed.

Rational drivers should be straightforward. The science is banked, and will become more visible when the fifth report of the InterGovernmentalPanel on Climate Change is published, in 2014.

The economic benefits of action should also be obvious, even for the few countries immune to current climate shocks. Greater energy efficiency is a win-win, for example. If in doubt, countries should look to the ‘co-benefits’ of climate action: cleaner air, or less congestion in cities. It is no surprise that mayors often lead the call for climate action. Toronto, for

example closed its coal-fired power stations – not because it was worried about the climate, but to combat smog. In New Delhi, the conversion of buses to run on natural gas reduced pollution and contributed to human health.

Some 100,000 vehicles in India’s capital city now run on gas.

But leaders will ask whether tackling climate change is really worth the hassle, including dealing with the vehement opposition of lobbies that would lose out? More NGOs waving more placards will help to balance the influence of the vested interests.

Stopping climate change is certainly a candidate for the kind of mass movement which characterized support for Band Aid and Make Poverty History for a previous generation of activists. In 2005, at the time of the Gleneagles Summit, Downing Street used to carry out a tactic known as ’reverse lobbying’: encouraging NGOs to demonstrate, so as to make it easier politically to implement change.

However, the psychological answer is that whether change happens will depend on how much leaders really care about climate change. Is the urgency of tackling climate change felt viscerally?

Perhaps the next G20 should take place on a melting ice floe in the Arctic, or on a burning plain in Idaho. Perhaps President Putin, who will lead the G20 next year, should hold his Summit on the thawing tundra in Siberia. Or perhaps leaders should be taken, one by one, with no advisers, to spend a day comforting a mother

who has lost her child to flood or famine.

The political has to be made personal. Imagine the magic Barack Obama’s rhetoric might weave if climate change became his personal crusade. There are precedents.

For example, according to ProfessorJames Putzel, President Museveni led a political campaign against HIV/ AIDs in Uganda, ordering ministers and senior officials to talk about how to stop the spread of the infection ‘at every meeting, without exception’.

If that fails, then Plan B is to make so much progress away from the talks that the legal agreement, if and when it comes, amounts to no more than a ratification of the new status quo.

The driver will be financial – competitive advantage in a global economyre-shaped by green technology.

How extraordinary, for example, that China already exports to the EU •21bn worth of solar panels every year – and how telling that the solar industry in Europe has lobbiedsuccessfully for an anti-dumping probe. It is also telling that the US Export-Import Bank has provided $US 2bn in exportcredit guarantees to South Africa, to help ensure that Africa’s surge in renewable investment makes use of US technology.

Change would also be faster if the price of carbon was higher and more predictable.

Technologies that make no sense when the carbon price languishes below •10will come into their own when the price

reaches •50 or •100. Even so, there will be trillions of dollars at stake in the new economy, and millions of jobs. Progressive investors, companies and countries know this. Any country committed to growth must surely have an industrial policy which encourages investment in the emerging sectors and technologies.

China is an example, as are Korea and Denmark. In the developing world, Rwanda, Costa Ricaand Ethiopia are among those following suit, with climatefriendly policies to deliver jobs, poverty reduction and human welfare..

We describe such policies as leading to ‘climate compatible development’: a change trajectory which leads to lower carbon emissions and also to better protection against the inevitable consequences of climate change, while at the same time contributing to development goals.

There is no time to waste.

Many scientists have given up on the target of keeping global warming at less than two degrees above pre-industrial levels. Last year, according to the International Energy Agency, the world dumped another 32 gigatons of carbon into the atmosphere, from burning fossil fuels alone. This was an increase of 3% on the previous year, when what was needed was a fall. Our hearts and our heads tell us this has to stop.

Source: (Ecosystemmarketplace)

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

PAGE 27

529 students using one toilet daily?

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man or woman ceases to generate wastes, only when he or she is in a state to be disposed of as waste.

This is a fundamental attribute of waste, as almost every human activity involves the generation of waste in solid, liquid or gaseous form.

The saying, “cleanliness is next to godliness,” is certainly in question in one of the most respected universities in Nigeria, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where 529 students are reported to be using only one toilet daily.

What does it take to construct a toilet that a university such as ABU could not afford? It’s undeniably sad, and e n v i r o n m e n t a l l y unacceptable.

Though, the average ratio of toilet to users in most public universities is said to be 1:20, Nigeria’s premier University, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, has broken the record with an all time high of an average of 529 students using one toilet.

Even a layman does not need any lecture to peruse the inherent dangers in the sharing of a toilet with more than an average of 10 in any tertiary institution.

How are we sure most of these students have not contaminated toilet diseases; mostly the ladies who are highly vulnerable to such unsanitary toilets.

The highly respected university now celebrating 50 years of existence, has been reported to have fallen from grace to grass, as contained in a report which took a comprehensive inventory of facilities and assessment of the general condition of 61 public universities.

The Needs Assessment report put together by an 11man committee headed by former Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) with former President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as member, says the state of facilities and resources at ABU need “urgent attention.”

These record holding toilets are located at the Asma’u Mustapha Hostel, initially meant to accommodate 312 students but now has 3,178 students residing in it. With only six toilets at the disposal of these students, an average of 529 students uses one toilet daily.

The report lamented the state of toilets in the university as of grave concern. The toilets no doubt are grossly inadequate. Like public places such as parks, markets and streets, providing more and decent toilets for our tertiary institutions, may have been regarded as always, as

nobody’s responsibility. I believe that because the students have not rioted, the authority did not deem it fit to provide more toilets. I can’t imagine how possible it is to make these toilets clean, considering the number of users. This is blight in our collective conscience that must be urgently addressed.

Senate and the Environment budget

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here was a time, when the Federal Ministry of Environment ran near zero capital budgets for close to 8 years during former President Olusegun Obasanjo administration.

But, it’s on record that the same Obasanjo created the Federal Ministry of Environment as the apex institution on environmental matters in Nigeria. Besides what many considered as a laudable step, core environmental problems were not tackled. For years, the Federal Ministry of Environment was running a near zero capital budget as major environmental problems remain unsolved.

The coming of President Goodluck Jonathan was expected to bring about major changes in the attitude of the federal government towards environmental matters.

In a developing country like Nigeria, economic growth without environmental concern has always produced horrific consequences, which we are seeing today.

The threat of the Senate Committee on Environment to

give zero budgetary allocation to the ministry of environment, for what it considered as an unsatisfactory budget implementation of its 2012 capital projects, is quite commendable.

I must praise the wisdom of members of The Senate Committee on Environment, concerning the issue of the presentation by the

environment ministry to justify its 2012 budget performance before it, which could affect its allocation in the 2013 budget.

It is a commendable effort, provided the committee is not playing games with the budget issues.

The issues raised by the committee are germane, as the environment ministry must defends its expenditures from the 2012 budget that might influence funding that could be voted for it in 2013 budget, depending on how it is able to convince the committee that it and its agencies are capable of using the funding its gets.

The threat by the Chairman Senate Committee on Environment, Dr. Sola Saraki saying, “They will not hesitate to give zero budgetary allocation to the ministry or any of its agencies on any ongoing or new project if they were not convinced of their capacity to utilize the funds allocated to them in previous years,” should be commended.

Since the return of democracy in 1999, it is on record that no government has ever implemented the yearly budget more than 40 per cent only to come back asking for fund for the same projects. It on record that what has been responsible for the seemingly slow implementation of budgets

ENVIR ONMENT ENVIRONMENT WATCH

By Ambrose Inusa Sule, mnes globenviron@yahoo.com 0703-441-4410 (sms only)

was the fact that some projects had no planning and design prior to their approval release of resources.

How not to Abuse processes of procurement

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hat happened to some of the ecological projects that were advertised about six years ago, after which they were alleged to be awaiting ministerial approval till date, only to found their way to the Office of the SGF and the Minister of Environment for signing, preparatory for execution?

This is the question the House Committee on Environment is asking the Office of the SGF, FMEV and EFO to provide an answer; the outcome of the adoption of a motion on the ecological projects sponsored by Hon. Sekonte Davies (PDP, Rivers).

The committee is claiming that these procurement processes have been time barred, having been moribund for those numbers of years, because ecological problems are time related.

It has equally directed the SGF and the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Ecological Fund Office to

suspend action saying, “The projects, if allowed to commence now, would be deficient in current status of the extent of the ecological problem and will, therefore, add to the number of abandoned projects in the country.”

In their wisdom, the projects in six states should be re-advertised in compliance with the Procurement Act of 2007.

The projects in question are those located in Akwa-Ibom (N1.31 billion); Zamfara (N412 million); Lagos (N258.46 million); Gombe (N383.75 million); Borno (N289.76 million); Delta (N308.49 million).

The House Committee On Environment has also mandated to ensure compliance and evaluate the state of these environmental problems in line with the current realities and report back to the House in four weeks.

It is sad that 17 Ecological Fund Office projects for which procurement processes started in 2006/2007 are still undergoing various processes of procurement as late as year 2012 contrary to provisions of the Procurement Act of 2007.

The House should not fail to unravel the hocus-pocus behind these projects.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

PAGE 31

Lebanese people are part of Nigeria’s social fabric – Envoy ANALYSIS

By Charles Onunaiju

A

fter more than five years as the ambassador of Lebanon to Nigeria, Mrs Iman Younes said that she is partly Nigerian and that the Nigeria's lively social circuit fills in the vacuum of whatever she misses in her lovely Lebanon. Fielding questions to you correspondent in an elaborate exclusive interview in her Abuja office, ambassador Younes said that the Lebanese people in Nigeria who are already well integrated has formed a good part of the Nigeria-social fabric and are making contribution to their adopted home. According to her, Nigeria-Lebanon relation is already been driven by people and express the hope that a more dynamic and robust state-to-state relation would notch the ties to greater heights. The envoy said that plans are in the works to exchange high level visits between each other, which according to her will take place soon. Mrs. Younes paid tribute to the resilience of ordinary Nigerians for the great entrepreneurial spirit, stating that the same spirit of enterprise abounds in the ordinary Lebanese, accounting for its worldwide search for opportunities.

According to her, Lebanon, which is not endowed with mineral resources compensates for it with highly motivated citizens, beautiful landscape, making it a tourist haven and a secure and excellent financial and banking centre.

Notwithstanding the vicissitude of previous conflict and always absorbing the heat of the wider regional conflict, the country is building a reputation now as the financial centre of the Arab world.

Lebanon surely pops beyond its shoulders. It is about the best known Arab country and its worldwide reputation counts above its small size of just 4 million people. Since after its fratricidal civil war, it has carved niche for designing a political model for consensus and accommodation in which its more than a dozen religious sectarian groups are involved in elaborate power sharing arrangement. This homegrown political arrangement referred to by scholars as consociational democracy has worked for Lebanon and is widely recommended for states with fractious political elite.

Besides it own home grown

Ambassador, Iman Younes, ambassador of Lebanon to Nigeria challenges, Lebanon absolves some of the political heat in a combustible region. It was in its camp of Sabra and Shatila, that Israel committed its most notorious crime of massacring nearly 300 Palestinian refugees mostly women and

children in 1982 under the then command of General Yitzhak Sharon, now on life support for nearly a decade.

It's beautiful capital, Beirut once under ruins is up again for its magnificence. Catching cold at any time there is a loud

“

cough in the region, the Lebanon's amiable ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs. Iman Younes said in an exclusive interview to herald the 69th national day reception, she is hosting in Abuja, that Beirut's strategy has been to strive, avoiding taking the heat issuing from other problems in the region.

According to her, even with the current situation in the region, "Lebanon is trying as much as possible to help without interfering in the affairs of other states. Now in respect of the crises in Syria, there has been a spillover of around 100,000 people, whom the Lebanese call their guest even though the displaced Syrians are best known as refugees.

The Lebanese authority is managing to provide their Syrian 'guests' with shelter, food and even opened schools so that the children can enroll. In spite of the elaborate brotherly assistance to the needy Syrians, "Lebanon has also pledged to distance itself from the problems of other countries around her and not to interfere in the internal matters of other country.

Lebanon now, in respect of the Syrian crises is neutral and not supporting anybody, but is ready to provide help or assistance to the people once they are in Lebanon. But the government of Lebanon has decided ever since the trouble broke out in Syria that it will distance itself in whatever is going on Syria and it will never take sides but offer maximum help and support for those people fleeing for safety, from their own country.

Lebanon also will not take advantage of the situation of these people, who may have fled without properties. In addition Lebanon has pledged to the international community, the World Bank not to engage in any activity that would compromise the integrity of its solid financial and banking sector.

Even as Lebanon strives to keep away from the raging trouble in Syria, it cannot avoid completely the effects of

According to her, Nigeria-Lebanon relation is already been driven by people and express the hope that a more dynamic and robust state-to-state relation would notch the ties to greater heights. The envoy said that plans are in the works to exchange high level visits between each other, which according to her will take place soon.

the crises in its neighbourhood. According to Ambassador Younes Iman, the crisis in Syria does have impact on her country. From the geo-strategic point of view, Syria has been like a window to the outside world and given the problems in Syria, right now and given that Lebanon is a country that produces agricultural products, exports of this produce has become little bit of a problem, but still the farmers with help of some organizations in Lebanon and the ministry of trade and commerce has been able up to a point to accommodate themselves by exploring alternative ways to sell these products.

"But of course, when you are in region which is experiencing problems and which is in turmoil, things are bound to reflect not in a quite positive way in your economy, admitted the envoy. Still relishing her experience in Nigeria, ambassador Younes expressed appreciation for the open warmth from all sectors of the Nigeria society that she has met, stating her stay in "Nigeria has been the happiest days of my life".

Even though friends say that am very passionate about the country, but ever since I came to Nigeria, I love the country and its people who take you in. Nigeria also has great and lots of potentials.

But particularly, Nigeria has this resilience in the face of any challenge.

I have been here long enough to know, and I have witnessed two presidential elections and some time people have made dire predictions that something is going to happen, but the Nigerian people are very resilient and know what is good for them. They might disagree sometimes and which they do a lot, but in the final analysis they know what is good for the country and they stick to it, and it is for this reason and others that I respect this country a lot, because they do appreciate the ties that bound them and always ready to preserve it. Further narrating her exposure and observation, the Lebanese envoy said that the first lady, Dame Patience Goodluck is making giant strides in improving the lots of women and girls. According to her, the first lady had taken some giant and uncommon steps to improve the lots of women and has made some remarkable impact.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

PAGE 32

Benghazi police chief assassinated

T

he police chief of the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi has been assassinated overnight, officials have said.

Farraj al-Dursi was targeted outside his home in a drive-by shooting.

Col Dursi was appointed shortly after an attack on the

US consulate in the September in which the US ambassador and three other Americans died.

More than a dozen security

Kenyans shot after Army crackdown

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t least eight people have been shot and more than 50 wounded in an army crackdown in the north-eastern Kenyan town of Garissa, officials say.

A student said soldiers had shot at pupils waiting to go into an exam at a school near a military base.

It was the second day of violence after the killing of three soldiers by gunmen in town that borders Somalia, where Islamist militants are based.

Reporters say scores of troops beat and detained residents.

Kenyan Defence Minister Mohammed Yusuf Haji has told the BBC he did not authorise the army action in Garissa, which is about 350km (215 miles) north-east of the capital Nairobi.

'Ghost town' Dr Musa Mohammed, the medical superintendent of Garissa Provincial Hospital, told the BBC that following "skirmishes" on Monday, 45 patients were admitted - two of whom had gunshot wounds.

The hospital received another 15 casualties, including three boys, on Tuesday morning.

"Out of them six are gunshot injuries - they are undergoing treatment. Currently up to now nobody has been reported dead," Dr Mohammed said.

The Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) said it had recorded that one person had died in the violence and that a blood donation area had been set up to help treat the wounded.

On Tuesday morning, the medial aid charity said in a statement that it had "rescued four males, four females and two children, eight of them being gunshot casualties".

Soldiers are also reported to have gone into a school and shot at students.

Hussein Yarow Ali, the head boy at County High School, told the BBC soldiers came into the school at 0900.

"We were waiting exam, we heard a lot of tension from the students - after a few moments two students were injured," he said.

"The one who was shot in the hand - he was in front of the class, he was just revising for the exam that he was waiting [for]."

Residents say Garissa has been like a ghost town on Tuesday, with all businesses and government offices closed and soldiers patrolling the streets.

The home of Farraj al-Dursi

officers have been assassinated this year in Benghazi, where the uprising against the late Muammar Gaddafi's rule began.

The BBC's Rana Jawad in the capital, Tripoli, says most are believed to have been targeted because of their ties to the previous government.

Before last year's revolution that toppled and killed Gaddafi, Col Dursi was known to have been in charge of an official unit combating drugs, she says.

"Three men opened fire, killed him and then fled the scene," AP news agency quotes Omar al-Khadrawi, Libya's Deputy Interior Minister, as saying.

He was pronounced dead in hospital, officials have said.

With the widespread availability of weapons and rogue militia groups who answer to no-one, security across the country remains a leading challenge for Libya's new authorities, our correspondent says.

The country's newly elected cabinet came to power last week.

Cairo anniversary clashes leave dozens injured

A

t least 61 people have been injured in clashes between protesters and police in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, health officials say.

Demonstrations began on Monday on the first anniversary of street battles that left more than 40 people dead, and continued late into Tuesday evening.

Protesters threw stones and petrol bombs, and police fired back with tear gas and birdshot.

One wounded protester was on a life support machine.

The clashes began on Monday when demonstrators attempted to remove concrete

barriers that have sealed off roads to the interior ministry since last year.

Among those injured were a number of policemen. Security officials said they had arrested 19 people.

Last November's clashes became known as the "Mohamed Mahmoud events" after the street near Tahrir Square on which they were centred.

Those clashes began after security forces dispersed a sit-in organised by the families of those killed during the uprising that toppled former President Hosni Mubarak in early 2011.

The unrest lasted for six days

and was marked by the particularly fierce tactics used by riot police.

strategic, provincial capital of Goma in eastern Congo on Tuesday, home to more than 1 million people as well as an international airport in a development that threatens to spark a new, regional war, officials and witnesses said.

Explosions and machine-gun fire rocked the lakeside city as the

M23 rebels pushed forward on two fronts: toward the city centre and along the road that leads to Bukavu, another provincial capital which lies to the south.

Civilians ran down sidewalks looking for cover and children shouted in alarm.

A man clutched a thermos as he ran.

Plans to 'liberate' Rebel forces in eastern Congo said on Wednesday they planned to take control of the whole of the vast central African country after they captured the eastern town of Goma while United Nations peacekeepers looked on.

A spokesperson for the M23 rebels, a group widely believed to be backed by Rwanda, said they planned to "liberate" the country, by moving to the town of Bukavu and then marching on the capital, Kinshasa, nearly 1,600km away.

The rebels have previously said they were seeking talks with Democratic Republic of Congo's President Joseph Kabila over the

It came as protesters pushed for Egypt's then-military rulers to hand over power.

A protester returns a teargas from the police

DR Congo soldiers surrender to M23

H

undreds of government soldiers and police in the Democratic Republic of Congo have surrendered to rebels at a stadium in Goma, Al Jazeera's Nazanine Moshiri has reported from the scene.

The M23 rebel group, believed to be backed by Rwanda seized the

Thousands of local residents cheering on as government soldiers and police disarmed and surrendered [Al Jazeera]

failed implementation of a peace deal that ended a previous rebellion in 2009.

"The journey to liberate Congo has started now ... We're going to move on to Bukavu and then to Kinshasa. Are you ready to join us?"

Vianney Kazarama, spokesperson for the M23 rebels, told the crowd of more than 1,000 in a stadium in Goma.

Thousands of residents fled across the border to Rwanda, the much-smaller nation to the east which is accused of funnelling arms and recruits to the M23 rebels.

By early afternoon the gunfire had stopped and M23 soldiers marched down the potholed main boulevards, unimpeded.

Their senior commanders, who the United Nations have accused of grave crimes including recruiting child soldiers, summary executions and rape, paraded around the town in all-terrain vehicles, waving to the thousands of people who left their barricaded houses to see them.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

Asia and Middle East

A

t least twenty six more Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have been killed in Israeli latest raids, raising the toll to 158, while fighters from Gaza fired rockets that killed two Israelis, bringing the death toll in Israel to five since Wednesday.

Israeli airstrikes continued

PAGE 33

Israel continues shelling on Gaza hitting targets in Gaza City early into Wednesday.

Palestinian emergency services said that two brothers in the southern town of Rafah were killed in a strike that hit their motorcycle on Tuesday night.

Four others were killed in raids around the central town of Deir al-Balah, they added.

Israel also confirmed a strike

on a building housing the offices of media organisations, the third such strike in three days. It said that it carried out a "surgical" strike on "a Hamas intelligence operations centre" in these building.

Al Jazeera's bureau in Gaza was also damaged as a missile hit a building nearby, no casualties were reported.

"I was in the office with a fixer and suddenly we heard an explosion," said Mahmud Hams, an AFP photographer, adding that the explosion shook the building.

"About five minutes passed and then we heard two more loud explosions that also shook the building," he said.

"I grabbed my cameras and left the office with the fixer and there

was smoke in the hallways. We ran out of the building," he said, indicating that smoke and a fire appeared to be coming from an office on one of the upper floors.

A soldier was killed by a mortar in the Eshkol border region, according to the Israeli military. Later, a civilian was killed when a rocket landed in the same region.

Blast hits diplomatic area of Afghan capital

A

large blast that was most likely a suicide bomb attack ripped through the heavily barricaded diplomatic area of the Afghan capital Kabul, a police official said, and there were an unknown number of casualties.

At least two people were killed along with two suicide bombers, two people were also injured.

The guards fired on the assailants, killing them, but not before one of the vests exploded, said General Mohammad Daoud Amin, the deputy provincial police chief.

"Around 8 o'clock today there appeared to be a suicide bomb attack ... We cannot say what the target was at this point in time," Hashmatullah Stanikzai, a spokesperson for Kabul Police, said on Wednesday.

Embassy sirens sounded and ambulances could be heard after the blast, which happened in the area where the US and British embassies and the headquarters of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) are located.

A spokesperson for ISAF said the coalition was aware of an explosion.

The blast reverberated around Kabul's Wazir Akbar Khan neighborhood.

An alarm started going off at the nearby US Embassy, warning staff to take cover.

The neighborhood also is home to many high-ranking Afghan officials, international organisations and the headquarters of the international military coalition.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the bombing in an email to reporters.

A rocket on its way to Gaza

Yemen military plane crash kills 10

A

Yemeni military plane has crashed in the capital, Sanaa, killing all 10 people on board, officials have said.

The Antonov came down in an empty market in the alHassaba district as it tried to make an emergency landing after one of its engines failed.

One resident said there were three explosions as the plane crashed. Several shops were destroyed. It is not clear if anyone on the ground was hurt.

Officials said there was no indication of any sabotage.

A source at Sanaa's main airport told the AFP news agency that the military aircraft had been on a training mission. It had been attempting to make an emergency landing at a military air base near the airport.

A civil defence source said the dead included five military officers.

The market in al-Hassaba has been abandoned since clashes between Yemen's biggest tribal confederation and security forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh during last year's antigovernment uprising.

In October 2011, four people were killed when an Antonov crashed on landing at al-Anad air base in southern Yemen.

Forensics inspecting the site of the blast

Amnesty condemns Bahrain's 'spiralling repression'

A

mnesty International has condemned what it says is the failure of the government of Bahrain to deliver on its promise of reform.

The human rights organisation says a "groundbreaking report has been shelved by spiralling repression in Bahrain".

The report investigated human rights abuses when an antigovernment uprising was crushed last year in the Gulf island kingdom.

Bahrain has been wracked by more than 18 months of civil strife.

At least 60 people, including several police officers, have been killed.

The opposition puts the death toll at 80, a figure the authorities dispute.

Covadonga de la Campa of Amnesty International told the BBC that when the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) report

was released on 23 November 2011 it "seemed to be a path to reform".

However, citing the recent banning of all public gatherings and rallies, the revoking of citizenship of 31 Bahrainis and what she called "ongoing reports of torture, including the torture of children", Ms de la Campo Alonso spoke of "a worsening situation".

The Amnesty study - entitled "Bahrain: Reform Shelved, Repression Unleashed" - argues that the human rights situation in the kingdom has deteriorated "markedly".

Last year, after the uprising was put down, thousands of people were dismissed from their jobs. Almost all were Shia Muslims, who form the majority indigenous population in a country ruled by a Sunni royal family.

L-R: President Goodluck Jonathan, in a handshake with President Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan, during a bilateral meeting between the two leaders, yesterday in Islamabad.

Photo: NAN

PAGE 34

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

Mexico and US sign Bolivia water-sharing deal imposes Europe and Americas

curfew for first census

A curfew has been imposed in Bolivia ahead of the first census in the South American country in 11 years.

All Bolivians were told to go back home and wait to be counted and to answer to nearly 50 questions from canvassers.

Private road traffic has been banned, which led to a big rush during the day, and the borders will remain closed until canvassers finish their job.

Those who fail to be at home for the Wednesday census will face a fine.

President Evo Morales has asked all Bolivians to collaborate with more than 200,000 canvassers who will be collecting data throughout the day.

In rural areas, canvassers will be collecting visiting homes over a three-day period.

"The census is not for the government, it is for the people, especially for the future generations," said Mr Morales.

"Without knowing how many we are, what we need, how will we be able to plan for the new generations?"

Estimates say the population in the Andean country has grown from 8.3 million in 2001 to nearly 11 million now.

Correspondents say many Bolivians, especially indigenous groups, fear they will be underrepresented in the final count, which could mean cutbacks in funding from the central government.

There are disagreements also over municipal borders, which led to clashes in some parts of the country.

Local authorities wanted the boundaries disputes to be resolved before the census, but they have now agreed to suspend their demands.

Many residents have questioned what they believe to be draconic and unnecessary measures imposed by the government.

Some say they have been threatened with having their holiday homes confiscated if they are found empty by canvassers.

Alcohol has also been banned throughout the day.

The giant links from the Colorado river

M

exico and the US have agreed new rules on sharing and managing water from the Colorado River, which serves some 30 million people in the two nations.

Under the deal, the US will send less water to Mexico during a drought, while M e x i c o w i l l be able to store water north of the border during wet years.

The Colorado River flows 1,450 miles (2,230km) from the Rockies into the Gulf of California.

Recent droughts and

i n c r e a s e d w a t e r u sage have put pressure on the river.

"We have chosen collaboration over conflict, we have chosen co-operation and consensus over discord," said US Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.

"The Colorado River, in so many ways, makes us one people, and together we face the risk of reduced supplies i n y e a rs ahead."

The US and Mexico signed a treaty in 1944 governing the allocation of resources from the Colorado River, which supplies

seven US and two Mexican states.

But in the ensuing decades, population growth, increased industry and farming, as well as droughts have put pressure on the river.

The latest accord, which runs until 2017, is a major amendment of the original treaty.

This stipulated that the US must send a set amount to Mexico, enough to supply some three million homes, no matter how low the river level.

But now, Mexico will forgo

some of its share during drought, a practice already followed by the states of California, Arizona and Nevada.

In return, Mexico, which has little storage capacity, is allowed to store water in times of surplus in Lake Mead, a vast reservoir by the Hoover Dam on the Arizona-Nevada border.

Mexico will also get $10m to repair irrigation channels damaged during a 2010 earthquake.

There will also be funding to restore the Colorado River delta, which has largely dried up.

number of naked men who have been gathering in a public plaza in the city's Castro district, a hub for the gay community.

Supervisor Scott Wiener: "People have been taking their clothes off and hanging out seven days a week and it's gone

too far" The city had previously passed a law requiring a piece of cloth between a nude resident and a public seating place. But after that proposal was passed the number of nude men who flocked to the plaza increased.

"The Castro and San Francisco in general, is a place of freedom, expression and acceptance," Mr Wiener said.

But he added: "Our public spaces are for everyone and as a result it's appropriate to have some minimal standards of behaviour."

San Francisco votes to ban nudity

S

an Francisco lawmakers have voted to ban nudity in public places, ending a bitter dispute with a group of nudists.

City officials voted 6-5 in favour of banning anyone over five from exposing "his or her genitals, perineum or anal region" in most public locations.

"Freedom, expression and acceptance does not mean anything goes under any circumstances," district supervisor Scott Wiener said.

The ruling allows exceptions for certain street fairs and events.

A federal lawsuit has already been filed arguing the proposal infringes on free speech rights.

"I'm concerned about civil liberties, about free speech, about changing San Francisco's style and how we are as a city," Supervisor John Avalos said after the vote.

Mr Avalos and Mr Wiener both sat on the Board of Supervisors, which narrowly passed the measure.

The ordinance plan follows complaints about a growing

Protesters disrobed in front of San Francisco city hall in protest last week

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

PAGE 35

Murder suspect, pours water on his lawyer

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t least his lawyer kept a cool head on Monday, as members of the Cedar Rapids, Iowa jury filed out to deliberate over the murder case against Jerome Power, the 50year-old suspect dumped a glass of water on his lawyer's head, according to the Gazette.

"It should have been a mistrial," Power said after dumping the water on attorney Steve Addington.

"You sold me out!"

Power is charged with first-degree murder for allegedly strangling to death his neighbor, Doris Bevins, 68, in her home on Sept. 19, 2010. Police said they found Power hiding behind the front door when they responded to the 911 call from Bevin's friend who was on the phone with her when she was attacked.

The ABA Journal reports that Power's lawyer argued there was no DNA linking the defendant to the crime and questioned why Power would try to rob and attack a woman that, everyone in the neighborhood knew had no money.

This isn't the only strange behavior exhibited by Power during the trial, according to KWWL.

Jerome Power pouring water on his lawyer

Deer attacks men, steals cigarette

O

ne more reason not to smoke: Deer attacks.

Cole Kellis and Joseph Rose of Whitehouse, Texas, found out about this hazard on Friday when they ran into a young buck in their front yard, according to KETK-TV. The deer seemed friendly, so Rose approached it.

Big mistake, as the deer charged them and began to attack. The men ran to Rose's pickup hoping to escape, but the buck poked Rose in the ribs with his antlers, forcing Rose to jump into the back of the truck for safety.

Rose was safe, but his cigarettes were not. "[The deer] climbed up [into the truck cab], put his front paws on my seat and got my pack of cigarettes and started chewing on them," Rose said.

When the buck got even more aggressive, Rose and Kellis called the police and the Game Warden for help.

Even with the use of a stun gun, it took five men to restrain the angry, tobacco-addicted buck.

Smith County Game Warden Dustin Dockery suggested that the whole incident could have

been avoided.

"Admire deer from a distance, but do not approach them because they can be dangerous," he told the KETK-TV. This nicotine-loving deer isn't the only antlered creature to cause trouble in recent months.

In October, a randy elk had to be relocated after he began trying to mate with cowson a Canadian ranch.

And back in September, a couple in Austin, Texas, had to deal with a deer thatrepeatedly attacked a sign supporting Barack Obama on their front lawn.

Hector Flores Jr., 7, swallows whistle and squeaks for weeks

Hector and the whistle he swallowed

F

This young buck attacked two Texan men and ate one of the their packs of cigarettes.

or weeks, teachers had been accusing Hector Flores, Jr. of deliberately disrupting the second grade at his Bronx elementary school by squeaking like a toy duck at inappropriate moments.

Until someone blew the whistle on the real problem: He had a toy stuck in his lung.

The whistling noisemaker, which belonged to a rubber duck, got stuck there a month or so ago when Flores was playing in a pool.

He started squawking about two weeks ago whenever he laughed.

Hector's mom first noticed the weird whistling noise during a shopping trip, she told WABC-TV. "I said, 'Did you whistle?' 'Yes mommy I whistled.' A man at the bodega said the boy whistled," his mother, who was not identified by name, told the station.

Hector's parents promptly took

him to Bronx Lebanon Hospital, but doctors there claimed his squeaking was in his head and gave him pills for a stomach problem.

"They said he didn't have anything. That it was probably a psychological issue with the child.

They concluded the child had a lot of fecal matter," Hector Flores Sr. said, according to KSL.com.

Hector's dad didn't accept the diagnosis. Knowing that a squeaky wheel gets the grease, he made a tape of his son squeaking and squawking.

This time, doctors took the child's dilemma seriously and did a 45-minute operation with an endoscopy where they found the duck whistle stuck in an artery near his lung and removed it, Geobeats reported.

A spokesperson for the hospital said the incidient is under investigation.

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

Fat people really are more jolly

T

he word ‘jolly’ has long been a byword word for ‘plump’ - hijacked by experts in the back handed compliment.

But scientists believe there could be genetic evidence which explains why fat people are often happier than their skinny friends.

It comes after Strictly

favourite Lisa Riley has been flying the flag for larger women insisting she is a ‘big, happy girl’, more than comfortable with her size.

The breakthrough could be an explanation for why obese characters, such as The Laughing Policeman and Father Christmas, are often portrayed

Scientists have linked the 'fat gene' with the 'happy gene'. Strictly star Lisa Riley has recently said she is a 'big, really happy girl who is lucky enough to be confident in her own skin'

The gene in question is FTO, which may also lower the risk of depression by eight per cent.

as jovial and kindly Scientists from McMaster University in Canada found the so called ‘fat gene’ FTO is also a ‘happy gene’ too.

FTO is the major genetic contributor to obesity.

But it is also associated with an eight per cent reduction in the risk of depression.

Researchers at McMaster University in Canada had been investigating whether there was a link between obesity and

depression.

But when they investigated the genetic and psychiatric status of patients enrolled in the EpiDREAM study, led by the Population Health Research Institute, they found the opposite was true.

The study analysed 17,200 DNA samples from participants in 21 countries.

Results showed those with the the previously identified FTO gene - the fat gene -showed

significantly less signs of depression.

The study finding was confirmed by analysing the genetic status of patients in three additional international studies.

Professor David Meyre, of McMaster University in Canada, said: ‘We set out to follow a different path, starting from the hypothesis that both depression and obesity deal with brain activity.

‘We hypothesised that obesity genes may be linked to depression.

‘The difference of eight per cent is modest and it won’t make a big difference in the day-today care of patients.

‘But, we have discovered a novel molecular basis for depression.

‘It is the first evidence that an FTO obesity gene is associated with protection against major depression, independent of its effect on body mass index.’

In a recent interview Strictly favourite Lisa Riley said she was more than comfortable with her size.

She said she is ‘a big, really happy girl who is lucky enough to be confident in her own skin’, and added: ‘Many would give their left arm to be thinner. Not me’ She added: ‘I genuinely love being different and it drives me mad that people don’t believe I’m happy as I am.

‘Why do I want to look like everyone else? But I know people think: “She says that, but she doesn’t mean it, she’s very sad really”.’

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Study: Antibiotics in pregnancy tied to asthma in children

C

hildren whose mothers took antibiotics while they were pregnant were slightly more likely than other children to develop asthma, according to a Danish study.

The results don’t prove that antibiotics caused the higher asthma risk, but they support a current theory that the body’s own “friendly’’ bacteria have a role in whether a child develops asthma, and antibiotics can disrupt those beneficial bugs.

“We speculate that mothers’ use of antibiotics changes the balance of natural bacteria, which is transmitted to the newborn, and that such unbalance bacteria in early life impact on the immune maturation in the newborn,’’ Hans Bisgaard, one of the study’s authors and a professor at the University of Copenhagen, said.

Previous research has linked antibiotics taken during infancy to a higher risk of asthma, although some researchers have disputed those findings.

To look for effects starting at an even earlier point, Bisgaard and his colleagues gathered information from a Danish national birth database of more than 30,000 children born between 1997 and 2003, and

followed for five years.

They found that about 7,300 of the children, or nearly one quarter, were exposed to antibiotics while their mothers were pregnant.

Among them, just over three per cent, 238 children, were hospitalised for asthma by age five.

The study, which appeared in The Journal of Pediatrics, found that by contrast, about 2.5 per cent, or 581 of some 23,000 children whose mothers didn’t take antibiotics, were hospitalised with asthma.

After taking into account other asthma risk factors, Bisgaard’s team calculated that the children who had been exposed to antibiotics were 17 per cent more likely to be hospitalised for asthma.

Similarly, these children were also 18 per cent more likely to have been given a prescription for an asthma medication than children whose mothers did not take antibiotics when they were pregnant.

His team also looked at a smaller group of 411 children who were at higher risk for asthma because their mothers had the condition.

They found that these

children were twice as likely as their peers to develop asthma too if their mothers took antibiotics during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Others said that it was possible that something besides the antibiotics was responsible, such as the illness the drugs were prescribed for.

“This study, doesn’t tell us whether it’s the antibiotic use or whether it’s the infection.

“That’s one thing we can’t decipher, ‘’Anita Kozryskyj, a professor at the University of Alberta, who also studies the antibiotics-asthma link but wasn’t involved in the new study said.

The results don’t suggest that women should avoid antibiotics since some infections can be quite dangerous to a fetus, she said.

Anita added that Bisgaard’s study suggests that the development of asthma might start before birth, something researchers hadn’t studied very closely.

“We’re beginning to appreciate that some of the origins of asthma and changes to the immune system, may be they start earlier than right after birth,’’ she added.

Source: Reuters/NAN

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

Former minister calls for retention of immunity clause

A

Bauchi state Governor, Malam Isa Yuguda (left), presenting the Bauchi state’s borrowing plan to Chairman, House Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt, Hon. Adeyinka Ajayi (right), during the committee's meeting with the state governors on 2012-2014 external borrowing plan, yesterday at the National Assembly, in Abuja. With them is the Deputy Chairman of the committee, Hon. Hassan Saleh (middle).

Photo: Mahmud Isa

You can't return to PDP, stakeholders tell Kalu

By Lawrence Olaoye

P

eoples Democratic Party (PDP)'s stakeholders from Abia state yesterday declared that the former Abia state governor, Orji Uzor Kalu would not be readmitted into the party again insisting that he was a bad news.

The request to reject the return of Orji-Kalu to the PDP was tabled at the National Secretariat of the party by stakeholders from Abia State led by the governor himself, Theodore Orji, accompanied by the three Senators from the state, members of House of Representatives, members of the state House of Assembly and other party stalwarts like former National Chairman of the PDP, Vincent Ogbulafor.

The stakeholders request which was presented via a letter to the Chairman read at the event by the National Vice Chairman (South East) Colonel Austin Akobondu (Rtd) asked for exclusion

of Orji-Kalu from the party was expressly granted by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party led by Bamanga Tukur.

After the party stakeholders had presented their request, Tukur replied saying "the people have spoken. Democracy is about choice, the people are allowed to speak their minds; the people who talked here have talked about peace and harmony. That's what I want in this party".

Earlier, the stakeholders had told the party leadership that readmitting Orji-Kalu into the fold of the party will spell doom for the unity existing within the ranks of members as the former governor is a trouble maker.

The party members insisted that Orji-Kalu has no electoral value, as all elected public office holders from Abia state today, one way or the other, contested against him or sponsored candidates from his party, Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) and won convincingly, proving that Orji-

Kalu has little or no electoral value.

"His presence will add neither quality nor quantity.

His comprehensive defeat in the 2011 Abia North senate race exposed his lack of electoral value. It was only after he left the party that we were able to win all the seats we contested.

He has recently turned into a loose cannon and peddler of mischief".

Accusations were also leveled against Orji-Kalu that he was only looking for a credible platform to launch his presidential ambition which he could not realise on the platform of PPA which lacked the geographical spread to help him become the president of Nigeria.

"On the strength of our usual reliable intelligence gathered from his loyalists, his sole objective seeking to rejoin the party is to use its platform to pursue his presidential ambition. It is a ploy that would escalate tensions within the ranks of the party; he is coming not to build but to destabilise" Describing the exit of Orji-Kalu as the best thing that had ever

happened to the Abia State PDP, the stakeholders said "since his exit, PDP in Abia state has gone round the crisis cycle and emerged from those experiences an entirely different entity which today celebrates a prevailing atmosphere of unanimity, being relieved of the common source of deep seated animosities and resentment.

"You may have also heard it elsewhere that the exit of the former governor was the rallying point in reconciling aggrieved members and setting the party on a sounder electoral footing.

"If the rumour making the round presently, that he has been making surreptitious moves to be readmitted into the party's fold are any correct, then there will surely be cataclysmic consequences for the party in Abia state.

"This controversial and wholly unnecessary move will re-ignite the fire of trench-warfare among otherwise reconciled members," the stateholders insisted.

Vote PDP or be sacked, chief threatens district heads

A

District Head in Sanga local government area of Kaduna state who does not want his name in print has alleged that their paramount chief, name withheld has threatened to sack any District or Ward Head in his chiefdom whose subjects refused to vote PDP candidate in the forthcoming local government elections.

The District Head, in a chat with selected journalists in Kaduna, disclosed that the paramount Chief

had told several people at several for that he is a card carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and therefore was ready to sack any District Head, Ward Head or title holder whose loyalty to the party was in doubt, in his chiefdom.

The District Head alleged that the chief is fond of saying "we are a creation of PDP government and as loyal beneficiaries of the party, it is our duty to ensure that the party emerges victorious at all levels in our chiefdom, in our collective and

individual interior as stakeholders and leaders in the state".

The royal father lamented that traditional rulers, anywhere in the world, are supposed to be symbols of unity, love and beacon of guidance, have today turned into active and partisan politicians that go as far issuing threats to any of their subjects that have contrary opinion with them.

The District Head however appealed to the Kaduna State Governor, Sir Patrick Ibrahim

Yakowa, to call such traditional leaders to order so that they do not discredit his serene efforts to conduct a free and fair election in the state.

He also called on the Governor to dissociate himself from those politicians that are spreading the rumors that arrangements have been perfected to deploy soldiers and mobile police to all nooks and crannies of the state to ensure that the PDP does not lose the election in any of the23 local government areas of the state.

former minister of state for power and steel, Chief Goddy Ogbaga, has called for the retention of immunity clause in the country's constitution.

Ogbaga, who was a minister during the late Gen. Sani Abacha's regime, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki yesterday.

He said the removal of the clause would pose serious distractions to the running of the government.

According to him, the removal would subject chief executives of states and the presidency to situations where they would be dragged into incessant legal disputes.

He said that protecting the president, the vice president, governors and their deputies from both civil and criminal prosecution would enable them to concentrate on the business of governance.

Ogbaga described governance as a serious task that needed full concentration by those saddled with the responsibility of improving the lot of the people. ``The chief executives need to be focused to concentrate on their jobs; the removal of immunity clause will make them prone to litigations. ``The attendant distractions from this will affect the smooth running of the government,'' Ogbaga said.

He called on the National Assembly and the state assemblies to ensure that the immunity clause as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution was retained.

He maintained that the country was not yet democratically and politically matured enough to expose its chief executives to litigations. ``Our democracy is still evolving and the political system is not quite stable enough to allow for prosecution of the nation's chief executives. ``I know we will get there but for now, there is need to shield our chief executives from litigations that may come from political opponents to the detriment of the state,'' he said.

Ogbaga also drummed support for retention of fiscal federalism as contained in the 1999 constitution adding that the arrangement had enabled states in the federation to benefit equally from the common wealth.

He added that the present revenue sharing formula had enabled economically less viable states to develop alongside the rich ones. ``The current revenue sharing formula as enshrined in the constitution has guaranteed even development of states in the federation and we are better off with it. ``Those who clamour for complete resource control are enemies of the system,'' he said.

He extolled the ingenuity of the National Assembly in making the people to be part of the process that would give to Nigerians ``the people's constitution". (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

PAGE 41

Toure is Africa’s highest paid athlete

I

vory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure is Africa’s highest-paid athlete, according to the latest world rankings by Forbes magazine.

The Manchester City is ranked 73rd on the list of the world’s highest-earning athletes with a pay of US$ 19.1 million.

The 29-year-old is tied with American basketball player Tim Duncan who plays San Antonio Spurs.

But Toure, reigning African Footballer of the Year, receives less than David Beckham (US$ 46m) Cristiano Ronaldo (US$ 42.5 M) Wayne Rooney (US$ 24.3 M) kaka (US$ 20.8 M), Sergio Aguero (US$ 20.1 M) and Fernando Torres (US$ 19.6 M).

South African golfer is the other African in the list of the world’s 100 highest-earning athletes.

American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. is the world’s highest-paid athlete with US$ 85m per annum.

Yaya Toure

Wikki Tourist appoints Maidajin as TA

D

Ladan Bosso

Eagles may face Spain test on January 2 Stories by Albert Akota

T

he Super Eagles may confront Catalonia at the Cornella-El Prat Stadium on January 2. The game is already listed on the official website of the the Catalan Football Federation (FCF).

The assistant director, media of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ademola said that talks are ongoing between the Catalan federation and its West African counterpart.

“There will be a match of that kind, the federation is still in discussion with the Catalan federation and it would have to be ratified first and then a deal is agreed and signed before we can say it is a done deal,” said Olajire.

Zambia remains Eagles threat, says Idaye ynamo Kiev striker Brown Ideye has said defending champions Zambia will still be the team to beat in South Africa as they play as a team.

Nigeria are drawn with the Chipolopolo in the first round of next year’s AFCON after they eliminated them in the quarterfinal of the competition two years ago in Angola.

The Eagles also beat Zambia 2-0 last November in a friendly in Kaduna, northern Nigeria, but Ideye said the champions will be a tough preposition because they play as a team.

“Zambia has been together for a while and they understand each other very well, that was

N

igeria Premier League (NPL) club, Wikki Tourists have named Yakubu Maidajin as their new technical adviser.

Maidajin replaced Ladan Bosso who has joined former Nigerian champions, Bayelsa United.

Wikki Tourists’ chairman, Alhaji Sule Chindo who confirmed the development to said that the management of the Bauchi based Club would support Yakubu in his quest for honours.

“We wanted to replace Bosso with former Nasarawa United coach, Bala Nikyu but Yakubu has convinced us that he is capable of steering the club.

“His mandate is to get a continental ticket this coming season and we would give him all needed support,” Chindo said Wikki Tourists finished the past season on 51 points from 36 matches.

Brown Ideye

It is understood that Spanish La Liga clubs, FC Barcelona and Espanyol have agreed to the January 2 date with the president of the Catalan Football Federation, Andreu Subies.

Both clubs will supply most of the players for the Catalonian team to face Nigeria, four days before the Spanish La Liga resumes from the Yuletide break.

Among players expected to feature for Catalonia are goalkeeper Victor Valdes, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Xavi Hernandez, Cesc Fabregas, Sergio Busquets, Bojan Krkic, Isaac Cuenca, Sergio Garcia, Martin Montoya and Joan Verdu.

Nigeria is expected to parade their strongest squad as they will use the game to prepare for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

On December 22, 1998, Catalonia’s La Seleccio

why they were able to win the Nations Cup,” Ideye said.

“We have the players that can win the Nations Cup, but we must first be a team where the players understand each other. We need to play together a lot more.

“We therefore need time to play together and understand how the coach wants us to play at all times.”

Ideye improved his chances of making the final squad to the tournament with a well-taken effort against Venezuela last week, but he faces a fierce competition for squad places from the likes of Ike Uche, Emmanuel Emenike, Obafemi Martins and Shola Ameobi.

defeated the Super Eagles in their first-ever confrontation in a friendly match by 5-0 at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Montjuic.

Mikel Obi

Xavi Hernandez

Pillars sign Tswanya from Enyimba

D

efender Samuel Tswanya has joined Nigeria Premier League (NPL) champions, Kano Pillars for an undisclosed fee.

Tswanya sealed his move to the Kano club on

Friday from six-time champions, Enyimba.

The right-back has been handed a two-year contract by Kano Pillars.

The former Niger Tornadoes’ man has resumed training

immediately with the Nigerian champions for the new season.

“Samuel (Tswanya) has already resumed training with us. We signed him two days ago. This is part of strengthening the team for

the new season as we will compete on three fronts the league, the Caf Champions League and the Federation Cup,” said a club official.

Tswanya becomes the second high profile player

to leave Enyimba for Kano Pillars in the second consecutive season.

Last term, Mustapha Musa joined Kano Pillars from Enyimba in the off-season and formed a superb partnership in the holding role with 2012

League Bloggers Awards (LBA) Player of the Year, Reuben Gabriel.

Kano Pillars have also signed Emmanuel Bivan and Samuel Mathias from Kaduna United and Gombe United respectively.

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

Chelsea managers under Roman Abramovich

Eight coaches have managed Chelsea during the tenure of Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich, after Roberto Di Matteo was dismissed yesterday.

ROBERTO DI MATTEO (March 2012-November 2012) Di Matteo took over on an interim basis but guided the club to victory in the FA Cup before a penalty shootout success over Bayern Munich in the Champions League final.

Given the job fulltime in June, his first full season began in fine style but the popular Italian was axed after a poor run of form left the champions on the brink of elimination in the Champions League.

JOSE MOURINHO (June 2004-September 2007) The man who defined the modern Chelsea, the outspoken Portuguese coach swept into Stamford Bridge after guiding Porto to success in the Champions League and won the Premier League title in his first two seasons in charge.

Also won the FA Cup and two League Cups, but European success eluded him and he was shown the exit after falling out with Abramovich at the dawn of his fourth season.

LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI (July 2008-February 2009) A World Cup-winning coach with Brazil, ‘Big Phil’ Scolari made a fine start to his Stamford Bridge tenure but lasted just seven months in the job after a disappointing spell of results.

Later claimed he had been undermined by senior figures in the changing room.

ANDRE VILLASBOAS (June 2011March 2012) Villas-Boas was Mourinho’s protege at Porto and arrived with a burgeoning reputation after guiding the Portuguese club to glory in the Portuguese Liga, Portuguese Cup and Europa League.

Just 33 when he took up the job, he pledged to revolutionise Chelsea’s approach but paid the price after Chelsea lost 3-1 at Napoli in the Champions League and fell off the pace in the league.

CARLO ANCELOTTI (June 2009-May 2011) The charismatic Italian, a two-time Champions Leaguewinner with AC Milan, was an instant hit at Chelsea and took the club to a league and FA Cup

double in his first season.

However, Chelsea fell in the Champions League quarterfinals the following season and he was reportedly sacked in a stairwell at Goodison Park after a 1-0 loss at Everton.

AVRAM GRANT (September 2007-May 2008) The little-known Israeli initially joined Chelsea as a director of football but stepped into the managerial hot seat after Mourinho’s departure.

Confounding expectations, he guided Chelsea to the Champions League final in Moscow but saw them beaten on penalties by Manchester United and was promptly relieved of his duties.

CLAUDIO RANIERI (September 2000-May 2004) The incumbent coach when Abramovich bought the club in 2003, the Italian oversaw the development of future captain John Terry and also brought Chelsea stalwarts including Petr Cech and Frank Lampard to the club.

Guided Chelsea to a second-place finish in the Premier League and to the semifinals of the Champions League in his final season in charge, but was still sacked.

GUUS HIDDINK (February 2009-May 2009) Installed on an interim basis, Hiddink was a resounding success despite having to combine the role with his fulltime position as Russia coach.

The Dutchman led Chelsea to victory over Everton in the FA Cup final and lost just one of his 22 games in charge but could not be persuaded to stay on.

Enyimba, 10 others for preseason tourney in Kaduna

E

nyimba FC of Aba and 10 other teams will participate in a preseason tournament in Kaduna ahead of the commencement of the 2012/2013 football season.

The Media Officer for the organising committee, Malam Zakari Musa, said this in Kaduna that the clubs include seven from the Nigeria Premier League and four from the Nigeria Nationwide League.

Musa said that the competition, sponsored by Alhaji Abdulazeez Ibrahim, General Manager, Ranch Bees FC of Kaduna, would hold between Nov. 24 and Nov. 29 at the Ranch Bees Stadium and the Ahmadu Bello Stadium.

Musa said Premier League title holders, Kano Pillars FC, would also participate along side Wikki Tourists FC, Kwara United FC, Kaduna United FC,

Enyimba FC and newly promoted Nasarawa United FC and El-Kanemi Warriors FC of Maiduguri.

Other clubs participating are Ranch Bees, FC Abuja, DSS FC of Kaduna and Jigawa Golden Stars FC. According to him, the teams are expected to arrive in Kaduna on Nov. 23, when the draws for the meets will take place.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

PAGE 43

11,549 athletes and officials set for NSF – NSC

N Governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Inyako

Inyako set for NAF golf tournament in Kaduna From Muhammad Adamu, Kaduna

G

overnor of Adamawa State, Murtala Inyako and some members of the National Assemble are to attend the Nigeria Air Force (NAF), and Chief of Air Staff (CAS), 9th annual golf tournament billed this weekend at Wuyep golf site in Kaduna.

The chairman of the organizing committee, Air Commodore Austin Jekennu who disclosed this at a press conference in Kaduna, said the two days tournament is a major annual sport event for NAF. He said the tournament will be in different categories while participants in the event will include NAF, cooperate organizations, sister services, Army, Navy and Police golfers.

Y

obe State Male Hockey Team known as (desert rollers) will represent the country at the forth coming Africa Cup for Club Championship billed in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe from 1st to 10th December this year.

The team qualified to represent the country after a brilliant performance at the just concluded IEI National Super Hockey League in Abuja.

The state sports commission has lauded the effort of the state government in developing sports as well as sponsoring teams to continental and international competitions.

The state government led

by His Excellency Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, is committed to sports

According to him, Personalities expected to grace the tournament will include the CAS Air Marshal Alex Badeh, governors of Kaduna, Assembly members and sundry golfers across the country.

Commodore Jekkenu noted that on Saturday will be arrival date and registration of participants with a cock tail party in the evening of the same day while on Sunday is ceremonial tee off by the CAS and closing ceremony.

"The tournament which is an annual event of the NAF is basically to foster civil/ military relationship" he said.

Musa said the objective of organising the competition is to prepare the teams for the challenges of the league season.

o few than 11,549 athletes and officials have been authentically registered for the National Sports Festival (NSF), billed in Lagos according to National Sports Commission (NSC).

The total number does not however include Main Organizing Committee (MOC) members, Local Organizing Committee (LOC) members, Liaison Officers, workforce and volunteers.

A breakdown of the 11,549 participants shows that athletes are 8,045, coaches 1,382, Team Officials 1,000 while 1,122 delegates will take part in the Games.

A total of 1132 Technical Officials will be deployed during the festival out which 613 will be invited from outside Lagos 519 sourced from within.

Meanwhile the Minister of Sports Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi on Monday received his accreditation card from the MOC. Receiving the accreditation card in his office in Abuja, the Minister said that the completion of registration of team officials, athletes, coaches and delegates for the festival online has marks another innovation and

improvement in the Festival Games.

He noted that the involvement of international sporting organizations and personalities in the 2012 edition will add value and promote international best practices in the Games.

Minister of Sports Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi

Lawrie seeks more Dubai inspiration

P

aul Lawrie credits a second-place finish in last year's DP World Tour Championship in Dubai as the springboard to his golfing renaissance.

And the 43-year-old from Aberdeen is determined to build on a great 12 months by improving further.

Lawrie finished last

year's end-of-season showpiece, featuring the top 60 players in Europe, two strokes behind Spaniard Alvaro Quiros who posted a winning tally of 19 under par.

Following his good display in Dubai, Lawrie was a model of consistency in 2012 going on to record nine top-10 finishes,

including victories at the Qatar Masters and the Johnnie Walker Championship in Scotland.

Lawrie's excellent form earned him a place at the Ryder Cup after a 13-year absence.

And he played his part in Europe's unlikely comeback victory over the

United States in September, trouncing Brandt Snedeker during the dramatic final-day singles.

The Greg Normandesigned Earth course that stages this week's tournament measures 7,675 yards and Lawrie believes it will play longer than it did last year.

Nadal back in training after knee injury

R

afael Nadal says he is "getting better" after starting training as part of his recovery from a knee injury.

Nadal has not played a competitive match since losing to Czech Lukas Rosol in the second round of Wimbledon.

He wrote "My first tennis practice after all these weeks, getting better and hope to continue with the positive trend.

The 26-year-old is aiming to be fit for the Australian Open in January and has started practising on a hard court.

Nadal, ranked fourth in the world has struggled with knee problems in the past and was unable to defend his Wimbledon title in 2009 because of tendonitis.

The Spaniard missed the Olympics and the US Open after revealing he had a partial tear in his patella tendon.

Desert rollers of Yobe represent Nigeria in Zimbabwe development in order to engage youths in

meaningful activities.

The sports enthusiast has

assured the state to provide new model sporting facilities to enable it athletes

participate in national and international tournament.

Gaidam has also approved the participation of the state at the forth- coming 18th National Sports Festival (NSF), slated in Lagos.

The state has concluded plans to participate in 20 sporting events, according to the commission the athletes has promised to make a remarkable achievement at the NSF.

Dettori banned for doping test

T Ibrahim Gaidam, Yobe state governor

he French racing authorities have suspended jockey Frankie Dettori 'on medical grounds' pending a disciplinary hearing into his failed drugs test.

The positive test for an unspecified illegal substance was considered by a Medical

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS. OKORONKWO N. LOVINA, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. OKEREKE N. LOVINA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. NYSC AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS NABILA ABUBAKAR, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS FADILA ABUBAKAR K. DUE TO TYPICAL ERROR, NECO, MUSLIM COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, FUNTUA AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS HAUWA LAWAL ISA, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS HAUWA YUNUSA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS PATRICIA AMBO SAMBO, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. COMFORT SAMUEL OKONJOR. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. NIGERIAN RAILWAY CORPORATION AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

Commission.

A hearing is expected in two weeks with Dettori, 41, facing the possibility of a worldwide ban.

The suspension makes little difference to Dettori as he would not expect to ride in France at this time of year.

Dettori was not present as France Galop's medical committee considered his case but he answered questions via a conference call.

Dettori tested positive at Longchamp racecourse on 16 September for a substance which his lawyer has said is not "performance enhancing."

The options open to France Galop, which is unlikely to name the substance involved, range from dropping the case to imposing a six-month ban. Any

suspension would apply worldwide.

Dettori gave a positive test at a Sunday meeting which was a day of major trials for October's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe meeting.

Frankie Dettori

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

Eko 2012 Eko 2012

Eko 2012: LASG promises thrilling opening ceremony Team Ondo suffers a setback, as some athletes abscond Edo to storm Eko 2012 with 411 athletes

T

he Secretary, Sub-committee on Protocol and Ceremonies for the 18 th National Sports Festival Peter Bolumole, said that Lagos would produce the most-thrilling opening ceremony in the Games’ history.

Bolumole disclosed this in Lagos during the rehearsal of events that would be showcased at the opening ceremony of the Games on Nov 27 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium that the state’s potentials would be on display.

He said efforts had been made to ensure that the Lagos Games not only turned out as the best in its history, but to also display the cultural heritage and multiplicity of tourism in the state.

“We are working and believing that the upcoming festival’s opening ceremony would turn out to be the best in the history of

the Games.

“Preparations are in top gear and I make bold to say that we will display the cultural heritage and the richness of Lagos tourism,” he said.

Bolumole said he was hopeful that Lagos would host and win the Games, adding that he believed the athletes were determined to ensure they did the state proud.

“As much as I believe the tournament’s opening ceremony would be successful, I also believe that Lagos can host and win the Games.

“I believe the athletes can compete favourably and I also believe that with the motivation they have had, they are determined to do the state proud,” he added.

By Albert Akota with Agency

E

Adams Oshomhole

do State will be represented at the Sports 18 th National Festival by a contingent of 507 athletes and officials, a top official of the state’s Sports Council said this yesterday.

Maria Osifo, a Chief Coach with the Edo Sports Council, who disclosed this in Benin, said the contingent would be made up of 411 athletes, 73 coaches and 23 organising secretaries.

Osifo assured that the

athletes had been adequately prepared for the festival, as always.

“We are on the same track as we have always done in previous years, to ensure that we prepare well.

“We will also ensure a formidable representation of the state at the festival,’’ she said.

According to the coach, a 400m hurdler in her time, the Edo Sports Council has approved a daily allowance of N1, 500 for all the athletes.

Osifo explained: “initially the allowance was N1, 000 but following a plea for an increase, it was raised to N1, 500.

“The allowance will cover the camping period but other allowances will be paid when the athletes arrive in Lagos,’’ she said.

On when the contingent would depart Benin for Lagos, Osifo said, “we are waiting for an appropriate time to storm the Games Village in Lagos.

should be ready for an exciting moment in Lagos.

“Lagos always sets the pace for others to follow and we are going to ensure that this festival will set pace for past and subsequent editions,” the statement said.

It said that Teslim Balogun Stadium would host events in athletics, squash, gymnastics, swimming, taekwondo, ayo and volleyball.

The stadium would also host the opening and closing ceremonies.

The National Stadium would host events in javelin, discuss, shot-put, hammer, chess, table tennis and kokawa.

Also, the University of Lagos would host handball, powerlifting, football, wrestling, judo and abula; while Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) would host handball,

kickboxing and football events.

Mobolaji Sports Centre, Rowe Park, would host badminton and basketball; while the National Institute for Sports (NIS) would host hockey, scrabble and boxing.

Other venues include Oba Elegushi Roundabout in Epe, for cycling; Onikan and Agege Stadiums would host football.

Games venues ready for Eko 2012, says LOC boss T

he Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the 18th National Sports Festival Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, said that the games venues were ready.

According to a statement by the LOC chairman, all the expected venues are ready for the fiesta, and the state is fully prepared to host an exciting competition.

“I want to tell you that all the games venues are now ready and the athletes and officials

Lagos trains 1,000 students for calisthenics

T

Gov Fashola

he Organisers of the Sports 18 th National Festival said yesterday that they were preparing 1,000 students to entertain participants and spectators with calisthenics at the opening ceremony of the event in Lagos on Nov. 27.

Tayo Popoola, Director of the Calisthenics Group, said in Lagos that the pupils were from three secondary schools in Yaba, a suburb of the Lagos metropolis.

The schools are: Igbobi College, Yaba; Queens College, Onike and Eletu Odibo Junior/ Senior School, Yaba.

“We have been training these children for eight weeks before today in calisthenics and they have been responding to all formations of the exercise.

“Initially, we had the training in their various schools during their extra-

curricular hours.

“Having gone through eight weeks of all forms of rigorous training, we are now in the closing stages.

“With this development, it is obvious that the Games are here and we will treat Lagos and all Nigerians to a colourful opening ceremony,’’ Popoola said.

She added that while the children would take part in choreography, the adults, who were volunteers resident in Lagos, would take part in cultural and choral displays.

“There will be a display of cultural dances by volunteers who have come to render help towards having pleasant opening and closing ceremonies.

“The cultural, calisthenics and choral displays, which will last for two hours, will portray the rich culture of the people of Lagos state,’’ she added.

W

ith just six days to the commencement of the 18 th National Sports Festival (NSF), some of Team Ondo’s elite athletes have absconded abroad, according to a top official.

Bola Akinbobola, Special Adviser on Sports to the Ondo State Governor, disclosed this during a telephone interview in Lagos.

Akinbobola, however, dismissed insinuations that the ‘unceremonious departure’ of the seasoned athletes could hamper Team Ondo’s chances at the “Eko 2012’’ fiesta.

“We lost some athletes; they travelled abroad for greener pastures, but we believe that our athletes on ground will prove their worth at the festival.

“So when we carried out an assessment on Monday with the governor, we perceived that we may not be able to do better than we did in Port Harcourt in 2011.

“For most of them, it is their first competition and the enthusiasm is there. They have shown us that they are ready to take the centre-stage,’’ he said.

The special adviser went on to say that while the departure of the elite athletes was regrettable, Team Ondo would strive to maintain its consistency at the NSF. “We will ensure that we maintain our position and possibly push hard to surpass our feat at the 2011 Garden City Games in Port Harcourt.

“Though most of our athletes will be participating in the festival for the first time, we will still expose them to the rigours of the competition,’’ Akinbobola said.

Team Ondo finished in the fourth position at the 2011 Games in Port Harcourt with 30 gold, 32 silver, and 43 bronze medals.

Mike Idoko

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

PAGE 45

1/ Nigeria defender Elderson Echiejile says the Super Eagles are seeking redemption by winning January's CAF Africa Cup of Nations, after the Mother Continent's largest nation failed to qualify last time.

2/ Scrum-half Henry Pyrgos will make his first start as Scotland make five changes for Saturday's Test with Tonga.

3/ England coach Andy Flower tells his players to follow the example of captain Alastair Cook in the second Test against India.

4/ Rafael Nadal says he is "getting better" after starting training in Spain as part of his recovery from a knee injury.

5/ Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has asked for special permission to move on loan from his Chinese club despite the official transfer window being closed.

6/ Rafael Benitez and Pep Guardiola among leading candidates to replace sacked Roberto Di Matteo at Chelsea.

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

England manager Roy Hodgson says character is vital in coaching Following yesterday’s instalment which saw the England manager discuss his appointment, Brazil 2014 and helping to create a lasting legacy, the second part of this exclusive interview focuses on Hodgson himself.

The former Inter Milan and Liverpool manager talks about readjusting to life as an international boss, his need to be surrounded by players of ‘good character’ and the troubles he has relaxing.

F

IFA Your career has flitted between club and international teams. How have you found the readjustment?

Very easily simply because I’ve had experience of it before.

I think also as you get older, 36 to 37 years is a long time to be in coaching, the job of leading a team doesn’t change that much.

What changes are the obvious circumstances that with a national team you have longer periods and each game is more of a major event, and there are lots of other calls upon your time in representing your association, whereas club football is much more hands-on with the players on a daily basis?

I’ve enjoyed the hands-on on a daily basis with the club football but the bulk of my

37 years has been in club football so it’s never been a hardship to have a spell where you don’t get that daily contact, knowing full well that when you do get contact you’re working with the very best that the country has to offer.

You have tremendous facilities and tremendous help to do any sort of training sessions you want to do.

How important is character in international football?

Character is vital in every aspect of life.

Speak to any football manager, he’ll always tell you he wants good characters around him but that’s easier said than done. Half the time when you’re recruiting players at a club, you don’t really know their characters until you’ve Hodgson worked with them for a while.

By that time it’s too late because you might, on the basis of what you’ve seen from the stand and what you’ve researched, be signing someone that when you’ve been working with him for a couple of months turns out to be a slightly different person. By then it’s too late because he’s got a two-, three-, four-year contract with the club and you’re stuck with him whether you like him or not.

To some extent it’s easier for us at national level. We get to work with them, see them and live with them for a few days so you’ve got a slightly better idea than often you have as a club manager.

That’s an advantage we get we get some sort of sense. Is this the right sort of man?

Does he share our values, our passion, and our enthusiasm? Is he prepared to put his body on the line? During the EURO, I’m not certain we played the best football that we could ever play. The players thought they were capable of better.

But the one thing you certainly can’t question is the character of the players – the desire, loyalty and wish.

Character is vital in every aspect of life. Speak to any football manager, he’ll always tell you he wants good characters around him but that’s easier said than done.

What do you enjoy doing to relax away from the England job?

I don’t think you ever do, the scrutiny unfortunately is always there. I used to enjoy travelling, still do I suppose, but it’s not like it was in the past because you get recognised so much more because the England football job is an important job.

It’s not something I’m complaining about. If I do anything I read, if the weather is good I’ll play golf but very rarely these days.

I’m hoping, come the spring, I might get some games of golf in to relax a little bit. I still enjoy the travelling, I do a lot of that with the job but if I do have a few moments spare I still like to travel with my wife, go to different places.

Unfortunately, if you get such a high-powered job as the one I’ve been given here, it’s a little bit unrealistic to think you can compartmentalise your life.

You don’t do it as a club coach and you certainly don’t do it as a national coach, because you belong to the people and to some extent you have a duty to the people.

When people ask me for autographs or photographs, I feel that’s part of my job to do that.

If it makes them a little bit happier, if it increases their interest in English football and the English national team, it’s my job to do that.

“

We get to work with them, see them and live with them for a few days so you’ve got a slightly better idea than often you have as a club manager.

That’s an advantage we get we get some sort of sense. Is this the right sort of man? Does he share our values, our passion, and our enthusiasm? Is he prepared to put his body on the line?

During the EURO, I’m not certain we played the best football that we could ever play. The players thought they were capable of better.

Roy Hodgson

Where have you been at your happiest during your 37 years?

I don’t know. There have been one or two places where I’ve not been terribly happy but for the bulk of them I’ve found some degree of happiness.

It’s dangerous to start talking in those ways because you always tend to look back to the distant past and glorify it - the summers were hotter and you were a happier person. I tend to not want to do that.

I’m happy where I am now, I’ve been happy since coming back to England in the places I’ve worked. But I was happy before that as well, in other countries. I suppose I’ve got to consider myself one of those lucky people whose career has taken him to very interesting places, where I’ve been well received, made a lot of good friends, good contacts, many acquaintances.

I tend not to want to compare them too much and suggest ‘this was the best’ and ‘this was the happiest’. I’m not even sure. In all places, football gives you happy moments and unhappy moments.

Asian readers of FIFA know all about your good relationship with Bob Houghton. Do you think he is one of the most underrated English coaches there has been?

Without a shadow of a doubt, we were very close friends, we spent a large part of our lives together for 12 years plus.

I went to South Africa through Bob because he got the job there and took me over as a player. He didn’t stay that long at the club he took me to, he moved on and went to play at another club.

After a year he moved to Sweden and after two very successful years as a coach he was asked to recommend somebody like himself.

We were blood brothers, really, and he recommended me. He set me off on my career in Sweden and for years we were pretty inseparable.

Then I went to Bristol City with him so he was a major influence on my career and the guy who started it off, in terms of the travelling via South Africa and getting me the job in Halmstads. They took a chance on me and the rest is history!

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

PAGE 47

Say what?

SUDOKU Getting Started Each sudoku puzzle is a 9 by 9 grid of horizontal and vertical rows, evenly separated into 9 squares with 9 spaces each. Instead of word clues, each puzzle’s solution is determined by the pattern of the numbers already filled in you. You solve the puzzle by filling in the missing digits so that, when completed, each row and each square will have all the number from 1 to 9; each number will appear in exactly nine spaces within each puzzle.

FACTS * The brain itself cannot feel pain. While the brain might be the pain center when you cut your finger or burn yourself, the brain itself does not have pain receptors and cannot feel pain.

Quick CrossWord (75)

* The fastest growing nail is on the middle finger. And the nail on the middle finger of your dominant hand will grow the fastest of all. Why is not entirely known, but nail growth is related to the length of the finger, with the longest fingers growing nails the fastest and shortest the slowest. * The lifespan of a human hair is 3 to 7 years on average.

Source: Weird facts

PHOTO OF THE DAY

ACROSS 3 Control •Dual •Office (3) 6 Breath •Fruit •Start (5) 9 Activist •Demonstration •Party (9) 10 Decision •Pea •Personality (5) 11 Bag •Doll •Trade (3) 12 Ground •Teacher •Weight (8) 15 Account •Card •Rating (6) 16 Brand •Potato •World (3) 18 Driving •Marriage •Television (7) 19 Number • Off • Way (3) 22 Agency •Carbon •Speed (6) 24 Blocks •Handle •Price (8) 27 Below •Boil •Excellence (3) 28 Band •Barn •Dinner (5) 30 Animation •Ceiling •Sentence (9) 31 Helmet •Path •Spin (5) 32 Market •Medical •Scientist (8) DOWN 1 Door •Mouse •Speed (4) 2 Long •Parting •Pot (4) 3 Cell •Officer •Open (6) 4 Broom •Insect •Walking (5) 5 Manager •Record •Team (6) 7 Holy •Level •White (6) 8 Cat •Fist •Pillow (5) 10 Bow •Finish •Stitch (5) 11 Commercial •Pirate •Telescope (5) 13 Fondant •Royal •Sugar (5) 14 Appearance •Mystery •Speaker (5) 15 Bean •Butter •Powder (5) 17 Bed •Feature •Meter (5) 20 Bald •Golden •Owl (5) 21 Rock •Job •Hand (5) 22 Bus •Manager •Supply (5) 23 Human •Mother •Trail (6) 25 Coat •Fever •Foot (6) 26 Rice •Tissue •Towel (5) 28 Chair •Flight •Top (4) 29 Common •Shoulder •Storage (4)

Yesterday’s solution

Yesterday’s answer

South African Edith Pangle, 62, said she has maintained her youthful looks by allowing the slimy molluscs to slither across her skin for at least 15 minutes every week.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Y, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

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. . . putting the people first

for a sovereign national conferenc

Fortress Israel's "peac based on violence I

t's like the cheating Abuja Landlord who having used false pretences to steal the house of his distant cousin allows the cousin to use the two 2 room BQ. Naturally the Landlord is afraid to let his cousin prosper lest he threaten his stolen comforts. The Landlord prevents free movement of the Tenant out of the main gate, sometimes shuts off water or electricity out of malice.

Whenever the cousin complains, he beats him up. When the cousin's children see this and cry or throw stones out of frustration and anger he beats them too. Once every 2 or 3 years the Landord asks his friend, the Police Commissioner, to supply a mobile police squad who spray teargas, a few bullets and throw a grenade for good measure, killing 1 or 2 of the Tenant’s large family. The Landlord secretly hopes this strategy will kill them all soon. And he will have quiet in his 'own' house.

Gaza, the most densely populated place on earth because it is actually a prison, is being bombed again. Cartelopia presents excerpts from a thoughtprovoking review of a recently published book on the PalestinianIsraeli conflict. The review is by Rod Such, a freelance writer and editor: 'Fortress Israel: The Inside Story of the Military Elite Who Run the Country And Why They Can't Make Peace' (2012) by former New York Times and Washington Post reporter Patrick Tyler is an unflinching history of the role of militarism in Israeli society.

In this new work Tyler narrows his focus on the Israeli establishment. He sums up his thesis in the prologue: "Israel, six decades after its founding, remains a nation in thrall to an original martial impulse, the depth of which has given rise to succeeding generations of leaders who are stunted in their capacity to wield or sustain diplomacy as a rival to military strategy...

They do so, reflexively and instinctively, in order to perpetuate a system of governance where national policy is dominated by the military."

In Fortress Israel, Tyler mines

CAR TEL OPIA CARTEL TELOPIA With Aisha Yolah ayolah06@yahoo.com 08086296783 (text only please)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu documents declassified in 2007, many of which were obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests by the National Security Archive at George Washington University, where Tyler is a fellow.

These documents, especially those from the administration of Richard Nixon, have received scant attention from the corporate media. Tyler also relies on interviews he conducted with many Israeli leaders, as well as secondary sources - the most prominent of which is The Iron Wall (2000), a book by the Israeli historian Avi Shlaim.

Both The Iron Wall and Fortress Israel demolish key pillars of Israel's long-standing propaganda effort to portray itself as the perpetual victim of surrounding, hostile Arab nations. They show instead that Israel was the aggressor in nearly all of its military conflicts.

The 1956 Suez Crisis, for example, resulted from a conspiracy hatched by France, Britain, and Israel in which Israel attacked Egyptian forces so that Britain and France could pretend to intervene as "stabilizing" forces and thereby maintain control of the Suez Canal. Similarly, both studies reveal that Israel

because it believed Egypt was about to attack but because it saw an unprecedented opportunity to destroy the Egyptian army.

Imperial interests Tyler's research demonstrates that the Israeli elites long ago recognized the usefulness of aligning Israel with Western imperialist interests in the Middle East and openly courted the US on that basis.....

Tyler argues that whereas the Eisenhower administration acted to restrain Israel "so that it might find accommodation with its neighbours," the Nixon administration, especially National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger, sought to use Israel to achieve US interests in the Cold War. Drawing on the 2007 documents, Tyler quotes from a 1969 memo to Nixon from Richard Helms, then director of the Central Intelligence Agency, saying Israeli aggression against Egypt should be encouraged "since it benefits the West as well as Israel." A cover note by Kissinger argued that if Nasser were toppled, any successor would lack his "charisma."

"Hit 'em hard" An Israeli bombing campaign against targets deep inside Egypt followed in January 1970. In May that year Nixon told Israeli foreign minister Abba Eban and Yitzhak Rabin, then the Israeli ambassador to the US, to "let 'em have it! Hit 'em as hard as you can!" One of those hits had already included an Egyptian elementary school, killing 47 children.

During this same period, Tyler notes, US officials became aware that Israel was a nuclear weapons power, after years of Israeli denials. Kissinger had just received a CIA estimate that Israel possessed at least ten

Kissinger memo, Ra there were two r developing the bom deter the Arabs fr Israel, and second, fails and Israel were overrun, to destroy a nuclear Armagedd Israel's acquisitio weapons - along wi accord it subsequen with Egyptian pres Sadat - established regional superpower adding that Israel agreed to recognize national rights as accord...

Nakhba overlo Tyler de convincingly that military often eithe overrode civilian ...Perhaps the b significant failing ignores the (catastrophe), the ethnic cleansing Israel's foundation i omission tends to narrative as simpl conflict among n rather than a confli Palestinian nationa struggle and a ra colonial state.

To his credit, Tyl does address the cor suppression of national rights. H Israel's military el determined to keep permanently subju occupation. Howev sided focus on t obscures the role ideology and its g civilian and militar Even the two-st favoured by "liber anticipates the ongo class status of Palestin and the denial of refu return. Ultimately, the Israeli elites c peace. Instead of e peace based on hu they can only propo based on violence.

Rod Such is a writer and forme World Book an encyclopaedia. member of the Sea Awareness Cam Americans Un