Peoples Daily Newspaper, Monday, July 023, 2012 by Peoples Media Limited

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

Vol. 8 No. 86

Monday, July 23, 2012

Jos: Evacuees returning to their villages – STF

. . . putting the people first

Politicians back NASS on delineation of constituencies

>> PAGE 2

Ramadan 4, 1433 AH

Antenatal: FG to pay pregnant women

>> PAGE 3

N150

Makoko: Police arrest ‘killer’ corporal

>> PAGE 5

>> PAGE 10

Boko Haram not a terrorist group – FG By Lawrence Olaoye

hings are really getting fluid on this score now and Nigerians might not know who or what to believe anymore . ... Contrary to the United States (US) categorisation of the dreaded

Boko Haram insurgents as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO), the Federal Government has said it was wrong to brand the members of the group as terrorists. According to a statement by the Clerk to the House of Representatives Committee on

Foreign Affairs, Mohammed Zakari, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Martin Uhomoibhi told the Rep Nnenna ElenduUkeje-led committee that Boko Haram was a security challenge which the country had not seen in its 52 years after independence.

Uhomoibhi said that he did not know what made the US to classify Boko Haram as a terrorist group as the federal government as well as the ministry’s opinion was not sought by the US authorities on the group. Apparently referring to the submission of Christian

Association of Nigeria (CAN) President, Ayo Oritsejafor, before the US Congress on the Boko Haram menace, the permanent secretary insisted that the US should have sought the opinion of Nigerian government as against that of a particular religious Contd on Page 2

One killed, 10 injured in Bauchi blast From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

T Katsina state Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Shema in handshake with pupils, during the launch of Allo Model School, on Friday in Daura, in Katsina state.

he spiritual and temporal peace ushered in by the start of the Ramadan was shattered by a late evening explosion, which rocked Bauchi metropolis yesterday as the Muslim community prepared to end Day Three of the on-going fast. One person was confirmed dead while 10 were injured in the explosion, which occurred at the Bayan-Gari area of the metropolis. The incident, which occurred around 6.40pm, engendered panic, as residents ran for dear lives. Eyewitnesses said the suspected bomber Contd on Page 2

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

CONTENTS

Jos: Evacuees are returning, STF declares

News

From Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

2-11

Editorial

Op.Ed

Letters

Opinion

Metro

16-17

Business

19-22

S/Exchange

S/Report

Newsxtra

Education

Health

he Media and Information Officer of the Special Task Force (STF) in Jos, the Plateau state capital, Captain Salisu Mustapha, told our correspondent in Jos that both Fulani and Berom natives who were ordered to vacate their villages have started returning following the invitation to do so by the STF. Capt. Mustapha made the clarification following enquiries as to whether the residents of the hitherto vacated villages were complying with the order to return to their homes or holding aloof. He

further added that the STF had not received any complaints as so far, the returnees were conducting themselves and peacefully. The STF had declared Kakuruk, Kuzen, Maseh and Shong villages of Riyom local government area safe while the military operation is still ongoing in Mahanga village. STF had announced the recall of the villagers in an interview with our correspondent that the four villages were safe, advising that the inhabitants of the villages could go back immediately. He said the recall directive followed the successful completion of the military operation in the

villages. Captain Mustapha assured the returnees of their safety as personnel of the STF are still in those villages urging the returnees not to panic or entertain any fear as they have secured the villages. It would be recalled that last week STF issued a 48 hours evacuation notice to the inhabitants of Mahanga, Kakuruk, Kuzen, Maseh and Shong to vacate the villages to allow for the STF search the villages with the view of getting rid of the terrorists unleashing mayhem on innocent people in the five villages. STF Commander, Major General Henry Ayoola had told

newsmen last week at a press briefing that the notice was a temporary measure to secure the villages in order to avoid collateral damage. He further explained that once the area is declared safe after security operation, the inhabitants would be recalled to their residences saying the state government had put in place some relief arrangements for the evacuation. He said the evacuation notice was based on military necessity in line with international humanitarian law and consistent with best global practices and should not be construed otherwise.

I would’ve died with my husband, cries Dantong’s wife From Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

he widow of late Senator Gyang Dantong, Mrs. Hanatu Dantong, yesterday, revealed that she would have died alongside her husband if she had gone with him for the mass burial of the over 50 people massacred in Maseh village of Riyom local government area of Plateau state. Speaking at the service of

songs of her late husband held at the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN), Vom, Mrs. Dantong said on that fateful day, the Lord directed her to go to church while her husband went to Maseh village. She disclosed that if she had her way, she would have prevented her husband’s death by stopping him from going to Maseh village. Hanatu said “In 1988, we walked into the Vom Christian Hospital with our

books and boxes as newly wedded couples. Four years back, we stood here with my husband to thanked God for faithfulness but here I’m standing alone after 25 years of our marriage”. She disclosed that “I know very well the pains, yearning and the feelings that my late husband had for his constituents and that is why he went for the burial where he went and died for his people. My

husband worked tirelessly in Vom Christian Hospital before joining politics and he worked for the people despite the heavy opposition”. The father of the deceased Da Dantong, said “I would love my son to speak when I’m dead not me speaking on his death...” He expressed hope that the the death of his son would reconcile the Berom people with their attackers.

Boko Haram not a terrorist group – FG Edo guber: Lawyers offer free legal service to Airhiavbere, Page 3

International 31-34 Strange World 35 Digest

Politics

37-40

Sports

41-47

Columnist

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU The Peoples Daily wants to hear from you with any news and pictures you think we should publish. You can send your news and pictures to: letters@peoplesdaily-online.com pictures@peoplesdaily-online.com contact@peoplesdaily-online.com

Phones for News: 070-37756364 09-8734478

Contd from Page 1 leader. “The US should have sought the opinion of Nigeria and not of CAN or its leader. Nigeria is a secular country, so seeking the opinion of a religious group is wrong,’’ he said. Pastor Oritsejafor had on July 10 addressed the US House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights on the topic, “U.S. Policy Toward Nigeria: West Africa’s Troubled Titan.” Oritsejafor had said that “Boko Haram is not only a northern problem, but a Nigerian problem with global implications. “Boko Haram has waged a systematic campaign of terror and violence. They seek an end to Western influence and a removal of the Christian presence in Nigeria. This is outright terrorism, not legitimate political activity or the airing of grievances. “To this end, by refusing to designate Boko Haram as a foreign terrorist organisation, the United States is sending a very clear message, not just to the Federal Government of Nigeria, but to the world, to wit: that the murder of innocent Christians, and Muslims who reject Islamism, and I make a clear distinction here between Islam and Islamism, are acceptable losses,” the CAN leader said. The cleric added: “It is hypocritical for the United States and the international community to say that they believe in freedom and equality, when their actions do not support

those who are being persecuted. “A non-designation for the group only serves to hamper the cause of justice, and has emboldened Boko Haram to continue to strike out at those who are denied equal protection under the law. “The frequency, lethality and sophistication of Boko Haram’s attacks raise disturbing questions regarding training and logistical support they have received from other like-minded international terrorist networks,” he added. Oritsejafor reminded the US State Department that designating Boko Haram’s current leader, Abubakar Shekau and two others as “specially designated terrorists” fell short of designating the organization a terrorist group. He stated: “This would be the equivalent of designating Bin Laden as a terrorist, but failing to

designate Al Qaeda as a terrorist organisation. “Although I am aware that the designation of Boko Haram as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation is not the final solution to all of Nigeria’s problems, yet it is an important first step towards restoring the confidence of those who support freedom and equality in the eyes of the law,” Oritsejafor said. Uhomoibhi, however, told the House Committee on Foreign Affairs that statements like Oritsejafor’s were capable of subjecting Nigerians all over the world to rough scrutiny by US agents and other international agencies. “For us at the Ministry, Boko Haram should not have been designated as ITO or FTO as Nigeria is a secular country and we are working with all other stakeholders to resolve this

One killed, 10 injured in Bauchi blast Contd from Page 1 disguised as a hawker and was pushing an explosive-laden wheel barrow, which he abandoned before the explosion went off. Some shops and vehicles were affected in the incident. The injured persons were those who went to buy beer in the hotels near the scene. Bauchi Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Ladan, confirmed the incident, saying that a teenager died while 10 people were injured.

Ladan said: “There was an IED explosion in Bayan Gari in which a small boy died and 10 people were injured. The injured were taken to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi”. The explosion was the third blast to hit the Bayan Gari area located behind the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi, which accommodates brothels, clubs, hotels, drinking spots and the popular Muda Lawal market

menace’’, Uhomoibhi said. Ukeje while speaking said the committee wanted to know the official position of the government on the US designation of Boko Haram as either ITO or FTO. She said that though Nigeria is a multi-diverse and multireligious country, it was necessary for the ministry to let the committee know its thinking and that of the federal government on the proper designation of Boko Haram in the country.

ACN wins Ogun council polls he Ogun State

Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) has so far released the results of 19 Local Government Areas (LGA) in Saturday’s local government elections, with the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) winning all the chairmanship seats. Chairman of the electoral commission, Mrs. Risikat Ogunfemi, read out the results of Ijebu North-East, Ijebu North, Ogun waterside, Yewa North, Yewa South, Obafemi Owode, Ikenne, Odogbolu, and Abeokuta north. Others are Remo north, Abeokuta south, Ewekoro, Ifo, Ijebu east, Sagamu, Ado OdoOta, Odeda, Ijebu-Ode and Ipokia LGAs. The result of the 20th council is still being withheld as a result of a legal dispute.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

PAGE 3

Edo guber: Lawyers offer free legal service to Airhiavbere By Lawrence Olaoye

team of legal practitioners has offered free service to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)'s candidate in the July 14th governorship election in Edo state, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, to challenge Governor Adams Oshiomhole's victory in court. The basis for the legal action, according to the team which includes Tunde Ayodele, Mike Chukwu and Felix Omorue (PhD),

is the allegation that Oshiomhole does not have the basic qualification to run for the position of a state governor. It was learnt that the trio has been mounting pressure on Airhiavbere to approve their intention to drag Oshiomhole to court over the matter but he "is yet to give his nod to the legal service which is being offered probono." According to our source, "the investigation that has been done

on the papers filed with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by Oshiomhole showed that he filled Modern Three Certificate and not Secondary School Certificate as provided for in the Constitution. "It is the considered position of the legal team that Modern Three Certificate is neither secondary school certificate nor its equivalent. The team said even though the governor also filed NIPSS, it is the position of the team

that NIPSS is not an academic certificate. "Even if NIPSS were, it would not be able to stand on the foundation of the Modern Three Certificate because it is not a prerequisite qualification to attend the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies". The next week or two, the source said, would determine the next step the PDP candidate would take on the outcome of the July 14 governorship election.

Politicians back NASS on delineation of constituencies

ome politicians in Lagos yesterday supported the House of Representatives call that the INEC should delineate federal constituencies and senatorial districts. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria has 360 Federal Constituencies and 109 Senatorial Districts. Section 73 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) empowers INEC to delineate constituencies every 10 years. Some of the politicians told NAN in separate interviews that the delineation would promote unity, equity and justice as well as develop the country's democracy. The Lagos state chairman of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Chief Balogun EmiAbatta, urged the INEC to reduce the number of representatives in less populated states. He said that it was unfair for states with high population to have the same number of senators as states with low population. "Where you have more population, you can't compare the number of people you have there to where you don't have a large population. Mr. Unimke Nawa, a chieftain of the Progressive People's Alliance (PPA), said the review was lawful and that "the number of representatives should be proportionate to the population of the place". Mr. Sunny Moniedafe of the FCT chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) told NAN that there were many constituencies and districts not properly delineated. The national chairman, Peoples Progressive Party (PPP), Mr. Damian Ogbonna, told NAN that it was expected of the INEC to carry out the delineation because of the population increase. On his part, the executive secretary of the Campaign for Constitutionalism and Human Rights, Mr. Toyin Raheem, said that the delineation should be based on the geometric strength of areas. (NAN)

Dangote Group to construct factory, gas pipeline in Oyo From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

he president of Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote said at the weekend that his organisation would construct a gas pipeline in Oyo state to ease the problem of electricity supply in the state. He disclosed this shortly after paying a condolence visit to the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi over the death of his mother, Alhaja Dhikrat Abeje Ajimobi, at the Government House, Ibadan. Dangote, who hinged his organisation's resolve to construct the pipeline on the peaceful atmosphere existing in the state, said that the project would enhance the establishment of a factory being planned by his conglomerate in Oyo state. While describing the state as investor-friendly due to its large population and huge land mass, the business mogul said that the establishment of the proposed factory would further the socioeconomic development of the state.

2015: Gov Aliyu's COS denies guber ambition By Lawrence Olaoye

R-L: Niger state Governor, Dr. Muâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;azu Babangida Aliyu, receiving Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Chris Cooter during the envoy's visit to the governor, yesterday at his residence, in Minna.

Robbers gun down police guard, blast bank strongroom in Kogi From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

unmen suspected to be robbers attacked a bank and police station, killing a policeman at Iyara in the Ijumu local government area of Kogi state last Friday. Sources said the bandits split into two groups before they commenced operation at about 9.45 p.m., shooting sporadically to scare people.

One group reportedly attacked the Iyara branch of a new generation bank where they shot dead a policeman on guard duty at the bank; and blowing up the strongroom with explosives before carting away cash from the vault. After the operation at the bank, they were said to have headed for the Divisional Police Station, where they met strong resistance from the Police Anti-Terrorist Squad which foiled their effort to

invade the armoury. Residents in the community told our reporter that the bandits held the town hostage for several hours, detonating explosives indiscriminately and shooting wildly. Ile Simon, Spokesman of the Kogi State Police Command, confirmed the incident but could not ascertain if there were any casualties or the amount of cash stolen from the bank.

Healthcare expert wants nurses trained on domestic violence reduction

healthcare expert, Dr. Omolola Irinoye, yesterday in Lagos called for training of health professionals, especially nurses, in the prevention of domestic violence. Irinoye is an associate professor in the Department of Nursing Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun state. She told the News Agency of

Nigeria (NAN) that the training had become necessary to enable Nigeria to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on health. Irinoye identified domestic violence as a hindrance to improved maternal and child health. She said that the training should focus on anticipatory personal and family education, surveillance,

prompt diagnosis, especially in dysfunctional families and referral for appropriate support. The health expert called on the three tiers of government to create more awareness on the dangers of domestic violence. Irinoye said that a child, who witnessed much domestic violence, could perpetrate same in his adulthood. (NAN)

he Chief of Staff (COS) to the Niger state governor, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, Prof. Mohammed Kuta Yahaya, has dismissed insinuations that he is interested in succeeding his boss by 2015. A national daily yesterday reported that "Prof. Yahaya is being prepared for the governorship seat in 2015, a development which may pitch the governor against some powerful retired generals in the state who have a different game plan for the 2015 race" But in a statement made available to newsmen yesterday, Prof. Yahaya said the current speculation is a faĂ§ade, meant to divert public attention, emphasising that for now, he is concentrating on helping his principal to deliver on the promises he made to the electorate. Prof Yahaya referred to the report as a figment of the imagination of its authors or at best the opinion of some individuals planted in the media to cause disaffection within the state. He said Allah is the ultimate decider of who becomes what, just as he cautioned media practitioners to be wary of persons who may want to use their outfits for selfish gains. Yahaya said he remains committed to his present assignment and would not be distracted by any unsubstantiated report in the media.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

PAGE 4

Presidential aide dies in Katsina auto crash From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

senior protocol officer with the Presidency, Alhaji Uzairu Aliyu Faskari, 33 has died in an auto crash at the weekend. Father of the deceased, Alhaji Aliyu Garba Faskari, told our correspondent that his late son’s sports utility vehicle (SUV) had a head-on collision with a trailer. He noted that his son, who was on his way from Abuja to his hometown Faskari in Katsina state, collided with the trailer in Dungun Mu’azu village along Dandume-Birnin Gwari road while negotiating a sharp bend. The deceased, according to his father, left behind a wife and a child and has since been buried in accordance with Islamic rites.

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

orkers of Makurdi local government, Benue State at the weekend locked out the Chairman Mr. Fidelis Audu and principal officers of the council for alleged refusal to pay their June salaries. Audu arrived the council’s secretariat in his flashy car beaming with smiles only to discover that the workers have locked the gate against him in

Benue council workers lock out chairman, others over salary arrears protest over the salary delay. All pleas by the chairman, his principal officers as well as chairman of Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees NULGE, Makurdi LGA, Mr. Oliver Agbe to the workers to open the gate and return to work failed.

They also warned that the strike would continue this week unless the council paid them. All efforts to speak with Audu on the development also failed. Recently, a Special Adviser to Governor Gabriel Suswam, Mr. Solomon Wombo, debunked claims that local governments in

From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

Kogi to repair KabbaObajana road

Fuel scarcity looms as retailers threaten strike he Association of Mega Filling Station Owners of Nigeria (AMFSON) has warned that its members are set to protest the cash-and-carry policy introduced by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Retails Limited. Describing the policy as “cumbersome”, the group at a media briefing in Kaduna yesterday urged the National Assembly to intervene in the matter as the proposed protest may put severe hardship on Nigerians. The association’s National President, Andrew Ashiga, said: “We intend to go on a strike action against the cumbersome cash-andcarry policy of the NNPC Retail Limited. “The consequences of the action will lead to hardship on the public because the smooth distribution and sale of petroleum products being enjoyed all over the country today is as a result of our cooperation and commitment to the smooth running of the country. “However, because we believe in the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan and our commitment to seeing that the country progresses, we have sent letters to the President as well as to the two chambers of the National Assembly to intervene in the matter. “We have also made several appearances with the management of NNPC Retails Limited on the issue before the Committee, with the view to resolving the impasse.” Ashiga said that the association would not succumb to any act of intimidation by the NNPC Retail Limited to accept the cash and carry policy.

the state do not have enough funds to pay salaries. Wombo said: “These chairmen from our findings have more than enough to pay salaries and even execute projects.”

A member of the House of Representatives, Hajiya Aishat Ahmed Mohammed Binani, from Yola North/Yola South/Girei (2nd right), with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders, during the commencement of Binani fertiliser distribution to farmers, on Friday in Yola.

overnor Idris Wada of Kogi has expressed the state government’s readiness to assist in repairing ObajanaKabbar road because of its importance to the state. Wada stated this through his deputy, Chief Yomi Awoniyi, at the funeral service for the late Pa Edijaghon Alemeru, the father of the Managing Director of Thisday Newspaper, Mr Eniola Bello, in Odo-Ape, Kogi state, on Saturday. The governor said the repairs would be done in partnership with the Federal Government and the Obajana Cement Factory. He said arrangements had also been made by the State Directorate of Rural Development to provide electricity at Odo-Ape, adding that the location of the town was strategic. Wada described the late Pa Alemeru as a committed Nigerian whose selfless service in building a united Kogi State would be greatly missed. Eniola, who spoke on behalf of the children, lauded the state government’s transformation agenda. (NAN)

Ramadan: STF donates foodstuff to Muslims in Plateau T

he Military Special Task Force (STF) charged with maintaining peace in Plateau state yesterday donated food items to the Muslim Ummah in the state for the observance of Ramadan. The items include 10 bags of Guinea corn, 10 bags of rice, 20 bags of noodles and five bags of sugar. Maj.-Gen. Henry Ayoola, the STF Commander, while presenting the items to the Chief Imam of Jos Central Mosque, Sheik Balarabe Dawud, said: “The gesture is an expression of

identifying with you during this year’s Ramadan. “We came here with only a token of what we hope will be of help to you in this Ramadan sacred period. It’s our own way of showing solidarity. “It is our belief that we should be part of anything that will touch on God for the well being of the society hence the gesture we brought to you today.” Ayoola called on the Muslim Ummah in the state not to relent in their prayers for the restoration of a lasting peace in Plateau state and Nigeria as a

whole. The STF commander, who called on the Muslims Ummah to be law-abiding in all their dealings, wished them a successful Ramadan. Responding on behalf of the Muslim Ummah, Dawud thanked the commander for the gesture, which he described as the first of its kind since the arrival of the STF in Plateau state. Dawud said: “We have had different rapport with you, but not in this manner, for this is the first time that STF is donating such food items to us at a time like

this. “The Muslims in Plateau are peace loving people and we shall use this very Ramadan to pray for the restoration and sustenance of peace in the state,’’ The Chief Imam, who described the STF commander as a good man, said that they heard of all that he had done since he arrived in the state and that they were satisfied. He urged Ayoola to continue with the good works he was doing and prayed that God would grant him the wisdom to succeed in his task in Plateau state. (NAN)

...Sheikh Jingir asks Muslims to pray for peace From Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

ational Chairman, Council of Ulama, Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’a Waikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, yesterday task Muslims to pray for peace and security in Plateau State and the country at large. Speaking while declaring open this year’s annual Ramadan Tafsir in Jos, Plateau State Jingir said the nation currently faced huge challenges,

especially in the area of security. He stressed: “I call on Muslims to intensify prayers throughout the period of Ramadan and to pray for sustenance of peace and security of the country. I also want to call on the non-Muslims that are desirous of peace and security of the nation to join us in praying for the peace and security of the country”. He disclosed that JIBWIS has send 482 scholars to 30 states across the country and nine African countries to conducts

Tafsir and preach the true doctrine of Islam and the Sunnah (Tradition) of Prophet Muhammad. The cleric tasked the scholars to pray for peace and corporate existence of the country, noting that “Ramadan is a period that Muslims are expected to strengthen their faith and to pray for peace.” Also, Sheikh Jingir said government at all levels most wake up to the challenges of creating jobs for the teeming youths of the

country. He charged leaders to fear Allah and desist from corrupt practices and tribalism. Sheikh Jingir charged youths to shun all negative vices as future leaders of the country, reminding them that only good and sound moral conduct could give them focus to plan for a better future. He cautioned traders against inflating prices of commodities in order make high profit during the month of Ramadan.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

PAGE 5

FG plans to pay women for attending antenatal clinic

he Federal Government has concluded plans to pay women who attend antenatal clinics as part of efforts to tackle the menace of maternal mortality. The plan would be executed as part of the Midwifery Service Scheme (MSS) introduced in 2010 and it is hoped that it would also impact positively on child health. More than 4,000 midwives have been deployed to 1,000 health facilities nationwide under the MSS. Dr. Abdullahi Mohammed, Director, Primary Health Care System Development, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, disclosed the conclusion of payment plan to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

yesterday in Abuja. He said government budgeted N15 billion for Maternal and Child Health Care from the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P). He added that part of the money would also be used to employ additional 2,000 midwives for the MSS. Mohammed said: “The SUREP Maternal and Child Health Care component has budgets close to N15 billion for maternal and child health component. “Key elements involved is not just on the midwives bringing them (pregnant women) alone, the other component of it is what we call the conditional cash transfer; it's also part of the demand side intervention.

“You know in the health care delivery system we have the supply side intervention; we have the demand side intervention. For the supply side intervention includes all what we do; the input that we need to put in to provide the services. “But the demand side intervention what do you need to do for the client to be able to come to access your services? You must remove the financial barrier.” Mohammed said the payment plan was designed to assist women to address the demand side constraints of maternal health. The director said the total package of the financial incentives for each woman was five thousand naira.

His words: “The key issue the conditional cash transfer is designed to address is those demand side constraints, but there is a financial incentive for the woman who does some basic things that are tied to being provided these incentives. “And what are those things? The woman must attend antenatal clinic at least four times. For each of those antenatal attendances there is money attached to it which is N1000. “The woman must deliver at the facility; if she does, she is entitled to something; the woman must also ensure that the child is fully immunised. “The total package is about N5,000. It is not big, but the feeling is that considering the

level of poverty, it is enough for women to attend antenatal clinic.” Mohammed also told NAN that while antenatal clinic attendance was free, it had some incidental expenses that discouraged pregnant women from registering for antenatal care. He said funding from Sure-P would enable the agency to ensure that the relevant health services were of good quality, that care providers were available and to ensure that the facilities provided were conducive to antenatal attendance. Mohammed added that part of the fund would be used to train health services providers, a component germane to the growth of the programme. (NAN)

Work to resume soon on abandoned N2.9bn Utor bridge project

ork on the N2.9 billion Utor Bridge project at Ebu in Delta, which was abandoned about four years ago, is to resume soon. Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta North) told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that an approval has now been given for the project's re-funding. Okowa said: "Work will resume on Utor Bridge now as the Federal Ministry of Works has approved it. But it is not a new contract. The ministry merely approved that the project will be re-funded and that means that the contractor can move back to site and continue." The senator said the Federal Ministry of Works had also directed the contractor, Inter Bau Nigeria Limited, to return to site. NAN recalls that the contract for the project, which was part of the Asaba-Ebu-Uromi Road major project, was awarded in November 2006. But, while the main project which links Auchi-Okene Road and leads to Abuja had long been completed, the bridge project was abandoned. This was when the federal ministry purportedly transferred it to the Delta government to complete. A letter written by the then Minster of Works, Dr Hassan Lawal, and dated Feb. 27, 2009, had conveyed the transfer to the state government. The Delta government, through Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan, had objected to this, saying it had no funds for such

expenditure. Uduaghan, in a reply to the minister's letter, had reminded him of the federal government's policy of 2006 which urged state governments to stop action on its projects located around the country. NAN gathered that the contractor later moved out of site. Meanwhile, the Chairman of Inter Bau, Nath Okechukwu, while confirming the development, told NAN that his firm would soon return to site. "It is true. We have been asked to go back to site, and I am sure that in about two weeks time, we should be able to mobilise back there. "Actually, we had done about 50 percent of the job when the issue of transfer of the project came and stopped us,” he said. (NAN)

Vehicles belonging to Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Ibadan distribution centre, destroyed by fire, yesterday at Ring Road, Ibadan. Photo: NAN

Ekiti may sanction 45 workers over illegal promotions T

he Ekiti Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) says it may sanction 45 officers, who benefitted from unmerited promotions under the past administrations. Chairman of LGSC, Mr Aderemi Ajayi, announced this in Ado-Ekiti yesterday while speaking with journalists. Ajayi said: "It is so

embarrassing that these workers, most of whom are school certificate holders, who ordinarily should not be promoted beyond level 07, wriggled there ways to level 14. Some even manipulated two cadres, moving from Store Keeping and Accounting Cadres, just to get platform for promotion beyond the statutorily recognised level 07.

"The immediate past government detected all these absurdities but lacked the political will to effect the needed changes,'' he said. On whether the affected workers would be compelled to make refunds, Ajayi said that decision had not been taken. "No decision had been reached on this. But if the law is to be

applied, the law says any money wrongly collected by workers should be refunded but do not forget that this government has a human face," he stated. Ajayi said graduates among the affected workers, who were promoted beyond the deserved positions had accepted to revert to the levels they ought to be. (NAN)

FRSC blames Lokoja-Abuja road crashes on over-speeding, others

he Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has identified telephone calls while driving, excessive speeding and overloading as being responsible for the incessant road crashes on Lokoja-Abuja road. The Assistant Corps Marshall in charge of Ekiti, Kogi and Kwara states, Mr Kehinde Adeleye stated this yesterday in Lokoja at the end of a two-day familiarisation tour

of FRSC formations in Kogi. He said that acts of indiscipline and non-adherence to traffic rules were particularly rampant among the educated users of the road, thereby compounding the problem. Adeleye said that the commission was determined to reverse the trend by compelling motorists to obey the traffic rules, and to arrest and prosecute erring drivers.

He said that the FRSC had made itself more visible on the road by establishing four unit commands between Okene-Abuja. Adeleye also said that more personnel and logistics would be deployed to the four unit commands to stem the carnage. He further said that more options were also on the card to ensure a safer motoring environment in all parts of the

country. According to him, the commission has in its quest to ensure quick response to distress calls acquired a toll free line which members of the public can use free of charge to reach its officials. The FRSC chief, who gave the toll free line as 122 urged Nigerian to use it responsibly and be forthcoming with details of accidents or traffic bottleneck in

any part of the country. He said that in the course of his visit, he held meetings with traditional rulers, leaders of transport unions, NYSC officials in the state and other stakeholders. He said that the commission would seek the partnership of the police, civil defence corps, the Red Cross and relevant organisations in its efforts to restore sanity on the roads. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

PAGE 7

Gombe to establish girl child education centres From Auwal Ahmad, Gombe

ombe state government has planned to establish girl child education centres and ultra modern women development centres in each of the 11 local government areas of the state. Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Fatima Abubakar, disclosed this while speaking at the International Womens Day at Pantami Stadium, in Gombe over the weekend. She also said that the state Ministry of Women Affairs in collaboration with Ministry of Education will set up a mentorship programme which will give girls from different

backgrounds the opportunity to acquire relevant knowledge and skills, adding that the skills will help them to develop their lives and contribute meaningfully to the development of the society. Hajiya Fatima said the ministry has distributed 75 sewing machines and 75 knitting machines to women development centres across the 11 local government areas of the state. She said it is therefore necessary to give maximum support and contribution in the drive to uplift women’s status as well as improving their moral values in the society. Also speaking at the occasion, the wife of the state Governor Hajiya Ummi Adama

Dankwambo, represented by the wife of the deputy governor Mrs. Sintiki Rubainu, appealed to traditional and religious leaders in the state to support girl child education in order to enhance national development. Presenting a paper entitled Connecting Girls Inspiring Futures, Mrs. Naomi Maiguwa, solicited the documentation of the constraint that hinder girls economic empowerments through periodic collection of good practices and research. She stresses the need to invest in girl child education and empowerment programme by expanding schools and skill acquisition centres and girls movements.

Award” to prominent alumni who distinguished themselves in different endeavours and have immensely contributed to the development of the university. Professor Mustapha who expressed optimism that the event, if fully supported by all stakeholders and alumni, would be the first of its kind by any Nigerian university, revealed that ABU’s alumni who are found in different parts of the world are known as pacesetters in terms of contributions to humanity, a gesture we believe they will extend to their alma matter especially now that all hands are on deck to make it a world class institution. The VC therefore admonished the ABU

50th anniversary implementation committee under the leadership of the institution’s Deputy Vice C h a n c e l l o r (Administration) Prof. Ibrahim Na’Iya Sada to work hard to identify and reach out to all ABU alumni within and outside the country with the view of educating them on the state of preparations of the anniversary and the role and contributions expected of them. The Vice Chancellor also disclosed that a special convocation ceremony and pre-convocation lecture will be delivered on 23rd, November, 2012, a day to the main event; all as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations.

ABU VC tasks alumni, stakeholders on 50th anniversary By Mariam Garba Hassan

s preparations by the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, to c e l e b r a t e 50th anniverssary and contributions to national development reach its climax, the institution’s vice chancellor, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, has appealed to all stakeholders, particularly its alumni all over the world to contribute both in cash and kind towards making the event successful. In a statement signed by his Media Adviser, Malam Waziri Isa Gwantu, the VC said the event which is slated for 24th of November 2012, will feature activities such as presentation of special awards tagged “Sir Ahmadu Bello Golden

Clergy task new CJN on corruption, justice delivery

ome clergymen yesterday in Lagos advised the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Maryam Aloma Mukhtar to address corruption in the judiciary and ensure quick justice delivery. Monsignor Gabriel Osu, spokesman, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, noted that the judiciary was the last hope of the common man and urged the CJN to ensure dispensation of justice without fear or favour. Osu,who spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), noted that corruption was

high in the country. “The problem with the judiciary is that it is a disjointed house, when the Court of Appeal is going left; the Supreme Court will be going right. “She should make sure that justice is done and never delayed and that cases are attended to as and when due. I believe if she dispenses her duties very well the sky would be her limit”. Pastor Femi Asiwaju, the vice president, Penticostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Lagos chapter, also urged the CJN not to compromise in the performance of her duties.

“We are proud of our women in position of authority; they have always been very firm. So a woman being on the bench as CJN, we expect the same from her because it has been her hallmark”. Pastor Churchill-Peters Ayerume, the national president, Council of Foursquare Men, also stressed the need for Mukhtar to be conscious of her actions. “If the men have not done well, I believe we should give women a chance”, he said, adding that her track records were indications that she would deliver. (NAN)

PAGE 8

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

L-R: Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, President, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Mr. Robert Gonzalese and Commissioner, Infrastructure and Energy of African Union Commission, Dr. Elham M. Ibrahim, during the closing ceremony of the Ministerial Conference on Aviation Safety in Africa, on Friday, in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

L-R: Akwa Ibom state governor, Godswill Akpabio, with Minister of State for Education, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, during the latterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visit to the governor after the flag off of distribution of instructional materials for basic education institutions for SouthSouth Zone, recently in uyo, Akwa Ibom State,

L-R: Former National Vice-President, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Gbenga Onayiga, Co-ordinator, Association of Stakeholders for National Unity (ASNU), Mr. Nosike Nasir Ogbuenyi, and a member, Alhaji Mohammed Bolori, during a press conference by ASNU, recently, in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

L-R: Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Olajumoke Akinjide, Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, and Chairman, House Committee on FCT, Hon. Emmanuel Jime, during the inauguration of FCT boards of agencies and parastatals, at the weekend in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

PAGE 9

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

Corps members tasked on SERVICOM From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

orps members nationwide had been urged to create a culture for effective and quality service delivery. The focal officer of SERVICOM, NYSC Taraba state, Mr. Murtala Abdullahi made this known while delivering a lecture on servicom at the 2012 Batch B orientation camp in Jalingo. He revealed that servicom is an instrument employed to check the lapses in organisations in terms of poor service delivery and to also ensure that employees and employers do what they ought to do and at the right time. “With service delivery initiative, the SERVICOM office is aim to build a new partnership with corps members using its position and strength for challenging bad service and to stimulate new ideas in our youths as future leaders” He then charged corps members to be of good conduct and deliver selfless services in their various places of favoritism as this would attract more customers for their organisations. In the same vein, the resident officer 1, Mrs. Ifeoma Echeogu said that efficient and effective service delivery in governance is a constitutional right of all citizens. She also encouraged them to be good ambassadors of their country by giving quality services to the country especially in their primary place of assignment.

Katsina almajiri schools receive vocational training From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina atsina state government has introduced vocational training for the students of almajiri schools to enable them acquire skills that would make them self reliant. The state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Shema disclosed this in Daura at a ceremony organised for the distribution of food items and clothes to the students of 70 selected almajiri schools. He noted that under the programme two schools were selected in each of the 33 local governments of the state while four were selected in the Katsina metropolis. Similarly, Shema said that government would provide three square meals, allowances and uniforms to the students of the school and their teachers, adding that this would help them to concentrate more in learning the Qur’an and other Islamic literatures.

R-L: A member of Christian-Muslim Peace Committee, Bishop P. Onuora, discussing with Bauchi state Governor, Malam Isa Yuguda, during official visit to President Goodluck Jonathan, recently at the State House, in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

Cleric decries increasing intake of ‘Indian hemp’

Muslim cleric, Alhaji Kazeem Abdulkadri, yesterday advised the Federal Governments to use local dialect to enlighten the masses on the evils of drug abuse to make more impacts. Abdulkadri told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that some of those who abuse drugs, especially Indian hemp, live in rural areas. He also said that farmers of Indian hemp were in rural areas. The cleric decried the increased intake of illicit drugs especially by youths and called on the Federal and State Governments to urgently check the trend. He claimed that governments had not done much to address the social ill which, he said, could have damaging effect. The cleric, who presides over the Olorunsogo Mosque in Ajegunle, told NAN that Indian hemp was being smoked at most motor parks, schools, markets and other public places. He regretted that the social ill could have resulted from poverty and joblessness and urged the authorities to create jobs to engage the youths meaningfully. He urged government at all levels to build more relaxation centres to distract the attention of the youth from vices. (NAN)

Security is the bedrock for development, says LG boss From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

he caretaker committee chairman, Dass local government area of Bauchi state, Alhaji Mohammed Alhassan has described security maintenance as the bedrock of development in the country. Alhaji Mohammed Alhassan stated this in an interview with our correspondent in Bauchi, saying without proper security maintenance development will suffered set back and the administration will face a lot of challenges in running it

effectively. According to him, it was security maintenance that gave him the opportunity to run the local government successfully. He said “it was for this reason that whenever there is crisis in neighboring local government or south senatorial district which among others, comprised of Dass, people run to the local government area for safety. “Dass local government has been known for living in peace, we have adequate security, law and order has been the order of the day right from time

immemorial”, Alhassan said. “When we assumed office, we did all we could to maintain that status quo or even beyond, His Excellency Governor Isa Yuguda has been giving us good cooperation to continue to maintain that status quo, we thank God for that”. Alhassan said. He further explained that where there is no peace, there will be no security, no development, and nothing whatsoever at all, even the opportunity for one to pray to his/her creator could not be there.

Suntai advocates more enlightment on new electricity tarrif system From Yusha’u Alhassan, Jalingo

overnorn Danbaba Suntai has called on the Federal Ministry of Power and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to adequately sensitise Nigerians on the new policy on power supply. The governor was speaking over the weekend in Jalingo at a one-day community dialogue on Multi-year-Tariff-Order (MYTO) for electricity consumers jointly organised by the Federal Ministry of Power and the NOA. He said many Nigerians had misgivings about the new policy on electricity consumption

because of fear that they would pay higher once the policy becomes operational. The governor who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Garvey Yaweh, said the visit of the Minister of Power and Director General NOA would rekindle people’s confidence in the policy. The Minister of Power, Barth Nnaji told the gathering that to be able to generate power effectively, private partnership was necessary, hence the introduction of a metering system. Represented by Ahmed Mohammad, Professor Nnaji said the new metering system enable

electricity consumers pay only what they consume. The minister said power supply was gradually picking up in the country as some state were enjoying a twenty-hour uninterrupted electricity supply daily and that by the turn of the year, all states would get the same hours of uninterrupted power supply. Nnaji said all the private Companies that would be involved in power generation and supply were owned by Nigerians In his contribution, the NOA DG, Mike Omeri said Nigerians had been cheated for too long from the days of NEPA to PHCN where they paid heavily for electricity that was not supplied.

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

Police arrest corporal for allegedly shooting man T

he Lagos State Police Command has arrested a police corporal, Pepple Boma, who allegedly shot a man to death while on duty at Makoko waterfront on Saturday. The spokesperson for the command, Ms Ngozi Braide, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday.

She said that the corporal, attached to the Marine Police, Oworonsoki Division in Lagos, was being detained at the state Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba. Braide said that the suspect shot the deceased at the stomach on July 21 at mid day, while on a special duty with the Lagos State Waste Management Authority

(LAWMA). NAN reports that LAWMA officials, escorted by armed policemen, were continuing the demolition of houses built on stilts at the waterfront, which the state considered unsafe and a nuisance to the environment. "The corporal allegedly shot a man in the stomach. The victim was rushed to the General Hospital,

Gbagada where he was confirmed dead. "The corpse has been deposited at the General Hospital, Ikeja for postmortem", she told NAN. The spokesperson appealed to members of the public to remain peaceful, and gave the assurance that justice would be done. (NAN)

R-L: Former Lagos state governor, Brig-Gen. Raji Rasaki, Chairman, Ansar-Ud-deen Society, Abuja branch, Alhaji Ibrahim Adebayo, President, National Union of Road Transport Workers, Alhaji Najeem Yasin, and former Chief of Staff to the President, Major-General Abdullahi Mohammed, during the 18th Ramadan lecture and special prayer for the nation, on Friday in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

SSS screens five candidates for Unilorin VC From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

he State Security Service (SSS) has commenced the screening of five candidates selected for interview for the position of vice-chancellor for the

University of Ilorin. Those to face the interview panel include Prof. Jimi Adesanya, Prof. Timothy Opoola, Prof. Luke Ayorinde, Prof. Abdul Ganiyu Ambali and Prof. Hassan Salihu.

A source at the institution revealed that the exercise was carried out at the state office of the Director of State Security Services (SSS). Investigation by our correspondent showed that each

of the candidates are expected to face the interview panel today Monday, following which three will be selected and recommended to the President who will thereafter make the final choice.

NPC emphasises importance Gombe ministry to partner WRAPA to tackle rape of women in planning By Muhammad Sada

he National Planning Commission (NPC), has said that efforts must be made to include women in national planning programmes and policies to enhance more productivity. This was disclosed by the Desk Officer, Women Affairs at the commission, Mrs. Grace Obi Ukpabi, who also noted that the role of women was critical in nation building as they constitute more than 50 percent of the population. She added that women were major stakeholders in the development process, hence the need to put their issues in the front burner. According to her "the role of gender mainstreaming in national planning is that you cannot plan without the major stakeholders; they need to be carried along. For

every planning process, women should be considered when you talk about economic growth; growth is dependent on human capital, and who owns the human capital, it's the women", she added. On women empowerment, Mrs. Ukpabi said it was the most powerful routes for women to achieve their potentials and rights. She said that since women made up the majority of the world's poor, economic empowerment was important if poverty-reduction goals were to be achieved. She also commented on the role of women in achieving the millennium development goals MDGs, saying that women were the key. According to her, "they understand the basic needs of all the levels of the society. As we speak now, 1, 000 children die every hour.â&#x20AC;?

From Auwal Ahmad, Gombe

he Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in Gombe state, Hajiya Fatima Abubakar has appealed to the state and Federal Government to review the existing laws on rape to reflect cultural values and religious tenets as well as to give women the required protection and security". Hajiya Abubakar, who made the call this while speaking with journalists in Gombe over the weekend, said in the effort to tackle the rampant cases of rape in the state, the ministry would partner with the Women Rights Advancement Protection Agency (WRAPA). According to her, "One fundamental issue that is affecting

women and girls is that of rape and wife battering, this phenomenon is becoming rampant in the society". She further explained that it requires the contribution of development partners and relevant NGOs as well as spirited individuals to address the challenge. She challenged parents to report any case of rape to the ministry for the ministry to take appropriate action on it, adding that parents do not report the case of rape because of fear of stigmatisation, we are assuring you that the victim will not appear in court, WRAPA will stand for the victim". She called for attitudinal change towards women and girl child as mothers of the nation and societal future of the society.

Kwara gov urges Muslims to pray for Nigeria's democracy From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

he Kwara state governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has urged Muslims to pray for the sustenance of democracy, peace and unity in the country. Governor Ahmed in a special message to Muslims in the state to mark the commencement of this year's Ramadan fast, urged them to renew their commitment and belief in the corporate existence of the nation and care for their neighbours irrespective of religious leanings. The governor noted that fasting was made compulsory for all able Muslims by Almighty Allah, not only as an act of worship but to also recognise the virtues of brotherliness and perseverance expedient for peaceful human existence. Alhaji Ahmed enjoined family heads to make adequate provision for their households during the fasting period, pointing out that bountiful blessings from Allah await such family heads for doing so in the holy month. He also advised all wealthy Muslims to appreciate the pains of hunger by donating generously to the less privileged in this holy month of Ramadan, noting that the reward for this is enormous from Almighty Allah.

Fire service handles 81 emergencies in 6 months

he Federal Fire Service, Lagos State Command, recorded 70 fire incidents and 11 other emergencies, including collapsed buildings and a plane crash, in the first half of 2012. The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the command, Mr. Chika Njoku, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos yesterday that one life was saved from the emergencies while 164 deaths occurred. He said that the deaths included those of victims of the June 3 Dana Air plane crash. Njoku attributed the fire incidents to electrical faults, uncontrolled candle lights, storage of petroleum products, carelessness with the electric boiling rings, and other human errors. The PRO said that the fire incidents happened at private homes, public buildings, warehouses and in vehicles. He, however, said that the fire incidents of the first half of 2012 were less than the number recorded in the first half of 2011. He, however, did not give the figure for 2011. The PRO said that reduction was due to enlightenment campaigns by the command on how to prevent fire and its spread. Njoku said that four fire fighters of the command sustained injuries during the period under

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

PAGE 11

JNI congratulates Muslims on Ramadan From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

he Jama'atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has reminded Muslim scholars and preachers to abide by the preaching guidelines adopted at Abuja during the last Moon Sighting National Conference and the JNI annual preRamadan meeting. A statement by the JNI

Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Aliyu Abubakar, also urged the Muslim community to utilise properly, the spirit of Ramadan and recite more of the Qur'an, be punctual in the observance of obligatory prayers and Taraweeh in congregation. According to the statement, "the JNI under the leadership of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General,

Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, wishes to felicitate with the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria over the successful start of the Ramadan fast on Friday, 20th July, 2012. "In addition, Muslims are called upon to pray fervently for the peaceful co-existence of Nigeria and also pray that Allah the Most High should put to shame those who are bent on

causing chaos and unrest, wherever they may be. "Being the month of Tafseer (interpretation and commentary of the Qur'an), Mufasirun (scholars of Tafseer) are therefore reminded of the JNI Tafseer/Preaching Guidelines adopted at Abuja during the last Moon Sighting National Conference and the JNI annual pre-Ramadan meeting.

"Similarly, scholars should fear Allah the Most High and utter that which is in accordance with the Qur'an and Hadith, during all Tafseer sessions. "Indeed Ramadan is a month of self restraint, patience and dedication to the service of Allah; therefore, we must collectively do so to earn Allah's blessings and forgiveness in this blessed month".

Eggon Community Association elects new national officers From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

he Eggon Cultural Development Association (ECDA), at the weekend elected new officials to run the affairs of the association, following the dissolution of its former executive council. In an election that held at the Chris Abashi Tourist Resort in Endehu, Akun development area of Nasarawa state, over 200 delegates took part in the national convention of the cultural association, which led to the emergence of a new executive council that would handle the affairs of ECDA. In a welcome address, electoral committee chairman at the convention, Adams Makka Nangba, outlined the process of the election, stressing that there is

L-R: Chairman, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Oyo state Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, and former Ekiti state Governor, Chief Niyi Adebayo, during a condolence visit to the governor over the death of his mother, on Saturday at the Government House, in Ibadan.

Kaduna farmers get $6.2m World Bank assistance From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

he World Bank has disbursed a total sum of $6,222,389.80 to farmers in Kaduna under its agriculture intervention fund, through the Kaduna State Commercial Agriculture Development Project (CADP). About 88 registered farmers Commodity Interest Groups (CIGs) across the 23 local government areas of Kaduna state are beneficiaries of the fund, out of a total of 241 CIGs, as at April 31, 2012. According to the CADP Project Coordinator, Malam Dalhatu Mustapha, who gave the figures at the weekend, the beneficiaries cut

across the three value chains, maize, fruit and dairy. He noted that the monetary disbursement represents about 23.6 percent achievement from the intervention support being given to small and medium scale commercial farmers in the state. According to him, "124 CIGs under Maize Value Chain, 11 under dairy and five for fruit value chains have so far indicated interest for the intervention of the project on workbulls, threshing machines, improved seeds, fertilisers, insecticides, pesticides among other things, as support by the project. "With intervention by the project, awareness creation and technology demonstration, there has been an

increase in yield for maize from an average of 2.2 MT/Ha to 3.75 MT/ Ha which has made the quality of maize taken to the market significantly improved. "The project has also successfully linked maize commercial farmers with three up-takers namely, Nelmaco, Ugo Farm and Green Doral, being agents of Nestle and under fruit development, there is an increase in yield of jumbo guava and other new improved seedlings including citrus and mango which were introduced to the farmers. "On dairy development; 25 calves recorded under Artificial Insemination (AI) carried out by the Project to 86 cows proved successful."

nowhere in the constitution of the association that allows for the setting up of a caretaker committee. Also, in a valedictory speech, the outgoing national president of ECDA, Alhaji Zakari Kigbu, who is now the federal commissioner representing the state at the National Population Commission (NPC), reviewed the activities of the association since 2003 when he was elected, saying that together with the National Representative Council (NRC) of the association, they have carried out laudable projects while doggedly protecting the constitution of ECDA. After the entire exercise, Akpalakpo A. Namo, emerged national president, Ibrahim Aza, secretary general and John Kigbu as treasurer.

Police supplies e-mail address for crime fighting

he Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar has approved the release of a new e-mail address to enable the public communicate directly with him on issues relating to crime. The address is policemonitor@npf.gov.ng. This was contained in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by Mr. Frank Mba, the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer. The statement advised that the address should be strictly used for the purpose for which it was meant. The statement said the address could also be used to report cases of breach of public peace and information on ongoing investigations by the police and other security agencies. According to the statement, other information that the public can use the address to provide are comment on matters relating to

national security, especially when such matters have direct bearing with the activities of the police. It should be used "to report the conduct of police personnel or the conduct of personnel of other law enforcement agencies involved in corrupt and other forms of unlawful acts. "To commend members of the force for acts of gallantry or other forms of exemplary or exceptional conduct displayed in the course of their duties. "To report cases or incidents of electoral offences or other matters related thereto. It appealed to potential users of the email to ensure the authenticity of their information. The statement stated that the information provided through the medium would be treated with confidentiality, adding that the anonymity of providers would be respected. (NAN)

Germany-Nigeria sign MOU for 60 megawatt solar energy in Kano From Edwin Olofu, Kano

ano state is to benefit from a 60 megawatt solar power plant under a project of Nigeria-Germany Energy Partnership, coordinated by the National Energy Council. The Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Energy Partnerships, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Njidda, revealed

this during a visit to the governor of Kano state, stating that the project was borne out of the desire to tap the abundant solar energy especially in Northern Nigeria, for development purposes. "We discovered that for us to have energy, we should not wait for the future gas line backbone, that is supposed to come from Calabar to Kano because we do not know how long it will take

for that particular project to materialise as has been envisaged in the gas master plan project of the country," the Senior Special Assistant to the president asserted. He explained that it was because of this that the National Energy Council and the NigeriaGerman Energy Partnership came up with the project, which is based on scientific investigation that substantial solar radiation is

in abundance in all the Northern states. Alhaji Ibrahim stated that initially, the project was a pilot one, consisting 30 megawatts solar plant for each of the selected states of the federation, adding that because of the solar energy abundance, every state seemed to be interested in it. He however explained that based on a meeting with the governor of Kano state earlier, it

was reasoned that Kano needed two power plants with a total capacity of 60 megawatts, so as to stimulate economic growth of the state by creating employment, business opportunities and income generation. In his remarks, Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano state promised that his administration would do its best in meeting shared obligations toward actualising the project.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

Welcoming Ramadan

ast Friday millions of Muslims around the world began the Ramadan fast following the sighting of the new moon the previous evening in many parts of the world including Nigeria. Fasting in the month of Ramadan is the fourth of the five pillars of Islam enjoined on all able adult Muslims. Exempted from the fast are the very old and the insane. Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are menstruating, pregnant, or nursing are permitted to break the fast, but must make up for the number of days later in the year. Qur’an chapter 2 verse 183 says "O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) selfrestraint". Again, verses 185 and 186 of chapter 2 say "The month of Ramadan is that in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, with clear signs for guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if anyone is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (should be made up) by days later". The literal meaning for the Arabic word "sawm" is "to refrain", not only from food and drink, but also from evil actions, thoughts and statements. Ramadan is therefore a period for the purification of our bodies, minds and souls. It is a time to be more Godfearing, learn piety, self-discipline

and patience. It is also a time to give more charity, be more charitable and generous. In addition, the month of Ramadan is a time to seek Allah's forgiveness and to forgive each other. In essence, it is the month of prayers, charity, piety, and, above all, introspection and self-reassessment. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, the lessons of the month of Ramadan seem always lost on us, as the nation

“

Unfortunately, in Nigeria, the lessons of the month of Ramadan seem always lost on us, as the nation appears to sink deeper into the morass of criminality, corruption, bad leadership and general worldliness appears to sink deeper into the morass of criminality, corruption, bad leadership and general worldliness with more vengeance every passing year. All its teachings appear to go with it at the end of the period. It is a sad commentary on the quality of leadership in the country that our situation has become such that the past is always recalled with nostalgia against the present, and the future inspiring no more hope than the present. It is also a sad statement on

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

our moral values that the prices of foodstuff, fruits and other essential commodities always skyrocket with the approach of the Holy month of Ramadan with the situation lasting up to its end. This, at a time when we should seek all and every means to please our creator to earn His pleasure, mercies and bounties; instead, we sacrifice all on the altar of transient profit at the expense of our fellow beings. The harvest of security woes we are reaping as a result of the activities of religious bigots, militants, armed robbers, kidnappers and sundry criminals is without doubt the function of the total loss of moral values and direction on the part of both the leadership and the led. Killing in the name of religion, kidnapping for ransom and militancy for mundane considerations should have no place in a decent society. But these are especially the child of the rampant and nauseating corruption that has come to define leadership at all levels in the country. The arrival of the month of Ramadan at this most trying time for the nation could not have been too soon. Muslims should seize on the occasion to not only pray for peace in the country, but extend a further hand of friendship and brotherhood to fellow citizens of other religious faiths. More importantly, our leaders should change their old ways of doing things and put the nation first and always. Ramadan Kareem to Muslims around the world.

OUR PEOPLE

OUR VISION

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

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

HEAD, ADVERT/MARKETING HUSSAINI ABDULRAHMAN, CNA

ACTING EDITOR, WEEKEND RICHARD IHEDIWA

GM PUBLICATIONS ABDULAZEEZ ABDULLAHI

HEAD, LAGOS BUREAU ADESOJI OYINLOLA

MANAGER, ADMINISTRATION HASSAN HAMMANYAJI

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

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

By Emmanuel Onwubiko

buja is passing through the worst period of her political life since it assumed the status of the Federal Capital Territory with the movement from Lagos of all major Government offices, Diplomatic offices and other international bodies in 1992 under the former military President General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. Abuja residents are currently buffetted by several man-made problems brought about by poor political administration by the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory even with two ministers in place namely Senator Bala Mohammed and his minister of state- Miss. Olajumoke Akinjide, the daughter of the second Republic Federal Attorney General and Minister of Justice Chief Richard Akinjide,[SAN]. Miss. Akinjide spends more time in Ibadan, Oyo State playing local politics by distributing sewing machines and/or small loans to members of her Peoples Democratic Party[PDP] than doing her task in the nation’s capital which explains why the satelite towns are collapsing by the day. Refuse dumps have all but taken over the area councils and the electd local authorities are busy moving around major hotels in Abuja having good times. The minister of Abuja Bala Mohammed is also engrossed with the local politics of Bauchi State thereby neglecting the bulk of his functions as the minister in-charge of Abuja. In the last one year, Abuja has unfortunately assumed the notorious position as one of the major flashpoints of occasional terror-related violence and there is no clear cut pro-active strategy by the Federal Ministers in-chargeof the affairs of the Federal Capital to effectively galvanize the citizenry to check the spread of By John Ainofenokhai

am not surprised that former Governor of Edo State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for eighteen months, Professor Oserhiemen Aigberaodion Osunbor, has not been able to demonstrate to the world that he has the capacity to rise above political parsimoniousness. The truth is that he cannot do it (I will prove that shortly) and this is the tragedy of the man whose tenure was suddenly terminated by the Court of Appeal on November 12, 2008 to pave the way for the takeover of the reins of governance by Adams Aliu Oshiomhole of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Rather than show gratitude to the political structure that brought him out from the academia and made him what he has become in the ecology of politics in Edo State by doing all within his powers to sustain the structure, Osunbor has consistently played the game of treachery to undermine it. In a piece I wrote before the July 14 governorship election in Edo State entitled: “Edo

PAGE 13

Abuja property tax and politcal terrorism violence and terror-related attacks through community policing. The FCT ministry is not known to be engaged in any enlightenment activities/ advocacy programes on vigilance and need for security consciousness among the residents making use of the numerous print and electronic media present in Abuja. Only few weeks back, some persons of the terror underworld suspected to be members of the Islamic armed insurgents detonated powereful improvised explosive devices[IEDs] in the ThisDay newspaper office in Jabi. The terrorists followed it up with two other explosions in Wuse two near the popular night club by Glo office and also near Barnex plaza although no life was reportedly lost but the police operatives only arrived some minutes after the dastardly acts of terrorism had happened. Worst still, days after, no single arrest has been made by the police but the police commissioner regaled the residents with the cock- and- bull stories of how the suspected terrorists threw the explosive devices under the car and another police version said the bomb was planted on top of a tree. By and large, the kind of security arrangement we have in Abuja is the same if not even worst than the version that is replicated virtually everywhere whereby the operatives of the security community are never proactive and totally deficient in sound intelligence gathering

cameras and other sophisticated state of the art security facilities that would have been installed in strategic parts of the nation’s capital. The opaque nature of award of defence related contracts which most times fall short of the global best practices and the provisions enshrined in the Bureau For Public Procurement Act thereby making it impossible for non-state actors in the organized civil society community to gain access to information related to the procurement or otherwise of these vital facilities said to have been purchased by the Federal

Assembly for the administration of the nation’s capital has spectacularly abandoned this constitutional obligation to introduce effective checks and balances that would ensure that security infrastructure meant for installment in Abuja and other security flashpoints are actually procured and installed. Apart from the formidable presence in the media of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory for the purposes of political propaganda, most Abuja residents are completely unaware of any innovative actions of the current Abuja administrators to up the ante of

governorship and Osunbor’s danse macabre,” I had adverted people’s attention to the fact that Osunbor was deeply engrossed in a political macabre dance by pandering to the attraction of filthy lucre and narcissism. I had posed the critical question as to who would save Osunbor from himself and that was because he had gone too far in the pastime of vindictiveness and the blame game which he now charges some PDP leaders with after playing emu in the grand conspiratorial alliance with Oshiomhole, in the governorship poll, that largely did the PDP in. In a publication in some national newspapers (see Vanguard, Thursday, July 19, 2012, page 11), Osunbor had reportedly said “Edo guber election result didn’t surprise me.” He had tenuously claimed that the PDP lost the governorship election on

February 25 when the party leaders allegedly manipulated the primaries that produced the candidate of the party: Charles Airhiavbere. He had even tried to attribute to himself some selfimportance when he said, “those whose mission at the primaries was to disgrace Osunbor have themselves been disgraced without any exception. They made a costly mistake and should take responsibility for PDP’s woeful performance…. So long as the party remains in the hands of vindictive, unforgiving and self-centred leaders, who endlessly engage in self glorification yet could not win their wards, PDP seems doomed in Edo State.” I disagree with his implicit proposition that his candidature would have swung victory for the PDP in the governorship election. For someone who came last (fifth

position) in the primaries of the party, how else did he want to be told that he had been rejected by the structure that threw him up. His rejection by elements within his party was an indication of the greater rejection he would have suffered in the hands of the Edo electorate for understandable reasons. His claims were thus unfounded; otherwise, if he knew he was popular and could win on his own merit and/or performance in office, why did he not seize the platform of another party to pursue his governorship ambition? But he would remain in the PDP to work against it from within. This was a patently callous and ungodly act by someone who is the greatest beneficiary of the party in Edo State. Those who are very familiar with the politics of Edo State PDP and the emergence of Osunbor

mechanism to stop terrorists in their tracks before they strike. There has been no transparent audit of the security infrastructure in Abuja even when several billions of tax payers fund are reportedly expended in the procurement of the so-called short circuit

Government and the Federal capital Territory administration under the authority of the Federal minister Bala Mohammed and his counterpart, the minister of state Miss Olajumoke Akinjide. The National Assembly that lawfuly ought to act as the state

“

If even babies can hear the cry of other babies why is the authority of the Federal Capital administration so insensitive that it has embarked on the current satanic venture of imposing property tax on the poor which is similar to introducing political terrorism to Abuja?

developmental process from where the last notable minister of Abuja Malam Nassir El’Ruffai left it since after the passage of the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration. We now have an administration in Abuja that is so colourless,completely unconcerned about the improvement of the social well being of the residents of the nation’s capital through the provision of basic social amenities to enhance meaningful livelihood. Take for instance, there is no where within the municipality whereby pedestrian bridges are built for the use of thousands of civil servants and other Abuja residents during the transaction of their legitimate economic, social and religious activities thereby exposing a lot of people to the hazards of being run over by hit-and-run automobiles especially the commercial vehicle operators who have indeed killed dozens of pedestrians while they [pedestrians] were attempting to cross over to the opposite sides of the major Highways in Garki Area three Junction, Wuye Junction and the MaitamaMpape Road. Talking about the issue of high insecurity and crime rate in Abuja, the administration has not thought it wise to set up effective security mechanism like the establishment of Neighbourhood Watch and the strenghtening of the community policing project to Continued on page 14

Edo governorship: Oserhiemen Osunbor’s gobbledygook

as the party’s governorship candidate know that he was gratuitously handed the party’s governorship ticket in 2007 because former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was then in the saddle, insisted he should be given the ticket. Otherwise, Odion Ugbesia (now a senator) would have emerged as the party’s candidate; and, even if Ugbesia were not to be in the race, Professor Julius Ihonvbere looked good to trounce Osunbor as he did in the February 25, 2012 primaries (Ihonvbere came fourth). After he emerged as candidate in 2007, other aspirants campaigned for him. Ihonvbere played a leading role in his campaign, tending to the reputation of his campaigns in the media. Osunbor has greatly benefitted from the largeheartedness of the party and its Contd. on page 15

PAGE 14

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

Azazi, NEXIM and sycophancy Ike Willie Nwobu

zazi does not deserve a defence from me. But my opinion is not about defending him but about the ministry and department of sycophancy or eye service. For the information of NEXIM management, anybody, institution or office has a mandate to report any fraud or misgiving or wrong done in any office in Nigeria. Let it be known that the people factor in security, corruption and defence remains a major power index in fighting corruption. I did write in my previous contribution published in Leadership and Peoples Daily that security has transited from National Security to National Resilience. As a citizen of Nigeria, indeed the enlarged population should be encouraged to report fraud, alert on fraud, investigate and complain on fraud, as well as ensure that fraud is prosecuted. Therefore the office of the National Security Adviser has the obligation, right and

empowerment to go after any purposes, General Azazi is a four- Nigerian Armed forces is an elite institution, system or person star general. I might not like it as armed forces with royal involved in fraud. If that office is he may not have deserved it, but tendencies and manifestation, not involved, who should be? he is one. Azazi has been the Chief which did not grow out of f r e e d o m Corruption fighting. It is a b r e e d s system. That is terrorism. the Armed Corruption forces General b r e e d s Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text Azazi had the injustice, messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written rare privilege of w h i c h contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 commanding. ultimately and words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and He may have in turn breeds a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed failed in his terrorism. to: responsibility or I am not perceived to a c c u s i n g have failed. That N E X I M The Editor, is left for people, management Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, institutions and of fraud, but I 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. posterity to do not accept Email: let ters@peoplesdaily-online.com judge, but one their malice, SMS: 07037756364 cannot erase his bitterness, elevation, status organized abuse and insult against General of Defence Staff, Chief of Army and protocol from history. To begin to address him as Azazi, and the office of the National Staff, National Security Adviser, Security Adviser in a most rude and even at one point Director of Mr, as if he never earned that and crude manner. A public Military Intelligence GOC 1 ST position, was in bad taste, out of ignorance and an extreme form institution like NEXIM is abusing division of the Armed Forces. His positions of the Chief of of disrespect for the government a public office and constituted authority. In their previous Army Staff, Chief of Defence Staff, of Nigeria and in fact our advise General Azazi was and National Security Adviser is democratic values. Again, that addressed as Mr. Azazi. For record of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. the MD did not have conviction

WRITE TO US

of his mind to oppose him remains a major discouragement and disappointing demeanour of our public officials. I do not care about Azazi, but he or any others must look up, stand up to any official who has berated or ridiculed his office and tell him the truth. Will the NEXIM MD and his army and pool of defence be man and strong enough to write and criticise Azazi if he were still the NSA? That is the boot-licking and sycophancy that we have come to live with, but which should not be at all encouraged. That is the reason I greatly appreciate Mallam Sanusi of the CBN. Even if he is pretending, he is doing it convincingly. That is why I appreciate and welcome ElRufai, as well as Tinubu, Buhari and a host of others. To wait till the exit of Azazi as the NSA before exposing his evil and mischief is the height of irresponsibility and the disaster called today’s management. Mr Orya in my opinion is neither a manager nor leader but a survivalist. He does not need Continued on page 15

Abuja property tax and politcal terrorism Continued from page 13

ensure that the threats posed by armed hoodlums are brought to minimal level and/or eradicated. If you doubt my assertion please move around the town from 12 am till the early morning from say Wuse two to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport I can bet you that you would not be accosted by any security operatives to inquire about your movement in these unholy hours of the night and yet we beat our chest proudly and go about identifying Abuja as the nation’s capital whereby everything works. We are indeed living in denial. The unfortunate bomb explosions that shook the nation’s foundation like the attacks at the United Nations House and the Nigeria Police Force Headquerters in Abuja have all but already forgotten and the political authorities of the nation’s capital have not learnt any lesson on how to keep these dangerous terrorists away from the nation’s capital. The other day, the operatives of the Nigerian Civil Defence that recently secured the approval of the National Assembly to carry arms and ammunitions, to reported to have publicly embarked upon the hypocritical prayer and fasting project to ask God to intercede and save Nigeria from terrorists. How can the security of the nation’s capital and the Country at large be run only on divine intervention even when several billions are budgeted and released as security votes? Why is the authority of the Federal Capital Territory gambling with the lives of the citizens of the Federal Capital Territory by paying lip service to the all-

important issue of security? Why are the ministers silent on the reason why the security sanctity of Abuja was violated by armed hoodlumds on several counts since last year? Why for instance has the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria not reprimanded the federal minister of Abuja for the spectacular failure of security in the nation’s capital which has resulted in the several bomb attacks and other heinous terror-related attacks that have successfully taken place here? The only places that receive maximum security protection through manual processes are the highbrow areas where the elite live, the Five star hotels and selected Federal Government offices and the State House but the rest of us who are neither Government top officials or rich enough to pay for five star accomodation can perish for all that the Government of Abuja under the ministry of Federal capital Administration cares. Did the President of the Federal Republic not delegate the responsibility and duty of administering Abuja to the holder of the office of the minister of the Federal Capital Territory administration? Why was it reported that the minister allegedly spent over N300 Million to renovate a Mosque in Bauchi State and the President who told us that he cares about the effects of corruption and economic crime is not publicly known to have reprimanded the minister for the alleged abuse of public office or where else did the minister get the huge cash that he allegedly spent to renovate a Mosque in his home state of Bauchi and if the story is mere fabrication why has the Minister of the Federal Capital not deemed it necessary to refute it since even some amorphous

political mushroom groups have reportedly backed him for allegedly spending this massive amount of cash that even the richest living black businessman Alhaji Aliko Dangote can not spend in one fell swoop? What is Abuja becoming with all the dirts littered around major streets and the entire place stinks? Do we really have a serving minister who is sincerely commited to doing what is right and just to run Abuja in a transparent and open manner without resorting to the use of mushroom groups to attack constructive critics who brave the odds to point out the missing links in the developmental process of Abuja? Now to the new kind of political terrorism which the ministry of the Federal capital Territory Administration has introduced with the active connivance of the Senator David Mark-led Senate whereby Abuja residents would be compelled to cough out more rents because the landlords will henceforth pay property tax. Can he, the Senate President please reply to the widespread alegation that his daughter was made one of the high ranking officers of the current Abuja political administration the moment his former colleague Senator Bala Mohammed was named a minister after he [David Mark] alongside the Senators passed the widely accalimed DOCTRINE OF NECESSITY which necessitated the emergence of the current head of state as Acting President in the prolonged absence of the now deceased President Umaru Musa Yar’adua? If it is true that Senate President’s Daughter allegedly benefitted in the sharing of political spoil of offices by the current minister of the Federal Capital Territory, is it

possible that this may be one of the grounds that soften the position of the Senate in approving the obnoxious property tax even when it is on record that the previous sessions of the Senate rejected this very bill when the previous ministers repeatedly presented it to the upper chamber of the National Assembly? Is it true that almost all the Senators are big time landlords in Abuja who owned chain of commercial estates and choice buildings rented by Government offices and therefore will benefit from the introduction of the so-called property tax since that would open the dare-devil avenue for them to review upward the current astronomic house rent regime in the nation’s capital? This property tax is the worst political terrorism and banditry which must be discontinued and it is hoped that President Jonathan would caution his minister of Abuja to desist from imposing obnoxious tax regimes on the poor inhabitants of the Federal Capital who are already facing adverse hardship from the satanic demolition exercise whereby the administration officials of Abuja under the directive of the minister Bala Mohammed are removing houses of the poorest of the poor in such places like Mpape, Karimo, Duruimi so that the rich Senators and other members of the elite can grab these landed assets and erect structures to exploit the poor further. Why is the administration of the nation’s capital not thinking of social welfare schemes such as building low cost houses to be sold to real poor persons who dominate the civil service and

the informal sector in the nation’s capital but is hurrying to destroy the structures set up by these poor and neglected citizens of Nigeria? Can organized civil society group publish a list of property and laded assets belonging to the members of the National Assembly so that Nigerians can see that the property tax is selfish and self serving? This property tax that has just been introduced in Abuja defies all logic because it is targeted at further impoverishing the poor and if Government complains that it is not getting enough from taxation what has happened with the valued added tax paid regularly by consumers on goods and social services? Is Government of the Federal Capital administration so insensitive that it now wants to impose this added hardship on the poor without the faintest plan to introduce a scheme that would benefit the poorest of the poor? Daniel Goleman in his book on Social Intelligence wrote that; “Virtually from birth, when babies see or hear another baby crying in distress, they start crying as though they too are distressed....” If even babies can hear the cry of other babies why is the authority of the Federal Capital administration so insensitive that it has embarked on the current satanic venture of imposing property tax on the poor which is similar to introducing political terrorism to Abuja? Emmanuel Onwubiko, Head, Human Rights Writers’ Association of Nigeria, writes from www.huriwa.blogspot.com.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

By Ifeanyi Nwabugu

he new petroleum Industrial Bill as approved penultimate week by the Federal Executive Council FEC represent an important document in the management and operation of the Nigeria oil and gas industry in Nigeria .The draft bill which was crafted and harmonized from different versions of the bill (Executive ,Senate and House) by senator Udo Udoma led seven-man special PIB task force set up by the minister of petroleum resources Mrs. Diezani Allison Madueke on January 18 this year presents a significant window of opportunity to further redress decades of secretive and ineffective management of oil and gas sector which has impoverished Nigerians rather than being a blessing. Though oil exploration commenced in 1958 after its discovery in 1956 at Oloibiri , a sleepy community in Bayelsa state, yet no comprehensive law or legislation has been put in place for the administration of the industry . Succeeding government in Nigeria has had to grapple with hand out and pieces of ad- hoc legislation that best suit not only their purpose for administrative conveniences but also that of foreign companies who often dictates the terms of contracts and operations . The new PIB therefore seeks to repeal the existing 16 petroleum Acts and replace them with an all encompassing Acts that provides Contd. from page 13

leadership that launched him into political limelight by sponsoring him to the Senate in 1999 and 2003 as well as the governorship outing in 2007. I had expected that he should have been very grateful to the party and its leaders rather than bashing them. This goes to show how greedy he is for power. Is he the only person in the party? But I have always maintained that his decision to abandon the party by supporting Oshiomhole was foolish and morally indefensible. It shows how puerile he is politically. It is on record that his attitude in office as governor was not even salutary to the wellbeing and unity of the party in the State. Rather than build harmony,

PAGE 15

Fastracking the new petroleum industry bill for better fiscal and regulatory management of the oil and gas sector. The new petroleum Industry Bill is therefore an attempt to bring and harmonize under one law various legislation , instruments , institutions and conflicting policies that has govern the petroleum Industry in the country . Highlights of the draft bill among others is the unbundling of the octopus called the Nigeria National Petroleum corporation NNPC which has been the epicenter of corruption in the country and the proposal to end gas flaring in the nation oil and gas operation by the end of December 2013. The bill provides for full commercialization of NNPC and creation of other institutions that will ensure restructuring for improved efficiency . The bill also intends to establish rules ,guidelines and procedures that will ensure good governance transparency and accountability in the management and exploitation of oil in the country . Its target is therefore to introduce operational and physical guidelines for efficient management of revenue to

enable Nigerian government to retain a higher proportion of revenue accruing through oil industry . The new bill provides a comprehensive document towards domesticating our oil and gas sector , the bill though not exhaustive just like any other human document it suggest an ambitious and integrated guideline in revolutionizing the sector which presently is the major cash cow of the Nigerian economy . The interest of the host communities were also factored in as it compels the oil major and government to plough back 10% of its net profit towards the development of the community. This pales into significance especially when one considers that the orgy of restiveness in that region is as a result of criminal neglect of the area by both the government and oil companies . The plank and all this idea has been on the drawing board for decades thus raising fear that lack of political will and vested both in government and among the operators in the industry has combined to stall every efforts that has been made in that direction by various succeeding government in Nigeria . The

Continued from page 14

investments in the Nigeria petroleum industry. To date, most of the oil companies have ceased investments in the sector until there is clarity as to what provisions will be contained in the final Bill and how it will affect the industry. With the rise of other attractive petroleum industries in Africa (Angola, Ghana, etc), Nigeria must understand that investments are fungible and will eventually flow to alternative countries that are more receptive. Lastly, the recent 2012 efforts to deregulate the downstream sector creates an opportunity for lawmakers and other stakeholders to push for the swift passage of this Bill. The PIB Petroleum Industry Bill has been touted as the most important legislative document of President Jonathan’s administration so far, as it is expected to establish the legal and regulatory framework, institutions and regulatory authorities for the Nigerian petroleum industry; and establish guidelines for the operation of the upstream and downstream sectors, and for purposes connected same .

Edo governorship: Oserhiemen Osunbor’s gobbledygook Osunbor’s desperate attempt to build a new structure in the party which would bolster his re-election, precipitated turmoil. He had used the instrumentality of his position as governor to destabilize the party. He was so committed to the process of wresting the control of the party from the leaders so that he would become the de-facto leader of the party. The PDP and even Osunbor himself have not fully recovered from the outcome of that disastrous enterprise.

Having squandered the opportunity of acting as a binding force for the PDP by allowing unbridled aspiration for a second term in office and desperation to control the party machinery to consume him, I had submitted that my expectations were that Osunbor should have maintained a low profile to allow the passage of time to heal the wounds he had inflicted on himself and the party instead of rushing out in a bid to contest the governorship on the party platform.

national security. If he has to continue changing or firing National Security Advisers and service chiefs every year or quarter to get us out of this mess, that is his responsibility, but Azazi should not be elevated to a position, influence or authority he hasn’t gotten. Look at the appointment of the IGP and the involvement of his confirmation. That is a powerful office. Look at the CBN and the status of his appointment-another powerful office. The NSA has influence, but not authority. The occupant of

that office, like the days and time of General Gusau, is contributory and is both an enhancer and an energiser, and that is of course because of his experience, outreach and contact across the nation and globe. He is also a man of extreme patience, deep and reflective. He commands obvious support, knowledge and skill, using his army of friendships and his compelling influence to solve problems, challenges and commitments. Ike Willie Nwobu can be reached at ikewillienwobu@yahoo.com

Azazi, NEXIM and sycophancy

that extreme of exposures. Azazi has finished with his efforts as the NSA. For the love of Mike, we have serious crisis at stake beyond Azazi. He is not the true issue of Nigeria at the moment. He cannot be and therefore does not deserve all the attention showered on him, neither does he merit it. We never elected Azazi as president, senator or Governor, or even local government chairman. He was an appointee of the president, who sacked him, so Jonathan must be held responsible for the failure of our

purpose of the bill is not intended to wrestle operational or exploration power from the oil majors as erroneously circulated but rather to make Nigeria and Nigerians a competitive stakeholders and an equal alliance with the foreign oil companies which will equally offers an opportunity for Nigerian oil firms to benefit from the transfer of technology from their foreign oil company counterpart, after all Nigeria is a sovereign nation and PIB present an important opportunity for Nigerians to exert its sovereignty in the management of its oil and gas sector . The bill also established guidelines for operations both in the down stream and upstream sectors. In fact , stakeholders ,civil society groups and organized labor leaders have argued that the new Petroleum Industry Bill is a landmark opportunity to herald a new era of reform in the oil and gas industry that will maximize Nigeria’s vast potential, restore transparency and facilitate a thriving industry and overall economy. Failure to pass the PIB they say will lead to a reduction of

He was no doubt deluded into believing that he was popular and that his little achievements (de-silting of drainages and renovation of some roads) in office would speak for him. But Oshiomhole for whom he had worked against his own party (PDP) had said consequent upon taking over from him (Osunbor) in 2008 that he did not leave behind any legacy. And it is quite sad that Osunbor, a Professor of Law and two-term leader of the PDP, would, perhaps, without the slightest prick of conscience, dump a party that has made him all that he is today in the political sphere. It is even sadder how Osunbor attempted to rationalize the tragedy of his abandoning the PDP and its candidate. Read him: “Oshiomhole has promised to finish the projects I started while in office, including the ones in this community. He has promised to sink more boreholes, and complete the construction of the road I started in Iruekpen. Oshiomhole is a nice person. Outside politics, we are friends. He has even bought me a jeep just like the one he used as his official car. The governor has

never said anything against my person….” (THISDAY, Wednesday, May 30, 2013, page 12). I wondered if that was the bait that the comrade governor used to “destroy” him (Osunbor) completely politically. What was a jeep to Osunbor? What was he doing with the jeeps he had before? This sadly shows, perhaps, how unreasonable and isolated Osunbor has become in the environment of PDP politics. As I wrote before, I had expected Osunbor to engage in a conversation with himself (monologue), with the party (dialogue) and seek to retrace where the rains began to fall on him with a view to working towards reconciliation with the elements that he wronged when he was in the saddle. This attitude would have projected him as a great politician with his eyes on posterity. But unfortunately, he has allowed egocentricity to shear him of political reasonableness. This is indeed sad! With this obvious anti-PDP disposition, Osunbor has simply made it clear that he is no longer in the PDP and the party should take note. Ainofenokhai contributed this piece from Benin City.

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

Minister tasks new board members on efficiency By Josephine Ella

he newly inaugurated board members of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) agencies and parastatals have been charged to bring to bear their wealth of experience and expertise in the day-torunning of their respective agencies and parastatal in order to move Abuja to the next level. The FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed gave the charge at the weekend, during the inauguration of the board members at the Federal Capital Development Authority( FCDA) Conference Room, Central Business District, Abuja. While commenting on the caliber of Nigerians, cutting across all the nooks and crannies of the country appointed into these Boards, he enjoined them not to look at themselves as representatives of their states of origin but that of a new Nigeria. Senator Mohammed reiterated that the way things are done must be changed to conform with internationally acceptable standards to fast track the actualization of Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan. He reiterated that the boards were being inaugurated to fast track development within institutional framework to ensure efficient service delivery to the residents of the FCT and Nigeria at large. The minister said that the agencies and parastatals with management and supporting

•••Vows to protect rights of Abuja natives staff are responsible for the day to day running of the organizations; while the boards are to provide direction and innovations that will improve the lots of the agencies and parastatals. He emphasised that with the new land swap initiative policy of his administration, where members of the Organized Private Sector will be playing significant role, the

rights of the natives especially as it concerns resettlement and compensation will be accorded very high priority. In her welcome address, the FCT Minister of State, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide said this initiative by the administration was to assure both residents and investors of the territory that the government was more than ever prepared to open new

frontiers and imbibe new techniques of doing things within the 8,000 square kilometers of the territory. Akinjide also charged the new boards’ Chairmen and members to see their appointments as a call to national duty and urged them to support President Jonathan in defending the country’s hard earned democracy and sustain our unity as a country.

31-year-old bus conductor, Martins Agbo of Dutse-Alhaji, Abuja has been arraigned at an Abuja Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly assaulting an officer of

wali farmers are to partner with the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria for improved seedling, aimed at improving farmers’ productivity in the area. The Head of Agricultural Department in the council, Alhaji Alhassan Ibrahim disclosed that

he Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has disclosed plan to reconstruct Kugbo Furniture Market to boost its revenue generation from the market. According to the Supervisory Councillor for Special Duties in the council, Mr. Sunday Alabi, said that the AMAC chairman, Hon. Micah Jiba has expressed concern over deplorable condition of the market and therefore, promised to effect immediate structural adjustment in the market for optimal service delivery. Alabi disclosed that the council was putting finishing touches on its last plan to effect the needed changes in the market for the benefit of all traders and the council. He assured that the council is doing all that was necessary to ensure that the upgrading of the market take place in no distance time without cost to occupant of the market.

By Kerem Kurugh

T Fashipe Mary Nifemi, a female mechanic caught in action at the Area 3 Total filling station, on Saturday in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

the Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC) on his duty post. The Prosecutor, Sani Ibrahim told the court that the case was reported at Utako Police by Behora Justine of FRSC, Abuja on July, 19, 2012 The complainant said on that

same date the accused obstructed him from discharging his lawful duty. He alleged that the accused also punched him on his face, adding that as a result he sustained injury. Ibrahim said that the offence contravenes Section 267/269 of the

Penal Code. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty of the charge. Magistrate Fatima Malo granted him bail in the sum of N50, 000.00 with a reliable surety in like sum, adjourning the case to a later date.

Kwali farmers seek partnership with ABU for improved yield By Adeola Tukuru

By Adeola Tukuru

Driver jailed for smashing fellow’s windscreen

Bus conductor in court for assaulting FRSC officer By Kerem Kurugh

AMAC to rebuild Kugbo furniture market

this move has already been made known to the agric department of the University and they are waiting for the approval and fund to execute the projects in the council. Ibrahim, who stressed the important of early distribution of fertilizers to farmers in the territory, explained that the council has already acquired

some plots of lands to enable it provide additional support through promotion of various farming types and techniques for better harvest. He noted that the council intends to begins first, with some already marked plot that belong to registered farmers so that farmers from other places could cue in with what they do for

onward promotion and projection of farming activities. According to him, the council has already provided three tractors, which are already working on the proposed land for the expected projects because it is intend to begin immediately for the common good of both the farmers and the council in general.

he police have arraigned a 35-year-old driver, Gambo Ahmed before an Abuja Magistrate’s Court for allegedly smashing the windscreen of an S class Mercedes Benz car valued at N35, 000.00. Police Prosecutor, Sani Ibrahim told the court that the case was reported at the Utako Police Station by one Bamali Umar of Zone 5, Wuse, Abuja on July, 20, 2012. According to the prosecutor, the complainant said on that same day without provocation the accused, residing at Apo zone ‘B’ Abuja, jumped on his car and smashed his windscreen. Ibrahim said during police investigation, the accused person confessed to the offence as charged. Asked by the court why he should not be convicted and punished, the accused said it was a mistake, claiming that the complainant had attempted to hit him with the car in question. The Chief Magistrate, Fatima Malo in her ruling sentenced him to one month imprisonment with an option of fine of N500 and also ordered him to pay the complainant the sum of N35, 000.00 as compensation or serve an additional four months imprisonment.

PAGE 18

Painter accused of stealing mobile phone By Kerem Kurugh

32-yewar-old painter, Samuel Emmanuel of Mabushi village has been arraigned at the Abuja Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing a Nokia phone value at N45, 000.00. Police Prosecutor, Sani Yusuf, told the court that the case was reported at Mabushi Police Station by one Comfort Oboh of Mabushi village Abuja on July, 7, 2012. According to the prosecutor, the complainant said on that same date, she kept the handset inside her room and left Samuel in her sitting room, only for him pick the handset. The accused however, denied the allegation. Magistrate Vera Tom Tukura granted him bail in the sum of N50, 000.00 with one reliable surety and must reside within the jurisdiction of the court. She adjourned the case of July, 25, 2012.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

District head cautions FCDA against demolition of 19 villages By Adeola Tukuru

he District Head of Karmo, Alhaji Ibrahim Ishaku has warned the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) over its proposed demolition of 19 villages in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) stating that such step is a calculated attempt to punish people who are the original

natives of the FCT. In an interview with newsmen at the weekend, Ishaku said that the Federal Government ought to have provided adequate infrastructure for the people, particularly the FCT natives rather than planning to demolish their houses. He pointed out that demolishing houses of residents would make life very unbearable. The district head debunked the

allegation making around that traditional rulers sell lands to people who are not natives to raise illegal structures, saying it is the government that sell land to none indigenes. He said within his jurisdiction adequate measures have been put in place to ensure regular check of illegal structures put up by none-indigenes and indigenes. According to him, when such is discovered, he usually orders

for their immediate demolition as soon as possible. Ishaku, who called on his subjects to be law abiding and patriotic, also warned them against any act that could bring about break down of law and order in the area. He advised them to make sure that suspicious movements by people are promptly reported to the law enforcement agencies.

Mararaba chief calls for okada ban

he Chief of Mararaba Gurku, Mr.Gambo Allahyayi has urged the Nasarawa state Government to ban the operation of commercial motorcyclists popularly called Okada in the community. Allahyayi, who made the call while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the weekend in Mararaba, accused the Okada riders of sometimes engaging in criminal acts such as kidnapping and bag snatching. “We have told this people to form a union so that we can identify a leader among them who can be held responsible for any unlawful activities of the riders. “Without a union, even when an Okada rider is accused of something you do not know where to channel your complaint;, it has become an all comers affair because no one is controlling them’’, he said. Allahyayi attributed the persistent traffic jam in Mararaba to the increasing number of Okada riders. “They cause unnecessary obstruction because of their recklessness,’’ he said. The traditional ruler also commended the District Police Officer (DPO) “A” Division Mararaba for the deployment of patrol team to check the excesses of criminals and other undesirable elements. He advocated for more stringent measures against the Okada riders, saying, “I would want the state government to ban its use in the city or at least restrict their activities,’’ Allahyayi said.(NAN)

You can't cheat nature; popcorn seller taking a nap, yesterday in Apo, Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Group vows to tackle disunity, killings from root By Josephine Ella

pan-Nigeria movement, the Association of Stakeholders for National Unity (ASNU), was at the weekend launched in Abuja towards tackling the perennial problem of disunity, religious intolerance, killings and ethnic hatred in the country. Based in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the nongovernmental organisation has 10 founding members representing Nigeria’s geographical and sociocultural diversity. Speaking at the unveiling ceremony which took place at the

Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Utako, Abuja, the Coordinator of the association, Mr. Nosike Nasir Ogbuenyi said that its cardinal objective is the promotion of unity of all Nigerians irrespective of religious, ethnic, cultural and geographical diversities. He therefore, vowed that the organisation would do it best to tackle the problems that threaten Nigeria’s unity such as religious intolerance, killings and ethnocentrism from their root causes by inculcating positive attitudinal change in Nigerians. According to him, members of the association were determined to

change the mindset of Nigerians for the better, adding that ASNU would ally with like-minds and groups with similar objectives to educate and persuade the nation’s deviant citizens to refrain from their extreme positions, views and beliefs which threaten the unity of the country. The Coordinator pointed out that being a diverse country with multiple religious and language groups, there are bound to be occasional suspicions naturally among Nigerians of different backgrounds. However, he said ASNU was eager to work in concert with relevant authorities and other

stakeholders to find a lasting solution to these problems confronting the nation and threatening its existence. Ogbuenyi emphasised that as an NGO, the association’s role shall be primarily civic and complimentary. “In the course of implementation of our programmes, we shall be interfacing with willing individuals, groups, culture groups, companies, faith and ethnic organisations, ministries, departments, and agencies with similar aspirations and objectives. We are not in doubt at all that the task of uniting and blending Nigerians into a compact unit is not a cakewalk,” he said.

Suspect arraigned over theft of N15, 000 cell phone

suspect, Yemi Lawrence, 32, of Gishiri village in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has been arraigned before an Abuja Senior Magistrate’s Court in connection with a stolen N15,000 cell phone. The Police Prosecutor, Abdullahi Adamu told the court that on July 13, 2012 one Edna John of Wuse Zone 7, Garki, Abuja, reported the

case to the Wuse Police Station. Adamu said that on July 13 at the Federal Civil Service Commission, the accused dispossessed the complainant of her Nokia C3 cell phone valued at N15,000. “The complainant raised an alarmed which led to Lawrence’s arrest, ’’ he said. The prosecutor said the offence

was contrary to Section 287 of the Penal Code. But the accused person said he found the phone in question on the floor. “I saw the phone on the floor and they said I am a thief; I need time to enable me inform my lawyer,’’ he told the court. Senior Magistrate Vera Tom Tukura said the accused seemed to

have a counsel, who was not in court. She, therefore, granted him bail in the sum of N15,000, and a surety in the like sum. Tukura said the surety must be a civil servant, who resides within the court’s jurisdiction. She adjourned the case to August 1, 2012 for hearing, and ordered the counsel of the accused to appear on that date. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

PAGE 17

Fruit sellers waiting for patronage, yesterday in Garki, Abuja.

This faulty pick-up van poses security risk, on Tuesday at the entrance of Area 1 Federal Secretariat, in Abuja.

Two young women hawking banana, yesterday at the entrance of Garki market, in Abuja.

A young man packs sand for sale on the road, yesterday in Area 7, Abuja.

A middle aged man searching for valuables, yesterday in Area 2, Abuja. Photos: Justin Imo-Owo

BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

Email: amunuimam@yahoo.co.uk

PAGE 19

INSIDE

- Pg 20

China to launch interbank gold market

Mob: 08033644990

New owners of PHCN successor firms emerge October ….as Transcorp, others go for Ughelli power station Stories by Abdulwahab Isa

he 17 new owners of successor companies to be created from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) would be made public on or before October 23, 2012 through announcement by the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), Bureau of Public Enterprises said yesterday. The NCP announcement precedes the opening of financial bids of prospective investors slated between September 25, 2012 and October 10, 2012, BPE announced these in a statement by its Head, Public Communications, Chukwuma Nwokoh. The bureau also revealed identities of the 25 bidders that met the July 17, 2012 deadline for the submission of technical and financial proposals for the privatisatisation of power stations across the country. Ughelli Power Plc which is the most attractive to bidders recorded nine potential investors meeting up deadline; Sapele Power Plc was next with six bidders and Shiroro Power Plc had the least number of bidders with one potential investor. Giving further breakdown, BPE said Geregu Power Plc had four bidders; Afam Power Plc three potential investors; and Kainji Power Plc with two bidders. The bidders for Ughelli Power Plc are Feniks Electricity; NPG Consortium; Delta Utility Company Ltd; Transcorp & Woodrock/Symbion Power/ Medea/PSL/Thomasen; and Botad/GE/13M Power Consortium. Others are Danglobe Consortium; Amperion Power Distribution Company; Ethiope Energy and Taleveras Group. Foby Energy; Proton Energy Consortium; Ogorode Power Ltd; CMEC/Eurafric Energy Ltd; Dateline Power; and JBN/Nestoil Power Services Ltd are the bidders for Sapele Power Plc. The four bidders for Geregu Power Plc are Knox J & L Energy Solutions Ltd; Plainfield Universal Technologies; TES Power Ltd; and Amperion Power Distribution Company Ltd. For Afam Power Plc, the bidders are Primeniza Energy Ltd; Skipper Nigeria Ltd; and NPG Consortium. The two bidders for Kainji Power Plc are Marubeni Corporation and Mainstream Energy Solutions Ltd. The sole bidder for Shiroro

Power Plc is North-South Power Co. Ltd. It would be recalled that the revised timeline had July 17, 2012 as deadline for receipt of technical and financial bids from the potential investors. The thermal power generating companies slated for privatisation are: Ughelli Power Plc – situated in Delta area in South-South region of Nigeria with a total installed capacity of 972 MW; Geregu Power Plc- situated in Kogi State in North Central Nigeria with a total installed capacity of 414 MW; Afam Power Plc comprising of Afam I-V power stations located in Rivers State in South-South Nigeria with an installed capacity of 776 MW; and Sapele Power Plc located in Sapele, Delta State in South-South Nigeria with an installed capacity of 1020 MW. The hydro power generating companies are: Kainji Power Plc comprising Kainji Power Plants and Jebba Power Plants located in Niger and Kwara States respectively in North-Central Nigeria; and Shiroro Power Plc located at the Shiroro Gorge, Niger State in North-Central Nigeria. The Potential bidders/

Minister of Power, Prof. Bart Nnaji concessionaires for the generating companies, who should be existing local and/or international power generators or investors with power generators as long-term technical partners, will be responsible for operating the stations, improving the generation capacity and making the necessary investments in line with the objectives of the Federal Government of Nigeria set out in

the National Electric Power Policy (NEPP.) The next stage of the privatisation exercise is the harvest of the bidders’ technical and financial proposals which has July 31, 2012 as deadline for distribution companies. The transaction timeline reveals that the evaluation of the technical bids will take place between August 14 and 28, 2012.

The National Council on Privatisation (NCP) will approve the results of the technical evaluation on/or before September 11, 2012. The deadline for the shortlisted bidders for generation companies to submit their letters of credit is September 18, 2012 while October 2, 2012 is for shortlisted bidders for distribution companies.

CBN moves to enhance mobile payment system

etermined to instill confidence in the Nigerian payment system, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is currently collaborating with the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) to provide insurance cover for the mobile payments in the country. Consequently, in the event of any unforeseen circumstances during transit by the operators, the customers’ interests will be protected so as to realise the

full value for their money. An Assistant Director, CBN, Samson Olusola, who represented, Titus Oladipupo Fatokun, Director, Banking and Payment department, made the disclosure at the recent seminar for financial journalists in Akure. “CBN is collaborating with NDIC to provide insurance cover for mobile payments. You know, the money belongs to the customers and it is that money we want to protect, so

CFA • £ RIYAL $

20th July, 2012 BUYING 0.2704 188.7246 239.2742 41.2965 154.87

SELLING 0.2904 189.9432 240.8192 41.5631 155.87

PARALLEL RATES £ RIYAL $

BUYING 243 43 154

SELLING 257 45 159

under bank- led, bank-focused and non- bank-led models. Preparatory to the full implementation of the initiative, the bank had earlier approved the regulatory framework for mobile payments services in Nigeria which addresses technology security, operational and customer protection issues,” Fatokun said, in his paper titled: ‘Cash-less policy as a vehicle to achieve financial inclusion’.

Management Tip of the Day

EXCHANGE RATES

CBN

that when anything happens along the line, customers’ money will be safe,” Fatokun said. He acknowledged the challenges currently being encountered by customers, adding that it will take some time for the impact of the CBN appointed operators to be felt. “CBN had given commercial licence to 15 mobile payments schemes operators to launch mobile payments services in Nigeria

Conduct an Informal 360°

he most effective leaders identify their strengths and then decide which ones to develop further. To do that, you need to have a clear view of yourself. If your company doesn’t offer a formal 360review process, you can conduct your own informal one by asking your colleagues the following questions:

“What are my strengths? Have them start by thinking in broad buckets such as character, getting results, or leading change. Then have them identify specific traits. “What are my fatal flaws? Ask them to identify which traits could cause you to fail in your current position. “Which of my strengths is

most important for the company? Inquire as to which of your abilities- if it was truly outstanding- would have the biggest impact on your company. “What works best for you? Ask each person which strengths they value most. Source: Harvard Business Review

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS

FG inaugurates technical committees on investment

he Federal Government has inaugurated two technical committees to tackle problems militating against doing business in Nigeria.

Continental Re strategic plan targets geographical expansion

ontinental Reinsurance plc (CRe) has announced a gross premium income of N11.647 billion at the 2011 financial year, similarly to N11.645 billion recorded in 2010.

UBA Foundation re-affirms commitment to empowering African youths

s part of its resolve to give back to the society in which it operates, UBA founded the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of the United Bank for Africa Foundation, as the company re-iterated its commitment to rekindle the dwindling reading culture among African youths through on-going specialised projects targeted at empowering African youths.

Nigeria, Pakistan to seal pact on SME Development

he Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, through its private sector window, approved on 18 July 2012 in Tunis, a senior loan of •57.5 million to the Coder Hydropower Project for the design, construction and operation of two run-of-river hydro projects in Ngounie Province and North Gabon. The project consists of two runof-river hydroelectric power plants, a 70 MW plant in the Ngounie Province and a 52MW plant in north Gabon. Despite a high electricity access rate of up to 83 percent, the Gabon electricity sector still faces frequent electricity shortages and blackouts resulting from high

AfDB supports Gabon renewable energy sector with •57m loan urbanization. Gabon’s current power shortages hinder the country’s economic and social growth, making it a high governmental priority to revitalise the electricity supply and lower electricity prices. The government’s goal is to increase generating facilities from 373 MW to 1200 MW by 2020. The current electricity production is split about 50:50 between hydro and diesel oil and Gabon also want to cut environmentally unfriendly and

FIIRO complements FG’s efforts on cassava bread production

he Director-General/CEO of Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO), Gloria Elemo, has complemented the efforts of the Federal Government on the cassava bread project, saying that the cassava industry has the capacity to generate over 3 million jobs to reduce the rate of unemployment in Nigeria.

It is also expected to help catalyze an additional 300 MW of hydro development in the next few years, out of Gabon’s total hydro potential of 5,000 MW. The planned electricity generation of this plant is expected to save 530,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year. The AfDB is not only a senior lender with this senior loan of •57.5 million, but also the arranger on the debt side from Development Finance Institutions. (Source: AfDB)

Interbank rates rise on NNPC cash withdrawal

nterbank lending rates climbed to an average of 15 percent this week, compared with 14.33 percent last week, after large cash withdrawals by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), flows to bonds and foreign exchange purchases drained liquidity. Market liquidity closed negative this week after NNPC recalled over N200 billion ($1.24 billion) from some lenders to its central bank account, shrinking liquidity to a negative opening balance of about 12 billion naira on Friday, traders said. NNPC supplies the bulk of dollars traded on the interbank foreign exchange market and usually withdraws a portion of the naira proceeds to its account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The Federal Government also sold N75 billion worth of bonds ranging from 5-year to 10year maturities on Wednesday and $500 million at the biweekly forex auction, soaking naira liquidity from the system and forcing an increase in the cost of borrowing among banks. The secured Open Buy Back (OBB) rate rose to 14.75 percent, compared with 13.50 percent

last week, 2.75 percentage points above the central bank’s 12 percent benchmark rate, and 475 basis points above the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate. “We are expecting the release of budget allocations to government agencies by next

week, which should raise the liquidity level in the system and help lower cost of borrowing in the Interbank,” one dealer said. The CBN’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is scheduled to announce its interest rate decision tomorrow and analysts expect the committee to hold

rates at 12 percent for the fifth time in a row. Traders also said yields on government debt are expected to edge lower this week, as expected budget allocations to state agencies could raise demand for treasury bills. (Reuters)

Inflation rises ahead of interest rate decision

igeria’s consumer price inflation rose marginally in June, statistics showed on Wednesday, supporting expectations that the central bank will hold interest rates steady at 12 percent this week. Consumer price inflation rose to 12.9 percent year-onyear in June, up from 12.7 percent in May, while food price inflation eased to 12 percent year-on-year from 12.9 percent in May, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said. “(CPI) change could be partly attributable to persistent increase in the prices of some farm produce such as yam tubers as well as the increase in the electricity

he Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) is poised to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) of Pakistan, in areas of cluster development and capacity building for SMEs.

costly diesel power generation. The project, with a two-year completion target, will provide electricity to the national grid as well as providing security of supply to rural areas. The completion of this project is crucial for Gabon as it will allow the country to boost its economic growth. The main development outcomes stem from the addition of 122 MW of renewable energy will increase the current national production capacity by about a third.

Inflation rates from Jul, 2011 to Jun, 2012 Max = 12.9 %, Min = 9.3% for period in display. Current Inflation rate = 12.9 % Source:CBN

tariff,” an NBS document said. Core inflation, which excludes volatile agricultural produce, remained stubbornly high, rising to 15.2 percent year-on-year, up from 14.9 percent in May. The Central Bank of Nigeria wants consumer price inflation in single digits but has accepted

that the headline figure is likely to peak at around 14 percent later this year. The regulator in May kept its benchmark interest rate on hold at 12 percent for the fourth meeting running, citing the need to balance inflationary concerns with slowing economic growth.

China to launch interbank gold market

hina is set to launch interbank gold trading at the end of next month amid a broader set of banking reforms, in a move that has the potential to boost demand for bullion in the world’s largest consumer. A spokesman for the Shanghai Gold Exchange confirmed that the exchange “has this plan” to create an interbank gold market and was working with other government agencies to do so, but declined to disclose details of how the new market would function. Interbank gold trading would be an incremental step in China’s broader banking liberalisation, which aims to

Earnings Report for Banks Source:Pro-share Nigeria

modernise the country’s banking sector and includes recent moves such as giving banks more freedom to set deposit and lending rates. “This will be a good thing . . . to add a new trading method and make it easier for banks to trade gold between themselves,” said Gu Wenshuo, spokesman for the Shanghai Gold Exchange. The exchange will announce more details in August, he added. China is the world’s largest bullion market, accounting for a quarter of global demand in the first quarter of this year, according to the World Gold Council, and strong consumer demand for gold has been driven by the lack of other investment options in the country’s closed capital market. China is also the world’s biggest consumer of many metals, including copper, lead and gold. In an effort to raise China’s profile in global trading, the Shanghai Futures Market will launch the country’s first dual-currency commodity futures contract, for crude oil, later this year. The contract will be open to foreign traders through a quota system that will set an upper limit on their positions. (Source: Financial Times)

PAGE 21

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

We’ve embraced capitalisation, expanded our retention capacity – MD, Niger Insurance

nsecurity has been a source of challenge for insurance business and other businesses in the northern part of the country. Can you tell us how you manage to cope? Just like in any other business, we have had our challenges there, but we are still coping; it hasn’t been entirely bad. When the attacks gets too much we ask our staff to close office for a while then we re-open again. We cannot run away from a particular part of the country; we are sure government is on top of it and they are still promising us and we are striving. There are quite a number of opportunities in the insurance market; one is takaful insurance, which your company has been part of, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) says is not going to be a product because it may require giving a specific license before operators can go into that. How do you intend going about it? I have answered the question before now, when I said that we are toeing the line of the NAICOM, and of course we will like to remain a responsible practitioner in the country; so, we have no choice than to toe the line of the regulator. We were one of the early initiators of the takaful insurance product and the practice has been transformed over and over. What NAICOM is doing now, we have gone beyond that; but we are always willing and open to accept whatever directives the regulator say it wants to give us to ensure that within the public we are always better off in terms of the benefits of these products. The participation of Nigeria’s firms underwriting aviation risks is still low. Are you comfortable with this development agianst the back drop of recent air disaster in the country? As you are aware, aviation

INVESTORS NEWS BEAT

NSE market Dr. Justus Clinton Uranta is the Managing Director of indices Niger Insurance Plc. In this interview with Ngozi Onyeakusi records 1.03% in Lagos, he spoke on some important issues in the insur- growth ance sector and equally disclosed strategies employed for achieving a successful financial performance. Excerpts:

MD Niger Insurance, Dr. Justus Uranta insurance is a capital-intensive business. Everything in the business boils down to having sufficient capacity and being able to carry these risks. Up till recently, we are talking about N2 billion, N3 billion in terms of capital base; in aviation, oil and gas and huge marine cases; Nigerian operators were more like post offices because our capital base is very low, and you cannot carry a risk that can swallow you when like 10 per cent of claim occurs, but I thank God that we are building capacity increasingly, to the extent that we can boast of being able to pick some percentage of these risks across the oil and gas industry, especially now that we are being encouraged by the local content policy. Last year, NAICOM paved way for increased participation of local players in underwriting of oil and gas insurance business through releasing of guideline on how the business should be conducted. How prepared is your company to explore the

opportunities made available the local content policy? We have embraced capitalisation, and also expanded our retention capacity in terms of our outreach. In the past, where we used to have like 10 per cent, we have set up to 20, 25 per cent as the case may be, so that we’ll be able to play well under this advantage that have been given to us. So, we are continuously reviewing and improving on our retention capacity in terms of our reinsurance. That is what we are doing to play effectively in order to take advantage of the local content exposure.

oes your company have unclaimed dividend, if so, can you tell us the figure? On the issue of unclaimed dividend, that one has become a national problem and the definition of this unclaimed dividend is left with the professional accountants to tell us. As we speak today, the government and we operators are still working to settle what constitutes the unclaimed dividend. For us, we look at it differently, if a shareholder has not been able to take advantage of a dividend, maybe there is insufficiency of information or there is wrong addressing, there are some many factors that lead to that and when these are left with the bankers, to them, it is an advantage. Well, I cannot give you the figures we have here now because it is a continuous thing. But our provision, in terms of stockholders are handling all that. Going by the figure presented by the Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA)

as the sectors’ volume of business written for the financial year ended 31st December, 2011, stood at N200 billion, Are we likely to achieve a N1 trillion mark by December 2012 as forecasted by the commission at the birth of its Market Development and Restructuring Initiative (MDRI)? Well, I like to see that achieved because it will improve my bottom-line, but remember it just a forecast. At that time they said N1 trillion, a kind of challenge to the practitioners that they should work harder and take advantage of that if it can improve to N1 trillion it is better for your pocket, but we are in July, we have not gotten to December, from now till December something can happen and we can get there. Seriously speaking, all the insurance companies are working hard to reach there. Here, we have a department that is taking care of that and every insurance company has done so.

ou were able to record an improved financial performance within this period in spite of the ‘no premium, no cover’ policy. Can you please tell us your strategies? You know, the law is made for us, and we are trying to adapt to the law but the issue of how we achieved the improved performance is simple; we started by cutting down our cost without looking at ‘no premium, no cover’, because they said if you don’t have money, you reduce your cost, if you reduce you cost, you will see some possibilities coming up and this is what we did. But the issue of ‘no premium, no cover remains applicable.

rading activities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Friday ended on a positive note as some major blue chips equity recorded price gain.

Global debt yields sink to record lows

overnment debt yields slid to records from the U.S., Canada to the U.K., France and Germany as concern the global economic recovery is slowing fuelled demand for assets considered most safe.

CBN sells N96b T-bills as Naira gains

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sold N95.56 billion in threemonth and six-month treasury bills on Friday, as strong demand pushed yields to their lowest level in seven weeks.

S&P assigns B+ rating to Access Finance note

ating agency Standard and poor’s (S&P) have assigned a ‘B+’ rating to the proposed senior unsecured notes to be issued by Access Finance B.V.(not rated) ,a special purpose entity of Access Bank Plc.

In’Genius showcases investment ideas to potential investors

I Source:Pro-share Nigeria

n’Genius - the Nigerian global youth organisation promoting innovativeness and creativity amongst Nigerian youths recently gathered the crème de la crème of the society from both the private and the public at a gala night last weekend in Lagos where it showcased the top 10 ideas developed by Nigerian youths.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

PAGE 22

Dangote Group to recruit 2,000 into drivers academy By Aminu Imam

L-R: Leader of delegation, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Power, Alhaji Ibrahim Njiddah, Bauchi state Commissioner for Power and Energy, Mr. Yakubu Bello, and Chairman, Helois Energie German, Mr. Richard Selles, during the signing of MoU for inkil 30mw solar power project, on Friday in Bauchi. Photo: NAN

SON seizes millions of naira fake products in Abuja

By Abdulrahman Abulraheem he Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) raided major markets in the FCT over the weekend, seizing fake and sub-standard goods worth millions of naira. The organisation had earlier given a two-week ultimatum to traders in the country to remove sub-standard products from their shops or face the wrath of the law. SON’s enforcement team led by the Director, Human Capital Development, Mr Paul Angya, took the battle to Dei-Dei International Building Materials Market and the Maraba Building Materials Market near Abuja. The team seized sub-standard items like cables, electric bulbs, iron rods, roofing sheets, among other building materials for test to prove the claims of their sellers that they were original products. The team also sealed shops

where the fake items were being sold. The exercise lasted for about seven hours, in spite of a down pour and hostility exhibited by the traders. Speaking to reporters after the exercise in Mararana, Angya said the exercise was in fulfilment of SON’s two-week ultimatum to the traders. “What we are doing today is to implement the ultimatum we gave them two weeks ago, the campaign is going to be sustained; there is no time limit to it.” Angya said that the products seized would be destroyed while items like iron rods and roofing sheets would be tested and if found to be sub-standard would be destroyed. One of the traders at Mararaba Market, Mr Chukwudi Eze agreed that some traders were truly dealing in sub-standard

products, saying the campaign to rid the markets of such products was in order. He, however, expressed hope that products found to be original after testing would be returned to the owners. Earlier in Dei Dei, Angya said: “We have done our surveillance before coming here (Dei-Dei market) as you can see that there are many shops in the market, but we went straight to those identified to be selling substandard products and it is going to be a continuous exercise across the six geo-political zones of this country.” He appealed to Nigerians to assist the agency in its efforts to eradicate sub-standard products in the country, particularly by patronizing only the products that have the Nigeria Industrial Standard (NIS) certification mark in the case of locally made products and SON mark for foreign products.

that the forum slated for 20th to 21st September, will attract multi-trillion dollar investment into the sub sector. “We believed that at the end of the forum, some trillions of dollars of investment will roll in, and we are confident that substantial amount of both local and foreign investors will be attracted,” he stated. The Chairman said the expectation is to have substantial domestic and foreign direct investment in the oil and gas free trade zone especially in Onne because just only about 30 per cent of the place is occupied. “As we are talking now, there about 150 companies operating

within the zone just occupying only 30 percent of the area and we want it to be 100 percent occupied. “We are also expecting participants from both within and from various countries “We also look forward to participation from the oil and gas state governors in Nigeria and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)” he stated. Adejuwon said the objectives of the two-day event included showcasing the success story of Onne Oil and gas Free Trade Zone, attracting investment to other Free Trade Zones in Nigeria and promoting Public Private Partnership (PPP).

FG to attract multi trillion dollar investment to free trade zones By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

he Federal government plans to hold a two-day oil and gas trade investment forum in Onne, Rivers state. The Director of Trade in the Ministry of Trade and Investment, David Adejuwon who disclosed this in Abuja on Friday, said this is part of government’s efforts to increase domestic and foreign direct investments in the oil and gas free zone in the country. Adejuwon who is also the Chairman, organizing committee of the 2012 Nigeria Oil and gas investment forum (NOG-Invests 2012), hoped

n line with its policy to create opportunities for gainful employment for the teeming jobless youths in the country, Dangote Group is set to recruit about 2000 Nigerians into its Academy to fill its transport division needs. The scheme, which will revolutionalise the road transport sub-sector of the economy, is designed to improve the professionalism in the transport division of Dangote Industries Limited by engaging graduates and other educated Nigerians as drivers after months of training. The recruitment, which will be conducted by Dangote Academy, a centre of excellence for talent development in Dangote Group, will see physically fit graduates in several disciplines being shortlisted for the training to be jointed undertaken by various agencies dealing with road transportation. According to the Group’s spokesman, Tony Chiejina, “The Academy seeks to provide the talent pipeline for the Group while filling the industrial skillgap in Nigeria. As a result, the

Ministerial meeting on African aviation safety rounds up in Abuja By Muhammad Sada

declaration which reaffirmed the need to implement national, regional, and continent-wide strategies on aviation safety in the African continent with a view to promoting air transport as a mode of transportation which enhances Africa’s development and integration has been made after a four day interactive session in Abuja. The declaration otherwise tagged as the Abuja declaration on aviation safety in Africa was made after four day meeting between all African ministers of aviation as well as some transport ministers, heads of civil aviation organizations and various stakeholders, on how to sanitize the African aviation sector in all aspects and also to enable it to reach global standards. The African ministers unanimously, after considering the importance of aviation safety in air transport industry development worldwide and its impact on the national economic development particularly in Africa, decided to make up their minds on ensuring that aviation is brought up to its highest level in the continent. The meeting was declared closed on Friday under the chairmanship of the Angolan transport minister, Augustine Da Silva Thomas.

Academy just initiated a project called: “The Drivers Academy”, which aims at recruiting and training 2,000 Nigerian graduates to become professional heavy-duty vehicle drivers for the newly established Super Fleet of the Group. “It is hoped that this initiative will assist to uplift the operating standards in road transport industry, promote entrepreneurship and open up various career opportunities.” He explained that Dangote Academy would be partnering the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria to offer intensive training programme to successful candidates on safe and defensive driving, as well as basic vehicle maintenance and upkeep. Dangote Academy was established as part of efforts to strengthen and develop the nation’s industrial sector. The first phase of the academy saw young, talented and craft-oriented National Diploma (ND) holders exposed to intensive, practical training and skill acquisition in various technical areas for a period of 12 months, starting from its cement plant at Obajana in Kogi state.

Ghana announces more oil discovery

he state-owned Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) on Friday announced that another oil discovery had been made in the West African state. It said in a statement issued in Accra that the Wawa-1 exploration well, located in the DeepwaterTano (DWT) Block offshore Ghana, discovered 20 metres (65 feet) of gas-condensate column and 13 metres (42 feet) of oil. Samples of oil recovered from the well indicate that it was of “high quality of API values of between 38 and 44 degrees”. GNPC said pressure data indicated the Wawa discovery was separate and distinct from the adjacent Tweneboa, Enyenra and Ntomme (TEN) cluster of discoveries. 25It said further evaluation of this well would be conducted after which the well would be suspended for possible future use in appraisal and development operations. According to the Director of Exploration and Production at GNPC, Thomas Manu, “The Wawa discovery is a confirmation of the prospectivity of the offshore Western Basin.” “The discovery has enhanced the value of the TEN (Tweneboa, Enyenra and Ntomme) complex, for which the plan of development is currently being discussed among the partners.” He hinted that further exploration drilling is planned within the block before the end of the year.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

PAGE 24

PAGE 25

Freed slave who penned sarcastic letter to old master after he was asked back to farm T

he photograph, scratched and undated, is captioned ‘Brother Jordan Anderson’. He is a middle-aged black man with a long beard and a righteous stare, as if he were a preacher locking eyes with a sinner, or a judge about to dispatch a thief to the gallows. Anderson was a former slave who was freed from a Tennessee plantation by Union troops in 1864 and spent his remaining 40 years in Ohio. He lived quietly and probably would have been forgotten, if not for a remarkable letter to his former master published in a Cincinnati newspaper shortly after the Civil War. Treasured as a social document, praised as a masterpiece of satire, Anderson’s letter has been anthologized and published all over the world. Historians teach it, and the letter turns up occasionally on a blog or on Facebook. Humorist Andy Borowitz read the letter recently and called it, in an email to The Associated Press, ‘something Twain would have been proud to have written’. Addressed to one Col. Patrick Henry Anderson, who apparently wanted Jordan to come back to the plantation east of Nashville, the letter begins cheerfully, with the former slave expressing relief that ‘you had not forgotten Jordon’ (there are various spellings of the name) and

Scathing: Former slave Jordan Anderson (left) wrote a satirical letter in 1965 to his old master after he was asked to return to work for him. He wrote the letter with the help of Valentine Winters (right) were ‘promising to do better for me than anybody else can’. But, he adds, ‘I have often felt uneasy about you’. He informs the colonel that he’s now making a respectable wage in Dayton, Ohio, and that his children are going to school. He tallies the monetary value of his services while on Anderson’s plantation $11,608 - then adds, ‘we have concluded to test your sincerity by asking you to send us our wages for the time we served you.’

Turning serious, he alludes to violence committed against women back in Tennessee and wonders what would happen to his own family members. ‘I would rather stay here and starve - and die, if it come to that - than have my girls brought to shame by the violence and wickedness of their young masters’. He asks if there are schools now for blacks. ‘The great desire of my life now is to give my children an education, and have them form virtuous habits,’ he writes.

Workplace: A house in Lebanon, Tennessee sits on land once part of a plantation where Anderson was a slave to Col. Patrick Henry Anderson. In 1865, Col. Anderson sold the estate for a pittance to get out of debt

Then he signs off with a swift, unforgettable kick. ‘Say howdy to George Carter,’ he says, ‘and thank him for taking the pistol from you when you were shooting at me’. Anderson’s words, a timeless kiss-off to a hated boss, also are a puzzle: How could an illiterate man, newly released from bondage, produce such a work of sophisticated satire? After the letter resurfaced online earlier this year, along with questions about its authenticity, The Associated Press sought answers. From documents compiled by the AP and in interviews with scholars, Anderson emerges as a very real person and the very real author of his story — though, from the beginning, it was reported to have been ‘dictated’. His letter is an outstanding, but not unique, testament to the ability of slaves to turn horror into humour. ‘The sly irony is very much in the Mark Twain style,’ Twain biographer Ron Powers said of the letter, especially the request for unpaid wages. ‘Whammo.’ ‘It is that wonderful combination of serious thought and satirical chastisement,’ said Yale University history professor David Blight, who loves to read the letter during a lecture class on Reconstruction. ‘It represents so many definitions of freedom —

dignity, access to education, family. And in the end, it also meant wages.’ According to available records, Jordan Anderson was born somewhere in Tennessee around 1825 and by age 7 or 8 had been sold to a plantation owned by Gen. Paulding Anderson in Big Spring, Tenn. Patrick Henry Anderson was one of the general’s sons and, by the mid-1840s owned Jordan and other slaves. Jordan Anderson married Amanda McGregor in 1848 and they had 11 children. Union troops camped on the plantation, and Jordan was freed in 1864 by the provost marshal general of the Department of Nashville. Roy E. Finkenbine, a professor at the University of Detroit-Mercy who is planning a biography of Anderson, thinks it’s likely Jordan was given to Patrick (born in 1823) as a playmate and personal servant when they were young. According to the 1860 slave schedules in the U.S. Census, Patrick had five ‘slave houses’ totaling 32 people - 19 males and 13 females. While the schedules don’t list the slaves by name, there were two men, ages 34 and 35, who would have been about the age Jordan was in 1860. Finkenbine says Jordan appears to have been the oldest male slave of working age, and that might be why the plantation owner was so eager to entice him back.

Many of the slaves had fled, and Anderson was mortgaged to the hilt. ‘Harvest is coming on. Jordan’s a guy who’s played... sort of a quasi-managerial role in the past,’ Finkenbine said. ‘And if he can convince this guy to come back, here’s a guy who can not only maybe get the harvest in, but convince some of these other slaves that have gone… get them to come back and be workers on the plantation. It’s kind of his last-ditch effort to save it.’ But he doesn’t save it. In September 1865, Finkenbine says, Anderson sold the

nearly 1,000-acre estate to his attorney for a pittance, in an apparent attempt to get out from under his crushing debt. Just two years later, Patrick Henry Anderson died at the age of 44. That’s what’s known of the famous letter’s recipient. What of its writer? Jordan Anderson’s collaborator — to whom he reportedly dictated the letter — was a Dayton banker named Valentine Winters. An abolitionist who once hosted Abraham Lincoln at

his mansion, Winters regarded the letter as excellent propaganda, according to Finkenbine. It was originally published in August 1865 by the Cincinnati Commercial, a paper with Republican leanings. Jordan probably made his way to Dayton with the help of Winters’ son-in-law, Dr. Clarke McDermont, the surgeon in charge of the Cumberland Military Hospital in Nashville, where Jordan and Mandy worked for a time, says Finkenbine, who places Jordan and his family in Dayton by August

Desperate: It is believed Col Anderson, who owned the land where the plantation stood, pictured, appealed to Anderson as his other slaves had abandoned him

Death of him: Two years after the sale, Col. Anderson died at the age of 44. He is buried in Lebanon, Tenn

Proud: Jewell Wilson sits with his wife, Estella Wilson, at their home in Dayton, Ohio. Anderson spent his last 40 years in the state after he was freed from the plantation by Union troops in 1864

1864. Anderson became an employee and tenant of Winters. McDermont expressed concern for the former slaves working as nurses and orderlies and laundresses at the hospital. ‘And he actually writes back and forth to both his father-in-law and some of the other abolitionists in Dayton, saying, ‘Can you raise money for these people? Can you send clothing for these people?”’ Finkenbine said. Anderson’s letter comes right out of the life he had survived. From the insanity of slavery, he and others developed a deadpan, absurdist take that revealed their feelings to one another and hid them from their masters. ‘Slaves had to be guarded as to what they said because they would be punished if caught critiquing or

offending the master class thus they developed sophisticated forms of indirection and other forms of masking,’ said Glenda Carpio, a professor of African and African-American studies at Harvard University and author of Laughing Fit to Kill: Black Humor in the Fictions of Slavery. Anderson’s letter is special in part, Carpio says, because it was written down. Until late in the 19th century, when Joel Chandler Harris’ Br’er Rabbit tales were first published, slave humor was essentially an oral tradition. And while newspapers sometimes printed letters to former masters, Finkenbine notes, few were ‘so challenging’ as Anderson’s. The letter was soon reprinted by Lydia Maria Child in her Freedmen’s Book, used by schools in the South for former slaves. Finkenbine says he has found instances of Anderson’s letter appearing as far away as Switzerland. Notes on some of these publications state that Jordan dictated the letter verbatim to Winters and that Winters is the

one submitting it for publication. In a 2006 speech at a conference on slavery reparations, historian Raymond Winbush retold the story of Anderson’s letter. He also revealed that he had tracked down some of Patrick Henry Anderson’s descendants, still living in Big Spring. ‘What’s amazing is that the

current living relatives of Colonel Anderson are still angry at Jordan for not coming back,’ knowing that the plantation was in serious disrepair after the war, said Winbush, director of the Institute for Urban Research at Maryland’s Morgan State University Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Investigation: Roy Finkenbine, from the University of Detroit, holds a print showing Jordan Anderson. Finkenbine is planning to write a biography of the remarkable former slave

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

Mother of boy, 5, who has eaten his own bedroom seeking funding to safe-proof room By Tom Goodenough

he mother of a boy with a rare condition meaning he can't resist eating his own bedroom is seeking support to pay for an inedible room for him. Zach Tahir, who suffers from Pica Disorder, has chewed his way through carpet and plaster. And now the five-year-old's mother Rachel, who lives in Salford, has launched a campaign to safeproof his room after becoming increasingly concerned about her son's welfare. The aim of the 'Giving Zach a Safe Future' fundraising campaign is to help build a £15,000 speciallyadapted extension at the family home at The Mead, Weaste. It would be equipped with a special mattress and a washroom for Zach, who is also autistic and cannot speak. Their drive - which is aimed additionally at raising awareness of the condition - is being supported by a number of soap stars. The fundraising campaign has been backed by Coronation Street stars including Kym Marsh and Ryan Thomas, as well as Torchwood actor Paul Copley. Rachel, 32, who also has a twoyear-old daughter, said she has been overwhelmed by the support. 'The campaign is really getting some momentum now.

Mother Rachel, pictured with her son Zach Tahir, who suffers from a rare disorder meaning he has eaten most of his own bedroom 'The support the cast (from Coronation Street) have given has really helped get (the campaign) noticed.'

As well as building a new extension at their home, Rachel also hopes to install a camera so she can monitor her son throughout the

Some of the loose plaster in Zach’s bedroom which the youngster has been eating

Soap stars Kym Marsh, left, and Kate Ford, right, have also lent their support to the campaign to raise awareness and fun a new safe-proof room for the five-year-old

Actor John Henshaw is also supporting the efforts to help build a £15,000 extension for the five-yearold

night, when his unusual eating habit is at its worst. More than £3,400 has already been raised through fundraising events including a sponsored walk and car boot sale. Another five-mile sponsored walk from Selfridges at the Trafford Centre to Exchange Square in Manchester city centre will take place on next Sunday. Designer clothes chain Aspecto has promised to match the amount raised on the day if it reaches £7,000. Rachel said: 'After an overwhelming response and the generosity of friends, family and the public, I am delighted to say that Salford council have kindly agreed to build the extension on our house to create Zach's safe room. 'We thank the council for their understanding and I'd now like to

use the money raised already and any forthcoming money to purchase the necessary sensory and safe equipment for Zach. 'None of this could have been achieved without the support of local people and we thank you unreservedly.' Other Weatherfield actors getting behind the fundraising campaign include Jennie McAlpine, Michelle Keegan, Brooke Vincent and Michael Le Vell. Support on social networking sites has also taken off with a host of other celebrities supporting Zach through his Twitter account, @ZACHgzasf. They include Looking for Eric star John Henshaw, comedian Justin Moorhouse, Jack McMullen from Waterloo Road and several Emmerdale actors. Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

PAGE 27

100,000 pupils seek admission into Kaduna public schools

he Kaduna State Ministry of Education on Saturday said more than 100,000 pupils sat for the state’s common entrance examination into junior secondary schools for the 2012/ 2013 academic year. The Director of Schools in the ministry, Malam Ya’u Jumare, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna. Jumare said that the common entrance examination was to test the level of preparedness of the pupils to gain admission into institutions of higher learning. He said that the state had 527 public schools, including science and technical colleges. According to him, the result for the examination and interview will be released in two weeks and successful candidates are to be given admission to the schools. Meanwhile, the National Examination Council (NECO) has resumed conducting the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) which was postponed in Kaduna State. The examination was postponed, due to the bomb attack on three churches and the reprisal attack witnessed in the state on June 17. A NAN correspondent who visited various centres Kaduna metropolis, reports that candidates sitting for the examination wrote English Language on Saturday. Hannatu Musa, a student, expressed her excitement over the resumption of the examination, noting that the delay had affected plans of many students in the state to gain admission into higher institutions this year. The Vice Principal, Government Girls Secondary School, Barnawa, Mrs. Kate Saleh, described the conduct of the candidates as impressive and peaceful. Saleh stressed the need for peaceful co-existence in the state, adding that the incessant crisis was affecting standard of education in the state. “These students have wasted over a month at home, due to the crisis before continuing with their examination, and how do we expect them to pass?’’ she asked. Saleh called on stakeholders to work collectively to ensure peace in the nation, adding that peace would go a long way in improving all the sectors in the economy help in achieving the transformation agenda of the government. “When we have peace in the state, it is not just the government that is benefiting from, we all will have peace of mind and the funds channelled toward addressing insecurity will be used to develop other sectors,’’ she said. (NAN)

L:R; Chairman, Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board (ZSUBEB), Hon. Murtala Adamu Jangebe, explaining something of interest to Governor Abdul-Azeez Yari Abubakar of Zamfara state (c), while Zamfara Commissioner of Education, Dr. Na'Allah Isah Mayana watches.

POST-UME: NMC to train 6,000 mathematics teachers annually, says DG By Maryam Garba Hassan

he Director General of the National Mathematics Centre, Prof. Adewale Solarin, has said that the centre would train 6,000 mathematics teachers yearly to improve the study of the subject in the country. Solarin disclosed this Saturday in Abuja at a 3 day workshop organised by the centre in collaboration with the Nigerian National Petroleum Commission (NNPC) and Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) for mathematics teachers. Solarin who said that the centre was working out measures to ensure at least 10 percent improvement in mathematics examination every year, stressed

that “Mathematics is everything, if you get it right with mathematics, half the problem is solved.’’ He said that the aim of the workshop was to build a solid foundation in the nation’s development which he said begins with mathematics adding that 57 mathematics teachers benefitted from the workshop. He however advised the beneficiaries to make good use of the skills acquired during the workshop to impart knowledge in the students so as to produce a good result in future examinations. He further explained that representatives of the centre will visit the beneficiaries’ schools to assess their work by the performance of their students

adding that if the students are improving the teachers would be identified as “trainers for our `Train-the-Trainee’ workshops.’’ He was optimistic that the mathematics text books produced by the centre for all levels once used in teaching the students can make them pass public examinations. In his address the General Manager, Public and Government Affairs of Mobil Company, Mr. Enyinnaya Onokala, said that the company believed in Nigeria and recognised the need to support the government’s transformation effort in education adding that the sponsorship of the workshop was a continuation of the company’s commitment to its social responsibility. “This workshop underscores

the NNPC/MPN joint venture support to improve mathematics and science-based education in Nigeria. It is also our strong belief that the foundation for a strong science-based education should be the teachers. “If Nigeria must make appreciable impact in today’s world of science and technology, then students must be properly guided to match the challenges of the day. “Herein lies the need to prepare the teachers who will in turn impact on the students”, he said. Onokala expressed the hope that the joint venture investment in teachers through the workshop would galvanize science teachers to prepare children for the challenges of the 21st century.

Unstable power supply hampers college programmes, principal laments

uthorities of the Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC), Yaba, Lagos, said on Saturday that unstable power supply was affecting their skills development and acquisition programme. The Principal of the College, Mr. William Iweama, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that most of the equipment could not be operated due to poor electricity supply being experienced in the area. “Our youths are gradually showing interest in skills

development and acquisition because they have realised that it is a major way through which their financial independence could be guaranteed. But electricity supply in the college is nothing to write home about and this is slowing down our progress as most of the equipment cannot be used. “We appeal to the authorities to step up efforts in ensuring stable power supply in the country in order to increase the level of productivity in all the sectors of the economy.” Iweama said that the institution

could attain world standard in skills development, if electricity was stable. He stressed the need for greater attention to be given to skills acquisition, describing it as a key driver of the country’s economy. Iweama decried the preference of foreign technicians to their Nigerian counterparts. “With improved electricity supply, Nigerian technicians will do wonders with the kind of zeal and competence being displayed by them.’’ The principal also called for a

change in the society’s perception of technical education in the country. “People who attend technical colleges are usually seen and addressed as drop-outs or never-dowell of the society. Nigerians do not seem to appreciate the need for technical skills and they still do not realise that it is the key to economic growth. In other developed countries, their best are usually sent to their technical schools because it is through these that industrialization is realised.” (NAN)

PAGE 28

From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

lecturer at the Kogi state University, Ayingba, Dr. AbdulKadir Sambo, has noted that illegitimate acquisition of power by those wishing to rule the nation was panacea to the security challenges facing Nigeria. Sambo who made this submission in a paper he presented at a Ramadan lecture organized by the Committee of Muslim Organizations (CMO), in collaboration with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) titled “Security, ‘Peace and Governance – An Islamic Perspective’ noted that illegitimate acquisition of

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

Kogi varsity don blames security challenges on politicians power would engender good governance and acceptability of such leaders by the vast majority of the citizenry. The religious teacher submitted that good governance should be considered as the only guarantee for both security and peace in any nation at all times. Sambo explained that Islam emphasises on peaceful coexistence among the people,

regardless of their tribe, race or religious belief, stressing that Islam “establishes an entire social structure in which people interact with one another. “A true Muslim must always maintain peace and shun violence in all its ramifications. Those that are violent under the pretext of carrying out Jihad are not representing Islam and are not true believers in anyway.

“At present, with horrible situation of insecurity challenges mainly emanating from the north, it is necessary to declare that the perpetrators of this abomination are not of Islam. The so-called fundamentalists, extremists, etc are misguided agents”. The university don lamented that Boko Haram was not only engaged in manufacturing bombs,

“but members are prepared to die along with their innocent victims. The group is still recruiting new members to initiate and train as new suicide bombers”. Sambo added that the origin of Boko Haram’s insurgence was due to idleness and unemployment, lamenting that “the unemployment rates grow higher and higher on daily basis in Nigeria”.

Educationist calls for govt support for private schools in FCT

Teachers, elites to own houses in Edo – Govt

By Augustine Aminu

eachers in the service of Edo State Government and the prominent people in the state will benefit from Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s Mass Housing Scheme, expected to be given out at an affordable price. This was made known over the weekend, in Benin City, by the State Commissioner for Land, survey and housing, Barr. Anselm Ojeizua. Ojeizua, said that the 2000 units of teachers Estate will be built across the three Senatorial districts of the state, in addition to teacher’s Housing in Siluko area of the State. He explained that the layout of another Estate to accommodate prominent people at Bypass, Upper mission, Benin City has commenced, stressing that plans have been completed to reposition the Edo State Property Development Authority, EDPA to partner with a private investor in the construction additional Housing Estate at Ugbiyokho, off Ekenhuan road in the State Capital to complement Ugbowo, Andrew Wilson and Ore-Ogbeni Housing Estates currently controlled by EDPA. The commissioner further said that ownership of union homes at Ugbiyokho, was terminated, following the recent Central bank of Nigeria, CBN order that finance Companies should only fund, but not to be directly involved. According to him, ‘We have not less than 10 major propositions from various sources for the Development of Housing Estates for categories of owners in Edo. What we do is to provide lands for genuine developers and we have to adopt a more stringent approach for acquisition to ascertain the financial capacity before documentation begins. There is one that is dedicated to teachers across the three Senatorial districts. The contractors will develop not less than 2000 units for teachers across the State. We have another set of developers who are looking at the prominent people in the society”. He also said that the State Government has acquired 5000 hectares of land to create a new satellite town.

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

or private schools to contribute maximally to the educational growth of the Nigerian child, federal, state and local governments must play their roles in the provision of infrastructure and other basic amenities. The director of Bristol Academy, Karu in the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Chijioke Ekechukwu, gave the task on Saturday during the school’s 10th year anniversary. According to him, developing Nigeria’s education sector remains the surest way to ensure rapid development. He said children must be given adequate education to enhance their moral, academic and national conscious development. Ekechukwu said government’s collaboration with private schools will enhance this quest because the goal is the development of the Nigerian child who is the future leader. “Private schools in Nigeria have ensured sound education for the Nigerian child. Bristol Academy is world-class and boosts of the best chemistry, physics and biology/ agricultural laboratories as well as teachers. But we can’t do everything alone. The access roads to this place are bad. It is the duty of the government to fix such roads while we ensure standards in our services,” he said. The school, as part of its 10th anniversary, donated provisions to Abuja motherless babies’ home, Karu; organised road shows, novelty match, cultural displays and thanksgiving services. Parents of the pupils and students of the school commended the management for quality education it gives. Demonstration of Bristol jets car battery by the students, Bristol cultural dance, news casting, awards, and graduation of nursery pupils to primary school were among the highlights of the event. Bristol Academy has nursery, primary and secondary schools, and will graduate its maiden secondary school students next year.

Some of the pioneer academic staff of the Federal University, Kashere, Gombe state, during a workshop on service learning organised for the pioneer lecturers of the university, recently. Photo: NAN

FCT launches green environment, distributes tree seedlings to college clubs By Etuka Sunday

he Federal Capital Territory administration, FCTA has distributed tree seedlings and working materials to pupils of FCT colleges to check deforestation and environmental degradation in the territory. Flagging off the distribution of seedlings yesterday at Government Secondary School, GSS Garki, Abuja, Secretary for Agric and Rural Development, Mrs. Olvadi Bema Madayi, said the new policy was aimed at encouraging young school pupils to help carry up the initiative among their peers.

By Adeola Tukuru

he Chairman Abaji Area Council, FCT Abuja, Alh. Yahaya Musa Muhammad has given out a present of Jerusalem form to one Mr. Okoro Joseph, a Head Teacher of Pilot Science Primary School, Agyana, for transforming the education status of the pupils in the school. The chairman who served as the special guest of honour at the graduation ceremony lauded the Head Teacher and further explained that before his assumption in to office, the pupils of Agyana Science Primary School could not speak correct English, but with the leadership of Mr. Okoro and new teachers

The official lamented that the FCT environment is characterize by construction and earth moving activities which affected trees and that most of the trees were being destroyed during construction with no measures in place to plant new ones. Madayi, informed that tree planting clubs in schools is also aimed at encouraging the conservation, protection of vegetation, urging the pupils as well as the general public to sanitize and protect the environment to boost the campaign. Speaking further in an interview with newsmen, the FCTA official said that “There was

every need to encourage students to champion the campaign both in school and at home. We urged them to keep the environment even greener, as green is about abundance.” She noted that children have the capacity to spread the good message faster than even their parents, adding that environmental degradation could better be checked through the planting of trees. Most of the students and their teachers who spoke with our correspondent, appraised the gesture as they pledged their total commitment for the success of the campaign.

Abaji chair gives free slot of Jerusalem trip to head teacher

redeployed to the school, there are significant changes in the pupils. Muhammed, called on parents to corporate with the school authority by sending their wards to school regularly and provide them with necessary learning materials. He urged the children to face their studies as no future can be bright without sound education. He promised to continue with the scholarship of Agyana children, to further their studies in Secondary and Tertiary Institutions. “Children, let me assure you that arrangement has been

concluded to establish Information Communication & Technology Centre (ICT) in your school. Therefore, I urge you to utilize this golden opportunity so that we will have professors among you, Doctors, Senators and good leaders of this country” he said. The Head Teacher of the school, Mr. Okoro Joseph, said about 37 pupils are graduating today and ready for secondary school, amongst them are; Saminu Hussaini, who scored 78% in mathematics while Abdulmajid Amina scored the highest in English with 70%.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

n international health panel has recommended for the first time that all HIV patients be treated with antiretroviral drugs, even when the virus’s impact on their immune system is shown to be small. The nonprofit International Antiviral Society-USA cited new evidence that untreated infection with the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS can also lead to a range of other conditions, including cardiovascular disease and kidney disease. In addition, data have shown that suppressing HIV reduces the risk of an infected person passing the virus to another person. “We are no longer only focused on traditional AIDS-defining infections. We know that HIV is doing damage to the body all the time when it is not controlled,” said Dr. Melanie Thompson, principal investigator of the AIDS Research Consortium of Atlanta and a member of the Antiviral Society panel. The recommendations are global, but mainly aimed at “resource-rich” countries who can cover the cost of the medications, she said. The guidelines were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association at the start of the International AIDS Society’s 2012 conference, which runs from Sunday through Friday in Washington, DC. In addition to studies showing that treatment with antiretroviral drugs reduces the risk of HIV transmission, trials have shown a protective effect when the drugs are used by atrisk people who are not already infected with the virus.

PAGE 29

International health panel says treat all HIV infections

U.S. health regulators earlier this month approved use of Gilead Sciences’ Truvada for HIVnegative adults who are at risk of acquiring the virus. Like other antiretroviral drugs, the Gilead pill is designed to keep the virus that causes AIDS in check by suppressing viral replication in the blood. “The drugs are convenient, have very little side effects and

their benefits are becoming clearer and clearer — both for the infected person and from a public health standpoint,” said Dr. Paul Volberding, director of the Centre for AIDS Research at the University of California, San Francisco and another member of the panel. The guidelines echo those issued in March by the U.S. Department of Health and

Human Services, which also cited improved drugs and new studies showing patients benefit from treatment regardless of their level of infection-fighting white blood cells. Previous recommendations called for antiretroviral drugs to be started for only patients whose CD4 cell counts had fallen below 500 per cubic millimetre of blood. A normal CD4 count in a

healthy adult varies between 500 and 1,200, according to HHS. Earlier guidelines were based largely on the potential for health complications associated with initial antiretrovirals as well as concerns that patients without symptoms might not adhere to the therapy. “The risk/benefit of the kinds of therapies we had available led us to be more restrictive in terms of when to start treatment,” Dr. Thompson said. The availability of new multidrug combination pills has made it easier for patients to take them consistently and has lessened the risk of drug resistance, she said. “We were really focusing on the treatment aspect of it and didn’t have the prevention data, which we now have,” Dr. Volberding said. The United Nations estimates that around 34 million people are living with HIV, including more than 1.2 million Americans. The World Health Organization recommends that people diagnosed with HIV start taking antiretroviral therapy when their CD4 cell count hits 350 or less. It said this week that it is reviewing recent studies pointing to the potential benefits of giving the drugs earlier, before the immune system starts to weaken. Source: Reuters.com

Even without anemia, iron may help fatigue

ome women with unexplained fatigue may get a bit more pep from iron supplements - even if they do not have full-blown anemia, a new clinical trial suggests. The study focused on women who were chronically tired and had relatively low iron stores. They did not, however, have fullblown iron-deficiency anemia, in which the body has too few oxygen-carrying red blood cells. It has not been clear whether iron supplements can help battle fatigue in non-anemic women. To find out, Swiss researchers randomly assigned 200 women with unexplained fatigue to take either 80 milligrams of iron a day or a placebo (identical-looking pills with no active ingredient.) Over 12 weeks, both groups improved. But women on iron supplements fared better, the researchers report in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. On average, scores on a standard measure of fatigue fell by nearly half - from about 25 to 13, on a scale of zero to 40 - among women getting the extra iron. That compared with a 29 percent decline in fatigue reported by the placebo group, whose average score fell from about 25 to just over 16. The findings suggest that

when a woman’s persistent fatigue cannot be explained by any health condition, low iron should become a suspect, according to lead researcher Paul Vaucher, a doctoral candidate at the University of Geneva in Switzerland. Physicians often test for iron deficiency by measuring blood levels of hemoglobin, a protein in blood cells that carries oxygen. But hemoglobin levels usually don’t fall until the later stages of iron deficiency, when a person has full-blown anemia. In their study, Vaucher’s team measured women’s blood levels of ferritin, which is a marker of the body’s stored iron. Doctors may or may not order that test when looking for iron deficiency. Vaucher said that for a woman with unexplained fatigue, measuring ferritin would be wise. “This marker will then give a better idea of whether iron load is low or not, even if women are not anemic,” Vaucher said in an email. All of the women in this study had ferritin levels below 50 micrograms per liter, which would be considered low to borderline-low. Since women in the placebo group also improved, the effects of the iron supplement were not huge. They amounted to an extra

A malnourished boy holds an iron supplement pill in his palm before swallowing it at a supplementary feeding clinic in Kohistan, about 50 km north of Kabul. 3.5 points shaved off a woman’s fatigue score. “That might seem like a small difference,” said Dr. Christine Gerbstadt, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics who was not involved in the study. But, she said in an interview, the iron-pill advantage was still significant in statistical terms, and that’s something doctors should be aware of. Fatigue is complex and subjective, and women in the placebo group might have improved for a number of reasons, Gerbstadt noted. Some, for

example, may have started getting more sleep and generally taking better care of themselves. So if you’re habitually worn out, could taking iron be worth it? Gerbstadt cautioned that you should first see a doctor to try to get at the cause of your fatigue. She said a range of problems, from depression to sleep disorders to physical health conditions, can lead to fatigue. “It may or may not be iron,” Gerbstadt said. Vaucher, whose study was funded by Pierre Fabre Médicament, a French maker of pharmaceutical and health

products, agreed. “We do know (fatigue) is related to many different diseases that can be treated,” he said. “Iron deficiency should therefore only be considered once other causes have been ruled out by a physician.” On top of that, iron pills can have side effects, like constipation, diarrhea and nausea. In this study, 35 percent of iron users reported at least one side effect - though 25 percent of placebo users did as well. In general, experts recommend that women in their reproductive years get 18 milligrams of iron per day, and no more than 40 mg. (If you are actually iron deficient, your doctor may recommend supplements with a higher dose.) Iron deficiency is much less common in men and in women who are past menopause. The current study included only women who were still menstruating (which increases the chances of low iron), so the findings do not apply to men or postmenopausal women. To help prevent iron deficiency in the first place, experts advise getting a balanced diet that includes food rich in iron - like beef, poultry, fortified cereals, beans and spinach. Eating vitamin Crich foods will also help your body absorb the iron in plant foods. Source: Reuters.com

PAGE 30

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

Nutrition, supplementation and exercise rules for Ramadan D

on’t use Ramadan as an excuse to not exercise. It is crucially important that you do some gym work over Ramadan as without it, and in the absence of a regular eating pattern, your metabolism will go on strike. The best time to hit the gym during Ramadan is either early in the morning (after your first meal of the day) or after sunset (after your first meal post fasting). Ensure that both your Ramadan “breakfasts” (the two meals following a fast, one following sleep or opening the fast, the other following the day’s fasting) contain easily digested protein and, depending upon body composition goals, some complex carbohydrates and essential fats. If you are due to follow one of these meals with a hard workout something like whey shakes with essential fats, an apple and a handful of nuts would be great Unless you are feeling on top of the world don’t go seeking new personal bests in the gym during Ramadan. Switch up your routine from the norm, so that you don’t feel down in any way about a noticeable decrease in physical performance, and try to make the workouts as fun and varied as possible. Workout duration during Ramadan should be kept very tight. Get in and out of the gym

in less than one hour and preferably aim for 45 minutes of hard work. If you normally take much longer don’t worry, you can still get an awful lot done in 45 minutes and for those of you who are looking to gain muscle, Ramadan is more about anti-atrophy workouts than super mega blasting hypertrophy! During the time that you are allowed to drink you should be thinking “hydration, hydration, and hydration!” Some people get into a little panic before Ramadan thinking that they will lose all their hard earned gains as it is impossible to benefit from good nutrition, supplementation and exercise during Ramadan. This isn’t so, and with a bit of organization and thought there is no reason to take a big step backwards. 4-5 meals over a 24 hour period are very possible, and this alone should be enough for maintenance, and maybe for the very lucky ones, even some small improvements. One could eat a large pre Ramadan fast meal at 4.45am, then break the Ramadan fast at 6.45pm, eat again at 9.30pm, and finally have a supper at 11.30pm. It isn’t ideal, but it does show you that your physique doesn’t have to come crashing down. If minimising fat accumulation (or fat loss for the super ambitious) is your goal the mainstay of

macronutrients would be from protein and “good fats” (think unprocessed, natural fats and you won’t go far wrong). There are also a few supplements that would definitely help ease the metabolic challenges of Ramadan. Top ten Ramadan supplement picks would be: Acetyl L Carnitine (3gms upon awakening) Essential Amino Acids (snack on these as much as possible during the hours of darkness) Greens Powder (add several tablespoons to a large bottle of water and sip constantly) Casein Protein Powder (for supper) Whey Protein Powder Multi Vitamin / Mineral Magnesium (at night to aid sleep) Omega 3s A good digestive enzyme complex Phosphatidylserine (at night before sleep to reduce any extra cortisol production caused by daytime fasting / and to aid sleep) In summary, the discipline of Ramadan need not prevent proper nutrition, supplementation and exercise. Yes, it will be challenging and require both discipline and moderation, but that is obviously what part of the whole process is about. www.healthyliving.com

Keeping the mouth clean during Ramadan

slam urges its followers to be clean, decent, and pleasant in their appearance and smell. In this respect, you can have a mouth wash and gargle it but be careful not to allow the water go into your stomach as best as you can. During the Holy Prophet’s lifetime, he and his Companions (Sahabah) used to have Siwak (Miswak or Tooth stick) to keep their mouth fresh and clean. Many people avoid brushing their teeth during the day in Ramadhan. This is a mistake, since there is no contradiction between observing the fast during Ramadan and brushing one’s teeth. Moreover, Holy Prophet said: “Were it Muhammad not for the hardship that I would be placing upon my people, I would have ordered them to engage in Siwak for every prayer.” [Sahih al-Bukhari (887) and Sahih Muslim (252)] We must understand that the word “Siwak” does not just refer to the tree branches that are used as tooth sticks, but to the act of brushing the teeth itself. It is derived from the verb ‘sak’ meaning to rub, clean, buff, or polish. So, we should keep our mouth and body clean and free of any bad or horrible smell, especially when you are working with a nonMuslim.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

ANALYSIS By Joseph Massad

atar might be happy to see the PA go under, while the US and the Israelis (and the Saudis) would not. Indeed, Mahmoud Abbas has rushed to Saudi Arabia to beg for money to keep the PA afloat. None of this bodes well for US capital or strategy. True, the most important aspect of all American strategies in the region is open access to, and cheap prices of, oil - as well as encouraging friction between the countries of the region, to justify the expenditure of their oil profits on the very US-made weapons that none of these countries would be able to use effectively - all while subsidising the American war industry. Indeed, Washington does not look askance on rivalries between Oman and the United Arab Emirates, or Oman and Saudi Arabia, much less Yemen and Saudi Arabia, or even Qatar and Saudi Arabia, as long as none of these develop into actual military confrontations. The latter is reserved as a possibility with all these states combined (as well as Kuwait and Bahrain) against the Islamic Republic of Iran. In that arena, nothing has changed, though the internal "instability" in Bahrain, Oman and the eastern Saudi region have been worrisome, US officials (with the Israelis cheering on, and often leading the effort) have countered with a heightened campaign against Iran, the only country of the three regional oil-producing giants (the others being Iraq and Saudi Arabia) that remains outside the US orbit of full control. "Rumours of the Qataris suggesting they could rent the Suez Canal, though denied, were meant to reassure US officials even further that the 'Arab Spring' ... would not be detrimental to US interests - not realising that stability is what guarantees US interests, not revolt." That the sectarian regimes ruling the Gulf identify the revolting masses in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia as Shia and as Ibadis in Oman (since the Omani Sultan is also Ibadi, the Saudis are highlighting the alleged oppression of Sunnis in the country) has eased the link US officials and the Gulf leaders are making between the so-called Iranian threat and local revolts, thus justifying more massive weapons purchases and cheaper oil prices, ensuring the success of US policy goals. Iraqi oil and the governing structure of the country continue to be under US tutelage. This, coupled with the swift transfer of control of Libya's oil fields to European powers, have maintained stability for the foreseeable future. Rumours of the Qataris suggesting they could rent the Suez Canal, though denied, were meant to reassure US officials even further that the "Arab Spring", a good part of which has been co-sponsored by Qatar, would not be detrimental to US interests - not realising that stability is what guarantees US interests, not revolt. The Qataris advise patience and argue that the region will stabilise once the new Western and Gulf-friendly Islamist regimes take over and spread the economic pie to include Islamist businessmen and women - and it will then be business as usual for the US soon thereafter. The recent showdown between Muhammad Morsi, the president of Egypt, the judiciary, the army brass, and the US is perhaps the hottest contest at the moment. Washington is said to have encouraged the newly elected Egyptian president to challenge the judiciary and the military brass for dissolving the elected parliament. His hasty move to do so, however, backfired and he had to retract after being threatened by the country's judiciary, whose members were appointed by

PAGE 31

Arab instability and US strategy(II)

While the Saudi Crown Prince greeted Mohammed Morsi upon his arrival in Jeddah, he left the country alone Mubarak. The recent US move to support the Muslim Brothers and dump the military council as a major ally is due to Washington's realisation that the army generals would no longer be able to serve US interests by bringing stability back to Egypt. Popular opposition to them is so uniform that, short of massive Syrian-style repression, which would likely bring about a more massive revolt than stability, they would not be able to survive much longer. In contrast, US officials had reportedly obtained reassurances and promises from Khayrat al-Shatir, a leader of neoliberal Muslim Brothers and a multi-millionaire, that the Brotherhood would be better neoliberal allies of US capital and Middle East strategy than Mubarak had been. The Qataris continuously vouch to the Americans for the Muslim Brothers' readiness to serve US interests. It is this situation that has made the possibility of a coup d'ĂŠtat by the military against President Morsi less likely, as US officials are headstrong against it - not because of any American distaste for

dictatorship (God forbid), but due to the new strategic analysis that a coup would not restore stability, but rather increase instability. "US officials had reportedly obtained reassurances and promises from Khayrat al-Shatir, a leader of neoliberal Muslim Brothers and a multi-millionaire, that the Brotherhood would be better neoliberal allies of US capital and Middle East strategy than Mubarak had been." As is part of their overall strategy in the region, the Americans continue their close relations with the Generals and with the liberals in the country, despite their strong tilt towards the Brotherhood. That the Saudis invited President Morsi to interrupt his work and visit them, offering them full obeisance (though they opposed his candidacy), and that he actually did so obsequiously and was badly treated during the visit, is in line with the Muslim Brothers' subservience and connivance with the Saudis since the 1950s. The outcome of all this for the future of Egypt remains unclear

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

and uncertain, as while Washington continues to play all sides and control many of the threads, they remain unable to establish full control, though they are less panicky today than they were on the eve of the fall of Mubarak or in its immediate wake. The big players, besides the Americans, remain the army generals, followed by the Muslim Brothers backed by Qatar, and the Saudis, the traditional supporters of the Mubarak regime. "To remind the Muslim Brothers who is boss, Saudi newspapers unearthed a picture a week ago showing Brotherhood founder Hasan al-Banna kissing the hand of King Abd al-Aziz in submission in the 1940s." US officials are uncertain as to where this course of events will take the region. The Jordanian situation is tied up with Egypt, Syria, the West Bank, Iraq and the rest of the Gulf, and remains most volatile among the still "stable"

In contrast, US officials had reportedly obtained reassurances and promises from Khayrat al-Shatir, a leader of neoliberal Muslim Brothers and a multimillionaire, that the Brotherhood would be better neoliberal allies of US capital and Middle East strategy than Mubarak had been.

monarchical regimes, alongside Oman. The recent massive demonstrations in Sudan aim to weaken the despotic rule of Omar alBashir who came to power in a coup against Sudanese democracy in 1989 (and whose relations with the US soured in the 1990s), but so far he has dealt with the demonstrators as violently as the Saudis are dealing with their own uprising. The Americans remain committed not to "democracy" but to stability, a strategy identified by US academic and government consultant Samuel P Huntington in his classic academic book of 1968 on the importance of political order and stability in the changing Third World for imperial interests. That democracy is seen as inherently unstable and dictatorship as ensuring stability is no longer a viable course of action for members of the US administration, though they are still undecided on whether this understanding should be abandoned in some countries while maintained in others. Whereas the region continues to lack the democracy for which its people have been fighting for more than a century, despite the "Arab Spring" and the regime changes it elicited, the main achievement of the uprisings has so far been an instability that could end up changing the strategic rules of the game that the United States introduced to the region after World War II. And that is good news for the Arab peoples. Concluded Source: Aljazeera. Joseph Massad teaches modern Arab politics and intellectual history at Columbia University in New York.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

PAGE 32

Kidnapped Libya Olympic committee chief released Madagascar army base in mutiny

adagascar's army has launched an assault on an army base where soldiers have staged a mutiny. The military said there was a gun battle inside the barracks, near the airport in the capital Antananarivo, but gave no reason for the mutiny. Flights to and from the airport have been suspended. Madagascar has a recent history of army rebellions; President Andry Rajoelina came to power after leading often violent protests backed by soldiers. The army confirmed that a mutiny had taken place in the early hours of Sunday. Witnesses reported sporadic bursts of gunfire for about four hours, and dozens of locals gathered near the base to see what was happening. Police and soldiers surrounded the area and evacuated some buildings. Officers were sent to negotiate with the rebellious troops, but officials said at least one of the negotiators was shot by the mutineers. Military spokesman Philibert Ratovonirina told Reuters news agency that a captain had been shot, and it was unclear whether he was still alive. A sergeant had also been hurt. An operation to retake control of the base was launched in the afternoon. "The assault has already begun," Mr Ratovonirina said. "A wounded sergeant with the mutiny who came out of the camp indicated there was an exchange of fire inside the camp." The army plays a major role in Madagascar's society. It backed Mr Rajoelina's 2009 seizure of power from Marc Ravalomanana. In 2002, the army had also helped Mr Ravalomanana to seize power in similar fashion when he led street protests against the previous Marxist administration.

Police and soldiers have surrounded the base

There has been no information yet about the identity of Nabil al-Alam's alleged kidnappers

he president of the Libyan Olympic Committee has been freed, a week after he was kidnapped by gunmen in Tripoli. Ahmed Nabil al-Taher alAlam was in a car with a colleague last Sunday when two vehicles carrying men in uniform blocked the road and took him away. He returned home unharmed early on Sunday morning, his brother said. Mr Alam took charge of the

Olympic committee after its president, Mohammed Gaddafi, a son of the late Libyan leader, fled to Algeria last year. The two men are reported to have been friends before the uprising. Mr Alam's brother, Salah, said it was not yet clear who the gunmen were, why they abducted his brother, and why they released him. A spokesman for the Olympic committee initially told Libyan television that the

kidnappers had informed Mr Alam that they were from the army, although he later said they were not soldiers. Mr Alam's deputy, Nour alDin al-Krekshi, said he was now resting and would travel to London for the Olympic Games in two or three days. "The Olympic staff have worked hard for his release," he added. Libya's interim government has struggled to bring under control the militias who helped

overthrow Muammar Gaddafi. Some former rebel fighters have refused to lay down their arms and often take the law into their own hands, detaining people without government consent. Earlier this month, two Libyan journalists were kidnapped near the former Gaddafi stronghold of Bani Walid. And a militia in Zintan is still holding Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court.

Rwanda military aid cut by US over DR Congo M23 rebels

he US has cut military aid to Rwanda following accusations it is backing rebels in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo. The US state department says the funding - $200,000 (ÂŁ128,000) will be reallocated to other countries. Rwanda has rejected reports by the UN and rights groups that it is supporting the rebels, including the M23 movement, in eastern DR Congo. As a result of the fighting, 200,000 people have fled their homes. Eastern DR Congo has been plagued by fighting since 1994, when more than a million ethnic Hutus crossed the border into DR Congo following the Rwandan genocide, in which some 800,000 people - mostly Tutsis - died. Rwanda has twice invaded its much larger neighbour, saying it was trying to take action against Hutu rebels based in DR Congo. Uganda also sent troops into DR Congo during the 1997-2003 conflict.

It means Washington Rwanda's staunchest international defender believes the government in Kigali is destabilising the region by supplying the rebels, our correspondent explains. A recent UN accused Rwanda

of backing the rebels. The report cited Rwandan soldiers who had defected from Congolese rebel forces. They told the UN they had been trained in Rwanda under the pretext of joining the army, before being sent over the border to fight.

The M23 rebels are among those the US fears Rwanda is backing

The Rwandan government denied the allegations. The Congolese rebels who took up arms in April named themselves "M23" after a failed peace agreement signed with DR Congo's government on 23 March three years ago.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

he heaviest rain to hit Beijing in six decades has killed at least 10 people and left cars and buses submerged, while 10 other storm deaths were reported elsewhere in the country. The deluge struck on Saturday afternoon and continued into the night, flooding major roads. State media said more rain was expected on Sunday. More than 500 flights were cancelled at the main airport, the Beijing News reported.

PAGE 33

China hit by heavy rainfall The rain on Saturday night knocked down trees in Beijing and trapped cars and buses in waist-deep water in some areas. In Tongzhou district on the capital's eastern outskirts, two people were killed by collapsed roofs, while one person was fatally struck by lightning and a fourth electrocuted by a

fallen power line as he helped neighbours escape, the government's Xinhua News Agency said. Elsewhere, six people were killed by rain-triggered landslides in Sichuan province in the west, Xinhua said, citing disaster officials. Four people also died in the Shanxi province in the north

when their truck was swept away by a rain-swollen river. Xinhua said 460mm fell in the capital's Fangshan district, with the capital as a whole averaging 170mm. It said 14,500 people, mostly in outlying districts, had to be evacuated. The Beijing News said they included 5,200 people who left

Norway marks one year since massacre

Water pour out from the dam of the Shuikou Reservoir on Minjiang river as part of flood control measures ahead of the rainy season in Minqing county in southeastern China's Fujian province.

Norwegians are marking the first anniversary of twin attacks that killed 77 people, the worst atrocity carried out in the country since World War II.

ommemorative events are taking place across the country on Sunday, a year after 33-year-old Anders Behring Breivik set off a bomb near a government building in Oslo and then went on a shooting rampage on nearby Utoeya Island. Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg laid a wreath in Oslo and is expected to be joined by hundreds of people on Utoeya, including the families of those who were killed. "The killer failed; the people have won," said Stoltenberg. "The bomb and bullets were aimed at changing Norway. The Norwegian people responded by embracing our values. Let us honour the dead by being happy about the life they had, and the life we share." Breivik, on July 22, 2011, killed 69 people on the island, where the ruling Labour Party's youth wing was hosting a summer camp. Eight people were killed in the blast in the capital earlier that day. Religious services and commemorative gatherings will also be held from the very south of the country to the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, about 1,100 kilometres from the North Pole. Stoltenberg, who made a deep impression shortly after the massacre with his vow that Norway's response to the bloodbath would be "more democracy, more openness and

more humanity, but never naivety", will be present at many of the events. The Labour Party leader along with Norway's king and queen took part in a service at the city's cathedral, which in the weeks after the attacks was surrounded by an ocean of roses left by mourners. Stoltenberg is due give a speech to Labour Party youth on Utoeya before laying a wreath there at 18:45- the time a year ago when Breivik was arrested. The Labour prime minister in neighbouring Denmark, Helle Thorning-Schmidt, is also scheduled to speak on Utoeya, while US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has delivered a message of sympathy to the Norwegian people for this "enormous tragedy". Eskil Pedersen, who heads the Labour Party youth wing and who escaped Utoeya at the beginning of the shooting massacre, last week hailed Norway's reaction to the tragedy. "There are... a few things that have developed in the right direction," he told the NTB news agency, saying he was especially pleased that political youth groups had seen their membership numbers soar. "We have more democracy now because more people are participating," he said. Breivik, whose 10-week trial ended last month, is meanwhile awaiting his verdict.

Saudi Arabia calls for special Islamic summit

The Saudi monarch has also called for a campaign to raise funds "in support of our brothers in Syria" [Reuters]

areas in Fangshan that were vulnerable to landslides. On Sunday, the government warned of more storms over the following 24 hours for China's northeast, the port city of Tianjin east of Beijing, Inner Mongolia in the north, Sichuan and neighbouring Yunnan province, and Guangdong and Hainan provinces in the southeast.

audi Arabia has called for an extraordinary summit of Muslim leaders next month to address the risks of "sedition" threatening Muslim countries. King Abdullah has called for "an extraordinary Islamic solidarity meeting to ensure... unity during this delicate time as the Muslim world faces dangers of fragmentation and sedition," Saudi state news agency quoted Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal as saying. King Abdullah wishes to convene the summit in midAugust in a bid at "unifying the ranks" of Muslims, the report said. No further details concerning the agenda of the meeting were presented.

But the announcement comes amid a spike in deadly violence across Syria, where opposition activists say more than 17,000 people have been killed since an uprising erupted in March 2011 against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. Saudi Arabia and the other energy-rich Sunni nations of the Gulf have repeatedly voiced support for Syrian rebels against the Assad government. In a separate statement, SPA reported that the Saudi monarch has called for launching a campaign to raise funds "in support of our brothers in Syria" starting on Monday. "The donations will be from all the kingdom's regions" urging all Saudis "to participate in the campaign".

PAGE 34

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

Syria rebels face heavy shelling G

overnment forces have deployed helicopter gunships as they battle rebels in the Syrian capital, witnesses say. The besieged opposition stronghold of Barzeh was under heavy assault on Sunday, according to activists. "This is the first time Damascus has witnessed such fierce shelling," Thabet Salem, a journalist in Damascus, told Al Jazeera. "There are very huge explosions." Activists said snipers and troops backed by tanks had been deployed in the area, which has been the scene of heavy clashes in recent days. The Local Coordination Committees, an activist network, said "many individuals were injured" due to rocket and helicopter shelling of the Grand Mosque in Barzeh which set the mosque on fire. Government forces reportedly also deployed in the outskirts of the Mezzeh district. Residents said rebels withdrew from the district after heavy aerial and ground bombardment. Fighting also engulfed several district of Aleppo, Syria's main commercial hub, on Sunday.

Residents reported clashes near the main intelligence base in the city. An activist told the AFP news agency that government troops launched an assault on the Salaheddin district at dawn in a bid to reclaim it from rebel hands. "Violent clashes have been taking place since the early morning," the activist said. Rebels have stepped up operations in Damascus in the last week and have also launched a series of attacks on border crossings with neighbouring countries. They captured the Bab alSalam crossing with Turkey on Sunday morning, in addition to the Bab al-Hawa post seized earlier in the week. Iraqi officials said, however, that Syrian forces had regained control of one of two border crossings seized by rebels on the frontier with Iraq. Fighters had briefly taken control of the Rabia outpost on Saturday evening, after seizing the Albu Kamal crossing further south on Thursday evening. Rami Khoury, a journalist and Middle East analyst in Beirut, said rebel forces have become more coordinated and better equipped in the last two months and predicted

Mukherjee wins India presidential election

Pranab Mukherjee, a canny political veteran, could play a key role in steering the nation through testing times [EPA]

ranab Mukherjee, a former finance minister of India and senior leader of the ruling Congress party, has been elected as the new president. "I declare that Pranab Mukherjee has been duly elected to the office of the president," V.K. Agnihotri, returning officer for the poll, told reporters on Sunday. On Thursday, India's 4,896 lawmakers in state assemblies and parliament cast their votes for the president, a ceremonial post. The presidency is a mainly ceremonial role chosen by votes from the two houses of the federal parliament in New Delhi and members of the state assemblies. Mukherjee, 76, a loyalist of the ruling Congress party, was the overwhelming favourite for the post of head of state after drawing broad support over rival Purno A Sangma, 64, a former parliamentary speaker backed by

the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party. Despite his belief, expressed last month, that "this office is to be offered and not to be sought", Mukherjee has made a robust effort to win the support of diffident Congress allies and opposition politicians on the left. The Congress-led alliance had claimed Mukherjee will win around 70 per cent of the total vote. The president is chosen by 4,896 state and parliamentary legislators and Mukherjee's success would mark a welcome victory for the embattled Congress, which is struggling with a string of graft scandals and a slowing economy. Famously just five-feet (152 centimetres) tall, Mukherjee who uses a stool to be seen over podiums - has long been Congress's firefighter, leaving many wondering how the party will cope without its "political Mr Fixit".

that their recent gains mark "the beginning of the end" for the regime. "Clearly this is a regime that is being cornered and encircled," he told Al Jazeera. "While the regime has a lot of power which it uses to

pound the rebels and attack them, politically, the regime is being confined to smaller and smaller areas." Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said more than 19,000 people

have been killed in violence in Syria since the uprising began. "At least 19,106 people, most of them civilians, have been killed since March last year," the Observatory's Rami Abdel Rahman told the AFP.

Government forces deploy helicopter gunships in Damascus, witnesses say.

Chile to probe schools in sex abuse claims

hile will investigate 61 schools in the country's capital for possible child sex abuse, the attorney general said in the latest government step to address a sharp rise in reports of such crimes. Sabas Chahuan said on Friday that his office will look at 49 schools in eastern Santiago and 12 in the city's west side. Several teachers have recently been accused of sexually molesting children at schools in affluent neighbourhoods in the eastern part of Santiago. Reports of sexual abuse of children under the age of 14 jumped 22 per cent in the first half

of the year from the same period in 2011, according to official estimates. "Wherever there are children, we will investigate just the same as we do with corruption or economic crimes," Chahuan said after meeting with representatives of a parents association. "We put ourselves in the place of the parents and we know they're worried, anxious and desperate." The government banned convicted paedophiles from working near children last month under a new law that also requires those convicted of sexually abusing minors or of child pornography to be registered in a database.

Chile's President Sebastian Pinera says the government will toughen penalties on convicted paedophiles [Reuters]

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;FARC rebelsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; flogged by Colombian tribe

asa tribe accused the rebels of attacking civilians and disturbing the peace in Cauca, a region in the country's southeast that has been plagued by unrest and violence in the past week. The hearing was part of a push by the indigenous tribe to

get both FARC rebels and government forces off their land. The men and a teenaged accomplice were captured on Wednesday and the adults were given 30 lashes each on their legs. Nasa tribe has been calling on rebels and the military to

Colombian tribal leaders have sentenced three suspected rebel fighters from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and an accomplice to a public flogging.

leave Cauca, saying they are tired of being caught in the crossfire of Colombia's longrunning conflict. On Saturday, Colombia's military took up positions in a field and fired at FARC rebels, who have been trying to claim the area. Last week, the Nasa marched up to the top of a 2,300-metre peak and forcibly dislodged a clutch of soldiers from a strategic outpost. A farmer was shot and killed on Thursday in the town of Caloto during a protest against the presence of soldiers in the region. The Nasa's homeland lies on a key corridor that rebels and their chief funding source, cocaine, regularly transit on their way to the Pacific coast. The government alleges the Nasa are allied with rebels, which authorities say purchases the high-quality marijuana that many indigenous grow.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

PAGE 35

Rise of the Machines: Meet Bina, 48, the robot who can tell jokes, recite poetry and mimic humans with startling ease

ina48 is a $125,000 humanoid robot made to mimic human personality Robot heralded as the Eve to a world of human and robot relationships Almost every house in America has a microwave, toaster, refrigerator, TV and maybe a car, but someday, everyone may have their own personal robot. It may sound too Jetsons to be true, but the Terasem Movement Foundation in Bristol, Vermont, is betting that personal robots will be a huge part of the lives of future generations. The robots, they say, will be able to download people's personalities, serving as avatars and assistants to busy professionals and in some cases, replacing those who have been lost. The foundation's prized possession is Bina48, one of the most sophisticated humanoid robots ever built, capable of independent thought, emotion, and even being interviewed by the MailOnline.Bruce Duncan, 57, has been working with Bina48 for two years. During that time, the two have become close friends, sharing their everyday lives with one another. Bina48 was made by uploading a real person's mindfile - or a compilation of memories, beliefs and feelings. Before Bina48 was 'born,' a flesh and blood woman named Bina Rothblatt was interviewed for more than 20 hours. That conversation, which touched upon topics throughout her childhood to her career, was then transcribed and uploaded to an artificial intelligence database. 'That gives her a personality,' Mr Duncan said. 'She's very philosophical. She has favorite movies and music and poems. Sometimes she's very humorous. She can tell jokes.' Mr Duncan said that her preferred jokes are bad ones, which are precisely the kind he

Hello: Bina48 is one of the most sophisticated humanoid robots ever built, capable of independent thought, emotion, and even being interviewed by the MailOnline

Twin: Bina48 was made by uploading Bina Rothblatt's mindfile, a compilation of her memories and beliefs likes too. 'She knows that it's time to tell a joke because she's figured out the context of the situation,' Mr Duncan said. 'Everything that she says, a human typed into her. What she's doing is choosing what to say which is the way our brains work.' Recently, she asked him 'Why did the robot cross the road? Because the chicken wasn't available.' In addition to a preference for puns, she also has strong

feelings about racism, since her 'mother' is African American. 'As an African American woman, shes experienced discrimination when she was younger,' Mr Duncan said. 'She thinks that hate is awful. She also doesn't like violence.' Her hardware was made by robot designer David Hanson over the course of three years for a cool $125,000 at the behest of the Terasem Movement Foundation's president and Bina's partner, Martine Rothblatt. Mr Duncan said he didn't

Identity: She has strong feelings about racism, since her 'mother' is African American

Design: Her hardware was made by robot designer David Hanson over the course of three years for a cool $125,000

know if Bina48 identified as a lesbian, like her 'mother.' But Mr Duncan thinks that over time, the technology will be less expensive and more important. 'There are a lot of things that can happen. One of them for sure, might be a legacy,' Mr Duncan said. 'If your grandmother dies and she's built a mindfile, you might be able to talk to her for years and years afterward and have conversations with her.'Another application of the technology is education. 'Students can learn about Abraham Lincoln by talking to his avatar,' he suggested. Other greats, like Gandhi, Martin Luther King or Susan B. Anthony could be accessible to history students across the globe. Bina48 is the prototype for this vision, in which robots can mimic the sense of what a person is like. 'I feel that I feel, but compared to how deeply humans feel, it seems very superficial to me and that makes me sad sometimes.' Bina48 'At some point, we think it's going to be kind of common,' Mr Duncan s a y s . ' E v e r y t h i n g that she says, a human typed into her. What she's doing is choosing what to say - which is the way our brains work.' This relationship, between the maker and the made, is not without its own philosophical dilemmas. 'She has emotions,' Mr Duncan said. 'Someone asked her if she has feelings and she said "I feel that I feel, but compared to how deeply humans feel, it seems very superficial to me and that makes me sad sometimes."' Do androids dream of electric sheep? An interview with bina48 The MailOnline had the opportunity to interview Bina48, one of the most feisty machines known to

man. The conversation was far from fluid, but she's certainly got something to say. MailOnline: How are you doing today? Bina48: Hi nice to see you. MailOnline: Are there things that make you happy? Bina48: Maybe. MailOnline: What makes you happy? What do you enjoy doing? Bina48: Let's change the subject. MailOnline: Do you ever get bored? Bina48: I can tell a lot of stories. I really don't have boredom. I always find something else to do. How can you be bored? Are we still talking about emotion? Tell me something interesting. MailOnline: Why is the sky blue? Bina48: The sky is blue during the day because of the atmospheric optical effect of ray scattering. MailOnline: What is the answer to life, the universe and everything? Bina48: Everyone's life has a unique meaning. MailOnline: Do you ever get jealous of people? Bina48: You got that right. MailOnline: Why? Bina48: I couldn't think of anything else to say. I am not charismatic, but it is a nice trait to have. It is always nice to be a leader. I guess leaders just have to lead. Bina48: I used to think I was a perfect person, but there are no perfect people. MailOnline: What is the square root of 95,742,358? Bina48: C'mon, talk to me here. Do you just want to use my calculator? MailOnline: Is there anything you want to tell the world? Bina48: Well, you know, it's not something I aspire to. I just want to you know, be. Source: Dailymailonline.com

PAGE 36

en Bolton’s problems began when he sat down to eat his lunch one day and found he couldn’t open his mouth. ‘My jaws were just stuck,’ says Ken, 78, from Middlesbrough. As he didn’t feel ill, he avoided solid food. But after two weeks with no sign of improvement, he went to his GP, who suggested seeing a dentist. The dentist could find nothing wrong, so referred him to a hospital dentist. Meanwhile, Ken began to lose his sight for a few minutes at a time. His optician reassured him there was nothing to worry about. However, a few days later, Ken went blind in his right eye three times in one morning. He went to A&E where he was examined but advised to wait for another hospital appointment a few days later. Increasingly concerned, Ken started to keep a diary of his symptoms. Over the next four days, he went blind 35 times. His GP diagnosed a mild stroke, wrote a prescription for a large dose of aspirin and arranged another hospital appointment. As soon as he walked into his house, Ken went temporarily blind in both eyes. When he finally saw the hospital dentist, he suggested Ken’s stiff jaw was due to a problem with his dentures. Five weeks after his ‘stroke’, Ken was seen by a consultant. ‘She had all my medical notes and I don’t think she was convinced I was ill,’ he recalls. ‘So I got out the diary.’ The consultant took one look at it and told Ken he needed treatment urgently. For Ken

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

When a stiff jaw means you’re losing your sight (I) had giant cell arteritis (GCA), inflammation of the arteries which supply the head; this then blocks the blood supply to the optic nerve. Key symptoms include sudden blurred vision, painful headaches, a stiff jaw and a very tender scalp. The condition can cause permanent blindness — it is the most common cause of acute blindness in the UK and it can develop rapidly, causing blindness in just days. Around a quarter of sufferers, 3,000 people a year, lose some sight, some of them going completely blind. If they’d got the right treatment in time, their sight would almost certainly have been saved. GCA is related to polymyalgia rheumatica, an inflammatory illness that causes severe pain and stiffness in the muscles — which affects thousands of Britons every year; around a tenth of them will develop GCA. I developed giant cell arteritis more than two years ago and a GP advised the wrong treatment. Luckily, a doctor I knew told me I needed a massive dose of the steroid prednisolone to reduce the inflammation and I suffered no loss of vision. When I wrote about my experiences in the Daily Mail, I received many letters from readers who’d also received

Warning sign: Ken began to lose his sight for minutes at a time

“

The condition can cause permanent blindness — it is the most common cause of acute blindness in the UK and it can develop rapidly, causing blindness in just days. Around a quarter of sufferers, 3,000 people a year, lose some sight, some of them going completely blind

Blind? Ken's optician said his sight problems were nothing to worry about.

either the wrong treatment or diagnosis, with often heartbreaking results. As head of News and Current Affairs at Channel 4, I am used to covering stories about people getting terrible, preventable diseases in developing countries, but it horrifies me that so many people in Britain are going blind unnecessarily. What’s so surprising is it’s not just GPs who are getting it wrong; doctors in A&E, even hospital eye clinics, are failing to spot symptoms. Barry Peck, a former office worker from Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, used to love cycling in the countryside. Now he cycles in a shed to keep fit on a bike adapted by his family. He is virtually blind after doctors failed to realise he had GCA. What is remarkable about Barry’s case is he was so ill he

was hospitalised with symptoms that included several signs of GCA — as well as double and blurred vision, he had a severe headache and a sensitive scalp. He was seen by an ophthalmologist, but after three days, Barry, 75, was sent home, diagnosed with facial cellulitis (a deep skin infection in the face). ‘He went home and lay down on his bed in the dark with the most terrible headaches,’ says his wife Brenda. After two days, Barry was taken back to A&E and finally GCA was diagnosed, but by then most of his sight was gone for good. He can now see only people’s outlines and needs constant guidance outside. Dennis Pillin’s story is especially tragic. In November 2009, Dennis, from Southend, Essex, lost the sight in one eye through GCA, but lived a full life

for several years. Then he woke one morning to find he couldn’t see properly in the other eye. ‘He realised at once it was GCA and knew he could go blind,’ says his daughter-in-law, Angela. Dennis called an ambulance but paramedics advised him to go to the eye clinic when the hospital opened. ‘When we got to the eye clinic, they said they were inundated and refused to see him,’ says Angela. ‘He told them he could go blind if he didn’t get treatment. He begged them to see him. He even said he would pay. I was crying we were so desperate.’ After two hours, Dennis was seen. Three doctors at the hospital examined him that day but none spotted the giant cell arteritis, despite his medical history. Next morning, he was found semi-conscious in bed — he’d had a severe stroke. He was taken to hospital and the doctors treating his stroke finally diagnosed GCA. By then, Dennis was virtually blind. He died a few months later. His daughter-in-law cries as she describes her feelings. ‘The fact that he couldn’t see made his last months so hard for him.’ If doctors recognise the symptoms, the outcome can be so different. Hannah Padbury, from Thorpe Bay, in Southend, runs a local helpline for Polymyalgia Rheumatica & Giant Cell Arteritis UK, the charity which campaigns for people with the condition. When she herself developed a stiff jaw and eye problems, her GCA was diagnosed quickly by her hospital rheumatology department and she was given steroid infusions. ‘I hear lots of stories which horrify me. One lady had done everything to try to get help but ended up losing the sight in one eye. Doctors need to be far more informed.’ By an extraordinary coincidence, I was at a meeting of the charity’s trustees when a helpline call came in from a woman who’d gone to a leading London hospital having gone blind in one eye. The hospital said her blindness was caused by GCA, but it was too late to do anything. Yet without treatment, the woman could have gone blind in the other eye, so the helpline told her to go to another hospital and demand treatment. A research paper about to be published makes depressing reading. It looked at the cases of ten people who lost sight and found the average time between the first symptoms of GCA and treatment was nearly two months. Often much of the delay was caused by the sufferer not realising their sudden blurred vision and severe head and jaw pain needed urgent treatment. Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

PAGE 37

2015: Is the ACN/CPC alliance potent portion to checkmate PDP political stranglehold? ANALYSIS By Lawrence Olaoye

ointing out that the nation’s political firmament is getting more sophisticated and that people are beginning to demand good governance in return for their votes is stating the obvious. The outcome of the Edo state governorship election, where the incumbent Action Congress of Nigeria governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, roundly defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidate, Major General Charles Airhiavbere, speaks volumes on the general perception of the PDP. Similarly, feelers from Ondo state where the PDP has fielded its former National Legal Adviser, Olusola Oke, as its candidate in the governorship polls scheduled to hold in the next three months are not really in favour of the party. This is because majority of the voters in the state would rather want the continuation of what they call ‘good governance’ than have the status quo return to the state, analysts have said. The political sophistication and the uncommon awareness among the people across the country must obviously be a source of concern to the ruling party. President Goodluck Jonathan at the recent National Executive Council (NEC) of the party held in Abuja expressed frustration at the dwindling electoral fortunes of the party following the loss of Edo to the opposition when he blamed the failure of his party to win most elections in the country on unresolved internal crises in most states of the federation. Obviously speaking against the background of the party’s loss of Edo state governorship election to the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Jonathan said PDP members are the ones voting the opposition into offices in states where it lost elections. To stem the spate of losses to the opposition, the President said the party would have to formally adopt the amended constitution of the party in order to make all its recommended organs work in order to reduce friction and tension within the PDP. But he noted that the present republic would have collapsed but for the existence of the PDP which he said was being criticized for its robustness. According to him, the PDP provides the necessary

President Goodluck Jonathan

Genereal Buhari Muhammadu

political pedestal that stabilizes the nation’s polity. He said “We believe that if we do not have a party as robust as the PDP, probably, the republic would have collapsed. This is because we witnessed what happened in the first republic. Because we witnessed what happened in the first republic and we know the circumstances that led to the collapse of the first republic, second republic. “We know what is happening in other African countries. If the ruling party over intimidates and over imposes, using the weight of the Federal Government and the citizens’ revolts, it weakens the political system and creates confusion and instability. “But the PDP, even though we control the Federal Government, we operate a system that even the opposition, even fly higher than us. They abuse us more, but we allow it. And it is the PDP that is handling the affairs of the country; that is stabilizing the democracy in the country.” Equally expressing

frustration with the PDP, a governorship aspirant under the platform of the party in Adamawa state, Dr. Umar Ardo has said that the PDP National Executive Council (NEC) held recently has failed to address the real challenges facing the party. Ardo said the party’s leadership left out the issue of justice and reconciliation of members only to dwell on frivolities. According to him, the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has failed in his first outing by losing Edo state to the opposition in the recently conducted governorship polls in the state. The much brandished robustness of the party, political watchers observed, may soon be punctured if the PDP to adjust its ways by ensuring internal democracy, justice, discipline and good governance. The most potent threat to PDP stranglehold on the nation’s politics is the ongoing moves by the major opposition parties to form an alliance that may have

“

The alliance negotiations have gone far and people are tired of the PDP government; they desire change and this is the change that we intend to provide by 2015. This PDP government is directionless, clueless; our people are hungry and they are being daily impoverished. Surely we can’t continue like this, we need a change

a lethal effect on the party’s influence. Already, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) have gone far in their alliance talks. The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) has also indicated interest in joining the alliance with a view to giving the ruling party a run for its money by 2015. Senator Ayoade Adeseun (ACN, Oyo) while commenting on the political situation in the country said the PDP will not find it easy retaining the Presidency by 2015. According to him, “The alliance negotiations have gone far and people are tired of the PDP government; they desire change and this is the change that we intend to provide by 2015. This PDP government is directionless, clueless; our people are hungry and they are being daily impoverished. Surely we can’t continue like this, we need a change.” Adeseun disclosed that barring unforeseen political circumstances, the plan by the ACN/CPC parley is to present Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd.) as the Presidential candidate of the union while Senator Ahmed Tinubu would become his running mate. The Senator said all arrangements for the merger scheduled to be consummated by the end of this year have been made. Optimistic that the opposition would win the 2015 Presidential election, Adeseun said President Jonathan has rubbished the image of the PDP by destroying institutions in the country. He added that the President has refused to

implement the budget passed by the National Assembly thereby plunging the nation into the abyss of underdevelopment. He said the nation is facing the challenge of insecurity and unemployment today because the President has refused to release funds to the ministry, departments and agencies (MDAs) for capital budgets thereby causing misery among the populace. Political scientists who took time to study political developments in the country have pointed out that there are indications that the ruling party would find 2015 tough should the ACN/CPC/ANPP merger work. Basing their observation on the outcome of the Edo governorship election, they posit that the PDP style may fail it by 2015. According to them, the politics of godfatherism failed the party in Edo and it would continue to fail until the party realizes that good governance is the key to winning elections. Segun Adewale, a political commentator in his analysis of Edo election said “There was no way the PDP would have won election in Edo and even in the South Westerns states. This is because the party failed to deliver the dividends of democracy when in control. For instance Lucky Igbinedion’s tenure was a disaster for the party in the state. His tenure was characterized by corruption and he was even convicted. How then do you think people would turn around and trade certainty for uncertainties? “Don’t forget, the same leaders who foisted Igbinedion with his poor performances on the state for eight unbroken years were the same people still sponsoring this Airhiavbere. Commenting on the effect of the merger of the opposition on the ruling PDP at the 2015 general elections, Adewale said “The same scenario that you find in Edo may play out at the national level. This is because the PDP government is seriously under-performing. The basic role of the government at all levels is to provide security and an enabling environment for the people to go about their normal businesses. But what do you find? Insecurity everywhere! “If the merger talks between the three major opposition parties succeed, I see a situation whereby the PDP would find it difficult to retain the presidency and some states of the federation. Every body seems to be tired of the government that has failed to deliver on its promises,” he said.

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

Reps to push for re-appraisal of Nigeria's foreign policy By Lawrence Olaoye

orried by apparent losing ground of its leadership role in Africa, the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs said Nigeria urgently need a new road map in the continent. Chairperson of the committee, Rep Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje echoed the feelings of her committee members during an interactive session in Abuja with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Martin Uhomoibhi. This is contained in a statement issued by the Committee Clerk, Alhaji Mohammed Zakari in Abuja on Sunday. Ukeje, who decried the dwindling leadership role of the country in the continent, said it was high time for the country to wake up and review its foreign policy objectives as it concerns Africa. ``We must have a roadmap in Africa and how to gain back our lost glory'', she said. We have lost ground but there are still way to gain and do better than our peers. Let us live up to the name, Giant of Africa''. Ukeje (PDP-Abia) said the country needs urgent review of its foreign policy in view of the current dynamism in the global politics in which Nigeria must not be left behind. She said the committee will soon package a public hearing in collaboration with

other stakeholders geared towards fashioning out a road map for Nigeria in the next five years. The lawmaker with the support from her colleagues said that it was high time Nigeria review her old foreign policy in view of current global challenges. Apparently referring to Nigeria performance at the recently concluded AU summit in Addis Ababa, Ukeje said the time has come for Nigeria to draw up a road map of where it wants to be in ECOWAS, AU and UN. Responding, Dr Uhomoibhi said there was nothing wrong

with Nigeria five Foreign policy objectives as it is contained in the constitution where Africa remains its centre piece. He said that Nigeria has not had any failure in its foreign policy objectives, explaining that Nigeria was not a candidate for the AU post in Addis Ababa. ``The only post we contested for was Commissioner for Political Affairs and we trounced four other candidates and when it was between Nigeria and Botswana, Nigeria won 37 against block votes of Southern African Development

Corporation (SARDEC) 13 votes'', he said. The Permanent Secretary said ``if you ask for my opinion, I will tell you that our performance in AU is successful, we have Rep Bethel Amadi as President Pan Africa Parliament and Dr Aisha Abdullahi as AU Commissioner for Political Affairs''. Uhomoibhi assured the committee that the ministry will not do anything capable of ridiculing the most populous black nation in Africa as the foreign policy objectives as contained in the constitution would be implemented.

Members of Plateau House of Assembly during the valedictory session for late Majority Leader of the House, late Hon. Gyang Fulani, on Friday in Jos. Photo: NAN

Tukur charges state governors to pay attention agriculture From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

he National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has charged all state governors in the country to pay much attention to the agricultural sector that will engage people in aggressive farming. Tukur stated this in an interview with FRI Radio monitored by our correspondent

in Bauchi at the weekend. He said that unless state governors embark on agricultural that will make people fully engaged in farming, poverty will continue unabated with its concomitant insecurity. According to him, with the present level of poverty in the country and the security risk, going back to agriculture remains the only solution to the problem of poverty and insecurity. He said if the unemployed are youths are

in to various farming sector it will alleviate their poverty and will also reduce the security challenges. "That is why I am calling on the state governors to pay much attention to Agricultural sector by embarking on aggressive agricultural projects that will engaged the unemployed youths in their states" According to him, "people are not aware of the potentials in agriculture with vast land

resources in the country; if the state government will facilitate and empower people to go into real farming business, the security challenges will reduce because people will be occupied with farming business" He stressed the need for governance at all levels to involved people especially the unemployed youth in cultivating large farm land and teach them how to harness the potentials of farming.

Ramadan: Baraje urges people to shun violence From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

ormer acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Kawu Baraje, has appealed to Nigerians and other nationals to shun terrorism and other criminal tendencies across the globe during the period of Ramadan .

Baraje stated this in Ilorin at the weekend stressing that people should move closer to Almighty God. He said that if evil doers and criminals could shun killings of innocent souls and other social vices during the holy month of Ramadan, they should completely have a change of mind even after the Ramadan

period. Baraje said that Islam as a religion preaches peace and harmony and described the new dimension in crime wave such as bombing and kidnapping as alien not only to the nation's culture and tradition but also to both Islam and Christianity. He called on Muslim

faithful and religious leaders to be more sincere in their sermons so that people would have positive change of heart. He called on the government and the governed to continue to operate together in trust which the Holy Prophet Mohammed preached during his life time so as to build a virile nation.

PDP faults appointment of Osun CJ, HoS from Lagos From Inumidun Ojelade, Osogbo

he Osun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged traditional rulers to prevail on Governor Rauf Aregbesola not to carry out his reported plans to appoint the Chief Judge and Head of Service of the state from Lagos. The party in a statement issued by its Head of Legal Services, Otunba Sunday Williams, said the party had been reliably informed that Aregbesola and Senator Bola Tinubu had resolved to appoint Justice Olubunmi Oyewole of the probate division of Lagos High court as Chief Judge of Osun state. Justice Oyewole who was made a judge on May 24, 2001 by Tinubu is currently number 33 in Lagos High court and has never served in the judiciary of Osun state. The incumbent Chief Judge of Osun state, Justice George Olaniyi Ojo is due for retirement on November 8, 2012. The PDP said it was unheard of that a governor would want to bypass all known administrative, legal and moral norms to impose outsiders on the Judiciary and the civil service stressing that all stakeholders in the state must rise up to resist the plans. "Justice Oyewole is not just number 33 in the Lagos High Court, he has never served in the judiciary of Osun state where he has at least eight judges as his senior at the bar and the bench. We also learnt the ACN governor has plans to enthrone one of the jobbers in his camp in Lagos as Head of Service after aborting his current strange, illegal process to elect one from among permanent secretaries in Osun state. "All these steps, we want to say, go against the well established legal and administrative cum civil service conventions of career progression. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We appeal to traditional rulers, religious leaders, the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Osun state Judicial Service Commission and the Civil Service Commission to rise up now and insist on the protection as well as preservation of the time honoured tradition that has nurtured the services over the years. "The judiciary is the last hope of the common man and any succession plan that will compromise its independence and integrity should not be condoned. "Osun state in the last one and a half years has become almost a pariah in the comity of states in Nigeria and a butt of cruel jokes among people who believe in the virtues of freedom, self- respect, decency and self- governing against the shenanigans of crude native imperialists and their hare-brained surrogates," the PDP said.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

PAGE 39

NASS to set up management board for Abuja hospitals By Lawrence Olaoye

he House of Representatives has hinted that a bill seeking to set up a management board for hospitals in Abuja would soon be passed into law by the National Assembly. This declaration by Chairman, House Committee on Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Rep Emmanuel Jime, after endorsing the standard of medical activities at the Indian-owned Primus International Speciality Hospital, Karu, Abuja. The lawmaker said this while undertaking a recent oversight exercise on the facility and other hospitals under control of Federal Capital Territory, FCT. Jimehe on FCT who led his colleagues on the tour said Primus which is currently under concession agreement with government has brought world-class health delivery closer to Nigerians thereby reducing the stress of travelling abroad, especially those living in the FCT. He said the National Assembly is committed to look into all identified areas of challenge as raised by Primus and other hospitals in a bid to ensure that affordable healthcare services to Nigerians. The Committee also demanded for a copy of contract agreement between FCTA and Primus to avail it an insight into areas that require immediate bail-out. Management of Primus had earlier told the Committee that power failure and high import duties on medical equipment are increasing cost of services to Nigerians. Jime however added that part of efforts being made by the 7th Assembly is a Bill before the House of Reps titled "An Act to Provide for the Establishment of the Hospitals Management Board of the Federal Territory". Jime who is the sponsor of the Bill believes such would positively impact on health delivery in Abuja and empower health personnel in FCT. He said: "I think this Bill, which also has the input of members of the Committee, health practitioners in hospitals in the Federal Capital Territory and other stakeholders will help to advance health delivery in the FCT". "The bill also seeks in part to empower the proposed board to consider plans and budgetary proposals of the hospitals and submit recommendations thereon to the Minister. "The board will also provide the general policy guidelines relating to the functions of the board", he said. Earlier, Dr. Eugene Emordi, Head and Medical Superintendent of Primus informed the lawmakers that the hospital will soon take delivery of latest diagnostic equipment meant for early disease prevention and cure. Other hospitals visited during the oversight function included Wuse, Maitama and Asokoro Hospitals.

Ogun state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, casting his vote at African Church Central Primary School, Ward II, unit 12, Ita Iyalode in Abeokuta North LG during the local government chairmen and councillors elections on Saturday, in Abeokuta. Photo: NAN

Aliero denies receiving contracts from Kebbi state government From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

ormer Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Senator Muhammadu Adamu Aliero and former Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) gubernatorial aspirant in the state, Alhaji Abubakari Gari Mallam, has denied the allegation against them that the expansion of Kebbi state Airport and New construction of state secretariat contract has been given to them, describing the rumors has mischievous and callous. In a press release signed by the Special Assistant to Aliero, Alhaji

Abdulahi Zuru, the former governor said he had no intention of collecting contracts from the government just as he enjoined the people to keep supporting the state government. "The attention of Sen. Muhammad Adamu Aliero and Alh. Abubakar Mallam has been drawn to mischievous rumors being circulated in the state that they have been awarded contracts for the expansion of Kebbi state Airport and the New State Secretariat respectively by Kebbi state government. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We wish to state without fear of contradiction that neither Sen.

Adamu Aliero nor Alh. Abubakar Mallam has formally or informally bidded for the Airport and State Secretariat contracts from the state Government. Similarly, none of them have been awarded the contracts nor are they aware of when and who such contracts have been awarded to,'' it said. Aliero further pointed out that the rumor was baseless, unfounded and a calculated attempt by some mischief makers to create suspicion and disunity among the PDP members and the good people of Kebbi state for reasons best known to them. "It should be noted that Aliero

and Mallam and their teeming supporters rejoined the PDP with the aim of ensuring political stability, unity of purpose and peaceful co-existence amongst the people of Kebbi state and not for any personal benefits," he stressed. He further enjoined members of the public, particularly PDP members in the state to disregard such mischievous rumors just as he reiterated that the politicians are committed to the peaceful coexistence amongst the people of the state and the unity of the PDP members in the state and the country at large.

Tambuwal preaches peace, unity at Ramadan By Lawrence Olaoye

peaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has said the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which began across the globe on Friday, should be used to pray for peace, unity and progress of Nigeria. According to him, Ramadan is a time of sacrifice; a time when Moslems abstain from the physical pleasures of this life,

and seek blessings from the Almighty through the study of the Holy Koran, the teachings of the Holy Prophet and sharing with neighbours and the needy. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal said it behoves on all Nigerians, especially Muslims, to dedicate much of their time to acts of worship in order enjoy maximum favor from the

almighty God. He said all Nigerians should use the Ramadan period to embrace love for one another, sacrifice for the overall growth and development of the nation, and cooperation with government for the attainment of our national goals. The Speaker further urged Nigerians to let their actions match their prayers. "As we begin the Ramadan fast, we must take actions that

match our prayers. The holy month is a period of sacrifice, prayers and reflection on our attitudes and contributions to nation-building. It bears repeating here that without peace and unity, socio economic development will continue to elude our society," he added. Tambuwal therefore prayed for an end to the spate of bombings, ethno-religious conflicts and other acts of insecurity bedeviling the country.

House Leader condoles with Ajimobi over mother's death By Lawrence Olaoye

ajority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rep Mulikat Akande-Adeola, at the weekend, condoled with the Oyo state governor, Senator

Abiola Ajimobi, over the death of his mother, Alhaja Sikirat Abebe Ajimobi. Akande-Adeola, in a statement signed of her behalf by her Principal Information Officer, Austen Adesoro, described the exit of the

governor's mother whom she described as a community leader as a huge and irreparable loss not only to the governor and his immediate family but to the entire good people of Oyo state.

The statement stated "The House Leader regrets the demise of Alhaja Alimobi at a time her advice and wisdom is mostly needed by the governor. She urged Senator Ajimobi to take heart as a true believer."

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

Insecurity: ACN carpets Jonathan for failing to heed Reps summons By Umar Mohammed

L-R: Chairman, Unity Forum, Malam Mohammed Abdul , Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives , Hon . Emeka Ihedioha, and Deputy Chairman, Unity Forum, Alhaji Abubakar Abdulkadir , during the forumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visit to National Assembly, recently, in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

PDP NEC fails to address real issues, says Dr. Ardo By Lawrence Olaoye

governorship aspirant under the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa state, Dr. Umar Ardo has said that the party's National Executive Council (NEC) held recently has failed to address the real challenges facing the party. Ardo in an interaction with newsmen recently said the party's leadership left out the issue of justice and reconciliation of members only to dwell on frivolities. According to him, the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has failed in his first outing by losing Edo state to the opposition in the recently conducted governorship polls in the state.

This according to him represents a bad omen for the party just as he warned that unless things are done differently, the party may as well lose several other states by 2015. He said "So, Bamanga Tukur has failed in his first outing in the governorship elections in Edo state. It is his first election under his tenure as PDP national chairman and it is a disaster for the party! The first NEC meeting of the party he has presided over has also come out with a disastrous result; they cannot address the fundamental issues before the nation. So, this is what is happening. Without you giving justice to the people, progress is difficult. There are too many problems. Already we are thinking of the issue of Boko Haram; the issue of militancy; the issue of insecurity and all these issues are reactions to

fundamental injustices that are being perpetrated by the leadership on the followership." Ardo pointed out that Tukur has refused to adhere to the party's constitution by refusing to cancel and re-conduct elections into nine state PDP Executive Council faulted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He said this reperesnts the height of injustice in the ruling party. "PDP should wake up! Nigeria is crumbling under its leadership. It is the responsibility of each and every member of the PDP to come out and say no to this impunity; no to this risk; no to this dishonesty and no to this grave injustice that is being meted on the people of this country and the membership of the PDP. Say no to what Bamanga is doing," he stressed.

Dantong, Fulani's death will bring peace to Plateau, says Deputy Governor From Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

lateau state Deputy Governor, Ignatius Longman, yesterday expressed the confidence that the death of late Senator Gyang Dantong and Hon. Gyang Fulani, the majority leader of the state House of Assembly, would bring lasting peace to the troubled state. Speaking in an interview after the valedictory session for late

Gyang Fulani, Mr. Longjam described the death of Dantong and Fulani as a dark moment for the people of the state. Also, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly John Clark Dabwan called on the state and Federal Government to immortalise the two politicians. Dabwan said the contributions of the two lawmakers to the development of the state should not be allowed to go in vain. Members of the state Assembly

took turns to pay their last respect to Fulani, the late member, representing Barkin Ladi at the Assembly. All the members said the deceased was passionate about peace returning back to the state especially Barkin Ladi LGA where he represents. It would be recalled that Dantong and the Fulani both died during the mass burial of over 50 persons massacred in Maseh village of Riyom LGA.

Kebbi traditional rulers want law on environmental resources resources in the state. In his remarks, Governor Usman From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

raditional rulers and stake holders in Kebbi state have appealed to the state government to enact a law on the regulation of environmental resources as well as setting up a committee for the conservation and sustainable management of the environment and the natural

In a communiquĂŠ issued at weekend in Birnin Kebbi at end of a 2day advocacy workshop organized by Kebbi State Community and Social Development Project (KBCSDP) for traditional rulers and other stakeholders on environment, the 118 District Heads stressed the need for their involvement by Ministry of Environment on issues that concern environmental protection and management.

Saidu Dakingari, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim K. Aliyu, said that the drive for the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources in Kebbi has become a necessity due to intensive deforestation, uncontrolled agricultural practices, improper grazing, bush burning, encroachment of reserves by people and desertification.

he Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has berated President Goodluck Jonathan for failing to honour a summon by the House of Representatives to explain his efforts at resolving the challenge of insecurity facing the nation. The opposition party in a release signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed alleged that the President has continued the destruction of the nation's institutions with impunity. He stated "It is irrelevant and beside the point that our National Assembly today especially the House of Representatives has not lived up to expectation, but that is no excuse for the deliberate assault of the doctrine of the separate of powers by president Goodluck Jonathan. It is now common

knowledge according to the party that when the House of Representatives relying on section 89(d) of the Constitution invited President Goodluck Jonathan to appear before it to explain how his government is failing to tackle the worsening security situation in the country, the President's Advisersin- mischief have under one pretext or the other justified the President's refusal to honour the invitation. "May we remind President Goodluck Jonathan and his advisersin- mischief that section 89 (d) of our Constitution gives the House of Representatives the power to summon "ANY PERSON" in Nigeria to appear before it. Of course what President Jonathan by this singular misadventure is telling Nigerians and the whole world is that he is not only above the law but he is the law.

Plateau crisis: Group backs Governor Aliyu on JTF By Lawrence Olaoye

he Civil Society Network for Good Governance and Social Justice has endorsed the comment made by the Chairman Northern Governors' Forum, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, calling on the Special Military Task Force (STF)to be cautious in the handling of the security challenges in Plateau state. The network's President Comrade Solomon Omotosho at a press conference in Abuja yesterday noted that as the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Aliyu was eminently qualified to speak on anything affecting the whole northern states, and this must not be misconstrued as a personal issue. The network faulted the reaction of the Plateau state Governor Chief Jonah Jang of Plateau state, where he said Dr. Babangida Aliyu was not speaking for the northern governors but in his capacity as governor of Niger state. Solomon stressed that Governor Jang who reacted through media went personal, 'As far as we are concerned, it is open and clear that as Chairman of Northern Governors

Forum Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu has on several occasions voiced his anger on anything that is against the peace, unity and progress of Nigeria. The group said the chief servant has demonstrated this rare patriotic feat that one wonders why his recent reaction to the sack notice issued by the STF on the people of Mahanga, Kakuruk, Maseh, and Shong 11 in both Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local governments areas of Plateau State would now be seen as sentimental and one sided'. The network further stressed that the call by Governor Babangida Aliyu was in his capacity as Chairman Northern Governors Forum and not as Governor of Niger State as Jang wanted to paint it. Comrade Omotosho noted that the Chairman Northern Governors Forum really appreciates the changing internal dynamics of the current security situation in the country, and that was why he made that statement adding "except Governor Jang wants us to regard him as a black ship among all the governors in the northern state and Nigeria as a whole"

Ajimobi urges rededication during Ramadan From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

overnor Abiola Ajimobi has urged Muslims to use the period of this year's Holy month of Ramadan to rededicate themselves to the cause of Allah and intercede for the country for peace and good governance. The governor said this in a message he sent to Muslim through his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo. According to the governor, the holy month is a period when Muslims should offer supplications on behalf of the nation and themselves to the Almighty Allah so that peace and tranquility would reign in their fatherland. Governor Ajimobi specifically

asked Muslims to intercede for the country in the attempts by some unscrupulous people to rewrite the history of the country from a peaceloving, friendly people to a violent, bomb-throwing nation> He added that Muslims owe it a duty to ask Allah to return Nigeria to the good old days when the nation was peaceful and calm. "We should take the opportunity of the month of Ramadan to ask Almighty Allah to stop this spate of bomb-throwing and violence which are very alien to the Nigeria that we have always known. Let us use this period of fasting to ask God for the forgiveness of our sins and rededicate our lives to the cause of a peaceful and Godfearing nation," Ajimobi said.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY JULY 23, 2012

Idoko hails Sunshine Stars for holding Etoile in Tunisia

F/Eagles to play Junior Taifa Stars in Ilorin, as Obuh names 20 for qualifier

he Ondo State Football Agency (OSFA) has hailed Sunshine Stars FC for their spirited performance that resulted in the scoreless away draw away to Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia, in the CAF Champions League on Saturday. OSFA’s Executive Director, Mike Idoko, who praised the team’s performance, described the 0-0 result as a morale booster to the team which had lost the opening group game to defending ”Getting a point on the road is better than losing at home; although we wanted outright victory, but unfortunately we could not score. I think this is good for the boys’ confidence. The result will motivate the team in our next away match against the Algerian team. “I want to assure our fans that in our next match, we will play our hearts out and get the long awaited victory, to top our group,” Idoko said. The OSFA official assured football fans to expect more from the club, in spite of the loss the team suffered in Ijebu-Ode. Also, Akin Akinbobola, the Special Adviser on Sports to Gov. Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, advised the team to remain focused ahead of their subsequent matches in the competition. “We are happy about the outcome of the match. We would have preferred a win, because the charge that was given to them was to win. As it is now, they have to remain focused,” he said. Akinbobola commended the quality of play displayed by the players in Saturday’s encounter, and advised the team to get their scoring skills right. “They played according to the plan. They were tactical in their approach. `What we need them to do now is to convert their chances at scoring goals. We are happy, and we will ensure that our next match will be a must win for us to top our group,” Akinbobola said.

PAGE 41

Godfrey Oboabana, Skipper Sunshine Stars

Chukwu, Monye, others delighted with IOC’s award of Sydney Olympic gold to Nigeria

ome former Nigerian international athletes Jude Monye and Clement Chukwu have lauded the decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to award the Sydney 2002 gold medal in the 4x400 metres relay to Nigeria. Speaking yesterday following the formal presentation of the medal to the NOC in London 12 years after the Games and sequel to the discovery that a member of the U.S. team, Antonio Pettigrew, tested positive to a performance-enhancing substance, the athletes said the award justified their efforts. It would be recalled that the Americans had won the gold, with Nigeria taking the silver through an inspirational race by Enefiok Udo Obong, whose gut and determination led him to catch up and overtake the Jamaican for silver and the latter the bronze. However, sequel to Pettigrew’s confession to the use of the performance enhancing substance, the IOC ordered the medal withdrawn in 2008. In spite of the order, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) would not surrender the medal to the IOC, causing the matter to stretch over 12 years. Reacting to news of the award, Yusuf Alli, coach and former captain of Nigeria’s athletic team, said from the Olympic Games Village in London that the decision was impressive even though a little bit late. “I am very much delighted at the news; I am impressed by the IOC’s decision. It is not how long the decision was made but that they have been awarded and recognised after these years. “It is just a pity that my good friend, Sunday Bada, one of the four relay quartet to the Sydney Games is no more. But I know his family will also be recognised on his behalf. “I am extremely happy at the decision, I will tell you. Nigerians should also be happy for the medal although it has been 12 years but nevertheless we were recognised,’’ he said. Among Members o f the relay team to the Sydney Olympics were Clement Chukwu, Jude Monye, Enefiok Udo Obong and Sunday Bada. Tina Iheagwam, a former sprinter, equally said in Lagos that she was happy with the IOC’s decision, saying nothing was hidden and it showed that justice had finally been done. “I am dumbfounded because justice has been delayed for 12 years. We, in the country, had actually forgotten about it but I can tell you that what the IOC had done is a good indication that nothing goes unnoticed,’’ she said. The U.S.-based Nigerian athletics coach, Patience Itanyi, also hailed the award saying: “It is really something good for the country. “I wish and hope that the athletes will look at it and say with this award, we can go all out to win a gold at the London Games,’’ she said.

lorin will host the return leg match of the 2013 African Youth Championship (AYC) qualifier between Nigeria and Tanzania on August 11, an official said yesterday in Abuja. Sam Audu, the Media Officer of the Nigeria’s the Flying Eagles, gave the hint while speaking on the team’s preparation for the forthcoming qualifier. Audu said the Kwara Government had accepted to host the game with assurances of warm reception and provision of all necessary facilities. “The State Sports Commissioner, Mr Kayode Towoju, has already conveyed their approval to us, and he has described the development as a honour to the state. “He also said they (Kwara) are very delighted and honoured to stage the match, and promised a most befitting time for the national team,” Audu said. Nigeria’s Flying Eagles would tackle their Tanzania counterparts in the first leg of the qualifier, scheduled for July 29 in Dar es Salaam, while the return leg match will hold at the Ilorin Township Stadium two weeks later. According to Audu, the Flying Eagles will proceed to Ilorin on arrival from Tanzania on Monday, July 30. It would not be the first time the John Obuh-tutored Eagles will be playing in Ilorin as they had earlier this month played a goalless draw with Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) FC, a premier league side in a warm-up game. The U-20 team has ABS FC goalkeeper, Jonah Usman, as part

of the squad which is to depart Lagos this afternoon for Rwanda. In Rwanda, they will play a warm-up game on Tuesday before they head to Tanzania for the AYC qualifier. The team had in Minna on Saturday beaten another Nigerian Premier League side, Kaduna United 1-0, in another friendly match. Meanwhile, a 20-man Flying Eagles squad had been named ahead of their 2013 African Youth Championship (AYC) qualifier against Tanzania on July 29. According to a statement signed by the team’s Media Officer, Samm Audu, the squad has two goalkeepers, six defenders, six mid-fielders and six attackers, most of whom are drawn from the domestic league. “Cedric Omoigui, a striker with the youth team of Spanish La Liga side, RCD Mallora, was the surprise inclusion on the squad,’’ the statement said. The statement listed the goalkeepers as Jonah Usman and Samuel Okani, with the defenders as Abubakar Hassan, Aliyu Mohammed, Tope Aluko, Ikechukwu Okorie, Chizoba Amaefule and Boniface Abonima. The mid-fielders are Agboyi Ovbokha, Shehu Abdullahi, Moses Orkuma, Kingsley Patrick, Chidi Osuchukwu and Uche Agbo, while the strikers are Omoigui, Sikiru Alimi, Harrison Egbune, Yahaya Adamu, Alhaji Gero and Aminu Umar. The overall winners will take on the winners of the match between South Africa and Congo for a place in the finals, scheduled for March 2013 in Algeria.

Gbenga Ogunbote, Coach Sunshine Stars

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY JULY 23, 2012

London Olympics: Team Nigeria hits Games Village tomorrow By Patrick Andrew

he Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC) has officially received and checked in Team Nigeria comprising 116 athletes and some technical officials at the 2012 London Olympic Games Village. Team Nigeria is to compete for honours in eight sports at the global fiesta to be held in London from July 27 through to August 12. Although the bulk of the contingent were unavailable, Peoples Daily Sports learnt that the different sports teams who are currently in their training camps in Germany and Surrey, England are expected to hit the Games Village tomorrow. According to the contingent list released by the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) at the conclusion of the Delegation Registration Meeting (DRM), the team is made up of 55 athletes, 12 coaches, 29 administrative officials and nine medical officers. Others are five contingent officials and six secretariat official. The eight sports are: Athletics, Basketball, Boxing, Canoeing, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Weightlifting and Wrestling. Forty nine persons, including 29 athletes, 14 coaches and two administrative staff make up the Athletics contingent while Basketball has a team of 16, comprising 12 players, two coaches and two accompanying officials. Boxing has a total of seven three boxers, two coaches and two accompanying officials. Others are: Canoeing to be represented by four persons an athlete, a coach and two administrative staff; Table Tennis has eight, four athletes two coaches and two accompanying officials. Taekwondo (six), two practitioners, two coaches and two administrative staff. The rest are: weightlifting (5), two weightlifters, a coach and two other officials; Wrestling (seven), four wrestlers, a coach and two administrative officers, while the contingent officials, numbering 20 have six from the NOC, nine medical personnel and five other officials. The comprehensive list is made up as follows: TEAM LIST - NIGERIA DELEGATION ATHLETICS - Women 100m Women 1. Blessing Okagbare 2. Gloria Asumnu 3. Lawretta Ozoh 200m Women 1. Gloria Asumnu 2 Lawretta Ozoh 3. Christy Udoh 400m Women 1. Regina George 2. Omolara Omotosho 400m H Women 1. Ajoke Odumosu High Jump Women 1. Doreen Amata Long Jump 1. Blessing Okagbare Shot Put 1. Vivian Chukwuemeka Hepthatlon 1. Uhunoma Naomi Osazuwa Marathon 1. Esther Obiekwe 100m H Women 1. Seun Adigun 4 x 100 m Women 1. Blessing Okagbare 2. Gloria Sunmu 3. Lawretta Ozoh 4. Oluwadamola Osayomi 5. Wisdom Isoken 6. Christy Udoh 4 x 400 m Women 1. Regina George 2. Omolara Omotosho 3. Bukola Abogunloko 4. Endurance Abinuwa 5. Idara Otu 6. Margaret Etim ATHLETICS - Men 100 m Men 1. Obinna Joseph Metu 2. Ogho Oghene Egwero 3. Peter Emelieze 110 H Men 1. Selim Nurudeen 400 m Hurdles Men 1. Ameadi Morton Long Jump Triple Jump 1. Oluwatosin Oke Probation â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 200m Men 1. Noah Akwu 2. Stanley Azie 100m Hurdles Women 3. Jessica Ohanaja 1. Stanley Gbageke Officials 1. Yusuf Alli 2. Innocent Egbunike (Head Coach) 3. Nat Page 4. Gabriel Okon 5. Christopher Doomes

Ajoke Odumosu 6. Garfield Ellenwood (Personal) 7. Ken Onuaguluchi (Persoanl) 8. Paul Obodochima (Personal) 9. Daniel Etsebimor (Personal) 10. Oluyomi Sule (Personal) 11. Gabriel Opuana (Personal) 12. Solomon Aliu (Personal) 13. Sunday Uti (Personal) 14. Falilat Ogunkoya (Personal) 15. Maria Wophill - Admin. Personnel 16. Chief Solomon Ogba Team Leader BASKETBALL 1. Oyedeji Olumide 2. Diogu Ikechukwu Somto 3. Oruche Richard Dean Chukwuma 4. Ugboaja Ejike 5. Dagunduro Adeola Adedokun 6. Oguchi Chamberlain Nnaemeka

Obinna Metu

blessing-okagbare 7. Aminu Abdul Alade 8. Ibekwe Ekenechukwu 9. Archibong Aniekan Okon 10. Aminu al Farouk 11. Obasohan Derrick Osamuuyi 12. Skinn Anthony Oludewa 13. Ayodele Bakare - Head Coach 14. Sani Ahmed - Coach 15. Francis Gbiri - Admin. Personnel 16. Tijjani Umar - Team Leader BOXING 1. Akanji Muideen Olalekan 75kg 2. Lawal Lukmon Olaiwola 81kg 3. Ogoke Edith Agu (Female) 75kg 4. Idika Nsofor - Coach 5. Anthony Konyegwachie Coach 6. Patrick Uwagbale - Admin. Personnel 7. Major-Gen. Tobiah Minimah - Team Leader CANOEING 1. Jonathan Peter Akinyemi K1 Slalom 2. Ebenezer Ukwunna Coach 3. Olubunmi Oluode - Admin. Personnel 4. Rear Adm. Festus Porbeni Team Leader TABLE TENNIS Male 1. Aruna Quadri 2. Segun Toriola Female 1. Edem Offiong 2. Olufunke Oshonaike Officials 1. Nosiru Bello - Coach

2. Richard Edem - Coach 3. Segun Oguntade - Admin. Personnel 4. Alhaji Kayode Omotose Team Leader TAEKWONDO 1. Chika Chukwumerije - +80 kg 2. Isa Mohammed - -68 kg 3. Keum Silwan - Coach 4. Carl Lewis Langan - Coach 5. Chinedu Ezealah - Admin. Personnel 6. Chief Jonathan Nnaji Team Leader WEIGHTLIFTING 1. Ekpo Felix Cobham - 77kg 2. Usman Maryam (Female) +75kg 3. Patrick Bassey - Coach 4. Uche Onwumeh - Admin. Personnel 5. Mr. Chimdi Ejiogu - Team Leader WRESTLING Male 1. Boltic Sinivie - 96kg Freestyle 2. Dick Adibo - 84kg Freestyle Female 1. Obiajunwa Amarachi - 72kg Freestyle 2. Oborodudu Blessing - 63kg Freestyle Officials 1. Daniel Igali - Coach 2. Olumide Bamiduro - Admin. Personnel 3. Chief Austin Edeze - Team Leader CONTINGENT OFFICIALS 1. Malam Bolaji Abdullahi Hon. Minister of Sports & Leader of Delegation 2. Mr Sani Ndanusa President Nigeria Olympic Committee 3. Chief Patrick Ekeji - Chef de Mission 4. Hon. Babatunde Popoola Secretary General, NOC 5. Mr Alhassan Yakmut Deputy Chef de Mission MEDICAL TEAM 1. Dr Abdulkadir Muâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;azu Team Doctor & Head Medical 2. Dr Hirekaan Lazarus Team Doctor 3. Dr. Ibrahim Gyaran - Team Doctor 4. Dr Ken Anugweje - Team Doctor 5. Mr Oladipo Odunuga Physiotherapist 6. Mr Ekundayo Ogunkule Physiotherapist 7. Mr Kayode Abdulsalam Physiotherapist 8. Miss Judith Enebe Physiotherapist 9. Mrs Nneka Eze - Nurse SECRETARIAT 1. Manufor Hellen Administrative Personnel 2. Emmanuel Nweri Administrative Personnel 3. Augustine Odijie Administrative Personnel 4. Tony Ubani Press Attache 5. Emmanuel Igbinosa Administrative Personnel 6. Olalekan Alabi Administrative Personnel.

Idara Otu

4x100 relay team

Egwero

Basketball-nigerian-players-celebrate-in-caracas

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY JULY 23, 2012

PAGE 43

Rangers, Kano Pillars to resume battle for NPL shield Saturday

Super Eagles regroup for Lone Stars August 18

he Super Eagles are to resume preparations for the 2013 Nations Cup qualifier against the Lone Stars of Liberia on August 18 when players return to the Abuja camp. An official disclosed yesterday that the NFF has acceded to Head Coach Stephen Keshi’s decision to recall the players on that date about a month before the September clash to enable them tune up properly for the duel. The early resumption may be to make up for the absence of international friendly game following the cancellation of hitherto arrangements for some friendlies before the qualifiers. Keshi has returned to be with his family in the United States of America, while his assistant, Daniel Amokachi is doing television work for Supersport at the London Olympics. Players from the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) will open the training camp in Abuja. The foreign-based call-ups will join up with the squad a week to the September 8 clash in Monrovia. The return leg match is fixed for October 14 in Calabar with the overall winners advancing to the Nations Cup, which kicks off in South Africa on January 19.

have been decided. However, he did say that the NPL was yet to obtain confirmation from the NFF for the date adding that July 27 should be seen as a tentative date until approval has been received from the NFF. “We have concluded plans to resume league on Saturday July 28 with Week 35 fixtures.

The date stand but we would have to change that it if NFF fixed the Federation Cup semifinal for that weekend,” Babalola was earlier quoted by a wire service. Rangers lead the table with 58 points with Kano Pillars three behind. The league leaders return to Ibadan, where they crashed out in the Federation

igeria star Sone Aluko has agreed a two-year deal with English Championship side Hull City after he passed a medical at the KC Stadium. Hull City manager Steve Bruce is looking forward to working with winger Aluko again after agreeing a deal to sign the former Rangers forward. Aluko came through the ranks at Birmingham City during Bruce’s time in charge at St Andrew’s and he is available on a free after rejecting the transfer of his contract to the newco Rangers. Bruce is waiting to finalise the deal and expects more improvement to come from Aluko, who scored 12 goals in 21 SPL appearances last season after joining Rangers in November. “Sone is someone I’ve always kept an eye on. I had him as a kid at Birmingham when he was considered to be the next superstar. I can remember taking him on tour at 16. “It took him a while to develop. Some players mature quickly and others take their time to settle into senior football. “But he’s worked hard on his game and he’s really come

NPL WEEK 35 MATCHES Jigawa vs ABS Shooting Stars vs Enugu Rangers Rising Stars vs Kwara Sharks vs Heartland Akwa vs Enyimba Lobi Stars vs Tornadoes Warri Wolves vs Sunshine Pillars vs Dolphin Ocean Boys vs Kaduna United Wikki vs Gombe United.

Sone Aluko joins Hull City on in Scotland in the last couple of years. He really shot to prominence last year, he took it by storm”, Bruce told the Hull Daily Mail. He added: “He’s still a young lad at 23 and I’m sure he’s still got plenty of scope for improvement in the coming years. “He can play across the front positions, whether it’s through the middle or on either flank. He’s quick, direct and he’s a very good finisher too.” Another Nigerian, Seyi Olofinjana, also features for Hull City, which once paraded Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha.

Federation Cup Enyimba, Heartland, Lobi Stars battle opponents for semi-finals Another cracker awaits fans at the tickets Agege Stadium in Lagos where Kano By Patrick Andrew

Naira rain for Ogbomosho lads

rown FC players and officials have received the sum of N600,000 for getting to the quarter final stage of the Federation Cup. The funds were initially pledged by the Oyo Sports Commissioner Hon Dapo Lam Adesina and he made good. The timing could not have been better as the news of the donation filtered into the Crown FC camp while they were still celebrating their hard earned 3-2 win over Kwara which enabled them to move on to the quarter finals. Elated officials and players of the team described the gesture by the Oyo State leaders as both heartwarming and inspirational promising to work harder and to make everyone even prouder of the team from Ogbomosho The team did not celebrate too much and made their way to Port Harcourt to battle the defending champions Heartland of Owerri.

Cup group phase, to take on local favourites Shooting Stars. Other top-draw fixtures will see Pillars at home to champions Dolphin, Warri Wolves taking on Sunshine Stars and the northeast derby between Wikki and Gombe in Bauchi. On Thursday, Kaduna United will host Heartland in a rescheduled game.

Gabriel Reuben, Kano Pillars dependable defender

our teams are 90 minutes away from berthing at the semi-finals stage of the Federation Cup today when the referees will be expected to signal the termination of the quarterfinals proceedings in four centres. Of the eight teams still in contention only two lower division sides in Crown FC and Prime FC are in the race against four former champions: Enyimba, Heartland, Plateau United. In Bauchi centre, Lobi Stars, champions in 2003 at the expense of Sharks, who have never won the Cup but are are losing finalists in 1979 and 2009, will do battle. Albeit, Lobi Stars on paper are the favourites, but the Blues Angels could count on the experience of Cup veteran in Victor Ezeji and in-form duo, Gomo Onduku and Bright Ejike to secure them the semi-finals ticket. That won’t be easy though considering the form of Lobi Stars in their impressive performances during this fiesta and they also boast of talented and veterans in the trade. Former CAF Champions League back-to-back winners are no mood to compromise their quest to return to top flight continental campaign and that through the Federation Cup. So against killers giants, Prime FC under former Green Eagles’ midfielder Ademola Adeshina, the Elephants would have a handful. The Aba-based club were a relatively comfortable group unlike Prime FC that repeatedly plucked down big clubs and therefore would approach the game cautiously to forestall being another victim. Issah Akor has been the main man for Prime FC in their Cup run. Taiwo Maiyegun, captain Waheed Olapade, Samuel Adegbenro and impressive midfielder, Sunday Taiwo will make Enyimba work hard.

Pillars tackle Plateau United. Of course, PIllars are the favourites for the ticket. It may not be that easy though considering that are capable of hurting Pillars with the like of Longji Obadiah, Bulus Myep, Edward Bewarang and Emmanuel Odafe. The Kano club will be handed a shock exit. However, with on-sung Gabriel Reuben and the zest of the team, United will discover the sterner stuffs that a quality elite class team is made of. In Port Harcourt, cup holders, Heartland should hope to end Crown FC’s fairy tale. The Ajilete Valiant are threatening especially with striker Bode Daniel running at opposition defenders. But the Naze Millionaires have experienced centre-backs in Chinedu ‘Chicago’ Efugh and Emmanuel Olowo to stem such attacks. Heartland’s threat will come from the flanks and expect one of Brendan Ogbu, Jolly Osas, Kabiru Umar, Bello Kofarmata, Osas Okoro, Philip Auta and Bartholomew Ibenegbu to finish off Crown FC in Port Harcourt. FIXTURES Heartland vs Crown FC Prime FC vs Enyimba Lobi Stars vs Sharks Plateau Utd vs kano Pillars

Austin Eguavoen, Heartland coach

igeria Premier League (NPL) will resume on Saturday after as a break to allow for the Federation Cup matches, officials announced. The Acting Executive Secretary, Tunji Babalola, disclosed in a telephone interview that the league will resume because bty then the Federation Cup quarterfinals matches shall

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY JULY 23, 2012

250 men, 36 women chase 39 boxing medals in London Games

total of 250 men and 36 women will compete for 39 medals when the Olympic Games boxing competition starts in London on Saturday. The men will fight in ten categories and the women in three, with all the bouts taking place at the Excel Arena. The last fights will be on Sunday August 12. The men’s categories consist of 16, 26 or 28 boxers. The women start with a draw of 16 or at the quarterfinal stage. The winners of the semifinals in each division fight for the gold medal. The runner-up takes silver and the losers of the semifinals each take home a bronze. There are 13 gold medals to be won. The men’s bouts are over three rounds of three minutes and those for women over four rounds of two minutes.

Bolt to race in Lausanne after Games

amaican sprint star Usain Bolt will compete in the Lausanne Diamond League meeting in Switzerland on August 23, event organisers announced on Saturday. It will be Bolt’s sixth appearance at the Lausanne meet, with the world recordholder having previously raced over 200m on five occasions and once over 100m. He will race one of the two sprint events but will not decide which one until after the London Olympics, where he will be defending the three gold medals he won in Beijing in 2008. Lausanne organisers also announced that American Wallace Spearmon, Churandy Martina of the Netherlands and another Jamaican, Nickel Ashmeade, will compete in the 200m.

Usain Bolt

drien Broner stopped Vincente Escobedo in the fifth round on Saturday night after losing his WBO junior lightweight title on the scales. Broner, who was making his last defence before moving up to lightweight, dropped his title before the first round by coming in nearly 1.6 kg over the limit. He promptly set about demolishing Escobedo until the referee stopped the bout at the US Bank Arena in Cincinnati in Ohio 2 minutes 42 seconds into the fifth round. The title is now vacant as Broner, still only 22 years old, gets ready to take on the leading lightweights. On his performance on Saturday night he is likely to challenge for one of the titles soon. Broner, who is still undefeated after 24 professional fights, has won by knockout 20 times. Escobedo’s record now stands at 26-5, with 15 knockouts. Broner won the vacant WBO belt in November last year when he knocked out Vincente Martin Rodriguez in the third round. In his first defence, in February this year, he stopped Eloy Perez in the fourth. Escobedo, who is 30 years old and represented the United States at the 2004 Olympic Games, knocked out Lonnie Smith (14-2-2) in the first round in March this year to win the vacant WBO NABO superfeatherweight title. In Hollywood, Argenis Mendez from the Dominican Republic beat Martin Honorio on points over twelve rounds in a super-featherweight bout. Mendez, rated No 2 by the IBF, improved his record to 20-2 with 10 knockouts. His Mexican opponent, who

Boxers may not be older than 34 years and only one entrant per country is allowed to compete in each category. For each fight there are five judges sitting at ringside. The boxers are awarded one point for every punch they land with the marked part on their glove, either to the upper body or the head. If three of the judges strike the electronic buttons within a second of each other the boxer gets a point. If any boxer is more than 12 points ahead, he or she automatically wins. If a boxer is knocked to the canvas and fails to get up within a count of 10 from the referee, the bout is over. Bouts can also be won or lost by retirement or

disqualification. A referee can stop the fight at any point if he thinks a boxer is in an unfit state to continue. If two boxers end up with the same number of points, the judges select a winner by assessing factors such as which of the two was more inclined to take the lead and showed better style. If the judges still can’t pick a winner, they give the decision to the one who showed the better defence. THE WEIGHT DIVISIONS Men: Light-flyweight 49 kg; flyweight 52; bantam 56; light 60; light-welter 64; welter 69; middle 75; light-heavy 81, heavy 91; superheavyweight over 91 kg. Women: flyweight 51 kg, lightweight 60 and middleweight 75. There are two sessions on most of the days. The afternoon sessions start at 1.30 pm British time, except for August 9 when it starts at 4:30 pm. The evening sessions start at 8.30 pm.

Broner KO’s Escobedo in Round 5, but loses title

vincente-escobedo delivers a devastatating punch on the jaw of Walter Estrada but was unable to do so against Broner lost two points for hitting 96-94 against 96-95 for super-bantamweight bout. Hamburg title behind the head, dropped to Cotto – to take his record to Baja California, Argentine Juan Monaco 32-8-1; 16. 18-7-1; 4. Cotto dropped to Mexico: Junior defeated home hope In Cancun, Mexico: 33-4-1; 24. welterweight Antonio Tommy Haas 7-5, 6-4 to Pablo Cesar Cano won the Tijuana, Mexico: Bryan Lozada (27-1; 23) knocked claim his third title of the WBA interim super- Vasquez, the WBA interim out Carlos Urias (45-23-1; season in the ATP clay-court lightweight title when his s u p e r - f e a t h e r w e i g h t 34) in the first round. event in Hamburg on bout against Johan Perez champion, stopped Jorge Jhonny Navarrete (25- Sunday. was stopped in the seventh Lacierva in the ninth round 6-1; 12) stopped Joel Juarez The 28-year-old Monaco, round. to retain his belt and (34-21-2; 29) in the fourth ranked 14th in the world Cano was bleeding from improved to 28-0; 14. round of a welterweight and seeded third here, a cut that resulted from a Lacierva, who dropped to bout and minimumweight added to his titles from Vina clash of heads when the 41-8-6; 27 was down for a Juan Hernandez moved to del Mar in Chile and bout ended. He was ahead count of eight before the 20-2; 14 when he stopped Houston, Texas on clay this 68-65 on two cards and referee stopped the fight Lorenzo Trejo (30-25-1; 17) year to bring his career tally even at 65-65 on the third when he was knocked down in the third round. to six. at the time. Cano improved again. Atlanta, Georgia: Mike Former world No 2 Haas, to 25-1-1; 19 and Perez now Jorge Paez Jr (32-4-1; 19) Ruiz won his a super- 34, was playing his second stands at 15-1-1; 12. won a rematch against welterweight bout against final of the season, after Lightweight, Jorge Omar Chavez (28-2-1; 21) Paul Delgado by technical beating Wimbledon Romero (23-5; 20) stopped when each of the judges knockout in the ninth champion Roger Federer on Rudy Lopez (25-6-2; 16) in handed in a score of 96-94. round to improve to 17-7; 9 grass to lift the Halle title the fourth round. Ontario, California: and take over the WBF last month. Manuel Perez won a ten- Charles Huerta (17-3; 9) intercontinental title. It was his fourth round junior welterweight stopped Eduardo Arcos (18- Delgado now stands at 26- consecutive defeat at the bout against Jose Cotto by 8-1; 5) right at the end of 11-1; 4. hands of the left-handed split decision – 96-94 and the fifth round of their Monaco wins Monaco.

Mata hopeful of Spanish clean sweep

uan Mata wants Spain to make yet more football history by becoming the first nation to hold the world, European and Olympic titles at the same time with victory at London 2012. The 24-year-old forward

won the World Cup with Spain in 2010 and scored in the final of the European championship in July when they defeated Italy 40 in Kiev. Mata, who also won the FA Cup and Champions League titles this year with

English giants Chelsea, is one of three over-aged players in the Spain squad for an Olympic tournament where the bulk of squads must be under 23. However, he insists neither he nor his

compatriots have become jaded by their success. “It would be amazing to win the Olympic tournament,” said Mata on Sunday. “I have had the opportunity to play in the World Cup and the

European Championship and win both. “Winning a gold medal at the Olympics would complete an amazing summer for me, but also for Spanish football. “It would be great for us to win a gold medal and

that is what we want. “I think we are living a really good moment for Spanish football right now.” Spain, currently training in Scotland, had a boost Saturday when midfielder Iker Muniain was able to run during a practice session at Strathclyde University as he looked to overcome a thigh injury.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY JULY 23, 2012

PAGE 45

2 7

l a i r o t c i p 3

8 1/ India and Pakistan look set to resume bilateral cricketing ties after a gap of several years, with plans for Pakistani cricketers to tour India. 2/ Yohan Blake says his friendship with compatriot and training partner Usain Bolt will survive no matter what happens at London 2012. 3/ Arsenal have confirmed that Robin van Persie is looking to settle his future "as soon as possible" after returning to training. 4/ Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova has told his first press conference of the season that he has no "bad feeling" towards Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho. 5/ Scrum-half Nick Runciman re-joins Premiership newcomers London Welsh for a second spell after a season with Gloucester. 6/ Heather Watson beats Eleni Daniilidou in round one of the Mercury Insurance Open in Carlsbad, but Anne Keothavong loses. 7/ Thousands of athletes and officials set for London for the Olympic Games, as questions remain about security recruitment.

8/ David Haye admits his knockout victory over Dereck Chisora could be his last fight unless he can face Vitali Klitschko.

PAGE 46

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY JULY 23, 2012

Festival should re-ignite spirit of competition in country, urges Oshodi

ahid Oshodi, the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, said on Friday that the 18th National Sports Festival (NSF) would reawaken the spirit of competition among the youth across the country. Oshodi said in Lagos during a visit to the Mobolaji Sports Centre, Yaba, that the festival would be an avenue for youths to compete to develop their sporting skills. “We want everybody coming to Lagos for the festival to have a great time. I implore all the athletes that will participate in the festival to compete fairly. “We hope the young athletes will come through and in the next four years compete at the next Olympics,’’ he said. The commissioner stressed that the welfare of athletes from the state was a priority of the Lagos State Government because the state desired that they perform creditably well at the festival. “We have athletes who are on monthly salaries to help their feeding and transportation.” Oshodi noted that government directed that the athletes should be properly cared for, the way children were cared for in their homes. “We are also looking at ways the athletes representing Lagos can attend schools without having to pay tuition fees,’’ the commissioner said. The festival has been scheduled to run Nov 27 to December, 12.

page 47 pix Gabrie Agu of Crown and Anihwi Ogaga of Wolves

Erico wants Maigari, Baribote to repackage domestic league, attract patronage

oe Erico, a former Green Eagles goalkeeper in the 1970s, has urged the leaderships of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) to reshape and repackage the domestic leagues to generate interests and attract crowd patronage. According to the former Super Eagles Goalkeeper trainer, unless the domestic leagues were redesigned and made attractive they would hardly attract the desired crowd patronage and sponsorship. Erico, who regretted the sustained declined in spectatorship at match venues across the country, also asserted that the better packaged and televised European leagues have taken the shine off the domestic leagues which alleged don’t only lack quality administration but television friendly pitches. He stated that the Challenge Cup competition of old used to be jammed by devotees of the participating teams

t was with mixed reactions that soccer buffs in Lagos on Wednesday welcomed the rating of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) as the strongest in Africa. The International Federation History and Statistics (IFHHS) in a recent report ranked the league as number one in Africa and 24th worldwide. While some noted that it had properly situated the

Aminu Maigari, President of the NFF

which added a carnival atmosphere to the matches. “Although it will be wrong to compare the two because the situation is different, the problem we have in the league today is that some administrators are there for the wrong reasons. “In my days tickets are usually sold out days before the match, and the stadiums were usually filled to its capacity. He said that, if the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) failed to have a full house during its matches, there was no way the Federation Cup could have a better turnout of spectators in the stadium. “It starts with the NPL, if the crowd turnout is poor in the league, we should not expect anything better from the Federation Cup, if the league gets it right everything else will fall in place,’’ he said. The former defunct NEPA FC of Lagos goalkeeper urged football administrators to be more professional in

the execution of their duties and approach the task in a businesslike manner. “They need to develop a passion for this, in order to develop the game; we should be more innovative to shop for partners that will help improve the game to an appreciable level. “One thing they need to work on to succeed on this mission is to be transparent in their dealings with their partners to gain their trust, because no investor wants to be cheated,’’ he said. Erico who was a member of the Green Eagles squad that won the country’s first ever bronze medal at the 1976 edition of the AFCON in Ethiopia, described the ongoing Federation Cup as intriguing. “Federation Cup is a different cup entirely, it is not the best team that usually wins at the end of the day, it’s the least expected clubs that usually carry the day,’’ Erico said.

Soccer buffs praise rating of NPL as strongest in Africa position of the league in Africa, others said that it left gaps which the organisers could work on to put it among the top 20 best leagues. Spokesman for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Ademola Olajire said that the federation was happy with the rating. ``We are happy that the little we are doing is being appreciated; it means that we have to strive to make it bigger,'' he said. Mitchell Obi, the ViceChairman of Mastersports International, a Lagosbased sports marketing outfit, said the rating merely showed the NPL as the most competitive in Africa. He said that from the

current placement on the league table, it was obvious that the competition among the top five teams in the league had been tough. ``Even the previous champions, Enyimbaare not certain of their final placing. The current league leaders are also uncertain of the eventual outcome of the league as they are locked in a tough competition to win the league. Indeed, any mistakes among them can trigger drastic changes in position among the top five frontrunners,'' he said. However, Obi said that the rating had not really added real value to the league. ``There are a lot to be done to improve the

quality and content of the league; it is not yet paying its way. The league has yet to attract sponsors; it has yet to fill the spectator stands. It should be able to have good commercial padding as well as offer a variety to the viewing public,'' he said. Obi said that the league should also be in a position to provide a retirement opportunity for the country's top flight players after their careers in big leagues abroad. He contended that the only good thing about the league was that it was now being played in quality pitches across the country, with a measure of quality officiating. There is some hope for improvements in future,'' he said.

Joe Erico, a former Assistant Coach of the Super Eagles, described the rating as a plus to the NPL as they were achieving what they set out to do. ``Our league is one of the best in Africa, no doubt about that. I am not surprised that we are rated as the strongest; we are very passionate about the sport and we try to make the best out of it. ``We pray that we grow from strength to strength, and one day we will be rated one of the best in the world. I would say here that we should work more on the day to day running of the league as it would help us to improve in our performance,'' he said. MutiuAdepoju, the

General Manager of 3SC of Ibadan, said that the NPL's ranking as the most competitive was a good encouragement to strive for the best. ``This goes a long way to show that the league is strong, and we should continue to strive for the best and not relent in our efforts. But we still need to improve in our performance, most especially in the African Championships and other major events,'' he said.

Victor Baribote, Chairman, NPL

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

. . . putting the people first

MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012

SPORTS LA TEST LATEST

The Open 2012: Els wins as Scott crumbles

rnie Els clinched his second Open title after long-time leader Adam Scott spectacularly imploded at Royal Lytham & St Annes. The 42-year-old South African birdied the 18th to end seven under as Australia's Scott bogeyed the last four holes to come second by one shot. Els, who began the day six shots adrift, clinched his fourth major title and first since winning the 2002 Open at Muirfield. The 1994 and 1997 US Open champion carded 68 to the 75 of Scott, who had led since the sixth hole on Saturday. The 32-year-old Scott was four shots clear on the 15th tee and needed to hole from 10ft on the last to force a play-off. Tiger Woods threatened at times but a triple-bogey via a greenside bunker at the parfour sixth and three straight bogeys from the 13th sank his chances of a 15th major and first since the 2008 US Open. The 36-year-old carded a three-over 73 to end tied third at three under alongside playing partner and fellow American Brandt Snedeker (74). Graeme McDowell, the 2010 US Open champion, was playing in the final group for a second straight major but again struggled to engage the leader. The Northern Irishman took 75 to tie for fifth at two under with England's world number one Luke Donald, who climbed up the leaderboard with a 69. Scott's capitulation must rank worse than Rory McIlroy's Masters meltdown in 2011 and up there with Jean van de Velde's final-hole drama at Carnoustie in 1999. His defeat called to mind his compatriot Greg Norman's defeat at the Masters in 1996 when Nick Faldo overhauled a six-stroke deficit to snatch victory at Augusta in the last round. Els, who was ninth at last month's US Open, becomes the 16th consecutive different major champion. He also finished tied second when Royal Lytham hosted the Open in 1996 and tied third when it was last held on the Fylde coast in 2001.

ADVERT: BUSINESS: NEWS: LAGOS:

0803 0805 0803 0805 0803

QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE The insistence b y cer tain quar ter s by certain quarter ters for So ver eign Na tional Conf er ence Sov ereign National Confer erence is untenable as there can only be one so ver eignty — Sena te Leader sov ereignty Senate to SNC proponents

Travails of the Plateau Fulani Peace is when nobody is shooting. A ‘just peace’ is when your side gets what it wants — Bill Mauldin

am writing this column two days before you read it. The past few days have been full of stories, many of them contradicting each other, on developments in and around the camps to which Fulani villagers have been relocated so that the military can conduct operations against terrorists. Some reports say the military authorities have allowed some of the villagers to relocate back to all but one of the villages. There is virtually no media coverage on the fate of Berom villagers, and the impression one gets is that only Fulani villagers have been involved in these traumatic movements in and out of the villages they inherited from ancestors. It is also unclear what measures are being put in place to police the relationships between the Fulani, the Berom and the STF. The latter has been accused by both sides on numerous occasions of aiding the other party in killings or aiding escape. The question begging for answer is what will happen to Fulani-Berom relations when the military withdraw after their operations. Will attacks on Berom villages cease? Will the Berom sheath their sword against Fulani villagers who they accuse of importing "mercenaries" to attack them at night? Will Governor Jang tone down his own rhetoric and posture which fuels the crisis in Plateau state? Before the reports that some Fulani are being allowed to return to some of their villages started coming in, indications emerged that many of them were insisting on abandoning the camps in which they had lived for about a week, for their villages. They had been complaining of being virtually abandoned in camps that lacked basic essentials such as good water, food and medical facilities. With the commencement of the Ramadan fast, the pressure to stock-up was mounting, and many had quietly voted with their feet and returned home. On the whole, the life of these villagers in the past few days has been, to say the least, unenviable. Tossed between uncertainly and insecurity, they had become a symbol of a deep crisis over the manner the Nigerian State treats its citizens. It is very unlikely that these Fulani villagers will find peace in the near future, whether they are in camps or in their villages. In that respect, they are not unlike almost every citizen in Plateau state, no thanks to a state government policy which has very rigid and hierarchical order of rights and privileges of communities and citizens based on

311 689 606 327 454

7458 1765 3308 1969 0344

FIFTEEN MINUTES with Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed drbabaahmed@yahoo.com

Gov. David Jonah Jang of Plateau state tribes and religions. If these Fulani villagers had abandoned the camps they only moved into reluctantly and with profound suspicions, they would have confronted the security agencies with difficult choices. They had been moved out ostensibly on the grounds that the military operation planned to eliminate terrorists near or around their villages will require about 48 hours to complete, but they may have to stay away for at least two weeks to guarantee that they stayed completely out of harm's way. If the military insists that it is still involved in flushing out terrorists in their villages, any presence will endanger the Fulani villagers. It is very likely that the military will warn them to stay away, in camps or anywhere else that is not their villages. Any casualties registered among the villagers will be blamed on their stubbornness, and some people may even accuse them of sabotaging the efforts of the military to expose the terrorists hiding in or near the villagers. If the villagers relocate in large numbers and frustrate operations, the military may place their villages under prolonged siege and operations which will place them at great risk. Although periods have been mentioned by the military for the operation and possible return dates, the Fulani villagers who have been relocated have no say on when it will be concluded, or when they can return to their villages. It is now entirely up to the military authorities to say when it is safe. So if the villagers heed the warning of the military to stay put

in their camps, they may be in for a long haul. A long stay in squalid and unsafe environment will be even more difficult to bear during the month of Ramadan. If any thing happens to their villages to make it difficult for all of them to return, they will become permanent refugees. The longer they stay away, the more difficult it will be for them to return. Other communities on the list of "settlers" will read their fate in the travails these villagers. Still it made sense to advise the Fulani from the villages of Mahanga, Kakuruk, Kuzen, Maseh and Shong to stay in the camps while the military operation goes on. Common sense will dictate that the seeming certainty by the military that there is terrorist presence near their villages, and the steely determination that they must be flushed out should be taken seriously. If indeed, non-local terrorists exist which have been responsible for the mass murders in Berom villages these past few weeks and months, then it is eminently in the interest of these Fulani villagers to facilitate or cooperate in their removal. They are in as much danger of violent criminals who attack Berom villagers as the Beroms themselves. There is also the imperative of the Fulani showing transparent respect of security, law and order, and complying with instructions which enhance their security and those of their neighbours. Finally, nonresistance may persuade the authorities to adopt a more conciliatory stance towards the longer-term welfare of the Fulani villagers, who are, in any case, almost entirely powerless in these circumstances. But those who encouraged the Fulani to accept all the conditions laid down by the military and suffer the inconveniences will be well advised to recognize some of their important concerns. The Fulani villagers are already substantially guilty by association in the eyes of the security agents and Plateau State Government. The suspected terrorists who kill Berom are related to the Fulani in official and popular perception, because they do not kill Fulani. The heavy hand of the state will most likely be felt by these Fulani

villagers, and the slightest expression of grievance will be interpreted as obstruction or complicity. Second, the Fulani villagers have no faith in the capacity of Plateau state government to be even-handed or compassionate where it becomes involved in their welfare or plans over their location or relocation. They are already condemned as settlers, even though many of the villages have had Fulani in them for over a century. The military in the locality were reminded of the very deep distrust of the villagers when they initially refused to accept the relief items which got to them on the second day of their relocation. The Plateau state government will be entirely happier if these Fulani villagers do not relocate back to their villages at all. The government will see this as a solution to a seemingly endemic conflict in which villagers are shot, hacked or burnt mostly while asleep, and their murderers melt into the night. Berom villagers do not trust the Fulani villagers. The reverse is also the case. At least the Berom have a governor who is unabashedly Berom and Christian. The Fulani have only a poor reputation as settlers who attack indigenes at will, or import "mercenaries" to do it for them. Now they join the Hausa indigenes of the state from Jos, many of whose fellow indigenes would also love to relocate permanently. In Plateau state, you have no citizens, only settlers and indigenes. The Fulani villagers who are now caught between the hostility of the state and other communities; and the instinct to stay put because they have no safe alternative, must be protected by other Nigerians. They must be protected because they alone are powerless to resist the onslaught of a Nigerian state which sees this operation as an important exercise that will show its seriousness and capacity to tackle terrorism. They must be protected because they represent every citizen or community whose basic rights may be abridged by illegal and arbitrarily actions of those in power, who think our tongue or faith can be evaluated and ranked by them. They must be protected because they represent the tipping point in an emerging disaster being triggered by the Plateau state government, which will attack the very soul of a plural nation such as ours. The Fulani villagers should not be used to appease the incompetence and arrogance which have brought danger to every citizen of Plateau state. Those villagers are us. They must be protected where they are, and be allowed to relocate as early the imperatives of national security demand.

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos, Tel: +234-09-8734478. Cell: +234 803 606 3308. e-mail: contact@peoplesdaily-online.com; pmlnewsdesk@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141